cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does the Location of Bruch's Membrane Opening Change Over Time? Longitudinal Analysis Using San Diego Automated Layer Segmentation Algorithm (SALSA).

Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) advances have brought a significant improvement in image capture speed and resolution, and exhibit many characteristics of a good diagnostic tool, including high sensitivity and specificity, good reproducibility, ability to detect change over time, simplicity in use and interpretation, and convenience for patient and physician. Because early diagnosis of glaucoma and detection of its progression through subtle changes in the optic nerve head (ONH) measurements may be useful for glaucoma diagnosis and management, the ability of such measurements to detect glaucomatous change must be studied before these measurements can be used for detection of progression. Several studies have shown that Bruch's membrane opening (BMO; i.e., the termination of Bruch membrane layer) can be used as a reference from which lamina cribrosa (LC) and ONH parameters can be estimated.1–3 For example, rim width estimation requires segmentation of the BMO and internal limiting membrane (ILM) layer. In particular, it has been shown that the minimum distance from BMO to the ILM can be used as an accurate estimate of minimum rim width to discriminate glaucoma patients from healthy subjects.4 Moreover, many histologic studies of humans and animals as well as experimental animal models based on IOP elevation have shown that eyes in early stage of glaucoma often have posterior LC displacement.5 Studies propose the anterior LC surface depth (ALCSD) measurement to model such displacement.6,7 The ALCSD parameter is defined as the average perpendicular distance from the anterior LC surface (i.e., the surface separating the prelaminar tissue and LC structure) relative to BMO-based reference plane. Because many ONH parameters used for glaucoma diagnosis or glaucoma progression monitoring are based on the assumption that the BMO is stable over time, it is important to determine whether the BMO location changes with age or severity of glaucoma. Recently, Johnstone et al.8 reported that the BMO is located more posteriorly in older individuals compared to younger individuals based on a cross-sectional analysis that included a total of 168 eyes from 84 study subjects. They suggested that these differences were explained by the fact that the BMO migrates posteriorly with age due to age-related choroidal thinning. As they suggest, these results must be confirmed in longitudinal cohorts. We determined if the BMO location changes over time in healthy eyes and eyes with progressing glaucoma and validated the custom San Diego automated layer segmentation algorithm (SALSA) by comparing the reproducibility of automated and manual BMO segmentation results with Cirrus HD-OCT optic disc cube scans.
The factors associated with the drug safety

Objective: We investigated some of the factors that impact on the drug safety for providing references during the de-velopment and clinical use of drug. Methods: We reviewed the literature about adverse drug reactions recently, demonstrated the relevant factors that contribute to the drug safety. Results: Factors such as drug metabolism, pharmacogenetics, patient demographics (e. g. age, gender , concomilanl medicines or physiologic pothophysiologic states) affect the drug safety. The postmarketing aurveillance was one of the importante measures that assure the drug safety, 1-to-3-year postmarketing is the key period of aurveillance. Conclusion: Evaluation of these factors, for example, the use of in vitro testing for determining the metabolic profile of a drug candidate in early development, would lead to reduction in the frequency of ADRs and in the rises for drug development. The strength of 1-to-3-year postmarketing surveillance on the new drugs and the weight of both the risks and benefit after use of drug would assure the drug safety.
Youthful Familicidal Offenders: Targeted Victims, Planned Attacks

A nonrandom national sample of 16 familicides, which involved 19 offenders (ages 14 to 21 years) who either killed or made a serious attempt to kill their families, was studied. The majority of offenders were Caucasian (78.91 %) males (84.21 %) with interpersonal family conflicts due to parental control, substance use, or physical violence. Prior to the murders, 50 % of the offenders reported to others their intent to kill their families. All of the 42 reported victims were specifically targeted and most of the homicides were planned shooting attacks (75 %) rather than spontaneous eruptions. Immediately following the homicides, 75 % of the offenders stole money from their families, and in 50 % of the cases they either called their friends to report the murders or to plan leisure activities. All offenders were immediate suspects and 81.25 % confessed to the homicides. Implications for furthering our understanding of this group of young offenders are offered.
REVISION OF A BMET CURRICULUM

ABSTRACT An established associate degree program for BMET's has been revised to take into account changes in technology. Microprocessors and additional electronics laboratory time have been introduced into the curriculum. A combination Chemistry and Physics course has been developed for BMET's. The changes were made without the need for increased staff, equipment, or space.
Preservation of the Myofascial Cuff During Posterior Fossa Surgery to Reduce the Rate of Pseudomeningocele Formation and Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak: A Technical Note.

INTRODUCTION Suboccipital craniotomy is a workhorse neurosurgical operation for approaching the posterior fossa but carries a high risk of pseudomeningocele and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. We describe our experience with a simple T-shaped fascial opening that preserves the occipital myofascial cuff as compared to traditional methods to reduce this risk. METHODS A single institution, retrospective review of prospectively collected database was performed of patients that underwent a suboccipital craniectomy or craniotomy. Patient data was reviewed for craniotomy or craniectomy, dural graft, and/or sealant use as well as CSF complications. A pseudomeningocele was defined as a subcutaneous collection of cerebrospinal fluid palpable clinically and confirmed on imaging. A CSF leak was defined as a CSF-cutaneous fistula manifested by CSF leaking through the wound. All patients underwent regular postoperative visits of two weeks, one month, and three months. RESULTS Our retrospective review identified 33 patients matching the inclusion criteria. Overall, our cohort had a 21% (7/33) rate of clinical and radiographic pseudomeningocele formation with 9% (3/33) requiring surgical revision or a separate procedure. The rate of clinical and radiographic pseudomeningocele formation in the myofascial cuff preservation technique was less than standard techniques (12% and 31%, respectively). Revision or further surgical procedures were also reduced in the myofascial cuff preservation technique vs. the standard technique (6% vs 13%). CONCLUSIONS Preservation of the myofascial cuff during posterior fossa surgery is a simple and adoptable technique that reduces the rate of pseudomeningocele formation and CSF leak as compared with standard techniques.
Interpretable Clustering via Discriminative Rectangle Mixture Model

Clustering is a technique that is usually applied as a tool for exploratory data analysis. Because of the exploratory nature of this task, it would be beneficial if a clustering method generates interpretable results, and allows incorporating domain knowledge. This motivates us to develop a probabilistic discriminative model that learns a rectangular decision rule for each cluster, we call Discriminative Rectangle Mixture (DReaM) model. DReaM gives interpretable clustering results, because the rectangular decision rules discovered explicitly illustrate how one cluster is defined and differs from other clusters. It also facilitates us to take advantage of existing rules because we can choose informative prior distributions for the rectangular rules. Moreover, DReaM allows that the features for generating rules do not have to be the same as the features for discovering cluster structure. We approximate the distribution for the rules discovered via variational inference. Experimental results demonstrate that DReaM gives more interpretable clustering results, and yet its performance is comparable to existing clustering methods when solving traditional clustering. Furthermore, in real applications, DReaM is able to effectively take advantage of domain knowledge, and to generate reasonable clustering results.
A New Semi-local Convergence Analysis of the Secant Method

We provide a new semi-local convergence analysis for the secant method in a Banach space setting. Argyros and other authors have analyzed the method using a Lipschitz condition and a simple center Lipschitz condition. However, the secant method has two starting vectors \(u_0\), \(u_{-1}\), and it makes sense to analyze it using a mixed center-Lipschitz condition based on both vectors. The direct analysis of the majorizing sequence employed in this paper can be used to obtain weaker convergence conditions than those used in earlier studies. A numerical example is given to further justify the theoretical results.
Cancer Occurrences in Laboratory Rats From Exposure to RF and Microwave Radiation

The health effects of radio-frequency (RF) and microwave radiation have been a subject of scientific inquiry and public interest of late because of widespread global usage of mobile communication devices by billions of people everywhere. A minute increase in health risks such as cancer from RF radiation might lead to significant consequences for the health of the general public. A recent U.S. government announcement about the discovery of rare cancers in rats exposed to RF radiation is an important occurrence. Note that any new or single report should not be viewed in isolation. The U.S. government project was organized to confront the weaknesses of prior laboratory rodent studies on the potential of RF exposure to impact human health such as cancer in controlled environments. Indeed, several published reports on animal cancer investigations involving prolonged exposure to RF radiation are contentious and perplexing. The discrepancies have presented ambiguity in assessing public health threats from RF exposure. It is the objective of this review to provide a critical and analytical synopsis and assessment on current progress in cancers in rats exposed to lifelong RF and microwave radiation. Its focus is on laboratory studies involving cancer production and promotion, as well as the survival of experimental rats. Of special interest is carcinogenesis in the head—cancer development in the head. The question of whether RF exposure from wireless and mobile devices and systems poses a health risk will likely remain equivocal and controversial for some time to come.
Motivations for a special issue on local food systems development

Increasingly, many believe that food is for much more than simple biological maintenance. Our society is replete with examples of how food symbolizes our value structures, our relationships with ea...
Developing a Newborn Resuscitation Telemedicine Program: A Comparison of Two Technologies

Abstract Background: Early work has demonstrated the feasibility and acceptance of newborn resuscitation telemedicine programs (NRTPs). The technology requirements for providing this type of emergency telemedicine service are unclear. Introduction: We hypothesized that during NRTP consults, a wired telemedicine cart would provide a more reliable and higher-quality user experience than a consumer-grade wireless tablet. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective observational study, six spoke sites used consumer-grade wireless tablets during preintervention and wired coder/decoder (CODEC)-based telemedicine carts during postintervention. Both technologies used the same videoconferencing software. After the telemedicine consult, providers completed surveys assessing connection reliability, user satisfaction, and audio and video quality using a 1–5 Likert scale. Results: Preintervention, users completed 99 consults and 95 surveys. Postintervention, users completed 73 consults and 192 surveys. Successful con...
Reliability comparison of 28 V–50 V GaN-on-SiC S-band and X-band technologies

Abstract This paper discusses the reliability performance of Wolfspeed GaN/AlGaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) MMIC released process technologies, fabricated on 100 mm high purity semi-insulating (HPSI) 4H-SiC substrates. The intrinsic reliability performances of the 28 V and 40 V technologies, with 400 nm and 250 nm gate length, have been characterized with DC accelerated life test (DC-ALT), for which ohmic contact inter-diffusion is the wear-out mechanism, and is accelerated by temperature and current. The intrinsic reliability performance of the 50 V technologies, with 400 nm gate length, have been characterized with RF-ALT, for which source-connected second field plate void coalescence is the wear-out mechanism which is accelerated by temperature. In spite of the differences in the accelerated test methodologies and wear-out mechanisms, all of the Wolfspeed GaN-on-SiC technologies demonstrate high and similar predicted lifetimes at their respective maximum recommended operating conditions. The reliability performance is supported with successful technology qualifications with zero failures, and volume manufacturing with a demonstrated low field failure rate.
Nanoparticle packing within block copolymer micelles prepared by the interfacial instability method

The interfacial instability method has emerged as a viable approach for encapsulating high concentrations of nanoparticles (NPs) within morphologically diverse micelles. In this method, transient interfacial instabilities at the surface of an emulsion droplet guide self-assembly of block co-polymers and NP encapsulants. Although used by many groups, there are no systematic investigations exploring the relationship between NP properties and micelle morphology. Here, the effect of quantum dot (QD) and superparamagnetic iron oxide NP (SPION) concentration on the shape, size, and surface deformation of initially spherical poly(styrene-b-ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO) micelles was examined. Multi-NP encapsulation and uniform dispersion within micelles was obtained even at low NP concentrations. Increasing NP concentration initially resulted in larger numbers of elongated micelles and cylinders with tightly-controlled diameters smaller than those of spherical micelles. Beyond a critical NP concentration, micelle formation was suppressed; the dominant morphology became densely-loaded NP structures that were coated with polymer and exhibited increased polydispersity. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) revealed that NPs in densely-loaded structures can be well-ordered, with packing volume fractions of up to 24%. These effects were enhanced in magnetic composites, possibly by dipole interactions. Mechanisms governing phase transitions triggered by NP loading in the interfacial instability process were proposed. The current study helps establish and elucidate the active role played by NPs in directing block copolymer assembly in the interfacial instability process, and provides important guiding principles for the use of this approach in generating NP-loaded block copolymer composites.
The Role of Growth Factors in Tissue Repair IV

Type β-transforming growth factor (TGF-β) is a low-molecular-weight protein with a broad array of biologic effects, including the ability both to stimulate and inhibit the proliferation of cells in culture (Tucker et al., 1984; Roberts et al., 1985; Sporn et al., 1986). This chapter focuses on a single aspect of TGF-β action: its ability to induce a striking wound-healing response in several whole-animal and cell-culture model systems. These results, considered with experiments showing storage of TGF-β in platelets and release of TGF-β during platelet degranulation, strongly suggest that this growth factor has an important physiologic role as an endogenous mediator of wound repair and fibrosis.
Upper Tolerance Intervals Adjusted for Multiple Nuisance Uncertainties

﻿In many product-quality situations, it must be shown with high confidence (X%) that a high percentage (at least Y%) of the product made during the production period has true values of property below a calculated value. This can be done using an X%/Y% u..
"You Want It When?" How Temporal Dissonance in IT Workers Contributes to Project Failures

IT projects continue to fail too frequently. One reason for these failures is interpersonal and motivational issues in IT workers. One possible cause for these issues is increased temporal dissonance in IT workers, which causes stress and cynicism. In study 1, we develop a measure of temporal dissonance and show its effect on stress. Study 2 extends and confirms study 1, showing that increased temporal dissonance results in increased stress and increased workplace cynicism. Study 2 also partially confirms that there are differing temporal characteristics between IT workers and managers which may cause temporal dissonance.
Response rates and mail recreation survey results: how much is enough?

This study examines whether survey results profiling homogeneous recreation populations can be valid at lower response rates. Four similar, but separate national park visitor surveys using on-site ...
EARLY ONSET SPLENOMEGALY-NOT PURELY HEMATOLOGIC

Introduction Patients with splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy are frequently referred to the hematologist. Although splenomegaly may be seen in primary immunodeficiency diseases, it is rarely the presenting symptom. Case Description A 21-year old male was admitted with severe pneumococcal pneumonia with respiratory failure. He was found to be agammaglobulinemic and treated with antibiotics and intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG). He had been followed by a hematologist, along with 2 siblings, for splenomegaly since birth, lymphadenopathy, and “polyclonal B cell activation,” but prior immunoglobulins were normal. T and B cell abnormalities included low CD3 and CD4 percentages, with elevated CD19 percentage/count. Past history included otitis media, warts, molluscum contagiosium, and Salmonella lymphadenitis. His sister died at age 17 of viral myocarditis. He recovered but then developed Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis. He received methylprednisolone, but succumbed to an intracranial bleed. Immune evaluation of his surviving brother revealed normal absolute lymphocyte count and immunoglobulins. T and B cell subsets showed low CD3 and CD4 percentages with elevated CD19 percentage/count. DNA testing showed a heterozygous variant in the CARD 11 gene (c.368G>T (p.Gly123Val), consistent with CARD 11 gain-of- function mutation, a newly described combined immunodeficiency disorder, also known as B-cell expansion with NF-κB and T-cell anergy (BENTA). Discussion Early onset splenomegaly may be a marker for CARD 11/BENTA, a condition in which patients with polyclonal B cell proliferation may show progressive immunodeficiency. This case highlights the benefits of genetic testing by an immunologist to establish a definitive diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency in an affected family.
Genetic Causes and Modifiers of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in 59 children. ASD is highly genetically heterogeneous and may be caused by both inheritable and de novo gene variations. In the past decade, hundreds of genes have been identified that contribute to the serious deficits in communication, social cognition, and behavior that patients often experience. However, these only account for 10-20% of ASD cases, and patients with similar pathogenic variants may be diagnosed on very different levels of the spectrum. In this review, we will describe the genetic landscape of ASD and discuss how genetic modifiers such as copy number variation, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and epigenetic alterations likely play a key role in modulating the phenotypic spectrum of ASD patients. We also consider how genetic modifiers can alter convergent signaling pathways and lead to impaired neural circuitry formation. Lastly, we review sex-linked modifiers and clinical implications. Further understanding of these mechanisms is crucial for both comprehending ASD and for developing novel therapies.
Expert perceptions of enhancing grid resilience with electric vehicles in the United States

Abstract Electricity and transportation systems in industrialized countries are undergoing transformations that, if coordinated, could improve the resilience and environmental performance of energy systems. The electrification of transportation and the expansion of renewable electricity can be leveraged by the bidirectional smart charging of electric vehicles, called “vehicle-grid integration” (VGI). Studies to date have focused on simulations and pilot studies to estimate the technical potential of VGI. We survey members of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Electricity Advisory Committee using a Delphi approach to assess VGI’s market potential and challenges. Building on the tradition of managing real-time demand with energy efficiency and load control, we extend the concept to consider grid resilience services with VGI. The survey results are examined in tandem with a targeted review of the literature, current policies, and the ecosystem of stakeholders. We find that experts rate grid-to-vehicle integration as the most valuable mode, and they rate battery degradation and warranty issues as the most important integration challenges. Our expert respondents also noted the need to create markets for ancillary grid services in vertically integrated utility systems. Managing electricity and transportation as complementary systems could help to address the growing need for grid resilience and carbon mitigation.
DYADIC FACTORS THAT ASSOCIATE WITH INSOMNIA IN CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA

Insomnia is prevalent in caregivers of persons living with dementia (PLWD); however, more research is needed to identify which dyadic factors most impact caregiver sleep. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with caregiver insomnia in the baseline component of a randomized clinical trial. A linear regression was conducted with caregiver variables (e.g., depression), and PLWD variables (e.g., disruptive nighttime behaviors) as independent variables in relation to insomnia, as assessed with Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Caregivers (n=49) were on average 63 years, mostly female (65.3%), White (69.4%), and spouses (65.3%). Mean ISI was 6.8, indicating mild-to-moderately disturbed sleep. Multiple linear regression (F(11,32) = 13.4, p<.001) showed that both caregiver-based measures (depression, p<.023) and PLWD-based measures (disruptive nighttime behaviors, p<.001) were independently associated with ISI. Ideas about needed multicomponent dyadic interventions which target both PLWD nighttime behaviors, caregiver depression, and sleep disturbances will be discussed.
A New Look at Person Memory

Research interest in perceivers’ memory for the appearance, nonverbal behaviors, and verbal statements of others (i.e., targets) is growing. This chapter describes the emergence of this new look in person-memory research from its historical roots in eyewitness accuracy to its current focus on adaptive memory processes. With respect to adaptive memory, special attention is given to potential markers of targets’ sexual/sociosexual orientation and how perceivers’ proximal states, such as their short- or long-term mating goals, impact the relative importance and memorability of specific target cues (viz., appearance, verbal statements). The functional significance of enhanced memory for targets’ cues is discussed in domains ranging from the mundane (social categorization) to the serious (finding a mate). Gender differences in person memory are covered as well.
Smoking-Related DNA Methylation is Differentially Associated with Cadmium Concentration in Blood

Tobacco smoking, a risk factor for several human diseases, can lead to alterations in DNA methylation. Smoking is a key source of cadmium exposure; however, there are limited studies examining DNA methylation alterations following smoking-related cadmium exposure. To identify such cadmium exposure-related DNA methylation, we performed genome-wide DNA methylation profiling using DNA samples from 50 smokers and 50 non-smokers. We found that a total of 136 CpG sites (including 70 unique genes) were significantly differentially methylated in smokers as compared to that in non-smokers. The CpG site cg05575921 in the AHRR gene was hypomethylated (Δ s > − 0.2) in smokers, which was in accordance with previous studies. The rs951295 (within RNA gene LOC105370802) and cg00587941 sites were under-methylated by > 15% in smokers, whereas cg11314779 (within CELF6) and cg02126896 were over-methylated by ≥ 15%. We analyzed the association between blood cadmium concentration and DNA methylation level for 50 smokers and 50 non-smokers. DNA methylation rates of 307 CpG sites (including 207 unique genes) were significantly correlated to blood cadmium concentration (linear regression P value 10% in smokers compared to that in non-smokers. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that DNA methylation levels of rs951295, cg00587941, cg11314779, and cg02126896 sites may be new putative indicators of smoking status. Furthermore, we showed that these four loci may be differentially methylated by cadmium exposure due to smoking.
Productivity-Safety Model: Debunking the Myth of the Productivity-Safety Divide through a Mixed-Reality Residential Roofing Task

AbstractDistractions theory and general practice have suggested that providing safe physical conditions will reduce task demands and thereby increase workers’ ability to develop highly productive a...
The Association between Adherence to Sexist Beliefs and Traditional Family Norms, Religion, and Attitudes toward Sexual Minorities.

Much remains unknown about the collective influence of adherence to sexist beliefs and traditional family norms on attitudes toward sexual minorities. Understanding factors that shape attitudes are...
(Re)claiming Stories in the #MeToo Movement: Righting Epistemic Wrongs of Physical, Mental, and Emotional Harms of Sexual Violence.

Sexual violence is a major public health concern, and healthcare providers are in a unique position to offer care and support for survivors. Our study analyzes survivors’ stories of sexual violence...
How Social Media Comments Inform the Promotion of Mask-Wearing and Other COVID-19 Prevention Strategies

Current COVID-19 messaging efforts by public health departments are primarily informational in nature and assume that audiences will make rational choices in compliance, contradicting extensive research indicating that individuals make lifestyle choices based on emotional, social, and impulsive factors. To complement the current model, audience barriers to prevention need to be better understood. A content analysis of news source comments in response to daily COVID-19 reports was conducted in Montana, one of the states expressing resistance to routine prevention efforts. A total of 615 Facebook comments drawn from Montana news sources were analyzed using the Persuasive Health Message Framework to identify perceived barriers and benefits of mask-wearing. A majority (63%) of comments expressed barriers, the most common of which were categorized as either misinformation about the virus or conspiracy theories. Benefits (46%) of mask-wearing were articulated as benefits to loved ones or people in one’s community or saving hospital space. This paper analyzes the implications of low perceived threat accompanied by low perceived efficacy of mask-wearing to make recommendations for future prevention efforts.
Exploring Effective Pre-Kindergarten Family–School Partnerships: The Pre-Kindergarten Parent Leadership Academy Program

Research suggests that positive parent–teacher relationships and increased parent involvement can improve student achievement. Family–school–community partnerships can promote these outcomes. This article describes the Pre-Kindergarten Parent Leadership Academy (Pre-KPLA) within the Parent Teacher Leadership Academy (PTLA) at the University of Alabama. To support local elementary schools and their students and families, the Pre-KPLA gives parents the opportunity to develop leadership skills within their school community while promoting parent–teacher relationships. Using a mixed-methods design, we analyzed data from the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 years of the Pre-KPLA on parents’ leadership behaviors and self-efficacy. Pretest–posttest results showed that parent participants significantly increased their leadership behaviors and self-efficacy. Additionally, qualitative thematic analysis revealed that parents were inspired to take action in their school, gained new knowledge about school improvement goals, and learned new ways to seek additional funding for their school.
Generalized motor inhibitory deficit in Parkinson’s disease patients who freeze

Freezing of gait is a disabling symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD) that involves failure to initiate and continue motor activity appropriately. PD disrupts fronto-basal ganglia circuitries that also implement the inhibition of responses, leading to the hypothesis that freezing of gait may involve fundamental changes in both initiation and inhibition of motor actions. We asked whether PD patients who show freezing of gait show selective deficits in their ability to inhibit upper and lower extremity reactions. We compared older healthy controls, older PD controls without freezing of gait, and older PD participants with freezing of gait, in stop-signal tasks that measured the initiation (go trials) and inhibition (stop trials) of both hand and foot responses. When only go trials were presented, all three groups showed similar initiation speeds across lower and upper extremity responses. When stop-signal trials were introduced, both PD groups slowed their reactions nearly twice as much as healthy controls. While this adjustment helped PD controls stop their actions as quickly as healthy controls, PD patients with freezing showed significantly delayed inhibitory control of both upper and lower extremities. When anticipating the need to stop their actions urgently, PD patients show greater adjustments (i.e., slowing) to reaction speed than healthy controls. Despite these proactive adjustments, PD patients who freeze show marked impairments in inhibiting both upper and lower extremity responses, suggesting that freezing may involve a fundamental disruption to the brain's inhibitory control system.
Developing a Multimedia Product for the World Wide Web

Our group is responsible for developing the IBM HCI and Ease of Use web sites. The goals in developing these sites have included investigating and demonstrating appropriate uses of multimedia in web design. Through our experience developing these sites, research we have conducted, user feedback we have received, literature reviews, interviews with web site developers, and related activities, we have learned a number of valuable lessons. This paper summarizes the most important of those lessons.
Temperature and bias characteristics of p-i-n optical modulators for free-space optical communications

Operational characteristics of InGaAs/InAlAs based MQW modulators, with different device designs, for a wide temperature range (-40/spl deg/C to 70/spl deg/C) are reported. The modulator peak extinction ratio wavelength is shown to be a linear function of temperature.
New Insights About Critical Junctures: Lessons from the Study of Governing Majority Formation in American Politics

In this paper, we present a new model of the politics of reconstruction that explicitly uses the critical juncture framework as a guidepost. The model that we promote draws upon two distinct research traditions. The first of these traditions is based in a social cleavage-centered understanding of American politics (Schattschneider, 1960; Sundquist, 1973; Petrocik, 1982), while the second is inspired by “new institutionalist” research (Steinmo, Thelen, Longstreth, 1992; Hall and Taylor 1996; Orren and Skowronek 2004). The model can be summarized as consisting of three main claims.
Differential Reassignment for Lamb Wave Characterization

Characterization of dispersion curves in plate‐like structures is possible with guided Lamb waves. In this research, experimental development of dispersion curves relies on the spectrogram, which suffers from the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. Reassignment is capable of localizing ill‐defined dispersion curves. Unfortunately, reassignment also introduces spurious components, which reduce reassignment performance. This research develops an algorithm that provides both localization of dispersion curves and elimination of spurious components. To achieve this, an alternative formulation of reassignment called differential reassignment is superimposed with nonlinear anisotropic diffusion. The combined algorithm is then applied to reassign experimentally measured spectrograms, leading to a significant increase in clarity.
Robust ℒ 2 – ℒ ℞ filtering of uncertain systems

The paper addresses the problem of robust ℒ 2 – ℒ ℞ filter design for affine uncertain systems. The robust ℒ 2 – ℒ ℞ Luenberger-type filters are designed based on the solution of a set of linear matrix inequalities. Parameter-dependent Lyapunov functions are employed for filter design with the objective of minimizing the worst-case peak value of the filtering error output signal over all bounded energy disturbance inputs while the filtering error system remains affinely quadratically stable. To determine the robust filter gain matrix, first we obtain the analysis conditions that enable us to calculate the ℒ 2 – ℒ ℞ gain performance of such systems in terms of LMIs. Then, the synthesis conditions to provide the robust filter are obtained. Comparative examples are finally presented to validate the methodology and to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed techniques relative to the past approaches.
Mitochondrial protection after traumatic brain injury by scavenging lipid peroxyl radicals

Mitochondrial dysfunction after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is manifested by increased levels of oxidative damage, loss of respiratory functions and diminished ability to buffer cytosolic calcium. This study investigated the detrimental effects of lipid peroxyl radicals (LOO(*)) and lipid peroxidation (LP) in brain mitochondria after TBI by examining the protective effects of U-83836E, a potent and selective scavenger of LOO(*) radicals. Male CF1 mice were subjected to severe controlled cortical impact TBI (CCI-TBI) and treated with either vehicle or U-83836E initiated i.v. at 15 min post-injury. Calcium (Ca(++)) buffering capacity and respiratory function were measured in isolated cortical mitochondrial samples taken from the ipsilateral hemisphere at 3 and 12 h post-TBI, respectively. In vehicle-treated injured mice, the cortical mitochondrial Ca(++) buffering capacity was reduced by 60% at 3 h post-injury (p < 0.001) and the respiratory control ratio was decreased by 27% at 12 h post-TBI, relative to sham, non-injured mice. U-83836E treatment significantly (p < 0.05) preserved Ca(++) buffering capacity and attenuated the reduction in respiratory control ratio values. Consistent with the functional effects of U-83836E being as a result of an attenuation of mitochondrial oxidative damage, the compound significantly (p < 0.001) reduced LP-generated 4-hydroxynonenal levels in both cortical homogenates and mitochondria at both 3 and 12 h post-TBI. Unexpectedly, U-83836E also reduced peroxynitrite-generated 3-nitrotyrosine in parallel with the reduction in 4-hydroxynonenal. The results demonstrate that LOO(*) radicals contribute to secondary brain mitochondrial dysfunction after TBI by propagating LP and protein nitrative damage in cellular and mitochondrial membranes.
Spherical rubidium vapor cells fabricated by micro glass blowing

This paper presents an application of micro glass blowing, in which multiple glass spheres are simultaneously shaped on top of a silicon wafer and subsequently filled with rubidium. The fabrication process is based on etching cavities in silicon, followed by anodic bonding of a thin glass wafer to the etched silicon wafer. The bonded wafers are then heated inside a furnace at a temperature above the softening point of the glass, and due to expansion of the heated trapped gas in the cavities, the glass is blown into three-dimensional spherical cells. Microscopic alkali vapor cells are achieved by evaporation of 87Rb through a small glass nozzle into the cell cavities. The cells are then sealed by anodic bonding. The results of the cell fabrication and characterization are presented.
Maximal input reduction of sequential netlists via synergistic reparameterization and localization strategies

Automatic formal verification techniques generally require exponential resources with respect to the number of primary inputs of a netlist. In this paper, we present several fully-automated techniques to enable maximal input reductions of sequential netlists. First, we present a novel min-cut based localization refinement scheme for yielding a safely overapproximated netlist with minimal input count. Second, we present a novel form of reparameterization: as a trace-equivalence preserving structural abstraction, which provably renders a netlist with input count at most a constant factor of register count. In contrast to prior research in reparameterization to offset input growth during symbolic simulation, we are the first to explore this technique as a structural transformation for sequential netlists, enabling its benefits to general verification flows. In particular, we detail the synergy between these input-reducing abstractions, and with other transformations such as retiming which – as with traditional localization approaches – risks substantially increasing input count as a byproduct of its register reductions. Experiments confirm that the complementary reduction strategy enabled by our techniques is necessary for iteratively reducing large problems while keeping both proof-fatal design size metrics – register count and input count – within reasonable limits, ultimately enabling an efficient automated solution.
Human gallbladder mucin accelerates nucleation of cholesterol in artificial bile

Abstract The gallbladder bile of patients with cholesterol gallstones is characterized by two abnormalities: (a) supersaturation with cholesterol and (b) accelerated nucleation of cholesterol monohydrate crystals. We studied the ability of purified human gallbladder mucin to nucleate artificial bile in vitro. Human gallbladder mucin at concentrations of 2 and 4 mg/ ml accelerated the nucleation time of cholesterol crystals in model bile. The mean number of cholesterol crystals in artificial bile incubated for 10 days with 4 mg/ml of human gallbladder mucin was 2327/ mm 3 (p 3 . The number of crystals found in model bile was dependent on the concentration of human gallbladder mucin (2–16 mg/ml) and the time of incubation (4–14 days). Human gallbladder mucin was associated with an increase in the number of liquid crystals after 4 days of incubation, which then decreased in number as solid cholesterol monohydrate crystals formed. Nucleation by human gallbladder mucin was significantly increased only with cholesterol saturation indices >1.0, and in biles containing 10% but not 3% total lipid by weight. Pooled human gallbladder mucin from gallbladders with and without stones both increased nucleation significantly when compared with controls. Increased nucleation of saturated model bile was also observed with purified monkey cervical and bovine gallbladder mucin, but not with porcine gastric mucin. These observations provide further evidence that human gallbladder mucin may contribute to cholesterol gallstone formation in humans by accelerating nucleation of cholesterol monohydrate crystals from supersaturated gallbladder bile.
Receptor-mediated signaling pathways: potential targets of modulation by dietary fatty acids

Extracellular signals are transmitted to intracellular targets through many signal-transduction pathways. Each signaling pathway is composed of a network of interacting signaling molecules that regulate diverse cellular responses. A modulation of the functional activities of these signaling molecules as a result of altered nutritional status could lead to qualitative and quantitative changes in cellular responses to extracellular signals. Growing evidence now suggests that fatty acids can directly and indirectly modulate signaling pathways at multiple levels. Elucidating the mechanism of this modulation could help us to understand how different types of dietary fat modify the risks of many chronic diseases.
Offline consequences of online victimization: School violence and delinquency.

As increasing numbers of youth embrace computer-mediated communication to meet academic and social needs, interpersonal violence directly and indirectly related to the Internet is occurring more often. Cyberbullying in particular has shot to the forefront of agendas in schools and communities due to the emotional, psychological, and even physical harm to which victims can be subjected. While previous studies have focused on describing its frequency in an exploratory capacity, the current work seeks to utilize general strain theory to identify the emotional and behavioral effects of cyberbullying victimization. Data collected online from a sample of adolescent Internet-users indicate that cyberbullying is a potent form of strain that may be related to involvement in school problems and delinquent behavior offline. Implications of these findings and suggestions for policy are discussed.
Confinement of a self-stabilized tokamak under average magnetic well conditions

It is well known that the average favorable magnetic curvature of a tokamak is stabilizing with respect to pressure‐driven magnetohydrodynamic instabilities at low beta and that self‐stabilization occurs at finite beta in the so‐called second stability regime. Here it is self‐consistently investigated how these two effects, viz., the mean magnetic well and the self‐stabilization, influence the energy confinement time in a tokamak, with the use of the ballooning mode transport model proposed by Connor, Taylor, and Turner [Nucl. Fusion 24, 642 (1984)].
Uses of sheet paraffin and plastic films in paper chromatography: spotting of large volumes on paper; elution; strip chromatography

Abstract A number of simple chromatographic applications are described in which sheet paraffin or other plastic film is used as an adhesive vapor barrier: 1. A funnel attached to a paraffin-enclosed narrow paper wick for spotting large volumes of sample solution as small spots of controlled size. 2. A funnel for the elution of a spot and its reapplication to another paper in a single operation. 3. A method for elution or chromatography which requires no jars or other rigid saturation chambers.
Characterization of surface mobility in MOS structures containing interfacial cesium ions

The degradation of inversion-layer electron and hole mobility in silicon MOS devices by interface charge at 295 and 77 K is discussed. The charge was controllably introduced using cesium implanted into the gate oxide and subsequently diffused to the oxide-substrate interface. The charged-impurity-scattering component of the mobility has been extracted and characterized as a function of inversion charge density and cesium dose. >
Overcompensating for severe service failure: perceived fairness and effect on negative word‐of‐mouth intent

Purpose – This study aims to examine the perceived fairness of overcompensation for severe service failures. The mediating effect of perceived fairness in the overcompensation‐negative word‐of‐mouth (NWOM) intent relationship is also explored.Design/methodology/approach – An experimental design approach was utilized to test the study's hypotheses. Overcompensation amount was manipulated at three levels (50 percent, 100 percent, 200 percent of purchase price), with two forms of overcompensation (cash or credit) tested.Findings – Cash‐based overcompensation yielded higher perceptions of distributive justice than full compensation, with no significant difference in distributive justice perceptions across cash amounts. Credit‐based overcompensation was perceived as no fairer than full compensation. Perceived distributive justice fully mediates the overcompensation‐NWOM intent relationship.Research limitations/implications – The study's findings are based on a single service context. Further research across di...
Solitons in a generalized space- and time-variable coefficients nonlinear Schrödinger equation with higher-order terms

Abstract We introduce an approach that combines a similarity method with several transformations to find analytical solitary wave solutions for a generalized space- and time-variable coefficients of nonlinear Schrodinger equation with higher-order terms with consideration of varying dispersion, higher nonlinearities, gain/loss and external potential. One of these transformations is constructed in such a way that allows study of the width of localized solutions. Solitary-like wave solutions for front, bright and dark are given. The precise expressions of the solitonʼs width, peak, and the trajectory of its mass center and the external potential which are symbol of dynamic behavior of these solutions, are investigated analytically. In addition, the dynamical behavior of moving, periodic, quasi-periodic of breathing, and resonant are discussed. Stability of the obtained solutions is analyzed both analytically and numerically.
2′(3′)-O-l-phenylalanyl derivatives of N2,5′-anhydroformycin and N4,5′-anhydroformycin: new substrates for ribosomal peptidyltransferase with a fixed anti and syn conformation of the base

Abstract The 2′(3′)-O- l - phenylalanyl -N 2 ,5′-anhydroformycin (1c) and 2′(3′)-O- l - phenylalanyl -N 4 ,5′-anhydroformycin (2c), obtained by chemical synthesis, are substrates for ribosomal peptidyltransferase from Escherichia coli. Nucleoside 1c, which mimics an anti conformation of antibiotic formycin, has 80% of the acceptor activity of puromycin at 5 · 10−4 M determined by the release of N-Ac-Phe residue from the 70 S ribosome - poly ( U )-N- Ac -[ 14 C] Phe-tRNA complex. The reaction product, 2′(3′)-O-(N- acetyl )- l - phenylalanyl - l - phenylalanyl -N 2 ,5′- anhydroformycin (1d), was characterized by paper electrophoresis before and after alkaline hydrolysis. By contrast, nucleoside 2c, which resembles a syn conformation of formycin, exhibited only 20% of the acceptor activity of puromycin at 5 · 10∮4 M and essentially none in the concentration region between 1 · 10−6 and 1 · 10−4 M. The results which are in accord with previous models have shown that a substrate with its base in an anti conformation is preferable for the acceptor site of peptidyltransferase than the corresponding syn counterpart, Nevertheless, it is possible that an intermediate conformation, for example, high anti (amphi-minus), is an optimal arrangement for acceptor site substrates.
A 130nm SiGe BiCMOS technology for mm-Wave applications featuring HBT with f T /f MAX of 260/320 GHz

A manufacturable 130nm SiGe BiCMOS RF technology for high-performance mm-wave analog applications having a high-speed SiGe Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor (HBT) integrated into a full-featured RFCMOS is presented. The technology features a high performance (HP) SiGe HBT with fT/fMAX of 260/320 GHz, a high breakdown (HB) HBT with BVCEO of 3.5V, 130nm RF CMOS, and a full suite of passive devices. Specific device results pertaining to this BiCMOS8XP technology are discussed in this paper.