cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stress variation with thermal cycling in the thermally grown oxide of an EB-PVD thermal barrier coating

Abstract A measurement approach for detecting thermal barrier coating (TBC) damage and assessing remaining life is described in this study. This is based on an experimental study of the oxide stress evolution as a function of thermal cycling. Residual stress in the thermally grown oxide (TGO) has been measured using photo-stimulated luminescence piezo spectroscopy (PLPS) for electron beam physical vapor deposited TBCs that were thermally cycled at 1100, 1121 and 1151 °C using 1-h and 24-h cycling periods. The observed monotonic change in the oxide stress level with life fraction is systematic with cycle time and nearly independent of exposure temperatures. The temperature independence of the measured stress with life fraction greatly simplifies the use of this technology for non-destructive evaluation of this TBC coating.
Hannah and Her Entitled Sisters: (Post)feminism, (post)recession, and Girls

HBO's latest dramedy, Girls (2012–present), follows four twenty-something women as they struggle with employment and financial viability, as well as their various friendships and romantic relations...
Data Breaches of Protected Health Information in the United States

Reports of data breaches have increased during the past decade.1,2 Compared with other industries, these breaches are estimated to be the most costly in health care; however, few studies have detailed their characteristics and scope.1
Resolution Equations for Focal Isolation Systems

Equations have been derived for calculating the transmittance vs wavelength curves of a conventional two-stage focal isolation system. Resolution equations are also derived for an alternate focal isolation system. The equations have been programmed on an IBM 1620 computer and the results are presented graphically. These results can be used to design focal isolation systems using any lens material. Antichromatic lens combinations are introduced. Antichromats are lens combinations of differing dispersions designed to give maximum chromatic aberration. The extension of the resolution of focal isolation systems using antichromats to the visible region of the spectrum is also discussed. An example illustrating the use of the resolution curves is given for both types of focal isolation systems.
From confrontation to collaboration.

Of what help can mental health professionals be to teachers and administrators who find themselves directly on the firing line with rebelling students? This paper describes group role-playing and discussion sessions with school personnel that eased their tautness and actual fear by giving them a framework for understanding confrontations.
Space Plasma Investigations On The First Spacelab Mission

A series of investigations was carried out during the First Spacelab Mission to study the space plasma environment from the Shuttle/Spacelab. The emphasis of the experiments was on the performance of particle injections from the Shuttle/Spacelab and studies of the ensuing effects on the orbiter, the near orbiter environment, and the earth's atmosphere. Results of these experiments, including electron beam injections, plasma injections, neutral injections, electron-plasma injections, electron-neutral injections, and ambient environmental measurements, are reviewed.
Choline Kinase and Phosphorylcholine Phosphatase in Plants

Choline kinase was present in barley and wheat roots and leaves of barley, wheat, tobacco, spinach and squash plants. The kinase was purified 25-fold from spinach leaves. The enzyme had a broad pH optimum between 7.5 and 10.0. Mg(++) was required for activity and in the presence of Mg(++) the enzyme was relatively stable. Maximum enzyme activity was obtained when the Mg(++): ATP ratio was 1:1. The K(m) was 1 x 10(-4)m. The kinase from leaves was similar to that from rapeseed or from yeast, except that the leaf and seed enzymes were not inhibited by compounds which attach sulfhydryl groups. Only a very slow hydrolysis of phosphorylcholine by similar plant extracts was observed. This phosphatase activity was purified 200- or 300-fold and appeared to be caused by a nonspecific acid phosphatase. The activity of both the kinase and the phosphatase did not seem sufficient to account for the rapid equilibration of the large phosphorylcholine reservoir of plants with exogenous P(32)-labeled orthophosphate.
A slow dance for microtubule acetylation.

Microtubules contribute to diverse cellular processes through balancing dynamic, short-lived and stable, long-lived populations. One way in which long-lived microtubules are marked is by posttranslational acetylation of α-tubulin by tubulin acetyltransferase (TAT). Szyk et al. now provide insight into TAT's mechanism of action and its unique time-stamping ability.
Acoustic Waves in Baffled Combustion Chamber with Radial and Circumferential Blades

A linear acoustic analysis has been conducted to study the combustion instability characteristics of three-dimensional baffled combustion chambers. The theoretical formulation is based on a generalized wave equation. Normal mode expansion and spatial averaging techniques are implemented to solve for the acoustic motions in the chamber. Several specific effects of radial and circumferential baffles, and the mechanisms by which baffles eliminate combustion instabilities, are presented. Longitudinalization of transverse waves inside baffle compartments, restriction of velocity fluctuations near the injector face, and reduction in oscillation frequency are studied systematically. The effects of mean flow, temperature nonuniformities, and combustion response on the baffle design and stability behaviors are investigated. Potential destabilizing influences of baffles are found to be the concentration of acoustic pressure at the injector face and of acoustic velocity near the baffle tips, as well as their ensuing...
Impacts of Air Pollution Control Strategies in Kentucky

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the impacts of air pollution control strategies for one state, Kentucky, on its own economy. Effects of the Clean Air Act are estimated, but the emphasis is on scenarios for compliance with pending acid rain legislation. The most restrictive scenario involves a 478,000 ton per year reduction in SO2. Based on elasticity and engineering estimates, we project shifts from high-sulfur Western Kentucky coal to low-sulfur Eastern Kentucky coal, higher electric utility rates and manufacturing costs, and lower manufacturing employment. Impacts are always less than 6 percent of 1985 levels.
Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity of murine T and B lymphocytes

Abstract Recent evidence suggests that adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) may play a role in lymphocyte responses. The nature of this role is yet unclear since it has been reported that increases in intracellular cyclic AMP can both inhibit and enhance immune functions. In an attempt to determine how lymphocyte cyclic AMP metabolism is regulated we have measured cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase in populations of murine T and B lymphocytes. Results indicate that the enzyme activity in B cells was over fourfold higher than that found in thymocytes. Further analyses by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that these cell populations contained different multiple forms of the enzyme.
The Impact of Social Capital on Labor Force Participation: Evidence from the 2000 Social Capital Benchmark Survey

Objectives. Few studies apply the concept of social capital to labor force participation. In this research, I study the relationship between friendship networks and labor force participation as represented by employment and hours worked. Methods. I test five hypotheses representing social capital with network structure, network quality, and network diversity using nationally representative data from the 2000 Social Capital Benchmark Survey. Since this survey enables comparisons across racial/ethnic and gender groups, I am also able to specify how social capital interacts with race/ethnicity and gender to influence labor force participation, while controlling for other prominent theoretical concerns such as human capital theory. Results. I find that friendship networks are generally positively related with increased labor force participation. Further, I find significant social capital differences based on race/ethnicity and gender. Conclusions. I illustrate that social capital can be applied across a broader racial/ethnic/gender spectrum. The findings suggest that programs that attempt to bring valuable labor market information to individuals and communities lacking employment–related information are likely to be effective in reducing inequality, especially if combined with programs for developing human capital.
The mission operations system for Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)

The goal of the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission is to perform a highly sensitive all-sky survey in 4 wavebands from 3 to 25(mu)m. Launched on a Delta II rocket into a 500km Sun-synchronous orbit in June 2009, during its 7 months of operations, WISE will acquire about 50GBytes of raw science data every day, which will be down-linked via the TDRSS relay satellite system and processed into an astronomical catalogue and image atlas. The WISE mission operations system is being implemented in collaboration between UCLA, JPL and IPAC (Caltech). In this paper we describe the challenges to manage a high data rate, cryogenic, low earth-orbit mission; maintaining safe on-orbit operations, fast anomaly recoveries (mandated by the desire to provide complete sky coverage in a limited lifetime), production and dissemination of high quality science products, given the constraints imposed by funding profiles for small space missions.
Smoothing patched grids

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to indicate how smoothing techniques can be utilized in the area of grid generation. The focus of the paper is to show how one global grid can be patched together from a number of smaller ones. The procedure usually takes place in two steps. First, one global grid is patched together from a number of smaller ones, allowing for the possibility that the derivatives along common boundaries may not be continuous. The second step is to then approximate this grid by a smooth one in such a way that the essential structure of each patch is preserved.
Editorial Overview---The Role of Information Systems in Healthcare: Current Research and Future Trends

Information systems have great potential to reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes. The purpose of this special issue is to offer a forum for theory-driven research that explores the role of IS in the delivery of healthcare in its diverse organizational and regulatory settings. We identify six theoretically distinctive elements of the healthcare context and discuss how these elements increase the motivation for, and the salience of, the research results reported in the nine papers comprising this special issue. We also provide recommendations for future IS research focusing on the implications of technology-driven advances in three areas: social media, evidence-based medicine, and personalized medicine.
Impact on Reliability in the Control-Flow of Programs under Compiler Optimizations

This paper evaluates the impact on reliability in the control-flow of programs that compiler optimizations incur in terms of fault coverage for the Automatic Correction of Control-flow Errors technique. This technique was implemented in the LLVM framework, enabling the automated analysis of programs. In order to evaluate the efficiency of the technique of fault tolerance we performed a series of fault injection experiments using the MiBench benchmark suite as case study, measuring how individual and combined optimizations impact reliability.
Validation of a composite scoring scheme in the diagnosis of folate deficiency in a pediatric and adolescent dialysis cohort.

Background Laboratory indices are often poorly diagnostic of folate deficiency (FD). Compared with iron depletion in hemodialysis (HD) populations, the impact of FD is less appreciated. The composite scoring of hematologic indices of FD may facilitate a prompt and accurate diagnosis, and enhance operational research on folic acid therapy. Objective Our objectives were to (1) validate composite scores of folate diagnostic indices, and (2) determine the reliability index of the diagnostic tool. Methods A cohort of 30 subjects, with a mean age of 16 (SD ± 3.2 years), on HD and erythropoietin (EPO) for a minimum of 3 months was studied. After a baseline hematologic assessment, routine folates were administered for 6 months. Composite FD scores (FDS) of baseline mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), random distribution width (RDW), and hemoglobin were determined. Validation and reliability statistics were then analyzed, using the quantitative change in red blood cell folate/plasma homocysteine, or EPO requirement after 6 months of folate use, as diagnostic criteria. Results The mean FDS for FD and non-FD subsets were 3.0 ± 1.3 and 1.4 ± 0.9, respectively (analysis of variance; P = .0001). The correlation coefficient, r 2 , between FD total and FDS was 0.61 ( P = .001), and the coefficient between 2 (weekly) values of RDW, MCV, MCH, and MCHC was >0.84 ( P = .0001). Scoring tools derived from the first ( P = .002) and second ( P = .01) halves of the laboratory indices remained discriminatory for the FD and non-FD groups. Baseline serum folate is poorly specific for FD, whereas FD score ≥3 had sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values close to 90%. Conclusions Composite scoring of erythrocyte indices was predictive of the FD diagnosis, as defined by the quantitative response of red blood cell folate, homocysteine, and EPO dose to folate therapeutic intervention. The diagnostic items yielded a high reliability coefficient. The FDS scheme is a potential tool for the diagnosis and surveillance of FD, particularly in at-risk populations (e.g., dialysis subjects).
Assessment of hyaline cartilage matrix composition using near infrared spectroscopy

Changes in the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are characteristic of injury or disease in cartilage tissue. Various imaging modalities and biochemical techniques have been used to assess the changes in cartilage tissue but lack adequate sensitivity, or in the case of biochemical techniques, result in destruction of the sample. Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy has shown promise for the study of cartilage composition. In the current study NIR spectroscopy was used to identify the contributions of individual components of cartilage in the NIR spectra by assessment of the major cartilage components, collagen and chondroitin sulfate, in pure component mixtures. The NIR spectra were obtained using homogenous pellets made by dilution with potassium bromide. A partial least squares (PLS) model was calculated to predict composition in bovine cartilage samples. Characteristic absorbance peaks between 4000 and 5000 cm(-1) could be attributed to components of cartilage, i.e. collagen and chondroitin sulfate. Prediction of the amount of collagen and chondroitin sulfate in tissues was possible within 8% (w/dw) of values obtained by gold standard biochemical assessment. These results support the use of NIR spectroscopy for in vitro and in vivo applications to assess matrix composition of cartilage tissues, especially when tissue destruction should be avoided.
Conformational polymorphism in a heteromolecular single crystal leads to concerted movement akin to collective rack-and-pinion gears at the molecular level

We describe a heteromolecular single crystal that exhibits three reversible and concerted reorganizations upon heating and cooling. The products of the reorganizations are conformational polymorphs. The reorganizations are postulated to proceed through three motions: (i) alkyl translations, (ii) olefin rotations, and (iii) rotational tilts. The motions are akin to rack-and-pinion gears at the molecular level. The rack-like movement is based on expansions and compressions of alkyl chains that are coupled with pinion-like 180° rotations of olefins. To accommodate the movements, phenol and thiophene components undergo rotational tilts about intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The movements are collective, being propagated in close-packed repeating units. This discovery marks a step to understanding how organic solids can support the development of crystalline molecular machines and devices through correlated and collective movements.
Theoretical transition probabilities for the carbon isoelectronic sequence

Abstract Theoretical multiplet oscillator strengths are calculated for the CI, NII, OIII 3 P − 3 D lines using a new theory of atomic structure including electron correlation. The results agree very well with recent experiments.
A Specific Picomolar Hybridization-Based ELISA Assay for the Determination of Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides in Plasma and Cellular Matrices

To develop and validate an ultrasensitive and specific hybridization-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method for quantification of two phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (PS ODNs) (G3139 and GTI-2040) in biological fluids. This assay was based on hybridization of analytes to the biotin-labeled capture ODNs followed by ligation with digoxigenin-labeled detection ODN. The bound duplex was then detected by anti-digoxigenin-alkaline phosphatase using Attophos® (Promega, Madison, WI, USA) as substrate. S1 nuclease and major factors such as the hybridization temperature, concentration of capture probe, and the use of detergent were evaluated toward assay sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy. The method is selective to the parent drugs with minimal cross-reactivity ( 0.99) was observed for GTI-2040 in a variety of biological matrices. For both G3139 and GTI-2040, the within-day precision and accuracy values were found to be <20% and 90–110%, respectively; the between-day precision and accuracy were determined to be <20% and 90–120%. Addition of S1 nuclease combined with washing step greatly improved the assay linearity and selectivity. The utility of this assay was demonstrated by simultaneous determination of GTI-2040 in plasma and its intracellular levels in treated acute myeloid leukemia patients. The validated hybridization enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method is specific for quantitation of PS ODNs in biological samples to picomolar level. This method provides a powerful technique to evaluate plasma pharmacokinetics and intracellular uptake of PS ODNs in patients and shows its utility in clinical evaluations.
Post-eruption erosion and deposition in the 1980 crater of Mount St Helens, Washington, determined from digital maps

The crater of Mount St Helens shows one of the world's highest known rates of mass wasting. On many summer days, rockfall is almost continuous, and many large rock and dirty-snow avalanches have travelled several kilometres from their sources on the crater walls. Since formation of the crater on 18 May 1980, talus cones exceeding 100 m in thickness have formed at the base of the unstable 600 m high crater walls. To estimate rates of erosion and deposition, a series of digitized topographic maps made from aerial photographs taken of the crater in 1980, 1981, 1983, 1986 and 1988 were analysed using a geographic information system. Between 1980 and 1988, 30 × 106 m3 of rock were eroded from the crater wall, representing a mean retreat rate of 2.1 m yr−1. To account for the volume increase that occurs when bedrock is transformed into scree, this volume is multiplied by 4/3; this provides an estimate of the rock-debris volume supplied to the crater floor of 40 × 106 m3. The actual volume of deposits that accumulated during this 8 year period, however, is 68 × 106 m3. The difference of 28 × 106 m3 is presumably the volume of snow intercalated between insulating layers of rock debris. Similar calculations for each of four time intervals between 1980 and 1988 suggest that wall erosion and thus talus accumulation rates are declining, but that rates will probably remain high for decades to come.
Gastric cancer in Kashmir (Indian part) with special reference to dietary and personal habits

Gastric cancer in Kashmir (Indian part) with special reference to dietary and personal habits
Interface roughness/island effects on intersubband transitions in quantum wells

Abstract We introduce a perturbation approach to study interface roughness/island electron diffraction effects in quantum wells and apply this approach to photoexcitation and infrared detection. Interfacial imperfections spoil the usual selection rules associated with intersubband optical transitions, thereby making transitions due to photons polarized in the plane of the quantum well non-forbidden. This can have a beneficial effect since normal incidence photoexcitation would provide the simplest approach to detector, modulator, and focal plane array applications. A general result for quantum well interfaces with arbitrary (random or regular) island patterns is obtained. Some estimates of the effect are included. In addition, the effect of interface roughness on intrasubband transitions is briefly discussed.
Error-resilient transmission of 3D models

In this article, we propose an error-resilient transmission method for progressively compressed 3D models. The proposed method is scalable with respect to both channel bandwidth and channel packet-loss rate. We jointly design source and channel coders using a statistical measure that (i) calculates the number of both source and channel coding bits, and (ii) distributes the channel coding bits among the transmitted refinement levels in order to maximize the expected decoded model quality. In order to keep the total number of bits before and after applying error protection the same, we transmit fewer triangles in the latter case to accommodate the channel coding bits. When the proposed method is used to transmit a typical model over a channel with a 10p packet-loss rate, the distortion (measured using the Hausdorff distance between the original and the decoded models) is reduced by 50p compared to the case when no error protection is applied.
Fundamental issues in heteroepitaxy (condensed from the DOE panel report)

The Department of Energy’s Council on Materials Science convened a Panel charged with assessing the present scientific understanding of epitaxial growth and identifying fruitful research opportunities in this area. The Panel, chaired by Paul S. Peercy, a member of the Department of Energy’s Council on Materials Science and of the Solid State Sciences Committee, was composed of scientists in materials science, physics, and chemistry from academia, government labs and industry. Panel members were: Ernst G. Bauer, Brian W. Dodson, Daniel J. Ehrlich, Leonard C. Feldman, C. Peter Flynn, Michael W. Geis, James P. Harbison, Richard J. Matyi, Pierre M. Petroff, Paul S. Peercy, Julia M. Phillips, Gerald B. Stringfellow and Andrew Zangwill. The Panel met in January, 1989; its activities were supported by the Materials Sciences Division of Basic Energy Sciences. Deliberations emphasized artificially structured materials and resulted in a Panel Report which has been submitted to the Journal of Materials Research. With permission from the Department of Energy, this article excerpts from the report.
Demand response implementation in a home area network: A conceptual hardware architecture

Demand response (DR) is an important demand-side resource that allows for lower electricity consumption when the system is under stress. This paper presents a DR framework that can be implemented within a home area network, as well as a conceptual hardware architecture for a Home Management System (HMS) and appliance interface units that enable in-home DR implementation. The proposed DR strategy allows for controlling energy-intensive loads taking into consideration both consumers' comfort and load priority. The HMS acts as the central monitoring and decision-making unit for all energy-intensive loads within a home. The appliance interface unit communicates with the HMS while capturing electric power consumption data and performing local load control. Standby electric power consumption of each element in the network is also discussed.
Kinematics of deformation processes in materials subjected to finite elastic-plastic strains

Abstract Some aspects of the analysis of elastic-plastic deformation processes with both elastic and plastic finite strain components are studied. The discussion is intentionally restricted to the geometric description of such situation. As a starting point the intermediate configuration concept is accepted but some important generalizations to it appear to be necessary. Basing upon this concept the properly invariant forms of strain and rate of strain measures are defined being referred to the the reference, intermediate and actual configurations, respectively. The applicability of the different strain measures to the constitutive equations is discussed.
Length tunable penta-twinned palladium nanorods: seedless synthesis and electrooxidation of formic acid

Palladium nanorods with controlled lengths from 100 to 500 nm and a fixed width of 20 nm were synthesized for the first time by a seedless approach. These rods show higher peak current densities than Pd cubes for formic acid oxidation and the catalytic activity decreases with increasing rod length.
Giant spinal cord angioma diagnosed by digital subtraction intravenous angiography and computerized tomography

Abstract The case of a giant spinal cord angioma initially diagnosed by digital subtraction intravenous angiography is reported. A brief discussion of this lesion is presented.
A Pilot Study of Distraction for Adolescents During Allergy Testing

PURPOSE. This pilot study describes pain and anxiety associated with allergy testing; tests distraction, specifically self-selected distraction; and examines the relationship between pain, anxiety, and engagement with distraction. DESIGN AND METHODS. An experimental design was used with a convenience sample of 32 adolescents from an allergist's office randomly assigned to three groups. Pain was measured by the adolescent pediatric pain tool (APPT) and FACES scale. RESULTS. No differences in pain ratings were found among the groups. Less pain was associated with lower anxiety and greater engagement with distraction. Greater engagement with distraction occurred with less anxiety. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Knowledge about allergy testing pain, anxiety, and engagement with distraction can assist nurses in preparing adolescents for this procedure.
Self-compassion as a Buffer against Homesickness, Depression, and Dissatisfaction in the Transition to College

Life transitions that include moving to a new location are stressful, particularly if difficulties arise in the new environment. This study focused on the role of self-compassion in moderating students' reactions to social and academic difficulties in the transition to college. Before starting college, 119 students completed a measure of self-compassion, the degree to which people treat themselves kindly during distressing situations. At the end of their first semester, participants answered questions about their social and academic difficulties and completed measures of homesickness, depression, and satisfaction with their decision to attend the university. Students who scored higher in self-compassion weathered difficulties more successfully, reported lower homesickness and less depression, and expressed greater satisfaction with their decision to attend the university.
The bimodal magnetosphere and ring current, radiation belt, and tail transducers

It has generally been assumed that a geomagnetic storm is entirely driven by external forces—e.g., solar wind Ey = Vx × Bz, Vx, ϱV2x (where the components of the electric field, E, the magnetic field, B, and velocity, V, are given in GSE coordinates)—which would imply that particle injections in the ring current (RC) or outer radiation belts should be highly correlated. However the data from ISTP are showing that the magnetosphere can have at least two very different responses to the same solar wind (SW) conditions: a classic, enhanced RC with Dst response, or a 1000-fold increase in the outer radiation belt MeV electrons (ORBE). August 29, October 14 and 23, 1996 are examples of Dst storms, whereas April 15, 1996 and January 10, 1997 are examples of MeV storms. It is this second response that is so deadly to some geosynchronous spacecraft, whereas geomagnetic storms are categorized by the first response. Neither of these appear to be correlated to the SW conditions driving substorms. Why should the SW energy appear in the radiation belts or the ring current independently? We hypothesize that the RC couples to the electric power available (Ey), the ORBE couple to the mechanical power available (Vx), and the Tail couples to the magnetic energy (Bz) available in the SW. The transducer for RC may be subauroral parallel potentials, the transducer for ORBE may be the cusp, while the Tail substorm transducer is yet a third independent mechanism for extracting SW energy. Evidence for this theory comes from the novel POLAR satellite that traverses the cusp, the plasmasheet and the radiation belts.
Glutamine-enriched total parenteral nutrition maintains intestinal interleukin-4 and mucosal immunoglobulin A levels.

Background: Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) prevents progressive malnutrition but fails to maintain intestinal gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) or established respiratory antiviral or antibacterial mucosal immunity. Our previous work demonstrated that decreases in intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA) were associated with decreases in Th2-type IgA-stimulating cytokines, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10. Because glutamine supplementation of TPN partially preserves respiratory defenses and normalizes GALT, we investigated the ability of parenteral glutamine to normalize respiratory and intestinal IgA levels and measured Th2 cytokines in intestinal homogenates. Methods: Animals were cannulated and randomly assigned to receive chow (n = 17), TPN (n = 18), or an isonitrogenous, isocaloric TPN solution formulated by removing the appropriate amount of amino acids and replacing them with 2% glutamine (n = 18) for 5 days. Respiratory tract and intestinal washings were obtained for IgA and the intestine homogenized a...
Lateral tapered active field-plate LDMOS device for 20V application in thin-film SOI

We present a new device design for 20V application in thin body SOI technology. High breakdown voltage is achieved by forming RX-bound field plates which deplete the drift region of an LDMOS structure using only lateral electric field coupling. A baseline 180nm CMOS SOI process is utilized and RX field plate shapes are designed to result in an essentially uniform longitudinal drift region electric field satisfying the RESURF principal. We studied device scaling and the effect of varying the width and length of the angular RX field plates and their relation to impact ionization rate in both floating body and body-contacted n-channel LDMOS deices. 3D TCAD simulations were used to investigate the effect design parameters on electric field and impact ionization. Unitary 20V rated-LDMOS devices are experimentally demonstrated, verifying a LDMOS option to stacked CMOS for high voltage applications in SOI technology.
Stability of omega-3 fatty acids in fortified surimi seafoods during chilled storage

Physical, chemical, and sensory properties of cooked surimi seafood gels (crab analogue) fortified with omega-3 fatty acids (FA) were monitored during chilled storage. Three sources of stabilized omega-3 FA (fish oil concentrate, menhaden oil, and a purified marine oil) were each incorporated into gels to an omega-3 FA content of 1.5 or 2.5%, w/w. Omega-3 FA stability, development of off-flavors, and changes in color and texture were monitored during chilled storage for 2 months. Gels with fish oil concentrate developed fishy flavor and aroma within 30 days and were eliminated from the study. Gels containing menhaden oil and purified marine oil exhibited little change in sensory properties or oxidation products throughout 2 months of storage. Relative polyene index values (ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids) indicated that the omega-3 FA were stable at both levels of addition. Omega-3 fortified gels were whiter than control gels, and gel texture was modified when menhaden and purified oils were added but not significantly affected by the level of omega-3 addition.
1996 congressional campaign priorities of the AMA: tackling tobacco or limiting malpractice awards?

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine whether the political action committee of the American Medical Association (AMA) contributed more to pro- or anti-tobacco members of Congress in the 1995/96 campaign and whether representatives' voting records on malpractice reform could explain the AMA's contribution patterns. METHODS: Campaign contributions to House members were analyzed. RESULTS: The AMA's political action committee contributed averages of $5382 to pro-tobacco representatives and $2103 to anti-tobacco representatives (P < .0005). This contribution pattern can be fully explained by representatives' votes to limit malpractice awards. CONCLUSIONS: In seeking malpractice reform, the AMA contributed significantly more to pro-tobacco representatives, potentially undermining tobacco control legislation.
Coexistence of menisci and the influence of neighboring pores on capillary displacement curvatures in sphere packings

Abstract The methods of calculating meniscus curvatures given by Mayer and Stowe and also independently by Princen are essentially the same. The method is exact for pores defined by rods . From comparison with experimental results, the method provides, for zero contact angle at least, a close approximation for pores defined by spheres . The application of the method to model pores defined by rods and spheres is discussed with particular attention being paid to the effects of neighboring pores. The merits of defining the neighbors of a particular pore as mirror images are discussed together with the effect of neighboring pores on the determination of pore sizes from capillary displacement curvatures. Meniscus curvatures of a family of pore shapes defined by three equal rods and mirror image neighbors are tabulated. A simple correlation was found between these values and estimates of the curvature given by the Haines incircle approximation.
Oxidation Behavior of Stainless Steel with Electroless Ni-Fe-P Coatings

Ni-Fe-P coatings were deposited on ferritic stainless steel by means of electroless method. The oxidation behavior of the steel with these coatings were investigated at 800°C in air. The mass gain of the steel with Ni-Fe-P coatings deposited from solutions with different mass ratios of FeSO4 to NiSO4 decreased with increasing mass ratio. For the steel with Ni-Fe-P coating deposited in the solution with 0.25 of the mass ratio, the mass gain increased with the increase in oxidation time. While the mass gain of the steel with coatings deposited in solution with 0.5 and 0.75 of the mass ratio, respectively, became stable after 10-h oxidation. Compared with Ni-P, The Ni-Fe-P coatings improved the spallation resistance of the surface oxide scale. The oxide scale formed the bare steel consisted of Cr2O3 with TiO2 and (Mn,Cr)3O4 spinel. However, the oxide scale thermally grown on the steel with Ni-Fe-P coatings was composed of NiO, (Ni,Fe)3O4 spinel and Cr2O3.
The Poisson Kernel for Heisenberg Polynomials on the Disk

n = 0 and Jerison [10] which can be used to show (Greiner and Koornwinder [8]) that the functions {O~--~C(,~'~)(ei~ n>0} on [0,rc] span a (weighted sup-norm) dense set in the continuous functions when c~ +/3, e / ? are integers and c~,/3 > 0. However as yet there is no method for finding expansions of arbitrary functions. In this work we consider {C~'~)(z)} on the entire circle T={ei~ r c 0} suffices for a half circle, but {sinnO: n> l} must be added to get all of T), and so we adjoin {(z-~) r~ + 1,8+ 1)~,~. n>_ 1}. We obtain a biorthogonality structure for these functions in L2(T,[sin O[~+~dO) and sum the resulting Poisson kernel by using the author's [2] expansion of the fundamental solution of the subelliptic Laplacian. Radial convergence of Poisson integrals holds for C(T) and L p, l < p < oe when le-/3] <= 2, and fails otherwise. Thus we are able to expand arbitrary continuous functions on T, and just as convergence theorems for cosine series follow from those for Fourier series, there is some possibility that this work will be helpful in the density problem for {C~~176 o n 0_<0_<re. Here is a summary of the results:
Identification of parametric ground motion random fields from spatially recorded seismic data

A methodology for the identification of random field models for the description of seismic ground motions recorded over extended areas is presented. The approach (i) embeds seismic ground motion parameter estimation in a probabilistic framework, and (ii) identifies simultaneously point and spatial models for the seismic ground motion random field from either smoothed or unsmoothed non-parametric spectral estimates. It is shown that parametric coherency estimates identified by means of this approach are stable and insensitive to the amount of smoothing performed on the empirical data. The approach and its findings have a significant impact on the evaluation of parametric ground motion models for the seismic response evaluation of lifelines.
Reconstitution of Hairpin Ribozyme Activity following Separation of Functional Domains

The hairpin ribozyme is a 50-nucleotide RNA enzyme of unknown three-dimensional structure. Here, we demonstrate that interdomain interactions are required for catalytic function by reconstitution of activity following separation of an essential, independently folding domain (loop B) from the substrate binding strand at a helical junction. The resulting construct relies on long range tertiary contacts for catalysis. For this work, we used an optimized ribozyme and substrate, which included sequence changes to minimize the formation of nonproductive conformational isomers. Kinetic analysis was carried out using both single and multiple turnover methods and shows that the catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of the reconstituted ribozyme is 104-fold lower than that of the intact ribozyme. The decrease in kcat/Km results entirely from a 104-fold increase in the apparent Km, whereas the kcat parameter is essentially unchanged. Therefore, cleavage chemistry appears to be unimpaired, but the reaction is limited by the productive assembly of the two domains. Our results strongly support a previously proposed model in which the catalytic topology of the ribozyme contains a bend at a helical junction.
The changing European family: lessons for the American reader.

The 7 chapters in this journal discuss the European family including families in Britain the Federal Republic of Germany France the German Democratic Republic Italy and Sweden. The authors feel that observers in the US sometimes resort to peculiarly American explanations (the budget deficit changes in welfare benefits) to account for recent trends in marriage and fertility. The articles in this issue demonstrate that the pattern of post-WWII family change has been generally similar in North America Western Europe and even part of Eastern Europe suggesting that more global rather than particular national explanations need to be sought. The post-WWII years can be divided into 2 periods: 1) the period from 1945 to 1965 that brought the unexpected marriage rush and baby boom and 2) the period from 1965 to the present that brought a reversal of those trends in the form of later marriage a great increase in nonmarital cohabitation a large rise in divorce and a sharp fall in fertility to below the replacement level. The similarity of these large-scale trends in North America and Western Europe is striking. The US is most like Britain and beyond Europe Canada and Australia suggesting that influence of the common culture of the English-speaking Western world. Yet the US has and probably always has had higher rates of fertility marriage and divorce than most Western European nations. The proportion of single-parent families is unusually large even though some nations such as Sweden and East Germany have higher proportions of births to unmarried but cohabiting women. The level of cohabitation in the US although greatly increased is still moderate by European standards. Concern over the burden of government support for the elderly already has prompted changes in the Social Security program. The ability to support programs for children and for poor families is being questioned even though the level of government support for the family is relatively low by Western standards. Concern about the below-replacement birth rate is just beginning to emerge. For American as well as European readers the major question left unanswered by the accounts presented in this issue is whether the continuing changes will lead to a greater degree of convergence in the future or to an elaboration of current variations on the Western theme. The former possibility would likely imply a massive erosion of marriage and radical change in the division of labor. The latter would still encompass substantial similarities (generally low fertility increasing proportions of women in the labor force) but with important differences of historical cultural and political origin. (authors modified)
Between virtuosity and despair: formal experimentation in diaspora tales

Formal experimentation is a recurring feature in the literary output of works dedicated to the African diaspora, both in prose and in verse, and is easily understood as the artistic response to the need to recount a story that is abnormal – a story, that is, that could not be told using conventional literary models. But virtuosity is more than a merely formal device in these works: it affects both how and what it delivers, and can thus be read in light of the testimonial function the work of art performs towards the millions of people who died in the years of the slave trade, and as a celebration of the public role of art. Using trauma theory as a framework to approach two works of poetry, Zong! by Tobago-born Marlene NourbeSe Philip, and “Ruttier for the Marooned in the Diaspora” by the Trinidadian writer Dionne Brand – writers who belong to the Afro-Caribbean diaspora – this article addresses the importance of both formal inventiveness in rendering the traumatic experience and the relevance of testimony...
Zinc deficiency in head and neck cancer patients.

Although a great deal of attention has been given to protein and calorie malnutrition in patients with head and neck cancer, zinc status has not been assessed properly in such patients in the past.In this study we characterized zinc status by cellular zinc criteria and assessed several measures of protein and calorie malnutrition in patients with head and neck cancer. We determined prognostic nutritional index (PNI) based on serum albumin, serum transferrin, triceps skin fold measures, and delayed hypersensitivity, as proposed by Buzby et al. In this study, the baseline zinc status and PNI of 60 head and neck cancer patients were correlated with the tumor size and overall stage of the disease.Our results showed that the tumor size and overall stage correlated significantly to zinc status whereas no correlation was seen with PNI, alcohol intake, or smoking in our study subjects.We conclude that zinc status is a better indicator of tumor burden and stage of the disease in head and neck cancer patients than ...
Firm incentives to promote technological change in pollution control: Reply

Abstract The process of technological change in pollution control is broken into three basic steps: innovation, diffusion, and optimal agency response. Firm incentives to promote these steps are then examined under five regulatory regimes: direct controls, emission subsidies, emission taxes, free marketable permits, and auctioned marketable permits. On a relative basis, emission taxes and auctioned permits provide the highest firm incentives to promote technological change; at times, free permits generate lower incentives. Direct controls, which are common regulatory tools, usually provide the lowest relative firm incentives to promote technological change.
RC_Link: Genetic linkage analysis using Bayesian networks

Genetic linkage analysis is a statistical method for mapping genes onto chromosomes, and is useful for detecting and predicting diseases. One of its current limitations is the computational complexity of the problems of interest. This research presents methods for mapping genetic linkage problems as Bayesian networks and then addresses novel techniques for making the problems more tractable. The result is a new tool for solving these problems called RC_Link, which in many cases is orders of magnitude faster than existing tools.
Analysis of Rigid Polyurethane Foams by Near-Infrared Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy:

The method of near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is used to determine the compression and thermal properties of rigid polyurethane foams. Principal components analysis (PCA) of the spectra of the foams indicates that NIR spectroscopy can be used to discriminate between foams that were prepared from different polymeric formulations. Partial Least-Squares (PLS) calibrations of NIR spectra to the compression modulus, compression strength, deformation at failure, and K-factor (thermal conductivity) were also done. Results indicate that NIR spectroscopy can determine the compression modulus within 63.6 psi, compression strength within 2.63 psi, deformation at failure within 1.29%, and K-factor within 0.0089 Btu-in./°F-h-ft2.
Innovative City Hall: A Comparative Case Study of Policy Adoption in the U.S. and France

ABSTRACT Relying on an Evaluation Index of Local E-Government Sophistication as well as qualitative and quantitative approaches, the purpose of this study is twofold: (a) Guided by a model of policy innovation and drawing on a series of semistructured interviews with city officials in Seattle, Washington, and Bordeaux, France, it explains the adoption of e-government policies in these cases that are embedded in very different national contexts, and (b) relying on descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis, it assesses and explains e-government sophistication in Seattle and Bordeaux and among a randomly selected sample of incorporated municipalities in Washington state and communes in the Aquitaine region in France.
An acculturization curriculum: orienting international medical graduates to an internal medicine residency program.

Background: The number of International Medical Graduate (IMG) applicants to residency programs has increased steadily over the past decade. Despite high motivation and significant medical knowledge, differences in training and cultural expectations can create knowledge gaps and influence how IMGs relate to patients and staff. This contributes to increased opportunities for medical errors, patient dissatisfaction, and frustration among colleagues. Description: To improve this transition we introduced a required, 2-week precourse for IMGs entering our program. The curriculum focused around the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies. Evaluation: Participants reported knowledge gains and rated favorably didactic sessions and small-group activities. Program directors and other key stakeholders reported positive experiences with the precourse, especially the reduction in transition stress and missed work time in July. Conclusion: An intensive precourse for IMGs can attenuate tra...