cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two- and Three-Terminal Resistive Switches: Nanometer-Scale Memristors and Memistors

The logical relationship between two previously defined “memory resistors” is revealed by constructing and experimentally demonstrating a three-terminal memistor equivalent circuit using two two-terminal memristors. A technique is then presented, using nanoimprint lithography in combination with angle evaporation, to fabricate a single nanoscale device with a footprint of 4F2, where F is the minimum lithographic feature size, that can be operated as either a two-terminal lateral memristor or a three-terminal memistor inside a crossbar structure. These devices exhibit repeatable bipolar nonvolatile switching behavior with up to 103 ON/OFF conductance ratios, as well as the desired three-terminal behavior.
The Peter Pan Syndrome in Emerging Markets: The Productivity-Transparency Trade-off in IT Adoption

Firms invest in technology to increase productivity. Yet in emerging markets, where a culture of informality is widespread, information technology IT investments leading to greater transparency can impose a cost through higher taxes and the need for regulatory compliance. The tendency of firms to avoid productivity-enhancing technologies and remain small to avoid transparency has been dubbed the "Peter Pan Syndrome." We examine whether firms make the trade-off between productivity and transparency by examining IT adoption in the Indian retail sector. We find that computer technology adoption is lower when firms are motivated to avoid transparency. Specifically, technology adoption is lower when there is greater corruption, but higher when there is better enforcement and auditing. So, firms have a higher productivity gain threshold to adopt computers in corrupt business environments that suffer from patchy and variable enforcement of the tax laws. Not accounting for this motivation to hide from the formal sector underestimates productivity gains from computer adoption. Thus, in addition to their direct effects on the economy, enforcement, auditing, and corruption can have indirect effects through their negative impact on adoption of productivity-enhancing technologies that also increase operational transparency.
Banks and loan sales : marketing non-marketable assets / 1711

A defining characteristic of bank loans is that they are not resold once created. Yet, in 1989 about $240 billion of commercial and industrial loans were sold, compared to trivial amounts five years earlier. Selling loans without explicit guarantee or recourse is inconsistent with theories of the existence of financial intermediation. What has changed to make bank loans marketable? In this paper we test for the presence of implicit contractual features of bank loan sales contracts that could explain this inconsistency. In addition, the effect of technological progress on the reduction of information asymmetries between loan buyers and loan sellers is considered. The paper tests for the presence of these features and effects using a sample of over 800 recent loan sales.
Warming increases aboveground plant biomass and C stocks in vascular‐plant‐dominated Antarctic tundra

We passively warmed tundra on the Antarctic Peninsula over four growing seasons and assessed its effect on dry mass and C and N stocks associated with the vascular plants Colobanthus quitensis (a cushion-forming forb) and Deschampsia antarctica (a tussock grass), and mosses. Temperature treatments involved a warmed treatment that raised diurnal and diel canopy air temperatures by 2.3 and 1.3 °C, respectively, and a near-ambient temperature treatment that raised diurnal and diel temperatures by 0.2 C. These two different temperature regimes were achieved by wrapping filters around the frames to different extents and were nested within three UV treatments that filtered different solar UV wavebands. The experiment also included an ambient control treatment (unfiltered frames), and supplemental water and fertilizer treatments (applied to unfiltered frames). After four growing seasons, we collected cores of each vascular plant species and assessed the mass and C and N content of the aboveground current-year biomass, the litter layer (which included nongreen live stems), and the organic soil horizon (which included roots). The thin nature of the organic soil horizon allowed us to sample this complete horizon and estimate near-total ecosystem C and N stocks. A comparison of the warmed and near-ambient temperature treatments found that warming led to greater aboveground biomass of C. quitensis, and more C in the aboveground biomass of both vascular plant species. Warming resulted in lower N concentrations of the aboveground biomass of both species. The water use efficiency of both species was greater under warming, based on their higher δ 13 C values. The mass of the litter layer under C. quitensis was greater under warming, and this layer contained more C and N and had a higher C: N ratio. The mass of the organic soil horizon under both species was greater under warming, and this horizon also contained more C and N. Warming also changed the species composition of the plant community - cover of C. quitensis increased while that of mosses declined. Warming resulted in the input of biomass into the system that had greater C: N ratios (and was likely more recalcitrant to decomposition) because (1) warming increased the C: N ratio of the biomass produced by both vascular plant species, (2) these inputs increased with warming because of greater biomass production, and (3) increases in C. quitensis cover led to greater biomass inputs by this species and its biomass had a greater C:N ratio than D. antarctica. Water or fertilizer supplements had few effects on aboveground biomass or C and N concentrations or pools, consistent with the relatively wet maritime climate and high soil nutrient levels of this system. Total C pools in the aboveground biomass, litter, and organic soil horizon were greater under warming. Warmed plots contained from 272 to 319 g m -2 more C than plots under near-ambient temperatures, corresponding to a 23-34% increase in ecosystem C.
Waveguide Electro-Optic Modulators For High Speed Diagnostics

The design, fabrication, and testing of a high speed traveling wave directional coupler modulator for a guide wavelength of 810 nm is described. Application to high speed diagnostic systems is discussed.
Mutual veto and power-sharing:

We address the incidence and correlates of mutual veto institutions by examining a global dataset on power-sharing provisions. Our data show that mutual veto provisions are relatively rare and foun...
From simulations to interactive numerical laboratories

High Performance Computing is becoming an instrument in its own right. The largest simulations performed on our supercomputers are now approaching petabytes. As the volume of these simulations is growing, it is becoming harder to access, analyze and visualize these data. At the same time for a broad community buy in we need to provide public access to some of the simulation results. This is becoming another Big Data challenge, where we have to move the analyses and visualizations right where the data is. The paper will discuss the challenges in creating such interactive numerical laboratories.
Bacterial genomics. Pump up the versatility.

Pseudomonas aeruginosais a versatile bacterium that colonizes the lungs of most people with cystic fibrosis. Its genome sequence provides clues to the origins of its versatility and its resistance to antibiotics.
Attachment style and intimacy in friendship

Two studies with college students tested the hypothesis that a secure attachment style enhances intimacy in friendship. Three intimacy characteristics were studied: self-disclosure; responsiveness to a partner's disclosure; and feeling understood, validated, and cared for by a partner during conversations. In Study 1, individuals with a secure attachment style were higher on all three intimacy characteristics In Study 2, a lab-based assessment of intimacy revealed some relations between attachment and intimacy, providing mixed support for the hypothesis. Both studies found gender differences in intimacy characteristics The findings provide a starting point for a model accounting for individual differences in friendship.
Integrin-specific bioadhesive surfaces using a triple-helical collagen-mimetic peptide

Integrin-mediated cell adhesion to type I collagen regulates various cell processes such as proliferation, migration, differentiation, and wound healing. Integrin /spl alpha//sub 2//spl beta//sub 1/ recognizes the glycine-phenylalanine-hydroxyproline-glycine-glutamate-arginine (GFOGER) motif in type I collagen. Recognition is entirely dependent on the triple-helical conformation of the ligand similar to that of native collagen. This work focuses on engineering /spl alpha//sub 2//spl beta//sub 1/-specific bioadhesive surfaces by immobilizing a triple-helical collagen-mimetic peptide incorporating the GFOGER binding sequence onto model non-adhesive substrates. Circular dichroism spectroscopy verified that this peptide adopts a triple-helical conformation in solution. Passively adsorbed GFOGER-peptide exhibited cell adhesion and spreading comparable to that observed on type I collagen. The involvement of integrin /spl alpha//sub 2//spl beta//sub 1/ in these adhesion events was verified with subsequent antibody blocking conditions and focal adhesion staining. Further experiments revealed /spl alpha//sub 2//spl beta//sub 1/-mediated cell adhesion and focal adhesion formation on three immobilized peptide surfaces. These results suggest that this peptide is active in an immobilized conformation and may be applied as a surface modification agent to promote cell adhesion. This triple-helical collagen-mimetic peptide represents a versatile and robust approach to engineering /spl alpha//sub 2//spl beta//sub 1/-specific surfaces for cell adhesion. Engineering surfaces that specifically target certain integrin-ligand interactions and signaling cascades allows us to optimize cellular response in biomaterials and tissue engineering applications.
A THREE‐PHASE APPROACH TO INSTILLING A CONTINUOUS LEARNING CULTURE IN MANUFACTURING EDUCATION AND TRAINING

We describe a “learn-by-doing” approach that involves the following three phases designed in part to integrate management and engineering curricula and instill a continuous learning philosophy: (1) involve cross-functional teams as “process and business owners” in a replica of a real-life manufacturing/design problem (Do), (2) require teams to not only learn by doing but to then apply or implement what they have learned in phase 1 (Apply), and (3) share best practices and knowledge gained with subsequent participants (Document). These last two phases are essential and potentially the most valuable but are often ignored in the learning process. They can be accomplished either manually or through the use of an electronic bookshelf (e.g., company or school intranet), which is a database system used to collect and store templates of best practices, collective wisdom, and related information associated with learning and operational activities. We describe two of several educational packages we have developed and discuss their impact on our teaching, our students, and practitioners.
Characterization of high‐molecular‐weight nonnative aggregates and aggregation kinetics by size exclusion chromatography with inline multi‐angle laser light scattering

Size exclusion chromatography with an inline multi-angle light scattering detector (SEC-MALS) was assessed as a means to characterize and monitor the formation of soluble, high-molecular-weight (HMW) protein aggregates so as to better quantify and model nonnative aggregation kinetics. Assay configuration and robustness were tested with respect to sample preparation, column type, and assay variability. Independent comparison of SEC-MALS with batch light scattering analysis indicates good agreement between the two methods. Weight-average molecular weight (Mw), radius of gyration (Rg), apparent polydispersity, and mass fraction monomer (m) together are shown to provide qualitative and quantitative experimental signatures to distinguish high-MW aggregate growth via chain polymerization versus that via aggregate–aggregate condensation. Mechanistic treatment of aggregation kinetics monitored by SEC-MALS is illustrated by data regression using a recently developed Lumry-Eyring Nucleated Polymerization model that explicitly accounts for aggregate nucleation and competing growth via chain- and condensation-polymerization. The combination of time-dependent Mw and m data are shown to provide a convenient and robust means to separate and quantify characteristic time scales or rate coefficients for concurrent stages of irreversible aggregation. In addition, the scaling of Rg with Mw for HMW aggregates provides useful insights into aggregate morphology and mechanisms of aggregate growth. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:3997–4016, 2009
Modelling and analysis of waviness reduction in soft-pad grinding of wire-sawn silicon wafers by support vector regression

The manufacturing of silicon wafers forms the most important step in the construction of integrated circuit (IC) chips. One of the difficulties in this manufacture process is the removal of the waviness from the resulting wafers. In this paper, mathematical modelling and analysis of this removal process is carried out by the use of the support vector regression (SVR) algorithm. The results show that SVR is ideally suited for the modelling of this complicated process. Furthermore, by the use of the learning ability of SVR, the model can be continuously improved as more data become available. Based on the resulting model, the influences of the various factors on the rate of removal and the ease of control of the removal process are also discussed.
What is pitch?A note on the dissociation of language and nature

Terms for the pitch of tones, such as ‘high‐low’ do not describe pitch and can interfere with our apprehending such data for what they are in their sensuous uniqueness. Very different alternatives such as ‘narrow‐broad’ or French aigu‐grave serve equally well. In listening to music the first requisite is the apprehension of ‘uncategorized’ tones, the words for them serving only as a way of marking the fact of their differences. This must lead us to reaffirm what was said by Gorgias about what language can and cannot do in respect of such data.
Feasibility of /sup 81/Br(nu,e/sup -/)/sup 81/Kr solar neutrino experiment

Several ingenious solutions have been offered for the solar neutrino problem - a defect in the solar model, the appearance of a new type of neutrino physics, the sun is no longer burning, etc. The range of these proffered solutions stresses the need for a new experiment to study the sun. The modern pulsed laser now makes possible a new solar neutrino test which examines an independent neutrino source in the sun. A recently proposed experiment would use the reaction /sup 81/Br(nu,e/sup -/)/sup 81/Kr to measure the flux of /sup 7/Be neutrinos from the sun. When /sup 7/Be decays by electron capture to make /sup 7/Li, a neutrino is emitted at 0.862 MeV and the flux of these on the earth is about 4 x 10/sup 9/ cm/sup -2/ s/sup -1/, according to the standard model. Therefore, an experiment based on /sup 81/Br(nu,e/sup -/)/sup 81/Kr which is sensitive to these lower energy neutrinos would be of fundamental importance. To first order, the chlorine experiment detects the /sup 8/B neutrinos while bromine detects the much more abundant /sup 7/Be neutrino source. In practice, the proposed bromine experiment would be very similar to the chlorine radiochemical experiment, except that /sup 81/Kr withmore » a half-life of 2 x 10/sup 5/ years cannot be counted by decay methods. With an experiment of about the same volume as the chlorine experiment (380 m/sup 3/) filled with CH/sub 2/Br/sub 2/, the model predicts about 2 atoms of /sup 81/Kr per day. The bromine experiment depends entirely on the RIS method, implemented with pulsed lasers, for its success. 10 refs., 3 figs.« less
What If?: Counterfactual Analysis in International Relations

What would the world have been if nuclear weapons have never been developed? Asked by Kenneth Waltz, this question leads us to think about the usage of counterfactuals in IR. Though we use a lot of counterfactuals in daily conversation, the method of counterfactual analysis did not get much attention in the academia of political science until 1980s. Can counterfactual analysis be a scientific method in international studies? This paper argues for a more central role of counterfactual analysis in International Relations. To back up this argument, it argues that the International Relations, as a discipline often of relatively small number of case for research, analyzes events after knowing outcomes, most of which are not replicable; these characteristics require counterfactual analysis to play a more salient role in helping us understand international relations scientifically. By examining the development of counterfactual analysis, this paper shows how counterfactual analysis can be utilized to supplement methodologies like rational choice and historical institutionalism for better understanding of international events. The paper concludes with criteria for judging good usage of counterfactual analysis.
Verification Testing

A new approach to test pattern generation which is particularly suitable for self-test is described. Required computation time is much less than for present-day automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) programs. Fault simulation is not required. More patterns may be obtained than from standard ATPG programs. However, fault coverage is much higher - all irredundant multiple as well as single stuck faults are detected. Test length is easily controlled. The test patterns are easily generated algorithmically either by program or hardware.
Do Consumers Overgeneralize One-Sided Comparative Price Claims, and Are More Stringent Regulations Needed?:

The Federal Trade Commission seems to be moving toward more stringent regulations that would disallow certain omissions in one-sided comparative ad claims. The changes would address long-standing c...
Simulating the Reactivity of a Disordered Surface of the TiCN Thin Film

Ultrathin film deposition schemes often result in the growth of disordered structures whose surface chemistry is complex and can make predicting its reactivity difficult. Here, the surface reactivity of a disordered TiCN film is described using density functional theory calculations with simple cluster models of a general formula Ti4CxN4–x (0 < x < 4). These models allow for the simulation of adsorption on a Ti atom or along Ti–C and Ti–N surface sites. For the TiCN material, localized surface–adsorbate interactions are accurately predicted with the Ti4CxN4–x models and compared with experiments. The energetics of adsorption on TiCN was simulated on our cluster models, using small probe molecules, and compared with the results of temperature programmed desorption studies. The robustness of the cluster model is validated by varying its atomic composition and utilizing different cluster terminations. This convenient approach can be used to design models of other disordered surfaces if localized interactions...
The “Truth” of Religion

People have traditionally believed truth to consist in an ideal presence, an objective quality that surpasses the subjective experience of certainty. Only in the course of the nineteenth century did psychology and sociology seriously begin to undermine this conviction. It was against this subjective trend that Husserl in his Logical Investigations attempted to reestablish what philosophy from Plato to Hegel had consistently asserted. Today attacks upon the objective quality of truth have increased in strength. Even philosophers have come to view the person as structured, oriented, and activated by sub- and pre-conscious processes which reduce adherence to a particular theory to a matter of personal or group interest. The alleged judge of truth is himself no more than a meeting point of diverse, mostly unrecognized influences. The real “truth,” then, consists in deconstructing his presumed authority and, instead, providing some information about the building stones of the artifical construction.
A Theoretical Review Study on Impacts to Executive Compensation Caused by Corporate Governance System

As one of the core content of corporate governance,executive compensation contracts always has been close attention by the community,the global financial crisis is deepening public concern on this problem.This paper introduces recent classic papers and the foreland researches about the corporate governance impact of executive compensation,and then discusses future research opportunity in this field.
Visualization and cellular hierarchy inference of single-cell data using SPADE

High-throughput single-cell technologies provide an unprecedented view into cellular heterogeneity, yet they pose new challenges in data analysis and interpretation. In this protocol, we describe the use of Spanning-tree Progression Analysis of Density-normalized Events (SPADE), a density-based algorithm for visualizing single-cell data and enabling cellular hierarchy inference among subpopulations of similar cells. It was initially developed for flow and mass cytometry single-cell data. We describe SPADE's implementation and application using an open-source R package that runs on Mac OS X, Linux and Windows systems. A typical SPADE analysis on a 2.27-GHz processor laptop takes ∼5 min. We demonstrate the applicability of SPADE to single-cell RNA-seq data. We compare SPADE with recently developed single-cell visualization approaches based on the t-distribution stochastic neighborhood embedding (t-SNE) algorithm. We contrast the implementation and outputs of these methods for normal and malignant hematopoietic cells analyzed by mass cytometry and provide recommendations for appropriate use. Finally, we provide an integrative strategy that combines the strengths of t-SNE and SPADE to infer cellular hierarchy from high-dimensional single-cell data.
Kurtosis as a statistical approach to identify the pivot point of the rotor

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia that causes stroke affecting more than 2.3 million people in the US. Catheter ablation to terminate AF is successful for paroxysmal AF but suffers limitations with persistent AF patients as current mapping methods cannot identify AF active substrates outside of pulmonary vein region. In this work, we developed a novel Kurtosis based mapping technique that can accurately identify pivot points of the rotors that were induced in ex-vivo isolated rabbit heart. The results indicate that the chaotic nature of rotor pivot point results in higher Kurtosis compared to the periphery thereby enabling its accurate identification. Our results suggest that Kurtosis technique can be further applied to intra-atrial electrograms from AF patients with rotors to accurately identify the rotor pivot point by generating 3-dimensional (3D) patient-specific Kurtosis maps. Validation of this new Kurtosis based mapping technology is required through clinical studies with both paroxysmal and persistent AF patient data.
Role of Cytochrome P450 2B6 Pharmacogenomics in Determining Efavirenz-Mediated Central Nervous System Toxicity, Treatment Outcomes, and Dosage Adjustments in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

For treatment-naive patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection, efavirenz (EFV), together with tenofovir and emtricitabine, was once widely prescribed given its efficacy and ease of administration in a combination pill. However, the high rate of central nervous system (CNS) toxicities from EFV prompted the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to move the EFV-based regimen from the recommended to the alternative category. For patients who do meet the criteria for newer recommended antiretroviral treatments, EFV is a viable option and often the mainstay of treatment outside the United States because newer antiretroviral treatments are more expensive. CNS toxicity occurring with the recommended standard dose of EFV remains a challenge and may in part be attributable to polymorphisms in cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B6, the enzyme involved in the major metabolic pathway for converting EFV to inactive metabolites. Functionally deficient alleles of CYP2B6 such as CYP2B6*6, *18, and *22 may be responsible for significantly higher therapeutic concentrations of EFV at a standard dose of 600 mg/day. We conducted a thorough review of the reported studies to elucidate the relationship between polymorphisms in CYP2B6 with adverse events and treatment response, including virologic suppression, immunologic response, resistance, and discontinuation of treatment. Compelling evidence exists to support the case for CYP2B6 genotype-guided EFV therapy while acknowledging the need for prospective controlled clinical trials to evaluate its clinical utility.
The JeffSTARS Advocacy and Community Partnership Elective: A Closer Look at Child Health Advocacy in Action.

Abstract Introduction Advocacy and service-learning increasingly are being incorporated into medical education and residency training. The Jefferson Service Training in Advocacy for Residents and S...
Causes of mortality in patients with plasma cell disorders.

e17690 Background: Therapeutic improvement in survival for patients with plasma cell disorders have been demonstrated over the last decade and half, mainly due to the newer therapies. We have perfo...
Tbx1 and Jag1 act in concert to modulate the fate of neurosensory cells of the mouse otic vesicle.

ABSTRACT The domain within the otic vesicle (OV) known as the neurosensory domain (NSD), contains cells that will give rise to the hair and support cells of the otic sensory organs, as well as the neurons that form the cochleovestibular ganglion (CVG). The molecular dynamics that occur at the NSD boundary relative to adjacent OV cells is not well defined. The Tbx1 transcription factor gene expression pattern is complementary to the NSD, and inactivation results in expansion of the NSD and expression of the Notch ligand, Jag1 mapping, in part of the NSD. To shed light on the role of Jag1 in NSD development, as well as to test whether Tbx1 and Jag1 might genetically interact to regulate this process, we inactivated Jag1 within the Tbx1 expression domain using a knock-in Tbx1 Cre allele. We observed an enlarged neurogenic domain marked by a synergistic increase in expression of NeuroD and other proneural transcription factor genes in double Tbx1 and Jag1 conditional loss-of-function embryos. We noted that neuroblasts preferentially expanded across the medial-lateral axis and that an increase in cell proliferation could not account for this expansion, suggesting that there was a change in cell fate. We also found that inactivation of Jag1 with Tbx1 Cre resulted in failed development of the cristae and semicircular canals, as well as notably fewer hair cells in the ventral epithelium of the inner ear rudiment when inactivated on a Tbx1 null background, compared to Tbx1 Cre/− mutant embryos. We propose that loss of expression of Tbx1 and Jag1 within the Tbx1 expression domain tips the balance of cell fates in the NSD, resulting in an overproduction of neuroblasts at the expense of non-neural cells within the OV.
Freestanding Emergency Departments Preferentially Locate In Areas With Higher Household Income

Freestanding emergency departments (EDs) are a relatively novel phenomenon, and the epicenter of this movement is in Texas. Limited evidence exists about the communities in which freestanding EDs locate or the possible reasons behind location choice. We estimated logistic regressions to determine whether freestanding EDs in 2016 were more likely to be in areas of high demand or in those that could yield high profits. When we compared Public Use Microdata Areas that contained freestanding EDs and those that did not, we found that areas with such EDs had significantly higher household incomes. This finding was driven by the location choices of independent freestanding emergency centers and not by those of hospital-affiliated satellite emergency centers.
Choriocapillaris Imaging Using Multiple En Face Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Image Averaging.

Importance Imaging of the choriocapillaris in vivo is challenging with existing technology. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), if optimized, could make the imaging less challenging. Objective To investigate multiple en face image averaging on OCTA images of the choriocapillaris. Design, Setting, and Participants Observational, cross-sectional case series at a referral institutional practice in Los Angeles, California. From the original cohort of 21 healthy individuals, 17 normal eyes of 17 participants were included in the study. The study dates were August to September 2016. Exposures All participants underwent OCTA imaging of the macula covering a 3 × 3-mm area using OCTA software (Cirrus 5000 with AngioPlex; Carl Zeiss Meditec). One eye per participant was repeatedly imaged to obtain 9 OCTA cube scan sets. Registration was first performed using superficial capillary plexus images, and this transformation was then applied to the choriocapillaris images. The 9 registered choriocapillaris images were then averaged. Quantitative parameters were measured on binarized OCTA images and compared with the unaveraged OCTA images. Main Outcome and Measure Vessel caliber measurement. Results Seventeen eyes of 17 participants (mean [SD] age, 35.1 [6.0] years; 9 [53%] female; and 9 [53%] of white race/ethnicity) with sufficient image quality were included in this analysis. The single unaveraged images demonstrated a granular appearance, and the vascular pattern was difficult to discern. After averaging, en face choriocapillaris images showed a meshwork appearance. The mean (SD) diameter of the vessels was 22.8 (5.8) µm (range, 9.6-40.2 µm). Compared with the single unaveraged images, the averaged images showed more flow voids (1423 flow voids [95% CI, 967-1909] vs 1254 flow voids [95% CI, 825-1683], P 2 vs 1364 [95% CI, 645-2083] µm 2 , P P Conclusions and Relevance Multiple en face averaging can improve visualization of the choriocapillaris on OCTA images, transforming the images from a granular appearance to a level where the intervascular spaces can be resolved in healthy volunteers.
Zero-Power Electrically Tunable Micromechanical Photoswitches

Micromechanical photoswitches (MPs) have shown orders of magnitude lower standby power consumption compared to their solid-state technology-based counterparts. In this paper, we demonstrate that the infrared detection threshold (i.e., the lowest detectable power of incident infrared radiation) of this new type of photoswitch can be effectively decreased by applying a bias voltage across the switch without compromising its key feature of near-zero standby power consumption and low false-alarm rate. We show that by exploiting the electrostatic pull-in effect (using bias voltage of ~7 V), a threshold as low as 76 nW can be achieved, which is the lowest threshold demonstrated to date for MPs. A mathematical model predicting the device threshold under a bias voltage is derived and verified by experiments. Furthermore, the effects of the bias on the device’s stability are carefully studied suggesting the existence of a tradeoff between the detection threshold and the false-alarm rate when the bias is higher than 85% of the pull-in voltage. The source of the instability that causes false alarms is found to originate from charge accumulation over time in the dielectric substrate surrounding the bottom contact, which we believe can be mitigated by an improved contact design. Another effect associated with high bias is the contact stiction after infrared-triggered pull-in. To address this, a microheater is integrated into the switch to reopen the contacts while consuming only $\sim 0.5~\mu \text{J}$ per operation. This paper thus presents an effective solution for post-fabrication threshold adjustment of MPs, which is useful for applications requiring variable thresholds.
Expected Utility Theory without Continuous Preferences

In this paper, we discuss the consequences of omitting an implicit assumption that underlies much of the literature of expected utility theory. This assumption is that individuals’ risk preferences are continuous, and it is quite distinct from the so-called “continuity axiom” (Henderson and Quandt, 1980) of expected utility theory.
Radiation Therapy of Choroidal Metastases

Metastatic lesions to the eye are now widely recognized as the most common neoplasm of this organ. Of historic interest is the fact that the frequency of metastatic disease to the eye, as compared to primary intraocular tumors, was debated as recently as 1976, in a paper by Francois and Hanssens. After reviewing the literature, these authors commented that ‘many authors think that intraocular metastases are much more common and could be the most frequent malignant tumor of the eye, although other authors consider the malignant melanomas of the choroid to be the most frequent.’ Reports of metastatic disease to the eye and the orbit can be found in the medical literature throughout the last century. Albert et al. (1967) were the first to document the frequency of ocular metastases.
Preliminary Studies of the Effects of Carbon Monoxide on Vigilance in Man

Within the last ten years, several authors have reported finding behavioral impairment as a result of carbon monoxide exposures which produce 5-10% carboxyhemoglobin levels (Schulte, 1963; Beard and Wertheim, 1967). Others have reported no impairment in individuals showing the same COHb levels (Stewart et al, 1970; O’Donnell et al, 1971a, 1971b). We were cognizant of the controversy created by those conflicting results when we began this study. Yet it was not our intention to resolve it. Our purpose was more limited: We sought to determine whether CO exposures which simulate those experienced by urban motorists in “normal” and severely polluted air affect the unusually stress-sensitive human ability for maintaining a high level of vigilance in a monotonous environment.
Performance of breast ultrasound computer-aided diagnosis: dependence on image selection.

Rationale and Objectives The automated classification of sonographic breast lesions is generally accomplished by extracting and quantifying various features from the lesions. The selection of images to be analyzed, however, is usually left to the radiologist. Here we present an analysis of the effect that image selection can have on the performance of a breast ultrasound computer-aided diagnosis system. Materials and Methods A database of 344 different sonographic lesions was analyzed for this study (219 cysts/benign processes, 125 malignant lesions). The database was collected in an institutional review board–approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant manner. Three different image selection protocols were used in the automated classification of each lesion: all images, first image only, and randomly selected images. After image selection, two different protocols were used to classify the lesions: (a) the average feature values were input to the classifier or (b) the classifier outputs were averaged together. Both protocols generated an estimated probability of malignancy. Round-robin analysis was performed using a Bayesian neural network-based classifier. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis was used to evaluate the performance of each protocol. Significance testing of the performance differences was performed via 95% confidence intervals and noninferiority tests. Results The differences in the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves were never more than 0.02 for the primary protocols. Noninferiority was demonstrated between these protocols with respect to standard input techniques (all images selected and feature averaging). Conclusion We have proved that our automated lesion classification scheme is robust and can perform well when subjected to variations in user input.
Wiederholungsfertigung und Lagerpolitik

Wahrend eine Optimierung unter Berucksichtigung aller Gesichtspunkte der Lagerpolitik nach dem gegenwartigen Stand der Entwicklung mathematischer Methoden noch nicht moglich zu sein scheint, ist die Forschung bereits weit genug vorangeschritten, um die Lagerpolitik mit der Produktionspolitik in Einklang bringen zu konnen. Zu zeigen, wie das erreicht wird, ist der Zweck dieses Kapitels.
Development of Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgery: History, Evidence, Learning Curve, and Current Adaptation

Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized the way surgeons practice colorectal surgery. It has resulted in decreased lengths of stay, a marked decrease in wound infections, and has shown some evidence of an overall lower complication rate versus open surgery. This chapter will outline the history of minimally invasive colorectal surgery, examine evidence detailing its safety compared with open surgery, discuss the learning curve required to achieve proficiency, and outline the extent of its current use.
Age and Mental Health Services

This paper examines how age is related to theuse of formal and informal mental health services,adjustment to current life conditions, and expectationsfor improvement in future life conditions among a group of persons with serious mental illnesses.Interviews with 301 clients of 3 clinics at a publicpsychiatric facility serving West Brooklyn and StatenIsland provide the data from the study. Outcome measures include nine sorts of help receivedfrom informal members of the social network and frommental health professionals; desires to improve currentlife conditions; and expectations for futureimprovements in life conditions. Through hierarchicalregression procedures we examine the impact of age onthese outcomes, with controls for selfreported symptomsand functioning, sex, and the presence of social network members. The results indicate that youngerpeople receive more help from both informal socialnetworks and from mental health professionals. Inaddition, younger people are more likely to wantimprovements in their current life conditions and to beoptimistic about what the future holds for them. Thedecline in informal and formal support, optimism, anddesire to improve their current life situations among older clients may be cause for concern amongmental health professionals. Mental health serviceproviders should give greater recognition to the impactof age on mental health service needs among persons with serious mental illnesses.
The Hartford Community Obstetrical Study.

Abstract 1. 1. The purposes and methodology of the Hartford Community Obstetrical Study are presented and discussed. 2. 2. The maternal mortality rate was 2.5 per 10,000 live births, 1.5 per 10,000 for the white patients and 15.4 per 10,000 for the nonwhite. Four postmortem cesarean sections were performed and 4 living children were obtained. 3. 3. Cesarean section was performed at a frequency of 8.2 per cent which varied in the individual institutions from 1.9 per cent to 9.4 per cent. About one half, 50.5 per cent, were primary sections. The indications for primary sections are discussed. 4. 4. The perinatal mortality experience was found to be favorable. This was considered to be related to the low incidence of premature births. 5. 5. Congenital malformations were presented as “incompatible, consequential, or inconsequential.” The total frequencies were similar for the races, but quite different as far as the breakdowns were concerned. The nonwhite had fewer “consequential” malformations. 6. 6. The results of a superficial analysis of stimulation of labor with oxytocin suggest a possible adverse effect upon the infants. A more definitive analysis in this area has been recommended. 7. 7. Elective induction of labor has been subjected to a special statistical analysis and some results were presented. This special analysis indicated no undue risk to mothers and/or infants.
Self-Cleaning Nanocomposite Membranes with Phosphorene-Based Pore Fillers for Water Treatment

Phosphorene is a two-dimensional material exfoliated from bulk phosphorus and it possesses a band gap. Specifically, relevant to the field of membrane science, the band gap of phosphorene provides it with potential photocatalytic properties, which could be explored in making reactive membranes that can self-clean. The goal of this study was to develop an innovative and robust membrane that is able to control and reverse fouling with minimal changes in membrane performance. To this end, for the first time, membranes have been embedded with phosphorene. Membrane modification was verified by the presence of phosphorus on membranes, along with changes in surface charge, average pore size, and hydrophobicity. After modification, phosphorene-modified membranes were used to filter methylene blue (MB) under intermittent ultraviolet light irradiation. Phosphorene-modified and unmodified membranes displayed similar rejection of MB; however, after reverse-flow filtration was performed to mimic pure water cleaning, the average recovered flux of phosphorene-modified membranes was four times higher than that of unmodified membranes. Furthermore, coverage of MB on phosphorene membranes after reverse-flow filtration was four times lower than that of unmodified membranes, which supports the hypothesis that phosphorene membranes operated under intermittent ultraviolet irradiation can become self-cleaning.
Roots of group threat: anti-prejudice motivations and implicit bias in perceptions of immigrants as threats

The perception of “group threat” is well known to predict opposition to immigration and negative attitudes toward ethnic minorities in Europe. However, the relationship between group threat and pre...
Ontogeny and programming of the fetal temporal cortical endocannabinoid system by moderate maternal nutrient reduction in baboons (Papio spp.)

Poor nutrition during pregnancy is a worldwide public health problem. Maternal nutrient reduction (MNR) is associated with maternal and fetal stress and a sex-dependent decrease in nonhuman primate (NHP) cognitive performance. Early life stress potentiates epileptogenesis in a sex-specific manner, and temporal lobe (TL) epilepsy is associated with neurocognitive disorders. The endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) demonstrates remarkable developmental changes and plays a key role in aging-related diseases (e.g., dementia). Baboons have been studied as a natural model of epilepsy and express all ECS system components. We therefore evaluated baboon fetal temporal cortex ECS ontogenic and MNR-dependent changes. At 120 days gestational age (dGA) (term 185 days), maternal, fetal, and placental morphometry were similar between control and MNR pregnancies. MNR maternal weight gain was decreased compared with controls at 165 dGA independent of fetal sex. In male fetuses, expression of ECS synthesizing and degrading enzymes was gestational age-dependent, with the exception of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). MNR had a sex-specific effect on the protein expression of CB1R during development: CB1R protein expression was decreased in fetal temporal cortex of male fetuses at 120 and 140 dGA. Our data reveal that the MNR has sex-specific effects on temporal cortical expression of the ECS in baboon offspring and shows vulnerability of ECS in male fetuses during gestation.
Phonon-based scalable quantum computing and sensing (Presentation Video)

Quantum computing fundamentally depends on the ability to concurrently entangle and individually address/control a large number of qubits. In general, the primary inhibitors of large scale entanglement are qubit dependent; for example inhomogeneity in quantum dots, spectral crowding brought about by proximity-based entanglement in ions, weak interactions of neutral atoms, and the fabrication tolerances in the case of Si-vacancies or SQUIDs. We propose an inherently scalable solid-state qubit system with individually addressable qubits based on the coupling of a phonon with an acceptor impurity in a high-Q Phononic Crystal resonant cavity. Due to their unique nonlinear properties, phonons enable new opportunities for quantum devices and physics. We present a phononic crystal-based platform for observing the phonon analogy of cavity quantum electrodynamics, called phonodynamics, in a solid-state system. Practical schemes involve selective placement of a single acceptor atom in the peak of the strain field in a high-Q phononic crystal cavity that enables strong coupling of the phonon modes to the energy levels of the atom. A qubit is then created by entangling a phonon at the resonance frequency of the cavity with the atomic acceptor states. We show theoretical optimization of the cavity design and excitation waveguides, along with estimated performance figures of the phoniton system. Qubits based on this half-sound, half-matter quasi-particle, may outcompete other quantum architectures in terms of combined emission rate, coherence lifetime, and fabrication demands.
239 MEDICAL STUDENT PRECLINICAL ATTITUDES ABOUT CHRONIC NONMALIGNANT PAIN.

Background Management of chronic nonmalignant pain (CNMP) is a clinical challenge for residents and practicing physicians. Surveys of both groups have revealed attitudinal barriers and knowledge deficits to pain management. These include negative views about patients with CNMP, inadequate knowledge of pseudoaddiction and addiction, and fear of regulatory scrutiny. The purpose of this study is to determine medical student preclinical attitudes toward patients with CNMP. Methods A survey was administered to third-year students prior to their first clinical rotation in July 2006. Students were asked to define chronic pain and describe characteristics of patients with chronic pain. They were also asked to complete the following sentence: Working with patients with chronic pain will be… Finally, students responded to eight attitudinal statements about CNMP and three questions about clinical exposure to and personal or family experience with CNMP. Results The response rate was 48% (N = 93/193). Mean student age was 26 years, 56% were female, and 38.4% planned a primary care residency. Most students had no clinical exposure to or personal or family experiences with CNMP (61%). CNMP was defined by four themes: (1) long duration, (2) decreased quality of life, (3) patient discomfort, and (4) treatment challenges. Eleven percent included an emotional or psychological term in their definition. Students characterized CNMP patients as (1) depressed, (2) frustrated, (3) tired, and (4) irritable, and 25% described a decrease or loss in patient function. Students anticipate that working with CNMP patients will be “rewarding,” “educational,” “interesting,” and “worthwhile.” A majority disagreed with the statements Narcotics should be reserved for terminally ill patients (79%) and Any patient given narcotics is at significant risk of addiction (67%). Most students plan to treat patients with CNMP after residency (71%), and nearly all believe that medical school and residency will train them to manage patients with CNMP (80%). Conclusions Overall, students accurately defined CNMP and their written responses showed empathy and optimism. Students have a willingness to use narcotics for patients without terminal illness and an understanding that not all patients are at risk of addiction. A majority of students plan to treat patients with CNMP and believe that they will be trained effectively. These results open the door for curriculum interventions that preserve positive attitudes toward the treatment of patients with CNMP as well as thwart misconceptions. A targeted competency-based curriculum intervention in medical education is warranted.