cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EEG Deficits in Chronic Marijuana Abusers during Monitored Abstinence

Cognitive, cerebrovascular, and psychiatric impairments have been documented with chronic marijuana users. To better understand the nature and duration of these neurocognitive changes in marijuana abusers, we recorded the resting EEG of 29 abstinent chronic marijuana abusers and 21 control subjects. The marijuana abusers were tested twice: the first evaluation occurred within 72 hours of admission to the inpatient research unit; the second evaluation occurred after 28 to 30 days of monitored abstinence. A three-minute period of EEG was recorded during resting eyes-closed conditions from eight electrodes (F(3), C(3), P(3), O(1), F(4), C(4), P(4), and O(2)). The artifacted EEG was converted to six frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha(1), alpha(2), beta(1), and beta(2)) using a fast Fourier transform. During early abstinence, absolute power was significantly lower (p < 0.05) for the marijuana abusers than for the control subjects for the theta and alpha(1) bands. These reductions in theta and alpha(1) power persisted for 28 days of monitored abstinence. These EEG changes, together with cerebral blood flow deficits, might underlie the cognitive alterations observed in marijuana abusers. Additional research is needed to determine how long these deficits persist during abstinence and if treatment with neuroprotective agents may reverse them.
Thermal expansion anisotropy in a Ti–6Al–4V/SiC composite

Abstract We studied the thermal expansion behavior of a Ti–6Al–4V/35 vol.% continuous SiC fiber composite using in situ high temperature neutron diffraction (ND). The lattice expansion of constituent phases within the composite was monitored from axial (parallel to the unidirectionally aligned fibers) and transverse (perpendicular to the fibers) directions during heating from room temperature (RT) to 1170 K. The phase-specific thermal expansion of the Ti–6Al–4V matrix and SiC fibers in the composite is discussed in the context of thermal load partitioning between the matrix and fibers. In the axial direction, the matrix and the fiber share the thermal load and co-expand up to about 800–900 K, above which the thermal load transfer becomes ineffective. In the transverse direction, the matrix and fibers expand independently over the whole temperature range. Using the Schapery model (J. Comp. Mater. 2 (1968) 380) and the rule-of-mixtures (ROM), the macroscopic thermal expansion of the composite is predicted and compared with the experimental results.
Using Datacenter Simulation to Evaluate Green Energy Integration

Many simulators are available to evaluate performance and power tradeoffs in datacenters. The authors use one such simulator to demonstrate that by accurately provisioning green energy availability for longer time intervals, green energy prediction can improve overall energy efficiency.
Organ and effective doses in pediatric patients undergoing helical multislice computed tomography examination.

As multidetector computed tomography(CT) serves as an increasingly frequent diagnostic modality, radiation risks to patients became a greater concern, especially for children due to their inherently higher radiosensitivity to stochastic radiation damage. Current dose evaluation protocols include the computed tomography dose index(CTDI) or point detector measurements using anthropomorphic phantoms that do not sufficiently provide accurate information of the organ-averaged absorbed dose and corresponding effective dose to pediatric patients. In this study, organ and effective doses to pediatric patients under helical multislice computed tomography (MSCT) examinations were evaluated using an extensive series of anthropomorphic computational phantoms and Monte Carloradiation transport simulations. Ten pediatric phantoms, five stylized (equation-based) ORNL phantoms (newborn, 1-year, 5-year, 10-year, and 15-year) and five tomographic (voxel-based) UF phantoms (9-month male, 4-year female, 8-year female, 11-year male, and 14-year male) were implemented into MCNPX for simulation, where a source subroutine was written to explicitly simulate the helical motion of the CTx-ray source and the fan beam angle and collimator width. Ionization chamber measurements were performed and used to normalize the Monte Carlo simulation results. On average, for the same tube current setting, a tube potential of 100 kVp resulted in effective doses that were 105% higher than seen at 80 kVp , and 210% higher at 120 kVp regardless of phantom type. Overall, the ORNL phantom series was shown to yield values of effective dose that were reasonably consistent with those of the gender-specific UF phantom series for CT examinations of the head, pelvis, and torso. However, the ORNL phantoms consistently overestimated values of the effective dose as seen in the UF phantom for MSCT scans of the chest, and underestimated values of the effective dose for abdominal CT scans. These discrepancies increased with increasing kVp. Finally, absorbed doses to select radiation sensitive organs such as the gonads, red bone marrow, colon, and thyroid were evaluated and compared between phantom types. Specific anatomical problems identified in the stylized phantoms included excessive pelvic shielding of the ovaries in the female phantoms, enhanced red bone marrow dose to the arms and rib cage for chest exams, an unrealistic and constant torso thickness resulting in excessive x-ray attenuation in the regions of the abdominal organs, and incorrect positioning of the thyroid within the stylized phantom neck resulting in insufficient shielding by clavicles and scapulae for lateral beam angles. To ensure more accurate estimates of organ absorbed dose in multislice CT, it is recommended that voxel-based phantoms, potentially tailored to individual body morphometry, be utilized in any future prospective epidemiological studies of medically exposed children.
Anesthesia for the morbidly obese parturient.

Purpose of reviewObesity is a growing healthcare problem worldwide, which also affects the pregnant population. Obesity occurs with increasing frequency during pregnancy. Obesity increases the maternal, fetal and neonatal risks. Also, the anesthesiologist is confronted with significantly more proble
Comparative efficiency assessment and strategic benchmarking of smartphone providers with data envelopment analysis

The purpose of this study is to conduct comparative efficiency assessment and strategic benchmarking of smartphone providers. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is useful in examining competitive patterns of products and services. Since smartphone products are moved away from functional devices into platform products and services, the new business model focuses on perpetual dynamic value deployment beyond hardware functionality of products. In this research, DEA is utilised as a strategic decision support tool that measures the extent of firm efficiencies based on multiple year performance outcomes. DEA efficiency trend in particular is a significant indicator of a company's near future sustainability. This study is the first attempt of benchmarking smartphone industry where short–term strategy and rapid innovation precedes long term tactics and incremental improvement.
Factoring, into Edge Transpositions of a Tree, Permutations Fixing a Terminal Vertex

If the symmetric group is generated by transpositions corresponding to the edges of a spanning tree we discuss identities they satisfy, including a set of defining relations. We further show that a minimal length factorization of a permutation fixing a terminal vertex does not involve the unique edge incident to that vertex.
Focusing of infrared edge and synchrotron radiation

Abstract The focusing of edge and synchrotron radiation from a zero-emittance electron beam is modeled for an optical system consisting of a reflecting sphere with an aperture. With a large aperture, edge radiation is imaged to a spot size ≪ λγ , where λ is the wavelength and γ the relativistic factor of the electrons. When the aperture size equals the opening angle, ordinary synchrotron radiation may be focused to a spot size of ρ 1/3 λ 2/3 , where ρ is the radius of curvature of the electron orbit. For apertures sufficiently large to collect the central radiation cone, the peak brightness of edge radiation is nearly independent of the aperture angle, and inversely proportional to the square of the wavelength. For an aperture size equaling the opening angle, the peak brightness of a focused spot of ordinary synchrotron radiation is 4–5 times as large as that of edge radiation. For both edge and ordinary synchrotron radiation, a comparable flux may be concentrated into phase space volumes of ∼8 λ 2 . The implications of these computations upon the siting of an infrared beamline are also discussed.
Role Conflicts in the Modern Japanese Family

Systematic study of role conflicts in the modern Japanese family has not received the emphasis it deserves. This suggests that the institution of ie, albeit no longer recognized in the law, was and still is par excellence social. A sociological concept of ie is important in understanding the process whereby ascribed statuses change to achieved statuses. It is in this process that role conflicts emerge and realistic adjustment is achieved in the modern Japanese family.
BIAS IN INHERITANCE OF CHLOROPLAST DNA AND MECHANISMS OF HYBRIDIZATION BETWEEN WIND- AND INSECT-POLLINATED EUPATORIUM (ASTERACEAE)

Hybrids of the wind-pollinated E. capillifolium and the insect-pollinated E. serotinum were found to occur in the Coastal Plain of Louisiana, Mississippi, and southern Arkansas and on the Piedmont in three locations. Interspecific cross-pollination occurs when wind causes the flexible flowering branches of E. capillifolium to whisk over the stiff upright branches of E. serotinum plants. Interspecific pollen was found to be captured by E. serotinum more effectively than by E. capillifolium. However, analysis of cpDNA of natural field hybrids indicated that most were maternally descended from E. capillifolium. This latter bias can be explained by the far greater number of flowers, and thus greater seed producing capacity, of E. capillifolium relative to E. serotinum. Morphological variability observed among field hybrids suggests that backcrossing has occurred; however, field hybrids and progeny grown from field hybrid achenes generally had low pollen stainability, irregular meiosis, and reduced achene set. Furthermore, field hybrids were found to have a chromosome number of 2n = 20, like the parental species, whereas progeny grown from field hybrids had deficiencies and duplications of chromosome numbers. Because these chromosome number deviations were not seen in field hybrids it is logical to suggest that either they are F,s, or that strong selective forces in the field eliminated
All the President's scholarly men

Barack Obama's choice of science advisers is cause for celebration. Yet history shows that an impressive academic record doesn't guarantee good, impartial advice, cautions Robert Dallek.
Effects of oxidation state, solvent acidity and thiophenol on the electrochemical properties of iron-molybdenum cofactor from nitrogenase

Abstract Electrochemical examination of the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMoco) extracted from the MoFe protein of Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogenase reveals that this important biological cluster exists in a variety of chemical forms whose numbers, proportions and properties depend on oxidation state, N -methylformamide solvent acidity and presence of thiophenolate ion. The distribution of oxidized (ox) species, determined from voltammetric responses, and of semi-reduced (s-r) species, determined from EPR spectra, show that FeMoco exists as a 2:1 proportion of populations in its ox state in alkaline NMF and in its ox and s-r states in acidic NMF. A single form of FeMoco(s-r) is found in alkaline NMF. Addition of thiophenol converts all populations of FeMoco into single PhS − -coordinated ox and s-r species under all conditions; these forms exhibit quasi-reversible [FeMoco(ox)-SPh] + e − ⇌ [Femoco(s-r)-SPh] electrochemistry. The variety of cofactor species observed is attributed to various states of ligation, protonation or structural arrangement of the metal cluster. The greater distribution of forms observed in the absence versus presence of thiophenol, in acidic versus alkaline solvent and in the oxidized versus semi- reduced oxidation state suggests that FeMoco exhibits greater structural or compositional heterogeneity under the former of each of these conditions.
A reactive channel model for expediting wireless network simulation

A major problem with leveraging event-driven, packet-level simulation environments, such as ns2[6], J-Sim[1], OpNet[2]), and QualNet[3]), in conducting wireless network simulation is the vast number of events generated, a majority of which are related to signal transmission in the PHY/MAC layers.In this extended abstract, we investigate the operations of signal transmission in the various stages: signal propagation, signal interference, and interaction with the PHY/MAC layers, and identify where events can be reduced without impairing the accuracy. We propose to leverage the MAC/PHY state information, and devise (from the perspective of network simulation) a reactive channel model (RCM) in which nodes explicitly register their interests in receiving certain events according to the MAC/PHY states they are in and the corresponding operations that should be performed. The simulation study indicates that RCM renders an order of magnitude of speed-up without compromising the accuracy of simulation results. An advantage of RCM with respect to the implementation is that there is no need to re-design the channel model for each specific MAC layer, and the modification made in the MAC/PHY layers is quite modest (e.g., a few API changes). This, coupled with the performance gain, suggests that RCM is an attractive, light-weight mechanism for expediting wireless network simulation.
Multilayer coating requirements for extreme ultraviolet lithography masks

To meet critical dimension control error budgets for extreme UV lithography (EUVL) tools, the reflectivity bandpass of multilayers on the mask must be well matched to the bandpass of the optical system in the exposure tool. The reflectivity bandpass and peak reflectivity of the mask multilayers must also be highly uniform to minimize illumination uniformity errors in the exposure tool Calculations were performed to determine the required mask multilayer matching to exposure tool optics. Calculated ideal reflectivity curves and measured reflectivity versus wavelength values for typical masks made with ion beam sputtering and for the coating on the optics for the ETS were used. The impact on the mask coating requirements when using more than 6 multilayer- coated optics in production exposure tools was also quantified. To meet error budgets established for the ETS, the mask multilayer coating centroid wavelength at all points in the image field should be 13.334 +/- 0.040 nm, and peak reflectivity must be uniform to within +/- 0.5 percent absolute. A roadmap is proposed for mask multilayer reflectivity requirements for future industry roadmap nodes.
Fluid expulsion and overpressure development during initial subduction at the Costa Rica convergent margin

Abstract A high convergence rate and almost complete subduction of incoming sediments make the Costa Rica convergent margin an extremely dynamic environment in which to examine the interrelationship of tectonically driven loading, compaction, and fluid expulsion. In this study, we investigate overpressure development and fluid expulsion using a numerical modeling method that allows fluid pressures, porosities, and permeabilities to evolve during subduction. Incoming sediments at the Costa Rica margin consist of ∼180 m of hemipelagic sediments overlying 200 m of pelagic carbonates. Results of the modeling suggest that a permeability–porosity relationship for the hemipelagic sediments derived from laboratory tests (log(k) = −22 + 7.8 × porosity) is compatible with pore pressures inferred from consolidation tests and compaction rates estimated from sediment porosity and thickness changes, in contrast to results of previous simplified calculations. Comparison of one and two-dimensional modeling indicates that lateral fluid flow modifies the pore pressure profile only moderately, unless the permeability of the pelagic carbonate sediment was an order of magnitude or more higher than indicated by laboratory tests (5 × 10−16 m2). Due to complete subduction of the incoming sediment column, high porosity, and thus high permeability sediments are directly below the decollement zone. Rapid dewatering of these sediments can support high rates of fluid flow along the decollement or upward through the wedge. However, within the first 1.5 km of subduction, drainage leads to a rapid decrease in simulated porosity (0.8 to 0.5) of the uppermost sediments, which would decrease permeabilities to 0.5% of initial values and inhibit further dewatering.
Tumor induction with single urethan injection in newborn and adult syrian golden hamsters. A study on age influence. I.

Single subcutaneous injections of 1 mg urethan per g body weight were administered to newborn and 8-week-old randomly bred Syrian golden hamsters. The treatment ersulted in the induction of higher numbers of forestomach papillomas in animals receiving urethan at adult age than or birth. It gave rise to similar incidences of dermal melamocytomas inthe ovo age groups. Other tumors were also observed in the animals. Since only a few were seen of each type, it is difficult to relate their appearnace to the treatments. It is concluded that ageplays a role inh the oncogenic response of golden hamsters challenged by a single chemical stimulus. The ersults aer discussed in the light of previous studies performed in this field. INDUCTION TUMORALE AU MOYEN D'UNE SEULE INJECTION D'URETHANE CHEZ DES HAMSTERS DORES SYRIENS ADULTES ET NOUVEAU-NES. UNE ETUDE DE L'INFLUENCE DE L'AGE I. Nous avons administre une seule injection sous-cutanee a raison de I mg d'urethane par gramme de poids corporel a des hamsters dores Syriens nouveau-nes ou ǎges de huit semaines et provenant d'un elevage surveille. Ce traitement a entraǐne l'induction d'un plus grand nombre de papillomes du postαsophage chez les animaux ayant recu l'urethane a l'ǎge adulte que chez les nouveau-nes. Nous avons pu constater a plusieurs reprises des melanocytomes dermiques similaires chez ces deux groupes d'ǎge different. D'autres tumeurs ont egalement ete observees chez ces animaux, mais comme le nombre de tumeurs de chaque type etait tres faible, il est difficile de conclure a un rapport quelconque avec le traitement applique. Il en resulte donc que l'ǎge des animaux influe de facon decisive sur la reaction oncogenique des hamsters dores causee par un simple stimulant chimique. Les resultats sont examines a la lumiere des etudes precedemment effectuees a ce sujet.
LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS (CF)

Pulmonary infection, malabsorption and elevated immunoglobulin levels may be interrelated in CF. To examine the immunologic processes in these patients (pts), lymphocyte subsets were quantitated and correlated with Schwackman scores for overall clinical status (SS), nutritional status (SSn) and chest X-ray scores (SSx). Fifty-four CF pts, 31M, 23F, age 17±10 years were studied. Lymphocyte subsets were quantitated with monoclonal antibodies for T-cells (Leul), T “helpers” (Leu3) T “suppressors” (Leu2) and B-cells (surface immunoglobulin positive, sIg+) using an indirect immunofluorescent technique. Pt values were compared to controlls obtained concurrently. SS, SSn and SSx were determined independently. Analyses of relative numbers (%) of lymphocyte subsets revealed no apparent differences between pts and controls. However, absolute numbers of lymphocyte subsets revealed that pts had significantly higher sIg+ cell numbers than controls (expressed as logs, 2.15 vs. 1.83, p=.038) and decreased Leu2+ cells (9.7 vs. 10.2, p=0.006). Leu3+ cells correlated inversely with SS, SSn and SSx (r's>-.32), p's<.03). In summary, CF pts have heightened immune responses as reflected in increased sIg+ and decreased Leu2+ numbers; poor clinical, nutritional and chest X-ray status is associated with elevated Leu3+ numbers. In contrast to previous reports of T-cell dysfunction in malnourished pts, malnourished CF pts do not have deficiencies of lymphocyte subsets.
Refounding Environmental Ethics: Pragmatism, Principle, and Practice

Ben A. Minteer has written a provocative and important book on the current state of affairs in environmental ethics. It is provocative because his version of pragmatism is advocated in a novel and ...
Use of Dissolved Amino Acids by the Foraminifer Notodendrodes antarctikos

SYNOPSIS. Foraminifera are a ubiquitous and sometimes numerically important component of benthic communities. This paper discusses the role of free amino acids in the nutrition of Notodendrodes antarctikos , a large arborescent foraminifer from an oligotrophic embayment of the Ross Sea, Antarctica. The effects of temperature and substrate concentrations suggest a carrier mediated transport system which facilitates the accumulation of a wide variety of free amino acids at concentrations found in the interstitial waters of its sedimentary habitat. Involvement of isotopically labeled amino acids in the metabolism of this organism is discussed.
Supersymmetry with vector-spinor generators

Supersymmetry with spin-3/2 generators is constructed and shown to give a closed algebra. A phenomenological Lagrangian is constructed which describes an interaction of spin-3/2 particle with itself.
Pitch detection by data reduction

This paper presents an algorithm that determines the fundamental frequency of sampled speech by segmenting the signal into pitch periods. Segmentation is achieved by identifying those samples of the waveform corresponding to the beginning of each pitch period. The segmentation is accomplished in three phases. First, using zero crossing and energy measurements, a data structure is constructed from the speech samples. This structure contains candidates for pitch period markers. Next, the number of candidate markers within this structure is reduced utilizing syllabic segmentation, coarse pitch frequency estimations, and discrimination functions. Finally, the remaining pitch period markers are corrected, compensating for errors introduced by the data reduction process. This algorithm processes both male and female speech, provides a voiced-unvoiced decision, and operates in real time on a medium speed, general purpose computer.
President's message: We must remain committed to scientific integrity

During the third week of February our global community of Earth and space scientists witnessed the shocking fall from grace of an accomplished AGU member who betrayed the principles of scientific integrity. In doing so he compromised AGU's credibility as a scientific society, weakened the public's trust in scientists, and produced fresh fuel for the unproductive and seemingly endless ideological firestorm surrounding the reality of the Earth's changing climate. Peter Gleick resigned as chair of AGU's Task Force on Scientific Ethics on 16 February, prior to admitting in a blog post that he obtained documents from the Heartland Institute under false pretenses. His transgression cannot be condoned, regardless of his motives. It is a tragedy that requires us to stop and reflect on what we value as scientists and how we want to be perceived by the public. Here are a few things that come immediately to mind:
A New Perspective on the Problem of Applying Mathematics

This paper sets out a new framework for discussing a long-standing problem in the philosophy of mathematics, namely the connection between the physical world and a mathematical domain when the mathematics is applied in science. I argue that considering counterfactual situations raises some interesting challenges for some approaches to applications, and consider an approach that avoids these challenges.
Integrating formal methods tools into undergraduate computer science curriculum

In this paper we describe a recently NSF-funded project that is based on the power of an innovative teaching approach, which combines the traditional teaching models and adds the use of automated software tools to enhance the student's learning experience.
Kinetic studies of iron metal particle degradation at various temperature and humidity conditions

Passivated iron metal particles suitable for use in magnetic recording media were exposed to various water concentrations at different temperatures to determine their magnetic and chemical stabilities. It was observed that degradation of the magnetic moment was affected more by increases in water concentration than by increases in temperature. Coercivity, however, was less affected under these conditions. The degradation of the magnetic moment of the iron particles was observed in two stages; a rapid initial stage followed by a much slower second stage was evident by measurements of the magnetic moment as a function of the exposure time to high temperature and humidity. The degradation products of these particles were identified by electron diffraction techniques as amorphous Fe304. The rate of degradation in both stages was modeled to be pseudo-zero order. Life expectancies of these particles from Arrhenius relationships are predicted. >
Design and optimization of a robotic fish mimicking cow-nosed ray

The paper is aimed at establishing a platform of robotic fish propelled by paired pectoral fins, so as to research pectoral fin propulsion. Locomotion of nature sample, cow-nosed ray, was analyzed before simplified mathematical model was obtained for design of the robotic fish. Locomotion of the pectoral fins is equivalent to the pass of oscillating motion from front to back in the form of cubic function in one plane. Tridimensional flexible skin was made according to the shape of cow-nosed ray. Mechanism with three fin rays was designed to meet the mathematical model, that is, to mimic the pass of locomotion wave on pectoral fin. A novel two stage rocker-slide mechanism was designed, which can drive the flexible skin to realize the ideal profile approximately with only one motor. In order to mimic the locomotion better, key dimension parameters were optimized based on the mathematical model of locomotion. Primary experiment was done for the two stage rocker-slide mechanism, which showed the design was valid.
SAED and HREM Studies of Zr 2 Co 11 Intermetallic Compound

Rare-earth-free permanent-magnets have gained immense focus in the view point of mitigating the critical-material aspects of rare-earth elements. The intermetallic compound Zr2Co11 is a promising candidate. Polymorphism exists in the Zr2Co11 compound; a high-temperature phase has a rhombohedral structure and a low temperature phase has an orthorhombic structure [1,2]. Both of the two phases in relative small grain sizes have been observed often in the same rapidly quenched samples. In this case, selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) and high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) are the suitable experimental techniques to study the crystalline structures. Theoretical calculations predict that the lowest-energy structures near Zr2Co11 composition share a common structural motif [3]. The combination of theoretical and experimental results allows correct structural models of the two Zr2Co11 phases to be constructed.
fMPE: discriminatively trained features for speech recognition

MPE (minimum phone error) is a previously introduced technique for discriminative training of HMM parameters. fMPE applies the same objective function to the features, transforming the data with a kernel-like method and training millions of parameters, comparable to the size of the acoustic model. Despite the large number of parameters, fMPE is robust to over-training. The method is to train a matrix projecting from posteriors of Gaussians to a normal size feature space, and then to add the projected features to normal features such as PLP. The matrix is trained from a zero start using a linear method. Sparsity of posteriors ensures speed in both training and test time. The technique gives similar improvements to MPE (around 10% relative). MPE on top of fMPE results in error rates up to 6.5% relative better than MPE alone, or more if multiple layers of transform are trained.
Impact of complex genetic variation in COMT on human brain function.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) has been shown to be critical for prefrontal dopamine flux, prefrontal cortex-dependent cognition and activation. Several potentially functional variants in the gene have been identified, but considerable controversy exists regarding the contribution of individual alleles and haplotypes to risk for schizophrenia, partly because clinical phenotypes are ill-defined and preclinical studies are limited by lack of adequate models. Here, we propose a neuroimaging approach to overcome these limitations by characterizing the functional impact of ambiguous haplotypes on a neural system-level intermediate phenotype in humans. Studying 126 healthy control subjects during a workingmemory paradigm, we find that a previously described risk variant in a functional Val158Met (rs4680) polymorphism interacts with a P2 promoter region SNP (rs2097603) and an SNP in the 3 0 region (rs165599) in predicting inefficient prefrontal working memory response. We report evidence that the nonlinear response of prefrontal neurons to dopaminergic stimulation is a neural mechanism underlying these nonadditive genetic effects. This work provides an in vivo approach to functional validation in brain of the biological impact of complex genetic variations within a gene that may be critical for its clinical association. Molecular Psychiatry (2006) 11, 867–877. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4001860; published online 20 June 2006
Assessment of a single-piece hydrophilic acrylic IOL for piggyback sulcus fixation in pseudophakic cadaver eyes

Purpose To evaluate a single-piece hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) designed for sulcus fixation in a piggyback configuration in postmortem pseudophakic human eyes. Setting John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Design Experimental study. Methods Pseudophakic human cadaver eyes were imaged by high-frequency ultrasound (Artemis) to assess the overall position of the primary IOL and the sulcus diameter. The piggyback IOL (Sulcoflex) was then injected into the ciliary sulcus of these eyes. After fixation in formalin, they were reevaluated by high-frequency ultrasound for assessment of IOL fixation, fit, centration, tilt, and clearance from the primary IOL and intraocular structures and analyzed after sectioning. Results Data could be obtained from 11 eyes, all in which the primary IOL was located in the capsular bag. Different foldable IOLs and different degrees of Soemmerring ring formation were represented. The piggyback IOL could be injected and positioned in the ciliary sulcus and had overall appropriate centration and minimum or no tilt. Clearance between the 2 IOLs ranged from 232 to 779 μm, mostly depending on the thickness of the primary IOL. Direct assessment of the sulcus-fixated haptics showed no disturbances to the ciliary processes. Conclusions The new IOL has large optic and overall diameters, smooth and undulating haptics, and a convex–concave optic profile. Results show that these characteristics minimize the possibility of interaction with the primary IOL and uveal tissues, decreasing the likelihood of optical aberrations and pigmentary dispersion. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Electrostatically driven self-assembly of hybrid elastin–DNA liquid crystals

Self-assembled, hybrid liquid crystals of elastin-like peptides complexed with DNA exhibit inverse temperature-transition behavior and demonstrate functional materials design strategies.
On the scaling limit of ultrathin SOI MOSFETs

In this paper, a detailed study on the scaling limit of ultrathin silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFETs is presented. Due to the penetration of lateral source/drain fields into standard thick buried oxide, the scale-length theory does not apply to thin SOI MOSFETs. An extensive two-dimensional device simulation shows that for a thin gate insulator, the minimum channel length can be expressed as L/sub min//spl ap/4.5(t/sub Si/+(/spl epsiv//sub Si///spl epsiv//sub I/)t/sub I/), where t/sub Si/ is the silicon thickness, and /spl epsiv//sub I/ and t/sub I/ are the permittivity and thickness of the gate insulator. With t/sub Si/ limited to /spl ges/ 2 nm from quantum mechanical and threshold considerations, a scaling limit of L/sub min/=20 nm is projected for oxides, and L/sub min/=10 nm for high-/spl kappa/ dielectrics. The effect of body doping has also been investigated. It has no significant effect on the scaling limit.
Analysis of Headspace Compounds of Distillers Grains using SPME in Conjunction with GC/MS and TGA

Abstract Chemical composition of headspace compounds of distillers grains was investigated using solid phase microextraction (SPME) along with GC/MS and TGA. Dryer feed (DF) and distillers dried grains (DDG) from a local distillery were utilised for this study. A SUPELCO 75 μm Carboxen/PDMS SPME fibre was found suitable for extraction of analytes from grains. Samples were placed in small vials (40 mL from SUPELCO) filled to one-third of their capacity. SPME was exposed to the headspace for 1 to 2 h. The fibre was then thermally desorbed in GC injection port for separation and identification. The gas chromatogram showed as many as 64 compounds eluting out of the column, the number being greater in DF as compared to DDG. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed on the grains to study the oxidative stability of the compounds. SPME fiber was inserted directly into TGA purge gas outlet to study the compounds being evolved. Three weight loss transitions were observed in the TGA curve of DF and DDG. The components from the three transitions were captured by SPME and analysed by GC/MS for identification. TGA helped in determining the degradation stages of grains thereby indicating the temperature limits in drying grains. Difference between the heated and unheated DF and DDG have been discussed in detail.
Hybrid adaptive feedback nulling in the presence of channel mismatch

Nulling systems often consist of a main channel and one or more auxiliary channels. In such systems, the degree of nulling achieved is often limited by mismatched frequency responses between the auxiliary channels and the main channel. The hybrid feedback technique is shown to compensate for this mismatch by enclosing the mismatched receiver components inside an adaptive feedback loop. >
A general resource management framework for real-time operating systems

In RED-Linux kernel, a General Scheduling Framework (GSF) has been implemented. Under GSF, different scheduling algorithms can be easily implemented. However GSF only addresses the scheduling of CPU. Other system resources are not considered. In this paper we propose a general resource management framework for various OS resources. When user applications request and consume system resources, they may use uniform APIs although each type of OS resource has its own properties and means to be controlled. In the resource management framework, we also allow the inter-relationship between different types of resources to be defined and managed.
HOMOGENEITY OF SINGLE TRIAL RESPONSE TENDENCIES AND SPONTANEOUS ALTERNATION IN THE T-MAZE.

Sttmmary.-The variability of individual response tendencies within groups of rats with similar genetic background was investigated. Two groups were used: one group without a turning bias and another group with an empirically determined 2:l right-turn tendency. These rats were tested in uniformly colored Tmazes and in T-mazes which contained differential stimuli in the rwo cross arms. In all cases the group response tendency was found to be an accurate indicator of the behavior of each of the individuals in that group. Short-term individual response sequences were nor as useful in predicting future behavior as was the total group performance. Methods of using this information in calculating expected "chance behavior" in the T-maze were discussed. The well known tendency of the rat to alternate sponcaneously visics to opposice alleys of a T-maze can be legitimately demonstrated only by comparing the observed alternation rate with an estirnace of how frequently such an event might occur by "chance" alone. In the past this chance rate has usually been assumed co be 50%. In many experiments, however, one of the responses has been found to occur more often than the ocher on the first trial, suggesting that 50% is probably not the true chance alternation rate. Dember and Fowler (1958) have suggesced that when such a bics is found the chance rate can be approximated by essentially doubling the product of the probabilities of initial right and left turns, as determined by the group data. Koppenaal (1962) has objected, however, that this procedure is based on the unfounded assumption chat the average behavior of a group is an accurate indication of the individual response tendencies of each animal in that group. If half of the rats in a gro~ip rurn right and half nlrn left, it cannot be concluded without further evidence that each individual has a .5 probability of making either response, as the group might instead be composed of chronic right or left rurners in equal proportion. If the latter were true, then the system of Dember and Fowler (1958) would result in a marked overestimate of [he chance rate of alternacion. Since it has never been sarisfactorily established whether the response tendencies of rats with similar heredity are homogeneous (all Ss having equal turn biases or stimulus preferences) or heterogeneous (divergent individual cendencies), a series of experiments was designed to answer this question. Rats from two breeding populations were used: one which had no group-turning bias and another which had a pronougced tendency to nun right rather than left. These 'TGT research was supported in part by Grant DA-MD-49-193-G3-G75 from the Office of the Surgeon General, U. S. Army.
Market Forces, Trade Union Ideology and Trends in Swedish Wage Dispersion

Compression of the distribution of relative wages was an important goal of Sweden's central confederation of blue-collar trade unions (LO) from the mid-1960s up to the breakdown of effective central wage formation in the early 1980s. In this article I analyze LO's success in achieving its ideology of wage equality in the market by comparing observed wage dispersion trends to (i) the time path of human capital dispersion and (ii) the time path of wage dispersion built into the central framework wage agreements. I interpret the results of the comparisons as yielding strong evidence that egalitarian trade union ideology exerted powerful influence on the course of Swedish wage distribution.
Two-Mode Models of Self-Regulation as a Tool for Conceptualizing Effects of the Serotonin System in Normal Behavior and Diverse Disorders:

The serotonin system is a collection of neural pathways whose overall level of functioning (from low to high) relates to diverse kinds of psychological and behavioral variability. Individual differences in serotonergic function are important both in personality and in vulnerability to psychological disorders. These disorders range widely-from impulsive aggression to depression. One way to understand such diverse reflections of differences in serotonergic function is by viewing serotonergic function through the lens of two-mode (or dual-process) models of self-regulation. Such theories posit a lower-order system that responds quickly to associative cues of the moment and a higher-order system that responds reflectively and planfully. Low serotonergic function appears to enhance influence of the lower-order system. This often yields impulsive reactivity. Why, then, does low serotonergic function also relate to depression, which is characterized by lethargy and unresponsiveness? The answer must be that ascendance of the lower system interacts with other factors. One hypothesis is that low serotonergic function plus high sensitivity to incentives yields vulnerability to impulsive approach, whereas low serotonergic function plus low incentive sensitivity yields vulnerability to depression. Conceptualizing serotonergic function this way helps integrate information pertaining to very different disorders into a coherent picture.
Identifying Microorganisms Involved in Specific Pathogen Suppression in Soil

Suppressive soils hold considerable potential for managing soilborne pathogens. When the suppressiveness has a biological origin, identifying the causal organisms is the crucial step in realizing this potential. Armed with such knowledge, it may be possible to develop effective and sustainable pest management strategies through application of these organisms or agronomic practices that influence their population densities. This chapter focuses on the development and utilization of a population-based approach for identifying microorganisms involved in specific pathogen suppression. Key experimental design principles of the approach are explored by examining experiments characterizing the biological nature of take-all decline. We also describe how this approach was used to identify microorganisms that suppress the sugarbeet cyst nematode. Additional experimental design considerations and future directions for such investigations are also discussed.
Meeting the Leadership Challenge of Employee Well-Being Through Relationship PsyCap and Health PsyCap

Increasing recognition is being given to the role that employee overall well-being plays in desired outcomes of today’s organizations. To help organizational leaders searching for understanding and answers, we propose that the positive core construct of psychological capital (or simply PsyCap), consisting of the positive psychological resources of hope, efficacy, resiliency, and optimism can be extended into the well-being domain. Although PsyCap has been clearly demonstrated to be related to employee attitudes, behaviors, and performance, linking it with other life domains relevant to overall well-being has yet to be tested. After first building a comprehensive conceptual foundation for extending PsyCap into the well-being domain, we empirically found that a cross section of employees’ (N = 523) “Relationship PsyCap” and “Health PsyCap” were related to both their respective satisfaction appraisals and desired objective outcomes. In addition, these two extended life satisfactions, along with the already w...
Innovations in locking plate technology.

Thephilosophyandtechniquesofopen reductionandinternalfixationoffrac- tureshaveevolvedduringthepastsev- eral decades. 1-3 To achieve functional rehabilitationofthelimb,anatomicre- Plating techniques remain the mainstay for managing most periarticular and se- lected long bone fractures. However, movement toward more biologically appropri- ate plating techniques is occurring in an attempt to minimize soft-tissue stripping, decrease the need for bone grafting, and improve union rates. Internal fixation with locking plates creates a toggle-free, fixed-angle construct. Early data on the biome- chanical and clinical performance of these implants are encouraging. Current in- dications for locked plating include periarticular fractures, typically those with me- taphyseal comminution. Although impressive union rates have been reported, malunion remains a concern, especially when percutaneous techniques are used. Fur- ther clinical and biomechanical research on locking plate technology is needed to define its place fully alongside existing technology in orthopaedic trauma. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2004;12:205-212
Measuring What Really Matters in Patient Safety

What really matters when measuring patient safety depends on who is looking at the results. Patients and families expect safety and expect not to be harmed in the process of receiving care. Third-party payers may look to increase value and lower total payments by withholding payment for harm events. Providers often focus primarily on medical outcomes. Unfortunately, there is no overall safety score to compare providers and/or health care facilities and there are few validated measures of patient safety. Patient safety measurement currently relies on a large number of individual indicators. Many of the measures are disease specific and often are not validated. Patients and families have limited access to, and may have difficulty using, data for health care decision-making. More importantly, despite the proliferation of measures, health care has not become safer for patients. Health care providers must re-evaluate what really matters to those we serve—the patients and families—when measuring and reporting patient safety.
Secure RAID schemes for distributed storage

We propose secure RAID, i.e., low-complexity schemes to store information in a distributed manner that is resilient to node failures and resistant to node eavesdropping. We generalize the concept of systematic encoding to secure RAID and show that systematic schemes have significant advantages in the efficiencies of encoding, decoding and random access. For the practical high rate regime, we construct three XOR-based systematic secure RAID schemes with optimal encoding and decoding complexities, from the EVENODD codes and B codes, which are array codes widely used in the RAID architecture. These schemes optimally tolerate two node failures and two eavesdropping nodes. For more general parameters, we construct efficient systematic secure RAID schemes from Reed-Solomon codes. Our results suggest that building “keyless”, information-theoretic security into the RAID architecture is practical.
Overview of Testing of Numerical Software

The purposes of program testing are to expose errors; to insure that standards for portability, robustness, etc. are met; and to evaluate performance. A selection of work in these three applications of program testing is presented here.
Defense Mechanisms in the Bovine Lung

The purpose of this article is to examine factors contributing to defense of the bovine lung from microbial infection. Appropriate physical, cellular, and secretory defense components are assessed. Attention is paid to the thin line separating host-mediated defense from host-mediated injury of the lung.
Temperature-Dependence of Multiphonon Relaxation of Rare-Earth Ions in Solid-State Hosts

Rare-earth ions are used in a wide range of emissive devices–ranging from lasers to displays–where high optical efficiency and narrow-line widths are important. While their radiative properties are important, nonradiative properties are also critical since they can reduce optical efficiency and generate heat. In this article, theories for multiphonon relaxation rate are reviewed for rare-earth excited states in solid-state dielectric hosts. A range of various approaches are used to simplify the mathematical form of the rate equations. The 2H9/2 excited state of Er3+, responsible for a technologically significant green emission, is modeled to show how the various theories manifest an order-of-magnitude variation in the thermal dependence of the multiphonon relaxation rate, as well as anomalous local minima in phonon scattering for temperatures above 0 K. This work proposes a corrective term of two quanta (Δν = +2) of the mediating phonon energy to energy gap, so the calculated and the experimentally determ...
Control and evaluation of penetration enhancers for the transdermal drug delivery systems

As a promising aspect of the new drug research and development,the reasonable use and quality control of the penetration enhancers in the transdermal drug delivery system(TDDS) is getting more and more important in the international pharmaceutical research area.The rule of penetration enhancer's selection was discussed through the interpretation of the penetration mechanism and co-effective between the drug and the penetration enhancers.Also the drug evaluation methods and the fundamental technical rules of the use of the penetration enhancers in the TDDS and the external dermal effective preparations were introduced.