cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Collagen fiber recruitment: A microstructural basis for the nonlinear response of the posterior pole of the eye to increases in intraocular pressure.

Abstract Our goal was to quantify and characterize how the collagen fiber crimp waviness of the lamina cribrosa (LC) and peripapillary sclera (PPS) changes with intraocular pressure (IOP). Thirteen sheep (ovine) eyes were immersion and perfusion fixed while maintaining IOP at 0, 10, 15, 20, or 50 mmHg. Coronal optic nerve head (ONH) sections (30 µm) were imaged with polarized light microscopy (PLM) and analyzed for collagen fiber orientation and waviness (SD of fiber orientation). In the LC, the waviness of every LC beam was measured. In the PPS, at least 900 collagen bundles were measured per eye. Using the waviness at 50 mmHg IOP, we defined tissue-specific thresholds to determine the fraction of loaded or recruited fibers. We found that fiber waviness decreased with IOP (P Statement of significance Collagen fibers exhibit a natural waviness or crimp that largely determine the nonlinear biomechanics of soft tissue. Experimental measurements of crimp morphology in the sheep eye, and how it changes with intraocular pressure (IOP), however, are exceedingly sparse. We quantified how posterior eye crimp changes with increasing IOP. We found that the lamina cribrosa and peripapillary sclera have fundamentally different crimp, and with increasing IOP, have different proportions of fibers that straighten, or get recruited, versus remaining wavy, or in reserve. Interestingly, at physiologic IOP of 15 mmHg, both tissues had about ¾ fibers recruited and ¼ fibers in reserve, indicating there may be an optimal fraction of fibers.
A Critique of Grading: Policies, Practices, and Technical Matters.

In recent years there was been a raft of criticisms of the way that grades (or marks) are assigned to students. The purpose of this paper is to examine the strengths and weaknesses of grading systems and grading practices, drawing upon both historical and contemporary research and writing. Five questions are used to frame the review and organize the paper. They are: (1) Why do we grade students? (2) What do grades mean? (3) How reliable are students’ grades? (4) How valid are students’ grades? and (5) What are the consequences of grading students? The results suggest that (1) The are several purposes for grading students; the way that grades are assigned and reported should be consistent with the specified purpose. (2) Grades mean different things to different people (including the teachers who assign them). (3) Grades on a single task (e.g., a test or project, a homework assignment) are quite unreliable, whereas cumulative grades (that is, those based on several data sources) are reasonably reliable. (4) The validity of grades on a single task is virtually impossible to determine; however, the evidence suggests that cumulative grades are reasonably valid. (5) Grades influence a variety of student affective characteristics (e.g., self-esteem). However, their influence is no greater, nor less than, a host of other school-related factors.
A Tooth Whorl of Edestus heinrichi (Chondrichthyes, Eugeneodontiformes) Displaying Progressive Macrowear

Edestus is a Middle Pennsylvanian chondrichthyan possessing symphyseal tooth whorls in both the upper and lower jaws. The curvature of the tooth whorls prevents most of the crowns of the opposing whorls from occluding with each other. For that reason, it has recently been hypothesized that the tooth whorls were used to slash prey with a vertical motion of the anterior part of the body, not to cut prey caught between them. A tooth of Edestus minor having a truncated, smoothly worn apex has been reported previously. Here, a partial tooth whorl of a different species, Edestus heinrichi, is described. The apices of the crowns are worn, so that the crown heights are reduced by about one third. The more labial (older) of the two preserved crowns shows more wear than the more lingual (younger) one. In contrast to the previously reported E. minor tooth, wear is observed to the serrations as well as to the apices of the crowns. The observed wear on both the E. minor tooth and on the E. heinrichi tooth whorl supports the recent hypothesis on the function of the tooth whorls. In both cases, the apices might have been abraded by attempted predation on or scavenging of large fish having skin covered with denticles or scales.
Use of aerial photographs to identify suitable GPS survey stations

Aerial photos can be valuable in planning a GPS survey. They can be used to find the most feasible sites for GPS stations and to inspect the usefulness of vertical control benchmarks for the survey. As an example, an area around Gauley Bridge in West Virginia was inspected using aerial photos. Suitable sites for GPS stations were identified and the most feasible benchmarks to occupy during the survey were selected.
Human dynamics: from human mobility to predictability

A range of applications, from predicting the spread of human and electronic viruses to city planning and resource management in mobile communications, depend on our ability to understand human activity patterns. I will discuss recent effort to explore human activity patterns, using the mobility of individuals as a proxy. As an application, I will show that by measuring the entropy of each individuals trajectory, we find can explore the underlying predictability of human mobility, raising fundamental questions on how predictable we really are. I will also discuss the interplay between human mobilty, social links, and the predictive power of data mining.
Implementation science for integration of HIV and non-communicable disease services in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.

Objective:As the burden of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) rises across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), global donors and governments are exploring strategies to integrate HIV and NCD care. Implementation science is an emerging research paradigm that can help such programs achieve health impact a
Adaptive linguistic style for an assistive robotic health companion based on explicit human feedback

In the future, an increasing amount of social robots will be found in our domestic environments to support and facilitate everyday life. Especially in the context of assistive, health-related support, more and more robotic products are on the way to the consumer market. While one can observe that many commercial efforts are put into the visual appearance, embodiment, motion and sound of companion robots, this paper focuses on the robot's conversational skills. We investigate how to adapt the robot's linguistic style to the individual user's preferences. This includes two forms of robot persona in the context of information retrieval tasks and games, as well as politeness with regard to recommendations. Therefore, we present an autonomous companion robot, which adapts its spoken language based on explicit human feedback. It provides several functionalities for information retrieval, reminders, communication and entertainment as well as health-related recommendations. Results of the in-situ study with elderly participants indicate that human preferences vary with regard to the robot's employed politeness strategies. Furthermore, the participants preferred assistant persona over companion persona in the information retrieval context.
Theoretical constraints on the effects of added cations on clumped, oxygen, and carbon isotope signatures of dissolved inorganic carbon species and minerals

Abstract Carbonate clumped isotope thermometry has emerged as a useful tool for the reconstruction of precipitation temperatures for minerals from surface and subsurface environments. Few studies have examined the impact of variable solution chemistry and mineral chemistry on clumping. Therefore, we used theoretical calculations to predict the impact of the presence of cations in a solution on the equilibrium clumped, oxygen (18O/16O and 17O/16O, θ and κ), and carbon isotopic (13C/12C) compositions of dissolved inorganic carbon species (DIC), and the impact of cation type and stoichiometry on carbonate mineral composition within the calcite-dolomite-magnesite solid solution. We examined the impact of the presence of Mg2+, K+, Na+, and Ca2+ on equilibrium Δ63 values of carbonate ion groups in DIC species and the composite DIC pool using the B3LYP/6-311++G(2d, 2p) model. We developed new cluster models for dolomite, magnesite, and high-magnesium calcite (Ca0.83Mg0.17)CO3 and (Ca0.67Mg0.33)CO3) and examined the effect of extraneous cations substituted into the crystal lattices of the carbonate minerals. We find the presence of added cations in the DIC pool increases equilibrium Δ63 values slightly, depending upon their solution concentrations. For the cations examined, the identity of the added cation does not seem to be significant. Cumulative effects may account for small-scale differences (
High-performance optical differentiation wavefront sensing towards freeform metrology

We report the demonstration of freeform optics metrology with an optical differentiation wavefront sensor that relies on spatially dithered distributions of binary pixels to synthesize a far-field amplitude filter. Analysis of experimental results and comparison with a commercial low-coherence-length interferometer shows that freeform phase plates with different magnitude of wavefront slopes can be accurately characterized. RMS accuracy of ∼ λ/10 and precision of ∼ λ/70 at 633 nm were achieved with pixelated filters having 2.5-µm pixels. Simulations that describe the characterization of a freeform optical component in the presence of photodetection noise and filter nonlinearity demonstrate the robustness of this wavefront-sensing approach for freeform optics characterization.
Method to Calculate Maximum Speed of Turbine Expander of 10MW CAES after Load Rejection

It is considered to be one of the most promising large-scale energy storage technologies by applying compressed air energy storage (CAES). But there is no method to calculate the maximum speed after load rejection. By researching on the process of load rejection, the over-speed process is divided into three phases. The method to calculate the maximum speed is also worked out. And it supports the manufacture and the operation of CAES.
Optimising teams and the outcomes of surgery

The outcomes of robotic surgery involve nonlinear interactions of many factors, including patient-related and surgical team-related elements. In robotic surgery, not only the surgeon but also all team members play an important role in determining surgery outcomes. Therefore, it is important to study optimal surgical team configuration decisions. In this study, we investigate regression models for accurate predictions of surgical outcomes by analysing robotic surgery data. We further develop an optimisation model to investigate the optimal team configuration decisions by considering two separate objectives: 1) to minimise the maximum operating room occupation time; 2) to minimise the average operating room occupation time. In our numerical analyses, we compare the optimal team configuration decisions with the current configuration decisions and show that the optimal team allocation decision can result in a 17% decrease in operating room occupation time. Our results suggest that efforts for reducing operating room occupation time should focus on increasing the experience of surgery team members, e.g., via running training programs. [Submitted: 10 September 2018; Accepted: 31 May 2019]
Ghost Cathedral of the Blackland Prairie: Waxahachie, Texas, Places in the Heart and the Superconducting Super Collider

Methods blending approaches in historical geography, GIScience and text can aid in extirpating how various perceptions of landscape (cultural and physical), identity (individual and collective) and sense of place (historical and contemporary) coalesce around a specific locale, or place. Data drawn from the IMPUS Historical GIS database and other sources were contextualized in this chapter’s exploration by the use of the following “text maps”: the film, Places in the Heart (1984), the novel Einstein’s Bridge (1997) and the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering site location report for a Federal government superconducting super collider (SSC) tunnel ring project. Drawing on the socio-cultural and historical contextualization provided by these cinematic, imaginary and engineering “text maps”, a GIS deep mapping of the local and deep history of Waxahachie, Texas, juxtaposes a cartographical filmscape of the 1930s Texas Blackland Prairie with a sideshadow model of the SSC project, abandoned by the Federal government in the 1990s.
Probing the Source of the Interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya Interaction Responsible for the Topological Hall Effect in Metal / Tm 3 Fe 5 O 12 Systems

The interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) is responsible for the emergence of topological spin textures such as skyrmions in layered structures based on metallic and insulating ferromagnetic films. However, there is active debate on where the interfacial DMI resides in magnetic insulator systems. We investigate the topological Hall effect, which is an indication of spin textures, in Tm_{3}Fe_{5}O_{12} films capped with various metals. The results reveal that Pt, W, and Au induce strong interfacial DMI and topological Hall effect, while Ta and Ti cannot. This study also provides insights into the mechanism of electrical detection of spin textures in magnetic insulator heterostructures.
MECHANISM OF THE INACTIVATION OF RAT LIVER CYTOCHROME P-450 BY PARATHION

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the mechanism of the inactivation of rat liver cytochrome P-450 by parathion. The investigation focuses on the relationship between the loss of cytochrome P-450, the loss of benzphetamine demethylase and ethoxycoumarin de-ethylase activity, and the extent of covalent binding of sulfur to cytochrome P-450 during the metabolism of parathion by a reconstituted system from liver microsomes of phenobarbital-treated rats. The chapter also discusses the nature of the protein-bound sulfur not dissociable with DTT. Cytochrome P-450 was purified from liver microsomes of phenobarbital-treated rats. The 16% polyethylene glycol supernatant from this procedure was used as the source of the NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, which was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and affinity chromatography on ADP 2'5' Sepharose. Metabolism of parathion by the reconstituted system was found to be accompanied by a considerable loss of heme. In a series of six experiments described in the chapter, the heme loss was calculated to be 81 ± 10% of the cytochrome P-450 loss. Catalase offered little or no protection against the loss of heme, suggesting that it was not because of hydrogen peroxide formation during the metabolism of parathion.
Delegation in Hiring: Evidence from a Two-Sided Audit

Firms increasingly delegate job screening to third parties. Outsourced recruiters introduce agency issues that can distort worker/employer matching. We present a simple model illustrating the tension between recruiters' use of private information about candidate preferences, and reputational incentives to impress employers. We then execute a novel two-sided audit experiment by directly engaging recruiting intermediaries. We show that agents' career concerns strongly shape selection decisions. Recruiters over-interview employer-favored candidates unlikely to reciprocate interest, while under-select candidates with stronger mutual interest. By changing outside offers, recruiters' career concerns affect candidates' negotiating leverage. We conclude by discussing extensions of our audit methodology.
A Review of Telemedicine Applications in Otorhinolaryngology: Considerations During the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Review the published literature of telemedicine's use within otorhinolaryngology (ORL), highlight its successful implementation, and document areas with need of future research. STUDY DESIGN: State of the Art Review. METHODS: Three independent, comprehensive searches for articles published on the subject of telemedicine in ORL were conducted of literature available from January 2000 to April 2020. Search terms were designed to identify studies which examined telemedicine use within ORL. Consensus among authors was used to include all relevant articles. RESULTS: While several, small reports document clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and the cost of telemedicine, much of the literature on telemedicine in ORL is comprised of preliminary, proof-of-concept reports. Further research will be necessary to establish its strengths and limitations. CONCLUSIONS: Particularly during the coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic, telemedicine can, and should, be used within ORL practice. This review can assist in guiding providers in implementing telemedicine that has been demonstrated to be successful, and direct future research. Laryngoscope, 2020.
Queering State Interests: Engaging Rights-Based Opposition to Sexual Rights

The growing recognition of LGBT rights as human rights has been vigorously contested on the international stage. In initial battles at the United Nations, opposition to these rights was predominantly framed in terms of immorality, predation, sickness, and foreignness. In recent years, however, opponents of LGBT rights have increasingly turned to the human rights framework itself as a rhetorical and political tool. Rather than rejecting concepts of sexual orientation or gender identity outright, opponents have instead framed sexual rights as inherently in tension with the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, children’s rights, parental rights, and women’s rights. This framing creates new alliances, shifts focus from interests to rights, and harnesses the machinery of human rights to slow the recognition of sexual freedom and equality on the global stage. In this paper, I consider what contemporary rights-based opposition to sexual rights might illuminate about the limits of the human rights framework as a vehicle for justice. I first canvass examples where the shift toward rights-based opposition are evident, identifying the antecedents of the strategy in other social movements. I then consider how human rights bodies have mediated these conflicts, examining where these approaches differ from those of domestic judiciaries. I finally argue that the trend toward a clash of rights requires activists and scholars to reengage with notions of duty, citizenship, and capabilities if they are to meaningfully and convincingly resolve the tensions that arise.
Exercise with TENS does not augment gains in balance and strength for dancers.

Abstract Electrical stimulation modulates sensory feedback and improves motor performance, at least for individuals with compromised sensorimotor function. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a 4-wk intervention with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) at improving strength and balance in dancers. Nineteen dancers completed a timed, single-leg balance test, the Y-balance test, and contractions with the hip flexor and knee extensor muscles to assess maximal strength and force steadiness. They completed 4-wks of moderate-intensity bodyweight exercises (3x/wk) and were pseudo-randomized to either a Treatment or Sham group in a single-blind design. The Treatment group received constant TENS over the hamstring muscles during the exercises, whereas the Sham group was exposed to a brief TENS current. The data were pooled due to few significant between-group differences from before to after the intervention. Most outcome measures significantly improved: hip extensor muscles were stronger (P ≤ 0.01), time stood on a single-leg with eyes closed increased (P = 0.02), and the distance reached during the Y-balance test increased (P ≤ 0.001). The improvement in scores on the Y-balance test exceeded the minimal clinically significant change. Twelve sessions of moderate-intensity bodyweight exercises improved muscle strength and balance in experienced dancers. The addition of TENS, however, did not augment the gains in function.
Safety analysis of live working on 35kV line in high altitude area

The 35kV line is an important part of China's distribution lines and has the characteristics of larger transmission capacity and lower line loss than 10kV distribution lines. However, its live work is rarely carried out, especially the lack of key parameters such as the required safety distance and insulation shielding requirements for live work on 35kV lines in high altitude areas, which limits its further improvement in power supply reliability. In this paper, through the small gap operation impact discharge test in Yangbajing (4300m), Lhasa (3600m), Linzhi (2900m) and Wuhan (28m) and other regions, the corresponding discharge characteristic curve was obtained. Then apply the insulation coordination practice of live working. The minimum electrical safety distance for 35kV live working at high altitudes above 2500m is calculated by conventional usage, and the DU is rounded to 50cm. The method of working with insulated gloves is $\text{DE}=0.2\mathrm{m}$ . When the method of working with insulated rods is used, $\text{DE}=0.6\mathrm{m}$ . Combined with the typical 35kV pole tower structure, when conducting live work in high altitude areas, the operator should not enter the area between the insulator and the pole tower. The effective protection area of the insulation shielding tool is from the central area of the shielding tool surface to the edge of 20 cm from the area above 2500m as shown in the figure.
The COVID-19 Elective for Pediatric Residents: Learning About Systems-Based Practice During a Pandemic

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted pediatric residency programs to adjust the delivery of educational curricula and to update content relevant to the pandemic. Objective In this descriptive paper, we present how we rapidly developed and implemented a COVID-19 pandemic elective for pediatric residents. Methods This curriculum was established at a single tertiary care children's hospital in June 2020. We used the ADDIE (analysis, design, development, implementation, evaluation) framework to develop a two-week elective (30 hours) consisting of six flexibly scheduled modules. We administered post-elective surveys and exit interviews to solicit feedback to improve the elective and obtain effectiveness of our educational interventions. Results We developed an asynchronous online COVID-19 Elective for Pediatric Residents. The curriculum modules focus on pathophysiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the disaster management ecosystem, simulation of clinical care, mental health ramifications, and public health consequences. We also include six in-situ experiences (visits to a drive-through COVID-19 testing site, testing laboratory and local public health department, a simulation of a critically ill child, and meetings with emergency managers and social workers) to solidify learning and allow for further reflection. To date, eight participants have taken the elective. All participants strongly agreed on a five-point Likert item survey that the elective enhanced their knowledge in current evidence-based literature for COVID-19, disaster preparedness, hospital response, management of the critically ill child, and mental and public health ramifications. All participants agreed this curriculum was relevant to and will change their practice. Conclusions We demonstrate how a COVID-19 elective for pediatric residents could be quickly developed and implemented. The pilot results show that pediatric trainees value asynchronous learning, supplemented by relevant in-situ experiences. Moreover, these results suggest that this curriculum provides needed disaster response and resiliency education for pediatric residents.
AI, you can drive my car: How we evaluate human drivers vs. self-driving cars

Abstract This study tests how individuals attribute responsibility to an artificial intelligent (AI) agent or a human agent based on their involvement in a negative or positive event. In an online, vignette experimental between-subjects design, participants (n = 230) responded to a questionnaire measuring their opinions about the level of responsibility and involvement attributed to an AI agent or human agent across rescue (i.e., positive) or accident (i.e., negative) driving scenarios. Results show that individuals are more likely to attribute responsibility to an AI agent during rescues, or positive events. Also, we find that individuals perceive the actions of AI agents similarly to human agents, which supports CASA framework's claims that technologies can have agentic qualities. In order to explain why individuals do not always attribute full responsibility for an outcome to an AI agent, we use Expectancy Violation Theory to understand why people credit or blame artificial intelligence during unexpected events. Implications of findings for practical applications and theory are discussed.
Optimal Demand Response Incorporating Distribution LMP with PV Generation Uncertainty

The utilization of aggregated demand-side flexibility via demand response (DR) has become a promising pathway for the integration of renewable energy resources in power systems. Nowadays, there are several management strategies for DR such as the price-based transactive control strategies. However, many of such existing price-based control strategies neglect the physics and operational constraints of the underlying distribution networks when computing the price, raising concerns regarding their theoretical and practical values. This paper studies this issue and investigates optimal DR (ODR) by incorporating the distribution locational marginal price (DLMP). In particular, we discuss DR in connection with DLMPs and propose a multiperiod bilevel optimization problem to find the ODR strategy. The objective is to minimize the peak load, load fluctuation, and payments of load aggregators. In addition, a robust bilevel ODR model is formulated to provide a robust ODR strategy while minimizing operating costs under the worst-case realization of uncertainties; this mitigates the impact of forecasting errors on renewable energy resources. Then, we propose an efficient solution approach by employing the KarushKuhnTucker conditions and strong duality. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the mutual impacts of the interaction between DR and DLMP and the benefits of the robust ODR strategy.
Chapter 52 fMRI and the evaluation of patients with epilepsy

Publisher Summary The clinical application of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to the evaluation of epilepsy patients focuses on identifying the brain areas to be spared during surgery, because they hold eloquent function. Such methods are applied principally to motor and language cortex and to the memory function. fMRI has also been used to identify the seizures focus in patients. Functional MRI (fMRI), using the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) technique, relies upon detecting alterations in the blood flow that follow regionally specific increases in brain activity associated with task performance. In the “activated” state, there is a regionally restricted luxury hyperperfusion and concomitant increase in oxyHgb/deoxyHgb ratio that in turn is detected by fMRI. After data acquisition, the data is corrected for motion and can be analyzed by any number of methods that are listed in this chapter. Agreement between BOLD fMRI and electro cortical stimulation is within 3-5 mm. fMRI is used to identify the dominant hemisphere for language and also the location language processing areas. Paradigms that require verbal fluency or a semantic decision are reliable identifiers of the anterior, “expressive” language areas: the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and middle frontal gyrus (MFG). Both verbal fluency and semantic decision tasks show excellent agreement with the intracarotid amytal test. Reading text based paradigms is an activator of the middle and superior temporal cortex and also evokes MFG and, sometimes, IFG even in the absence of a semantic decision. fMRI BOLD studies can identify the ictal source. fMRl provides a temporal resolution that can be used to examine the propagation of ictal activity. Interictal fMRI methods may be used to identify activity at the margin of mass lesions in dysplastic cortex, in mesial temporal lobe, and in structurally normal brain. The clinical utility depends upon the relationship of interictal activity to the seizure focus.
Chapter 3 Laboratory Heterogeneity of Antiphospholipid Antibodies

Abstract The anticardiolipin (aCL) test has been widely utilized by physicians since the mid-1980s for diagnosing patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Establishment of this diagnosis has improved the management of patients with recurrent thrombosis and recurrent pregnancy losses. The test was first established in 1983 as a radioimmunoassay and soon thereafter converted into an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The other test commonly used in the diagnosis of APS is the lupus anticoagulant test (LAC). The aCL ELISA is sensitive for the diagnosis of APS but lacks specificity. On the other hand, the LAC assay, although more specific is not as sensitive as the aCL ELISA. More specific tests are now available such as the anti-β 2 glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI) assay, the antiprothrombin (anti-PT) assay and other ELISAs that utilize negatively charged phospholipids other than cardiolipin to coat the plates. In the past 25 years, there have been numerous efforts to standardize aCL, LAC, and anti-β 2 GPI tests. However, there are still reports of significant intra- and inter-laboratory variation in results for all three assays. This chapter discusses in detail the clinical utilities of these tests, technical problems associated with their use, the current laboratory classification criteria for diagnosis of APS, and possible new and better assays that may be available in the near future for diagnosis of APS.
Photoreactivation of a Cytoplasmic Virus

Ultraviolet light-inactivated frog virus 3 is efficiently photoreactivated by chick embryo cells. A cellular enzyme is presumably responsible for this repair of viral deoxyribonucleic acid, for the phenomenon is insensitive to an inhibitor of protein synthesis and is not seen in mammalian cells that are known to lack photoreactivating enzyme. Since frog virus 3 is a cytoplasmic virus, functionally significant amounts of photoreactivating enzyme are probably present in the cytoplasm of chick embryo cells.
Flash ETOX/spl trade/ virtual ground architecture: a future scaling direction

A 65nm generation virtual ground (VG) ETOX/spl trade/ flash memory process capable of MLC operation and relying on a conventional channel hot electron program and F-N tunneling channel erase has been demonstrated. Several key process elements were successfully integrated to achieve functional test structures with 0.0315 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ cell size. The significant area scaling benefit was achieved in large part by replacing the drain contacts and metal interconnect in the array with a buried bitline diffusion implant. In addition to achieving the significant reduction in cell size, such an approach offers several important technological advantages compared to the conventional approach used by its predecessor technology and provides a promising path for continued future scaling of flash memories.
Obstructive sleep apnea and aldosterone.

OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA) HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED RISK FOR CARDIOVASCULAR MORBIDITY INCLUDING HYPERTENSION. HOWEVER, disease mechanisms linking OSA to hypertension have not been completely elucidated.1–3 High sympathetic activity in normotensive patients with OSA, both during sleep and wakefulness, may promote hypertension4,5 as may increased oxidative stress,6–9 inflammation10–12 and endothelial dysfunction.13,14 The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) plays a central role in regulation of extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure. The RAS protects against loss of salt and water, but may contribute to excess sodium retention and hypertension and may be activated in OSA. Indeed, this system may be potentiated by increased sympathetic nerve activity, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperleptinemia - factors also frequently present in OSA. Sleep apnea patients have been shown to have higher angiotensin II concentrations compared to healthy subjects.15 Patients with hypertension and high risk for OSA have lower plasma renin activity and greater aldosterone excretion compared to subjects at low risk for OSA.16 However, an important limitation of this study was that the presence of OSA was based on questionnaire assessment and was not confirmed or excluded by polysomnography of all subjects. Although previous studies have reported aldosterone levels and plasma renin activity in OSA patients, findings have not been uniform. Recently, Pratt-Ubanama et al. noted that plasma aldosterone was positively correlated with OSA severity only in subjects with resistant hypertension. This correlation was not present in OSA subjects without resistant hypertension.17 Moller et al. measured 24 h blood pressure and plasma levels of vasoactive hormones in 24 patients with OSA and 18 controls.15 The OSA patients had higher blood pressure and increased circulating levels of angiotensin II and aldosterone; a positive correlation was also found between angiotensin II and daytime blood pressure. However, OSA patients in this study were more obese than controls and had established hypertension. In contrast, Maillard et al. demonstrated that in 7 normotensive untreated OSA patients mean plasma aldosterone concentration was lower than in 5 control subjects.18 In another recent study, serial overnight measurements of plasma aldosterone and renin were similar between 32 OSA and 19 control subjects.19 Moreover, in these prior studies, confounding variables or lack of sufficient statistical power makes interpretation difficult. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that serum levels of aldosterone and plasma renin activity (PRA) are increased by OSA in subjects without cardiovascular disease, compared to well matched healthy non-OSA subjects.
Characterization of Clostridium thermocellum JW20

Clostridium thermocellum JW20 (ATCC 31549), which was isolated from a Louisiana cotton bale, grew on cellulose, cellobiose, and xylooligomers and, after adaptation, on glucose, fructose, and xylose in the pH range of 7.5 to 6.1 with Topt of 60°C, Tmax of 69°C, and Tmin of above 28°C. Doubling times during growth on cellulose and cellobiose were 6.5 and 2.5 h, respectively. The G+C content of the DNA was 40 mol% (chemical analysis). Growth on cellulose as substrate was totally inhibited in the presence of more than 125 mM sodium sulfate, 300 mM sodium chloride, 250 mM potassium chloride, 200 mM calcium chloride, 125 mM magnesium chloride, 40 mM lactate, or 250 mM acetate. The ratio of the fermentation products ethanol to acetate plus H2 decreased when the culture was agitated. Agitation otherwise increased the rate of cellulose degradation in a growing culture but not under nongrowth conditions or with cell-free culture supernatant containing the extracellular cellulase. Shaking lowered the concentration of H2 in the culture broth and thus minimized inhibition by the H2 formed. Externally added H2 caused an increased formation of ethanol during growth on cellulose or cellobiose. However, at an atmospheric pressure as high as 355 kPa (50 lb/in2), H2 did not cause significant growth inhibition beyond an increasing lag phase (up to 24 h). Several criteria to specifically prove the purity of C. thermocellum cultures were suggested.
Electron Nematic Phase in a Transition Metal Oxide

Materials in which electrons interact strongly can exhibit unusual properties. Electrons have now been observed to assemble into a pattern like that seen in liquid crystals.
Online Personal Networks of Knowledge Workers in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning

Social networking systems and other online collaborative technologies are shaping the daily habits of knowledge workers. These technologies connect knowledge workers to their online personal networks for information exchange, informal learning, and social support. From an evaluation of policies and technical infrastructures of over 50 organizations, a composite set of three profiles was created that reflect prevailing organizational stances towards the use of online personal networks. Examining these profiles by marrying the lenses of learning theory and operational necessity highlights the role of informal learning and provides insight into organizations seeking to find value-adding advantages to social media use by their employees.
Towards fingerprints as strings: Secure indexing for fingerprint matching

This work, for the first time, combines fingerprint matching, security, and indexing in one system. We use the fuzzy vault construct with minutia path information to achieve this. Since we only store translation and rotation invariant information from the paths, we achieve pre-alignment for “free,” which is a requirement of the fuzzy vault. We introduce a hash table that allows indexing to be used with our system, which effectively reduces the search space of the database. Our system is secure in the sense that if the database is compromised, it will be computationally infeasible for the intruder to recover the enrolled fingerprint templates.
Survival stories: Feminist historiographic approaches to ghicana rhetorics of sterilization abuse

Abstract “Survival Stories” examines the Chicana sterilization abuse case Madrigal v. Quilligan by taking up four historiographic approaches— three are recognized in feminist rhetorical scholarship; the fourth offers a methodological strategy to the field. Through this process, this essay makes several contributions to rhetorical study. It presents an example of Chicana feminist rhetoric and an inroad to this rhetorical tradition. It contextualizes the arguments made by the women in Madrigal v. Quilligan and exposes the strategies used by the judge to dismiss their claims. Finally, this essay proposes a historiographic practice that presses the limits of the rhetorical situation and investigates how these Chicanas’ rhetorics survived.
The analgesic efficacy of fentanyl: Relationship to tolerance and μ-opioid receptor regulation

This study determined if fentanyl analgesic efficacy predicts the magnitude of tolerance and mu-opioid receptor regulation. To estimate efficacy, mice were injected i.p. with saline or clocinnamox (CCAM), an irreversible mu-opioid receptor antagonist, (0.32-25.6 mg/kg) and 24 h later fentanyl cumulative dose-response studies were conducted. CCAM dose dependently shifted the fentanyl dose-response function to the right. The apparent efficacy (tau) of fentanyl, based on the operational model of agonism, was estimated as 58, indicating that fentanyl is a high analgesic efficacy agonist. Next, mice were infused with fentanyl (1, 2 or 4 mg/kg/day) for 7 days. Controls were implanted with placebo pellets. At the end of 7 days, morphine cumulative dose-response studies or mu-opioid receptor saturation binding studies were conducted. Fentanyl infusions dose dependently decreased morphine potency with the highest fentanyl dose reducing morphine potency by approximately 6 fold. Chronic infusion with fentanyl (4 mg/kg/day) significantly reduced mu-opioid receptor density by 28% without altering affinity, whereas lower infusion doses had no effect. Taken together, the present results strengthen the proposal that opioid analgesic efficacy predicts mu-opioid receptor regulation and the magnitude of tolerance.
The West Memphis, Arkansas Tornado of December 14, 1987

Abstract A tornado ripped a 25-mile path through West Memphis, Arkansas on December 14, 1987. Six persons were killed, 125 injured, and damage was estimated at $35 million. A damage survey team appointed by the Committee on Natural Disasters, National Research Council of the National Academy of Science documented the damage and evaluated the emergency response systems. This paper describes the damage in light of what is known about the response of several structures including an elevated water tank, industrial buildings, a shopping center, and a school. Engineers understand the wind problem and essentially know how to minimize damage. The problem is that most of their knowledge is not used in construction.
Segmental calculus disease: Potential of partial nephrectomy☆

Abstract Partial nephrectomy was performed on 71 renal units between 1962 and 1978 for segmental calculus disease. Parenchymal scarring associated with an infundibuloealyceal stone, which was usually branched, was the indication for resection. Stone analysis demonstrated an equal incidence of idiopathic and struvite stones. Perioperative morbidity was minimal, but pyelocutaneous urinary drainage prolonged the hospitalization of 5 patients. In 2 cases, the cause was an obstructing retained calculus. Retained ealculi occurred in 3 other patients, one requiring early nephrectomy for sepsis. Fifty-seven patients were followed for longer than twelve months. Ipsilateral ealculi recurred in 12 per cent of kidneys, and contralateral new ealculi developed in the same number. Ninety-four per cent of patients with preoperative urinary tract infections had sterile urine at follow-up. From the results of this and other series, partial nephrectomy compares favorably kith extended pyelolithotomy and anatrophic nephrotorny for segmental calculus disease associated with parenchynnal scarring and/or a deformed collecting .system.
Letter to the Editor: Fee-based Care is Important for Access to Prompt Treatment of Hip Fractures Among Veterans

To the Editor: As an orthopaedic surgeon who fixes hip fractures at a VA hospital, I was proud to read the study by Richardson et al., Fee-based Care is Important for Access to Prompt Treatment of Hip Fractures Among Veterans [3], showing that non-VA hospitals have a 21% lower 1-year mortality for patients with hip fractures. One may wonder why I would be proud to read a study that ostensibly shows a better performance at a Non-VA hospital. Truth be told, I was proud only when I looked closely at their data. The mean age of VA patients in their study was 76 years, versus 71 years for the non-VA group. It probably is no surprise to discover that a 76-year-old person is more likely to die than a 71-year-old—in fact, the 1-year mortality rate, 4.4%, is 57% higher that of a 71-year-old person, 2.8% [1]. As such, finding that the rates differed by only 21% show that the VA is associated with a distinctly reduced rate of mortality, when the base case risk is considered. I point this out not to be a schoolmarm or to shill for my friend, Howard Wainer, whose book, coauthored with Lawrence Hubert), A Statistical Guide for the Ethically Perplexed [2], teaches this point. I point this out particularly because in the coming years, the debate about healthcare reform no doubt will put the VA system under heightened scrutiny, as the VA does things differently compared with civilian institutions. When the VA does something better—technically speaking, “is associated with something better” for association does not imply causality—it should be celebrated.
First Report of Fruit Rot and Associated Branch Dieback of Almond in California Caused by a Phomopsis Species Tentatively Identified as P. amygdali.

A fruit rot of almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. Webb.) was observed in an orchard in Durham, CA (Butte County), in June of 1998 after an unusually wet spring with a total precipitation of 17.2 cm for April and May. Disease incidence on fully developed fruit of almond cv. Sonora was nearly 90% in the lower tree canopy by July. Almond cv. Nonpareil grown in alternate rows in the same orchard was much less affected. Fruit symptoms included extensive grayish brown discolored and shriveled hulls, often associated with a clear gum secretion and shriveled kernels. Affected fruit frequently abscised. Leaf symptoms and branch dieback were not associated with the disease in 1998. In May of 1999, however, extensive twig dieback was observed on almond cv. Sonora in the same orchard. Isolations from more than 100 symptomatic fruit were conducted from 9 sampling sites in the 9-ha orchard. Based on morphological characteristics, the same fungus was isolated from 93% of the fruit. The fungus also was isolated consistentl...
Sales order backlogs and momentum profits.

Abstract Winner stocks have higher changes in sales order backlogs and a sales order backlog factor is significant in explaining various winner minus loser returns and often reduces the α s by big margins. We argue that this factor is a proxy for innovation in demand in the economy and it is likely to relate to expected growth risks and future business conditions.
Screening Magnetic Resonance Imaging Recommendations and Outcomes in Patients at High Risk for Breast Cancer

The purpose of this study was to determine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening recommendations and the subsequent outcomes in women with increased risk for breast cancer evaluated by oncology subspecialists at an academic center. Patients evaluated between 1/1/2007 and 3/1/2011 under diagnosis codes for family history of breast or ovarian cancer, genetic syndromes, lobular carcinoma in situ or atypical hyperplasia were included. Patients with a history of breast cancer were excluded. Retrospective review of prospectively acquired demographics, lifetime risk of breast cancer, and screening recommendations were obtained from the medical record. Retrospective review of the results of prospectively interpreted breast imaging examinations and image-guided biopsies were analyzed. 282 women were included. The majority of patients were premenopausal with a median age of 43. Most (69%) were referred due to a family history of breast or ovarian cancers. MRI was recommended for 84% of patients based on a documented lifetime risk >20%. Most women referred for MRI screening (88%) were compliant with this recommendation. A total of 299 breast MRI examinations were performed in 146 patients. Biopsy was performed for 32 (11%) exams and 10 cancers were detected for a positive predictive value (PPV) of 31% (based on biopsy performed) and an overall per exam cancer yield of 3.3%. Three cancers were detected in patients who did not undergo screening MRI. The 13 cancers were Stage 0-II; all patients were without evidence of disease with a median follow-up of 22 months. In a cohort of women seen by breast subspecialty providers, screening breast MRI was recommended according to guidelines, and used primarily in premenopausal women with a family history or genetic predisposition to breast cancer. Adherence to MRI screening recommendations was high and cancer yield from breast MRI was similar to that in clinical trials.
Government Mandates and Atypical Work: An Investigation of Right-to-Work States

Atypical work forms, such as agency temporary, consulting/contracting, and contract work, have been criticized as providing employers with a means to avoid government-mandated employment protections. In such cases, we would expect to see a lower prevalence of atypical work in right-to-work (RTW) states relative to non-RTW states. We test for this possibility using data from supplements to the 1995–2005 Current Population Surveys. Our empirical results provide a degree of support for this contention as we see significantly lower overall fractions of atypical work in RTW states than we do in agency- or union-shop states.
Pulse propagation in multimode fibres

The Gloge model for mode-coupled pulse propagation in a step index fibre has been re-examined and a dynamic model proposed to explain the significance of the pulse-broadening regime in which the pulse widthτ varies as√L. This leads to the conclusion that the critical factor controlling such propagation is the existence of a particular distribution of power which is a function of space, time and angle.