cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preserving a robust CsPbI3 perovskite phase via pressure-directed octahedral tilt.

Functional CsPbI3 perovskite phases are not stable at ambient conditions and spontaneously convert to a non-perovskite δ phase, limiting their applications as solar cell materials. We demonstrate the preservation of a black CsPbI3 perovskite structure to room temperature by subjecting the δ phase to pressures of 0.1 – 0.6 GPa followed by heating and rapid cooling. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy indicate that this perovskite phase is consistent with orthorhombic γ-CsPbI3. Once formed, γ-CsPbI3 could be then retained after releasing pressure to ambient conditions and shows substantial stability at 35% relative humidity. First-principles density functional theory calculations indicate that compression directs the out-of-phase and in-phase tilt between the [PbI6]4− octahedra which in turn tune the energy difference between δ- and γ-CsPbI3, leading to the preservation of γ-CsPbI3. Here, we present a high-pressure strategy for manipulating the (meta)stability of halide perovskites for the synthesis of desirable phases with enhanced materials functionality. Inorganic lead halide perovskites are structurally unstable, which prevents their application in solar cells. Here the authors synthesize, using high pressure and temperature, a perovskite CsPbI3 phase that is metastably preserved to ambient conditions through a structural deformation induced at high pressure.
Medical and Mental Health Implications of Gestational Surrogacy and Trends in State Regulations on Compensated Gestational Surrogacy

As the New York State legislature considers legalizing compensated gestational surrogacy this legislative session, this report provides insight into (1) the impact of surrogacy on the medical and mental health of women who become surrogates and the children born through gestational surrogacy, and (2) how other state legislatures have addressed compensated gestational surrogacy in recent years. Medical research demonstrates that there is significant growth in gestational surrogacy in the United States. The number of families working with gestational surrogates has quadrupled in the new millennium. Weill Cornell Medicine physicians and medical students reviewed the published literature on the medical and mental health impacts to women who undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) to become gestational carriers. Although people outside the medical community have questioned the health and psychological impacts of surrogates to prohibit gestational surrogacy, the scientific literature review demonstrates that there are in fact no significant adverse medical or psychological outcomes for women who are gestational carriers nor the children they give birth to.
The Benefits of a Muscle-Sparing Below Knee Amputation in the Elderly Population.

BackgroundIt is well accepted that good muscle coverage of the bones at the end of a below knee amputation (BKA) stump is preferable, for both weight bearing and protection against prosthesis failu...
Dendrochronology In Plains Prehistory: An Assessment

Chronologies and climatological interpretations based upon annual growth rings of trees have been available to prehistorians within the Plains for more than half a cen tury. Until the advent of radiocarbon dating, tree rings provided the only "absolute" chronology for most arche ological complexes and subsequently, continued as an important adjunct to radiometric methods. Nonetheless, the validity of tree ring dates in the Plains must be ques tioned. Continuity of research has been lacking, there have been serious methodological problems, and the pro venience of many specimens is in doubt. Moreover, there are significant conflicts between tree ring and recent radiocarbon dates.
Optimal circuit clustering with variable interconnect delay

The paper aims at extending the circuit clustering algorithm of Rajaraman and Wong (1995) to handle a more sophisticated delay model, which practically takes variable interconnect delay into account. Our delay model is particularly applicable in allowing the back-annotation of actual delay information to drive the clustering process. We first show that the original algorithm fails to produce optimal solutions for this delay model. In order to solve the problem, a generalized algorithm based on an extension of Rajaraman and Wong is proposed such that the problem can be solved optimally while the polynomial time complexity is maintained.
Determination of Exogenous Galactose in Blood using "Specially Purified" Glucose Oxidase

A method is described for the determination of exogenous galactose in blood by a modification of the Nelson-Somogyi hexose procedure in which glucose oxidase is used to eliminate interfering glucose. The use of "specially purified" glucose oxidase (SPGO) achieves low, regular blanks and satisfactory replicates, and enhances accuracy, in contrast to the results obtained with crude enzyme preparations. The ready availability of SPGO makes the method satisfactory and practical for the clinical laboratory.
Tritium Aging Effects on the Fracture Toughness Properties of Forged Stainless Steel

The fracture toughness properties of Type 21-6-9 stainless steel were measured for forgings in the unexposed, hydrogen-exposed, and tritium-exposed-and-aged conditions. Fracture toughness samples were cut from conventionally-forged and high-energy-rate-forged forward-extruded cylinders and mechanically tested at room temperature using ASTM fracture-toughness testing procedures. Some of the samples were exposed to either hydrogen or tritium gas (340 MPa, 623 K) prior to testing. Tritium-exposed samples were aged for up to seven years and tested periodically in order to measure the effect on fracture toughness of {sup 3}He from radioactive tritium decay. The results show that hydrogen-exposed and tritium-exposed samples had lower fracture- toughness values than unexposed samples and that fracture toughness decreased with increasing decay {sup 3}He content. Forged steels were more resistant to the embrittling effects of tritium and decay {sup 3}He than annealed steels, although their fracture-toughness properties depended on the degree of sensitization that occurred during processing. The fracture process was dominated by microvoid nucleation, growth and coalescence; however, the size and spacing of microvoids on the fracture surfaces were affected by hydrogen and tritium with the lowest-toughness samples having the smallest microvoids and finest spacing.
Restoration of lordosis and disk height after single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Objective: To study radiographic and clinical outcomes after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in order to determine the impact of TLIF on lumbar lordosis, intervertebral height and improvement in clinical outcome measures. Methods: Forty-five patients who had undergone a single-level TLIF procedure for a single-level degenerative condition were retrospectively reviewed and their clinical histories, degree of pre- and post-operative lumbar lordosis, intervertebral height, and cage position recorded. Clinical assessment included use of modified Odom's criteria and a visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain. Results: At 21 months, the patients had gained an average of 3.6° of lumbar lordosis and 4.5 mm disc height. Change in disc height was significantly associated with an anterior cage position while lumbar lordosis was unaffected by cage position. A spondylolisthesis subgroup demonstrated 31% reduction in the magnitude of anterior slip. Less lordosis was associated with worse back and leg pain as assessed by VAS and greater disk heights were associated with higher Odom's criteria scores. Patients with persistent leg pain at final follow-up had less lumbar lordosis and intervertebral height than patients without leg pain. Conclusions: Intervertebral height and lumbar lordosis reconstruction are important for achieving good surgical results; guidance regarding the likely changes in lumbar lordosis and disk height after TLIF is provided by our findings.
Optimal GENCO bidding strategy

Electricity industries worldwide are undergoing a period of profound upheaval. The conventional vertically integrated mechanism is being replaced by a competitive market environment. Generation companies have incentives to apply novel technologies to lower production costs, for example: Combined Cycle units. Economic dispatch with Combined Cycle units becomes a non-convex optimization problem, which is difficult if not impossible to solve by conventional methods. Several techniques are proposed here: Mixed Integer Linear Programming, a hybrid method, as well as Evolutionary Algorithms. Evolutionary Algorithms share a common mechanism, stochastic searching per generation. The stochastic property makes evolutionary algorithms robust and adaptive enough to solve a non-convex optimization problem. This research implements GA, EP, and PS algorithms for economic dispatch with Combined Cycle units, and makes a comparison with classical Mixed Integer Linear Programming. The electricity market equilibrium model not only helps Independent System Operator/Regulator analyze market performance and market power, but also provides Market Participants the ability to build optimal bidding strategies based on Microeconomics analysis. Supply Function Equilibrium (SFE) is attractive compared to traditional models. This research identifies a proper SFE model, which can be applied to a multiple period situation. The equilibrium condition using discrete time optimal control is then developed for fuel resource constraints. Finally, the research discusses the issues of multiple equilibria and mixed strategies, which are caused by the transmission network. Additionally, an advantage of the proposed model for merchant transmission planning is discussed.
Gene/environment causes of cleft lip and/or palate

Craniofacial anomalies, and in particular cleft lip and palate, are major human birth defects with a worldwide frequency of 1 in 700 and substantial clinical impact. A wide range of studies in developmental biology has contributed to a better knowledge of how both genes and environmental exposures impact head organogenesis. Specific causes have now been identified for some forms of cleft lip and palate, and we are at the beginning of a time in which the common nonsyndromic forms may also have specific etiologies identified. Mouse models have an especially important role in disclosing cleft etiologies and providing models for environmental cotriggers or interventions. An overview of the gene-environment contributions to nonsyndromic forms of clefting and their implications for developmental biology and clinical counseling is presented.
Herbal Marijuana Alternatives and Bath Salts—“Barely Legal” Toxic Highs

Recreational drug use patterns change constantly, making it imperative that clinicians continuously update their knowledge about current trends of use and abuse. Particularly challenging are substances that have been described as nontraditional, emerging, and Web based, which have increased significantly in the last 2 years. This report reviews the epidemiology, pharmacology, clinical presentation, and toxicity as well as recommended management for 2 classes of emerging substances of abuse: herbal marijuana alternatives (eg, synthetic cannabinoids) and “bath salts” (eg, substituted cathinones). A brief review of the development of the regulation of these substances highlights the challenges associated with surveillance and subsequent enforcement of laws for emerging nontraditional substances of abuse.
Generalized ART algorithm for diffraction tomography

The reconstruction problem in diffraction tomography is addressed for cases where noise-free scattering data are available for a limited number of view angles (discrete set of incident wave directions). The solution to the inverse problem (reconstruction problem) is obtained in the form of an iterative method known in the literature as Kaczmarz's method and is found to be a generalization of the algebraic reconstruction technique (ART) of conventional computed tomography (CT) to diffraction tomography (DT). The generalized ART algorithm is shown to generate a reconstruction that is consistent with the data and that has minimum L2 norm along all such solutions. A computer simulation is presented comparing the performance of the algorithm with the filtered backpropagation algorithm.
Global patterns of the dynamics of soil carbon and nitrogen stocks following afforestation: a meta-analysis

Summary • Afforestation has been proposed as an effective method of carbon (C) sequestration; however, the magnitude and direction of soil carbon accumulation following afforestation and its regulation by soil nitrogen (N) dynamics are still not well understood. • We synthesized the results from 292 sites and carried out a meta-analysis to evaluate the dynamics of soil C and N stocks following afforestation. • Changes in soil C and N stocks were significantly correlated and had a similar temporal pattern. Significant C and N stock increases were found 30 and 50 yr after afforestation, respectively. Before these time points, C and N stocks were either depleted or unchanged. Carbon stock increased following afforestation on cropland and pasture, and in tropical, subtropical and boreal zones. The soil N stock increased in the subtropical zone. The soil C stock increased after afforestation with hardwoods such as Eucalyptus, but did not change after afforestation with softwoods such as pine. Soil N stocks increased and decreased, respectively, after afforestation with hardwoods (excluding Eucalyptus) and pine. • These results indicate that soil C and N stocks both increase with time after afforestation, and that C sequestration through afforestation depends on prior land use, climate and the tree species planted.
The role of spurious feature familiarity in recognition memory

In two experiments, we investigated the role of perceptual information in spurious recognition judgments. Participants viewed lists of words in various unusual fonts. The frequency with which each font was presented was manipulated at study: Each font was presented with 1 or 12 different words in Experiment 1 and with 1 or 20 words in Experiment 2. Although the participants were instructed in a word recognition test to judge only on the basis of the word, regardless of font, there were significantly more false alarms for new words seen in a previously presented font than for new words presented in a novel (not seen at study) font in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, the participants were significantly more likely to make a false alarm to a new word seen in a font that had been used to present 20 words during study than to a font that had been used to present only 1 word during study. The data show a mirror effect, in which words tested in low-frequency fonts produced more hits and fewer false alarms than did words tested in high-frequency fonts. These results show that irrelevant perceptual information plays a role in recognition judgments by providing spurious sources of familiarity and, thus, provide evidence that perceptual information is represented and processed in the same way as semantic information.
A chain copolymer from WCl2(PMe2Ph)4 and [TlOCH2CF3]4

Abstract A combination of WCl2(PMe2Ph)4 and [TlOCH2CF3]4 crystallize from hexane solution as a 1:1 material whose structure shows it to be an alternating chain copolymer. The link between the W- and Tl-containing monomers is composed of weak Tl/Cl interactions between otherwise not significantly distorted trans-WCl2P4 octahedra and Tl4O4 cubes. The compound crystallizes as two distinct polymorphs, which differ in the Tl/Cl bond lengths and also the conformation of the phenyl substituents in the W(PMe2Ph)4 substructure. Electronic spectral data support the idea that a Tl/W adduct persists in hexane solution, and it is suggested that the binding force in both solid and solution is a weak charge transfer complexation.
Analysis of light lithophile elements (Li, Be, B) by laser ablation ICP-MS: Comparison between magnetic sector and quadrupole ICP-MS

We report techniques for in-situ abundance measurements of the light-lithophile elements (LLE; Li, Be, and B) in silicate glasses by laser-ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and compare the analytical performance of a sector field and quadrupole mass analyzer for these measurements. LA-ICP-MS is shown to be an effective means of determining LLE abundances at spatial scales between 25 and 100 μm. Detection limits depend on instrumental sensitivity and ablation rate, but can be in the low- to sub-ng/g range. Measured ion yields for 7Li, 9Be, and 11B ion, normalized to 43Ca as an internal standard, remain largely constant during ablation, although 11B shows a relative increase once the ablation crater aspect ratio exceeds ~1. Surficial contamination, particularly of B, can be removed rapidly via a short pre-ablation (~20 pulses) immediately prior to analysis. The sector field ICP-MS provided considerable improvements in analytical performance over the quadrupole mass analyzer, although longer magnet settling times result in greater duty cycle losses. Calculated detection limits for a given set of ablation conditions are 20–90 times lower, and useful yields (the ratio of atoms ablated to counts detected) are 20–75 times greater for the sector field instrument. Analysis of reference glasses shows that LA-ICP-MS provides accurate measurements of Li, Be, and B contents in silicate glasses over a range of compositions (komatiite to rhyolite). LA-ICP-MS also offers similar accuracy and precision and marked improvements in sample throughput compared to secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analysis of LLE abundances, although SIMS has higher useful yield and thus provides better spatial resolution.
Micro-fracture in high-temperature metal-matrix laminates

Abstract Computational procedures are described to evaluate the behavior of high-temperature metal-matrix composites. Typical results are presented from studies done on compliant layers to reduce the residual thermal micro-stresses and the effect of partial bonding on composite properties. A three-dimensional finite element analysis in conjunction with strain energy release rates is also described to evaluate composite microfracture. Typical results for micro-fracture in composites subjected to thermo-mechanical cyclic loading are discussed and presented. The results show that interfacial debonding follows fiber or matrix micro-fracture.
Efficiency of independence working analysis of correlated survival data with general cluster size

We consider estimation of the regression coefficients in the multivariate positive stable frailty model with Weibull marginals introduced by Hougaard (1986). For general cluster sizes and various covariate patterns, we study the efficiency, relative to full maximum likelihood, of estimation from the independence working model and from the fixed effects model.
Efficacy of biopatch™ in reducing catheter related infections in cuffed, tunneled central venous catheters

Purpose Catheter related infections (CRIs) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients in need of long term central venous access.1 Chlorhexidine impregnated sponges have been shown to decrease infection rates in nontunneled central venous catheters (CVCs).1 The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Biopatch™when used with a tunneled, cuffed CVC to reduce CRIs. Materials and Methods All large bore tunneled, cuffed CVCs placed in our department between December 1, 2008 and August 31, 2012 were included in this study. HiIQ™ is used to track all procedural complications and was queried for occurences of local infection and septicemia/bacteremia for all patients who had catheters placed in this period. Endpoints were clinically based: a local or site infection was generally recognized as an erythematous exit site and septicemia/bacteremia was defined as those cases which required catheter removal due to positive blood cultures. This data was analyzed using a Chi Square test. Results Between December 1, 2008 and August 31, 2012, 2491 patients had catheters placed. 1348 patients had catheters placed before the intervention and 1237 after. For the 2 years before the intervention, there were 69 episodes of septicemia/bacteremia with an overall prevalence of 5.1%. After Biopatch™ was employed, there were 51 episodes of septicemia/bacteremia for an overall prevalence of 4.1%. This difference was not statistically significant (P=0.23). With regards to local infection, there were 28 patients who experienced local infection before Biopatch™ and 13 after, for an overall prevalence of 2.0% and 1.0% respectively. This result was statistically significant with a P=0.03. Conclusion There is good historical evidence to support the use of Biopatch™ to reduce CRIs in nontunneled CVCs. Based on our results in this retrospective study, Biopatch™ is also useful in reducing local exit site infections in patients who have tunneled, cuffed catheters. Reference 1. Timsit JF, Schwebel C, Bouadma L, et al. Chlorhexidine impregnated sponges and less frequent dressing changes for prevention of catheter-related infections in critically ill adults: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2009; 301:1231-41.
Haloes from plutonium minerals and fission alphas

The normal alpha decay of naturally occurring 244Pu can be expected to have produced pleochroic haloes detectable in existing rocks. Several methods of identifying such haloes are described here. Giant haloes might also be produced by the α particles that occasionally accompany the spontaneous fission of 244Pu. It is plausible to speculate that in ideal circumstances such gaint haloes might be as large as 100 µm, and that the X rays recently induced from central inclusions of giant haloes and identified as L rays of Z = 126 might instead have been K X rays from Te fission fragments.
Atomistic hybrid DSMC/NEMD method for nonequilibrium multiscale simulations

A multiscale hybrid method for coupling the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method to the nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) method is introduced. The method addresses Knudsen layer type gas flows within a few mean free paths of an interface or about an object with dimensions of the order of a few mean free paths. It employs the NEMD method to resolve nanoscale phenomena closest to the interface along with coupled DSMC simulation of the remainder of the Knudsen layer. The hybrid DSMC/NEMD method is a particle based algorithm without a buffer zone. It incorporates a new, modified generalized soft sphere (MGSS) molecular collision model to improve the poor computational efficiency of the traditional generalized soft sphere GSS model and to achieve DSMC compatibility with Lennard-Jones NEMD molecular interactions. An equilibrium gas, a Fourier thermal flow, and an oscillatory Couette flow, are simulated to validate the method. The method shows good agreement with Maxwell-Boltzmann theory for the equilibrium system, Chapman-Enskog theory for Fourier flow, and pure DSMC simulations for oscillatory Couette flow. Speedup in CPU time of the hybrid solver is benchmarked against a pure NEMD solver baseline for different system sizes and solver domain partitions. Finally, the hybrid method is applied to investigate interaction of argon gas with solid surface molecules in a parametric study of the influence of wetting effects and solid molecular mass on energy transfer and thermal accommodation coefficients. It is determined that wetting effect strength and solid molecular mass have a significant impact on the energy transfer between gas and solid phases and thermal accommodation coefficient.
Life-Cycle Environmental Impact Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Buildings Subjected to Natural Hazards

AbstractWith the occurrence of devastating natural disasters worldwide, even though initially used interchangeably with green or environmental development, sustainability has evolved to possess social and economic implications as well. Therefore, a complete sustainability assessment of any civil infrastructure requires an evaluation of its three major components: cost, and environmental and social impacts. Because the construction industry is a pioneer in the sustainability movement, the civil engineering community at large needs an integrated methodology for conducting sustainability assessment of civil infrastructure. This paper focuses on the environmental impact assessment component of sustainability within a comprehensive framework for conducting a life-cycle assessment of structures subjected to natural hazards. Although environmental emissions and waste generation in the initial manufacturing and construction phases make significant contributions to the total environmental impact, long-term structu...
Promoting self-directed learning through portfolios in undergraduate medical education: The mentors’ perspective

Background: Medical students need to acquire self-directed learning (SDL) skills for effective lifelong learning. Portfolios allow learners to reflect on their progress, diagnose learning needs and create learning plans, all elements of SDL. While mentorship is deemed to be essential for successful portfolio use, it is not known what constitutes effective mentorship in this process. In-depth understanding of the SDL construct seems a prerequisite.Aims: The aim of this study was to examine how portfolio mentors perceive and approach SDL.Methods: Interviews with faculty members who mentored medical students in portfolio were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed for themes.Results: Eight mentors participated. Qualitative analysis revealed six major themes around mentors’ definitions of SDL, their perception of innate SDL abilities of medical students, their own approach to SDL, their understanding of the value of learning plans, their perceptions of students’ engagement with the portfolio and the impact ...
The Experiences of School Counselors-in-Training in Group Work With LGBTQ Adolescents

This article describes an ethnographic study that explored the effectiveness of integrating training in social justice group work within an existent school counseling course. This research supported that school counseling trainees expanded their knowledge, awareness, and skills related to both lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) adolescents and psycho-educational group work in schools. Limit setting was one skill that remained under-developed for trainees at the conclusion of this project. Implications for training and future research are discussed.
Effect of Caval Waveform on Energy Dissipation of Failing Fontan Patients

Last stage of the palliative surgical reconstruction (i.e. Fontan procedure) for the infants with functional single-ventricle is total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC), where the superior vena cavae (SVC) and inferior vena cavae (IVC) are routed directly into the pulmonary arteries. Limited pumping energy available due to the absence of right-ventricle and altered venous characteristics require optimized hemodynamics inside the TCPC pathway, which can be achieved by minimizing the power losses.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
RAISING THE ‘DEAD’ – REPERFUSION FROM TORPOR

> Kelly Drew discusses Paul Chatfield and Charles Lyman's classic paper ‘Circulatory changes during the process of arousal in the hibernating hamster’, published in the American Journal of Physiology in 1950. Over 60 years ago, Paul Chatfield and Charles Lyman described fundamental
Particulate and soluble210Pb activities in the deep sea

Abstract Particulate and soluble, 210 Pb activities have been measured by filtration of large-volume water samples at two stations in the South Atlantic. Particulate phase 210 Pb (caught by a 0.4-μm filter) varies from 0.3% of total 210 Pb in equatorial surface water to 15% in the bottom water. The “absolute activity” of 210 Pb per unit mass of particulate matter is about 10 7 times the activity of soluble 210 Pb per unit mass of water, but because the mass ratio of particulate matter to water is about 10 −8 , the particulate phase carries only about 10% of the total activity. In Antarctic surface water the particulate phase carries 40% of the total 210 Pb activity; the absolute activity of this material is about the same as in other water masses and the higher fraction is due to the much larger concentration of suspended matter in surface water in this region. In the equatorial Atlantic the particulate phase 210 Pb activity increases with depth, by a factor of 40 from surface to bottom, and by a factor of 4 from the Antarctic Intermediate Water core to the Antarctic Bottom Water. This increase with depth is predicted by our previously proposed particulate scavenging model which indicated a scavenging residence time of 50 years for 210 Pb in the deep sea. A scavenging experiment showed that red clay sediment removes all the 210 Pb from seawater in less than a week. The Antarctic particulate profile shows little or no evidence of scavenging in this region, which may be due to the siliceous nature of the particulate phase in circumpolar waters. Our previous observation that the 210 Pb/ 226 Ra activity ratio is of the order of 0.5 in the deep water is further confirmed by the two South Atlantic profiles analyzed in the present work.
Analytic models of NH4+ uptake and regeneration experiments1

Differential equations describing the uptake and regeneration of NH/sub 4//sup +/ in both laboratory and field experiments are shown to have analytic solutions which can easily be inverted to determine the rate constants of interest. The solutions are used to study the descriptive ability of two fundamentally different models of NH/sub 4//sup +/ cycling, one in which NH/sub 4//sup +/ regeneration is regarded as a process that transfers N from participate N to NH/sub 4//sup +/, the other in which regeneration is regarded as a process that introduced NH/sub 4//sup +/ to the dissolved phase without removing N from the particulate phase. The former model was found to give a good description of experimental field data and reasonable parameter values in all cases studied. The latter model was much less successful in describing the data and in producing reasonable parameter values. It is concluded that transfer of nitrogen from particulate N to NH/sub 4//sup +/ is a process which must be taken into account in analyzing NH/sub 4//sup +/ uptake and regeneration experiments.
Aluminum nitride and alumina composite film fabricated by DC plasma processes

Abstract Composite films of aluminum nitride and alumina were fabricated on aluminum 6061 alloys in a DC plasma chamber. Samples were treated by three main processes. These were: (1) Ar plasma etching, (2) NH 3 /Ar plasma with low pressure and low current density, and (3) NH 3 plasma with high pressure and high current density. The oxygen-free Al surface was obtained after 10 min 2.8 keV Ar + sputtering in an ultrahigh vacuum analysis chamber after the sample was treated by processes 1 and 2. Composite films of aluminum nitride and alumina were obtained on samples treated by processes 1, 2 and 3. The surface compositions and bonding environments of the composite films were characterized by Auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. the thicknesses of the films were determined by argon sputtering in the ultra-high vacuum chamber. The surface morphologies of samples after fabrication processing in DC plasma were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Al with the composite film not only shows a much better corrosion resistance in 1N HCl solution but also exhibits six times higher hardness than that of untreated Al. A possible formation mechanism of the composite film is proposed.
Bone-screw mandible fixation: An intraoperative alternative to arch bars

Abstract Objectives: Bone-screw mandible fixation (BSMF) is evaluated as an alternative to intraoperative arch-bar maxillomandibular fixation before plating of mandibular fractures. BSMF is achieved by wire ligation of opposing bone-screws placed in the maxilla and mandible. Methods: A retrospective evaluation of 23 patients with 40 mandibular fractures who underwent mandibular fracture repairs. BSMF was used instead of arch bars to ensure proper dental occlusion. All fractures were then plated, after which BSMF was removed before termination of anesthesia. Results: Normal occlusion was observed in 21 patients (91.3%), Class II malocclusion was noted in 1 patient (4.3%), and 1 patient was edentulous. No complications related to the use of BSMF were observed. Conclusion: BSMF can serve as a viable alternative to arch-bar maxillomandibular fixation for obtaining temporary intraoperative occlusion. BSMF produces acceptable malocclusion rates and offers the advantages of decreased intraoperative time, lower risk for percutaneous and mucosal wire punctures, and ease of use. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;123:718-21.)
Yersinia Enterocolitica: A Panoramic View of a Charismatic Microorganism

AbstractYersinia enterocolitica, a small, Gram-negative coccobacillus which culturally and biochemically resembles members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, is widespread in nature, particularly in both domestic and wild mammals and birds. Human infection caused by this microorganism has been well documented in Europe, primarily in Scandinavian countries, and is now being increasingly appreciated in the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Japan. Infection with Y. enterocolitica usually presents as acute mesenteric lymphadenitis and terminal ileitis, although gastroenteritis, erythema nodosum, polyarthritis, septicemia, meningitis, cellulitis, conjunctivitis, and subacute localized abscesses in liver and spleen have also been recorded. Beginning with a review of historical milestones since its first description in the U.S. in 1939, this article will endeavor to place into perspective those factors contributing to the recognition and awareness in the U.S. of this long-discounted human pathogen. Pertine...
The spin of the 1643 keV state and multipole mixing ratios of γ-transitions in 134Ba

Abstract Directional correlations of the 134Ba γ-rays following the β-decay of 134Cs have been measured using two high-resolution 30 cm3 coaxial Ge(Li) detectors. Particular attention was paid to the various corrections that must be applied in measuring γ-γ directional correlations in complex decays. It was clearly established that the spin-parity of the 1634 keV excited state of 134Ba is 3+. The multipole mixing ratios (in the Krane-Steffen definition) of the 134Ba γ-rays are (energies in keV): |δ(475)| = > 18, δ(563) = −7.4 ± 0.9, δ(569) = +0.29 ± 0.02, δ(1038) = 1.85 ± 0.15.
A Unique Presentation of Occult Primary Breast Cancer with a Review of the Literature

We are reporting a case of a 34-year-old woman with occult primary breast cancer discovered after initially presenting with neurological symptoms. She was successfully treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by definitive axillary lymph node dissection and ipsilateral whole breast radiotherapy. The case presented is unique due to the rarity of occult primary breast cancer, especially in light of her initial confounding neurological signs and symptoms, which highlights the importance of careful staging.
A review of the literature on marijuana and interpersonal violence

Marijuana use and interpersonal violence are major public health problems. The present review examines the available empirical and theoretical literature on the relationship between marijuana and violence, including past theoretical models, the link between marijuana use and interpersonal violence (including intimate partner violence), and the relationship between marijuana withdrawal and violence. While results from laboratory-based studies are inconclusive, results of cross-sectional and longitudinal research provide support for an association between marijuana use/withdrawal and various types of violence. Given the lack of empirical support for existing models, a new biopsychosocial model of the marijuana-violence relationship is proposed. Examining methods to test this model and application of current findings to treatment are discussed.
Hyperacidification in cystic fibrosis: links with lung disease and new prospects for treatment

A new link between the genetic defect and lung pathology in cystic fibrosis (CF) has been established by the recent discovery of an abnormally acidic pH in the organelles of CF respiratory epithelial cells, along with an increased acidity of the CF airway surface liquid. The defect in cystic fibrosis transmembrane resistance regulator (CFTR) results in hyperacidification of the trans-Golgi network, an organelle responsible for glycosylation, and protein- and membrane-sorting in mammalian cells. Hyperacidification and altered surface glycoconjugates might contribute to mucus thickening, bacterial adhesion and colonization, inflammation, and irreversible tissue damage. The increased acidity of the intracellular organelles and of the lung lining in CF could be linked, and both represent potential therapeutic targets.
Characterization and treatment monitoring of inflammatory arthritis by photoacoustic imaging: a study on adjuvant-induced arthritis rat model

Neovascularity also known as angiogenesis is an early feature of inflammatory arthritis disease. Therefore, identifying the development of neovascularity is one way to potentially detect and characterize arthritis. Laser-based photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is an emerging biomedical imaging modality which may aid in detection of both early and continued development of neovascularity. In this work, we investigated the feasibility of PAI to measure angiogenesis, for the purpose of evaluating and monitoring inflammatory arthritis after treatment. The imaging results on an arthritis rat model demonstrate that 1) there is noticeable enhancement in image intensity in the arthritic ankle joints when compared to the normal joints, and 2) there is noticeable decrease in image intensity in the arthritic ankle joints after treatment when compared to the untreated arthritic joints. In order to validate the findings from PAI, we performed positron emission tomography (PET) and histology on the same joints. The diameters of the ankle joints, as a clinical score of the arthritis, were also measured at each time point.
Embedding K -ary complete trees into hypercubes

Abstract In this paper, dilated embedding and precise embedding of K -ary complete trees into hypercubes are studied. For dilated embedding, a nearly optimal algorithm is proposed which embeds a K -ary complete tree of height h , T K ( h ), into an ( h − 1)[log K ] + [log ( K + 2)]-dimensional hypercube with dilation Max{2, φ ( K ), φ ( K + 2)}. φ ( x ) = min{ λ : Σ λ i = 0 C i d ≥ x and d = [log x ]}. It is clear that [([log x ] + 1)/2] ≤ φ ( x ) ≤ [log x ], for x ≥ 3.) For precise embedding, we show a ( K − 1) h + 1-dimensional hypercube is large enough to contain T K ( h ) as its subgraph, K ≥ 3.
The interface crack problem for a nonhomogeneous coating bonded to a homogeneous substrate

Abstract The debonding problem for a composite layer that consists of a homogeneous substrate and a non-homogeneous coating is considered. It is assumed that the problem is one of plane strain or generalized plane stress and the elastic medium contains a crack along the interface. It is further assumed that the thermomechanical properties of the medium are continuous functions of the thickness coordinate with discontinuous derivatives and the kink line of the property distributions corresponds to the “interface”. The mixed-mode crack problem is formulated for arbitrary crack surface tractions and sample results are given for uniform normal and shear tractions. The main variables in the problem are two dimensionless length parameters and a nonhmogeneity constant. Calculated results consist of primarily the stress intensity factors and the strain energy release rate and are partly intended to provide benchmark solutions for further numerical studies.
The expression of mRNAs for hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor, its receptor c-met, and one of its activators tissue-type plasminogen activator show a systematic relationship in the developing and adult cerebral cortex and hippocampus.

The temporal and spatial expression in brain of the mRNAs for the pleiotropic cytokine hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) and its receptor c-met were compared to those of a known HGF/SF activator, tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA). In addition to the previously described expression in the developing and adult olfactory system [D.P. Thewke, N.W. Seeds, Expression of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor, its receptor, c-met, and tissue-type plasminogen activator during development of the murine olfactory system, J. Neurosci. 16 (1996) 6933-6944] two other regions of the mouse brain were found where the expression of tPA mRNA appeared to co-localized with HGF/SF and/or c-met mRNA. In the developing hippocampus, tPA mRNA was expressed coincident with HGF/SF and c-met mRNAs in the CA1 field. tPA mRNA was expressed in all areas of the adult hippocampus, while HGF/SF expression was restricted to the CA2 and CA3 fields, and c-met mRNA was seen primarily in the CA1 field. In the developing cerebral cortex, the expression of tPA mRNA was observed in the subplate and inner cortical plate between two layers of c-met expression, whereas HGF/SF mRNA was localized to the proliferative zone lining the lateral ventricle. Layer specific expression of both HGF/SF and c-met mRNA were observed in the adult cortex, where HGF/SF was expressed in layers IV and V and c-met in layers II-III, IV and V. The expression of tPA mRNA in the adult cortex was low and not layer specific, although homogenates of adult cortex did have detectable levels of tPA activity when subjected to zymography. Immunohistochemical analysis using HGF/SF and c-met antibodies on adult brain sections showed a distribution similar to the in situ hybridization results. C-met antibodies appeared to stain large neurons in the cortex and hippocampus. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that HGF/SF plays a role in the development and maintenance of both the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and that tPA may act as a regulator of HGF/SF activity in these structures.
Effects of bark girdling on carbohydrate supply and resistance of loblolly pine to southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm.) attack

Abstract Importance of current photosynthate in the regulation of tree defense against the southern pine beetle (SPB), Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) was investigated in loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L. Downward translocation of carbohydrate was blocked by removing a ring of bark (girdle) at 3.5 m above ground. Beetle colonization success and tree defensive responses measured as resin flow and induced lesion formation to inoculations with the beetle-associated fungus, Ophiostoma minus (Hedge.) H. and P. Sydow., were assessed above and below girdles. We hypothesized that a decrease in a available carbohydrate would lead to a decrease in tree defense and an increase in SPB colonization success below girdles. At 2 weeks, post-girdling carbohydrates were already reduced by 50% below girdles, but no significant differences in beetle colonization success or defensive responses were measured. At 8 weeks, post-girdling starch was reduced by 93%, sucrose by 44% and resin flow by 44% below girdles. Southern pine beetle adults were more successful in colonizing areas below than above girdles. However, no significant differences were detected in the size of the lesions that formed in response to inoculated fungi. This suggests that the size of the induced lesion may not be a reliable indicator of tree resistance to bark beetle attack as previously believed, and that lesion development is not entirely dependent on available carbohydrate or related to tree defense against beetles. Cambial growth was reduced below girdles with no latewood formed below and 25 rows of latewood formed above girdles. Latewood contains much higher densities of resin ducts than earlywood. This may explain why resin flow was lower and beetles were more successful in colonizing areas of the tree below girdles. Therefore, tree defense against bark beetles may be more complex than a simple supply-and-demand relationship for carbohydrate, and changes in source-sink relationships, as influenced by the environment, may be more important than supply.
Visions of discipline Sir Mortimer Wheeler and the archaeological method in India (1944-1948)

Focusing on the epistemological homology between the construction of archaeological knowledge, archaeological evidence and the nature of archaeological representation, I examine the visual archive produced by Sir Mortimer Wheeler in India between 1944-48, to analyze the ideological ramification of the archaeological project. The discursive nature of Wheeler’s representations was deeply embedded in the disciplinarian ideologies of the colonial project, the scientific project and the military project. This article analyzes Wheeler’s methodical attempt at conflating the three projects by disciplining archaeology as a scientific practice in a colonial space. I argue that this was articulated by appropriating the ideas of ‘epistemic marker’ and ‘ethnic marker’ as visual tropes to transform the visual representations produced in a colonial context into a scientific discourse, aimed at transforming the discipline.
Size‐dependent responses to dehydration in the terrestrial slug, Limax maximus L.: Locomotor activity and huddling behavior

When specimens of Limax maximus L. are dehydrated alone or in groups of three or five, they exhibit an increase in locomotor activity but no increase in huddling behavior (i.e., the formation of aggregations of several slugs) when compared with hydrated animals. The extent of the dehydration-induced increase in locomotion is a function of body size, with small and mediumsized animals (0.3–2.9 g) exhibiting significantly more activity than large animals (3.5–6.0 g). The dehydration-induced behavioral responses of small slugs are affected by altering the rate of dehydration. Therefore, the variation in behavioral responses between L. maximus of different sizes may be due to the different rates of dehydration that they experience.
Efficient solution of Poisson’s equation in linear combination of atomic orbitals calculations of crystal electronic structure

An accurate and efficient method has previously been described for the evaluation of electrostatic contributions in linear combination of atomic orbitals--molecular orbitals calculations. The method is based on a decomposition of the charge density into a sum of atom-centered contributions, which reproduces the near-nucleus rapid variation of the charge density to arbitrary accuracy, plus a slowly varying remainder. Here the method is extended to the electronic structure of an infinite periodic solid. It is illustrated by an evaluation of the electronic structure of a one-layer Ru(0001) sheet.
Injection into the ISA

Three modes of injection into the ISA storage accelerators are discussed. The three are: 1) Energy stacking in the ISA. 2) Acceleration of 12 bunches in the AGS followed by single bunch transfer to the ISA. Application of a moving bucket technique then allows the transferred bunch to be brought closer to the bucket train circulating in the ISA. 3) Acceleration on the first harmonic in the AGS. The single bunch is then transferred directly to the ISA into a matched bucket.
Materials analysis using sputter initiated resonance ionization spectroscopy

Abstract Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy (RIS) is a sensitive and selective ionization technique capable of single atom detection. This technique has been applied to the trace element analysis of solids in a process called Sputter Initiated Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy (SIRIS). Here we briefly review RIS and SIRIS. Recent results are presented for measurements of boron concentrations down to the ppm level in standard steel and silicon samples. Some preliminary results are also presented for uranium and uranium compounds. A detection efficiency for SIRIS is reported which will make possible a sensitivity of 2 ppb.