cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dispersion-free AlGaN/GaN CAVET with low R on achieved with plasma MBE regrown channel with Mg-ion-implanted current blocking layer

GaN-based power transistors are rapidly developing as a contender for application in next generation high efficiency power electronics. They are either lateral devices like HEMTs or vertical devices of the form of the Current Aperture Vertical Electron Transistor (CAVET) [1, 2]. A CAVET (Fig.1) is a vertical device with source and gate on top and a current aperture that allows current to flow vertically down from the source to the drain. It has a current blocking layer (CBL) to block current flowing vertically through any other path but the aperture. The process flow for fabricating a CAVET is illustrated in figure 2. One way to achieve the current blocking layer is by implanting the layer with [Mg]-ion. However the difficulty in using a Mg-implanted barrier layer was the unintentional diffusion of the Mg into the overlying channel region (see Fig.3). This caused a significant threshold voltage shift in devices and in many cases the electrons in the channel were trapped or completely depleted by diffusing Mg acceptors. In this paper we report on successfully addressing this critical problem by using MBE to re-grow the channel containing the 2DEG on top of the n drift region that is grown by MOCVD resulting in devices free of dispersion (80µs pulse width) and R on less than 2.5 mΩ-cm2. Here the advantages of MBE, that of a low growth temperature and hence suppressed Mg diffusion, is combined with the advantages of MOCVD, that of a high growth rate of high purity material necessary for the thick drift region to support high voltage required in power electronics.
Osmoregulatory ability of blue crabs in different temperature-salinity combinations

Adult male and immature, mature, and ovigerous female blue crabs,Callinectes sapidus, prefer different portions of estuaries. Total osmotic concentrations of blood samples from crabs held in 5, 50, or 100% sea water (salinity 34 o/oo) at 10, 20, or 30 C indicated that some differences in osmoregulatory capabilities were related to differences in distribution. Ovigerous females did not regulate as well as mature females or adult males at 5 or 50% sea water, at all temperatures. In 50 or 100% sea water, osmotic concentrations of immature females generally were less than those of mature females. At almost all temperature-salinity combinations, however, differences in the osmoregulatory ability of adult males and mature females were not significant. The blue crab showed good hyperosmotic regulation in 5 and 50% sea water but regulated its blood hyposmotically in 100% sea water.
Simulation of P- and N-MOSFET hot-carrier degradation in CMOS circuits

A PMOSFET hot-carrier degradation model has been incorporated into the reliability simulator BERT-CAS, enabling prediction of dynamic circuit-level degradation in which both PMOSFET and NMOSFET degradation play a major role. Comparisons are presented which reveal the good fit obtained between measurement and simulation results. >
Assessment of the Total Ship’s Hull Girder Bending Stresses When Unified Model of Sagging and Hogging Bending Moments is Used

A method is proposed for calculating the hull girder bending stresses following the procedure in the class rules but in probabilistic terms, i.e. the still water and the wave-induced bending moments; the total hull girder bending moment; the hull girder section modulus and the hull girder bending stresses are treated as random variables with corresponding probabilistic distributions. The still water and wave-induced hull girder hogging and sagging loads are presented in probabilistic format as one phenomenon, i.e. using bi-modal probability density functions. The probabilistic distribution of the total hull girder load is calculated using the rules of the composition of the distribution laws of the constituent variables. After that, the hull girder geometric properties are presented in probabilistic format as annual distributions and distributions for any given life-span. Thus, it becomes possible to calculate both the annual probabilistic distributions and the probabilistic distribution for any given ship’s life span of the hull girder stresses. Individual amplitudes statistical analysis and extreme value statistics are used. Then, the probability of exceeding the permissible hull girder bending stresses in the class rules is calculated. An example is given for 25K DWT bulk carrier.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Is Negligence a First Cousin to Intentionality? Lay Conceptions of Negligence and Its Relationship to Intentionality

Summary: In three studies, we examined lay conceptions of negligence and how they are used when making judgments about actors’ intentions, negligence, and blame. Study 1 examined the extent to which participants agreed about what constitutes negligence and accidents. After finding a high level of agreement between participants, Study 2 explored the features that defined participants’ folk understanding of negligence. Additionally, we examined if definitions of negligence overlapped with key features of definitions of intentionality proposed in the literature. Study 2 suggested there were some key overlapping features and differences between negligence and intentionality. Finally, Study 3 examined how two key features of intentionality and negligence (knowledge and awareness) were related to attributions of negligence, accidental causation, blame, and desire to punish. The findings suggested that knowledge and awareness are positively related to judgments of negligence, blame, and desire to punish. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Beginning in 1997, Bertram Malle and colleagues conducted a series of studies exploring lay definitions of intentionality and intentional behavior (e.g., Malle & Holbrook, 2012; Malle & Knobe, 1997; Malle & Nelson, 2003). Of interest here are intentional behaviors with negative outcomes, and specifically, those behaviors that might result in civil or criminal charges. 1 Intentionality, as it relates to negative outcomes, is important to understand because relative to unintentional acts, people are often held to be more morally or criminally responsible for harmful acts that are committed intentionally. Moreover, jurors are often required to weigh intentionality when rendering verdicts. For example, differences between first-degree and second-degree murder hinge on whether defendants are seen as having formed the intent to kill prior to murdering and commit murder with this intent in mind. Jurors’ decisions regarding intent can also lead to more severe sentencing, including the death penalty if jurors agree a murder was intentional. Thus, understanding how intentionality is conceptualized can have important legal as well as social consequences. In terms of lay understanding, Malle and colleagues found
The cell-penetrating peptide, Pep-1, has activity against intracellular chlamydial growth but not extracellular forms of Chlamydia trachomatis

Objectives: In the course of studies to identify novel treatment strategies against the pathogenic bacterium, Chlamydia, we tested the carrier peptide, Pep-1, for activity against an intracellular infection. Methods: Using a cell culture model of Chlamydia trachomatis infection, the effect of Pep-1 was measured by incubating the peptide with extracellular chlamydiae prior to infection, or by adding Pep-1 to the medium at varying times after infection, and assaying for inhibition of inclusion formation. Results: Pep-1 had a concentration-dependent effect on chlamydial growth with 100% inhibition of inclusion formation at 8 mg/L peptide. There was a window of susceptibility during the chlamydial developmental cycle with a maximal effect when treatment was begun within 12 h of infection. Pep-1 treatment caused a severe reduction in the production of infectious progeny even when started later, when the effect on inclusion formation was minimal. Furthermore, electron micrographs showed a paucity of progeny elementary bodies (EBs) in the inclusion. In contrast, pre-incubation of EBs with Pep-1 prior to infection did not affect inclusion formation. Taken together, these findings indicate that the antichlamydial effect was specific for the intracellular stage of chlamydial infection. By comparison, Pep-1 had no antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus or the obligate intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Conclusions: Pep-1 has antichlamydial activity by preventing intracellular chlamydial growth and replication but has no effect on extracellular chlamydiae.
The November 20,1960 Peru Tsunami Earthquake: Source mechanism of a slow event

The November 20,1960 Peru earthquake excited a tsunami that was anomalously large for an earthquake of moderate magnitude (M 6.75 PAS). Body wave first motions combined with observed Love to Rayleigh wave spectral ratios indicate slip along a shallowly dipping thrust fault rather than a single force mechanism suggestive of a landslide. Deconvolution of SH waveforms shows a time function consisting of 4 subevents with a total duration of 110 s. Using this time function, body waveform inversion yields a very shallowly dipping thrust faulting mechanism (strike 0°, dip: 6°, slip: 100°) and a seismic moment of 1.9 × 1027 dyn cm. However, the time function obtained from the band limited body waveforms cannot fit the surface wave data which show a large increase in amplitude with period and a moment of 3.4 × 1027 dyn cm. Both types of data can be modeled by combining the body wave time function and a 130 s cosine time function representing a longer period component. This event represents the largest earthquake to occur along this relatively aseismic portion of the Peruvian coast. The tsunami excitation is not anomalous relative to the measured seismic moment and moment magnitude (MW 7.6). The disparity between tsunami height and surface wave magnitude results from underestimation of the earthquake size by conventional magnitude scales due to the long source duration.
Analog VLSI implementation of the Hassenstein-Reichardt-Poggio models for vision computation

The engineering of analog VLSI processors for computer vision is discussed. These are based on the Hassenstein-Reichardt-Poggio models for information processing in the visual systems of the fly. It is shown how neural network models can be mapped on silicon integrated circuits for performing tasks that can be handled efficiently by digital computing machinery. Hardware architectures for both position and motion computation are described. >
Crowdfunding the Azolla fern genome project: a grassroots approach.

Much of science progresses within the tight boundaries of what is often seen as a “black box”. Though familiar to funding agencies, researchers and the academic journals they publish in, it is an entity that outsiders rarely get to peek into. Crowdfunding is a novel means that allows the public to participate in, as well as to support and witness advancements in science. Here we describe our recent crowdfunding efforts to sequence the Azolla genome, a little fern with massive green potential. Crowdfunding is a worthy platform not only for obtaining seed money for exploratory research, but also for engaging directly with the general public as a rewarding form of outreach.
Using affine features for an efficient binary feature descriptor

A feature descriptor that is robust to a number of image deformations is a basic requirement for vision based applications. Most feature descriptors work well in image deformations such as compression artifacts, illumination changes, and blurring. To develop a feature descriptor that works well apart from these image deformations like transformations caused by long baseline is a challenging task. This paper introduces a compact and efficient binary feature descriptor called PRObabilistic (PRO). A method for removing non-affine features from the initial feature list is developed, which results in further improved performance with the PRO descriptor when dealing with many deformations including long baseline between images. Feature matching accuracy using only affine features is compared with accuracy using both affine and non-affine features on benchmark datasets to demonstrate the advantages of using affine feature point for PRO descriptor.
Physiological Phosphorylation of Protein Kinase A at Thr-197 Is by a Protein Kinase A Kinase

Phosphorylation of the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, or protein kinase A, on Thr-197 is required for optimal enzyme activity, and enzyme isolated from either animal sources or bacterial expression strains is found phosphorylated at this site. Autophosphorylation of Thr-197 occurs in Escherichia coli and in vitro but is an inefficient intermolecular reaction catalyzed primarily by active, previously phosphorylated molecules. In contrast, the Thr-197 phosphorylation of newly synthesized protein kinase A in intact S49 mouse lymphoma cells is both efficient and insensitive to activators or inhibitors of intracellular protein kinase A. Using [35S]methionine-labeled, nonphosphorylated, recombinant catalytic subunit as the substrate in a gel mobility shift assay, we have identified an activity in extracts of protein kinase A-deficient S49 cells that phosphorylates catalytic subunit on Thr-197. The protein kinase A kinase activity partially purified by anion-exchange and hydroxylapatite chromatography is an efficient catalyst of protein kinase A phosphorylation in terms of both a low Km for ATP and a rapid time course. Phosphorylation of wild-type catalytic subunit by the kinase kinase activates the subunit for binding to a pseudosubstrate peptide inhibitor of protein kinase A. By both the gel shift assay and a [γ-32P]ATP incorporation assay, the enzyme is active on wild-type catalytic subunit and on an inactive mutant with Met substituted for Lys-72 but inactive on a mutant with Ala substituted for Thr-197. Combined with the results from mutant subunits, phosphoamino acid analysis suggests that the enzyme is specific for phosphorylation of Thr-197.
Hi-Corrector: a fast, scalable and memory-efficient package for normalizing large-scale Hi-C data

Summary: Genome-wide proximity ligation assays, e.g. Hi-C and its variant TCC, have recently become important tools to study spatial genome organization. Removing biases from chromatin contact matrices generated by such techniques is a critical preprocessing step of subsequent analyses. The continuing decline of sequencing costs has led to an ever-improving resolution of the Hi-C data, resulting in very large matrices of chromatin contacts. Such large-size matrices, however, pose a great challenge on the memory usage and speed of its normalization. Therefore, there is an urgent need for fast and memory-efficient methods for normalization of Hi-C data. We developed Hi-Corrector, an easy-to-use, open source implementation of the Hi-C data normalization algorithm. Its salient features are (i) scalability—the software is capable of normalizing Hi-C data of any size in reasonable times; (ii) memory efficiency—the sequential version can run on any single computer with very limited memory, no matter how little; (iii) fast speed—the parallel version can run very fast on multiple computing nodes with limited local memory. Availability and implementation: The sequential version is implemented in ANSI C and can be easily compiled on any system; the parallel version is implemented in ANSI C with the MPI library (a standardized and portable parallel environment designed for solving large-scale scientific problems). The package is freely available at http://zhoulab.usc.edu/Hi-Corrector/. Contact: ude.csu@rebla or ude.csu@uohzjx Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Behavior of juvenile green turtles in a coastal neritic habitat: Validating time–depth–temperature records using visual observations

article There are inherent limitations to inferring green turtle (Chelonia mydas L.) diving behavior from time-depth recorders (TDRs). Validating TDR data with independent observations of turtle behaviors is imperative to de- rive behavioral inferences from these archival data. Logistic regressions of video observational data and cor- responding TDR data from six juvenile green turtles at the Kawai'nui Marsh Estuary (KME) in Kailua Bay, O'ahu, Hawai'i, were used to determine the extent to which TDR records capture six specific behaviors recorded using a submersible video camera. While foraging, food searching, hovering, and breathing could be explained using a combination of TDR-derived metrics, the records could not describe swimming and rest- ing. The habitat associations of turtle activity patterns (activities) were also evaluated, with some behaviors being more commonly encountered in specific habitat types, including resting and breathing. Comparison of video-recorded in situ observations of juvenile green turtles to concurrent TDR records indicated that TDR data alone can accurately describe certain turtle behaviors at KME, but are insufficient to describe a turtle's full range of behavior. Therefore, we contend that direct behavioral observations augment TDR deployments by ensuring the full behavioral repertoire of juvenile green turtles is captured. The integration of these dispa- rate datasets can enhance the understanding of juvenile green turtle behaviors, especially within shallow heterogeneous habitats like the Kawai'nui Marsh Estuary. © 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Second Generation Fiscal Federalism: Implications for Decentralized Democratic Governance and Economic Development

Much fiscal analysis of developing countries is on the following pattern: the academic literature is drawn on to construct a model fiscal system; the existing situation in a particular country is examined to determine how it diverges from the model; and a fiscal reform is then proposed to transform what is into what ought to be. This approach is deficient because it does not require sufficient detailed examination of existing reality to ensure that the assumptions postulated in the model are congruent with reality, that the recommended changes can in fact be implemented, or that, if implemented, they will in fact produce the desired results. In contrast, my approach is first to study in detail exactly how the existing system works, and why it works that way, in order to have a firm basis for understanding what changes may be both desirable and feasible. My emphasis has thus always been more on what can be done than on what should be done (Bird 1992,x, emphasis in original).
Robust smoothing: Smoothing parameter selection and applications to fluorescence spectroscopy

Fluorescence spectroscopy has emerged in recent years as an effective way to detect cervical cancer. Investigation of the data preprocessing stage uncovered a need for a robust smoothing to extract the signal from the noise. Various robust smoothing methods for estimating fluorescence emission spectra are compared and data driven methods for the selection of smoothing parameter are suggested. The methods currently implemented in R for smoothing parameter selection proved to be unsatisfactory, and a computationally efficient procedure that approximates robust leave-one-out cross validation is presented.
Seeds in space

Since experimentation with plants began in space, a wide range of information has been gained regarding how this unique environment affects the biology of seeds. Seed biology experiments in this milieu have addressed aspects of seed storage, seed germination and metabolism, seedling orientation and seed production by flowering plants. Construction of hardware that provides a suitable growth environment in microgravity has been especially challenging because of the consequences posed by microgravity for fluid and gas distribution around the plant. Fluid shifting causes seed hydration kinetics to occur at a faster rate in microgravity than in 1 g; however, it also induces hypoxic metabolism during the seed germination process. In the absence of a detectable gravitational force, seedling roots grow according to their embryonic orientation and then initiate random walk movements. Light and oxygen gradients are the primary stimuli that orient root growth in this environment. For seed development to occur in spaceflight, well-ventilated growth chambers are necessary to support the carbohydrate supply needs of the developing embryos, and to provide the necessary humidity gradient for anthers to successfully dehisce and release pollen. The dry weight of seeds formed in space is lower than that in ground controls, and seed storage reserves are altered. Seed storage phenomena in spaceflight depend on whether or not oxygen and moisture are present – if not, viability exceeds that of seeds stored under comparable conditions on the ground. Because of the key role to be played by seeds in future advanced life support scenarios in space, more research is needed on the implications of this unique environment for seed biology.
Francisella tularensis Replicates within Alveolar Type II Epithelial Cells In Vitro and In Vivo following Inhalation

Francisella tularensis replicates in macrophages and dendritic cells, but interactions with other cell types have not been well described. F. tularensis LVS invaded and replicated within alveolar epithelial cell lines. Following intranasal inoculation of C57BL/6 mice, Francisella localized to the alveolus and replicated within alveolar type II epithelial cells.
Size-Reconfiguration Delay Tradeoffs for a Class of DSP Blocks in Multi-mode Communication Systems

In this paper we propose a spectrum of designs for filters in multi-mode communication systems. The proposed designs lie in between generic filter to fully optimized coefficient specific filter. For each design a reconfigurable section and a static section are defined. We propose an algorithm to optimize the size of the reconfigurable section of each design independently. We also propose another algorithm that optimizes the reconfiguration time overhead for a given sequence of designs. The results of our experiments show the trade-off between area and reconfiguration delay in the design space.
Analyzing Reflections in Service Learning to Promote Personal Growth and Community Self-Efficacy.

The use of structured reflections for promoting personal understanding and community self-efficacy was examined in 65 occupational therapy college students in a service learning course. Students in the experimental group wrote structured reflections throughout the semester while students in the control groups used non-structured reflections. Outcome measures included quantitative tests of personal understanding and community self-efficacy (Personal Growth Initiative Scale, New General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Community Self-Efficacy Scale) and a qualitative narrative. Results indicated that students who wrote structured reflections significantly increased in personal growth and personal self-efficacy, whereas those using non-structured reflections showed no change. Both groups improved in community self-efficacy scores with no significant difference between groups.
Testosterone Therapy of Male Eunuchoids

IN A series of papers (1, 2, 3, 4) the principal author and several associates have contributed evidence establishing the clinical effectiveness of various testosterone compounds in the treatment of a highly specific endocrine deficiency, primary male hypogonadism or eunuchoidism. In successive reports the various modes of administering testosterone have been discussed and compared with regard to the convenience of dosage necessary for originating improvement and the maintenance of the benefits achieved. These publications included convincing photographic (before and after treatment) proof that the intramuscular injection of testosterone propionate, the implantation of methyl testosterone pellets, the peroral swallowing of methyl testosterone tablets and the sublingual absorption of testosterone compounds dissolved in propylene glycol—all were successful in correcting the severe genital retardation of primary hypogonadism. In the last paper of this group (4) testosterone propionate, methyl testosterone an...
Focus on Inclusive Education: Upacking Word Problems for Diverse Learners: A Guide to Using Schemas

Elementary teachers face the challenge of providing differentiated instruction for diverse learners in their classrooms. Research indicates that students with disabilities perform lower in math tha...
Kinetics of Aerobic Removal of Organic Wastes

An equation was obtained that would establish the growth kinetics under batch conditions in an aerobic system of organic wastes. The growth kinetics equation was then combined with a linear relationship between sludge growth and BOD removal in order to develop a second equation that expressed the BOD removal under batch conditions. The two equations were combined with a mass balance to determine the treatment efficiency in a completely mixed-continuous flow system. The equations thus developed for these two systems (batch and completely mixed-continuous flow) were checked against experimental results obtained with a synthetic activated sludge at 25○C.
The Broadband Race: Comparing China and India

India and the People's Republic of China, whose telecommunications networks are among the largest in the world, have a number of areas for broadband use ripe for exploration. Already in 2004 with more mobile phone users than any other nation, China was one of the three fastest growing countries in the world in 2003 in terms of broadband penetration and by 2006, it is expected to have more Internet users and broadband than any other country in the world . There are a number of reasons to believe that these two countries may exhibit distinct and varied patterns of broadband diffusion.In this article, we examine in depth the factors that could shape the patterns of diffusion of broadband telecommunications technologies in India and China.
On Active Grid Middleware

This paper examines the integration of grid computing and active networks. Resource management is a fundamental aspect of grid computing and should allow for the integration of new capabilities. Active networks will enable a range of higher-level abstractions that will be captured in middleware. This paper systematically examines the components of grid computing for areas of advantageous integration. Arguments are also made for performance models to understand the fundamental performance/flexibility trade-off that faces active networks.
Patent Prudential Standing

This Article is the first to focus on patent prudential standing. Patent prudential standing, a creation of the Federal Circuit, wastes precious resources and serves no sound policy goal. Under patent prudential standing, after many resources have been expended on the merits of a patent infringement case, parties face a reversal of course by the Federal Circuit’s ruling that the plaintiff, typically the exclusive licensee in a patent transaction, lacked standing to bring the case in the first place. Regardless that the plaintiff satisfies constitutional standing, the Federal Circuit propounds that the plaintiff must still meet patent prudential standing. The inquiry to ascertain whether patent prudential standing exists is confusing, confounding, and costly, as courts must evaluate whether the exclusive licensee possesses all substantial rights to the patent in a commercial transaction. Moreover, patent prudential standing is completely unnecessary. Indeed, the Supreme Court in 1926 found that there was no need to engage in a determination of whether a patent transaction grants the exclusive licensee sufficient rights to be treated as patent owner in order to bring patent infringement litigation. The Supreme Court declared that a patent owner/licensor is an indispensable party and must be named as a coplaintiff with the exclusive licensee in patent infringement litigation. Indispensable party principle was later incorporated into Rule 19 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Therefore, to reduce uncertainty and unnecessary costs, the Federal Circuit should follow the Supreme Court’s teachings and Rule 19 in all cases involving exclusive patent licensee’s jurisdiction. By doing so, the Federal Circuit will wisely continue to serve as a model for courts domestically and for patent tribunals internationally.
A STUDY OF SPONTANEOUS ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY IN THE BRAIN OF CAIMAN SCLEROPS.

SummaryA method was developed for recording electroencephalograms of Caiman sclerops using monopolar and bipolar electrodes. Both monopolar and bipolar recordings from the telencephalon revealed a dominant alpha frequency of 7–12 cycles per second with an amplitude of 20–40 μv. A fast frequency of 18–24 cycles per second with an amplitude of 10–20 μv was sometimes seen superimposed on the alpha wave and sometimes appeared as an independent rhythm. Restraint appears to have little effect on the frequency; however, some depression in amplitude may be seen. Monopolar electroencephalographs from the optic lobes demonstrated a dominant slow wave of 6–8 cycles per second with an amplitude of 5–10 μv, with a superimposed a wave 14–18 cycles per second. Bipolar recordings show only a slow 5–8 cycle wave. In monopolar cerebellum recordings a slow wave of 6–8 cycles per second with an amplitude of 4–7 μv is seen as the dominant frequency. Most electrical activity appears to be blocked in bipolar recordings. Bilater...
Addressing the Hard Factors for Command File Errors by Probabilistic Reasoning

Command File Errors (CFE) are managed using standard risk management approaches at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Over the last few years, more emphasis has been made on the collection, organization, and analysis of these errors for the purpose of reducing the CFE rates. More recently, probabilistic modeling techniques have been used for more in depth analysis of the perceived error rates of the DAWN mission and for managing the soft factors in the upcoming phases of the mission. We broadly classify the factors that can lead to CFE's as soft factors, which relate to the cognition of the operators and hard factors which relate to the Mission System which is composed of the hardware, software and procedures used for the generation, verification & validation and execution of commands. The focus of this paper is to use probabilistic models that represent multiple missions at JPL to determine the root cause and sensitivities of the various components of the mission system and develop recommendations and techniques for addressing them. The customization of these multi-mission models to a sample interplanetary spacecraft is done for this purpose.
The Influence of Device Structure on High-electric-field Effects and Reliability of AlGaN/GaN HFETs

AlGaN/GaN HFETs have demonstrated excellent RF performance, but the devices still suffer from a reliability problem. The decrease of the dc current and RF output power over time is attributed to gate tunneling which is determined by the magnitude of electric field at the gate edge. In this work, in order to improve the reliability of AlGaN/GaN HFETs, a 2D drift-diffusion tool is used to explore the relationship between the magnitude of electric field and different device structures through modifications of the 2DEG sheet charge density, AlGaN barrier layer thickness, AlGaN doping concentration and gate to drain spacing. The effect of field plates is also investigated. It was found that decreasing 2DEG sheet charge density results in much improved reliability, although the current and output power are somewhat reduced.
Morphology of the Reproductive Systems of the Cotton Boll Weevil (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

The genitalia and reproductive organs of the reproducing male and female cotton boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, are described and illustrated. Descriptions are given of the musculature associated with the reproductive systems of both sexes.
Binding Modes of Thioflavin T on the Surface of Amyloid Fibrils Studied by NMR.

The mechanism for the interaction of thioflavin T (ThT) with amyloid fibrils at the molecular level is not known. Here, we used (1) H NMR spectroscopy to determine the binding mode of ThT on the surface of fibrils from lysozyme and insulin. Relayed rotating-frame Overhauser enhancements in ThT were observed, indicating that the orientation of ThT is orthogonal to the fibril surface. Importantly, the assembly state of ThT on both surfaces is different. On the surface of insulin fibrils, ThT is oligomeric, as indicated by rapid (1) H spin-lattice relaxation rate in the rotating frame (R1ρ ), presumably due to intermolecular dipole-dipole interactions between ThT molecules. In contrast, ThT on the surface of lysozyme fibrils is a monomer, as indicated by slower (1) H R1ρ . These results shed new light into the mechanism for the enhancement of ThT fluorescence and may lead to more efficient detectors of amyloid assemblies, which have escaped detection by ThT in monomer form.
A Model of Co‐Curricular Support for Undergraduate Engineering Students

Background Engineering student support centers (ESSCs) are common providers of assistance for undergraduate students, especially those from underrepresented groups. However, ESSCs are relatively recent, and there are gaps in our knowledge about how they are intentionally designed to function alongside engineering curricula. Purpose/Hypothesis The purpose of this article is to develop a conceptual model that graphically represents the practices of and intentions behind ESSCs. Design/Method A multi-case study design was used to examine the efforts of six ESSCs housed at four institutions. Using qualitative methods, we collected data from student-support practitioners (those who provide support) and students (those who receive support). The data were analyzed through the development of a logic model. Results The primary result of this study is an empirically based conceptual model, the model of co-curricular support (MCCS), for constructing and evaluating support systems and individual student interventions. The MCCS builds on Tinto's model of institutional departure and demonstrates the breadth of assistance required to comprehensively support undergraduate students at the college level. Conclusions The MCCS indicates how a student's interactions with the academic, social, and professional systems in a college and the larger university system can influence a student's success in an undergraduate degree program. The model combines student-retention theory with student-support practice in a way that can facilitate future collaborations between educational researchers and student-support practitioners.
The case against military intervention: why we do it and why it fails

Donald M. Snow, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Alabama, is no stranger to students of military intervention. Over the past four decades, Snow has published extensively...
Britain, Ireland and the Italian risorgimento

British enthusiasms for Italian independence have long attracted scholarly interest, which has recently come to focus on what the sources tell us about the hearts, passions and prejudices rather th...
Extending evidence-based dentistry beyond clinical trials: implications for materials research in endodontics

Evidence-based dentistry is an emerging perspective to insure that the best available research evidence is integrated in clinical practice for the maximal benefit of each individual patient. It is focused on identifying the statistically and clinically significant findings from randomized trials. The successful practice of dentistry relies on a vast spectrum of dental research, which ranges from materials research to observational studies. This is particularly true in the domain of endodontics. Therefore, there is a need to expand the traditional domain of evidence-based dentistry to materials research.Here, we describe an approach to obtain a preliminary systematic review of the research literature on the efficacy and efficiency of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) for sealing and repairing furcal perforations. Examination of the pertinent MTA literature identified eight journal articles that met fundamental criteria of published research studies of efficacy of MTA over other materials for use as a furcation repair material. Taken together, seven among these reports (88%) were found to generate evidence that could be considered reliable and acceptable from the viewpoint of evidence-based (EB) endodontic dental practice. A critical synthesis of this evidence is discussed.
Factors Affecting Patient Portal Use Among Low-Income Pregnant Women: Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

Background: Patient portals offer patients personalized and secure Web access to their medical information and enable patients to manage their health care online. However, there is a lack of information about patient acceptance and use of patient portals among low-income pregnant women. Objective: This formative research aims to assess the potential of a patient portal, MyChart, for improving prenatal health care and pregnancy outcomes, and identify the barriers and facilitators of MyChart use among low-income pregnant women. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted with a convenience sample of 18 low-income pregnant women comprising low- and high-risk patients enrolled in a prenatal clinic in eastern North Carolina. MyChart use, patient demographics, and pregnancy information were collected by reviewing electronic medical charts. Health literacy was measured. Reported use and attitudes toward MyChart were collected using a semi-structured interview. Results: Although 39% (7/18) of participants interviewed signed up for MyChart, only 22% (4/18) of them became active users. Another 33% (6/18) had never heard of MyChart or was unsure of how to access it. Users primarily accessed test results and appointment schedules. The main facilitating factors for patient portal use were information and motivation from health care providers and concerns about pregnancy due to a history of miscarriage. Reported barriers were lack of educational resources, lack of care provider encouragement, and technical difficulties possibly exacerbated by low health literacy. Participants also suggested improvements for MyChart, especially the provision of discussion-based support for pregnant women. Conclusions: The one-time verbal introduction of MyChart does not meet current patients’ needs. Data reveal the need for more consistent patient education and support programs, tailored to patients’ previous pregnancy histories. The clinic also needs to facilitate better provider-patient communication about the importance of MyChart use.
Treated maternal gonorrhea without adverse effect on outcome of pregnancy.

Infants born to mothers with gonorrhea are at risk for neonatal gonococcal infection, primarily ophthalmitis. To determine whether gonorrhea during pregnancy may have other adverse effects, we compared the outcome of pregnancy to gonorrheal status for all women who were delivered of infants at Grady Memorial Hospital in 1976 and 1977. The incidence of positive cultures was 41.1 per thousand pregnant women. For 85% of women with positive cultures, treatment was recorded in the chart. Women with positive cultures were younger (P less than .0001) and of lower parity (P less than .001) than women was negative cultures. There were no differences, however, in selected complications of labor and delivery, in the incidence of premature or low birthweight babies, or in the neonatal death rate of babies born to mothers with positive or negative gonorrhea cultures. These results indicate that gonorrhea during pregnancy, if treated, does not adversely affect the fetus or newborn.
Successful Therapy of Interstitial Cystitis with Pentosanpolysulfate

AbstractSodium pentosanpolysulfate (Elmiron) is a synthetic, sulfated polysaccharide available in an oral form that is excreted into the urine. This drug was used in a double-blind fashion to evaluate its efficacy in the management of symptoms of interstitial cystitis. A dose of 100mg. 3 times daily was used for a minimum of 4 months and was continued for longer than 18 months in some individuals. A total of 62 patients was evaluated from 2 different medical centers. Subjective improvements were greater in all parameters when the drug was compared to placebo therapy, with significant improvement in pain, urgency, frequency and nocturia. Objective improvement in average voided volumes was greater with the drug than with placebo (p equals 0.009). No significant difference was found between drug and placebo groups in the average number of daily voiding episodes. (J. Urol., 138: 513–516, 1987)
The Place of Theology in a World Come of Age: A Comparative Analysis of the Writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Paul Ramsey

As the twentieth century dawned in the western world, there were voices both inside and out of the Christian Church that began to question religion's central place in man's daily life. Had humanity finally progressed to the point where religion was no longer necessary? Had we at long last developed the characteristics and perspectives that religion had attempted to engrain within us? Or were the rules and regulations of religion still needed to ensure the continued advancement of civilization? This is a study of two opposing voices in that debate: theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer and ethicist Paul Ramsey. What follows is my attempt to examine, explain, and expound upon the philosophies of both men in an endeavor to more fully understand their perspectives and the implications each has for civilization and religion as we move now firmly into the twenty-first century and beyond.
Supporting elementary teachers’ enactment of nature of science instruction: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACTThis embedded mixed method study used a randomised controlled⁠ trial design to examine two cohorts of upper (grades 4–6) elementary teachers’ classroom implementation of nature of science (NOS) instruction following their participation in a statewide professional development (PD). The treatment group (n = 145) was compared to a control group (n = 90), which received no PD. The PD included a summer institute that situated explicit NOS instruction within the context of problem-based learning (PBL). Data sources included videotaped classroom observations across four time points and teacher-generated descriptions of lessons preceding and following the observed lesson including learning objectives. Data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics and analysed qualitatively for trends in participants’ explicit NOS instruction. Results indicated the majority of treatment teachers (n = 97; 66.9%) accurately taught explicit NOS during the academic year following the summer institute compared ...
Acute pulmonary effects of aerosolized nicotine

Nicotine is a highly addictive principal component of both tobacco and electronic cigarette that is readily absorbed in blood. Nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes are promoted as a safe alter...
Structure and Reactivity of (μ-Oxo)dimanganese(III,III) and Mononuclear Hydroxomanganese(III) Adducts Supported by Derivatives of an Amide-Containing Pentadentate Ligand

Mononuclear MnIII–hydroxo and dinuclear (μ-oxo)dimanganese(III,III) complexes were prepared using derivatives of the pentadentate, amide-containing dpaq ligand (dpaq = 2-[bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)]amino-N-quinolin-8-yl-acetamidate). Each of these ligand derivatives (referred to as dpaq5R) contained a substituent R (where R = OMe, Cl, and NO2) at the 5-position of the quinolinyl group. Generation of the MnIII complexes was achieved by either O2 oxidation of MnII precursors (for [MnII(dpaq5OMe)]+ and [MnII(dpaq5Cl)]+ or PhIO oxidation (for [MnII(dpaq5NO2)]+). For each oxidized complex, 1H NMR experiments provided evidence of a water-dependent equilibrium between paramagnetic [MnIII(OH)(dpaq5R)]+ and an antiferromagnetically coupled [MnIIIMnIII(μ-O)(dpaq5R)2]2+ species in acetonitrile, with the addition of water favoring the MnIII–hydroxo species. This conversion could also be monitored by electronic absorption spectroscopy. Solid-state X-ray crystal structures for each [MnIIIMnIII(μ-O)(dpaq5R)2](OTf)2 complex...
Elderly Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage Have Worse Outcomes Compared with Younger Patients Despite Similar Severity and Complication Rates (P05.243)

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the impact of age on hospital complications, mortality, and functional outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We hypothesized that elderly patients have more complications and worse functional outcomes. BACKGROUND: In the US, the number of patients over the age of 80 years old is rising. DESIGN/METHODS: From our prospectively-collected registry, we reviewed patients ≥18 years old with primary spontaneous ICH from 1/2010-3/2012. RESULTS: We identified 777 patients, of which 115 (15%) were ≥80 years of age. Patients ≥80 were more likely to be men (p CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to our expectation, elderly patients with ICH did not have more complications than younger patients. Initial severity as measured by NIHSS and GCS and lesion location were similar in both groups. Although they had less favorable outcomes, they also were less likely to undergo surgical intervention and more likely to be transferred to hospice care. Our results raise the question whether older patients have worse outcomes because of less aggressive intervention and treatment. Disclosure: Dr. Guerrero has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nguyen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mir has nothing to disclose. Dr. Savitz has received personal compensation for activities with Celgene, Aldagen, KM Pharmaceutical, GSK 2 as a consultant. Dr. Savitz has received research support from J&J, Athersys, Celgene, Genentech (Wake up stroke study), and Aldagen.
Sex Discrimination in Teachers' Salary

This study investigates the possibility of differences in the salaries of male and female teachers in America's secondary schools, once differences in their qualifications are taken into account. The random sample of 7,467 teachers in 309 public high schools is from the Administrator and Teacher Survey, which collected data in 1983-84 from a random subset of the schools originally sampled in the High School and Beyond study. Examining salary differences in public schools, the study compares two techniques: OLS regression and hierarchical linear modeling (HLM). HLM allows for adjustment of differing labor market conditions between schools and districts, a factor identified in the literature as important but not systematically controlled heretofore. Qualification differences considered include training (education and courses taken in major teaching area), type of teaching (mathematics, science, coaching), and experience (years of experience and new teacher status). School and district factors which might justifiably affect salary levels are considered, including market conditions, the proportion of the faculty which is female, whether the school offers extra pay for extra responsibilities, and whether the school participates in a merit pay program. Unadjusted salary differences of $2,628 favoring males are reduced to $1,180 by statistical adjustment for male-female differences in qualifications, market, and responsibility. The residual deficit is over 5 percent. We conclude that there is a significant salary discrimination against female teachers in American high schools.
Femtosecond Laser decapsulation of micro-electronics Including parameter study and redeposition control

A recipe was constructed resulting in full laser decapsulation of a packaged microelectronic device. A parametric study on a sub-130 fs laser scanning system considering redeposition control was carried out and quantified with light-confocal microscopy. Comments and questions should be directed to OSA Conference Papers staff (tel: +1 202.416.6191, e-mail: cstech@osa.org). © 2019 The Author(s)