cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Analysis of Particle Adhesion on Semiconductor Surfaces

This paper constitutes an analysis of the forces of adhesion of small particles to surfaces, most specifically as applied to semiconductor surfaces. The primary forces of adhesion of small, less than 50 μm diam particles on a dry surface are van der Waals forces. These van der Waals forces of adhesion can increase as a function of time due to particle and/or surface deformation which increases the contact area; micron‐size particles can be held to surfaces by forces exceeding 100 dyn, which corresponds to pressures of 109 dyn/cm2 or more. Total forces of adhesion for micron‐size particles exceed the gravitational force on that particle by factors greater than 106. Electrostatic forces only become important and predominate for particles larger than 50 μm diam. Immersion of the adhered particle system can, in some cases, greatly reduce the total adhesion force, first by shielding of the electrostatic and van der Waals attractions, and also by adding double layer repulsion because of dipolar alignment of liquid molecules or dissolved ions at the surfaces. Double layer interactions may, however, also add to the attractive forces if dipoles align properly for attraction. An important consideration is the possibility that if the particles are not removed by the liquid immersion, then a liquid bridge can be formed by capillary action between the particle and surface upon removal from the liquid. This would add a very large capillary force to the total force of adhesion. This capillary force has been shown to remain, in some cases, even when the system is baked at above the liquid boiling point for more than 24h. Removal of these small particles from surfaces is in theory possible but is in practice extremely difficult. It is clear that emphasis should be placed on prevention of particle deposition rather than on counting on achieving subsequent removal.
Measuring Student Learning in Social Statistics: A Pretest- Posttest Study of Knowledge Gain

This study used a pretest-posttest design to measure student learning in undergraduate statistics. Data were derived from 185 students enrolled in six different sections of a social statistics course taught over a seven-year period by the same sociology instructor. The pretest-posttest instrument reveals statistically significant gains in knowledge for each course section and all sections combined. The results demonstrate that pretests can establish students’ prior knowledge at the beginning of the semester, while posttests measure learning at the end of the course. Namely, pretest-posttest knowledge gain was influenced more by the content and presentation of the social statistics course than by students’ statistical ability and/ or test-taking skills prior to the class. Recommendations on the use of pretest-posttest data to inform pedagogy in social statistics are included in the discussion.
Physical growth of Ecuadorian Chachi Amerindians.

Measurments of height, weight, arm circumference, and triceps and subscapular skinfolds were collected on 457 Ecuadorian Chachi Amerindians between the ages of 4 and 64 years. Compared to US reference values, the Chachi are very small in terms of height-for-age, but have normal or above normal weight-for-height. The Chachi are also in the lower part of the distribution of body size among South American Indians. In terms of body composition, Chachi arm circumferences and triceps skinfolds are below the US 50th percentile. The estimated upper arm muscle area of Chachi males is below the US median, but Chachi females older than the age of 15 have arm muscle areas exceeding the US median. One reason for the greater arm muscle area of adult Chachi females may be that they perform much more physical activity involving the upper body than do US women. Problems in the interpretation of anthropometric indicators of nutritional status among South American Indian populations limit the conclusions about Chachi nutritional status that can be drawn from these results.
To Be In Between: The Cholas as Market Women

When I did my first field research in Peru in 1974, I was struck by the forceful, energetic, and at times bawdy market women known as cholas. They stood out because they appeared fearless, astute, different, and unpredictable. I could ot find a counterpart among Peruvian males. The cholas feigned neither humility toward rich white foreigners nor unbridled admiration for their ways. They inhabited a world distinct from that of either the Quechua peasantry or the westernized mestizo but easily interacted with both campesinos and mestizos. They freely insulted whom they pleased; they engaged in wheeling and dealing and stood their ground but could also be surprisingly generous, almost religiously so.
Estimation of the autoregressive parameters of a mixed autoregressive moving-average time series

The problem of estimating the autoregressive parameters of a mixed autoregressive moving-average (ARMA) time series (of known order) using the output data alone is treated. This problem is equivalent to the estimation of the denominator terms of the scalar transfer function of a stationary, linear discrete time system excited by an unobserved unenrrelated sequence input by employing only the observations of the scalar output. The solution of this problem solves the problem of the identification of the dynamics of a white-noise excited continuous-time linear stationary system using sampled data. The latter problem was suggested by Bartlett in 1946. The problem treated here has appeared before in the engineering literature. The earlier treatment yielded biased parameter estimates. An asymptotically unbiased estimator of the autoregressive parameters is obtained as the solution of a modified set of Yule-Walker equations. The asymptotic estimator covariance matrix behaves like a least-squares parameter estimate of an observation set with unknown error covariances. The estimators are also shown to be unbiased in the presence of additive independent observation noise of arbitrary finite correlation time. An example illustrates the performance of the estimating procedures.
Lower limb soft tissue reconstruction using microsurgical techniques

Trauma is the main cause of lower limb soft tissue defects followed by tumor resection, vascular disease and osteomyelitis. 17 patients were operated on using microsurgical techniques during the last 10 years. 9 of the patients had traumatic defects, 5 had various malignant tumors, 2 patients had arterial insufficiency and finally 1 patient had chronic osteomyelitis. The latissimus dorsi either as muscle flap with a split thickness skin graft or as a musculocutaneous flap was used the most frequently in our series. Other flaps, including the radial forearm neurovascular flap, the rectus abdominis flap, the scapular flap, the groin and the dorsalis pedis flaps were used less often. Delayed primary cover was used, except in 1 case with an opened knee joint trauma, where emergency repair was performed. Complications included: 2 partial skin graft necroses which required revision and 2 flap necroses caused by venous thrombosis. With follow-up more than 4 years in all but 2 patients, functional results were found satisfactory. Cosmetic results, however, were less satisfactory.
Using a simplified marker configuration to determine the cardan angles of shoulder orientation

Cardan angles are commonly used to represent clinically significant joint motions for simple movements such as those observed during gait. For motions involving large, three-dimensional, angular displacements, Gimbal locks occur and can produce erroneous Cardan angle results. This paper presents the results of an investigation to determine if Cardan angles can adequately predict complex shoulder orientations during manual hammering using a simplified opto-electronic marker configuration. A mechanical simulation of the simplified marker configuration was also constructed to test for known static and dynamic orientations and validate Cardan angle calculations. Results indicate that the simplified configuration is effective in tracking shoulder orientations in complex measurement scenarios involving limited marker placement choices. None of the rotation sequences were able to accurately and totally describe the entire anatomical range of shoulder motion during hammer usage. Results for the mechanical simulations were observed to describe shoulder orientations for simple, single-axis rotations less than or equal to 30". Single-axis rotation angles taken from different sequences were also observed to closely resemble actual motions.
Protein family classification and functional annotation

With the accelerated accumulation of genomic sequence data, there is a pressing need to develop computational methods and advanced bioinformatics infrastructure for reliable and large-scale protein annotation and biological knowledge discovery. The Protein Information Resource (PIR) provides an integrated public resource of protein informatics to support genomic and proteomic research. PIR produces the Protein Sequence Database of functionally annotated protein sequences. The annotation problems are addressed by a classification-driven and rule-based method with evidence attribution, coupled with an integrated knowledge base system being developed. The approach allows sensitive identification, consistent and rich annotation, and systematic detection of annotation errors, as well as distinction of experimentally verified and computationally predicted features. The knowledge base consists of two new databases, sequence analysis tools, and graphical interfaces. PIR-NREF, a non-redundant reference database, provides a timely and comprehensive collection of all protein sequences, totaling more than 1,000,000 entries. iProClass, an integrated database of protein family, function, and structure information, provides extensive value-added features for about 830,000 proteins with rich links to over 50 molecular databases. This paper describes our approach to protein functional annotation with case studies and examines common identification errors. It also illustrates that data integration in PIR supports exploration of protein relationships and may reveal protein functional associations beyond sequence homology.
An Etch-Stop Barrier Structure for GaN High-Electron-Mobility Transistors

We present an etch-stop barrier structure for GaN high-electron-mobility transistors. With this new etch-stop structure, gate recess can be precisely controlled while maintaining a low surface defect density. Normally off GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor FETs fabricated using the new technology demonstrated a record effective channel mobility of 1131 cm2·V-1·s-1 with a subthreshold slope of 62 mV/decade. Due to the low interface density of states, these devices have very low hysteresis and negligible frequency dispersion in the capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements.
Enhancement of the second-harmonic efficiency in segmented KTP waveguides using an external temperature gradient

Summary form only given. Second-harmonic generation using quasi-phase matching (QPM) in a periodically segmented waveguide is one of the processes used to generate a blue laser beam. We report on the effects of an external temperature gradient on the second-harmonic field generated in segmented optical waveguides fabricated in KTiOPO/sub 4/ by Rb-Ba ion exchange using a cw Ti:sapphire laser as the source of the fundamental radiation. The second-harmonic output is proportional to the square of the interaction length.
Parallel algorithms for height balancing binary trees

The authors present a simple parallel algorithm to height-balance a binary tree. The algorithm accepts any arbitrary binary tree as its input and yields an optimally shaped binary tree. For any arbitrary binary tree of n nodes the algorithm has a time complexity of O(lgn) and utilizes O(n) processors on a EREW PRAM model. The algorithm uses Euler tours and list ranking, which form the building blocks for many parallel algorithms. >
Structural History of a Portion of the Blue Ridge, Northern Virginia

The Front Royal area is on the west flank of the Blue Ridge uplift in northern Virginia. The rocks include Precambrian gneisses nonconformably overlain by Precambrian clastic and volcanic rocks and Cambrian to Ordovician siliceous clastic rocks, carbonate rocks, and graywacke-slate. Regional metamorphism of greenschist grade affected all of these rocks during the Paleozoic. Deformation accompanied metamorphism producing folds, slatey cleavage, and mineral lineation. Cleavage locally cuts across hinge surfaces of folds suggesting that cleavage formed late in the folding process after folds were well defined. The cleavage normal is interpreted as paralleling the short axis of a finite strain ellipsoid, and the lineation as paralleling the long axis. Both of these directions line in a northwest-southeast plane approximately perpendicular to the fold hinges. Pressure solution surfaces and quartz deformation lamellae also indicate that maximum compressive stress was at some time nearly perpendicular to cleavage. Superimposed folds distort the slatey cleavage and a fracture cleavage parallels the hinge surfaces of some of these folds. Striated fractures occur in all formations. The striations, which are interpreted as displacement directions, statistically lie in the northwest-southeast plane which is perpendicular to hinge lines of the bedding folds. Major reverse faults, high-angle longitudinal faults, high-angle transverse faults, and zones of en echelon tension fractures occur with displacements in the same northwest-southeast plane defined by the slatey cleavage, mineral lineation, and striations on fractures. Bedding folds, slatey cleavage and lineation, fracture cleavage, superimposed folds, striated fractures, reverse faults, high-angle longitudinal faults, transverse faults, and zones of en echelon tension fractures are a chronological sequence of structures related to each other by displacement directions statistically oriented in a northwest-southeast plane approximately perpendicular to fold hinges. The sequence indicates that the rocks were first ductile but became more brittle and fractured as deformation proceeded. Principal stress directions were constant enough throughout deformation to keep displacement directions of the various tectonic structures statistically oriented in the same plane. This kinematic uniformity implies, but does not prove, only one Paleozoic diastrophic event in the Blue Ridge of northern Virginia.
Feedback regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis: studies with cholestyramine.

Regulation of hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis is thought to occur at the step involving formation of mevalonate from 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA); this reaction is catalyzed by HMG-CoA reductase. Oral administration of cholestyramine, an agent that interferes with cholesterol reabsorption and is associated with a compensatory increase in hepatic cholesterol synthesis, was used to evaluate feedback regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis. Liver slices and cell-free fractions were prepared from control rats and rats fed 3% cholestyramine for 3-7 days. Cholestyramine feeding was associated with a four- to eightfold increase in incorporation of [ 14 C]acetate into cholesterol and mevalonate. However, there was no effect on incorporation of [ 14 C]acetate into CO 2 , fatty acids, or acetoacetate or on incorporation of [ 14 C]mevalonate into cholesterol, indicating stimulation at an early regulatory site prior to mevalonate formation. In fractionated liver homogenates, incorporation of [ 14 C] acetate, [ 14 C]acetyl-CoA, and [ 14 C]HMG-CoA into mevalonate increased markedly following cholestyramine administration. In the absence of microsomes, incorporation of [ 14 C]acetate and [ 14 C]acetyl-CoA into HMG was also increased. Changes in incorporation of [ 14 C]acetate into HMG, mevalonate, and cholesterol corresponded to changes in product synthesis. I concluded that (1) interruption of the enterohepatic circulation of cholesterol causes a release of feedback inhibition of cholesterol synthesis, (2) mevalonate synthesis catalyzed by HMG-CoA condensing enzyme and HMG-CoA reductase, and (3) HMG-CoA condensing enzyme, by limiting the availability of HMG-CoA, may have an important regulatory function in cholesterol biosynthesis.
Flexoelectricity: A Perspective on an Unusual Electromechanical Coupling

The ability of certain materials to convert electrical stimuli into mechanical deformation, and vice versa, is a prized property. Not surprisingly, applications of such so-called piezoelectric materials are broad—ranging from energy harvesting to self-powered sensors. In this perspective, written in the form of question-answers, we highlight a relatively understudied electromechanical coupling called flexoelectricity that appears to have tantalizing implications in topics ranging from biophysics to the design of next-generation multifunctional nanomaterials.
Genetic Localization and Biochemical Characterization of a TRANS-Acting Regulatory Effect in Drosophila.

A region-specific, trans-acting regulatory gene that alters in vivo protein levels of α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (α-GPDH) has been mapped to position 55.4 on the third chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster. The gene has been found to affect the in vivo stability of α-GPDH in adult thoracic tissue but has no effect on α-GPDH levels in the abdomen. Although no other thoracic proteins were found to be influenced by the locus, it appears to modify the level of one additional abdominal protein. The action of the gene over development and its possible mode of control are discussed.
The Evolutionary History of the Translation Machinery

Current theories on the origin of Ufe envision an RNA World as the culmination of chemical evolution. The extent of this RNA World, and the biochemical complexity of the progenotes that populated it, is subject to much debate. It, nevertheless, is likely a point of agreement among workers in the field that the discovery of machinery for the chiral synthesis of defined sequence peptides would have paved the way for transition to the modern protein world. With the discovery of an RNA replicase, which might initially have been a catalytic RNA or an early peptide product, the stage would be set for the development of populations of progenotes that had both of these features in one enclosure. Such advanced progenotes would be the first entities capable of having the genetic couple between replication, transcription and translation that is the hallmark of life, as we know it. The modern day tmRNA at one stage is recognized as a tRNA by the ribosome while it subsequently serves as a mRNA during translation. This unusual RNA might be representative of the types of entities present in the late RNA World. The addition of DNA as a better storage medium for genetic informa-tion would finalize the transition from the progenotic world to the living systems that exist in the modern world.
Nonvascular Interventional Radiology of the Thorax

Transthoracic biopsy of pulmonary and mediastinal lesions is a commonly performed diagnostic procedure. It is used to confirm malignancy in anticipation of appropriate therapy or to spare patients with benign disease from unnecessary surgery. In the following, space limitations prohibit a detailed discussion of techniques and complications; instead, the reader is referred to several reviews of this topic for details [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Current areas of interest include the use of alternate image-guidance methods, such as real-time ultrasound for peripheral lung lesions and cone-beam computed tomography (CT) [6, 7]; integrated navigational systems for guidance [8]; methods to decrease the rate of post-procedural pneumothorax [9] : and the procurement of tissue for genomic analysis [10].
Future Trends in Large Data Handling

Discerning useful information from large quantities of data is a problem as old as evolution. From identifying prey in a distant landscape, to today’s Big Data analytics, the task of information processing has been at the forefront of progress, and will continue to be in future innovations. In the past, quantity of collected data was limited by our capability to transform it into useful information. Factors such as low computing resources, minimal information storage, and small numbers of experienced analysts all constrained data collection by requiring careful feature and target selection. With the progression of Moore’s law, rapid advance of storage technologies, cloud computing resources for hire, and distributed computing software, these constraints are relaxed. The result is an explosion in the amount of collected data from every imaginable sector of our lives. We discuss in this chapter the myriad fields in which large data analytics are being used, current and future challenges of this continued upward trend toward larger data collections, and future technology enablers in this field.
inCVAX - a biophotonics approach based cancer therapy

A biophotonics based in situ autologous whole cell cancer vaccine (inCVAX) is developed to induce systemic tumor-specific immune responses using a combination of local laser phototherapy and immunotherapy.
Attitude Dynamics and Control of Moving Mass Multibody Aeromaneuver Vehicle

In this paper, we present the results of modeling the dynamics and control of an aeromaneuver system using two moving control masses to change the center of mass of the system for attitude control. We develop the decoupled nonlinear attitude and longitudinal equations of motion of the system. Simulation results of the attitude dynamics and control of the system are presented. A simple spring model is used for aerodynamics forces. We use the nonlinear Dynamic Inversion method for controlling the attitude of the system. The controller performance is monitored by using uncertainty in parameters and separation of controller plant model from nonlinear system dynamics. Results from parametric study of the system are also presented.
The rapid thermal processing chemical vapor deposition of silicon epitaxial films

The future of ultralarge-scale integration technology is tending toward reduced thermal processing to realize devices with higher integration densities and better performance. Rapid thermal processing chemical vapor deposition (RTPCVD) is a promising technology that can preserve the advantages of high-temperature processing without degrading the fidelity of junction profiles. Defect free, thin silicon epilayers with extremely abrupt dopant-transition profiles can be re-producibly grown by RTPCVD. Very high quality n-type and p-type heavily doped epilayers, using boron, arsenic, and phosphorus as dopants, have been grown by RTPCVD. Through superior process control and reduced thermal exposure, RTPCVD is expected to play an important part in the next generation of fabrication technology and in the development of novel silicon-based materials.
Fatigue and the Care of Patients

This chapter examines the ethical questions that are raised by fatigued medical professionals in the care of their patients. The chapter starts with a review of the science of sleep deprivation and explains why fatigued physicians are at high risk for medical errors. The chapter then provides an ethical analysis of fatigue in the context of physicians’ duties to their patients and arrives at the conclusion that physicians who treat patients while impaired by fatigue violate certain ethical responsibilities to their patients. The chapter finishes up with a review of the current regulation of physician work hours in the United States and shows that, while progress has been made, there may be a need to establish coherent and enforceable limitations on work hours for all practicing physicians.
Trauma as a contributor to violence in autism spectrum disorder

In examining contributors to violence among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one factor that has received little attention is a history of psychological trauma. This study's purpose was to explore the possible mechanisms for an association between trauma and violence in persons with ASD. The literature regarding the neurobiology and theoretical underpinnings of ASD is reviewed and compared with the literature on the neurobiology and theoretical underpinnings of trauma as a risk factor for violence in individuals without ASD. Information from this comparison is then used to formulate possible mechanisms for a trauma-violence association in ASD. Individuals with ASD may possess sensitized prefrontal-cortical-limbic networks that are overloaded in the face of trauma, leading to unchecked limbic output that produces violent behavior, and/or cognitive dysfunction (including deficits in theory of mind, central coherence, and executive function) that impacts trauma processing in ways that portend violence. While these mechanisms for a trauma-violence association in ASD may have case-based support, more research is needed to confirm these mechanisms and clarify whether in fact trauma increases violence risk in ASD. To facilitate the investigation, it would be helpful for clinical and forensic evaluators to obtain a careful trauma history when evaluating all individuals, including those with ASD.
A General Approach to Pesticide Residue Analysis

Organic pesticides came into wide use between 1944 and 1960. The chlorinated hydrocarbons including DDT came first, followed by the organic phosphates, the mercurials, and the organic carbamates. In the 1960s there was an awakening to the hazards to human life, to animals, and to other life forms resulting from the continued use of persistent chemicals and also from the extremely toxic ones even though they may not be persistent. There were increasing numbers of accidental deaths from pesticide poisoning among agricultural workers and among children who accidentally ate or drank pesticide formualtions. The primary culprits were the organic phosphates, such as parathion, but there have also been numerous serious or fatal poisonings by some of the others [1].
Do Ashkenazi Jews have a higher than expected cancer burden? Implications for cancer control prioritization efforts.

Background Recent genetic susceptibility findings in Jews of Eastern European descent, commonly called Ashkenazi Jews, have led to concerns that they may be stigmatized as being more cancer prone than other groups. Objective To examine the hypothesis that site-specific or all-cancer incidence and mortality rates are higher than expected in Ashkenazi Jews worldwide when compared with referent populations. Methods A MEDLINE search was performed using keywords "Jews," "cancer," "incidence" and "mortality" to identify studies directly relevant to the primary study question. Results Little evidence suggested that all-cancer incidence or mortality is higher in Ashkenazi Jews than in North American non-Hispanic whites. Ashkenazi Jewish men appear to have relatively low cancer rates, which may be due to lower tobacco use. Colorectal cancer was shown to disproportionately overburden Ashkenazi Jews, who may also be at increased risk for ovarian, pancreatic and stomach cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Little evidence was found supporting an elevated risk of breast cancer in Ashkenazi Jewish women. Rates of lung, cervical, penile and prostate cancers appear low in this population. Rate disparities were generally attributed to lifestyle differences, particularly diet and tobacco use, rather than to genetic predisposition. Conclusions Ashkenazi Jews do not appear to have a higher total cancer burden than comparable North American populations. Any cancer rate differentials in this group are more likely to be related to lifestyle and dietary factors than to genetics. However, colorectal cancer rates in Ashkenazi Jews may be the highest of any ethnic group in the world and cancer controllers should consider this when developing future screening, diagnostic and policy strategies.
Pulsatile administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist to gilts actively immunized against gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

Sexually mature gilts (n = 20) were actively immunized against GnRH. Primary and booster immunizations of GnRH conjugated to bovine serum albumin induced production of antibodies in all gilts. Nineteen of the gilts became acyclie with suppressed concentrations of gonadotropins and estradiol. Intravenous challenges with 100/~g GnRH and 5 btg D-(Ala 6 , des-Gly-NH210) ethylamide GnRH (a GnRH agonist that did not cross-react with antibodies produced by the gilts) caused release of LH and FSH, indicating maintenance of secretory capacity of pituitary gonadotropes in the immunized animals. Gilts were given 100 ng GnRH agonist at 2-h intervals for 72 h (n = 4) or 144 h (n = 10) or did not receive agonist (n = 5). Blood samples were taken every 6 h, and detectable concentrations of LH were observed in 42% and 52% of samples taken from gilts treated with or without agonist. In contrast, serum concentrations of FSH and estradiol were undetectable. Reproductive tracts and anterior pituitaries were taken from gilts at the conclusion of pulsatile administration of GnRH agonist or at 144 h for controls. Pituitary concentration of LH and FSH, uterine wet and dry weight, and size of the uterus were similar among groups. Paired ovarian weights for treated gilts pulsed with GnRH agonist for 72 h were heavier (P < .05); however, ovaries from all immunized gilts were atrophied without follicular structures. These results indicate that the regimen of GnRH agonist used did not overcome the effects of active immunization of the gilt against GnRH.
Intervention in Patients with Renovascular Hypertension and Renal Insufficiency

Abstract We report on 21 severely hypertensive patients with renal artery stenosis and renal insufficiency in whom percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and/or renal artery surgery was done in an effort to lower blood pressure and to preserve renal function. Of 12 patients who underwent angioplasty renal function and blood pressure improved in 3. Of the 9 patients without improvement 4 suffered permanent oliguric renal failure. An operation was performed in 12 patients, 4 after having failed angioplasty (1 was treated at another institution before referral for surgery). Two patients died postoperatively but 10 improved, with followup in 6 exceeding 3 years. This retrospective experience suggests that percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is not likely to supplant an operation in the treatment of patients with atherosclerotic renovascular hypertension and renal insufficiency.
Deep Brain Stimulation Placement Using Intraoperative MRI for Dystonia: One Year Clinical Outcomes (S30.003)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical outcome in patients with dystonia who underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS) placement using intraoperative MRI (ClearPoint®, MRI interventions). BACKGROUND: DBS lead placement using intraoperative MRI (iMRI) is an alternative surgical technique utilizing real-time intraoperative neuroimaging to guide electrode placement. Unlike the traditional awake procedure, iMRI DBS is done under general anesthesia without microelectrode recording (MER) and electrical stimulation. However, there is limited literature on clinical outcomes. METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive dystonia patients underwent DBS surgery using iMRI. Of these, 13 patients (idiopathic, n=11; genetic, n=1, tardive n=1) were included in our analysis. Patients with secondary dystonia (n=7) and those with prior DBS placement using MER (n=2) were excluded. Pre- and post-DBS Burke-Fahn-Marsden dystonia rating scale (BFMDRS) movement scores and Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) severity scores were obtained at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: The mean age of patients (M=6, F=7) was 55 years. Distribution of dystonia was variable with cervical dystonia as predominant component in 12 patients. All patients underwent bilateral GPi DBS placement. The mean BFMDRS and TWSTRS scores before DBS were 20 (95[percnt] CI: 12-28[percnt]) and 17.5 (95[percnt] CI: 14.7-20.2[percnt]) respectively and after DBS were 4.92 (95[percnt] CI: 3.2-6.7[percnt]) and 8.2 (95[percnt] CI: 4-12.5[percnt]) respectively at 12 months. There was a mean improvement in BFMDRS of 70.7[percnt] (95[percnt] CI: 63.8-79.5[percnt], p<0.01) and in TWSTRS of 56.4[percnt] (95[percnt] CI: 34.2 -78.6[percnt], p<0.01) at 12 months. Two patients had asymptomatic small intracranial hemorrhage, 1 had technical complications causing symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage/capsular infarct with partial hemiparesis and 1 had unilateral hardware infection/ lead fracture requiring revision. CONCLUSIONS: iMRI-guided DBS in dystonia patients showed improvement in clinical outcomes comparable to previously reported results using awake MER-guided DBS placement. This technique is particularly appropriate for children and patients where dystonia interferes with head fixation during wakefulness. Disclosure: Dr. Sharma has nothing to disclose. Dr. Naik has nothing to disclose. Dr. Triche has nothing to disclose. Dr. Buetefisch has nothing to disclose. Dr. Willie has nothing to disclose. Dr. Boulis received a royalty payment from Neuralstem Inc. Dr. Factor has received personal compensation for activities with Lundbeck, Chelsea Therapeutics, Auspex, Neurocrin, Up-To-Date, and UCB Pharma. Dr. Factor has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Neurotherapeutics. Dr. Factor has r Dr. Gross has received research support from Visualase Inc. Dr. DeLong has received personal compensation for activities with Medtronic Corporation, Boston Scientific and Effron Laboratories as a consultant.
Application of point processes to a theory of safety assessment

In this chapter probabilistic models of safety assessment, as applied to nuclear reactors, are discussed. The ‘per demand failure rate’ method for calculating the annual probability of a reactor accident is compared with an equally reasonable event sequencing model. One aspect of safety analysis is formulated as having to do with the maximum mark in a marked point process. A concept of rare events which yields special computing formulas similar to those employed by practicing engineers is introduced. Implications for quantifying the safety of nuclear reactors are discussed.
A slow excitatory postsynaptic current mediated by a novel metabotropic glutamate receptor in CA1 pyramidal neurons.

Slow excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) mediated by metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu receptors) have been reported in several neuronal subtypes, but their presence in hippocampal pyramidal neurons remains elusive. Here we find that in CA1 pyramidal neurons a slow EPSC is induced by repetitive stimulation while ionotropic glutamate receptors and glutamate-uptake are blocked whereas it is absent in the VGLUT1 knockout mouse in which presynaptic glutamate is lost, suggesting the slow EPSC is mediated by glutamate activating mGlu receptors. However, it is not inhibited by known mGlu receptor antagonists. These findings suggest that this slow EPSC is mediated by a novel mGlu receptor, and that it may be involved in neurological diseases associated with abnormal high-concentration of extracellular glutamate. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled ‘Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors, 5 years on’.
Diagnostics for Zika virus on the horizon

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus that is related to other pathogens of clinical importance, including yellow fever and dengue (DENV) viruses. Although once infrequently associated with human disease, ZIKV has emerged as a global health threat with its introduction into South America during 2014 and 2015. Of concern, recent ZIKV outbreaks are linked to severe neuro-developmental complications in the children of women infected while pregnant, as well as Guillain-Barre syndrome in adults ( 1 ). Management of this epidemic has been complicated by extensive serological cross-reactivity among flaviviruses and the cocirculation of ZIKV and DENV in regions experiencing the greatest disease burden. Current serological diagnostics have a limited capacity to distinguish between DENV and ZIKV. On page 823 of this issue, Stettler et al. ( 2 ) characterize monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) isolated from ZIKV-infected humans that hold promise as diagnostics or therapeutics, and advance our understanding of the repertoire of antibodies elicited by ZIKV infection.
Kierkegaard as Theologian: Recovering My Self

The companion volume to Arnold Come's Kierkegaard as Humanist, Kierkegaard as Theologian is an exploration of Soren Kierkegaard's deliberately Christian writings, from Upbuilding Discourses in Various Spirits (1846) to For Self-Examination (1851). In his later writings Kierkegaard sought to "get further forward in the direction of discovering the Christianity of the New Testament" to resolve his own spiritual crisis. His struggle to understand how authentic theologizing relates to the spiritual struggles of personal faith led him to a discussion of the three basic foci of his theologizing: the self as gift, that is, a creation "out of nothing" from God; the self as failure, which brings on a state of despair; and the self redeemed by God's love and healing compassion. Come probes some of the problematic aspects of Kierkegaard's theology. He addresses the question of whether God's high intentions and demands for human achievement of selfhood and spirituality justify the unspeakable sufferings entailed in human failures to fulfil those demands. He also explores the puzzling relation between Kierkegaard's seeming assignment of exclusivity to the Christian understanding and experiences of both sin and salvation as well as his assumption of the capacity of humans to recognize the need to turn to the eternal that is immanent in every human consciousness - so-called Religiousness A.
A Soft-Output Stack Algorithm

Soft output decoding of trellis-based problems, such as BCJR and the SOVA, has advantages in some applications. However these optimal methods are computationally intensive for all but short constraint lengths. A significant reduction in complexity can be obtained by using sequential decoding methods. This paper considers a modification of the stack algorithm to produce soft outputs and compares these with the soft values generated by the BCJR. The soft output stack provides around 1.5 dB of gain over the hard decision stack in some SNR regions. Also the soft values correlate highly with those generated by the BCJR and the Viterbi, especially at high SNR.
Understanding and defending the binder attack surface in Android

In Android, communications between apps and system services are supported by a transaction-based Inter-Process Communication (IPC) mechanism. Binder, as the cornerstone of this IPC mechanism, separates two communicating parties as client and server. As with any client-server model, the server should not make any assumption on the validity (sanity) of client-side transaction. To our surprise, we find this principle has frequently been overlooked in the implementation of Android system services. In this paper, we try to answer why developers keep making this seemingly simple mistake by studying more than 100 vulnerabilities on this attack surface. We analyzed these vulnerabilities to find that most of them are rooted at a common confusion of where the actual security boundary is among system developers. We thus highlight the deficiency of testing only on client-side public APIs and argue for the necessity of testing and protection on the Binder interface --- the actual security boundary. Specifically, we design and implement BinderCracker, an automatic testing framework that supports context-aware fuzzing and actively manages the dependency between transactions. It does not require the source codes of the component under test, is compatible with services in different layers, and performs much more effectively than simple black-box fuzzing. We also call attention to the attack attribution problem for IPC-based attacks. The lack of OS-level support makes it very difficult to identify the culprit apps even for developers with adb access. We address this issue by providing an informative runtime diagnostic tool that tracks the origin, schema, content, and parsing details of each failed transaction. This brings transparency into the IPC process and provides an essential step for other in-depth analysis or forensics.
The holdfast of Finitiporus boardmani (Echinodermata: Diploporita) in the Silurian Massie Formation of the Cincinnati Arch region, USA

A attachment structure, attributable to the sphaeronitid diploporitan Finitiporus boardmani Frest and Strimple, is documented herein from a hardground surface within the well-known middle Silurian (Wenlock) Massie Formation at the Napoleon quarry of southeastern Indiana, USA. This attachment structure is composed of multiple elongate plates lacking macroscopic pores, terminating in a slightly expanded disc. No portion of the theca is articulated to the specimen, though the morphology of the attachment structure is sufficiently distinctive to permit confident identification. The holdfast was dislodged from its attachment substrate but is present in the area immediately surrounding a bryozoan-micrite microbioherm, suggesting that F. boardmani occupied such elevated, hard environments. As the densely encrusted hardground containing this specimen has been partially destroyed since the initial report on pelmatozoan holdfasts, documentation of this occurrence is important for accurately recording of the total diversity and environmental distribution of echinoderms at an important locality.
Nucleosynthesis in the Early Universe

Calculations on early nucleosynthesis in the inhomogeneous, inflationary universe yield the universal abundance of the elements from hydrogen to lithium in agreement with observation except that too much helium is produced. In this paper this problem is discussed in some detail. In addition, nucleosynthesis of the heavy elements takes place in the neutron rich sea of the inhomogeneous universe. Rapid neutron capture and fission cycling are found to produce the low abundances of the heavy elements found in the oldest stars in the Galaxy. Numerous problems are pointed out which involve the amount of luminous matter in the early universe.
Amino Acid Catabolism and Its Relationship to Cheese Flavor Outcomes

Abstract Defined flavor profiles of cheeses and long lists of associated compounds have expanded our vista of the flavor formation mechanisms. Beginning from a review by Schormuller in 1968 as a particularly useful starting point for these pathways, we seek to recognize the past work in this arena more specifically within the last decade, of the possibilities of novel discovery, and of the necessary directions for the future of this arena. Toward this direction, a definitive body of work on defining entire pathways for beneficial flavor production from amino acid metabolism is still in progress. Formation of selective flavor compounds such as fatty acids and volatile sulfurs and related flavor production mechanisms attributable to bacterial metabolism and the likely candidate substrates from the available menu of lactose, milk lipids, and milk protein will be extensively discussed. Focus on metabolic reconstruction from genomic sequence and identifying molecules by genome restriction are recommended as useful tools to gain novel perspectives on alternate metabolic pathways.
Reversal of carotid dissection-induced ocular and cerebral ischemia by stenting

Abstract Purpose To present an example of how close clinical monitoring of a patient with acute Horner syndrome from carotid artery dissection may be critical in reversing neurologic dysfunction. Observations A patient whose initial neuro-ophthalmic manifestation was Horner syndrome, but who evolved over 14 days to display transient monocular vision loss, ipsilateral ocular ischemic syndrome, and episodic contralateral hemiparesis. Digital subtraction angiography demonstrated progressive ipsilateral carotid occlusion with lack of collateral flow. The patient underwent stenting with rapid reversal of transient monocular visual loss and hemiparesis. Follow-up examination several months later confirmed complete resolution of all clinical abnormalities. Conclusions and importance This case displayed protracted evolution of ischemic manifestations following carotid artery dissection and their prompt reversal with stenting. This case emphasizes the value of close clinical attention to a patient with acute Horner syndrome because manifestations may appear more than 10 days after event onset that impel intervention for the dissection.
Iron Overload in Dialysis Patients: Rust or Bust?

Several studies have used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) determination of liver iron content (LIC) to diagnose mild to severe iron overload in many patients on hemodialysis and some on peritoneal dialysis. In the hemodialysis population in particular, iron overload is attributed to excessive administration of intravenous (IV) iron, and claims have been made that many hemodialysis patients have moderate to severe iron overload. These studies use LIC cut-offs for iron overload based on studies in patients with hereditary hemochromatosis and transfusional iron overload. This commentary addresses the issue of iron overload in dialysis patients. I review several glaring problems with assuming LIC determinations in dialysis patients necessarily reflect the same degree of total body iron load as is seen in genetic and transfusion-related hemochromatosis. It proposes research needed to determine the actual relationship of MRI-assessed LIC to total iron burden in dialysis patients, and whether increased LIC observed on MRI scans even reflects a disease.
Effect of Dairy Manure Storage Conditions on the Survival of E. coli O157:H7 and Listeria

Dairy manure is regularly applied to crop fields as a solid or liquid to improve the soil nutrient status. However, pathogens may survive during manure storage and enter the environment during application. In this study, three storage practices were evaluated to understand the survival patterns of O157:H7 and spp. in dairy manure using a culture-based approach. To replicate common farm manure storage techniques, solid manure was stacked as piles with periodic turning or as static piles without turning, whereas liquid manure (feces, urine, and water) was stored as a slurry in small tanks to simulate lagoon conditions. The and levels in the manure samples were determined for 29 wk. Results showed that there was an initial reduction in bacteria levels in the first month; however, both and managed to survive in the solid manure piles for the full study period. In slurry samples, was not detected after 14 wk, but survived until the end of the experiment at relatively lower levels than in the solid manure piles. Ambient weather and pile size were identified as the main reasons for bacteria survival during the course of the experiment. The outcome of this study is important in terms of understanding pathogen survival in manure piles and slurries prior to their application to crop fields.
The Evolution and Future of Retailing and Retailing Education

The pace of retail evolution has increased dramatically, with the spread of the Internet and as consumers have become more empowered by mobile phones and smart devices. This article outlines signif...