cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
3D microfluidic microscopy using a tilted channel

We present a 3D microfluidic microscope. Using a microfluidic channel that is tilted along the optical axis of the objective, we record and deconvolve a focal stack as the sample passes across the focal plane.
KAPPA OPIOIDS PROMOTE THE PROLIFERATION OF ASTROCYTES VIA Gβγ AND β-ARRESTIN 2 DEPENDENT MAPK-MEDIATED PATHWAYS

G protein coupled receptors can activate MAP kinase pathways via G protein-dependent and -independent mechanisms. However, the physiological outcomes correlated with the cellular signaling events are not as well characterized. Here we examine the involvement of G protein and β-arrestin 2 pathways in kappa opioid receptor (KOR)-induced, ERK1/2-mediated proliferation of both immortalized and primary astrocyte cultures. Since different agonists induce different cellular signaling pathways, we tested the prototypic kappa agonist, U69,593 as well as the structurally distinct, non-nitrogenous agonist, MOM-Salvinorin-B (MOM-Sal-B). In immortalized astrocytes, U69,593, activated ERK1/2 by a rapid (min) initial stimulation that was sustained over 2 hours and increased proliferation. Sequestration of activated Gβγ subunits attenuated U69,593 stimulation of ERK1/2 and suppressed proliferation in these cells. Furthermore, siRNA silencing of β-arrestin 2 diminished sustained ERK activation induced by U69,593. In contrast, MOM-Sal-B induced only the early phase of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and did not affect proliferation of immortalized astrocytes. In primary astrocytes, U69,593 produced the same effects as seen in immortalized astrocytes. MOM-Sal-B elicited sustained ERK1/2 activation which was correlated with increased primary astrocyte proliferation. Proliferative actions of both agonists were abolished by either inhibition of ERK1/2, Gβγ subunits or β-arrestin 2, suggesting that both G protein-dependent and - independent ERK pathways are required for this outcome.
Plantlet formation from cultured inflorescences of Dactylis glomerata L.

The objective of this study was to demonstrate plantlet formation from cultured mature inflorescences of field-grown orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) plants. Whole tillers were collected and maintained in the dark at 4°C for either 19 or 25 days before panicle sections were plated on a Linsmaier and Skoog (LS) or Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) agar medium containing 2,4-D. Generally, better results for both cell proliferation and plantlet formation were obtained with 1) large explants (many florets) on 9.1 μM 2,4-D compared to small explants (few florets) on 1.0 μM 2,4-D, 2) SH rather than LS medium and 3) when tillers were pretreated at 4°C for 25 days rather than 19 days. Chromosome counts of basal leaf cells in 94 regenerated plants showed that no plants possessed the gametic chromosome number of n=14.
Surface tension measurements by means of the "microcone tensiometer".

Abstract A brief survey is given on the theory of a new method for determining the surface tension of very small amounts of liquids or solutions (10 −3 –10 −4 mL). The method is based on the fact that a liquid drop in a conical capillary will, in the absence of compensating factors, flow towards the tip owing to an imbalance of surface pressures at the two menisci. This imbalance can be relieved by proper inclination of the capillary, i.e., by proper hydrostatic pressure. A simple apparatus is described by means of which surface tensions of water and of aqueous NaCl solutions were determined with an average error not in excess of 0.3%. A detailed description of the rather elaborate calibration technique is given which is needed if the method is to give absolute surface tensions. An alternate much simpler, but less accurate, principle is also discussed which involves the use of an instrument constant. The relatively small but pronounced effect of surface roughness and a simple method for eliminating its effect from the results is also discussed.
Maximum acceptable effort for connector assembly in automotive manufacturing

Abstract The manual assembly of connectors has job risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders including force, posture and repetitiveness. A variety of laboratory simulated connector assembly tasks, based on pilot work conducted at an automotive manufacturing plant, were studied using adapted psychophysical methods. The maximum acceptable frequency of connector assembly for six grip types was determined for various combinations of force and distances. In studies with a three-day acclimation and trials scheduled for 8-h days, 4-h trial lengths are sufficient. Distance did not influence acceptable frequency for hand/arm motions between 7 and 16 mm. There might be differences in maximum acceptable frequency for grip type, and force might affect acceptable frequency. Force × Cycle Rate (FCR) or time-weighted average percent maximum acceptable effort (TWA-%MAE) for these short duration tasks can be used for guidance. Relevance to industry The current study addressed industrial tasks that require high finger exertions for very brief periods. The force and frequency may provide less reliable design guidance than using the force exertion as a percent of maximum voluntary effort adjusted for duty cycle or using a time-weighted average of %MAE.
Partial requirements for in vitro survival of human red blood cells.

Some of the requirements for survival of human red blood cells were studiedin vitro at 25 and 37°C for 1–2 weeks. During the first week at 25°C in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate medium with glucose, the cells at 2–5% hematocrit (HCT) maintained normal K+, Na+, and water contents with negligible hemolysis. After six days ion gradients decreased, preceded by decline of ATP. With adenosine, ATP was maintained for 1–2 weeks.
Does tourism promote world peace

Abstract John Ap, a graduate student, and Turgut Var, Professor of Tourism, in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University, have carried out an exploratory survey of Australian and North American tourism professionals to examine their perceptions of tourism as a promoter of world peace. They also looked at perceptions of the general benefits of tourism and sought to identify common parameters which quantify a social impact of tourism. The study found that tourism is viewed as an economic activity of positive impact which can be considered as a common parameter, but tourism is not seen as a significant contributor to world peace.
CAROTENOID TRIPLET STATES IN PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIA

— The triplet state spectra of anaerobically grown cells of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides GIC and R. sphaeroides wild type and aerobically grown cells of R. sphaeroides wild type were examined under reducing and non-reducing conditions at 100 K. by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Large differences in the zero field splitting parameters, |D| and |E| of the triplets are seen to arise in the different preparations. The spectra are assigned to the triplet states of carotenoids, some of which are closely associated with the reaction center and others are contained in the light harvesting complex. Taken together with the triplet state data on Rhodospirillum rubrum wild type previously published the trends in the zero field splitting parameters can be understood in terms of the extent of electron derealization in carotenoids of varying length.
Prey Selection by Swainson's Warblers on the Breeding Grounds

Abstract. Swainson's Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii) breeds in bottomland hardwood forests across the southeastern United States, where it is believed to be one of the rarest breeding songbirds. Although information on its nest-site habitat is considerable, little is known about its foraging habitat except that the species is insectivorous, with a large bill used to flip fallen leaves on the forest floor. We captured Swainson's Warblers and flushed their crops to determine their diet and sampled leaf-litter arthropods and vegetation at each location of capture. We compared the proportion of arthropod orders in the crop samples to the proportion of arthropods collected in the leaf litter to determine the warbler's prey in proportion to its availability. Although Acari (mites and ticks) and Chilopoda (centipedes) were the most abundant arthropods in the leaf-litter samples (51% and 18%, respectively), these orders rarely occurred in the warblers' crops. Conversely, Araneae (spiders) and Coleoptera (beetle...
Light-scattering and potentiometric-titration studies of poly-L-tyrosine in aqueous solution.

Aqueous solutions of poly-L-tyrosine were studied by potentiometric titrations, light-scattering measurements, and infrared spectroscopy in order to characterize the conformational changes the macromolecules exhibit when the hydrogen-ion concentration of the solutions is varied. It was found that when the pH of the system at 25°C is lowered from a value of about 13 the poly-L-tyrosine molecules undergo a random-coil to β-structure conformation change at pH 11.5. It appears, that under the experimental conditions used, the formation of the β structure is an intramolecular process which involves the folding of the polymer backbone into several hairpins of antiparallel β structure. On further lowering of the pH of the solutions aggregation (pH 11.35) and subsequently precipitation (pH 11.2) takes place. Since the apparent pK of the polymer does not show a drastic change during the random-coil to β-structure conformation change, it was concluded, that the therinodynamic driving force for this conformation change is mainly due to the electrostatic effect of the partially charged side chains of the poly-L-tyrosine molecules.
Global Violence and Indonesian Muslim Politics

The attacks of September 11, 2001, in the United States and the U.S.-led campaign in Afghanistan provoked fierce threats of violence in Indonesia, the world's largest majority-Muslim country. Western journalists portrayed these reactions as among the most destabilizing in the Muslim world. Less widely reported, however, was the intensification of a struggle between Muslim proponents of democracy and neof undamentalist conservatives, sparked by the same incidents. This article explores the varied reactions of Muslims to the violence of September 11 and its aftermath in light of this contest between rival Muslim groupings. It examines their competing visions of Islam and nation, as well as their supporting alliances in state and society. The example highlights the pluralism of Muslim politics and the special challenges of democratic transitions. Emphasizing the plurality and permeability of civilizations, the example also suggests that there is no "clash of civilizations" between Islam and the West but, rather, a more open process of globalization, localization, and exchange. [Keywords: Islam, Indonesia, violence, democratization, civilization]
Feedback inhibition of acetylglutamate synthetase by arginine in Escherichia coli.

Abstract A method has been developed for the measurement of N -acetylglutamate formation, the first step in the biosynthesis of arginine from glutamate, in resting cell suspensions of E. coli K-12. Characteristics of the reaction, such as dependence on substrate concentration, dependence on concentration of cells, and pH optimum are described. Evidence is presented for end product inhibition by arginine of the activity of the enzyme catalyzing this reaction, designated as acetylglutamate synthetase. Furthermore, it is shown that the formation of this enzyme is repressible by arginine.
Analysis of an optically controlled photonic switch

The principle that the coupling of light between two fiber waveguides can be controlled by the resonant interference of a third waveguide has been developed [Attard, Appl. Opt. 37, 2296-2302 (1998)]. Here significant details concerning the operation of a photonic switch are obtained, and a more complete analysis is presented. Multiple-resonant conditions are identified for slab and fiber control waveguides at large indices of refraction. Thus a selection of materials with an appropriate refractive index and a Kerr coefficient is rendered more easily. Furthermore it is shown that the light used to control the index of refraction in the control waveguide does not enter the output of the photonic switch but remains confined to the control waveguide, for either a slab or a multimode fiber control waveguide. Spatial fluctuations of the control light beam in the control waveguide do not affect the operation of the photonic switch. Tolerances have been determined for the spacing between the control waveguide and the photonic coupler and also for the index of refraction of the control waveguide.
DNA topoisomerase II as a target for cancer chemotherapy.

DNA topoisomerases are nuclear enzymes that play essential roles in DNA metabolic processes. These enzymes carry out strand passage to maintain appropriate DNA structure during semi-conservative DN...
Young Children's Symbol-making Tools and Factors Influencing Their Availability, Selection, and Use: An International Survey.

Abstract Families and schools play essential roles introducing children to the tools of their culture, including pencils and other symbol‐making instruments. Child development and education specialists from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America confirm these roles and reveal that symbol‐making tools, as cultural artifacts, reflect countries’ levels of human development, including life expectancy, literacy, and purchasing power. In countries of low and moderate levels of human development children are more likely to use commercial symbol‐making tools first in schools, not homes. The symbol‐making tools most widely available to young children are pencils and crayons. Yet, when commercial tools are unavailable, children create their own, using objects from the natural environment. The pencils used by most young children are standard adult‐sized while crayons, brushes, and markers are more varied in size. In most countries children use symbol‐making tools freely and with adult direction. Nonethele...
Beyond bootstrapping: the liberian ilab as a maturing community of practice

While Information and Communication Technology (ICT) access in Liberia is still low, use of PCs, mobile phones and the Internet is rising. A relatively recent option for learning ICT skills is Liberia's iLab technology hub founded in 2011 to encourage and support a local technology community. We have partnered with the iLab since its founding to offer summer courses taught by a student instructor. In this paper, we describe how the iLab's community-based learning approach has advanced from the coalescing stage, identified in earlier research, towards the maturing stage, despite obstacles. We use Lave and Wenger's Community of Practice (CoP) framework as the analytic structure to present results from our data consisting primarily of interviews with course participants. We contribute to research on technology hubs in Africa and highlight the role of community-based learning for technical skill acquisition even in resource challenged settings.
Preparation and characterization of rare-earth-doped Y2O3 luminescent ceramics by the use of reverse micelles

Abstract The objective of this project was to study luminescent powders of Y 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ (5 at%), Y 2 O 3 :Tb 3+ (5 at%), and Y 2 O 3 :Tm 3+ ,Yb 3+ (Tm: 2 at%, Yb: 1 at%), prepared by the use of reverse micelles. This report describes the phase stability, crystallite size, and luminescence properties of these powder materials as a function of heat treatment time and temperature. The Y 2 O 3 phase produced during synthesis can be controlled by the heat treatment temperature and time. Monoclinic and cubic phases of Y 2 O 3 are obtainable, with the monoclinic powders produced at the smaller crystallite sizes. Photoluminescence properties of the Y 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ and Y 2 O 3 :Tb 3+ were evaluated and sharp emission was observed for the Eu 3+ powders at 610 nm and the Tb 3+ powders at 544 nm. The maximum emission intensity of both phosphors increased as annealing temperature and time increased. This, however, was not seen for the case of the Y 2 O 3 :Tm 3+ ,Yb 3+ powders, which exhibited emission at 454 nm. For this phosphor, as heat treatment temperature increased the luminescence intensity decreased.
Particle Motion Within In Vitro Models of Stenosed Internal Carotid and Left Anterior Descending Coronary Arteries

Asymmetric 75% and 95% area reduction, transparent Sylgard stenotic models were operated under internal carotid artery (ICA) (Womersley parameter, α=5.36, Remean=213 and 180, respectively, and Repeak=734 and 410, respectively) and left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) flow wave forms (α=2.65,Remean=59 and 57, respectively, and Repeak=137 and 94, respectively) to evaluate the effect of these conditions on particle residence times downstream of the stenoses. Amberlite particles (1.05 g/cm3, 400 μm) were added to the fluid to simulate platelets and their motion through the stenotic region and were traced using a laser light sheet flow visualization method with pseudo-color display. Two-dimensional (2D) particle motions were recorded and particle washout in the stenotic throat and downstream section were computed for all cases. All four model cases demonstrated jetting through the stenosis which followed an arching pattern around a large separation zone downstream. Considerable mixing was observed within these vortex regions during high flow phases. Particle washout profiles showed no clear trend between the degrees of stenosis although particles downstream of the stenoses tended to remain longer for LAD conditions. The critical washout cycle (1% of particles remaining downstream of the stenosis), however, was longer for the 95% stenoses cases under each flow condition due to the larger protected region immediately downstream and maximal for the LAD 95% case. Results of this study suggest that particle residence times downstream of 75% and 95% stenoses (~ 3–6 s for ICA and ~ 8–10 s for LAD) exceed the minimum time for platelet adhesion (~ 1 s) for at least 1% of cells and, thus, may be sufficient to initiate thrombus formation under resting conditions. © 1998 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC98: 8745Hw, 8722-q, 4727Wg, 4732Cc
Catecholamine metabolism in the dog: comparison of intravenously and intraventricularly administered [14C]dopamine and [3H]norepinephrine.

—The urinary excretion of labelled metabolites was measured in dogs which had been injected intravenously or intraventricularly with [3H]norepinephrine or [14C]dopamine. [3H]Norepinephrine injected by either route produced more labelled 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol than 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid, as did [14C]dopamine after intravenous administration. In contrast, following the intraventricular injection of [14C]dopamine, more [14C]3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid was formed than [14C]3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol. These observations suggest that the metabolism of exogenously-administered and endogenously-formed norepinephrine may proceed through different routes and that the predominant metabolite of norepinephrine in canine brain may be 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid rather than 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol.
Models of Ratio Schedule Performance

Predictions of P. R. Killeen's (1994) mathematical principles of reinforcement were tested for responding on ratio reinforcement schedules. The type of response key, the number of sessions per condition, and first vs. second half of a session had negligible effects on responding. Longer reinforcer durations and larger grain types engendered more responding, affecting primarily the parameter alpha (specific activation). Key pecking was faster than treadle pressing, affecting primarily the parameter delta (response time). Longer intertrial intervals led to higher overall response rates and shorter postreinforcement pauses and higher running rates, and ruled out some competing explanations. The treadle data required a distinction between the energetic requirements and rate-limiting properties of extended responses. The theory was extended to predict pause durations and run rates on ratio schedules.
Comparative structural analysis of the binding domain of follicle stimulating hormone receptor.

Proteins with leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) specialize in mediating protein-protein interactions. The hormone binding portion of the receptor for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is an LRR protein by sequence, and the crystal structure of this domain from human FSH receptor in a complex with FSH shows that it does indeed have an LRR structure. It differs from other LRR domains, however, in being an all-β protein composed of highly irregular repeats and having only slight overall curvature. Despite these distinctions and a superficial resemblance to β-helical proteins, the binding domain of FSH receptor clearly is an LRR protein. The structure does consist of two parts with distinctively different curvatures. Comparison with the structures of other LRR-containing proteins shows a correlation between curvature and main-chain hydrogen bonding pattern of the parallel β-sheet. The hormone-binding site is located at the concave surface of the receptor structure, a feature common to proteins with LRR motifs. Analysis of the ligand-binding site of LRR-containing proteins reveals that they generally utilize extensive interface area and a large number of charged residues to facilitate high-affinity protein-protein interactions.
Sample and Sorbent Integrity During Combustion Source Sampling

Abstract A research program was initiated to evaluate the stability of selected organic compounds collected on porous polymer sorbents during combustion source sampling. This type of study is necessary to determine if destruction and removal of hazardous materials waste has occurred during incineration and not as a result of the sampling and analytical approach used. Two compounds, hexachlorobenzene and toluene diisocyanate, were selected for study. Due to difficulties encountered in preliminary work, studies on toluene diisocyanate were discontinued. Hexachlorobenzene sorbed onto XAD-2 resin at the 1 μg level was exposed to the following conditions intended to simulate hazardous waste incineration stack samplin: moist air, moist air in combination with HCl (two concentrations), and warm air. Recoveries following exposure were determined for each of three trials. The results indicate that hexachlorobenzene sorbed onto XAD-2 is stable with respect to the conditions routinely encountered during incineration...
Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy as an Aid in Understanding Electrocardiographic Changes of Ischemia and Infarction

In summary, myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with either thallium or the isonitriles has added substantially to electrocardiographic definition of both myocardial infarction and acute and chronic myocardial ischemia. Using perfusion scintigraphy, one can define infarct zones, risk zones, and the presence of reperfusion following thrombolytic therapy. When perfusion scintigraphy is combined with physiologic or pharmacologic stress, myocardial ischemia can be documented, irrespective of electrocardiographic documentation of the phenomenon. Delayed imaging may be important for defining viability even in the presence of significant Q waves. Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy provides prognostic evaluation of patients with both acute and chronic coronary syndromes. When the current cumulative experience is looked at critically, it is clear that myocardial perfusion scintigraphy has helped in the development of an understanding of the limitations of electrocardiography in the diagnostic and functional categorization of patients with acute and chronic coronary disease.
Statistical techniques using NURE airborne geophysical data and NURE geochemical data

Abstract Some standard techniques in multivariate analysis are used to describe the relationships among remotely sensed observations (Landsat and airborne geophysical data) and between these variables and hydrogeochemical and stream sediment analyses. Gray-level pictures of such factors make the analytic results more accessible and easier to interpret.
Random pathway models and their application to steady-state enzyme kinetics.

Abstract Procedures are described for developing models which summarize the various pathways by which substrates and products can add and leave an enzyme. A variety of reaction types are used to illustrate the kinds of assumptions that are made. Previously (Fisher & Hoagland, 1968) procedures have been described which allow rate equations to be derived for ordered sequence models and for models having single chemical cycles. These techniques have been expanded in the present paper to include methods for handling certain multi-cycle models with the same facility that single-cycle models can be treated. In all cases, rate equations can be derived directly from inspection of the models. Using the models and mathematical techniques mentioned above, it is shown in detail how specific models (implicit in the general models) can be identified which can account for empirical rate equations on a term-by-term basis. Using this approach, we have found that random models will account for a wide variety of complex empirical equations, including those which involve substrate inhibition, substrate activation, sigmoidal kinetics, and linear and non-linear product inhibition.
Discriminate biopower and everyday biopolitics: views on sickle cell testing in Dakar.

Many physicians in Senegal and France, where most Senegalese sickle cell specialists are partially trained, assume that genetic testing that could imply selective abortion for people with sickle cell would run counter to the religious and cultural ethics of people living in Dakar. Senegalese affected by this genetic disease, however, often cite “traditional” rationales to indicate why such testing, if offered, might appeal to them. The reluctance of medical practitioners to entertain such testing technologies for their patients evinces a protectionist attitude toward care—an attitude that emerges within a context in which family planning and a blind concentration on HIV/AIDS have created a public health system that completely overlooks sickle cell anemia. This discriminate biopower leaves everyday biopolitics largely in the hands of families faced with this disease. It falls to them to pragmatically calculate the value that genetic testing may, or may not, hold for their own lives.
Forced convection of water in rod-bundles

Heat transfer of water in rod-bundles is of particular importance in many engineering applications. Although numerous experimental studies have been conducted to develop heat transfer correlations for forced convection in rod-bundles, with either a square or a triangular lattice, most data was taken at high Reynolds numbers (Re > 6,000); only a few data points had been reported at lower Reynolds number [1-5]. Recently, El Genk and co-workers have performed a series of heat transfer experiments of forced convection of water at the low and high Reynolds numbers as well as of natural and combined convection in uniformly heated, triangularly and square arrayed rod-bundles with P/D = 1.25, 1.38, and 1.5 [6-10]. Like all other investigators, they correlated the heat transfer data for square lattice and triangular lattice separately, with P/D as a parameter. This paper shows that forced convection data for both square and triangularly arrayed rod-bundles, when expressed in terms of the bundle porosity, can be represented by a single correlation, one each for forced turbulent convection land forced laminar convection. Also, the experimental values of the Reynolds number at the transition between these two convection regimes is expressed in terms of the bundle porosity, regardless of themore » lattice type and rod diameter. This approach reduces the number and simplifies the form of the forced convection correlations, making them easy to use in potential engineering applications. Although the effect of the rod diameter and the type of lattice in the bundles is implicit in the expressions of the bundle porosity, it is explicit in the definition of the heated equivalent diameter in both Re and Nu, and hence will influence the heat transfer coefficient.« less
The Expressive Elaboration of Imaginative Narratives by Children With Specific Language Impairment

Purpose This study investigated the expressive elaboration of narratives from children with specific language impairment (SLI). Method Forty-eight 6- and 8-year-old children with SLI were compared with forty-eight 6- and 8-year-old typical language (TL) children. Two imaginative narratives were scored for 14 elements of expressive elaboration in 3 categories. A subset of simple elements was analyzed separately. The effect of adult models and context was also considered. Results Children with SLI (whether 6 or 8 years of age) and younger TL children produced stories with significantly fewer appendages (e.g., Abstract, Coda), orientations (e.g., name, personality feature), and evaluations (e.g., interesting modifier, dialogue) than older TL children. The children with SLI and younger children showed significantly poorer performance even on simple elements such as character names and repetition (He ran and ran). Children with SLI, although performing lower than their TL age peers, demonstrated improvements f...
Cu/low-k dielectric TDDB reliability issues for advanced CMOS technologies.

Abstract With the wide application of low-k and ultra-low-k dielectric materials at the 90 nm technology node and beyond, the long-term reliability of such materials is rapidly becoming a critical challenge for technology qualification. Low-k time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) is usually considered as one of the most important reliability issues during Cu/low-k technology development because low-k materials generally have weaker intrinsic breakdown strength than traditional SiO2 dielectrics. This problem is further exacerbated by the aggressive shrinking of the interconnect pitch size due to continuous technology scaling. In this paper, three critical issues of low-k TDDB characteristics during low-k development and qualification will be reviewed. In the first part, a low-k TDDB field acceleration model and its determination will be discussed. In the second part, low-k dielectric time-to-breakdown (tBD) statistical distribution and TDDB area scaling law for reliability projection will be examined. In the last part, as low-k TDDB has been found to be sensitive to all aspects of integration, the effects of process variations on low-k TDDB degradation will be demonstrated. Some key aspects which need to be carefully addressed to control overall low-k TDDB performance from process and integration side will be discussed.
Spontaneous Breaking of Lie and Current Algebras

The anomalous properties of Nambu–Goldstone bosons, found by Miransky and others in the symmetry breaking induced by a chemical potential, are attributed to the SSB of Lie and current algebras. Ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, and their relativistic analogs are discussed as examples.
Qualitative outcome assessment of a medical ethics program for clinical clerkships: a pilot study.

Abstract This study assessed the usefulness of an open-ended case analysis test instrument for evaluating the effects of a 1-year ethics course on medical students’ decision-making skills. Through case-oriented seminars in gynecology, internal medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery, third-year medical students were taught a structured analytic framework for analyzing clinical ethical problems stressing the interactive relationships among medical indications, patient preferences, quality of life, and contextual (social, legal, economic) matters. At precourse, students were given a test case and asked to provide a line of reasoning for their clinical decisions. At postcourse, the students were given the same case. Content analysis of pre- and postcourse responses of a random student sample revealed increases in student awareness in the following areas: 1) consideration of informed consent, 2) professional liability, 3) physician-assisted suicide, and 4) resource utilization. With some modifications, open-ended case analysis holds promise for evaluating medical ethics courses. The authors make recommendations for future research in evaluating the true impact of clinical ethics courses in medical education.
The Meroitic script and the understanding of alpha-syllabic writing

At the time of its decipherment by Griffith (1911), the Meroitic writing system was considered an alphabet. This alphabet was found to have a rather limited vowel notation. It was not until 1970 that the system was understood to have a more complex vowel notation. This system of vowel notation is comparable to what is found in an alpha-syllabary, a term used to describe the scripts of the Indian sub-continent, such as Brahmi and Devanagari. Since alpha-syllabaries were rare when the Meroitic writing system was in use (c. 200 BCE‐c. 500 AD), it is tempting to suggest a possible historical connection between the Meroitic kingdom in Sudan and the then existent scripts in India. A systematic analysis, as opposed to a description of alpha-syllabic writing, indicates that the structure of this type of script is less regionally confined. Rather, it places Meroitic writing among scripts that were created in the presence of alphabetic writing both in modern and in ancient times. The description of an alpha-syllabary In the study of writing systems, the classification system in use has given a historical or evolutionary notion about their development. Systems using signs to denote words were eventually superseded by those with a sign for each vowel and consonant, the alphabet. Today, however, a number of scripts are known to use combinations of word, syllable and alphabet signs, creating writing systems that are not easily classified. Some of these systems seem to be limited geographically, such as the Indic scripts (Gelb 1952, Diringer 1968 and Daniels and Bright 1996). A syllabary is a system in which each sign denotes a syllable of the language, while an alphabet has signs for each consonant and vowel. In an abugida, each sign presents a consonant with one particular vowel, with other vowels created by a consistent modification of these consonant plus vowel symbols; this latter type has had a number of different names (Daniels and Bright 1996: 4). Bright introduced the term alpha-syllabary, which in a systematic study of writing systems by Daniels and Bright (1996: 376) was defined as a “diacritically modified consonantal syllabic script”. The definitions of alphasyllabary and abugida describe the Indic scripts by emphasizing either their use of diacritics or the inherent vowel that is found as part of the consonant signs. Indic scripts, such as Brahmi, Devanagari and Kharoshthi writing, present a set of consonant signs that have an inherent vowel /a/ or /! / depending on the Bulletin of the SOAS, 73, 1 (2010), 101‐105. © School of Oriental and African Studies, 2010.
Effect of Radiotherapy on Non-Neoplastic and Malignant Prostate

Pathologists nowadays are frequently confronted with post-radiotherapy biopsies of the prostate. It is critical to recognize the changes of benign prostatic tissue with radiation effect, which include frequent acinar atrophy, acinar distortion, basal cell hyperplasia, decreased acinar/stromal ratio, and stromal fibrosis. The non-neoplastic irradiated prostate can have nuclear enlargement and bizarre nuclei, changes overlapping or exceeding those commonly seen in prostatic adenocarcinoma. The presence of high-grade PIN adjacent to acini in question favors a cancer diagnosis. Ceratin immunostains, particularly cytokeratin 34sE12, in conjunction with selected other markers, can help the pathologist determine whether residual cancer is present in the most difficult cases.
Trigger finger: prognostic indicators of recurrence following corticosteroid injection.

Background: Corticosteroid injections are commonly used in the treatment of flexor tenosynovitis in adults. The present study was performed in an attempt to identify prognostic indicators of symptom recurrence one year after corticosteroid injection for the treatment of trigger digits. Methods: One hundred and thirty consecutive patients with trigger digits treated with corticosteroid injection were prospectively enrolled. Exclusion criteria were prior treatment and inflammatory arthritis. Demographic data and information on existing comorbidities were identified with a questionnaire. Patients were contacted at one year after treatment to determine symptom recurrence. Kaplan-Meier analysis and the Cox regression model were used to estimate recurrence rates and identify predictors. Results: One hundred and twenty-four trigger digits in 119 patients (average age, 62.3 years) were included. The most commonly involved digits were the thumb (35% of the digits), ring finger (31%), and long finger (23%). Seventy digits (56%) had a recurrence of symptoms at a median of 5.6 months (range, 0.5 to 13.1 months) after the injection. Twenty-two digits (18%) underwent surgical release at a median of 7.4 months after the injection. According to the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the estimated rate of freedom from symptom recurrence was 70% (95% confidence interval, 63% to 77%) at six months and 45% (95% confidence interval, 36% to 54%) at twelve months and the estimated rate of freedom from surgical release was 95% (95% confidence interval, 92% to 98%) at six months and 83% (95% confidence interval, 77% to 89%) at twelve months. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was identified as a strong predictor of symptom recurrence (p < 0.01). Younger age (p < 0.01), involvement of other digits prior to presentation (p < 0.01), and a history of other tendinopathies of the upper extremity (p = 0.02) were all independent predictors of a surgical release. The duration and severity of symptoms were not predictive of poor outcomes following injections. Conclusions: At one year following injection, 56% of the digits had a recurrence of symptoms. Younger age, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, involvement of multiple digits, and a history of other tendinopathies of the upper extremity were associated with a higher rate of treatment failure. Symptoms often recurred several months after the injection. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level I. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Nasal Obstruction in Newborns

Nasal obstruction is a serious clinical scenario in the newborn infant with a large differential diagnosis. This article reviews the etiologies of nasal obstruction to aid the pediatrician in prompt evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.
Microfluidic device by using nano-magnetic beads conjugated antibodies for immunoassay

We developed a fast and precision immunoassay-based microfluidic assay system that consisted of a microfluidic analytic cartridge and immunoassay reagents for point-of-care testing (POCT). The nano-magnetic beads conjugated antibodies, HRP-labeled analog, and color reagent were all pre-loaded and packaged in a microfluidic analytic cartridge. The whole assay process was completed within 30 min without any additional washing or loading of reagents once the sample was injected in the microfluidic analytic cartridge. The performance of the immunoassay-based microfluidic assay system had been examined by using mouse IgG model. The results indicated that the dynamic range of the measurement could be approached to two orders with low deviation. The present study demonstrated that the performance of our immunoassay-based microfluidic assay system was suitable for POCT for healthcare professionals or patients.
Tunable phosphinite, phosphite and phosphoramidite ligands for the asymmetric hydrovinylation reactions

Only a limited number of ligands have been successfully employed for the Ni-catalyzed asymmetric hydrovinylation reaction. Diarylphosphinites, carrying b-acylamino groups prepared from readily available carbohydrates, in conjunction with highly dissociated counteranions {((3,5-(CF3)2C6H3)4B K or SbF6 }, effect the hydrovinylation of vinylarenes under ambient pressure of ethylene with high enantioselectivity. Nitrogen substituents such as -COCF3 and COPh groups lead to isomerization of the primary products (3-arylbutenes) to Z- and E-2-aryl-2-butenes. In a prototypical synthesis of a 2-arylproionic acid, (S)-3-(4-bromophenyl)-1-butene (89% ee) has be transformed
Nocturnal Blood Pressure Elevation in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Receiving Intensive Insulin Therapy Compared with that in Patients Receiving Conventional Insulin Therapy

Studies have shown that type 1 diabetic patients may suffer from nocturnal elevation in blood pressure and that this elevation may be related to hyperinsulinemia. In this study we tested the hypothesis that tight type 1 diabetes control, which is usually accompanied by hyperinsulinemia and subclinical nocturnal hypoglycemia, may result in a higher rise in nocturnal blood pressure compared with conventional type 1 diabetes control. Eighteen patients treated with intensive insulin therapy (multiple daily injections; IIT) were compared with 18 patients treated with conventional insulin regimens (twice daily injections of regular and intermediate acting insulin; CIT). Both groups were matched for age, sex, duration of diabetes, body weight, body mass index, baseline daytime blood pressure, and microalbuminuria levels. Hemoglobin A1c was lower in the IIT group compared with that in the CIT group (8.1 ± 1.2% vs. 11.0 ± 3.2%; P < 0.01). The amount of insulin/body weight (units per kg) was higher in the IIT group...
Coming of Age: Critical Challenges To The Future Development Of Pediatric Psychology

Described five professional challenges that will affect the future development of pediatric psychology: specialization and professional identity, relationships with other professions, securing resources necessary for effective functioning, the conflict between clinical service delivery and prevention, and development of training models. To meet these challenges, pediatric psychologists need to maintain strong connections with other psychologists, develop new models of collaborative training, practice, and research, emphasize prevention activities, and enhance the scientific basis of pediatric psychology through innovative training programs and support for faculty development.
Coordinated Trading of Wind and Thermal Energy

Trading wind energy in short-term electricity markets has high associated risks due to the uncertainties in hourly available wind, energy prices, and imbalance penalties. Coordinated trading of wind and thermal energy is proposed to mitigate risks due to those uncertainties. The problem of wind-thermal coordinated trading is formulated as a mixed-integer stochastic linear program. The objective is to obtain the optimal trade-off bidding strategy that maximizes the total expected profits while controlling trading risks. For risk control, a weighted term of the conditional value at risk (CVaR) is included in the objective function. The CVaR aims to maximize the expected profits of the least profitable scenarios, thus improving trading risk control. A case study comparing coordinated with uncoordinated bidding strategies depending on the trader's risk attitude is included. Simulation results show that coordinated bidding can improve the expected profits while significantly improving the CVaR.
Transmembrane voltage potential controls embryonic eye patterning in Xenopus laevis

Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of eye development is crucial for understanding the embryonic morphogenesis of complex structures, as well as for the establishment of novel biomedical approaches to address birth defects and injuries of the visual system. Here, we characterize change in transmembrane voltage potential (V(mem)) as a novel biophysical signal for eye induction in Xenopus laevis. During normal embryogenesis, a striking hyperpolarization demarcates a specific cluster of cells in the anterior neural field. Depolarizing the dorsal lineages in which these cells reside results in malformed eyes. Manipulating V(mem) of non-eye cells induces well-formed ectopic eyes that are morphologically and histologically similar to endogenous eyes. Remarkably, such ectopic eyes can be induced far outside the anterior neural field. A Ca(2+) channel-dependent pathway transduces the V(mem) signal and regulates patterning of eye field transcription factors. These data reveal a new, instructive role for membrane voltage during embryogenesis and demonstrate that V(mem) is a crucial upstream signal in eye development. Learning to control bioelectric initiators of organogenesis offers significant insight into birth defects that affect the eye and might have significant implications for regenerative approaches to ocular diseases.
The Effect of Day-Length on Rate of Growth, Feed Conversion, Feathering and Market Quality of Turkeys

Abstract THE quality of different strains of turkeys at market age varies considerably irrespective of data of hatch. It seems most likely that the expression of this character is conditioned to some degree by environmental factors, such as day-length and temperature. Turkeys hatched in January, February, and March reach market age during the warm summer months when the days are long, while turkeys hatched in May, June and July reach market age during the cooler fall and winter months when the days are short. In general, turkeys hatched during the first three months of the year do not attain as good quality at market age as their full-sibs hatched from May to July, inclusive. The problem of environmental factors affecting growth, feathering and market quality of turkeys has been the subject of a very limited number of investigations. Date of hatch has been found by Margolf (1948) to influence growth and …
Performance comparison between spatial interpolation and GLM/GAM in estimating relative abundance indices through a simulation study

a b s t r a c t Generalized linear models (GLMs) and generalized additive models (GAMs) are commonly used to stan- dardize catch rates as relative abundance indices in fisheries stock assessments. Spatial interpolation (SI) is an alternative way to estimate relative abundance indices but there have been no comparisons of the effectiveness of the two types of approaches. In the present study, the performances of GLMs, GAMs and SI were compared through a simulation study based on fishery independent surveys of yellow perch in Lake Erie in 1990, 1991, 1992, 2000, 2001, and 2003. Simulated scenarios were tested with sample sizes of 60, 120 and 180 drawn randomly from the survey data, and random errors variances of 0.5, 1 and 2 × the "true" estimate variances. For each combination of sample size and error, 100 simulations were calculated to estimate correlation between the "true" abundance and the estimated relative abun- dance indices from GLMs, GAMs and SI. The performances of all three methods improved with increasing sample sizes, but worsened with increasing magnitude of the simulated errors. SI performed better than GLMs and GAMs when the simulated errors were low, but SI was more sensitive than GLMs and GAMs to the magnitude of the simulated random errors. When simulated sampling covered the survey area incompletely, GLMs and GAMs performed better than SI.