cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robustness of classifier-in-the-loop control systems: A hybrid-systems approach

This paper studies continuous-state dynamical systems that use a classifier to determine the control input. Since the classifier output belongs to a finite set, the feedback control is a piece-wise constant function of the state. We therefore model the closed-loop system as a switched system. The decision surfaces of the classifier in the feature space dictate determine the switching surfaces in the state space. Therefore, the classifier affects the stability of the closed-loop system. Any analysis of the nominal closed-loop system may not be valid in states or environments that the training data for the classifier do not represent. We propose techniques to determine when the stability of the nominal system can be extended to unseen states and/or environments.
American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 at Middle Age and Prognosis After Myocardial Infarction in Later Life

Background The American Heart Association recommends focusing on 7 health factors (Life9s Simple 7) for primordial prevention of cardiovascular health. However, whether greater adherence to Life9s Simple 7 in midlife improves prognosis after myocardial infarction (MI) in later life is unknown. Methods and Results In 1277 participants who developed MI during the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) Study follow‐up, a 14‐point score of Life9s Simple 7 was constructed according to the status (2 points for ideal, 1 point for intermediate, and 0 points for poor) of each of 7 factors (smoking, adiposity, physical activity, diet, total cholesterol, blood pressure, and fasting glucose) at baseline (1987–1989). Hazard ratios for composite and individual adverse outcomes of all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, recurrent MI, heart failure, and stroke were calculated according to Life9s Simple 7 score. During a median follow‐up of 3.3 years, 918 participants (72%) had subsequent adverse outcomes after MI. Life9s Simple 7 score at middle age was inversely associated with adverse outcomes after MI (adjusted hazard ratios of composite outcome, 0.57 [95% confidence interval, 0.39–0.84] if score is ≥10, 0.78 [95% confidence interval, 0.57–1.07] if score is 7–9, and 0.82 [95% confidence interval, 0.60–1.11] if score is 4–6 versus ≤3). The association was largely independent of access to care and MI severity. Individual factors related to better prognosis after MI were ideal nonsmoking, body mass index, blood pressure, and fasting glucose. Conclusions Optimal Life9s Simple 7 at middle age was associated with better prognosis after MI in later life. Our findings suggest a secondary prevention benefit of having better cardiovascular health status in midlife.
Spatial and Temporal Patterns In Population Trends and Burrow Usage of Burrowing Owls In North America

Abstract Many researchers have suggested that abundance of Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) has declined in many portions of their breeding range, but a thorough review of their population trends over time is lacking. Published population trends from the North American Breeding Bird Survey program suggested that Burrowing Owl populations in the US have declined over the past 60 yr, but the declines were not considered significant until 2014. However, accurate trend estimates and the statistical significance of those estimates were hampered by low relative abundance of owls. Moreover, many authors have suggested that eradication of burrowing animals is a major cause of Burrowing Owl declines, because burrows dug by burrowing animals are a critical resource for Western Burrowing Owls (A. cunicularia hypugaea). Despite this, we currently lack a range-wide summary of the burrowing animals on which Western Burrowing Owls depend. To help fill these two information gaps, my objectives were to: (1) use Breedin...
The Uses of Heterochrony

Ernst Haeckel, following the scattershot theory for an enduring recognition by posterity, coined terms as a government might issue promises—continuously and with some repetition. Most, like the vows of statesmen, were soon forgotten, but some have endured in the sense that Haeckel intended, notably ecology, ontogeny, phylogeny, and Monera. (Haeckel almost pulled off the neat trick of naming our ancestral genus before its discovery—for he predicted, by applying his biogenetic law to modern children, the characters of Pithecanthropus 30 years before DuBois found an appropriate fossil for the name on Java. But the species has since been promoted to Homo erectus, and Haeckel’s genus rests on the ash heap of synonymy.) In some cases, however, Haeckel would only be able to view the survival of his names as, at best, a pyrrhic victory, but more as a bitter joke unconsciously played against his scattershot approach—for the names live, but with meanings contrary to Haeckel’s original intent. Heterochrony, the theme of this book, is such a Haeckelian term converted into its opposite in current usage. The odyssey of its transformation is as quirky a tale as the phylogeny of many lineages; the reasons behind the shift in meaning also tell an interesting story crucial to the major concerns of this book.
Using BPR Tools in Business Process Education

Software plays an increasingly important role in education. It not only provides the student with the mastery of a tool that he may use in his work life. It also immerses the student very effectively in complex business settings. Therefore, at the Marshall School of Business we are striving to integrate leading-edge technology into high curriculum. In 1994 we selected the ARIS toolset as the main software engineering and business process analysis tool for our information systems analysis classes both on the graduate level and on the undergraduate level. In this article, we will first describe the background of our decision to adopt the ARIS toolset. We will then describe the integration into the curriculum. Finally, we will focus lessons learned and future steps to be taken with ARIS.
The selenium analog of 6-propylthiouracil. Measurement of its inhibitory effect on type I iodothyronine deiodinase and of its antithyroid activity.

Abstract 6-Propylthiouracil (PTU), a widely used antithyroid drug for the treatment of Graves' disease, is also a potent inhibitor of Type I iodothyronine deiodinase (ID-1). Inhibition of ID-1 was attributed initially to the formation of a mixed disulfide between PTU and a putative cysteine residue at the active site. It has been demonstrated recently that ID-1 is a selenium-containing enzyme, with selenocysteine, rather than cysteine, at the active site. It seemed possible, therefore, that the selenium analog of PTU (PSeU) might be a more potent inhibitor of ID-1 than PTU. To test this possibility, we developed a procedure for the synthesis of PSeU, and we compared PSeU and PTU as inhibitors of ID-1 in a test system containing 125I-rT3, rat liver microsomes, and dithiothreitol. Deiodinase activity was measured by the increase in 125I-iodide. PTU and PSeU were tested at 0.1, 0.3, 1 and 3 μM. Based on results of four separate experiments, the drugs were essentially equipotent as inhibitors of ID-1, although statistical analysis suggested that PSeU may be slightly more potent than PTU. PTU and PSeU were also compared for antithyroid activity in vivo and in vitro. As inhibitors of the catalytic activity of thyroid peroxidase (TPO), the two drugs were essentially equipotent in iodination and guaiacol assays involving measurements made shortly after the addition of H2O2. However, in in vivo experiments with rats, PSeU showed no appreciable inhibition of organic iodine formation in the thyroid, whereas PTU, as expected, was a potent inhibitor. The lack of inhibition of organic iodine formation in vivo by PSeU suggests that, unlike PTU, it is not concentrated by the thyroid gland. In an iodination system in which H2O2 was generated by glucose-glucose oxidase, both PTU and PSeU, when present at 10 μM, acted as reversible inhibitors of iodination. However, when the drug concentration was raised to 50 μM, TPO was inactivated and iodination was irreversibly inhibited. These results suggest that PTU and PSeU inhibit TPO-catalyzed iodination by similar mechanisms. Under the same conditions, the selenium analog of methimazole (another widely used antithyroid drug) does not inactivate TPO. It acts primarily as a reversible inhibitor of TPO-catalyzed iodination.
Natural Images: Coding Efficiency

A wide variety of studies over the past 20 years have demonstrated that our sensory systems are remarkably efficient at coding the sensory environment. Much of this work has focused on the visual system and has demonstrated that many properties of the early visual system are extremely well matched to the statistical structure of the visual world. However, there remain many questions regarding how far this approach can be taken in understanding the full visual system, especially higher levels of visual processing. Basic theories of efficiency (e.g., decorrelation, sparseness, independence) are likely to be insufficient in accounting for the more complex nonlinear representations found in higher levels. In this article, we take a closer look at how efficiency might be defined. In particular, we consider three forms of efficiency: representational efficiency, metabolic efficiency, and learning efficiency. Although the majority of studies have focused on representational efficiency and metabolic efficiency, we argue that a complete account of visual processing must consider all three forms.
Measurement of Capacitance Using Spread Spectrum Time Domain Reflectometry (SSTDR) and Dictionary Matching

In this paper, we present a method for estimating capacitances with SSTDR and a dictionary matching algorithm. We simulate a dictionary of simulated SSTDR reflections for a range of capacitances, based on parameters of the transmitted SSTDR signal, the SSTDR signal generator, and the transmission line. The measured SSTDR reflection data is compared with each simulated reflection through cross-correlation, and the estimated capacitance is found from the highest correlation. We validate this method with experiments on capacitors ranging from 1pF to 450pF using a 12 MHz SSTDR. The dictionary matching algorithm estimated the capacitor values within 4% to 20% in the capacitance range of 100pF to 400pF.
Cicatricial ectropion and madarosis associated with panitumumab treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Abstract Purpose To report a case of cicatricial ectropion and madarosis with the use of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor medication panitumumab. Observations An 82-year-old man with metastatic colorectal cancer presented with cicatricial ectropion and madarosis after starting panitumumab, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor medication used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer. His findings resolved several weeks after discontinuation of panitumumab and treatment with lubrication and antibiotic/steroid ointment. Conclusion This case demonstrates the importance to consider potential medication side effects when treating periocular conditions in patients taking anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) agents.
Chemotherapy: Where we have been and where we are going

Abstract The treatment of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck should include a multidisciplinary approach with surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and allied health specialists. For early stage disease the treatment entails surgical resection or radiotherapy (RT) as the primary therapy, without the addition of chemotherapy. Historically, for locally advanced disease, cytotoxic chemotherapy with cisplatin is often incorporated into the multimodal treatment regime in the postoperative setting in combination with RT, or concurrently with RT as definitive therapy. In select cases, chemotherapy with a platinum-based regimen may also be given as induction therapy prior to definitive treatment. For patients with recurrent or metastatic disease that are not amenable to surgery or radiation, treatment with single- or multiagent cytotoxic chemotherapy had long been the only option for palliative therapy. The treatment resulted in only modest response rates of 10%–20% for single-agent chemotherapy with no definite improvement in overall survival. The addition of cetuximab to cytotoxic chemotherapy resulted in a modest improvement in outcomes for patients with metastatic disease but with significant toxicity. More recently, first-line treatment with the combination of platinum, 5-FU, and the anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) antibody pembrolizumab has further improved survival rates regardless of the programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) status and has been a recent practice-changing development for patients with this disease.
Analytical CPTU Models Applied to Sensitive Clay at Dover, New Hampshire

AbstractTwo analytical models for interpreting piezocone penetration tests (CPTUs) in soft sensitive Presumpscot clay were applied to in situ and laboratory results from a highway embankment projec...
Disclosure Quality and Market Liquidity: Impact of Depth Quotes and Order Sizes

We study the relation between disclosure policy and market liquidity. Our tests examine how two key aspects of market liquidity, the effective bid-ask spread and quoted depth, relate to financial analysts' ratings of firms' disclosure policies. We introduce a method of combining order sizes and depth quotes to yield more precise estimates of effective spreads on trades likely constrained by quoted depth. We find that while firms with higher rated disclosures are charged lower effective spreads, they are also quoted lower depth, consistent with the notion that better disclosures reduce information asymmetry but cause some liquidity suppliers to exit the market (e.g. Diamond and Verrecchia 1991). Thus, a simple examination of spreads and depths yields ambiguous inferences on the relation between disclosure policy and market liquidity. We resolve this ambiguity by estimating depth-adjusted effective spreads, and find that firms with higher rated disclosures have lower depth-adjusted effective spreads across all trade sizes. Overall, our results suggest a robust inverse relation between disclosure ratings and effective trading costs. Thus, a policy of enhanced financial disclosure is related to improved market liquidity.
Human Factors Assessment of a Pediatric Elliptical Machine With Cost Effective Modifications

Background: Developing and sustaining cardio vascular fitness for ambulation are common rehabilitation foci for children with disabilities and their families. Properly designed elliptical trainers ...
The Embryological Development of the Cerebrovascular System

The development of the cerebral arteries starts in the 4th week of embryological life and evolves through the course of gestation. The guiding principle to the development of the arterial system is supply and demand, in which the timing and geometric configuration of arteries parallels the asynchronous development of brain areas. The primitive carotid arteries emerge from the third aortic arch and the paired dorsal aortae. Subsequently, the anterior circulation proper forms distally by division of the primitive internal carotid artery into two divisions: 1) anterior (originating later the anterior, middle cerebral and anterior choroidal arteries) and posterior (originating later the posterior cerebral, posterior choroidal and posterior communicating arteries arise). The longitudinal neural arteries form the posterior circulation in early stage. Three transient arteries, which branch from the internal carotid arteries, supply the longitudinal neural arteries: the trigeminal artery, otic artery (also known as the acoustic artery) and the hypoglossal artery, which together form the carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomosis. Eventually, these anastomoses regress as the primitive vertebral arteries begin to form from an anastomosis of the intersegmental arteries and the proatlantal intersegmental artery.
Translocation of polyubiquitinated protein substrates by the hexameric Cdc48 ATPase

The hexameric Cdc48 ATPase (p97 or VCP in mammals) cooperates with its cofactor Ufd1/Npl4 to extract polyubiquitinated proteins from membranes or macromolecular complexes for degradation by the proteasome. Here, we clarify how the Cdc48 complex unfolds its substrates and translocates polypeptides with branchpoints. The Cdc48 complex recognizes primarily polyubiquitin chains, rather than the attached substrate. Cdc48 and Ufd1/Npl4 cooperatively bind the polyubiquitin chain, resulting in the unfolding of one ubiquitin molecule (initiator). Next, the ATPase pulls on the initiator ubiquitin and moves all ubiquitin molecules linked to its C-terminus through the central pore of the hexameric double-ring, causing transient ubiquitin unfolding. When the ATPase reaches the isopeptide bond of the substrate, it can translocate and unfold both N- and C-terminal segments. Ubiquitins linked to the branchpoint of the initiator dissociate from Ufd1/Npl4 and move outside the central pore, resulting in the release of unfolded, polyubiquitinated substrate from Cdc48.
Peacekeeping and the Contagion of Armed Conflict

Existing scholarship has characterized the severity of and mechanisms behind the problem of conflict contagion but not how to address it. Although studies of peacekeeping have demonstrated that it can prevent conflict recurrence, we know little about whether international actors can also help prevent conflict from spreading. Using event history analysis that incorporates information from neighboring observations, the empirical findings indicate that the expected risk of armed conflict increases by over 70% when peacekeepers are not deployed to a recent neighboring conflict but does not significantly rise when neighboring peacekeepers are deployed. One of the key means by which peacekeeping helps contain conflict is through addressing problems related to transnational movement of and support for insurgencies, thereby specifically preventing intrastate conflict from increasing the propensity for new intrastate conflict nearby. Moreover, both lighter and more substantial peacekeeping deployments can prevent ...
Fabrication Techniques for Submicron Devices

It is now possible to fabricate test patterns, which compose the basic parts of elemental semiconductor devices, that are as small as 10 nm in size, and to see individual features on the order of 1 nm in size.(1) This suggests that further device miniaturization and entirely new device concepts are certain to occur. However, coupled with the decrease in device size has been a concomitant increase in the number of devices that are contained on a single integrated circuit. Today’s 0.5-ikm devices allow as many as 16 million transistors on a single dynamic memory chip or as many as a million devices on a microprocessor chip. Therefore, while it is feasible to use exotic processing techniques to fabricate single devices, the industry requires processing techniques which can fabricate large arrays of chips, with each chip containing this large number of individual devices. Thus, the practicality of a particular process is of utmost importance if it is to be used in the continuing growth of integrated circuit density.
SU-A-210-00: AAPM Medical Physics Student Meeting: Medical Billing and Regulations: Everything You Always Wanted To Know, But Were Too Afraid To Ask

The purpose of this student annual meeting is to address topics that are becoming more relevant to medical physicists, but are not frequently addressed, especially for students and trainees just entering the field. The talk is divided into two parts: medical billing and regulations. Hsinshun Wu – Why should we learn radiation oncology billing? Many medical physicists do not like to be involved with medical billing or coding during their career. They believe billing is not their responsibility and sometimes they even refuse to participate in the billing process if given the chance. This presentation will talk about a physicist’s long career and share his own experience that knowing medical billing is not only important and necessary for every young medical physicist, but that good billing knowledge could provide a valuable contribution to his/her medical physics development. Learning Objectives: 1. The audience will learn the basic definition of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes performed in a Radiation Oncology Department. 2. Understand the differences between hospital coding and physician-based or freestanding coding. 3. Apply proper CPT coding for each Radiation Oncology procedure. 4. Each procedure with its specific CPT code will be discussed in detail. 5. The talk will focus on the process of care and use of actual workflow to understand each CPT code. 6. Example coding of a typical Radiation Oncology procedure. 7. Special procedure coding such as brachytherapy, proton therapy, radiosurgery, and SBRT. Maryann Abogunde – Medical physics opportunities at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) The NRC’s responsibilities include the regulation of medical uses of byproduct (radioactive) materials and oversight of medical use end-users (licensees) through a combination of regulatory requirements, licensing, safety oversight including inspection and enforcement, operational experience evaluation, and regulatory support activities. This presentation will explore the career options for medical physicists in the NRC, how the NRC interacts with clinical medical physicists, and a physicist’s experience as a regulator. Learning Objectives: 1. Explore non-clinical career pathways for medical physics students and trainees at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 2. Overview of NRC medical applications and medical use regulations. 3. Understand the skills needed for physicists as regulators. Abogunde is funded to attend the meeting by her employer, the NRC.
Improvements in short-term forecasting of geomagnetic activity

We have improved our space weather forecasting algorithms to now predict Dst and AE in addition to Kp for up to 6 h of forecast times. These predictions can be accessed in real time at http://mms.rice.edu/realtime/forecast.html. In addition, in the event of an ongoing or imminent activity, e-mail “alerts” based on key discriminator levels have been going out to our subscribers since October 2003. The neural network–based algorithms utilize ACE data to generate full 1, 3, and 6 h ahead predictions of these indices from the Boyle index, an empirical approximation that estimates the Earth's polar cap potential using solar wind parameters. Our models yield correlation coefficients of over 0.88, 0.86, and 0.83 for 1 h predictions of Kp, Dst, and AE, respectively, and 0.86, 0.84, and 0.80 when predicting the same but 3 h ahead. Our 6 h ahead predictions, however, have slightly higher uncertainties. Furthermore, the paper also tests other solar wind functions—the Newell driver, the Borovsky control function, and adding solar wind pressure term to the Boyle index—for their ability to predict geomagnetic activity.
Tiling Large Geographical Databases

Geographical variation is infinitely complex, so the information coded in a spatial database can only approximate reality. The information will always be inadequate, in spatial resolution, thematic or geographical coverage. "Large" can be usefully defined as exceeding our current capacity to deliver. We provide examples of large geographical databases. Traditional stores partition geographical data by theme and geographically. We assume that digital geographical databases will be largely archival, and will be similarly partitioned. A general model of a large archival store is presented. We analyze the properties of a generalized Morton key as a means of indexing tiles, and illustrate its role in traditional systems of tile indexing. For global databases, we propose a tiling based on recursive subdivisions of the triangular faces of an octahedron using a rule of four.
The Rise in Job Displacement, 1991-2004

INVOLUNTARY ket. But, taken together, advance notification of layoffs, a wellfunctioning unemployment insurance system, adequately funded and appropriately targeted job training, and rapid overall job growth can greatly reduce the economic hardships facing workers who lose their jobs involuntarily. Unfortunately, the U.S. labor market generally gives workers little or no advance notice of layoffs.1 State-run unemployment insurance systems cover only a portion of workers' lost incomes, for a limited period, and leave an important share of the unemployed without any coverage at all.2 Government and private training opportunities also fall far short of needs.3
Positioning Politics: Kelo, Eminent Domain, and the Press

This paper explores the politics of the Kelo backlash by analyzing the content of public opinion published in editorials, op-eds, editorial cartoons, and letters-to-the editor on the pages of the nation's daily papers. Work by Nader, Diamond, and Patton (2006) analyzes public opinion from five polls conducted in fall 2005, after the decision came down. My work analyzes how press editors, elected officials, grass-roots organizations, organized constituencies, and individuals positioned their opinions in response to the controversial ruling, and what these opinions tell us about the character of the backlash. In a political minefield such as Kelo, where the legal and policy - if not emotional - issues are complex, what role does the press play in framing the issues? What coalitions are evident in the way various interests frame the issue? And how might such framing shape the politics of the many efforts to reform government's powers of eminent domain?To address these issues, I constructed a database on Kelo press commentary (from 272 newspapers) based on search protocols around three newsworthy event episodes in the case: the U.S. Supreme Court's September 2004 decision to accept the case, oral arguments before the justices in February 2005, and the announcement of its ruling in June 2005. The content analysis of headlines, editorials and editorial cartoons revealed the political power of framing. Three salient messages characterized the reporting on Kelo in the month following the Court's ruling. First, the scope of government power has been broadened, bolstered, expanded, extended, strengthened, or widened. Second, homeowners have been shown the door, they are vulnerable, or their homes are up for grabs by government. Third, elected politicians are concerned and ready to take up and fight for property rights. The reporting was more interpretation than fact and relied heavily on inflammatory hyperbole and provocation. Overwhelmingly and unsurprisingly, the editorials voiced dissent with the Court's ruling, which mirrored public opinion data, but as with the reporting, they relied heavily upon a series of myths about Kelo and eminent domain. These myths became powerful framing devices, which have made eminent domain a touchstone social-policy battle with a life of its own. And, as evident in the editorial cartoons, the two previously esoteric Latin words have become household familiar, a political metaphor for excessive use of government power.
DEFORMATION MODULI OF ROCKS

THERE IS A REAL NEED FOR MORE PRECISE DEFINITIONS OF PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ROCKS, PARTICULARLY THE DEFORMATION MODULI OF BOTH LABORATORY SPECIMENS AND ROCK MASSES IN SITU. A VITAL INITIAL STEP IN ESTABLISHING STANDARDS IS TO RECOGNIZE EXISTING PROBLEMS OF ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS. ONE OF THE PRIME PURPOSES OF THIS PAPER IS TO FURNISH BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON DEFORMATION MODULI SO THAT FURTHER STEPS IN SETTING UP STANDARDS CAN BE TAKEN. MORE BASIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH WILL BE REQUIRED BEFORE SATISFACTORY STANDARDS CAN BE ESTABLISHED. /AUTHOR/
Premarital sex: attitudes and behavior by dating stage.

Using data gathered from a 63-item dating and mate-selection questionnaire completed by 280 student and nonstudent respondents in Southern New England US this study investigates the differences between what people believe is proper premarital sexual behavior and what they think others are doing at 5 stages of dating. It was inspired by the suggestions of several other studies and general observations: that young people in the 1980s are more conservative in their general outlook and possibly also in regards to premarital sex behavior. Another purpose was to examine the influence of social factors such as age gender religion mothers education fathers education residence and religiosity. The sample consisted of college students from a state college and college-age youths. Behaviors were placed in categories ranged from the least to the most intimate. There is an increase in permissiveness for both males and females at each successive stage with females most likely to engage in sexual intimacy in the committed stages of a relationship. Differences between male and female attitudes disappear towards later stages. It was found that persons are most restrictive in what they believe is proper conduct more permissive in their reported behavior and most permissive in their perception of what others are doing: there is a pull from the reference group in favor of permissiveness. Analysis of the data indicates there is a much higher level of sexual activity than in the 1950s and 60s. 3 factors: gender religiosity and religious attendance were found to make statistically significant differences to the dependent variables. Other studies which failed to take dating stage into consideration may have missed important gender differences in the early period of dating.
Motorola's PowerPC 603 and PowerPC 604 RISC microprocessor: the C4/ceramic-ball-grid array interconnect technology

The Motorola PowerPC 603 and PowerPC 604 microprocessors are available in the 21 mm controlled-collapsed-chip-connection/ceramic-ball-grid-array single-chip package (C4/CBGA). This paper will introduce the C4/CBGA interconnect technology and address the following: (1) the PCB land definition and board preparation requirements, (2) the ball-grid-array to board assembly methods, (3) the electrical design considerations, (4) the heat transfer mechanism and thermal control options, and (5) the CBGA-to-PCB testing and reliability.
A numerical study of the temperature dependence of the unity gain frequency of silicon bipolar transistors

The dependence of the unity gain frequency f/sub T/ of a silicon double-diffused bipolar transistor on temperature and collector current density at 77-300 K is discussed. The f/sub T/ characteristics are generated by the low-temperature bipolar transistor simulator BILOW. Physical explanations of the f/sub T/ plots are given on the basis of simulated distributions of various internal parameters of the bipolar transistor. The temperature dependence of f/sub T/ is found to be strongly influenced by the charge of the minority carriers trapped in the base on the compensated impurity atoms. The electric-field distribution within the base is changed as a result of the additional charge. >
Culture, agency costs, and governance: International evidence on capital structure

Abstract We examine social characteristics (individualism and risk aversion) and their interaction with firm governance and capital structure across the G20 countries from 1995 to 2009 using roughly 13,000 firms. We show that higher levels of individualism are associated with increased firm use of debt and lower cost of capital, whereas higher risk aversion has the opposite effects. Better firm-level governance substantially reduces these cultural effects, as does larger firm size, and less research-intensity at the firm. The results show that capital structure in emerging markets is considerably less affected by national culture relative to developed countries. To address endogeneity concerns, we show our results hold after using a propensity score matching procedure.
The Effects of N Nutrition on the Water Relations and Gas Exchange Characteristics of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

The purpose of this study was to characterize leaf photosynthetic and stomatal responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants grown under two N-nutritional regimes. High- and low-N regimes were imposed on growth-chamber-grown plants by fertilizing with nutrient solutions containing 12 or 1 millimolar nitrogen, respectively. Gas-exchange measurements indicated not only greater photosynthetic capacity of high-N plants under well-watered conditions, but also a greater sensitivity of CO2 exchange rate and leaf conductance to CO2 and leaf water potential compared to low-N plants. Increased sensitivity of high-N plants was associated with greater tissue elasticity, lower values of leaf osmotic pressure and greater aboveground biomass. These N-nutritional-related changes resulted in greater desiccation (lowered relative water content) of high-N plants as leaf water potential fell, and were implicated as being important in causing greater sensitivity of high-N leaf gas exchange to reductions in water potential. Water use efficiency of leaves, calculated as CO2 exchange rate/transpiration, increased from 9.1 to 13 millimoles per mole and 7.9 to 9.1 millimoles per mole for high- and low-N plants as water became limiting. Stomatal oscillations were commonly observed in the low-N treatment at low leaf water potentials and ambient CO2 concentrations, but disappeared as CO2 was lowered and stomata opened.
Implementing a palm pilot intervention for primary care providers: Lessons learned

The Personal Digital Assistance for Guideline Adherence (GLAD Heart) study was designed to test a strategy to improve quality of care through increased adherence to ATPIII cholesterol guidelines. This paper describes the overall study design including the multi-faceted intervention and outcome measures. Sixty-one primary care practices in NC were recruited and randomized to either a personal digital assistant-based cholesterol management intervention or an intervention similar in intensity and frequency of contact but focused on a hypertension clinical practice guideline. Installation and implementation of the technology intervention was challenging. Over the course of the study, there were 74 technical issues requiring assistance for the palm pilot from 23 participating practices. The GLAD Heart project was completed successfully with some impact on cholesterol management. Technology has the potential to improve the quality of care provided in the healthcare setting. However, potentially expensive interventions such as that conducted in GLAD Heart should undergo rigorous testing to assure their efficacy before widespread adoption.
Structural analysis of the extension peptides on matrix forms of type V collagen in fetal calf bone and skin.

Abstract The structure of the extension peptides retained on the tissue form of type V collagen molecules was determined. Type V collagen α chains containing extension peptides were extracted from fetal calf skin and bone by 4 M guanidine-HCl and 0.5 M acetic acid, respectively. Collagens present in both extracts were fractionated by sodium chloride precipitation. The collagen α(V) chains were then resolved by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The N-terminal extension peptides were characterized by direct sequence analysis after deblocking with pyroglutamate amino-peptidase and analysis of the products of digestion by bacterial collagenase, chymotrypsin, V8 protease and endoproteinase Lys-C. The results showed that the retained extension peptides on type V collagen molecules in the extracellular matrix of skin and bone were amino-properties and that the α2(V) chain retains an intact amino-propeptide while the α1(V) chain appears to be partially processed. The extended α1(V) chain isolated from fetal calf bone gave an identical amino-terminal sequence to that of the α1(V) chain isolated from fetal calf skin, suggesting that a specific enzyme may be involved in processing the α1(V) amino-propeptide.
Next Generation TFT-Array Testing for High Resolution/High Content AMLCDs

Along with the extraordinary success of low cost amorphous silicon a-Si TFT-LCDs, technical and cost effectiveness of the TFT-array test is today's focus. In this paper we discuss the current TFT-array testing status and show the next generation TFT-array testing method for higher resolution a-Si TFT-LCDs. The benefits of a lower cost testing method without any degradation of the testing quality are discussed.
Mechanism of Sustained Release of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Accelerating Experimental Diabetic Healing

In this study, we hypothesize that local sustained release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), using adenovirus vector (ADV)-mediated gene transfer, accelerates experimental wound healing. This hypothesis was tested by determining the specific effects of VEGF(165) application on multiple aspects of the wound healing process, that is, time to complete wound closure and skin biomechanical properties. After showing accelerated wound healing in vivo, we studied the mechanism to explain the findings on multiple aspects of the wound healing cascade, including epithelialization, collagen deposition, and cell migration. Intradermal treatment of wounds in non-obese diabetic and db/db mice with ADV/VEGF(165) improves healing by enhancing tensile stiffness and/or increasing epithelialization and collagen deposition, as well as by decreasing time to wound closure. VEGF(165), in vitro, stimulates the migration of cultured human keratinocytes and fibroblasts, thus revealing a non-angiogenic effect of VEGF on wound closure. In conclusion, ADV/VEGF is effective in accelerating wound closure by stimulating angiogenesis, epithelialization, and collagen deposition. In the future, local administration and sustained, controlled release of VEGF(165) may decrease amputations in patients with diabetic foot ulcers and possibly accelerate closure of venous ulcers and pressure ulcers.
Validity of four motion sensors in measuring moderate intensity physical activity

BASSETT, D. R., Jr., B. E. AINSWORTH, A. M. SWARTZ, S. J. STRATH, W. L. O’BRIEN, and G. A. KING. Validity of four motion sensors in measuring moderate intensity physical activity. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 32, No. 9, Suppl., pp. S471–S480, 2000.PurposeThis study tested the validity of four motio
The evaluation of a new technology for gunshot residue (GSR) analysis in the field

There continues to be a need for improved technology to be used in theater to quickly and accurately identify the person who shot any weapon during a terrorist attack as well as to link a suspect to the actual weapon fired during a crime. Beyond this, in areas of conflict it would be desirable to have the capability to establish the source country for weaponry and ammunition. Gunshot residue (GSR) analysis is a reasonably well-studied technology area. Recent scientific publications have reported that the residues have a rich composition of both organic and inorganic compounds. For the purposes of identifying the manufacturer or country of origin for the ammunition, the inorganic components of GSR appear to be especially promising since their presence in the propellant and primer formulations are either specific to a given chemical formula, or they represent impurities in the manufacturing process that can be unique to a manufacturer or the source country for the chemicals used for propellants and primers. The Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology has already demonstrated considerable capability for elemental fingerprinting, especially for inorganic/metallic components. A number of reports have demonstrated LIBS capability in forensics for matching materials such as inks, fabrics, paper, glass, and paint. This work describes the encouraging results of an initial study to assess a new commercial field-portable (battery operated) LIBS system for GSR analysis with gunshot residues having been collected from inside cartridge casings from 3 different ammunition manufacturers.
Municipal annexation and local monopoly power

We have found that the fiscal power of a city can be increased by extension of its borders within a land area that is homogeneous with respect to earning opportunities, even when numerous rival jurisdictions exist in the area. We hypothesized that extending municipal boundaries will have a positive effect on discretionary outlays and on expenditures per capita. The evidence presented supports these hypotheses. Furthermore, municipal wages appear to be significantly increased in cities experiencing annexation growth. Therefore, we would expect to find that municipal employees are more inclined to favor annexation than the rest of the electorate. From a policy standpoint, this study suggests that significant perverse effects on fiscal efficiency may follow adoption of legal reforms that facilitate the ability of municipalities to extend their borders, or that restrict the formation of new municipalities.
Pharmacokinetics of azlocillin in normal renal function: single and repetitive dosing studies

Systemic and urinary pharmacokinetic studies of the disposition of azlocillin were performed in seven male and six female healthy volunteers. Four separate studies identified the kinetics of the drug following a single 2, 3 or 4 g administration and during the repetitive administrations of 3 g of the drug over a five-day period. Peak plasma concentrations were 174 +/- 19 mg/l, 214 +/- 17 mg/l and 286 +/- 11 mg/l in the 2, 3 and 4 g single dose studies respectively. Trough values at 4 h post-dosing were 6 +/- 1 mg/l, 10 +/- 1 mg/l and 26 +/- 3 mg/l respectively. The plasma half-life of azlocillin was approximately 60 min. A dose-dependent phenomenon was observed. This was characterized by a slight but significant progressive increase in the plasma half-life of the drug as increasing amounts of drug were given and as the same amount was given repeatedly. No significant systemic accumulation of azlocillin was noted during the repetitive dosing study. The urinary excretion of the compound was prompt with most of the bioactive drug being eliminated in the first 4-6 h following dosing. The apparent volume of distribution of azlocillin was slightly greater than the extracellular fluid compartment. For the therapy of systemic infections in adults with normal renal function a 4 h or 6 h dosing cycle would be appropriate.
Approach to Treatment of the Patient with Metabolic Syndrome: Lifestyle Therapy

The National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III definition of the metabolic syndrome identifies those at high risk for diabetes mellitus and/or a cardiac event by clustering a number of easily measured clinical findings, including abdominal obesity, elevated plasma levels of triglycerides, low plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated fasting blood glucose, and elevated blood pressure. The presence of > or = 3 of these 5 risk factors justifies a diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome. This article focuses on root causes of the syndrome (atherogenic diet, sedentary lifestyle, and overweight/obesity) and highlights recent studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of therapeutic lifestyle changes in improving or preventing the components of the metabolic syndrome. We offer a practical approach with a focus that embraces not only patients, but also physicians and healthcare professionals as well as the larger healthcare system.
Educational materials for teaching adults

The use of various materials is necessary if all instructional goals and objectives are to be realized by all learners. Decisions about the nature and types of resources to be used should reflect consideration of a number of factors.
Rituximab treatment in patients with IVIg-dependent immune polyneuropathy: a prospective pilot trial

We studied the effect of rituximab in allowing a reduction in dose of intravenous immune globulin (IVIg) in six patients with IVIg-dependent, relapsing immune polyneuropathy. Rituximab (375 mg/m(2) intravenously each week for 4 weeks) was administered in a prospective, open-label design to two patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), two with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), one with neuropathy and anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) antibody neuropathy, and one with Sjogren syndrome (SS) ataxic neuropathy. The primary endpoint was a reduced cumulative IVIg dosage by at least 25% at 1 year after rituximab therapy compared to the previous year. Secondary endpoints included an improved summed strength score by at least 5 points on the Medical Research Council scale, an increased sensory score by at least 4 points, or an improved Rankin disability score by at least 1 grade. Total IVIg dosage decreased by greater than 25% in one patient with SS neuropathy and one with MMN; the dosage was unchanged in one with CIDP, slightly reduced in the patient with anti-MAG neuropathy, and increased in one with CIDP and another with MMN. There was no improvement in secondary endpoints. No adverse events occurred. In this small prospective study, rituximab did not reduce IVIg requirements in the majority of patients with IVIg-dependent, immune-mediated polyneuropathies.
Natural and experimental Helicobacter mustelae reinfection following successful antimicrobial eradication in ferrets.

Background.Recrudescence or reinfection may occur after eradication of Helicobacter pylori in humans. Materials and Methods.We used the ferret Helicobacter mustelae model to investigate the effect of prior infection and eradication on reinfection by experimental and natural routes. Two groups of ferrets with naturally acquired H. mustelae infection were treated with an eradication protocol using amoxicillin, metronidazole, and bismuth subsalicylate. The ferrets were monitored for recrudescence by repeated cultures of endoscopic gastric mucosal biopsies. The ferrets were challenged at 17 months (group I) and 6 months (group II) after eradication with a strain of H. mustelae having a distinctive restriction endonuclease analysis pattern. The eradication protocol was repeated to eliminate the infection produced by experimental challenge. The ferrets were then cohoused intermittently with naturally infected ferrets. Results.The original H. mustelae infection was successfully eliminated by the eradication protocol. No recrudescence was observed in group I for 12 months nor for 3 months in group II after eradication. All ferrets became persistently reinfected with the challenge strain. The infection from the challenge strain was eradicated successfully. No ferrets in group I and all ferrets in group II became infected through cohousing. Conclusions.These results suggest that though prior infection with H. mustelae may confer some protection against reinfection, such protection is not universal in all circumstances; that susceptibility to reinfection by contact with infected animals varies between individuals; and that age may be a factor in this individual variability. These results are applicable to studies of reinfection after eradication of H. pylori in humans.
Magnetic properties of boron-doped silicon.

Measurements of the susceptibility between 1.25 and 300 K and of the magnetization from 0 to 50 kG are reported for a series of boron-doped silicon samples spanning the metal-nonmetal transition. As for Si:P, the magnetic properties change gradually in this field and temperature range as the boron concentration is varied across the transition. The susceptibility consists of (at least) two contributions: a component associated with the randomly distributed localized holes interacting via short-range antiferromagnetic exchange, and a component which maps the evolution of extended holes from a degenerate to a nondegenerate gas. The latter is a positive term which decreases in magnitude as the number of delocalized holes increases with increasing boron concentration. The impurity magnetization is not saturated at 1.25 K and 50 kG, and is small compared to the magnetization of an equivalent number of uncoupled boron impurities. Results for both the susceptibility and magnetization indicate that exchange plays a more important role in Si:B than it does in Si:P.