cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Auditor's Approach to Subsequent Events: Insights from the Academic Literature

SUMMARY: Approximately one-third of the PCAOB's inspection reports and several SEC enforcement releases identify deficiencies in the audit of subsequent events (SEs). Despite these issues, little research has been conducted to understand how and why these deficiencies occur. This paper integrates the psychology and behavioral accounting literatures to develop a model of the factors that influence the effectiveness of SE audit procedures. The model suggests that the effectiveness of these procedures is largely influenced by the auditor's cognitive processing mode, which is initially affected by environmental, individual, and task-specific factors. Our model provides a theoretical basis for future research into the causes of these deficiencies and suggests potential mitigating strategies that auditors can employ to improve the effectiveness of the audit of SEs. We conclude with a discussion of the implications arising from the model for professionals, standard setters, and researchers.
The Relationship of Attitudes, Knowledge, and Social Support to Breast-Feeding

Although more women are initiating breast-feeding, few continue for more than 1–3 months into the postpartum period. The current report studied the relationship of attitudes, social support, experimental and demographic variables, and knowledge to length of breast-feeding. A total of 102 women were included in the study and were followed for 1 year. Perceived attitudes toward breast-feeding, selected demographic variables, and past experiences were related to length of breast-feeding.
The role of adrenal steroids in the negative feedback control of the amphibian adrenal gland.

Abstract Steroid-tipped hypothalamic probes containing either cholesterol, aldosterone, corticosterone, or betamethazone were found to significantly suppress plasma corticosterone levels in adult male Rana pipiens 24–48 hr postimplantation. Stress significantly elevated plasma corticosterone, and the stress response was inhibited by hypothalamic implants of both corticosterone and aldosterone.
Fractured Memories, Mended Lives: The Schooling Experiences of Latinas/os in Rural Areas

This study explored how Mexican immigrant and first-generation Mexican youth resist, conform to, and persist in schooling. Using Latino Critical Race Theory (LatCrit) as a framework, evidence of the “sticky mess” of racial inequalities (Espinoza & Harris, 1997) was shown to impact the lives of all participants. However, the strength of community cultural wealth (Yosso, 2005, 2006) mitigated the youths' negative school experiences. Analysis of the dialogic semistructured focal group interviews that comprise the data set focused on the students' family, life in Mexico, and schooling experiences both in Mexico and the U.S.
The design, computer modeling, solution structure, and biological evaluation of synthetic analogs of bryostatin 1

The bryostatins are a unique family of emerging cancer chemotherapeutic candidates isolated from marine bryozoa. Although the biochemical basis for their therapeutic activity is not known, these macrolactones exhibit high affinities for protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes, compete for the phorbol ester binding site on PKC, and stimulate kinase activity in vitro and in vivo. Unlike the phorbol esters, they are not first-stage tumor promoters. The design, computer modeling, NMR solution structure, PKC binding, and functional assays of a unique class of synthetic bryostatin analogs are described. These analogs (7b, 7c, and 8) retain the putative recognition domain of the bryostatins but are simplified through deletions and modifications in the C4-C14 spacer domain. Computer modeling of an analog prototype (7a) indicates that it exists preferentially in two distinct conformational classes, one in close agreement with the crystal structure of bryostatin 1. The solution structure of synthetic analog 7c was determined by NMR spectroscopy and found to be very similar to the previously reported structures of bryostatins 1 and 10. Analogs 7b, 7c, and 8 bound strongly to PKC isozymes with Ki = 297, 3.4, and 8.3 nM, respectively. Control 7d, like the corresponding bryostatin derivative, exhibited weak PKC affinity, as did the derivative, 9, lacking the spacer domain. Like bryostatin, acetal 7c exhibited significant levels of in vitro growth inhibitory activity (1.8–170 ng/ml) against several human cancer cell lines, providing an important step toward the development of simplified, synthetically accessible analogs of the bryostatins.
Evidence for slow turnover in a fraction of Photosystem II complexes in thylakoid membranes

Abstract We used two different techniques to measure the recovery time of Photosystem II following the transfer of a single electron from P-680 to QA in thylakoid membranes isolated from spinach. Electron transfer in Photosystem II reaction centers was probed first by spectroscopic measurements of the electrochromic shift at 518 nm due to charge separation within the reaction centers. Using two short actinic flashes separated by a variable time interval we determined the time required after the first flash for the electrochromic shift at 518 nm to recover to the full extent on the second flash. In the second technique the redox state of QA at variable times after a saturating flash was monitored by measurement of the fluorescence induction in the absence of an inhibitor and in the presence of ferricyanide. The objective was to determine the time required after the actinic flash for the fluorescence induction to recover to the value observed after a 60 s dark period. Measurements were done under conditions in which (1) the electron donor for Photosystem II was water and the acceptor was the endogenous plastoquinone pool, and (2) Q400, the Fe2+ near QA, remained reduced and therefore was not a participant in the flash-induced electron-transfer reactions. The electrochromic shift at 518 nm and the fluorescence induction revealed a prominent biphasic recovery time for Photosystem II reaction centers. The majority of the Photosystem II reaction centers recovered in less than 50 ms. However, approx. one-third of the Photosystem II reaction centers required a half-time of 2–3 s to recover. Our interpretation of these data is that Photosystem II reaction centers consist of at least two distinct populations. One population, typically 68% of the total amount of Photosystem II as determined by the electrochromic shift, has a steady-state turnover rate for the electron-transfer reaction from water to the plastoquinone pool of approx. 250 e− / s, sufficiently rapid to account for measured rates of steady-state electron transport. The other population, typically 32%, has a turnover rate of approx. 0.2 e− / s. Since this turnover rate is over 1000-times slower than normally active Photosystem II complexes, we conclude that the slowly turning over Photosystem II complexes are inconsequential in contributing to energy transduction. The slowly turning over Photosystem II complexes are able to transfer an electron from P-680 to QA rapidly, but the reoxidation of Q−A is slow ( t 1 2 = 2 s ). The fluorescence induction measurements lead us to conclude that there is significant overlap between the slowly turning over fraction of Photosystem II complexes and PS IIβ reaction centers. One corollary of this conclusion is that electron transfer from P-680 to QA in PS IIβ reaction centers results in charge separation across the membrane and gives rise to an electrochromic shift.
On the physics and modeling of small semiconductor devices—I

Abstract Current LSI technology has progressed rapidly and is pushing toward fabrication of sub-micron dimensioned devices. Several authors have previously used static characteristics, power dissipation, noise, and packing density to look at limiting properties of small devices, although the actual device physics was not considered in detail. As devices become smaller, we expect that the temporal and spatial scales in these devices become sufficiently small that the semi-classical approach to transport theory, as expressed by the Boltzmann transport equation, becomes of questionable validity. In this paper, we address the question of whether our physical understanding of devices and their operation can be extrapolated to small space and time scales, and to what extent the essential quantum electronics prevents a down-scaling. We attempt to lay here a conceptual framework for an ultimate physics of small devices and the modeling necessary to characterize these devices. In this first paper, we work with a dimensional scale of l ∼ 2500 A , the medium small device, leaving a smaller scale to a subsequent work. Although this scale is marginally in a region where the semi-classical approach is valid, extensive modifications must be made to incorporate several new physical effects, including: intra-collision field effect, retarded spatial and temporal non-local effects, two-dimensional quantization, memory effects in the transport parameters, nonlinear screening/descreening, and multiple scattering effects.
Modification of the dusty-gas equation to predict mass transfer in general poruos media

Abstract Volume-mean correction factors are used in the dusty-gas equation to account for heteroporosity effects on isobaric and nonisobaric mass transfer in general porous media. Using conventional information on pore-size distribution, the modified equation maintains reliance on the original dusty-gas constants for characterizing the porous structure. The modified equation was tested with experimental data for a binary helium-nitrogen system in macroporous α-alumina and microporous γ-alumina.
GEOMETRY OF SOME REFRACTORY METAL DIOXIDES.

The deflection by an electrostatic quadrupole of molecular beams of SiO2, TiO2, ZrO2, CeO2, ThO2, TaO2, and UO2 has been measured. Of the above species only SiO2 was found to be nonpolar while the remaining species were found polar. This sequence (with the exception of TaO2 and UO2) together with CO2 forms an isoelectronic sequence with previously investigated alkaline‐earth difluorides. In each instance the geometry of isoelectronic partners is similar.
The extent and mechanism of the loss of function caused by strongly hypotonic solutions in rat hippocampal slices.

Abstract To investigate whether prolonged severe swelling would cause irreversible injury to neurons, we exposed hippocampal tissue slices to hypotonic solutions (142 mosmol/kg) and followed the recovery of evoked responses for 5 h. Orthodromically evoked responses increased during hypotonia, except during recurrent waves of spreading depression (SD). After restoring normal osmotic pressure (πo), evoked potentials became profoundly depressed. Following 30 min exposure, nearly maximal orthodromic responses recovered completely but responses to submaximal stimuli remained depressed, indicating elevated threshold. Following 60 min exposure, orthodromic transmission remained depressed. In slices from young animals, antidromic population spikes recovered completely, but in slices from older rats they remained partly depressed. Withdrawing calcium and raising magnesium concentration before and during hypotonic exposure resulted in modest but significant improvement of the recovery of synaptically transmitted responses, but made no difference for antidromic responses. With [Ca2+]o reduced and [Mg2+]o elevated, electrographic seizures replaced the episodes of SD during low πo treatment. We conclude that even 60 min of severe hypotonic swelling did not kill CA1 pyramidal cells in tissue from young rats, but in its aftermath synaptic transmission was disrupted. Uptake of calcium may have played a minor role in the impairment of synaptic transmission. We propose hypothetically that post-hypotonic shrinkage of dendrites disrupted the integrity of excitatory synapses.
Application of a new automatic lattice orientation measurement technique to polycrystalline aluminum

Abstract The power of a fully automatic system for measuring lattice orientation in the scanning electron microscope is demonstrated. The system couples automatic analysis of electron backscattering diffraction patterns with precise movement of a computer-controlled stage. Over 100 000 lattice orientations were measured on 40% channel-die compressed aluminum. The texture calculated from these measurements closely matched the expected rolling texture. The value of this technique for exploring the relationships between lattice orientation and morphology in polycrystalline microstructures is demonstrated by reconstructing grain boundary maps from the measurements and using color to visualize particular orientations. It is also shown that the average grain shape for a particular orientation can be recovered from the measurements using statistical measures of spatial orientation correlation.
The Vanderbilt Expertise Test reveals domain-general and domain-specific sex effects in object recognition

Individual differences in face recognition are often contrasted with differences in object recognition using a single object category. Likewise, individual differences in perceptual expertise for a given object domain have typically been measured relative to only a single category baseline. In Experiment 1, we present a new test of object recognition, the Vanderbilt Expertise Test (VET), which is comparable in methods to the Cambridge Face Memory Task (CFMT) but uses eight different object categories. Principal component analysis reveals that the underlying structure of the VET can be largely explained by two independent factors, which demonstrate good reliability and capture interesting sex differences inherent in the VET structure. In Experiment 2, we show how the VET can be used to separate domain-specific from domain-general contributions to a standard measure of perceptual expertise. While domain-specific contributions are found for car matching for both men and women and for plane matching in men, women in this sample appear to use more domain-general strategies to match planes. In Experiment 3, we use the VET to demonstrate that holistic processing of faces predicts face recognition independently of general object recognition ability, which has a sex-specific contribution to face recognition. Overall, the results suggest that the VET is a reliable and valid measure of object recognition abilities and can measure both domain-general skills and domain-specific expertise, which were both found to depend on the sex of observers.
Two port calibration insensitive to flange misalignment

As waveguide measurements continue to push upwards in frequency, waveguide misalignment becomes a severe problem. In this paper we combine two known calibration algorithms; the SDDL and Usuggest that inaccuracies in the predicted response of the radiating open limits the perfornknown Thru, to create a two-port calibration insensitive to flange misalignment. The resultant algorithm, termed Misalignment Resistant Calibration (MRC), is numerically verified and tested experimentally. While the numerical simulation proves that MRC works as intended, the experimental results suggest that inaccuracies in the predicted response of the radiating open limits the performance of the MRC algorithm in practice.
Dominance, attention, and affiliation in a preschool group: a nine-month longitudinal study

Abstract A short-term longitudinal design was employed to study patterns of social behavior in a preschool group at three levels of analysis—interactions, relationships, and social structure. An observation team sampled 52 hours of free play in a class of 20 four-to-five year olds across the three terms of the school year. Event, scan, and focal individual time sampling techniques were used to record social exchanges, and to identify play groups and the attention structure, respectively. Peer sociometrics of friendships and teacher ratings of friendships and dominance relations were collected each term. Also, a measure of physical attractiveness and clinical Q-sort were obtained for each child. The rate of aggressive interactions in the group declined over time while verbal assertiveness increased; however, considerable stability in the organization of the children's social behavior was found. Temporal stability of individual rates of behavior was moderate and same-sex relationships were found to be highly stable along two dimensions—friendship and dominance. Social structures of dominance, affiliation, and attention were also found to be highly stable. Sociometric status correlated with rank in affiliation and attention structures, but not dominance, although dominance and attention rank were correlated. Physical attractiveness (rated by adults familiar with the children) was related to rank in the attention structure. The Q-sort items provided a rich description of typical high and low ranking children. As a whole, these results support a view of a multidimensional peer group structure that is highly complex and stable over time.
Antitrypanosomal activities and cytotoxicity of some novel imido-substituted 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives.

The antitrypanosomal activities, cytotoxicity, and selectivity indices of eleven imido-substituted 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives and nifurtimox have been studied. Compared to nifurtimox (IC50 = 10.67 μM), all the imido-naphthoquinone analogs (IMDNQ1-IMDNQ11) are more potent on Trypanosoma cruzi with IC50 values ranging from 0.7 μM to 6.1 μM (p < 0.05). Studies of the cytotoxic activities of these compounds on a Balb/C 3T3 mouse fibroblast cell line revealed that four of these compounds, IMDNQ1, IMDNQ2, IMDNQ3, and IMDNQ10 displayed selectivity indices of 60.25, 53.97, 31.83, and 275.3, respectively, rendering them significantly (p < 0.05) more selective in inhibiting the parasite growth than nifurtimox (selectivity index = 10.86).
A model for γδ T-cell development: Rearranged γ- and δ-chain genes incorporated into the germline of mice

The focus of this work concerns the mechanisms that operate to maintain self tolerance within the γδ T-cell subset. We have begun to explore the possibility that clonal deletion is operating via the mechanism of programmed cell death
Equilibrium Force Isotherms of a Deformable Bubble/Drop Interacting with a Solid Particle across a Thin Liquid Film

Comparison of experimental force−distance isotherms obtained for a deformable drop/bubble and a solid particle interacting across a thin liquid film with colloidal theories, for example, the DLVO theory, currently relies on two incompatible and nonphysical assumptions. These are approximating the bubble/drop as a purely elastic solid and, contradictorily, as a nondeformable solid. To avoid these aphysical assumptions, we have developed a more rigorous method for interpreting the experimental force−distance isotherms. Equilibrium shapes of the bubbles/drops are calculated from the augmented Young−Laplace equation pertinent to the relevant geometry of the experiments. The overall bubble/drop−solid interaction force is then calculated using a macroscopic force balance. We find that the nondeformable and the elastic-deformation models for the bubble/drop are rather inaccurate. The developed methodology is of particular relevance to interparticle force measurements using an atomic force microscope (AFM). To th...
A Kalman filtering approach to multispectral image classification and detection of changes in signature abundance

Subpixel detection and classification are important in identification and quantification of multicomponent mixtures in remotely sensed data, such as multispectral/hyperspectral images. A recently proposed orthogonal subspace projection (OSP) has shown some success in Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) and Hyperspectral Digital Imagery Collection Experiment (HYDICE) data. However, like most techniques, OSP has its own constraints. One inherent limitation is that the number of signatures to be classified cannot be greater than that of spectral bands. Owing to this limitation, OSP may not perform well for multispectral imagery as it does for hyperspectral imagery. This phenomenon is observed by three-band Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terra (SPOT) data because of an insufficient number of spectral bands compared to the number of materials to be classified. Further, most approaches proposed for multispectral and hyperspectral image analysis, including OSP, operate on a pixel by pixel basis. In this case, a general assumption is made on the fact that the image data are stationary and pixel independent. Unfortunately, this may be true for laboratory data, but not for real data, due to varying atmospheric and scattering effects. In this paper, a Kalman filtering approach is presented that overcomes the aforementioned problems. In addition to the observation process described by a linear mixture model, a Kalman filter utilizes an abundance state equation to model the nonstationary nature in signature abundance. As a result, the signature abundance can be estimated and updated recursively by the Kalman filter and an abrupt change in signature abundance can be detected via the abundance state equation.
On the temporal development of a plasma sheath

This work studies a one-dimensional model for the time-dependent behavior caused by placing an uncharged conducting surface in contact with a uniform equilibrium plasma. Both the probe potential and plasma response are unknown a priori but are specified through a set of self-consistent model equations and boundary conditions. Some numerical and analytical consequences of this model are investigated. In particular, such issues are considered as (1) the formation and expansion of a quasi-neutral region connecting the non-neutral sheath to the distant undisturbed plasma; (2) the validity of assuming the existence of a sheath edge; and (3) the role of both static and dynamic Bohm criteria in the theory of unsteady sheath development.
The influence of an integration strategy on competitive capabilities and business performance: An exploratory study of consumer products manufacturers

Abstract In this paper, we expand upon recent research by Frohlich and Westbrook [J. Operations Manage. 19 (2) (2001) 185] that characterizes the influence of supply chain integration on performance. Introducing supply chain integration intensity as a proxy variable for Frohlich and Westbrook’s [J. Operations Manage. 19 (2) (2001) 185] ‘outward-facing supply chain strategy’, we investigate the ways that manufacturing-based competitive capabilities mediate the relationship between supply chain integration and business performance. While previous research suggests that supply chain integration is directly related to superior business performance, the mediating role of manufacturing capabilities has not been explored. Using hierarchical regression analysis, we develop and test a theory-based model using a sample of consumer products manufacturers. Contrary to Frohlich and Westbrook’s [J. Operations Manage. 19 (2) (2001) 185] assertions regarding the applicability of the ‘outward-facing strategy’ to the consumer goods sector, our results provide empirical evidence that supply chain integration intensity leads directly to improved business performance, thus corroborating the conventional wisdom concerning the increasing importance of supply chain integration in the consumer products sector. In addition, this study uncovers empirical evidence for the mediating role of manufacturing-based competitive capabilities in supply chain management. These results support the growing call for a broader, more generalized view of manufacturing strategy.
Integrin α4β1–VCAM-1–mediated adhesion between endothelial and mural cells is required for blood vessel maturation

Neovascularization depends on vascular cell proliferation and on the stabilization of vessels by association of vascular smooth muscle-like pericytes with ECs. Here we show that integrin alpha4beta1 (VLA-4) and VCAM-1 promote close intercellular adhesion between ECs and pericytes and that this interaction is required for blood vessel formation. Integrin alpha4beta1 is expressed by proliferating but not quiescent ECs, while its ligand VCAM-1 is expressed by proliferating but not quiescent mural cells. Antagonists of this integrin-ligand pair block the adhesion of mural cells to proliferating endothelia in vitro and in vivo, thereby inducing apoptosis of ECs and pericytes and inhibiting neovascularization. These studies indicate that integrin alpha4beta1 and VCAM-1 facilitate a critical cell-cell adhesion event required for survival of endothelial and mural cells during vascularization.
Francis's Algorithm

John Francis's implicitly shifted QR algorithm turned the problem of matrix eigen- value computation from difficult to routine almost overnight about fifty years ago. It was named one of the top ten algorithms of the twentieth century by Dongarra and Sullivan, and it deserves to be more widely known and understood by the general mathematical community. This article provides an efficient introduction to Francis's algorithm that follows a novel path. Efficiency is gained by omitting the traditional but wholly unnecessary detour through the basic QR algorithm. A brief history of the algorithm is also included. It was not a one-man show; some other important names are Rutishauser, Wilkinson, and Kublanovskaya. Francis was never a specialist in matrix computations. He was employed in the early computer indus- try, spent some time on the problem of eigenvalue computation and did amazing work, and then moved on to other things. He never looked back, and he remained unaware of the huge impact of his work until many years later.
Experimentation Standards for Crisis Informatics

Easy access to online media has led to an escalation of researchers and companies developing information analysis systems for use in crisis response. These systems use state of the art text mining algorithms to extract information from online media to support crisis responders and other users. Published research in this area has primarily focused on systems leveraging public social media feeds such as Twitter. These results often are supported by samples of social media manually analyzed using a combination of hired assessors and data mining algorithms. Unfortunately, despite leveraging open data like Twitter, the current experimental environment for crisis informatics does not rely on open test collections or evaluation methodologies. Social media samples are often collected by individual research sites and not shared. Assessment is often conducted by crowd-workers or in-house editors, at times with little attention paid to inter-site consistency or to real use cases. Consequently, crisis informatics results are difficult to compare across research publications and to apply to real situations. This article makes the argument that information access algorithms that support crisis response require standard evaluation metrics and experimental corpora. There are two objectives for such a initiative: (a) encourage open and reproducible experimentation on crisis informatics, and (b) develop standard evaluation metrics for use by decision-makers. Information retrieval researchers are in a unique position to assist in the development of algorithms, methodology, and working systems for use in crisis response.
Localization by postlingually deafened adults fitted with a single cochlear implant.

OBJECTIVE : The main purpose of the study was to assess the ability of adults with unilateral cochlear implants to localize noise and speech signals in the horizontal plane. DESIGN : Six unilaterally implanted adults, all postlingually deafened and all fitted with MED-EL COMBI 40+ devices, were tested with a modified source identification task. Subjects were tested individually in an anechoic chamber, which contained an array of 43 numbered loudspeakers extending from -90 degrees to +90 degrees azimuth. On each trial, a 200 millisecond signal (either a noise burst or a speech sample) was presented from one of nine active loudspeakers, and the subject had to identify which source (from the 43 loudspeakers in the array) produced the signal. RESULTS : The relationship between source azimuth and response azimuth was characterized in terms of the adjusted constant error (C). C for three subjects was near chance (50.5 degrees ), whereas C for the remaining three subjects was significantly better than chance (35 degrees -44 degrees ). By comparison, C for a group of normal-hearing listeners was 5.6 degrees . For two of the three subjects who performed better than chance, monaural cues were determined to be the basis for their localization performance. CONCLUSIONS : Some unilaterally implanted subjects can localize sounds at a better than chance level, apparently because they can learn to make use of subtle monaural cues based on frequency-dependent head-shadow effects. However, their performance is significantly poorer than that reported in previous studies of bilaterally implanted subjects, who are able to take advantage of binaural cues.
Regulation of the Migration and Survival of Monocyte Subsets by Chemokine Receptors and Its Relevance to Atherosclerosis

Monocytes are central mediators in the advance of atherosclerotic plaque, making them a natural therapeutic target for reducing disease burden. Here, we highlight recent advances in our current understanding of monocyte heterogeneity and its relevance to regulation of monocyte accumulation and function within atherosclerotic plaques. Differences that distinguish monocyte subsets include differential expression of chemokine receptors, especially CCR2 and CX3CR1. Ablation of expression of these 2 receptors (or their ligands) in mice has an additive inhibition on monocyte recruitment to atherosclerotic plaques. Moreover, simultaneously interfering with 3 key pathways--CCR2, CX3CR1, and CCR5--essentially abolishes atherosclerosis in mice. Here, we discuss how these chemokine receptors act at multiple points on at least 1 monocyte subset, regulating their mobilization from bone marrow, survival, or recruitment to plaques. Finally, we discuss how this knowledge may be useful clinically, emphasizing that CX3CR1 may in particular be a viable target for therapeutic manipulation of monocyte-derived cell fate in cardiovascular disease.
Internal and external standards for medical morality.

What grounds and justifies conclusions in medical ethics? Is the source external or internal to medicine? Thee influential types of answer have appeared in recent literature: an internal account, an external account, and a mixed internal / external account. The first defends an ethic derived from either the ends of medicine or professional practice standards. The second maintains that precepts in medical ethics rely upon and require justification by external standards such as those of public opinion, law, religious ethics, or philosophical ethics. The third claims that distinct medical ethics have emerged from distinct cultural frameworks, each with norms that govern physicians. There is merit in each perspective, but each overreaches its supporting arguments and fails to appreciate what is legitimate in the theses of its competitors. I propose a fourth account that offers a way to escape limitations of the other three, while retaining their most attractive features.
Gate-Oxide Early Life Failure Prediction

This paper uses 90nm transistor-level experimental data, device modeling, and circuit simulations to establish the following results: 1. A transistor with defective gate- oxide, i.e., a gate-oxide early-life failure (ELF) candidate transistor, produces gradually degraded drive currents over time before it completely loses its transistor characteristics; 2. The above phenomenon results in gradual increase in delays of digital circuit paths containing the ELF candidate transistor before the circuit produces functional failures; 3. Gradual delay shifts caused by ELF candidate transistors are large enough to be detected using inexpensive digital techniques. These results can be utilized to overcome scaled-CMOS reliability challenges through ELF identification during production test or on-line during system operation.
Open and efficient type switch for C

Selecting operations based on the run-time type of an object is key to many object-oriented and functional programming techniques. We present a technique for implementing open and efficient type switching on hierarchical extensible data types. The technique is general and copes well with C++ multiple inheritance. To simplify experimentation and gain realistic performance using production-quality compilers and tool chains, we implement a type switch construct as an ISO C++11 library, called Mach7. This library-only implementation provides concise notation and outperforms the visitor design pattern, commonly used for case analysis on types in object-oriented programming. For closed sets of types, its performance roughly equals equivalent code in functional languages, such as OCaml and Haskell. The type-switching code is easier to use and is more expressive than hand-coded visitors are. The library is non-intrusive and circumvents most of the extensibility restrictions typical of the visitor design pattern. It was motivated by applications involving large, typed, abstract syntax trees.
Nitrogen Implantation and Diffusion in Silicon

Nitrogen implantation can be used to control gate oxide thicknesses [1,2]. This study aims at studying the fundamental behavior of nitrogen diffusion in silicon. Nitrogen at sub-amorphizing doses has been implanted as N2+ at 40 keV and 200 keV into Czochralski silicon wafers. Furnace anneals have been performed at a range of temperatures from 650°C through 1050°C. The resulting annealed profiles show anomalous diffusion behavior. For the 40 keV implants, nitrogen diffuses very rapidly and segregates at the silicon/ silicon-oxide interface. Modeling of this behavior is based on the theory that the diffusion is limited by the time to create a mobile nitrogen interstitial.
The efficiency of a helium-3 neutron detector evaluated using MCNPX

Summary form only given. A compact neutron source based on a piezoelectric transformer has been developed as part of an on-going research effort into radioisotope source replacements for oil-well logging and non-destructive testing applications. One of the key features that will dictate the viability of the device is the effective neutron yield produced during operation. A proportional counter that uses helium-3 as the active sensing material was used for the purpose of detecting neutrons. The detector response to neutrons depends upon the efficiency of the helium-3 proportional counter tube in conjunction with the solid angle subtended by the source and the detector, as well as the material system that surrounds the proportional counter. The coupled geometry effect and energy dependence of the detector efficiency make an analytical solution prone to error. Additionally, obtaining a calibrated neutron source that mimics the size and desired activity of the piezoelectric transformer-based source was not in the scope of the research. Consequently, a numerical model of the neutron source and detector was developed and subjected to Monte Carlo analysis using MCNPX using neutrons as the source particles. A sensitivity analysis of the detector position and orientation was used to determine the optimal location for high-sensitivity neutron counting.
Chinese American adolescents: Perceived parenting styles and adolescents' psychosocial health

Background Asian Americans are one of the fastest-growing minority groups in the USA, and Chinese constitute the largest group. Evidence suggests that Asian American adolescents experience higher levels of depressive symptoms than their same-gender white counterparts. Quantitative findings suggest associations between parenting factors and Chinese American adolescents' mental health. A qualitative understanding regarding Chinese American adolescents' perceived parenting styles and its relationship with adolescents' psychosocial health is warranted. Aim To gain an in-depth understanding of Chinese American adolescents' perceived parenting styles and how parenting styles might influence adolescents' psychosocial health. Methods In this qualitative study, we recruited 15 Chinese American adolescents aged 12–17 years in a southwest metropolitan area. We conducted two focus group interviews. Participants also filled out a brief questionnaire that included their socio-demographic information, immigration history and level of acculturation. Results Participants reported perceiving that parents had high expectations about academic performance and moral values. They also perceived stricter family rules regarding choices of friends compared with their non-Asian peers. Parents tended to be more protective of girls than of boys. Both Chinese American boys and girls reported poor or ineffective communication with their parents, which contributed to increased conflict between parents and adolescents and emotional distress of the adolescents. Conclusions The findings provide evidence for nurses to develop linguistically and culturally tailored resources (e.g. parent support groups, programs aimed to improving parent–child communication) or connect these families with existing resources to enhance parenting skills and consequently reduce emotional distress of their adolescent children.
Effect of starvation on the reproductive potential of Calanus finmarchicus

The effect of starvation on gonad morphology and egg production of Calanus finmarchicus was studied during the winter spring transition in a North Norwegian fjord. Single females were exposed either to surplus food or to filtered seawater for 4-9 d in short-term experiments and for 3 weeks in long-term experiments. Additional laboratory experiments were performed with female C. finmarchicus from the Norwegian Sea, studying the resumption of egg production after short (1-3 d) or long (15 d) intervals of starvation. In fed females, gonads were mature and rates of egg production were relatively high. During starvation, gonads remained immature or returned to an immature stage; no eggs were produced. Histological analysis of starving females showed that oocytes in the diverticula disintegrated, while cells in the ovary were intact. After two weeks of starvation, reproductive activity resumed within a week of surplus feeding. However, egg production remained significantly lower than in females fed continuously. When female C. finmarchicus were exposed to short starvation intervals, reproduction decreased significantly owing to both higher percentages of non-spawning females and decreasing clutch sizes. The experiments have shown that starvation periods have a strong influence on reproduction of C. finmarchicus, which was dependent on the duration of starvation and the timing within the maturation cycle. Lifetime fecundity is probably considerably reduced, obviously during starvation but also as a result of long-term effects.
On Multiple Solutions of Concave and Convex Nonlinearities in Elliptic Equation on

We consider the existence of multiple solutions of the elliptic equation on with concave and convex nonlinearities.
Multicast Routing in Hierarchical Optical Networks Using Collection-Distribution Networks

Emerging optical networks have hierarchical architectures with varying capabilities at different levels. Moreover, many applications nowadays require multicast (one-to-many) connections. We propose a network model that has such a hierarchical architecture which is designed for multicast connections. We develop a multi-stage routing scheme which solves the routing problem in different levels of the network for multicast connections. The network model consists of three levels: collection, core and distribution networks. We adopt the light-trail model in collection-distribution networks which is a convenient way to carry multicast connections. Connection points between the core and collection networks are the edge routers which groom several multicast connections destined to the same distribution network. We evaluate two call acceptance criteria, namely best effort and all-or-none corresponding to total or partial multicast service, respectively. We show using simulations that our multi-stage routing algorithm with light-trails and edge-grooming improves the performance in the hierarchical network model.
The application of a Ku-band scatterometer model function for friction velocity to SEASAT measurements and to airborne scatterometer measurements

A scatterometer model function for the Ku-band radar has been developed, based on data from the FASINEX experiment, that can relate the ocean surface radar cross section to the friction velocity at the air-sea interface. It can now be used to provide estimates of this velocity when RCS data is available. Simultaneous C-band and Ku-band airborne scatterometer measurements collected during SWADE provides the opportunity to create a new C-band algorithm for friction velocity. SEASAT-SASS and colocated buoy wind measurements are analyzed to evaluate the FASINEX model functions for wind speed and friction velocity when used with satellite data. >
Evaluation of real time PCR assays for the detection and enumeration of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli directly from cattle feces.

Abstract Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli are a growing concern in the area of food safety, and the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service has identified the serotypes O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145, and O157 as adulterants in certain types of raw beef. The most relevant to human disease are the enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) strains that possess intimin (eae), Shiga toxin 1 and/or 2 (stx1–2), and in most cases the conserved pO157 or pO157 like virulence plasmid. Contamination of raw beef with EHEC is likely to occur via the transfer of cattle feces on hides to the carcass. To detect EHEC directly from cattle feces, we evaluated the utility of a multiplex real time PCR assay that targets the EHEC associated gene target ecf1 in combination with eae and stx1–2. Our assay had an increased sensitivity and provided a reliable limit of detection (LOD) of 1.25 × 103 colony-forming units per mL (CFUs/mL) in an EHEC spiked fecal background. In addition, we evaluated the use of a duplex qPCR assay using ecf1 for the enumeration of total EHEC directly from cattle feces. The reliable limit of quantification (LOQ) was determined to be 1.25 × 103 CFUs/mL. Our assay requires minimal sample processing and provides LOD and LOQ of EHEC directly from cattle feces that are the lowest reported. The application of this assay towards the identification of cattle shedding EHEC at a level above 1.25 × 103 CFUs/mL could be a first line of defense in identifying cattle shedding these pathogens.
Plant Species Coalition Groups of Zion National Park: An Individualistic, Floristic Alternative to Vegetation Classification

Vegetation surveys at Zion National Park (Zion), Utah, have contributed to our understanding of plant community patterns and their relationship to environmental factors. Previous authors used vegetation plot data to characterize vegetation types at Zion following conventional procedures that emphasize spatial discreteness and dominant species. We developed and applied an alternative approach for community characterization that emphasizes nondiscrete presence-absence patterns and is compatible with the individualistic concept. We reanalyzed existing plot data from Zion using coalition clustering, an algorithm that identifies groups of positively-associated species referred to as coalition groups. Each species and plot in the data set was linked to each coalition group via an “affinity” value obtained through weighted averaging. Affinity values were used to characterize environmental affinities of coalition groups through regression tree modeling and predictive mapping. We also identified species that frequently co-occurred with coalition groups (affiliate species) and those that frequently co-occurred with high cover (dominant-affiliates), viewing these as alternatives to conventional prevalent and dominant species. Following this approach, we identified 10 coalition groups at Zion that overlapped compositionally and spatially to differing degrees. Mesic environments on a gradient from low-elevation riparian zones through mid-elevation narrow canyons to high-elevation plateaus were represented by 3 overlapping groups. Two groups occupying slickrock and sand environments were detected on the Navajo Sandstone, as well as 2 on mesa tops above it. At lower elevations, 3 intergrading xeric coalition groups were distinguished. When previously classified associations of the National Vegetation Classification were clustered based on shared affinities to coalition groups, the arrangement differed from existing classification schemes but was environmentally interpretable. Although these patterns are contingent on conditions at the time of data collection, they provide a baseline that could be used for evaluating and predicting plant community change in the park. With proper attention to sampling and analysis issues, our community characterization approach could be applied in other settings as an alternative or supplement to conventional vegetation classification.
Combined Microstructure and Heat Transfer Modeling of Carbon Nanotube Thermal Interface Materials

A microstructure-sensitive thermomechanical simulation framework is developed to predict the mechanical and heat transfer properties of vertically aligned CNT (VACNT) arrays used as thermal interface materials (TIMs). The model addresses the gap between atomistic thermal transport simulations of individual CNTs (carbon nanotubes) and experimental measurements of thermal resistance of CNT arrays at mesoscopic length scales. Energy minimization is performed using a bead–spring coarse-grain model to obtain the microstructure of the CNT array as a function of the applied load. The microstructures obtained from the coarse-grain simulations are used as inputs to a finite volume solver that solves one-dimensional and three-dimensional Fourier heat conduction in the CNTs and filler matrix, respectively. Predictions from the finite volume solver are fitted to experimental data on the total thermal resistance of CNT arrays to obtain an individual CNT thermal conductivity of 12 W m−1 K−1 and CNT–substrate contact conductance of 7 × 107 W m−2 K−1. The results also indicate that the thermal resistance of the CNT array shows a weak dependence on the CNT–CNT contact resistance. Embedding the CNT array in wax is found to reduce the total thermal resistance of the array by almost 50%, and the pressure dependence of thermal resistance nearly vanishes when a matrix material is introduced. Detailed microstructural information such as the topology of CNT–substrate contacts and the pressure dependence of CNT–opposing substrate contact area are also reported.
RF/Microwave Power Generation Considerations

This chapter contains sections titled: Power Device Considerations Bias Conditions Conduction Duty Cycles Load Line Considerations Push-Pull Class B Less than One-Hundred-Percent Conduction Duty Factor��-��Class A, B, and C Class D Circuits Class E Circuits Class F Circuits Class S Operation General Comments about Classes of Operation Load Mismatch Effects on Power Amplifier Circuits Finding the Optimum Reactance Collector to Base Harmonic Generation in Power Bipolar Devices This chapter contains sections titled: Exercises