cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU‐C‐213CD‐04: Evaluation of IsoCal Imaging Isocenter Calibration System for Varian OBI Machines

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of the IsoCal geometric calibration system for Varian OBI kV and EPIDimaging systems. Methods: IsoCal consists of hardware (IsoCal phantom, collimator plate) and software. IsoCal calibration starts by imaging the phantom and collimator plate using MV images with different collimator angles as well as MV and kV images at different gantry angles. The software then identifies objects on collimator plate and in the phantom to determine the location of the treatment isocenter and its relation to MV/kV imaging centers. It calculates offsets of the position of the imaging panels versus the treatment isocenter as function of gantry angle and writes a correction file that can be applied to MV/kV system to correct for offsets in the position of the panels. We performed IsoCal calibration three times in a row on 5 different linacs, each time with an independent setup. We also compared the IsoCal calibrations with an in‐house Winston‐Lutz‐based (WL) system as well as a Varian cube‐based (VC) system. Results: The IsoCal corrections ranged from 1.1 to 2.3 mm for MV and 1.1 to 1.8 mm for kV imagers across the 5 linacs. The variations in the three calibrations for each linac were within ±0.2 mm. The differences between IsoCal and the WL and VC systems were within 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm respectively. Without IsoCal the WL results showed discrepancies between the treatment isocenter and MV/kV imaging center ranging from 0.9 to 1.6 mm (MV) and 0.5 to 1.1 mm (kV), with IsoCal applied they were reduced to 0.2 to 0.4 mm (MV) and 0.3 to 0.4 mm (kV) across the 5 linacs.Conclusions: This study demonstrates that IsoCal is an accurate and consistent method for MV/kV image system calibration and periodic quality assurance.
226Ra,210Pb and210Po in the Red Sea

Abstract Profiles of 226 Ra and dissolved 210 Pb have been measured at several stations in the Red Sea. At one station in the central Red Sea an expanded profile was measured including 226 Ra and dissolved and particulate 210 Pb and 210 Po. These profiles show several distinct features: (1) 226 Ra displays a mid-depth maximum of about 13 dpm/100 kg at about 500 m; (2) dissolved 210 Pb concentrations are uniformly low at about 2 dpm/100 kg with little lateral or vertical variation; (3) the surface-water 210 Pb excess which is commonly observed in low-latitude open ocean regions is entirely lacking; (4) 210 Pb and 210 Po activities are essentially identical to each other in both particulate and dissolved phases although 210 Po activities appear somewhat lower; (5) about 20% of the 210 Pb and 210 Po in the water column residues on particulate matter. Assuming the atmospheric 210 Pb flux to be in the dissolved form and at the lower level of the normal range i.e. 0.5 dpm/cm 2 yr, the residence time of the dissolved Pb is about 1.5 years. However, if the same atmospheric flux is entirely in particulate form, then the residence time of the dissolved Pb is about 5 years. The residence time of Pb in the particulate phase is less than 0.4 years if all the Pb is removed only by sinking particles.
Ruminal and blood responses to propylene glycol during frequent feeding

The objective of the current experiment was to study the responses of ruminal and blood metabolites of Holstein dairy cows to propylene glycol (PG) under different methods of delivery during frequent feeding. By providing the same amount (200 mL or 200 g) of PG, delivery methods for PG were assessed: 1) control treatment: no PG; 2) dietary treatment: 200 g of PG as a dry product (65% purity; corresponded to 308 g of the dry product) mixed into the TMR; 3) oral-drench treatment: 200 mL of liquid PG (100% purity) orally drenched; and 4) rumen-drench treatment: 200 g of PG as a dry product drenched via the rumen cannula to mimic top dressing. Eight multiparous (lactation = 3 +/- 1.1 SD) ruminally cannulated Holstein dairy cows (DIM = 204 +/- 104.5 SD) were fed PG for 4 d (d 11 to 14) in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with an experimental length of 14 d for each period. On the last day of each period, serial blood samples were removed from an indwelling catheter placed in the right jugular vein immediately before and for 4 h after PG administration. Cows were fed at 12x feeding/d for 2 d before entering the serial sampling period to minimize postprandial influences on blood metabolites. Ruminal content was also sampled hourly for 4 h on d 14. Milk was sampled from 2 consecutive milkings on d 13 during each period. Dry matter intake and milk yield were not affected by PG. Percentages of milk lactose were increased by PG delivered by all methods tested in the current experiment. Ruminal concentrations (as percentages of total volatile fatty acids) of acetate were decreased and concentrations of propionate and isovalerate were increased by PG, regardless of the delivery method; however, total volatile fatty acid concentration was not affected by PG. Ruminal concentrations of butyrate were decreased and concentrations of valerate were increased by PG drench, via either an oral or ruminal drench. The degree of reduction in butyrate concentration or increase in valerate concentration was affected by PG dose. Serum insulin peaked more rapidly and at a greater concentration for cows receiving PG via drenching, but not when PG was provided as a part of the TMR. Plasma glucose, however, tended to peak more rapidly at a greater concentration for cows receiving PG, regardless of the delivery method. Propylene glycol for the amount drenched (orally or ruminally) or fed (incorporated into the ration) shifted ruminal fermentation toward a more glucogenic environment. Drenching demonstrated a better efficacy than feeding PG because of the amount of PG that was available to the animal at the time of sampling. Effects of drenching dry PG into the rumen were comparable with orally drenching liquid PG.
Bacterial evolution: rewiring modules to get in shape

Bacterial species take on a wide variety of shapes, but the mechanisms by which specific shapes evolve have remained poorly understood. A recent study demonstrates that two Asticcacaulis species repurposed an ancestral regulatory protein to rewire the modules of stalk regulation, localization, and synthesis, thereby generating new shapes.
Variable Results of Sodium Deoxycholate Tests of Nodamura Virus, an Ether and Chloroform Resistant Arbovirus∗

SummaryNodamura virus, an ether and chloroform resistant arbovirus, was likewise resistant to sodium deoxycholate by either of two SDC test methods when virus was tested in suspensions of infected suckling mouse brain, but by only one of two methods when tested in suspensions of infected suckling mouse muscle. By the method in which muscle suspensions of virus were incubated with 0.5% final concentration of SDC at 37° for 1 hr, and then diluted and tested in mice, inactivation occurred irregularly and unpredictably. These variable results were unexplained, but were not due to brand of SDC, duration of incubation, individual muscle suspensions, concentration of muscle tissue in virus-SDC mixtures, passage history of virus in mice or arthropods, dates of experiments or methods of sterilizing SDC. However, the results indicated that tissue source of virus and method of performing SDC tests can influence results.
The venous stasis syndrome after deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism: a population-based study.

Objectives To estimate the incidence and determine predictors of venous stasis syndrome and venous ulcers after deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Patients and Methods This population-based retrospective cohort study reviewed medical records of 1527 patients with incident deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism between 1966 and 1990. We recorded baseline characteristics, event type (deep venous thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism or pulmonary embolism alone), leg side and site of deep venous thrombosis (proximal with or without distal deep venous thrombosis vs distal deep venous thrombosis alone), and venous stasis syndrome and venous ulcer. Results Two hundred forty-five patients developed venous stasis syndrome. One-year, 5-year, 10-year, and 20-year cumulative incidence rates were 7.3%, 14.3%, 19.7%, and 26.8%, respectively. By 20 years the cumulative incidence of venous ulcers was 3.7%. Patients with deep venous thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism were 2.4-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.7-fold-3.2-fold) more likely to develop venous stasis syndrome than patients with pulmonary embolism and no diagnosed deep venous thrombosis. In patients aged 40 years or younger with proximal compared with distal-only deep venous thrombosis, venous stasis syndrome was 3.0-fold more likely (95% confidence interval, 1.6-fold-4.7-fold). In patients with unilateral leg deep venous thrombosis, venous stasis syndrome usually developed in the concordant leg ( P Conclusions The cumulative incidence of venous stasis syndrome continues to increase for 20 years after venous thromboembolism. Pulmonary embolism alone is less likely to cause venous stasis syndrome.
The inverted repeat regions of the simian varicella virus and varicella-zoster virus genomes have a similar genetic organization

Simian varicella virus (SVV) causes a varicella-like disease in nonhuman primates. The DNA sequence and genetic organization of the inverted repeat region (RS) of the SVV genome was determined. The SVV RS is 7559 bp in size with 56% guanine+cytosine (G+C) content and includes 3 open reading frames (ORFs). The SVV RS1 ORF encodes a 1279 amino acid (aa) protein with 58 and 39% identity to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) gene 62 and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) ICP4 homologs, respectively. The predicted 261 aa SVV RS2 polypeptide possesses 52% identity with the VZV gene 63 homolog and 23% identity with the HSV-1 ICP22. The SVV RS3 encodes a 187 aa polypeptide with 56% and 28% identity to the VZV gene 64 and the HSV-1 US10 homologs, respectively, and includes an atypical zinc finger motif. A G+C-rich 16 base-pair (bp) sequence which is repeated 7 times and a putative SVV origin of replication were identified between the RS1 and RS2 ORFs. Comparison with the VZV RS indicates the SVV and VZV RS regions are similar in size and genetic organization.
Selective growth of CdTe on Si and GaAs substrates using metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy

Epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) is a new technique to grow low-defect-density thin films on lattice-mismatched substrates. For the ELO growth of CdTe and HgCdTe on Si substrate to be successful, the first requirement is that the growth should be selective. To that end, we have used several mask materials, and several growth conditions in order to obtain selective growth. A number of growth-experiments have been carried out, with temperatures in the range from 380°C to 550°C, and pressures in the range from 380 torr to less than 20 torr. Perfectly selective growth of CdTe has been achieved on Si and GaAs substrates using Si3N4 as the mask layer. Successful lateral epitaxial growth of CdTe was also achieved.
Analysis of microstructural relaxation phenomena in laser-modified fused silica using confocal Raman microscopy

Fused-silica microstructural changes associated with localized 10.6 μmCO2 laser heating are reported. Spatially resolved shifts in the high-frequency asymmetric stretch transverse-optic phonon mode of SiO2 were measured using confocal Raman microscopy, allowing construction of axial fictive temperature (Tf) maps for various laser-heating conditions. A Fourier conduction-based finite-element model was employed to compute on-axis temperature–time histories, and, in conjunction with a Tool–Narayanaswamy form for structural relaxation, used to fit Tf(z) profiles to extract relaxation parameters. Good agreement between the calculated and measured Tf was found, yielding reasonable values for relaxation time and activation enthalpy in the laser-modified silica.
Advanced strain engineering for state-of-the-art nanoscale CMOS technology

The introduction and advancement of strain engineering has been one of the most critical features for the state-of-the-art nanoscale CMOS transistors. This paper provides an overview of the major strain engineering techniques that have remarkably re-shaped the advanced CMOS transistor architecture, including embedded SiGe (eSiGe), embedded Si:C (eSi:C), stress memorization technique (SMT), dual stress liners (DSL), and stress proximity technique (SPT). The advent of high-K/metal-gate (HKMG) also brings in additional strain benefit with its metal gate stressor (MGS) and replacement gate (RMG) process. Strain engineering continues to evolve and will remain to be one of the key performance enablers for the future generation of CMOS technologies.
Utility of Surface Reaction Entropies for Examining Reactant‐Solvent Interactions at Electrochemical Interfaces. Ferricinium‐Ferrocene Attached to Platinum Electrodes

Abstract : Reactant-solvent interactions are of prime importance to both the kinetics and thermodynamics of electrode processes. Since electrochemical reactions inevitably occur within the interfacial region, it is desirable to gain information on the nature of reactant solvation at the electrode surface as well as in bulk solution. We have demonstrated that useful information on the latter for simple redox couples can be obtained from the so-called reaction entropy, determined from the temperature dependence of the formal potential, using a nonisothermal cell arrangement.
Demand for telecommunications services in the home

The author examines the question of demand for telecommunications services in the home by summarizing findings from research carried out at the University of Southern California. He also discusses trends that are becoming apparent with the use of currently available services. He concludes that, while there is a home market to be tapped, it needs to be nurtured before any real penetration can take place.
Mechanisms of transmembrane calcium movement in cultured chick embryo ventricular cells

1. Uptake of calcium was studied in spontaneously contracting monolayers of cultured chick embryo ventricular cells. Ca exchange could be separated into two components: a rapid phase with a rate constant of 3.91/min, accounting for 1.6 nmol/mg protein; and a slower phase with a rate constant of 0.069/min, accounting for 2.7 nmol/mg protein.2. Negatively inotropic concentrations of the slow Ca channel blocker verapamil inhibited the rapid phase of Ca uptake partially, with a maximum inhibition of 30-40% observed at concentrations of verapamil which completely inhibited contraction.3. The component of Ca uptake not inhibited by verapamil could be stimulated up to 25-fold by elevation of intracellular Na concentration and reduction of extracellular Na concentration, and thus appeared to represent at least in part Ca uptake via Na-Ca exchange.4. Ca uptake by cultured cells could be almost completely inhibited by exposure to LaCl(3), 1 mmol/l, within 5 s. This same concentration of La completely inhibited contraction within 5 s.5. During efflux of (45)Ca from cells, exposure to La (1 mmol/l) slightly inhibited efflux initially with more marked inhibition of Ca influx after 3 min of La exposure. There was no evidence for a component of superficial La-displaceable Ca, and thus the rapid phase of Ca uptake probably is due to an intracellular rapidly exchanging Ca pool. Efflux of Ca from this rapidly exchanging intracellular Ca pool was not significantly altered by exposure to Na-free choline chloride solutions.6. We conclude that rapid Ca uptake in these cultured myocardial cells is due primarily to Ca influx via the slow Ca channel and via Na-Ca exchange. In the presence of physiological [Ca(2+)](i), efflux of Ca from this intracellular Ca pool does not appear to be due to Na-Ca exchange.
Challenges in tracking harmful algal blooms: A synthesis of evidence from Lake Erie

Abstract Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are becoming increasingly common in freshwater ecosystems globally, raising complex questions about the factors that influence their initiation and growth. These questions have increasingly been answered through mechanistic and stochastic modeling efforts that rely on historical information about HABs in a given system for development, validation, and calibration. Therefore, understanding processes that control HABs is predicated on the ability to answer much more basic questions about what has actually occurred in a given system, namely questions of HAB occurrence, extent, intensity, and timing. Here we explore the state of the science in answering these basic questions; we use Lake Erie as a case study, where nearly two decades after the resurgence of HABs, a summer 2014 event caused a mandatory three day tap water ban for Toledo, Ohio. We find that, even for well-studied systems, unambiguous answers to basic questions about HAB occurrence are lacking, raising concerns about their use as a basis for addressing mechanistic questions about controlling factors. This ambiguity is found to be caused by differences in the methods used to track HABs, the specific harm being considered, the linkage to that harm (direct or indirect), the threshold defining harm, and spatiotemporal variability in sampling. Further work is therefore needed to integrate heterogeneous types of observations in order to better leverage existing and future monitoring programs, and to guide modeling efforts toward deeper understanding of HAB causes and consequences.
Genetic aspects of communication during male-male competition in the Madagascar hissing cockroach: honest signalling of size

Male Madagascar hissing cockroaches, Gromphadorhina portentosa, engage in agonistic contests with other males and produce audible sounds or 'hisses' during these interactions. Hisses are used to maintain, rather than to establish, social relationships among males. The agonistic hisses of males are variable and could be used as signals to communicate size or competitive ability of an individual. In this study we examined how size influences male-male competition, as well as the genetic variation and covariation of male body size and components of the agonistic hiss. We found that male size affected the outcome of agonistic interactions between pairs of males: a male that dominated in a pair was significantly larger than the male that was subordinate. However, we found no differences in the hisses produced by dominant and subordinate males after controlling for male weight. We estimated heritabilities, evolvability and genetic correlations for male size and characteristics of the hiss from a full-sib analysis of brothers. The patterns of heritabilities and evolvabilities were very similar. The heritabilities of both male weight and duration of the hiss were significantly greater than zero. There was a significant positive genetic correlation between duration of the agonistic hiss and male weight, and a significant negative genetic correlation between hiss duration and the beginning dominant frequency. There was also a positive phenotypic correlation and a negative environmental correlation between male weight and hiss duration. Thus, hiss duration can signal the present influence of the environment on male size, whereas information from hiss duration and beginning dominant frequency can signal the male's ability to transmit genetic influence for size.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Business-oriented software process improvement based on CMMI using QFD

Software Process Improvement (SPI) has become the key to the survival of many software development organizations. As a follow-up of a previous paper on SPI for the CMM using Quality Function Deployment (QFD), a new SPI framework integrating QFD with the CMMI is developed. Similar to the earlier SPI framework for the CMM, the proposed SPI framework based on the CMMI using QFD aims to achieve three objectives: (1) to map process requirements, including business requirements, to the CMMI with the help of QFD; (2) to develop a method based on QFD for the integration and prioritization of requirements from multiple perspectives (groups); and (3) to be able to prioritize software process improvement actions based on process requirements. Process requirements from multiples groups of stakeholders (perspectives), including business goals, are integrated and prioritized. SPI actions are linked to these process requirements using QFD. Thus, the priorities of actions reflect the priorities of process requirements. By executing the actions with the highest priorities, the highest satisfaction level of process requirements can be achieved. One unique feature of the framework for the CMMI Continuous representation is that the priority values of these actions can be compared across PAs, even when the PAs attempt to reach different capability levels.
Laser-velocimeter flow-field measurements of an advanced turboprop

Non-intrusive measurements of velocity about a spinner-propeller-nacelle configuration at a Mach number of 0.8 were performed. A laser velocimeter, specifically developed for these measurements in the NASA Lewis 8-foot by 6-foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel, was used to measure the flow-field of the advanced swept SR-3 turboprop. The laser velocimeter uses an argon ion laser and a 2-color optics system to allow simultaneous measurements of 2-components of velocity. The axisymmetric nature of the propeller-nacelle flow-field permits two separate 2 dimensonal measurements to be combined into 3 dimensional velocity data. Presented are data ahead of and behind the prop blades and also a limited set in between the blades. Aspects of the observed flow-field such as the tip vortex are discussed.
Reverse culture shock in students returning from overseas

Abstract The reentry experiences of 66 overseas-experienced American college students were examined to determine if reverse culture shock influenced self-reported problem severity, willingness to see a counselor, and student support service usage. This survey study revealed significant findings that bear upon student services programming conducted by college student personnel workers. First, returnees experiencing a high level of reverse culture shock were more likely to report more personal adjustment and shyness problems/concerns than were returnees experiencing a low level of reverse culture shock. Second, willingness to see a counselor for personal problems/concerns was not necessarily related to one's level of reverse culture shock. Finally, a negative correlation was observed with regard to reverse culture shock and student support service usage; as reverse culture shock increased, service usage decreased. Programming implications are discussed.
Towards a verification framework for faulty message passing systems in PVS

We present a library of PVS meta-theories that can be used to verify a class of distributed systems in which agent communication is via message-passing. The theoretical work, as outlined in Chandy et al. (Form Aspect Comput 2011, to appear) consists of iterative schemes for solving systems of linear equations, such as message-passing extensions of the Gauss and Gauss-Seidel methods. We briefly review that work and discuss the challenges in formally verifying it.
An expert system for reliability centered maintenance in the chemical industry

Abstract A new framework for the implementation of reliability centered maintenance (RCM) in the initial design phases of industrial chemical processes was developed and implemented. Fuzzy reasoning algorithms were designed to evaluate and assess the likelihood of equipment failure mode precipitation and aggravation. Furthermore, an approximate reasoning scheme which considers local, product, and adjacent machinery effects was constructed to prioritize the equipment failure modes likely to precipitate in the process. The new RCM approach was implemented through an expert system. The computer system reads the process flowsheet generated by ASPEN Plus and, based on relevant machine operating data, it provides the user with the final process RCM availability structure diagram. This availability diagram consists of a listing of all critical machine failure modes likely to precipitate, prioritized according to their overall negative impact on the process, as well as important information on their corresponding local and system effects, and suggested controls for their detection.
Cue redundancy: Some overlooked analytical relationships in MCPL

Abstract Two characteristics of MCPL research efforts relating to the manipulation of cue redundancy are noted. First, the fairly prevalent problem of experimental confounding of cue redundancy with other task parameters, and second, the lack of an analytical development of the mathematical relationships among cue validities, task predictability, and regression weights as cue redundancy is varied systematically. This paper provides such an analysis, and shows that some of the confounding experienced by earlier researchers may be obviated.
A residual bootstrap for regression parameters in proportional hazards models

A resampling plan is introduced for bootstrapping regression parameter estimators for the Cox (1972) proportional hazards regression model when explanatory variables are nonrandom constants fixed by the design of the experiment. The plan is an analog to the residual-resampling method for regression introduced by Efron (1979) and is related to the resampling method proposed by Hjort (1985) for the Coxmodel. The resampled quantities are a form of generalized residuals which have a distribution that is independent of the explanatory variables. Hence, unlike some methods, this approach does not require resampling of explanatory variables, which would be contrary to the assumption that they are nonrandom. An invariance property of the Cox likelihood allows these residuals to be transformed into a convenientscale for generating a likelihood. Also, the method can incorporate many forms of censoring. A simuation study of the proposed procedure shows that it can be used to improve upon the usual estimation procedu...
Assimilation of western thought in the East German academy since 1989

(1994). Assimilation of western thought in the East German academy since 1989. History of European Ideas: Vol. 19, No. 1-3, pp. 341-348.
The stable, center-stable, center, center-unstable, unstable manifolds

Our purpose is to give a proof of the existence and smoothness of the invariant manifolds in the title for a system of ordinary differential equations defined in a neighborhood of a critical point, periodic orbit, or periodic surface.
Structural characterization of archaeal lipid mucosal vaccine adjuvant and delivery (AMVAD) formulations prepared by different protocols and their efficacy upon intranasal immunization of mice.

Intranasal administration of ovalbumin (OVA) formulated in an archaeal lipid mucosal vaccine adjuvant and delivery (AMVAD) system prepared by the addition of CaCl2 to small unilamellar archaeosomes (liposomes made from archaeal polar lipids) containing encapsulated OVA, was recently shown to elicit strong and sustained OVA-specific mucosal and systemic immune responses. In this study, we show that the centrifugation/washing and antigen quantization steps required in the standard protocol for obtaining OVA/AMVAD model vaccine formulations can be eliminated by using simpler protocols such as admixing OVA with preformed empty archaeosomes, or by changing the starting ratio (w/w) of archaeal lipid to antigen at the archaeosome preparation stage, prior to the addition of CaCl2 to convert to the AMVAD structures. Irrespective of the vaccine preparation protocol, the AMVAD particle typically comprised of larger spherical structures that had aggregated like a bunch of grapes, and it contained aqueous compartment(...
Structure and chemical kinetics of flames supported by solid propellant combustion

The structure and chemical kinetics of gaseous flames are important aspects of the combustion of solid propellants. Advanced diagnostics have led to specific knowledge of solid propellant decomposition products, and advanced computer programs have allowed detailed chemical kinetic modeling of these products reacting with each other. There has therefore been considerable effort aimed at measuring and modeling the structure of premixed gas flames of fuels and oxidizers representative of the chemistry occurring in actual solid propellants. Most of the recent modeling work for representative gaseous flames can be traced to a mechanism first developed to model air pollution. Comprehensive mechanisms have also been developed to model the entire gas-phase chemistry process above burning propellant surfaces. These comprehensive mechanisms also are largely traceable to the air pollution modeling mechanism. Russian researchers have also made significant advances in the comprehensive modeling of solid propellant flame structures. Overall, the current state of knowledge of the gas-phase structure of solid propellants is incomplete, but encouraging agreement exists between modeling and experimental data. Recommendations are made for additional flame and reaction studies and for a standard mechanism to use in all gaseous flame modeling.
Alcohol-related social problems among Mexican Americans living in U.S.-Mexico border and non-border areas

Abstract This paper examines alcohol-related social problems among Mexican Americans living along the U.S.–Mexico border and in non-border areas. Interviews were conducted among Mexican Americans in the border regions of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas (N = 1307). Non-border respondents were interviewed primarily in Houston and Los Angeles (N = 1288) as part of the Hispanic Americans Baseline Alcohol Survey (HABLAS). Both the border and HABLAS surveys employed multistage cluster sample designs (response rates were 67% and 76%, respectively). In the bivariate analysis, there were no significant differences between border and non-border areas in the proportion of those with one or more social problem. In non-border areas, the prevalence of alcohol problems did not differ significantly by age. However, along the border the prevalence of alcohol problems was significantly different across age groups, with 18 to 29 year old men and women having the highest prevalence. The final models showed no residence effect on problem likelihood. Drinking was strongly associated with problems. Although young border residents had higher problem prevalence rates than older residents, the logistic regression models showed no effect of border residence on the likelihood of problems, indicating that problems are due to alcohol consumption, not the border environment. The border, however, did appear to influence more drinking among young people. Regardless of residence, alcohol treatment and preventive interventions tailored to Mexican Americans are essential and special attention should be focused on younger individuals near the border.
Observations less than the analytical limit of detection: a new approach

Many times in the field of environmental assessment, data are reported from the analytical laboratory as below the limit of detection (
Justifying strategic alliances and partnering: a prerequisite for virtual enterprising

Abstract The objective of this paper is to help define and introduce the concept of justifying strategic relationships and agreements among enterprises. When enterprises choose major strategic projects they go through a management decision process that includes planning, analysis, evaluation, implementation, and improvement (auditing) of these projects. Analytical and decision tools to aid in strategic decision making are relatively rare, tools to aid in strategic alliance formation, are almost non-existent. This paper presents the argument that strategic alliances and relationships among enterprises can be analyzed using a strategic justification approach which will require that each side of a partnership or alliance make a ‘business case’ that will justify such a relationship. Some of the pertinent managerial and research issues within the area of strategic alliances, along with a discussion on its evolution are presented. A tool that can support the strategic alliance management process is presented. An illustrative example for the tool and its supporting methodology will provide additional insights.
Ultra-Thin Zirconium Silicate Filmsc With Good Physical And Electrical Properties For Gate Dielectric Applications

The need for alternative gate dielectrics to replace conventional SiO2 is increasing to facilitate further CMOS scaling. One of the most promising materials for use as an alternative gate dielectric is Zr silicate due to its thermodynamic stability on Si and its good interface quality with Si. In this study, ultra-thin Zr silicate films (45 – 60 A thick) with different Zr compositions have been deposited on Si using magnetron reactive co-sputtering. The Zr composition was kept below the stoichiometric value of about 16% to prevent precipitation of ZrO2and to have Si rich films for better interface quality. Films were rapid thermal annealed in N2 ambient up to 9000C and Pt was used as the gate electrode. Electrical characterization of these films was done using HP 4156 and HP 4194 parameter analyzers. Based on these studies, we demonstrate Zr silicate films with equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) of less than 14 A with gate leakage significantly lower thanSiO2 of similar thickness and hysteresis of < 20mV ( in a sweep from –3 to 3 V). The films exhibit good thermal stability on Si even after 900 0C annealing as shown by a minimal increase in EOT with annealing. TEM and XPS analyses show high quality Zr silicate films that remain stable and amorphous even at 900 0C.
(284) Effect of pregabalin on dynamic allodynia in patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN): Results from a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial (RCT)

Although common in patients with PHN ( 50%), dynamic allodynia has not been routinely evaluated in large RCTs. We evaluated the effect of pregabalin, an alpha-2-delta ligand, on Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ratings of dynamic (brush-evoked) allodynia in PHN in this placebo-controlled RCT. The study consisted of a 7-day screening period, 28-day treatment phase, and 1-week taper. Patients ( 18y) with PHN for 3 months, pain VAS score of 40mm (100-mm scale), who completed the daily pain NRS 4 times (average daily score 4; 0-10 scale) during 7-day screening. Time-to-onset of clinically meaningful pain relief (1-point improvement in daily pain score in patients achieving 30% decrease in weekly pain score at endpoint) was the primary efficacy measure, with VAS allodynia being a secondary measure and the focus of this analysis. A total of 91 patients were randomized to flexible-dosage pregabalin (optimized dose 150-600mg/d BID); 88 to fixed-dosage 300mg/d; and 90 to placebo for 4 weeks. Median time-to-onset of pain relief was 3.5d, 1.5d, and 4wks for flexible, fixed, and placebo, respectively and corresponded to meaningful pain relief achieved in 69.2%, 58.0%, and 30% of treatment groups, respectively. Fixedand flexible-dosage pregabalin appeared superior to placebo as early as Days 1 and 2, respectively. Most patients (approx. 66%) had moderate-to-severe allodynia at baseline. Baseline-to-endpoint LS-mean changes in brush-evoked allodynia in PHN-affected areas for flexible-, fixed-dosage, and placebo groups were: 26.23 (P 0.0001) 20.81 (P 0.0075), and 11.83. Significant improvement of pregabalin over placebo was seen at Week 1. Endpoint improvement in allodynia correlated with improvement in pain for all groups. Improvements in mean weekly pain score and brush-evoked allodynia rating significantly correlated with improvement on PGIC. Both pregabalin regimens were well-tolerated. Both pregabalin regimens were associated with early-onset clinically meaningful, sustained pain relief and corresponding improvements in dynamic allodynia and PGIC scores in PHN patients.
On the toughness index of planar graphs

The toughness indexτ(G) of a graph G is defined to be the largest integer t such that for any S ⊆ V(G) with |S| > t, c(G - S) < |S| - t, where c(G - S) denotes the number of components of G - S. In particular, 1-tough graphs are exactly those graphs for which τ(G) ≥ 0. In this paper, it is shown that if G is a planar graph, then τ(G) ≥ 2 if and only if G is 4-connected. This result suggests that there may be a polynomial-time algorithm for determining whether a planar graph is 1-tough, even though the problem for general graphs is NP-hard. The result can be restated as follows: a planar graph is 4-connected if and only if it remains 1-tough whenever two vertices are removed. Hence it establishes a weakened version of a conjecture, due to M. D. Plummer, that removing 2 vertices from a 4-connected planar graph yields a Hamiltonian graph.
Genome sequences of Agropyron mosaic virus and Hordeum mosaic virus support reciprocal monophyly of the genera Potyvirus and Rymovirus in the family Potyviridae

Assignment of mite-transmitted species to the genus Rymovirus (family Potyviridae) has changed several times, and the status of the genus has been questioned. To address this issue, complete genome sequences of the rymoviruses Agropyron mosaic virus (AgMV) and Hordeum mosaic virus (HoMV) were determined. AgMV (9540 nucleotides) and HoMV (9463 nucleotides) each encode a single polyprotein with proteinase cleavage sites demarcating protein products characteristic of monopartite species of the family Potyviridae. Of the described species of Potyviridae, AgMV and HoMV are most closely related to each other (68.5% nucleotide and 71.6% amino acid sequence identity) and equidistant (about 53% nucleotide and about 49% amino acid sequence identity) from a third rymovirus, Ryegrass mosaic virus (RGMV). Phylogenetic analyses by neighbor joining, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference each grouped the three Rymovirus species in an exclusive clade distinct from a clade containing 34 species of the genus Potyvirus. Because AgMV, HoMV, and RGMV share a reciprocal monophyletic relationship with species of the genus Potyvirus and are divergent in sequence and type of vector, the genus Rymovirus should be retained as a taxonomic unit within the family Potyviridae.
Heated humidified air for hypothermic resuscitation

In a battlefield setting, current re-warming techniques for treating patients suffering from hypothermia are inadequate, resulting in unnecessary morbidity and mortality. The authors propose the application of heated, humidified air to a patient's airway as a complement to pre-existing hypothermia treatment techniques in order to improve this deficiency.
Baggage Claim Area Congestion at Airports: An Empirical Model of Mechanized Claim Device Performance

Although baggage handling is a major airport expense and congestion of luggage claim areas is quite common, knowledge of how baggage claim devices perform their task under congested conditions is virtually nonexistent. In order to bridge this gap this paper describes a model that, for different demand conditions, can predict the performance of a claim device depending on its characteristics. The demand conditions considered include aircraft size, lag between arrival of passengers and bags, and the fraction of passengers that transfer. The characteristics of the claim device that affect performance are frontage length, cycle time, and maximum throughput. The proposed model can predict the accumulation of passengers around the claim device, the time it takes to handle a planeload, and the average passenger service time as the demand conditions and claim device characteristics change. Although the model is deterministic and makes a number of simplifying assumptions, it is also easy to apply if the arrival pattern of bags and people to the claim area is known. Thus, if predictive and/or normative models for these arrivals become available, fairly simple and realistic procedures to study a number of baggage claim area design and operation issues could be developed around the model. The model, which is based on data gathered at the American Airline, National Airline, and Western Airline terminals at San Francisco International Airport, was able to reproduce the observed light congestion phenomena quite well; especially in the case that consisted of a rather large planeload. Unfortunately, lack of resources prevented us to observe a variety of terminals, including situations with much congestion and many bags per passenger. Because of this, further refinements and/or fine tuning of the formulas is definitely recommended.
A new approach to energy efficient classification with multiple sensors based on ordered transmissions

Classification employing sensors connected by wireless networks is of great interest. As the sensor nodes are usually powered by batteries, saving transmissions is important. We demonstrate transmissions can be saved, without degradation in error probability, using an ordering approach. The average number of transmissions saved (ANTS) is lower bounded by a quantity proportional to the number of sensors employed provided a well-behaved distance measure between the sensor distributions is sufficiently large. For such cases, the ANTS over the optimum unconstrained energy approach is shown to be larger than half the number of sensors employed.
Phosphorylation-Dependent Kinase–Substrate Cross-Linking

Kinases catalyze protein phosphorylation to regulate signal transduction in a cell. Thus, the identification of substrates of a particular kinase is a fundamental step toward understanding the signaling cascades in normal and disease states. With over 500 known kinases and a paucity of tools available, the identification of genuine kinase substrates has been difficult.[1–7] New approaches to detect substrates are needed to fully characterize cell-signaling networks.
The Escalating Cost of College

Controlling skyrocketing college tuition costs will require parents, students, and other stakeholders in higher education to recognize that maintaining academic quality means accepting trade-offs in nonessential aspects of the college experience.
Effects of multiple forms of childhood abuse and adult sexual assault on current eating disorder symptoms

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of recent adult sexual assault on current eating disorder symptoms when controlling for the effects of multiple forms of childhood abuse. A total of 489 undergraduate women completed the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire, and surveys regarding childhood abuse and sexual assault that had occurred in the previous three months. Approximately 30% of the sample indicated recent unwanted sexual experiences. Childhood emotional abuse contributed unique variance to the prediction of current ED symptoms, but sexual and physical abuse did not. Recent sexual assault contributed additional unique variance to current ED symptoms when controlling for childhood abuse, thus both emotional abuse in childhood and sexual assault in adulthood contributed unique variance to ED symptoms.
ACCUMULATION OF INORGANIC POLYPHOSPHATE IN AEROBACTER AEROGENES II. Environmental Control and the Role of Sulfur Compounds

Harold, F. M. (National Jewish Hospital, Denver, Colo.) and Susan Sylvan. Accumulation of inorganic polyphosphate in Aerobacter aerogenes. II. Environmental control and the role of sulfur compounds. J. Bacteriol. 86:222–231. 1963.—The accumulation of inorganic polyphosphate in Aerobacter aerogenes was shown to be a function of the growth medium. In low-phosphate medium, polyphosphate accumulated whenever nucleic acid synthesis ceased due to a nutritional deficiency, regardless of its nature. In high-phosphate medium polyphosphate accumulation was induced only by sulfur starvation. Polyphosphate accumulation could thus be induced or suppressed at will by manipulation of the sulfur and phosphorus content of the medium. The specific requirement for sulfur starvation was traced to the presence of an intracellular inhibitor of polyphosphate accumulation. This was depleted during sulfur starvation and replenished when sulfate was restored. The inhibitor was identified as oxidized glutathione or a closely related compound. Suppression of polyphosphate accumulation required the simultaneous presence of a high exogenous phosphate concentration and a high intracellular glutathione level. Suppression of polyphosphate accumulation resulted in a constant polyphosphate level, due to a steady state of polyphosphate synthesis and degradation. The former continued at half the original rate while the latter was sharply accelerated. The synthetic and degradative phases of polyphosphate metabolism could be completely dissociated by inhibitors of energy generation. It is proposed that the primary effect of glutathione plus phosphate is the stimulation of polyphosphate degradation. Polyphosphate synthesis appears to be a general consequence of the inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis, but net accumulation may be obscured by concurrent degradation.
Treatment of hypertrophic and resistant port wine stains with a 755 nm laser: A case series of 20 patients

Background and Objective: Port wine stains (PWS) are heterogeneous vascular malformations that can be treated with vascular-selective pulsed dye lasers (PDL). Hypertrophic PWS, especially in adults, are consistently less responsive to PDL. Furthermore, many PWS that respond well initially to PDL treatment may reach a response plateau, becoming unresponsive to further PDL treatments, a phenomenon termed ‘‘treatment resistance.’’ Based on the theory of selective photothermolysis, vessels in such lesions may also be specifically targeted with a 755 nm laser that has selectivity for deoxyhemoglobin as well as oxyhemoglobin and increased depth of skin penetration. Study Design/Patients and Methods: Retrospective case review of 20 patients with either hypertrophic or PDLresistant PWS treated with a 755 nm laser alone or in combination with other lasers, including PDL. Results: Hypertrophic PWS showed significant lightening after treatment with a 755 nm laser in combination with PDL. Most PDL-resistant PWS showed moderate improvement after treatment with either a 755 nm laser alone or in combination with another laser, including PDL. Some lesions showed only mild improvement or did not respond. Serious side effects were infrequent. Most commonly encountered complications included pain, edema, bullae, crusting, and rare scarring. Conclusions: Alexandrite 755 nm laser can be useful for the treatment of hypertrophic and treatment-resistant PWS in adult and pediatric patients. Complications are infrequent and predictable. Careful attention to using a fluence at or near the threshold for clinical response with this deeply penetrating laser is essential to prevent serious sequelae. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:427–432, 2009. 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Management of Service Organizations

The article reviews three books on management of service organizations: “Managing in the Service Economy,” by James L. Heskett, “Managing Service Industries: Organizational Practices in a Postindustrial Economy,” by Peter K. Mills, and “Service Management: Strategy and Leadership in Service Businesses,” by Richard Normann.