cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SHARED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR: THE CASE OF PUBLIC SAFETY NETWORKS

Many new public sector collaborations exhibit the characteristics of Shared Service Organizations (SSO). Public Safety Networks (PSNs) are receiving more attention and priority in the United States as the country deals with ever increasing threats from terrorism and natural disasters. As a network of independent, collaborating, safety agencies, supported by an information and communications technology infrastructure, PSNs organize as SSOs to meet the needs of ensuring public safety. Analysis of two United States PSNs is used to characterize PSNs as SSOs. Results from this research should lead to improvements and efficiencies in cost, performance, and innovations in PSNs in line with improvements seen in other organizations adopting SSO structures. With federal calls for improved transparency and cross-agency data sharing and operations, classifying PSNS as SSOs aids in understanding the complexities of public safety operations. Results are potentially applicable to a broad range of cross-agency intergovernmental collaborative initiatives employing interorganizational systems.
Theoretical Research on the Influence of the Interface Wood-Adhesive on the Stiffness of the Composite Panels Made of Wood Lamellas

The paper presents the results of the FEM (Finite Element Method) analysis applied to the anisotropic-orthotropic panels made of lamellas of hardwood (beech and maple wood) considered to be subjected to a static load. The research follows the influence of the interface wood - adhesive on the stiffness of the panels, for different lamella width.
Use of prospective gating in PET/CT imaging of lung nodules

2028 Objectives Prospective reconstruction respiratory gated PET/CT improves small lesion detectability, minimizes motion artifact and has less radiation exposure then Retrospective reconstruction Methods 30 lung cancer patients were done on a 16 slice Time of Flight PET/CT scanner. Patients were scanned supine with respiratory bellows around their chest. All patients were scanned in two bed position, covering the lung field, approximately fourteen minutes. CT was gated with a bellow device and was processed at 40-60% of maximum expiration. PET data was acquired at 40-60% of maximum expiration reconstructed at 3 iterations and 33 subsets per manufactures guidelines Results The gated and non-gated images of both the PET and the CT were compared in all three planes. Sizes of the lesions were drawn on both sets of data for comparison. Activity on the gated images was higher and there was better image resolution on the gated compared to the non-gated. Conclusions Respiratory gated provides an easy way to see smaller lesions, which allows for more accurate diagnosis of lung lesions. Prospective gating is equal in reconstruction quality as retrospective with out the higher radiation exposure to the patient
The use of cefotaxime in the treatment of gram-positive pneumonias

A single-blind, prospective, randomized comparison of cefotaxime and cefazolin was conducted in 356 patients with gram-positive pneumonias. Clinical cure was achieved in 95.9% of patients receiving cefotaxime and 94% of patients receiving cefazolin. In a sub-group of patients withStaphylococcus aureus pneumonia, clinical cure was obtained in 31 of 37 patients treated with cefotaxime and all of six patients treated with cefazolin. Cefotaxime was well tolerated, safe, and efficacious. These data support the use of cefotaxime as an initial single antibiotic in treating patients with gram-positive pneumonias due to susceptible organisms.
Forced use of the paretic leg induced by repeated exposure to constraint force applied to the non-paretic leg of individuals post-stroke during walking

Introduction/Background Locomotor training has been used to improve walking function of individuals post-stroke. However, the functional gains are relatively small, which may be due to the compensatory movements of the non-paretic leg during locomotor training. Our previous study indicated that applying a constraint force to the non-paretic leg could increase muscle activations of the paretic leg during treadmill walking. It is still unclear whether muscle responses in the paretic leg are acquired through feedback correction mechanisms or feedforward control mechanisms. The goal of this study was to examine electromyography (EMG) responses in the paretic leg to a repeated constraint force applied to the non-paretic leg during treadmill walking. Material and method Fifteen individuals with chronic stroke participated in this study. Subjects walked on a treadmill with no force for 1 minute, i.e., baseline. A controlled resistance force was then applied to the non-paretic leg starting from toe-off to mid-swing through a custom designed cable-driven robotic system for 7 minutes, i.e., adaptation period. The force was released and subjects continued walking on the treadmill for another 1 minute, i.e., post-adaptation period. The magnitude of resistance force was ∼18% of MVC of the hip flexion. EMG from 8 muscles of the paretic leg were recorded using electrodes and ankle movement of both legs were measured using position sensors. Results Integrated EMGs of ankle plantarflexors and hip extensors during stance phase significantly increased (33–50% increase, P Conclusion Our results suggest that both feedback correction and feedforward control mechanisms may be involved in response to the constraint force applied to the non-paretic leg. Results from this study may be used to develop a long-term training paradigm to induce a forced use of the paretic leg and improve walking function of individuals post-stroke.
Length variations within the Merle retrotransposon of canine PMEL : correlating genotype with phenotype

The antisense insertion of a canine short interspersed element (SINEC_Cf) in the pigmentation gene PMEL (or SILV) causes a coat pattern phenotype in dogs termed merle. Merle is a semi-dominant trait characterized by patches of full pigmentation on a diluted background. The oligo(dT) tract of the Merle retrotransposon is long and uninterrupted and is prone to dramatic truncation. Phenotypically wild-type individuals carrying shorter oligo(dT) lengths of the Merle allele have been previously described and termed cryptic merles. Two additional coat patterns, dilute merle (uniform, steely-grey coat) and harlequin merle (white background with black patches), also appear in breeds segregating the Merle allele. Sequencing of all PMEL exons in a dilute and a harlequin merle reveals that variation exists solely within the oligo(dT) tract of the SINEC_Cf insertion. In fragment analyses from 259 dogs heterozygous for Merle, we observed a spectrum of oligo(dT) lengths spanning 25 to 105 base pairs (bp), with ranges that correspond to the four varieties of the merle phenotype: cryptic (25–55 bp), dilute (66–74 bp), standard (78–86 bp), and harlequin (81–105 bp). Somatic contractions of the oligo(dT) were observed in 43% of standard and 51% of harlequin merle dogs. A small proportion (4.6%) of the study cohort inherited de novo contractions or expansions of the Merle allele that resulted in dilute or harlequin coat patterns, respectively. The phenotypic consequence of the Merle SINE insertion directly depends upon oligo(dT) length. In transcription, we propose that the use of an alternative splice site increases with oligo(dT) length, resulting in insufficient PMEL and a pigment dilution spectrum, from dark grey to complete hypopigmentation. We further propose that during replication, contractions and expansions increase in frequency with oligo(dT) length, causing coat variegation (somatic events in melanocytes) and the spontaneous appearance of varieties of the merle phenotype (germline events).
Capacitive-Link Universal Converters with Low Voltage Stress and High Switching Frequency

Capacitive-link universal converters are a relatively new class of single-stage power converters that can transfer power from any type of source (dc, single-phase ac, or three-phase ac) to any type of load. These converters offer numerous advantages including high reliability, due to using small film capacitors instead of electrolytic capacitors, high power density, due to possibility of using integrated high frequency transformers instead of bulky low frequency transformers when isolation is needed, and high efficiency, due to possibility of having zero current turn-on and turn-off for all switches. The main drawbacks of the capacitive-link universal converters are high voltage stress across the switches as well as limited range of switching frequency at low power levels. In this paper, a novel technique is proposed for addressing these two limitations. The proposed method allows the link voltage, which varies between 0 and a peak value in conventional control approach of these converters, to have a flexible non-zero minimum voltage. This flexible minimum voltage acts as an additional degree of freedom for design and control of this converter, and allows minimizing the voltage stress of the switches and increasing the switching frequency at low power levels. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through simulation and experiments in this paper.
The Association of an Upper Extremity Functional Survey and Glaucoma Medication Administration Success

Purpose/Aim: To determine if an upper extremity functional survey may identify which patients will have eye drop administration difficulty.Materials and Methods: Participants with glaucoma treated ...
Material–Robot System for Assembly of Discrete Cellular Structures

We present a material–robot system consisting of mobile robots that can assemble discrete cellular structures. We detail the manufacturing of cuboctahedral unit cells, termed voxels, which passively connect to neighboring voxels with magnets. We then describe “relative” robots that can locomote on, transport, and place voxels. These robots are designed relative to and in coordination with the cellular structure—the geometry of the voxel informs the robot's global geometric configuration, local mechanisms, and end effectors, and robotic assembly features are designed into the voxels. We describe control strategies for determining build sequence, robot path planning, discrete motion control, and feedback, integrated within a custom software environment for simulating and executing a single or multi-robot construction. We use this material–robot system to build several types of structures, such as one-dimensional (1-D) beams, 2-D plates, and 3-D enclosures. The robots can navigate and assemble structures with minimal feedback, relying on voxel-sized resolution to achieve successful global positioning. We show a multi-robot assembly to increase the throughput and expand system capability using a deterministic centralized control strategy.
MEETING THE ELIMINATIVIST BURDEN

In this essay I identify two burdens for eliminativist accounts of moral responsibility. I first examine an underappreciated logical gap between two features of eliminativism, the gap between descriptive skepticism and full-blown prescriptive eliminativism. Using Ishtiyaque Haji’s luck-based skepticism as an instructive example, I argue that in order to move successfully from descriptive skepticism to prescriptive eliminativism one must first provide a comparative defense of the conflicting principles that motivate the former. In other words, one must fix the skeptical spotlight. I then present and assess a second burden for eliminativists, they must meet what I call the motivational challenge. In order to meet this second burden, eliminativists must motivate their prescriptive account over preservationist competitors, and I assess two potential strategies for doing so. The first is to offer arguments that appeal to the gains and losses of abandoning our responsibility-related attitudes and practices, and the second is to offer direct arguments that we cannot retain these attitudes and practices. I conclude that the adequacy of either strategy remains at best an open question, but that making these burdens explicit might better position eliminativists to meet their competitors on more equal ground.
Identification and Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia in the Emergency Department

Abstract Background Iron deficiency anemia is the most common hematologic disorder in the United States and worldwide. Yet, clinical guidelines for the identification and management of this disorder in the emergency department are lacking. Objective of Review This clinical review examines strategies for identifying and treating iron deficiency anemia in the emergency department, with a focus on the role of oral iron therapy, intravenous iron therapy, as well as red blood cell transfusion. The article highlights both the available evidence on this topic and the need for future research. Discussion The diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia has important clinical implications and, although testing is generally straightforward, it may be under-recognized. The scant literature available describing emergency department practice patterns for iron deficiency anemia suggests there is room for improvement. In particular, intravenous iron may be underutilized and red blood cell transfusions administered too liberally. Conclusions Iron deficiency anemia is common and many patients can be treated effectively with oral iron. For selected patients with moderate-to-severe iron deficiency anemia, intravenous iron is safe and more effective than oral iron. Red blood cell transfusions should be used rarely for hemodynamically stable patients with iron deficiency irrespective of hemoglobin levels.
Disease activity and health-care utilization among young adults with childhood-onset lupus transitioning to adult care: data from the Pediatric Lupus Outcomes Study.

BackgroundIndividuals with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) must transfer from pediatric to adult care. The goal of this study was to examine disease activity and health-care uti...
A practical guide to echocardiographic evaluation of adult Fontan patients

Recent advances in surgical techniques and perioperative care for patients with single ventricle physiology have led to a remarkable improvement in long-term survival, such that now the majority of patients with single ventricle physiology are living to adulthood after Fontan palliation. The management of adult patients with Fontan physiology is one of the most challenging clinical dilemmas encountered in contemporary cardiology. The complex and heterogeneous anatomical and physiological abnormalities seen in Fontan patients mandate that any clinical evaluation, either for routine follow-up or preoperative evaluation prior to any transcatheter or surgical intervention, incorporates detailed information from a careful and thorough echocardiographic examination, These examinations, however, can be complex and confusing, even for experienced echocardiographers. Ideally, the interpretation of these studies is informed by an understanding of the basic anatomical lesions and of the potential long-term complications encountered in adult single ventricle patients. In this review, we present a practical and clinically oriented approach to the echocardiographic evaluation of adult patients with single ventricle physiology post-Fontan.
Letter from the Editor: 2021.

I would like to begin this year’s letter by congratulating Dr. Kate Rittenhouse-Olson for her long and highly successful tenure as Editor-in-Chief of Immunological Investigations. Dr. Rittenhouse-O...
Diagnostic accuracy and differential associations between ratings of functioning and neuropsychological performance in non-Hispanic Black and White older adults.

OBJECTIVE We recently demonstrated that relative to consensus-based methods, actuarial methods may improve diagnostic accuracy across the continuum of cognitively normal (CN), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia in the overall National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) cohort. However, the generalizability and comparative utility of current methods of diagnosing MCI and dementia due to Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) are significantly understudied in non-Hispanic Black (NHB) older adults. Thus, we extended our previous investigation to more specifically explore the utility of consensus-based and actuarial diagnostic methods in NHB older adults.Method: We compared baseline consensus and actuarial diagnostic rates, and associations of ratings of functioning with neuropsychological performance and diagnostic outcomes, in NHB (n = 963) and non-Hispanic White (NHW; n = 4577) older adults in the NACC cohort.Results: 60.0% of the NHB subsample, versus 29.2% of the NHW subsample, included participants who met actuarial criteria for MCI despite being classified as CN or impaired-not-MCI per consensus. Additionally, associations between ratings of functioning and neuropsychological performance were less consistent in NHB participants than in NHW participants.Conclusions: Our results provide evidence of differential degrees of association between reported functioning and neuropsychological performance in NHB and NHW older adults, which may contribute to racial group differences in diagnostic rates, and prompt consideration of the strengths and weaknesses of consensus-based and actuarial diagnostic approaches in assessing neurocognitive functioning in NHB older adults.
Distinctive Clinical Correlates of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth with Methanogens.

Background and Aims Most patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) produce hydrogen by fermentation of dietary carbohydrates; however, ∼30% of patients with SIBO are colonized with Archaea, anaerobic organisms that produce methane. SIBO is associated with a plethora of symptoms and conditions, but their diagnostic significance is unclear. We aimed to determine if specific symptoms and conditions are associated with methanogenic SIBO. Methods This study received institutional review board approval (IRB00059873). In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we queried a database of glucose breath tests conducted for suspected SIBO at our tertiary care medical center, which included data on the presence or absence of gastrointestinal symptoms and conditions often associated with SIBO. All patients had undergone a standardized breath testing protocol. Results In a cohort of 1461 patients, 33.1% were SIBO positive; of these, 49.8% produced only hydrogen, 38.8% produced only methane, and 11.4% produced both gases. The following factors distinguished patients with hydrogen-producing SIBO, but not methanogenic SIBO, from SIBO-negative patients: vitamin B12 deficiency (odds ratio, 1.44; confidence interval [CI], 1.01–2.06; P = .046), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (odds ratio, 2.14; CI, 1.09–4.18; P = .027), cholecystectomy (odds ratio, 1.42; CI, 1.06–1.91; P = .020), and diabetes (odds ratio, 1.59; CI, 1.13–2.24; P = .008). The absence of vitamin B12 deficiency was the sole discriminating factor between methanogenic and hydrogenic SIBO (odds ratio, 0.57; CI, 0.34–0.97; P = .038). Conclusions Patients with SIBO caused by methane-producing Archaea display a different spectrum of associated symptoms and clinical conditions compared with patients with SIBO caused by hydrogen-producing bacteria, particularly a lower incidence of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Multi-modal voice application design in a multi-client environment

The seamless access to information and services is a key requirement for any pervasive or ubiquitous computing environment, and the access via any client is becoming a more and more feature within this scenario. The paper describes our efforts towards a multi–client voice application with focus on an embedded client, like e.g. a commercially available PDA. We give an overview on speech recognition techniques suited for the special requirements of the expected acoustic environments and explore the ability to design applications that are able to run on different voice and GUI capable devices.
Computer control of the high-voltage power supply for the DIII-D electron cyclotron heating system

The DIII-D electron cyclotron heating (ECH) high-voltage power supply is controlled by a computer. Operational control is input via keyboard and mouse, and computer/power supply interface is accomplished with a computer-assisted monitoring and control (CAMAC) system. User-friendly tools allow the design and layout of simulated control panels on the computer screen. Panel controls and indicators can be changed, added or deleted, and simple editing of user-specific processes can quickly modify control and fault logic. Databases can be defined, and control panel functions are easily referred to various data channels. User-specific processes are written and linked using Fortran, to manage control and data acquisition through CAMAC. The resulting control system has significant advantages over the hardware it emulates: changes in logic, layout, and function are quickly and easily incorporated; data storage, retrieval, and processing are flexible and simply accomplished; and physical components subject to wear and degradation are minimized. >
What Do Livestock Feeders Want from Seed Corn Companies

It is unlikely that livestock producers will be willing to pay premium prices for genetically modified feed corn. Three factors support this assertion. (1) Historically, livestock producers have demanded minimum-quality feed at the lowest price possible. They haven't been willing to pay extra for feed customized to specialized needs. (2) Feed containing synthetic additives will likely face strong price competition from traditional feed additive industries. (3) Establishing processing and transportation systems to handle genetically modified feed corn will incur significant startup costs, which will be passed along to customers. The authors provide data on the benefits and values of corn modifications to improve feed and discuss alternatives for commodity corn research.
The Design and Experimental Evaluation of a Non-Linear State-Variable Feedback Controller for Nuclear Reactors

A non-linear predictive controller with on-line correcting capabilities has been experimentally demonstrated for the control of power on the 5 MWt MIT Research Reactor. This controller was designed using state-variable feedback techniques modified for use with a non-linear system. Designated as the MIT Predictive Correcting State-Variable Feedback Controller (PCSFC), it is capable of matching a variety of desired power response curves. The general use of predictive state-variable feedback techniques for controlling reactor power are discussed. Both the control approach and experimental results are presented.
Auger Electron Spectroscopy in Analysis of Surfaces

Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) is an electron energy spectroscopy which probes the electronic energy levels of atoms, using electron or X-ray beam stimulation. Irradiation of a sample with one of these stimuli causes electron emissions which can be energy analyzed to obtain an energy distribution. Since the energies of the Auger electrons are characteristic of the atomic core and/or valence level energies, they contain chemical information about their source atoms. As a result, the recorded energy spectra can be analyzed to determine the atomic composition (atomic percent) of the sample, and, in some cases, extract chemical bonding information. Further, since the escape depth of Auger electrons is limited to the first few monolayers of the sample, the technique has a high surface sensitivity. When used in conjunction with an ion source, AES can provide compositional information as a function of depth (depth profiling). Although AES was initially used primarily for fundamental surface science applications, the technique has developed into an important analytical tool for a broad range of surface and materials science applications, including surface reaction studies, surface segregation studies, and thin film growth studies.
Orthopedic Tissue Engineering using Nanomaterials

The sections in this article are Preface Introduction: Problems with Current Implants A Potential Solution: Nanotechnology Current Research Efforts to Improve Implant Performance Targeted at the Nanoscale Ceramic Nanomaterials Metal Nanomaterials Polymeric Nanomaterials Composite Nanomaterials In Vivo Compared with In Vitro Studies Considerations and Future Directions Acknowledgments
From RAGs to stitches

V(D)Jrecombination is used by lymphocytes to assemble the variable regions of antigen receptors. It involves the formation of a DNA double-strand break, followed by rejoining of the blunt DNA ends. Studies of the breakage and rejoining reactions will be facilitated by the development of a new, cell-free system in mammalian cells, and the identification of a hitherto undiscovered component of this system in yeast.
ARMCI: A Portable Remote Memory Copy Libray for Ditributed Array Libraries and Compiler Run-Time Systems

This paper introduces a new portable communication library called ARMCI. ARMCI provides one-sided communication capabilities for distributed array libraries and compiler run-time systems. It supports remote memory copy, accumulate, and synchronization operations optimized for non-contiguous data transfers including strided and generalized UNIX I/O vector interfaces. The library has been employed in the Global Arrays shared memory programming toolkit and Adlib, a Parallel Compiler Run-time Consortium run-time system.
Rod metabolic demand drives progression in retinopathies

Various factors are thought to cause the development and progression of disease in macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa. Some of the deleterious processes include oxidative stress, hypoxia, metabolic derangement, genetics, and vasculopathy. In this review, we present a unified theory for the pathophysiology of several retinopathies based on the unique and intense metabolism of rod photoreceptors.
Integrating costimulatory agonists to optimize immune-based cancer therapies

While immunotherapy for cancer has become increasingly popular, clinical benefits for such approaches remain limited. This is likely due to tumor-associated immune suppression, particularly in the advanced-disease setting. Thus, a major goal of novel immunotherapeutic design has become the coordinate reversal of existing immune dysfunction and promotion of specific tumoricidal T-cell function. Costimulatory members of the TNF-receptor family are important regulators of T-cell-mediated immunity. Notably, agonist ligation of these receptors restores potent antitumor immunity in the tumor-bearing host. Current Phase I/II evaluation of TNF-receptor agonists as single-modality therapies will illuminate their safety, mechanism(s) of action, and best use in prospective combinational immunotherapy approaches capable of yielding superior benefits to cancer patients.
Uptake of 75Se-Selenite by Brush Border Membrane Vesicles from Chick Duodenum Stimulated by Vitamin D

Brush border membrane vesicles were isolated from mucosal homogenates of duodena from normal, rachitic and vitamin D-treated rachitic chicks using a discontinuous sucrose gradient, and further purified by glycerol gradient centrifugation. In vitro uptake of 75Se-selenite by purified brush border membrane vesicles was studied using a rapid filtration technique. The time course of 75Se uptake was non-linear; rapid initial binding was followed by a gradual decrease in the rate of uptake until an equilibrium value was reached at 60-120 min. The initial binding at 36 s was not affected by selenite concentration in the incubation buffer, while the fractional rate of uptake between the 36 s and 2 min time periods was clearly lower with 1 mM Se than with 4-100 microM Se. 75Se uptake did not show any dependency on the external Na-gradient, nor could it be inhibited by other anions (arsenate, phosphate). Treatment of rachitic chicks either with cholecalciferol (500 Iu, 72 h) or with 1,25(OH)2-cholecalciferol (0.5 microgram given 16 h prior to isolation of the vesicles) significantly enhanced 75Se uptake. A threefold excess of mannitol in the outside buffer reduced 75Se uptake by vesicles from vitamin D-deficient and D-treated chicks 60% and 35% respectively, but had no effect on vesicles from vitamin D-treated chicks preloaded with 75Se. Neither saponin treatment nor excess cold selenite could release the label from the vesicles preloaded with 75Se. These data are compatible with the hypothesis that selenite easily crosses the brush border membrane into the intravesicular space and, once inside, is tightly bound by the membrane.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Corpora from a sociolinguistic perspective

In this paper, I consider the use of corpora in sociolinguistic research and, more broadly, the relationships between corpus linguistics and sociolinguistics. I consider the distinction between "conventional" and "unconventional" corpora (Beal et al. 2007a, b) and assess why conventional corpora have not had more traction in sociolinguistics. I then discuss the potential utility of corpora for sociolinguistic study in terms of the recent trajectory of sociolinguistic research interests (Eckert under review), acknowledging that, while many sociolinguists are increasingly using more advanced corpus-based techniques, many are, at the same time, moving away from corpus-like studies. I suggest two primary areas where corpus developers, both sociolinguistic and non-, could focus to develop more useful corpora: Corpora containing a wider range of non-standard (spoken) varieties and more flexible annotation and treatment of spoken language data.
Effect of reduction ratio on polarization impact for imaging

Much has been made of the term 'subwavelength' in the lithography community in recent years, referring to the smaller feature sizes that the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) demands. This term, however, has additional meaning when the features on the reticle, rather than on the wafer, are smaller than the wavelength. In this case, all assumptions that are made concerning the (lack of) diffraction in the immediate vicinity of the reticle in conventional simulation algorithms - including that in model-based optical proximity correction (MBOPC) software - become invalid. As has been repeatedly shown, one must resort to a vector representation of the illumination and solve Maxwell's equations in order to properly characterize the electric field beyond the reticle. For the 90 and 65 nm nodes, resolution enhancement features such as subresolution assist features (SRAFs) and alternating phase-shift masks (Alt-PSM) require such analysis for accurate modeling. Furthermore, if the industry continues a push to use 193 nm lithography for the 45 nm node, and if the current 4X reduction infrastructure also remains, then all critical features will require this full vectorial solution to maintain acceptable accuracy in simulations. Furthermore, the simultaneous push to increasingly higher values of the numerical aperture - beyond 0.85 - requires that the polarization of the light in the exit pupil of the projection lens be considered. Although the ability to simulate this phenomenon has existed in standard simulation software, there remain issues that are not well understood by the community. These questions go beyond the difficulty of such simulations: it is never a question that someone will write software to model these scenarios. The real problem lies in runtime: many of these problems require an increase in runtime of an order of magnitude, or more, in a production model-based OPC environment, which translates into increased cycle time and cost per chip. This is in addition to the expected loss in process latitude caused by unintentional polarization phenomena. One may be tempted to assume that these problems will go away by relaxing the reduction ratio beyond 4X to, say, 8X; that is, by increasing the critical dimension (CD) on the mask. While this is indeed likely, more practical problems inevitably creep in, the most serious of these being throughput loss. The economic issues, and not technical ones, has kept the reduction ratio fixed in the face of the lithographic difficulties we as an industry face going forward. Nevertheless, as we hurriedly investigate technologies that seemed exploratory not long ago, the technical aspects of increasing the reduction ratio beyond 4X are worth another look. Clearly, EMF effects will decrease, but not vanish; how much of an impact this has on our ability to simulate quickly and obtain reasonable process windows in the EMF regime for 4X is a goal of this paper.
Improving surface-analysis methods for characterization of advanced materials by development of standards, reference data, and interlaboratory comparisons †

This paper summarizes the results of two surveys examining current needs for improved analyses of surfaces. Surfaces and interfaces are increasingly important to science and technologies associated with nanoparticles, nano-structured materials and other complex materials including those associated with information systems and medical or biological applications. Adequate characterization of advanced materials frequently requires application of more than one analysis method along with the need to analyze data in increasingly sophisticated and sometimes interrelated ways. It is useful for both new and experienced analysts to have ready access to best practices for obtaining accurate and useful information from a variety of different analysis tools. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Committee TC 201 on surface chemical analysis and the ASTM Committee E-42 on surface analysis are working to address these needs by assembling guides and standards reflecting the collective experience and wisdom of experts in this community. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The inverse hull of the free semigroup on a set X

In this paper the inverse hull Σ of the free semigroup on a non-empty set X is characterized. It is shown that if FO is a certain semilattice and (G,*) is the free group on X, then Σ is isomorphic to a Rees factor semigroup of a subsemigroup of (FO x G, #), where (A,w)#(B,u) = ((A*w ∧ B)*w−1, w*u). Several properties of Σ, including Green's relations on Σ are also determined.
Optical array receiver for deep-space communications

An optical array receiver concept is developed and analyzed. It is shown that for ground-based reception, the number of array elements can be increased without any performance degradation, as long as the array telescope diameters exceed the coherence-length of the atmosphere. Maximum likelihood detection of turbulence-degraded signal fields is developed for the case of pulse-position modulated (PPM) signals observed in the presence of background radiation. Performance of optical array receivers is compared to single-aperture receivers with diameters ranging from 4 to 8 meters, both in the presence of turbulence and in a turbulence-free environment such as space. It is shown that in the absence of atmospheric turbulence, single-aperture receivers outperform receiver arrays when significant background radiation is present. However, it is also shown that for ground-based reception of deep-space signals, the number of array elements can be as great as several thousand without incurring any performance degradation relative to a large single-aperture receiver.
Surface-modified poly(methyl methacrylate) enhances adsorption and retains anticandidal activities of salivary histatin 5

Denture-induced stomatitis is a common intraoral disease which is associated with high levels of Candida albicans adhesion to a denture surface. The aim of this study was to produce a surface-modified denture resin, which is usually manufactured from poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), carrying an immobilized anticandidal protein. PMMA was modified by surface polymerization of methyl methacrylic acid to enhance adsorption of a potent candidacidal salivary protein, histatin 5. The modified PMMA showed higher surface adsorption and desorption of histatin 5 than the unmodified material. Because histatin 5 destabilizes C. albicans cell membranes and allows efflux of intracellular molecules, candidacidal activity was monitored by dye release from fungal cells. Adsorbed histatin 5 did not release dye from the yeast cells; however, dye was detected as histatin was desorbed from the surface. In an adhesion assay, modified PMMA decreased human submandibular-sublingual saliva (HSMSL) mediated adherence of yeast cells to the polymer. Precoating histatin 5 onto unmodified PMMA also abolished HSMSL-mediated adhesion. These experiments show that dental acrylic may be surface modified and loaded with histatin 5 as a means of controlled release of histatin 5 to an affected area. This surface modification may additionally reduce adhesion of C. albicans cells to the saliva-coated material.
Translocation (12;15)(p13;q13) in a patient with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia

We report a patient with a history of leukopenia who developed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) FAB M2 and was successfully treated with induction and consolidation chemotherapy. She relapsed 7 months after initial diagnosis. Peripheral blood cells at relapse showed a t(12;15)(p13;q13), which has not been previously described in de novo or relapsed AML.
THE EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO SMALL QUANTITIES OF CARBON MONOXIDE ON VISION

This paper discusses the results of experiments on the effects of small amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) on visual perception. The quantities of CO inhaled during these studies varied from 25 to 100 ppm in the inspired air. The tests of visual perception involved measurements of both central (cones) and peripheral (rod) vision during 20-30 minutes of dark adaption. Also, tests for differential light sensitivity were made on foveal vision and on vision acuity. Discussed are studies of light sensitivity and dark adaption in relation to hypoxia, the role of oxygen want in the aging process, the role of CO in accentuating the effects of high altitude, and the effects of CO on light sensitivity. It was concluded that recovery from the detrimental effects of CO on visual function lags behind the elimination of CO from the blood. This impairment appears to be determined by the duration and concentration of the CO. The time course followed by the COHb and visual impairment appears to depend on the composition of the gas during the postanoxic period. Carbogen was 2.5 times more effective than 100% oxygen in promoting CO elimination and an associated drop in the visual threshold. Subsequent exposure to room air caused an increase in the visual threshold, although the COHb levels began to fall. A hypothesis is the existence in the central nervous system or visual system of some enzyme or other vitally important constituent which combines competively with CO and carbon dioxide./SRIS/
Glutaraldehyde fixation and the mechanism of erythrocyte agglutination by concanavalin a and soybean agglutinin

Abstract To evaluate the importance of lectin receptor mobility and clustering for enhanced cell agglutinability, the effect of glutaraldehyde fixation on the agglutinability of human erythrocytes by concanavalin A and soybean agglutinin was investigated. Agglutinability was evaluated in unperturbed Microtiter ® plates. Fixation increased slightly the agglutinability of the erythrocytes by both lectins. Fixation did not alter trypsin-enhanced agglutinability. Furthermore, when fixed erythrocytes were trypsinized, their agglutinability increased to the level of unfixed, trypsinized erythrocytes. The kinetics of agglutination of fixed and unfixed erythrocytes were monitored in an electronic particle counter. The shear forces associated with the kinetic experiments diminished fixed-cell to fixed-cell agglutination, i.e., both lectins gave slower kinetics of agglutination with fixed erythrocytes than with unfixed erythrocytes. In contrast, the kinetics of concanavalin A-mediated agglutination of trypsinized-fixed erythrocytes mixed with equal numbers of trypsinized-unfixed erythrocytes were indistinguishable from the rapid kinetics of agglutination of trypsinizedunfixed erythrocytes alone. Light microscopy revealed aggregates composed of fixed and unfixed erythrocytes. We conclude that glutaraldehyde fixation does not diminish the agglutinability of human erythrocytes under low-shear conditions. Our results indicate that the enhanced agglutination of trypsinized erythrocytes is not dependent on clustering of lectin receptors. The disruption of agglutination of fixed erythrocytes by shear forces that do not disrupt agglutination of fixed erythrocytes with unfixed erythrocytes suggests that the rigidity of the fixed erythrocyte may prevent stable aggregate formation by fixed erythrocytes alone.
Crises, reforms, and regime persistence in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract African countries have experienced pervasive rent-seeking and repeated coups d'etat. I model these features to show how rent-reducing economic reforms deter coups and allow regime persistence. An incumbent ruler may choose to risk an attempted coup in the hope of surviving and obtaining high future rents. A permanent crisis that reduces future rents may be necessary for reforms, particularly if the regime is limited in its ability to credibly implement reforms. The model yields insights into the incidence of political instability and reforms in sub-Saharan African. The Ghanaian and Nigerian experiences are used as examples.
The impact of technological developments on the daily life of the elderly

Abstract American society is becoming an aging society as the number of its elderly citizens continues to increase. Thus, it is crucial that US society address issues regarding the impact of advances in technology on the daily life of the elderly. Following a recent survey of the impact caused by technological developments on the daily life of the aging population in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area, the results showed that the majority of senior citizens view advances in technology in a positive light, as they believe such advancements will produce a better quality of life for themselves and for society in general. This relates directly to a belief that it is possible for the elderly to adopt the advanced skills needed to utilize new technologies. The majority of the elderly respondents also expressed a willingness to learn these skills, although they have not yet taken any steps toward this learning process. One purpose of our research is to determine the attitudes of the elderly population toward new technology, as well as the social factors that influence these attitudes (either positive or negative) toward learning. This study suggests ways to improve available learning opportunities for the elderly, and ideas for motivating and encouraging them to take the necessary steps toward actual learning.
A rapid and simple radioassay for thymine 7-hydroxylase.

Abstract This work describes a simple and convenient procedure for measuring the activity of thymine 7-hydroxylase. The principle of the procedure depends upon the conversion of tritiated thymine by the enzyme to 5-hydroxymethyluracil. This reaction simultaneously invokes the loss of a tritium atom and the formation of tritiated water. The quantity of tritiated water formed is stoichiometrically proportional to the amount of 5-hydroxymethyluracil produced. The sensitivity of this procedure was markedly improved when both catalase and BSA were included in the reaction mixture.
Evolution of invertebrate homeostasis: Osmotic and ionic regulation

Abstract 1. 1. Homeostasis, or the maintenance of a constant internal environment, in invertebrate organisms decreases the dependence of these organisms on the vagaries of the external environment. 2. 2. The evolution of physiological processes influencing homeostatic conditions begins with the organism being totally dependent upon the external environment, passing through a series of intermediate stages during which fluctuation in a given internal parameter occur, proceeding finally to a condition where the internal environment is constant and independent of the external environment. 3. 3. A hypothetical scheme for the possible evolutionary pathway of osmotic and ionic regulation in aquatic invertebrates was developed in an attempt to follow the process of homeostasis in these organisms. 4. 4. Primitive marine cells developed mechanisms to regulate the ionic composition of the cytoplasm probably in association with the need for volume regulation. 5. 5. The development of a body wall separated an internal body fluid from the external sea-water and the ionic composition of the body fluids was initially maintained slightly different from that of the sea-water by essentially passive means. 6. 6. The addition of excretory organs, which arose initially through an inpushing of the body wall, brought about the ability for osmoregulation. 7. 7. Homeostatic mechanisms must be in place before an organism can move from one environment to another.
Ventral hernia repairs: 10-year single-institution review at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

w s a h s t ostoperative incisional hernias remain a common comlication of abdominal surgery. “Any abdominal wall ap with or without bulge in the area of a postoperative car perceptible or palpable by clinical examination or maging” is an accepted definition of an incisional heria. Recurrent ventral hernias after open suture repair an occur with a reported frequency of 31% to 49%. he adjunctive use of a prosthetic material to the repair ppears to attenuate this rate to 0 to 10%. The recurence rate of incisional hernias increases to 20% after astric bypass or weight loss. Despite the great morbidty associated with incisional hernia, no consensus exists n the best means for treatment. Ramirez and coleagues first described the use of a bilateral, innervated ectus abdominus-internal oblique muscle flap that is ransposed medially to repair the central abdominal all. Subsequent work has since validated the use of this echnique to reduce the incidence of postoperative ernia. Our group first reported on the relative success of the liding rectus abdominus myofascial flap in 1996. The echnique of midline advancement and onlay mesh renforcement is illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, espectively. Recurrence of herniation was found in only 3 of 35 atients, a failure rate of 8.5%. In the current retrospecively review, 3,028 ventral hernia repairs were performed. s illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the external oblique fascia as released without violating the posterior rectus sheath. nly the midline anterior rectus sheath was reinforced ith the midline onlay. Release of the posterior rectus heath for additional advancement in the underlay or inerposition techniques was not used in this series. Two
The frontier as (movable) space of exception

The essay explores the ways the idea of the ‘frontier’ allows for settlers to envision a space within the boundaries of the state, yet beyond its jurisdiction. In this way, the concept of the frontier translates the ongoing institutional exceptionalization of Native peoples and lands into a space of settler possibility.
Nonlinear partially massless from massive gravity

We show that consistent nonlinear partially massless models cannot be obtained starting from “f-g” massive gravity, with “f” the embedding de Sitter space. The obstruction, which is also the source of f-g acausality, is the very same fifth constraint that removes the notorious sixth ghost excitation. Here, however, it blocks extension of the gauge invariance (appearing for mass to de Sitter cosmological constant tunings) that removed the helicity-zero mode at linear level. Separately, our methods allow us to almost complete the proof that all f-g models are acausal.
Spectral irradiance from stars and planets, above the atmosphere, from 0.1 to 100.0 microns

Using published data on star irradiances in the visible region and assuming a blackbody distribution of energy, irradiances from stars and planets are calculated over the spectral region of 0.1 to 100 microns. Results are presented in chart form for ready application in the design of viewing systems operating in space.