cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Single-Trial Cognitive Stress Classification Using Portable Wireless Electroencephalography

This work used a low-cost wireless electroencephalography (EEG) headset to quantify the human response to different cognitive stress states on a single-trial basis. We used a Stroop-type color⁻word interference test to elicit mild stress responses in 18 subjects while recording scalp EEG. Signals recorded from thirteen scalp locations were analyzed using an algorithm that computes the root mean square voltages in the theta (4⁻8 Hz), alpha (8⁻13 Hz), and beta (13⁻30 Hz) bands immediately following the initiation of Stroop stimuli; the mean of the Teager energy in each of these three bands; and the wideband EEG signal line-length and number of peaks. These computational features were extracted from the EEG signals on thirteen electrodes during each stimulus presentation and used as inputs to logistic regression, quadratic discriminant analysis, and k-nearest neighbor classifiers. Two complementary analysis methodologies indicated classification accuracies over subjects of around 80% on a balanced dataset for the logistic regression classifier when information from all electrodes was taken into account simultaneously. Additionally, we found evidence that stress responses were preferentially time-locked to stimulus presentation, and that certain electrode⁻feature combinations worked broadly well across subjects to distinguish stress states.
Identifying the level of major power support signaled for protégés: A latent measure approach

Major powers signal support for proteges in order to reassure them and deter harm against them. Yet, it is not always clear how to identify who a major power’s proteges are or the degree of support...
Serious gaming: implications for resilience governance of critical infrastructure

Risk and risk governance of critical infrastructure has been well studied. Resilience governance however is still in the process of identifying suitable approaches. Assessments of resilience are often based on value perspectives and impacted by social constructs, making it difficult to fit a singular approach to resilience governance, creating wicked problems for decision makers. The paper looks at the steps utilised in risk informed decision making (RIDM) and their applicability to resilience informed decision making (ReIDM), identifying benefits and limitations. It proposes a framework to address the process-oriented approach needed for ReIDM. To demonstrate the framework we utilise a number of risk assessment methodologies, and a simple time-dependent game play simulation SimCity™ model to explore the manifestation of infrastructure development strategies over time, illustrating the importance of tools that facilitate insight into the domino effects of alternative approaches and mitigation strategies to resilience governance.
The Unique Nature of Public Stigma Toward Opioid Use Disorders: A National Study

Background: Drug use stigma is associated with avoidance of health services and substance abuse treatment, lower odds of recovery, and susceptibility to mental and physical health conditions among people with opioid use disorder (OUD). In this study, we examine the nature and magnitude of public stigma toward OUD relative to other disorders. Methods: We examined data from the nationally-representative 2018 General Social Survey. Respondents (N=1,169) completed a vignette-based survey experiment to assess public stigma toward people with OUD compared to depression, schizophrenia, alcohol use disorder (AUD), or normal troubles using multiple regression. Findings: Adjusting for controls, Americans were significantly more likely to label symptoms of OUD a physical illness (73%, CI 66-80%; P<.001) relative to all other conditions, and less likely to label OUD a mental illness (40%, CI 32-48%; P<.001). Opioid use disorder was significantly less likely to be attributed to bad character (37%, CI 30-44%; P<.001) or poor upbringing (17%, CI 12-23%; P<.001) compared to AUD. Nonetheless, perceptions of competence associated with OUD (e.g., ability to manage money; 41%, CI 33-49%; P<.01) were lower than AUD, depression, and normal troubles. Moreover, willingness to socially exclude people with OUD was very high (e.g., 76% of Americans do not want to work with a person with OUD), paralleling findings on traditional targets of strong stigma (i.e., AUD and schizophrenia). Interpretation: In contrast to prior research on drug use stigma, Americans largely do not hold people with opioid use disorder responsible for their addiction. However, the public nonetheless endorses high levels of social exclusion and perceptions of incompetence. Reducing opioid use stigma will require strategies that differ from traditional anti-stigma campaigns, emphasizing the value of affected individuals and potential for recovery. Funding Statement: National Science Foundation, National Institute of Mental Health, Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Declaration of Interests: Drs. Perry, Pescosolido, and Krendl have nothing to disclose. Ethics Approval Statement: IRB approval for the GSS is held at NORC (#93216) and exempt approval for the NSS module at Indiana University (#1703882292).
Reverse Engineering for 2.5-D Split Manufactured ICs

Integrated circuit (IC) split manufacturing has been shown to be one of the most effective protection schemes to prevent reverse engineering from malicious foundries. Among the existing split manufacturing approaches, the 2.5-D split manufacturing using silicon interposer has much less fabrication and testing costs compared to layer splitting approaches. In this article, we propose a Boolean satisfiability (SAT)-based attack to reconstruct the wire connections of the 2.5-D split manufacturing netlists. Our SAT-based attack can fully reconstruct the missing wires between modules with 100% correctness and therefore the functionality of the chip can be completely reverse engineered. In addition, we show that the runtime of attack is significantly reduced compared to existing 2.5-D split manufacturing SAT attacks by applying grouping hints obtained from a satisfiability modulo theories (SMTs)-based grouping algorithm, which is purely depending on the circuit functionality, so no physical defensive mechanisms can prevent such attack. In our experiments, we show that our grouping algorithm can speed up the existing SAT attack runtime by more than $1000\times $ and can successfully reverse engineer reasonable size benchmarks even when the split nets contains more than one fanouts and the total cut size is close to 1000.
Single-fuel reactivity controlled compression ignition through catalytic partial oxidation reformation of diesel fuel

Abstract A single-fuel RCCI concept has been proposed to avoid the need for a secondary fuel system required for conventional RCCI by generating the secondary fuel from the primary fuel through catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reformation. In conventional RCCI, gasoline or natural gas can be used as the low-reactivity fuel, and diesel can be used as the high-reactivity fuel. In this study, two reformate mixtures generated by reforming diesel fuel at different operating conditions were used as the low-reactivity fuel, with the parent diesel as the high reactivity fuel. The combustion characteristics of reformate-diesel RCCI were compared with the conventional RCCI. A CFD model was also developed and validated against the experimental results. The model was then used to validate a necessary approximation of the reformate mixture's species concentrations. Compared to conventional RCCI fuel pairs, reformate-diesel RCCI shows marginally better thermal efficiency, approximately 10% better THC emissions, approximately 50% lower NOx emissions, and good controllability. Because the reformate mixture has a high concentration of diluents it displaces a large fraction of intake air and acts similarly to EGR. The combustion behavior of reformate-diesel RCCI is in between that of gasoline-diesel and natural gas-diesel conventional RCCI. From the results, it can be concluded that reformate-diesel RCCI is not overly sensitive to the reformation process itself and the exact species concentrations in the reformate mixture. A small change in the start of injection of diesel, blend ratio, and EGR fraction can be used to compensate for reformate mixture concentration differences.
Percutaneous Management of Outflow Graft Obstruction in Patients With Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Abstract Outflow graft obstruction (OGO) has been reported as a cause of left ventricular assist device dysfunction. The incidence, diagnosis, and treatment of OGO remains poorly understood. We pre...
Existential therapy, religion, and mindfulness

Abstract Existential therapy and mindfulness share much in common. However, the question remains as to whether these can be integrated into a therapeutic setting and, if so, what are the best strategies for accomplishing this. However, before considering this issue, it is important to reflect upon how mindfulness is conceived given the varying definitions and applications of it. In this chapter, we begin by addressing the challenging issue of defying mindfulness in both Buddhist and psychological contexts. The understanding of mindfulness in therapy is typically different than the understanding of it in its Buddhist origins. Next, research on the effectiveness of mindfulness with psychological problems is considered. After this overview of mindfulness, we address how it fits with existential therapy. Much of what is considered mindfulness in psychological contexts is similar to what existential psychology has been doing since the middle of the 20th century. We review various aspects of existential therapy that bears similarity to mindfulness practice in psychology. To conclude, it can be questioned whether integrating mindfulness into existential therapy practice necessarily adds much. This may depend upon the particular existential practitioner. At the same time the dialog between existential therapy and mindfulness could be mutually beneficial, regardless of whether mindfulness is being integrated into existential therapy.
Is Long-Term Surveillance Effective After Resection of Stage I Non-small Cell Lung Cancer?

Surveillance imaging is recommended by many organizations following resection of stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to detect locoregional disease recurrence or metachronous second primary lung cancer (SPLC). Many of these guidelines are based on expert opinion and there is a paucity of high-quality evidence to demonstrate oncologic benefit or cost-effectiveness of surveillance. Current evidence suggests that surveillance with computed tomography (CT) scanning results in earlier diagnosis of asymptomatic recurrence and SPLC, increasing the frequency of secondary treatment interventions, but has not consistently demonstrated improvement in survival or cost effectiveness. We provide a weak recommendation in favor of annual CT surveillance following surgical excision of stage I NSCLC.
Gain-enhanced high-k transmission through metal-semiconductor hyperbolic metamaterials

We analyze the steady-state transmission of high-momentum (high-k) electromagnetic waves through metal-semiconductor multilayer systems with loss and gain in the near-infrared (NIR). Using a semi-classical optical gain model in conjunction with the scattering matrix method (SMM), we study indium gallium arsenide phosphide (InGaAsP) quantum wells as the active semiconductor, in combination with the metals, aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) and silver (Ag). Under moderate external pumping levels, we find that NIR transmission through Ag/InGaAsP systems may be enhanced by several orders of magnitude relative to the unpumped case, over a large angular and frequency bandwidth. Conversely, transmission enhancement through AZO/InGaAsP systems is orders of magnitude smaller, and has a strong frequency dependence. We discuss the relative importance of Purcell enhancement on our results and validate analytical calculations based on the SMM with numerical finite-difference time domain simulations.
Immunopathogenesis of alopecia areata

Abstract Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disorder resulting in hair loss. It has numerous variants or patterns, including diffuse type, patchy type, AA totalis, AA universalis, and more. In this graphical review, we provide an overview of AA immunopathogenesis, highlighting loss of immune privilege in the hair follicle as well as key immune cell types, cytokines and chemokines that drive autoimmune attack of the hair follicle. We also summarize recent literature identifying agents that block these pathways that could serve as new immunomodulatory treatments for AA.
Workflow, Turbulence, and Cognitive Complexity

This chapter’s primary focus is on system characteristics within the Quality Health Outcomes Model (QHOM), particularly workflow and turbulence. The idea of workflow originated in the manufacturing industry as managers sought to improve efficiency by removing bottlenecks to smooth out processes. Flow is reflected in smooth, continuous movement. Workflow in healthcare, however, is rarely smooth. Instead, it is turbulent, like the irregular motion characterized by the up- and downwind currents experienced in an airplane. For nurses, the idea of workflow is an oxymoron because the “flow” of work is irregular, not smooth. Instead, nurses’ work is typified by turbulence. Sources of turbulence for nurses include interruptions, handoffs, and patient turnover. Also, the use of workarounds may be a sign of turbulence. The system characteristics of poor flow and high turbulence tend to increase the cognitive complexity of nurses’ work. Cognitive complexity derives mainly from the invisible work of nursing. Cognitive workload, or mental effort, and cognitive stacking, or juggling numerous shifting priorities within a turbulent setting, escalate the cognitive complexity of nurses’ work. Together, poor workflow, high turbulence, and high cognitive complexity can contribute to work stress and cognitive failure, thereby adversely affecting patient safety and quality care.
Diffusion Approximations for Thompson Sampling.

We study the behavior of Thompson sampling from the perspective of weak convergence. In the regime where the gaps between arm means scale as $1/\sqrt{n}$ with the time horizon $n$, we show that the dynamics of Thompson sampling evolve according to discrete versions of SDEs and random ODEs. As $n \to \infty$, we show that the dynamics converge weakly to solutions of the corresponding SDEs and random ODEs. (Recently, Wager and Xu (arXiv:2101.09855) independently proposed this regime and developed similar SDE and random ODE approximations.) Our weak convergence theory covers both the classical multi-armed and linear bandit settings, and can be used, for instance, to obtain insight about the characteristics of the regret distribution when there is information sharing among arms, as well as the effects of variance estimation, model mis-specification and batched updates in bandit learning. Our theory is developed from first-principles and can also be adapted to analyze other sampling-based bandit algorithms.
Fracture and Patient Characteristics Associated With Early Conversion Total Hip Arthroplasty After Acetabular Fracture Fixation.

OBJECTIVES To determine risk factors for early conversion total hip arthroplasty (THA) after operative treatment of acetabular fractures. DESIGN Retrospective cohort. SETTING Level I trauma center. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION We reviewed 685 operative acetabular fractures at our institution from 2011 to 2017, with a median follow-up of 12 months (range, 4-105 months). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Multivariable regression analysis was performed after univariate analysis to identify independent risk factors for conversion THA. Sensitivity analysis was performed with minimum follow-up set at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS One hundred eight patients (16%) underwent conversion THA, with 52% of conversions occurring within 1 year, an additional 27% within 2 years, and the remaining 21% within 6 years of the index acetabular open reduction internal fixation. The median time to conversion THA was 11.5 months (range, 0.5-72 months). The risk of conversion THA by fracture pattern was 53 of 196 (27%) for transverse posterior wall (TPW), 12 of 52 (23%) for T shaped, 10 of 68 (15%) for posterior column with posterior wall, and 25 of 207 (12%) for posterior wall. Independent risk factors for early conversion included the following: TPW fracture, protrusio, hip dislocation, increased body mass index, increased age, infection, and dislocation after open reduction internal fixation. Independent risk factors for early conversion THA specific to patients with TPW fractures include only increased age and body mass index. Sensitivity analysis showed no change in results using either 6 or 12-month minimum follow-up. CONCLUSION Transverse posterior wall fractures have a high risk of early conversion THA compared with other acetabular fracture patterns, especially when in combination with other significant risk factors. Consideration for different and novel management options warrants further study in this subset of acetabular fracture patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Mechanisms of Connexin Regulating Peptides

Gap junctions (GJ) and connexins play integral roles in cellular physiology and have been found to be involved in multiple pathophysiological states from cancer to cardiovascular disease. Studies over the last 60 years have demonstrated the utility of altering GJ signaling pathways in experimental models, which has led to them being attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. A number of different mechanisms have been proposed to regulate GJ signaling, including channel blocking, enhancing channel open state, and disrupting protein-protein interactions. The primary mechanism for this has been through the design of numerous peptides as therapeutics, that are either currently in early development or are in various stages of clinical trials. Despite over 25 years of research into connexin targeting peptides, the overall mechanisms of action are still poorly understood. In this overview, we discuss published connexin targeting peptides, their reported mechanisms of action, and the potential for these molecules in the treatment of disease.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: current state of diagnosis and treatment.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to describe recent findings on the clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and management of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Alcohol causes a range of physical, developmental, and cognitive impairments on the developing fetus. Individuals exposed to alcohol prenatally have a wide variability in dysmorphic and neurologic features. Hence, a greater understanding of the mechanisms through which alcohol induces defects in the developing fetus is imperative in developing therapies that prevent alcohol-induced effects. RECENT FINDINGS Current research has focused on leveraging technology to developing tools that can aid in the diagnostic process, defining patterns of neurocognition and neuroimaging specific to FASD, developing neurobehavioral and pharmacologic interventions, and expanding access to care. SUMMARY FASDs are a common cause of neurodevelopmental impairment in school-age children, and their recognition is essential to provide early interventions in order to optimize the outcome for these individuals when they reach adulthood. Although previously thought to be the result of irreversible neurologic injury from prenatal alcohol exposure, recent evidence points to the benefits of applying principles regarding neuroplasticity in improving the lives for patients and their families.
Experimental Determination of Interface Trap Density and Fixed Positive Oxide Charge in Commercial 4H-SiC Power MOSFETs

We measure interface trap density near the conduction band edge and fixed oxide charge in commercial, packaged, 4H-SiC 1.2 kV planar Power MOSFETs. These traps determine the device threshold voltage, performance, and reliability. The subthreshold slope is used to extract interface trap density at the SiO2-SiC interface near the conduction band edge from three vendors, which varies from $5.8\times 10 ^{12}$ to $9.3\times 10 ^{12}$ cm $^{-2}\cdot $ eV−1. Good agreement is obtained with threshold voltage measurements from 25°C to 150°C as devices with the highest interface trap densities exhibit the largest threshold voltage reduction over temperature. Fixed positive oxide charge, $N_{ot}$ , balanced with interface traps and substrate doping, varies from $3.3\times 10 ^{12}$ cm−2 to $3.7\times 10 ^{12}$ cm−2. At high temperatures, electrons captured in interface traps emit to the conduction band and lower the threshold voltage together with fixed oxide charges, which are as high as interface trap densities. Thus, device design should be considered for a suitable threshold voltage to ensure the device does not operate in a Normally-ON condition and to protect against gate voltage surges. Therefore, more focus on characterization and reduction of the interface trap density and fixed oxide charge is needed to enable further improvement in effective electron mobility of SiC MOSFETs.
Parametric Cost Models for Space Telescopes

Multivariable parametric cost models for space telescopes provide several benefits to designers and space system project managers. They identify major architectural cost drivers and allow high-level design trades. They enable cost-benefit analysis for technology development investment. And, they provide a basis for estimating total project cost. A survey of historical models found that there is no definitive space telescope cost model. In fact, published models vary greatly [1]. Thus, there is a need for parametric space telescopes cost models. An effort is underway to develop single variable [2] and multi-variable [3] parametric space telescope cost models based on the latest available data and applying rigorous analytical techniques. Specific cost estimating relationships (CERs) have been developed which show that aperture diameter is the primary cost driver for large space telescopes; technology development as a function of time reduces cost at the rate of 50% per 17 years; it costs less per square meter of collecting aperture to build a large telescope than a small telescope; and increasing mass reduces cost.
Antinuclear antibodies: diagnostic markers for autoimmune diseases and probes for cell biology

Publisher Summary Early studies pointed to the directions for subsequent investigations and there has been continuing identification of other circulating autoantibodies, characterization of their respective cellular antigens, and demonstration of the relationship between autoantibodies and clinical syndromes. The antibodies identified in these studies have been used extensively by investigators in molecular and cell biology as powerful probes for understanding the precursor messenger RNA (mRNA) splicing. Autoantibodies designated SS-A or Ro and SS-B or La were identified in patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and SLE, and have been shown to target intracellular proteins that may be involved with regulation of RNA polymerase III function. Investigators in the field had long perceived that these spontaneously occurring auto-antibodies in human disease would turn out to be useful reagents in cell biology. It was also appreciated that it was necessary to characterize the molecular nature of the auto-antigens so that in addition to the immunochemical properties, their structure and function might be determined. One of the purposes of this chapter is to show that the new molecular biology of cellular antigens and auto-antibodies could now be providing insights into comprehending some features of autoimmunity. In addition, there appears to be a need for the synthesis of the wealth of information that has accumulated and an evaluation of what it might signify.
A multiattribute spreadsheet model for manufacturing technology justification

Abstract This paper presents a multiattribute spreadsheet models for the justification of manufacturing technology. The model includes interactive macro modules for AHP, Utility Model, and System Value Model.
New Civic Epistemologies of Quantification: Making Sense of Indicators of Local and Global Sustainability

Processes of globalization and decentralization are changing the relationship among statistical knowledge production, nation, and state. This article explores these changes through a comparison of five projects to design and implement indicators of sustainable development to replace conventional measures of economic welfare and social demographics—community sustainability indicators, Metropatterns, greening the gross domestic product, the Living Planet Index, and standardized accounting rules for inventorying greenhouse gas emissions. Drawing on a coproductionist idiom, the article argues that these projects constitute experiments in modifying the civic epistemologies of democratic societies, transforming not only knowledge production but also political identities, relationships, and institutions.
Nitric oxide as an intermediate in denitrification: evidence from nitrogen-13 isotope exchange.

Abstract Label exchange studies were used to investigate the role of nitric oxide as an intermediate of denitrification in Pseudomonas aureofaciens and Pseudomonas chlororaphis . The [13N]N from [13N]NO2− readily exchanged with pools of added, nonlabeled NO, with 54% of the [13N]N appearing in a pool of 7.2 × 10−3 atm NO in P . aureofaciens . These results suggest that NO is either an intermediate in the reductive sequence or is in rapid equilibrium with an unidentified intermediate.
Characteristics of cystine uptake by cultured LLC-PK1 cells

The characteristics of the uptake of L-cystine by LLC-PK1 cells were examined. The uptake diminished with time in culture after passage of cells while the uptake of sugar increased. In 48-h-cultured cells at a range of cystine concentrations including physiological levels uptake occurred via a saturable process which was independent of medium sodium concentration and pH. No inhibition of cystine uptake occurred in the presence of lysine which is known to share the cystine transport system in uncultured renal proximal tubule cells and brush-border membrane vesicles. Glutamate was a potent inhibitor of cystine uptake and participated in heteroexchange diffusion with cystine. The cystine-glutamate transport process resembles that of cultured human fibroblasts. The inability of these cells to reflect the genetically determined cystine-lysine system which is altered in the kidney in human cystinuria makes them an inappropriate model of the renal tubule cell cystine transport system. On the other hand, they may provide a model system for examining the factors which determine the presence of the various cystine transport process.
Cone Beam Collimation for SPECT: Simulation and Reconstruction

Cone beam collimation for Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) offers increased sensitivity for brain scanning through more complete use of the detector area. While parallel hole and fan beam geometries for brain imaging can exclude up to 50% of the detector surface, converging or cone beam geometries have been investigated using Monte Carlo simulation techniques and are found to yield an increase in sensitivity of between 1.4 and 3 times. A fully three dimensional Inverse Monte Carlo (IMOC) reconstruction algorithm has been developed for cone beam acquisition which includes compensation for attenuation.
An oceanic rain flag for Aquarius

This paper concerns the Microwave Radiometer (MWR) instrument on the Aquarius/SAC-D satellite, and it discusses the development of a signal processing algorithm to infer rain rate over oceans using the measured MWR microwave brightness temperatures. On-orbit rain measurements are presented and compared with corresponding independent “surface truth” rain rates from the US Naval Research Laboratory's WindSat satellite radiometer. Further, we discuss how the MWR rain measurements can provide a “rain flag” that can be used to improve the sea surface salinity retrieval process, which is the main objective of Aquarius/SAC-D mission.
Growth of undoped and chromium-doped CdS x Se 1-x crystals by the physical vapor transport method

Chromium-doped CdSe is one of the host materials being considered for solid-state tunable mid-infrared (IR) lasers. Alloying CdSe with CdS allows the increase of the thermal conductivity of the crystal (for CdS the thermal conductivity is a factor of 4 larger than CdSe), which is a favorable parameter as a laser host. In this study, we have grown CdSxSe1-x (x ≅ 0.8) single crystals by the physical vapor transport (PVT) method. Crystals with dimensions of 1.2 cm in diameter and 5 cm in length, free of precipitates and inclusions, have been grown. Chromium ions were diffused into the crystal by a postgrowth-diffusion technique at 900°C. Incorporation of Cr ion gives rise to a broad absorption peak at 1.87 µm.
Internetworking topologies for local area networks: pros and cons

Abstract This paper deals with internetworking aspects of local area networks (LANs) with other local area networks and/or long-haul networks. Two types of LAN topologies are considered: bus and ring. Internetworking topologies discussed in this paper include, (i) networking of ring LANs via a bus LAN, (ii) networking of ring LANs via a ring LAN, (iii) networking of bus LANs via a bus and (iv) networking of LANs to long-haul networks. Advantages and disadvantages of these topologies are discussed in terms of their performance and other features.
Silicon nitride processing for control of optical and electronic properties of silicon solar cells

Thin films of SiN are well suited as antireflection (AR) coatings for Si solar cells because their optical properties, such as refractive index and absorption coefficient, can be tailored during deposition to match those of Si solar cells. The SiN layers, particularly those deposited by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process, can serve other functions in Si solar-cell fabrication. They can be excellent buffer layers through which the front metal contact can be fired. The PECVD nitridation also introduces H into the Si surface, which diffuses deep into the solar cell and passivates residual impurities and defects during metal-contact firing. The optimization of SiN properties and processing conditions may have conflicting demands based on its multifunctional role. To fully exploit these multiple functions, the SiN processing sequence must be optimized based on the properties of the nitride, the diffusion behavior of H, and the interactions of metal with the SiN/Si composite substrate.
Magnetic resonance imaging of airway obstruction resulting from vascular anomalies.

Abstract Accurate diagnosis is important in the evaluation of airway disorders of infants and children. Today, multiple imaging techniques are available to evaluate the Pediatric airway. We performed magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the airway in 16 infants and children with symptoms of airway obstruction. Fourteen of 16 patient symptoms were related to compression of the airway by vascular structure. MR imaging was useful in the diagnosis and management of these patients without the need for more invasive procedures.
Atlantic Salmon in Marine Waters of Southeastern Alaska

Abstract An immature female Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, caught by a commercial salmon troller off southeastern Alaska on 20 July 1990, is the first documented representative of this species in the marine waters of Alaska. Identification was based on morphology, meristic characters, and protein electrophoresis. Scale growth patterns, an eroded or clipped dorsal fin, and a high proportion of regenerated scales indicate that the fish escaped from an aquaculture pen during spring 1990. Five additional Atlantic salmon were subsequently caught by commercial fishermen in southeastern Alaska during August 1991; identification was based on morphology and color patterns, Escaped Atlantic salmon are unlikely to have a genetic impact on native Pacific salmonids, but the possibility exists that they will disseminate nonendemic pathogens or parasites.
The Autographa californica Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus Homologous Region 1a: Identical Sequences Are Essential for DNA Replication Activity and Transcriptional Enhancer Function

Abstract Hr 1a consists of two 30-bp imperfect palindrome sequences separated by 58 bp and each palindrome contains a naturally occurring Eco RI site at its core. Plasmid subclones of the hr 1a-containing AcMNPV Hin dIII-N fragment were examined for their ability to replicate in virus-infected ( Spodoptera frugiperda ) Sf9 cells, and to stimulate transcription when linked in cis with a 39K gene promoter-β-glucuronidase fusion and cotransfected into cells along with a plasmid (ple-1) containing the gens encoding the trans-acting factor 1E-1. Only those plasmids containing hr 1a underwent infection-dependent replication and were able to stimulate transcription. Sequences mapping to the left of hr 1a were required for maximal levels of replication. A single palindrome from hr 1a a was sufficient for supporting plasmid replication and for stimulating transcription, although both activities were more efficient when both palindromes were present. Plasmids containing only one-half of a palindrome or disruptions of the central Eco RI core either did not replicate, or replicated very poorly, and did not exhibit enhanced transcriptional activity from the 39K gene promoter. Gel retardation experiments showed that labeled hr 1a-containing DNA fragments had retarded migration after incubation with extracts from cells transfected with ple-1. Supershift experiments using polyclonal antibodies to IE-1 indicated that IE-1 is a component of the protein complex bound to hr 1a. Fragments containing disruptions of the Eco RI-core still bound IE-1, as shown by gel retardation assays, indicating that IE1 binding alone is not sufficient to allow replication and transcriptional enhancement.
Clearance of S-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl) phosphorothioate (WR-77913) in rats.

Complications of radiotherapy in the treatment of retinal and choroidal neoplastic diseases include cataract formation, radiation retinopathy, neovascular glaucoma, cystoid macular edema, and subretinal neovascularization. These side effects may be minimized by the use of compounds known to have a protective effect on normal ocular tissues without impeding the benefits of therapy. Phosphorothioates, first developed under the Antiradiation Drug Development Program of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, have been reported to protect normal tissues during radiation therapy in a variety of animal models. One of the phosphorothioates, WR-77913 (S-[3-amino-2-hydroxylpropyl]phosphorothioate) was found to inhibit cataract formation in rats after radiation exposure. To test the efficacy of WR-77913 in the retina, we established a high-pressure liquid chromatography method to measure the levels of dephosphorylated WR-77913 and studied the drug's clearance from the lens, retina, blood, kidney, and liver in rats.
Contact dermatitis in a woodworker.

Woods are capable of causing allergic or irritant contact dermatitis which typically occurs on the exposed areas of the arms, face, and neck. The allergens found in woods include quinones, stilbenes, phenols, and terpenes. We report an 84-year-old woodworker who developed allergic contact dermatitis from Bolivian rosewood and Cocobolo wood. The patient was patch-tested using the North American Contact Dermatitis Group Standard Tray; 2,6 dimethoxyl 1,4 benzoquinone; and wood that he had been exposed to on a regular basis. Positive patch test reactions occurred to methyldibromo glutaronitrile phenoxyethanol, sodium gold thiosulfate, Bolivian rosewood, and Cocobolo wood. Allergens found in Bolivian rosewood and Cocobolo wood caused this patient's chronic dermatitis, which cleared when he avoided these woods.
Short conical solid/perforated plug-nozzle as supersonic jet noise supressor

Experimental studies of the acoustic far field, and the nature of the repetitive shock structure in cold jet flows from an externally expanded plug-nozzle having a short conical plug with a pointed termination, operated in a range of supercritical pressure ratios of 2.0 to 4.5, are reported. The overall sound pressure levels of a short solid conical plug-nozzle (CPN) are found to be within 3 dB of those of the baseline noise levels of a minimum length contoured plug-nozzle operated at the same pressure ratio and having the same annular throat area. As compared to an equivalent convergent nozzle, the noise reductions achieved through the use of a short solid CPN are of the order of 5 dB.
Wall modeled Large-Eddy Simulations in rotating systems for applications to turbine blade internal cooling

Large-Eddy Simulations (LES) has been used extensively in capturing the physics of anisotropic turbulent flows. However, near wall turbulent scales in the inner layer in wall bounded flows makes it unfeasible for large Reynolds numbers. This study evaluates the use of a wall model for LES of a rotating turbulent channel flow at Reb = 34,000 and a rotating ribbed duct at Reb = 20,000 with comparisons to wall resolved LES and experiments. It is found that compared to calculations on the same grid without a wall model, the wall model plays an important role in correct predictions in turbulent channel flow. However, it is not that effective in the ribbed duct. It is reasoned that the turbulent flow and heat transfer characteristics in the ribbed duct are largely driven by shear layer separation and reattachment which is independent of the wall model, but largely dependent on the turbulence generated in the shear layer. It is shown that the coarse grid in the ribbed duct captures the gross effects of Coriolis forces and predicts mean heat transfer augmentation and attenuation to within 15–20 % of wall resolved LES on the leading and trailing sides of the duct at a cost about 150th of the fully wall resolved LES.
Switching mechanisms and bout times in a pair of reciprocally inhibitory neurons

Within the appropriate parameter regime, a deterministic model of a pair of mutually inhibitory neurons receiving excitatory driving currents exhibits bistability--each of the two stable states corresponds to one neuron being active and the other being quiescent. The presence of noise in the driving currents results in a system that randomly switches back and forth between these two states, causing alternating bouts of spiking activity. In this work, we examine the random bout durations of the two neurons and dependence on system parameters. We find that bout durations of each neuron are exponentially distributed, with changes in system parameters altering only the mean of the distribution. Synaptic inhibition independently controls the bout durations of the two neurons--the mean bout time of a neuron is a function of efferent (or outgoing) inhibition, and is independent of afferent (or incoming) inhibition. Furthermore, we find that the mean bout time of a neuron exhibits a critical dependence on the time course (rather than amplitude) of efferent inhibition--mean bout time of a neuron grows exponentially with the time course of efferent inhibition, and the growth rate of this exponential function depends only on the excitatory driving current to that neuron (and not on any other system parameters). We discuss the relevance of our results to the regulation of sleep-wake cycling by medullary and pontine structures within the brain.
A method for determining fast alpha particle confinement in tokamak plasmas using resonant nuclear reactions

Abstract The resonant nuclear reactions D(α, γ)6Li, 6Li(α, γ)10B, and 7Li(α, γ)11B are examined as diagnostics of fast alpha particle confinement in tokamak plasmas. Gamma rays from these resonant reactions with energies from 2.1 to 9.2 MeV may be used to infer the alpha particle population between energies of 0.4 and 2.6 MeV. The ratio of these alpha burnup reactions to the reactions T(D, γ)5He and 3He(D, γ)5Li provides a technique for the measurement of alpha confinement.
Shielding small-field high-energy electron beams in cancer treatment

Abstract The purpose of this study was to find an effective material that can be prepared quickly and easily prior to small-field electron-beam treatments so that lesions of the head and neck can be treated with minimal irradiation of the surrounding healthy tissue. Conventional preparation of custom anatomical prosthetic radiation shields, which are usually metal alloy masks, has been time-consuming and uncomfortable for the patients. New materials, made from light-body Reprosil TM (L. L. Caulk) filled with fine metal powder consisting of 70% Ag-30% Cu alloy, can be made by blending 90% (w/w) metal powder with 10% polysiloxane base and adding the polymerization catalyst separately. These combinations were mixed to form comfortably fitted shielding composites of different thicknesses. The electron-beam attenuation properties of slabs of this material were studied by irradiating calibrated radiochromic film (GafChromic TM ) dosimeters behind different thicknesses of composite samples with small-field 13-, 15- and 18-MeV electron beams from a therapeutic linear accelerator. The results showed that this material can suitably attenuate high-energy electron beams when used in reasonable thicknesses.
Magnetic resonance characterization of pyrene arsenic fluoride

Abstract The reaction product of pyrene and arsenic pentafluoride has been characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and electron spin resonance. The ESR absorption line is strongly exchange narrowed. The temperature and frequency dependence of the 19 F T 1 is indicative of spin diffusion-limited relaxation by paramagnetic centers. The 19 F T 2 measurements above 200 K can be explained by assuming hindered rotation of arsenic fluoride units and transient dimer formation. The low temperature second moment can be rationalized in terms of a residual four-fold rotation of a dimer or higher oligomer.
Dentists as Oral Physicians: The Overlooked Primary Health Care Resource

The United States is currently experiencing a primary care shortage. One solution to improving health care is to increase the utilization of existing health care providers, particularly dentists, an opportunity that has been largely ignored. By employing mid-level providers for less complex procedures to deliver more accessible dental care at lower cost, dentists can redistribute tasks to their office workforce. They can then serve as oral physicians who can provide limited preventive primary care, including screening for chronic diseases, while continuing to oversee all dental care, whether provided by dentists or non-dentists. Thus, they could improve the health of the US population as well as increase access to dental care at lower cost, while partially alleviating the primary care shortage by filling a need for the screening aspects of primary care.
Modification of thyroxine-binding globulin with p-iodophenylsulfonyl (pipsyl) chloride and effect on thyroxine binding activity

Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) is the major transport protein of the thyroid hormones in human plasma. As part of a study of the chemistry of the thyroxine binding site on TBG, we have been investigating a series of protein modifying reagents for their effect on thyroxine binding. Among the reagents assayed, p-iodophenylsulfonyl (pipsyl) chloride proved to be of interest, since relatively low levels of protein modification with this reagent resulted in concomitant decreases in thyroxine binding activity. The present communication describes the results of an investigation involving the effect of derivatization of TBG with pipsyl chloride on the thyroxine binding activity of the protein. The results indicate that there is a direct relationship between the degree of pipsylation and the percent decrease in thyroxine binding activity at relatively low levels of pipsyl group incorporated per mole protein. Analyses of hydrolyzates of pipsylated TBG preparations modified with [35S]pipsyl chloride, indicate that the principal group derivatized in TBG is an e-amino group of a specific lysyl residue probably located near the thyroxine binding site.
How Do You Get Six Meters of Epididymis Inside a Human Scrotum

It is very clear that the epididymis plays a crucial role in the maturation of spermatozoa, and without a fully developed and functional epididymis, male infertility will result. We are especially interested in understanding the mechanisms that regulate the development of this important organ because disruptions to epididymal function will also arise as a consequence of abnormal development. Very little is known either of the process of epididymal development or the nature and causes of congenital defects that lead to male infertility. A major event during Wolffian/epididymal duct embryonic development is elongation and coiling and this short review outlines potential mechanisms by which these events occur. It is hypothesized that elongation is the result of cell proliferation coupled with directed cell rearrangements, the later regulated by the planar cell polarity signaling pathway. Coiling proceeds in a proximal to distal manner, with three-dimensional coiling beginning approximately embryonic day 16.5 to 18.5 in the mouse. The exact mechanisms of coiling are not known but we hypothesize that it involves an interaction between the Wolffian duct epithelium and the surrounding mesenchyme cells, such that the extracellular matrix is remodeled to allow coiling and growth of the duct. Cell proliferation in the Wolffian duct appears to be dependent on the presence of androgens and mesenchymal factors during embryonic development, but lumicrine factors play an additional role during postnatal development.
NATURAL HISTORY OF EXERTIONAL RHABDOMYOLYSIS: A POPULATION-BASED ANALYSIS

Exertional rhabdomyolysis is a potentially catastrophic syndrome with an incidence and rate of recurrence that are unknown. In this study patients with rhabdomyolysis were identified retrospectively from the Wilford Hall Medical Center records. A population-based analysis was performed on exertional rhabdomyolysis patients enrolled in basic military training. A retrospective cohort was analyzed for rate and risks of recurrence. Of 177 rhabdomyolysis patients, 63 were exertional in mechanism. The rate of renal failure was lower in exertional rhabdomyolysis patients (odds ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.22-0.95, P = 0.04). There were 44 cases of exertional rhabdomyolysis from a population of 198,399 total military trainees over the study period, or 22.2 cases per 100,000 per year. A cohort of 22 exertional rhabdomyolysis patients was followed for a mean of 31.2 months, with only 1 recurrence (recurrence risk of 0.08% per person per year). Exertional rhabdomyolysis is associated with lower rates of complications than other causes of rhabdomyolysis. Among young, physically active patients, the incidence of exertional rhabdomyolysis is low, as is the risk of recurrence.