cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On Measurement of Effective Silicon Backend Strength Using Bump Pull/Shear Techniques

Integrating a low-K ILD layer within silicon is key to reducing RC delays. However, low-K ILD materials typically have low mechanical strength, making their incorporation with lead free interconnects an industry-wide challenge. It is well known that conversion to lead free first level interconnects increases die backend stresses due to the higher melting temperature and increased solder stiffness. The paper will focus on the measurement of the effective silicon backend strength after subjecting the dice to different fabrication and assembly steps. The effective strength will also be evaluated post reliability stress exposure to eventually understand the life of these films. The paper will describe how a commercially available Dage 4000 tool was modified for this application. Bump pull was carried out using a 100μm tweezers, while bump shear used 1mil (25.4μm) wide stylus. Static and dynamic calibration was first carried out to ensure repeatability and reproducibility of the results. Peak force and failure modes were used as metrics to compare the effectiveness of different experimental legs. Traditional failure analysis approach of mechanical polishing, or when needed, use of FIB for sample preparation, with subsequent SEM/EDX analysis was utilized to understand the failure mechanism. Data suggests that shear and pull lead to different failure modes. Bump shear mainly led to failure at the bump/polyimide interface and did not necessarily correspond to the weakest layer or interface in the silicon backend. Whereas bump-pull, which applies tensile force to the stack up, lead to failures in the weakest layer, typically the low-K ILD, in the silicon backend. Hence, bump pull provided the advantage over shear as it allowed evaluation of the weakest interface in the stack up. Two case studies are discussed to demonstrate on how bump pull/shear metrologies were used to understand the impact of different assembly/FAB process variables and highly accelerated steam test (HAST) reliability stress on silicon backend strength. First case study shows influence of assembly flux on silicon backend strength, while second case study describes impact of HAST on different FAB backend processes.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Study on the New SVPWM Method for Three-Level Inverter of Brushless Doubly-Fed Machine

Brushless doubly-fed machine (BDFM) is a new type of AC induction motor.It has a good applicable prospect as the variable frequency motors or the variable speed constant frequency generators. Although the advantage of the three-level inverter, there are also some problems of neutral point voltage balance in this method such as the unbalance of neutral point voltage. And the traditional principle of Three-level inverter space vector pulse width modulation method is to estimate the sectors and calculating a lot of trigonometric functions. To solve these problems, a novel method for the virtual space vector concept in G-H coordinate system is presented in this paper. The method proposed can omit the judging process of the sectors, reduce the calculating burden, and maintain the balance of neutral-point voltage between capacitances within a certain index modulation. The results of simulation are given to validate the improved virtual space vector modulation.
Divorce and the Gender Division of Labor in Comparative Perspective

This article shows how cross-national variation in labor market attributes, social policies affecting female employment, and divorce laws affect both female labor force participation and divorce. These in turn lead to a systematic gendered pattern in the preferences for government spending on social services. By analyzing data on household division of labor and divorce, we show that a politically and institutionally mediated bargaining model better explains choices over allocation of work than does Becker’s economic model, which assumes a single family utility function. This analysis suggests the fruitfulness of investigating how labor markets and public policies shape gender stereotypes and for how child support rules may affect women’s decisions about labor market participation.
Strategic business planning in public safety: a case study of capital wireless integrated network

The focus of this paper is on the Capital Wireless Integrated Network (CapWIN) project, a wireless communication system that supports unit to unit communication for emergency services (police, fire and EMS) across multiple jurisdictions in the US National Capital Region. The paper presents elements of the business plan that was developed in an effort to build a consensus among regional officials and leaders on how to support the costs of operating CapWIN. This paper is of particular interest because it describes the application of the business plan concept to the development of a multi-jurisdictional government corporation seeking to operate in a business like manner.
Multi-Criteria Decision Making and composting of waste in the municipality of Bacoor in the Philippines

Choosing the most appropriate and practical strategy for solid waste management is a complex undertaking. It requires the identification of relevant perspectives, meaningful criteria, and sound evaluation method. The municipality of Bacoor in the Philippines used Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method to arrive at a chosen waste management strategy - composting - from a holistic set of perspectives. However, the successful implementation of the chosen strategy was proven to depend not only on a sound decision process but also on the reliability and accuracy of projecting uncertain future events.
Water Quality Assessment of Newton Creek and Its Effect on Hog Island Inlet of Lake Superior

A study of water quality was conducted for Newton Creek that flows in an urban area in the city of Superior and discharges into Hog Island Inlet (HII). Water quality data were collected from five locations located along the creek flow from its head to its mouth. Throughout the year there was a wide range in measured values for the temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), electro conductivity (EC), and pH. These ranges showed there were numerous factors affecting these properties of the creek, with the impact from oil refinery being the greatest. Some of the recorded salinity was observed to be much greater than the acute criteria. The high salinity of the creek water is attributed to the chloride and sodium concentrations with relatively elevated concentrations of sulfate and nitrate. A geochemical model revealed that the water chemical composition of HII was the result of a mixing ratio of about 90 % of Lake Superior water and 10 % of Newton Creek water. Faxon Creek, which was monitored for comparison purposes, recorded salinity concentrations much higher than the salinity of Newton Creek. Both Newton and Faxon creeks revealed different chemical makeup. Faxon Creek revealed that all major cation and anion concentrations in its water were higher than in Newton Creek waters with the exception of potassium, sulfate and nitrate. Nitrate and phosphorous concentrations in Newton Creek are much higher than in Faxon Creek and all the surface water in the area, and they exceed the recommended concentration values set by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The chemical makeup and the variation of the major ions in both creeks show that the source of water contamination in Newton Creek originates mainly from the discharge of oil refinery treated wastewater with minimum contribution from surface runoff. The source of contamination and mainly the elevated salinity in Faxon Creek water is mainly from urban surface runoff from the city of Superior.
Protection of ischemic hearts perfused with an anion exchange inhibitor, DIDS, is associated with beneficial changes in substrate metabolism

Objective: Metabolic interventions that promote glucose use during ischemia have been shown to protect the myocardium and improve functional recovery on reperfusion. In this study we evaluated if cardioprotection can be accomplished by inhibiting fatty acid uptake, which would be expected to increase glycolytic metabolism. Methods: Diisothiocyanostilbene sulfonic acid (DIDS), commonly used to inhibit Band-3 mediated anion exchanger, and has also been demonstrated to inhibit fatty acid transport in adipocytes, was used to inhibit fatty acid uptake prior to ischemia. Isolated rat hearts were perfused with buffer containing 5 mM glucose, 70 mU/l insulin, 0.4 mM palmitate, and 0.4 mM albumin, paced at 300 beats/min, and subjected to 50 min of low-flow ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Results: Ischemic injury, as assessed by creatine kinase release, was diminished in hearts perfused with DIDS (334±72 in DIDS vs. 565±314 IU/g dry wt in controls, P <0.04). Increases in LVEDP during ischemia were attenuated (8±3 mmHg in DIDS vs. 15±18 mmHg in controls, P <0.03) and the % recovery of LV function with reperfusion was enhanced in DIDS-treated hearts (78±10% of baseline in DIDS vs. 62±19% of baseline in controls, P <0.04). These beneficial effects of DIDS were associated with increased glucose metabolism and ATP content during ischemia and reperfusion. Furthermore, treatment with DIDS lowered the accumulation of long chain acyl carnitines. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that DIDS protects ischemic myocardium, and is associated with inhibition of fatty acid uptake, improved glucose metabolism, and enhanced functional recovery on reperfusion. The data presented here suggest a potential role for therapeutic agents that lower fatty acid uptake as a metabolic adjunct in the treatment of myocardial ischemia.
Comparison of thickness and distensibility in the carotid artery and descending thoracic aorta: in vivo ultrasound assessment.

Abstract Early atherosclerotic changes in the carotid artery and thoracic aorta have been examined by high-frequency ultrasound measuring of intimal-medial thickness and stiffness. Whether changes in stiffness and thickness occur in parallel and whether the determinants of stiffness and thickness in the two vessels are similar is unknown. To examine the relation between ultrasonographic measures of atherosclerosis in the carotid and the thoracic aorta, 146 patients aged 20 to 84 years (mean 54 years) were studied by both transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and carotid duplex scanning. From two-dimensionally derived M-mode recordings of the thoracic aorta and high-frequency B-mode imaging of the common carotid, the intimal-medial thickness was measured along with diastolic and systolic diameters for calculation of stiffness. Interobserver and intraobserver variability of carotid and aortic intimal-medial thickness and diameter were low. There was a good relation between carotid and aortic intimal-medial thickness ( r = 0.69; p = 0.0001). Age was the major independent determinant of thickness in both vessels. Carotid and aortic stiffness, as measured by Peterson's elastic modulus, were less closely related ( r = 0.51; p = 0.0001). Age was the only independent predictor of stiffness in both vessels. In conclusion, structural ultrasonographic manifestations of early atherosclerosis in the carotid artery and thoracic aorta are closely related. Large population studies measuring only carotid intimal-medial thickness may reflect atherosclerotic changes occurring throughout the vascular bed.
Graded State Machines: The Representation of Temporal Contingencies in Simple Recurrent Networks

We explore a network architecture introduced by Elman (1990) for predicting successive elements of a sequence. The network uses the pattern of activation over a set of hidden units from time-step t-1, together with element t, to predict element t + 1. When the network is trained with strings from a particular finite-state grammar, it can learn to be a perfect finite-state recognizer for the grammar. When the net has a minimal number of hidden units, patterns on the hidden units come to correspond to the nodes of the grammars however, this correspondence is not necessary for the network to act as a perfect finite-state recognizer. Next, we provide a detailed analysis of how the network acquires its internal representations. We show that the network progressively encodes more and more temporal context by means of a probability analysis. Finally, we explore the conditions under which the network can carry information about distant sequential contingencies across intervening elements to distant elements. Such information is maintained with relative ease if it is relevant at each intermediate steps it tends to be lost when intervening elements do not depend on it. At first glance this may suggest that such networks are not relevant to natural language, in which dependencies may span indefinite distances. However, embeddings in natural language are not completely independent of earlier information. The final simulation shows that long distance sequential contingencies can be encoded by the network even if only subtle statistical properties of embedded strings depend on the early information. The network encodes long-distance dependencies by shading internal representations that are responsible for processing common embeddings in otherwise different sequences. This ability to represent simultaneously similarities and differences between several sequences relies on the graded nature of representations used by the network, which contrast with the finite states of traditional automata. For this reason, the network and other similar architectures may be called Graded State Machines.
On the performance of quadrilateral finite elements in the solution to the Stokes equations in periodic structures

The use of the finite element method in solving the problem of flow of a Newtonian fluid in periodically constricted tubes is explored. The performance of eight node serendipity and nine node Lagrangian elements is compared. It was found that the Lagrangian element results in unstable velocity fields when stagnant or recirculation regions are present. This is characteristic of tubes with large expansion zones. The eight node element does not exhibit instabilities. Both elements give accurate pressure fields. This behaviour is contrary to traditional results obtained for flow problems with similar geometrical characteristics. This suggests that the periodicity of the boundary conditions might be the cause of the instabilities in the numerical solution. The use of the continuity equation to simplify the viscous terms in the Stokes equations resulted, in this particular case, in a deterioration of the rate of convergence of the algorithm.
Time-dependent current response of semiconductor multi-barriers

Abstract The transient current response of n-doped GaAs—AlGaAs multiple barrier systems is studied within the time-dependent Schrodinger equation. Open boundary conditions are designed to minimize spurious reflections at the simulation boundaries. A local time-dependent Hartree-exchange-correlation-potential is used to self-consistently account for the inter-carrier Coulomb interaction. Application to the resonant-tunneling double barrier reveals current oscillations which are due to charging and discharging of the well. Current oscillations are also obtained in the transient for multi-barrier systems
The Rosse-Panzar statistic and the Lerner index in the short run

Abstract The Lerner index or price-cost margin is derived in terms of the Rosse–Panzar statistic, thereby broadening our understanding of the latter and affording a way of empirically estimating the former.
Optical pattern recognition and classification invariant to selectable pattern features

A coherent optical method of performing pattern recognition has been studied which is invariant to selectable pattern features. Two examples of pattern features frequently encountered in pattern recognition tasks are scale and rotation. A recognition scheme which is invariant to these features is able to detect an object independent of its size and angular orientation. In our case, the recognition scheme not only is invariant to these specific features, but can also be used to measure them.© (1979) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Demonstration of a six-user quantum key distribution network on a bus architecture

A six-user quantum key distribution over a bus network spanning a total distance 30km of standard telecommunication-grade fiber is demonstrated. Each user on the network has one unique address wavelength channel for establishing secure quantum cryptographic keys with a central network server. The address wavelengths are all in the C-band region of between 1553 nm and 1557 nm, making the system compatible with present fiber-optic communication network infrastructures. The quantum bit error rate measurements made on the network agree favorably with theoretically calculated values.
Integratng the family service system from the inside out: A view from the bureaucratic trenches

The array of categorical public programs for multineed families has often resulted in fragmented, ineffective, and inefficient services that add to the complexity and frustration experienced by these families. Utah's initiative to develop family-centered, community-based, coordinated services has encountered five major management challenges including (a) resisting nonproductive agency reorganization, (b) maintaining a focus on systems change rather than the creation of yet another new program, (c) changing the culture of service providers, (d) balancing the priorities of prevention, core treatment, and crisis services, and (e) maintaining an emphasis on a family-centered system. Weathering the political preferences for service specialization, a “quick-fix” to social problems, the aloof posture of the judicial system, and oversimplified approaches to evaluation present additional challenges. Sustaining true system change will require accountability, broad community involvement, and skilled leadership.
Circular dichroism spectra of straight chain mono-olefins. Assignment of ethylene transitions

The circular dichroism spectra of three optically active alkenes, S, 3-methyl-1-pentene, S,4-methyl-1-hexene and S,5-methyl-1-heptane have been measured in the spectral region 200-140 nm in the gas phase. An intense CD band which does not have a well defined analogue in the absorption was observed in all three compounds and is assigned as π → σ(CH)*. A second prominent CD band at higher energy is assigned as σ(CH) → π*. The assignments of low frequency CD bands are discussed.
Application of fluidized bed film coating for membrane encapsulation of catalysts

Abstract Fluidized bed film coating is considered as an efficient method to coat membranes onto catalytic particles producing a micro/mesoporous composite structure. These composite materials described as Membrane Encapsulated Catalysts (MECs) have the potential to increase reaction yield and selectivity by controlling the diffusion of products and reactants to and from the catalytic core. MECs were synthesized by film coating spherical zeolite particles with a nano-alumina suspension in hydroxylpropyl cellulose (HPC) using a conventional fluidized bed (Mini-Glatt). Coated particles were subsequently calcined in a furnace to remove the HPC leaving a porous alumina membrane. The fluidized bed coating process was evaluated by its ability to coat uniformly and defect-free as well as to control the membrane coating thickness. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR), and surface area and pore size distribution analysis (BET) were used to characterize the coated catalyst. Results show that membrane coatings were uniformly applied and free of defects upon optimization of fluidization parameters for the range of membrane thicknesses (6.0 μm–26.0 μm) produced in this study. The coating thickness estimated from the experimental techniques was in good agreement with the theoretically predicted thickness demonstrating the precision and controllability of the process. The alumina membrane was also shown to adhere well to the catalyst after removal of HPC and its thickness remained unchanged after calcining. Analysis of the membrane coated zeolite showed both microporous and mesoporous properties which may be particularly advantageous in separation processes. It was shown that NIR spectroscopy may be used as a method to replace image analysis for fast characterization of the membrane thickness. NIR spectra were shown to correlate coating thickness with absorbance at 1184 nm (R2 = .9920).
Left ventricular dysfunction induced by cold exposure in patients with systemic sclerosis

Raynaud's phenomenon and cardiac abnormalities are frequent in patients with systemic sclerosis. Radionuclide ventriculograms were obtained in 16 patients with Raynaud's phenomenon and systemic sclerosis or the related CREST syndrome and in 11 normal volunteers in order to evaluate changes in left ventricular function that might be induced by exposure to cold. Left ventricular regional wall motion abnormalities developed in nine of 16 patients during cooling compared with only one of 11 control subjects, despite a comparable rise in mean arterial pressure (p less than 0.02). The abnormalities occurred in seven of 11 patients with systemic sclerosis, one of four with CREST syndrome, and one with Raynaud's disease. To test the potential protective effect of nifedipine, radionuclide ventriculograms were then obtained during cooling after sublingual nifedipine (20 mg). Only five of 13 patients had wall motion abnormalities, and the severity of the abnormalities was significantly less than during the first cooling period (p = 0.03). Five of eight patients who had cold-induced wall motion abnormalities during the first cooling period had none after nifedipine, whereas two other patients demonstrated small abnormalities only during the second cooling period after treatment with nifedipine. It is concluded that cold induces segmental myocardial dysfunction in patients with systemic sclerosis and that nifedipine may blunt the severity of this abnormal response.
High-speed coronary rotational angioplasty with the rotablator

Percutaneous mechanical rotational ablation with the rotablator can be used effectively as a stand alone treatment for coronary arterial lesions, including those with angiographic morphology considered unfavorable for balloon angioplasty (eccentric, at bends, bifurcating, calcified, ulcerated, completely occluded_, as well as for balloon angioplasty procedure failures. The use of single rather than multiple burrs without balloon assistance, the use of fewer passes and of the nitroglycerine infusion through the rotablator catheter have considerably shortened the time necessary to complete a rotational atherectomy. Further, the apparently infrequent occurrence of post procedure abrupt closure makes this technique attractive in the clinical management of patients with complex coronary artery lesions.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Dead or Alive? Nanopatrols Report

In the quantum mechanics realm, it’s useful to think about Schrodinger’s cat as being dead or alive. But when it comes to cellular therapies, knowledge of the survival state of cells is crucial to clinical success. Now, Chan et al . describe a noninvasive imaging technique that permits probing of cell viability in vivo. The use of hydrogel-encapsulated cells has emerged as a potential treatment for diverse diseases. However, clinical implementation is limited by poor cell survival in vivo after delivery. The limited knowledge about factors that affect cell survival and how to prolong cell viability hampers the optimization and application of these therapies. Existing methods that use reporter gene–based imaging, such as luciferase bioluminescence, are robust in tracking cell viability but limited to small animals because the light absorption and scattering by tissues attenuates the light, thus limiting detection. To decipher the factors that determine cell viability in vivo, the authors developed a noninvasive imaging technique based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that enables real-time assessment of cell viability. Although validated in mouse models to enable comparison with conventional bioluminescent techniques, this method can be translated to the clinic because MRI permits high-resolution imaging in humans. As a proof of concept, Chan et al . attempted to treat liver failure in mice by introducing, subcutaneously, hepatocytes housed in a semipermeable alginate microcapsule. The capsule protects hepatocytes from the host immune system while allowing exchange of nutrients. The microcapsules were placed adjacent to L-arginine–based nanosensors. Because cell death is associated with acidification of extracellular pH, L-Arg serves as a pH-sensitive reporter that changes MRI contrast as a result of rapid proton exchange with surrounding water. MRI signals changed dramatically after induction of cell apoptosis in the implanted capsules, as corroborated by means of immunofluorescence and conventional bioluminescence imaging. The authors also used MRI to show that immune cell invasion can be inhibited by the coadministration of immunosuppressant drugs, as is implemented in the clinic. Indeed, immunosuppressants prolonged cell survival in mouse models as compared with untreated immunocompetent mice. The L-Arg nanosensors can be paired with other cell types and potentially modified to target specific cell populations even outside the polymeric capsules and may prove invaluable as a tool for drug screening. Data gained from use of this tool should improve our understanding of what is killing the cells and how to prevent it. The components of the nanosensor and its delivery vehicle are known to be safe for use in humans; however, cytocompatibility and clinical effectiveness must be tested. K. W. Y. Chan et al ., MRI-detectable pH nanosensors incorporated into hydrogels for in vivo sensing of transplanted- cell viability. Nat. Mater 12 , 268–275 (2013). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.nature.com/nmat/journal/v12/n3/abs/nmat3525.html
A FrameWork for high-performance image exploitation

This paper describes an object-oriented system that is designed to provide access to databases and high-performance computing systems to process images and other objects found in the databases. The system features a Web-based front-end and CORBA middleware to provide convenient access and management of services. The Kerberos authentication system is used for security to avoid IP address-based approaches that restrict user mobility.
Aboveground Production and N and P Cycling Along a Nitrogen Mineralization Gradient on Blackhawk Island, Wisconsin

Net aboveground production (4.1-9.5 Mg ha- Iyr-') across a series of edaphic climax forests was highly correlated with field measurements of soil N mineralization (26-84 kg ha-- yr-'; r2 = 0.902, P < .001) and with soil silt + clay content (5-74%; r2 = 0.883, P < .001). Soil N min- eralization was positively correlated with litter production and N and P return in litter. Soil N min- eralization was negatively correlated with litter C:N and C:P ratios and with efficiency of P use in litter production. Efficiency of N use in litter production declined with increasing N mineralization except for inefficient use of N in a hemlock stand at low N mineralization. Changes in litter quality across the mineralization-soil texture gradient were due to species replacement rather than changes in litter quality within each species. Nitrification was not correlated with aboveground production. Both mineralization and nitrification were highly correlated with humus P content. Differences in nitrification among the soils appeared to be related to P04-P supply in the spring and early summer and to NH4-N supply in mid- to late summer.
Cross-layer protocols for WSNs: A simple design and simulation paradigm

In this paper, we propose a Cross-Layer Application-aware Paradigm (CLAP) for designing and simulating Cross-Layer (CL) protocols. CLAP allows each layer to publish its local information to be shared with other layers and subscribe to other layers' shared information via an Information-Layer (I-Layer). The controlling layer, where optimization decisions are made, also utilizes the I-Layer to configure the behavior of other layers according to its current demands and their reported status. The publish/subscribe behavior is achieved by a new API designed as an augmentation to the SIDnet-SWANS simulator. This eliminates the need for bypassing/hacking conventional design hierarchies and simulator architectures, which greatly reduces the design and implementation complexities of CL protocols. CLAP facilitates CL interactions and extends the application layer's awareness and capabilities. This will lead CL protocol design in WSNs to a higher level of awareness via seamless CL information access and sharing, a new dimension of adaptability to operating conditions via continuous reconfiguration, and much simpler implementations.
Multilumen catherer sepsis and an educational program to combat it

Abstract Catherer-related sepsis is a problem with many variables. A process of elimination may eventually identify the actual cause(s) of this phenomenon. We began our problem-solving approach by observing personnel inserting and caring for central lines, which showed a lack of compliance with existing protocols. A program was designed to provide the correct procedural activities. This study plans to test whether ongoing educational programs and an infection control department that maintains a high degree of visibility are effective in reducing nosocomial line-related infections.
The Reference Child and Adolescent Models of Body Composition: A Contemporary Comparisona

Changes in the relative proportions of bone, muscle, water, visceral tissues, and body fat occur during growth. In the 1980s, reference models of body composition for children and adolescents were constructed by adjusting data on total body water (TBW), total body potassium (TBK), and regional bone mineral (BMC) data from several different Caucasian populations. In our study, we measured TBW, TBK, and total body BMC in 856 healthy European-American, African-American, and Mexican-American children. When we reconstructed the reference models using our contemporary data, we found that the body's bone, protein, and fat compartments are slightly but significantly different from the earlier models. Our study provides the range of normal body composition of healthy children, aged 5-18 years, and accounts for differences related to gender and ethnicity.
Selection bias in electrophysiologically-guided therapy of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias

Abstract To analyze if patient selection bias could contribute to the improved prognosis reported for ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) when therapy is guided by electrophysiologic studies (EPS), we studied 90 consecutive patients admitted to a tertiary referral center with recent VT/VF who were candidates for EPS. Seventeen patients (19%) died during the initial hospital admission, and 30 (33%) died after discharge. Survival probability was 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74–0.90); 0.67 (95% CI, 0.56–0.75); and 0.53 (95% C1, 0.42–0.63) at 1 month, 1 year, and 3 years, respectively. Of the 56 patients (62%) who underwent EPS during their initial hospitalization, only 1 died during that admission. Patients in whom EPS could not be performed had characteristics associated with a poorer prognosis. NYHA functional class ( p = 0.005), inability to perform baseline EPS ( p = 0.003) and use of digoxin ( p = 0.016) were independent predictors of death. Early in-hospital mortality in patients with VT/VF remains high. Thus, omission of these deaths in reports of EPS-guided therapy creates incomplete, biased cohorts. Furthermore, there may be a bias toward a healthier population among hospital survivors undergoing EPS. These findings may contribute to better outcomes in current series compared to historical controls.
Hematologic malignancies and the use of methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis: A retrospective study

Purpose To evaluate the relationship between use of methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis patients and development of hematologic malignancies. Patients and methods We retrospectively analyzed all patients registered at the Mayo Clinic from 1976 through 1992 with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 16,263) cross-indexed with patients registered during the same period with a hematologic malignancy (n = 21,270). Adult patients were selected who had rheumatoid arthritis, were treated with a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, and subsequently developed a hematologic malignancy. Results Thirty-nine patients met the selection criteria. Twelve of them had been given methotrexate. The characteristics of those who received methotrexate, including the type of hematologic malignancy, did not differ from those of patients who received other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Conclusions Hematologic malignancies are uncommon in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, including methotrexate. There does not appear to be a relationship between the peak or cumulative dose or the duration of methotrexate therapy and the subsequent development of hematologic malignancy. The histologic types of hematologic malignancy seen in the methotrexate-treated patients did not differ from those of patients treated with other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.
Another approach to service courses

This paper discusses the issues surrounding service offerings by Computer Science departments and focuses specifically on the first programming course. The approach described by the author has been developed to serve business students who seek an introduction to programming, but it applies also to most non-majors. The popularity of computer applications in the various disciplines as well as the widely publicized vocational opportunities in data processing induce ever more students to try their hand at programming. The embarrassment of riches in enrollment, however, brings with it multiple problems of staffing, machine resources, and curricular balance. Less obviously it also brings the pressure for instant success in serving this new population and thereby avoiding the splintering of programming education among interested disciplines, as happened with statistics instruction. Various viewpoints on solutions to these problems have been published, but little understanding of the nature and goals of the students involved has been evidenced. What follows is an explanation of a student-oriented approach to service course instruction which has been instituted at the University of Evansville(Mitchell 78).
Imaging of papyri : A strategic view

In the summer of 1992 Roger Bagnall outlined a proposal for the creation of an Advanced Papyrological Information System (APIS). In this paper he describes the strategic considerations on which the project is based and the advantages of providing on-line images of original papyri from several different collections
SELF HEALTH IN SCHIZOPHRENIA POPULATIONS: It's Subjective Determinants and Possible Use as a Screening Tool for Predictor of Health in This Population

intervention and massage. A 90 minute teaching session was used to train nursing home staff on management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, in Deudon et al. Another staff intervention, including increased daytime patient physical activity and limited nighttime nursing care, resulted in overall reduction in agitation (Alessi et al., 1999). Three studies used forms of therapeutic touch as the intervention, including two methods of assistance with bathing (Sloan et al., 2004), therapeutic touch administered between 5-7 minutes daily for three days (Woods et al., 2005) and 30-40 minutes over 5 days (Hawranik et al., 2008). Aromatherapy using lemon balm oil, applied to the face and arms, showed positive results. (Ballard et al., 2002). Psychosocial based, patient specific interventions were used in three studies. These interventions targeted balancing high and low arousal states (Kovach et al., 2004), addressing hypothesized unmet patient needs (Cohen-Mansfield et al., 2012), and creating a personalized one-on-one Montessori activity treatment plan (van der Ploeg et al., 2013). The combination of therapeutic touch using acupressure and psychosocial interventions using Montessori activities was implemented in a cross over design (Lin et al., 2009). Familiar music played in a group setting, with encouragement to shadow gentle movements, was beneficial in Sun, et al. Listening to familiar music and the recorded voice of both family members and unknown people (Garland et al., 2007), as well as familiar music and massage (Remington, 2002) accounted for significant reduction in agitation. Conclusions: We review thirteen studies meeting our criteria that demonstrate reduction in agitation using various nonpharmacologic strategies. Of these, the patient specific intervention studies that address unmet needs have demonstrated the strongest evidence, as they have been replicated, with a relatively large sample size. Although there are limitations to many such studies, particularly the small sample sizes, insufficient follow-up, and few replications, this area of research allows for the generation of innovative treatment interventions. Safe, effective and practical nonpharmacologic strategies that can potentially reduce reliance on psychotropic medications are increasingly relevant, as the population ages and more patients transition to nursing homes.
Diffuse Pulmonary Interstitial Fibrosis: Evidence of Humoral Antibody Mediated Pathogenesis

Immunochemical studies of post-mortem lung tissue from a patient suffering from diffuse pulmonary interstitial fibrosis were conducted. Identifiable deposition of IgG on the alveolar septa was noted by immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescein methods. The antemortem serum obtained from the patient showed high affinity immunologic binding to normal human lung tissue. An antibody-antigen reaction was also detectable by microcomplement fixation procedure with buffer extracts of normal lung tissue, while normal pooled serum showed no significant reaction. These findings, in addition to the gross, light microscopic, and electron microscopic observations, strongly suggest that a humoral antibody mediated reaction is one of the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms eliciting the morphologically and clinically observable manifestations of diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.
Effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on rat isolated heart function and protein biomarkers indicative of toxicity

Abstract Introduction Cardiac toxicity, manifested as diminished contractility, ischemic heart disease, and heart failure is a major issue in drug safety. Concerns revolve around targeted drugs (TKIs) where contractility effects were not anticipated. The ability to predict cardiac toxicity early would help to de-risk drugs in development and prepare physicians to manage risk in the clinic. Issues with current preclinical studies include insufficient testing with informative, translatable models, and predictive biomarkers. The isolated heart model is amenable to multiple assessments which can be combined with current technologies to assess toxicity on a multi-scale level. Methods Rat isolated heart model was used to assess changes in left ventricular (LV) contractility and protein biomarkers BNP, IL6, TNFα, and cardiac troponins T (TnT) and I (TnI). Responses were assessed during perfusion with modified Henseleit Krebs (MHK), and 20 min concentration escalations of verapamil, carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP), isoproterenol, or 20 min escalations bracketing clinical blood concentrations of sunitinib, sorafenib, and erlotinib. LV parameters and effluent for biomarkers were collected before and during escalating drug concentrations. Results Verapamil reduced inotropy with no change in biomarkers, FCCP and isoproterenol reduced and increased heart function respectively and increased TnT and TNFα. Erlotinib had no significant effects on function or biomarkers. Sunitinib diminished function, increased TNFα at 0.1 μM, and increased TnT at higher concentrations. Sorafenib dose dependently increased TNFα beginning at 0.1 μM, reducing contractility and flow rate at 0.6 μM. Discussion The ex-vivo assay is a sensitive and predictive model for assessing changes in heart function and biomarkers of toxicity and injury. This assay demonstrates the potential for sunitinib and sorafenib to cause cardiac toxicity in humans. Also, TNFα appears to be a biomarker in the heart prior to injury. Due to its versatility, the isolated heart assay has potential to fill gaps in cardiac safety testing early in drug development.
Vibronic Transitions in Ruby and MgO: V 2 +

Experiments are described on the low-temperature optical fluorescence of ${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$:${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ and Mg${\mathrm{O}:}^{2+}$, in which the vibronic side-band intensity near the sharp $R$ line is measured as a function of the energy separation $\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}$ from the no-phonon $R$ line. The results are in reasonable agreement with Vredevoe's theory, which predicts for low $\ensuremath{\omega}$ an intensity proportional to ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{3}$ for ${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}$O:C${\mathrm{r}}^{3+}$, and to ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{5}$ for MgO:${\mathrm{V}}^{2+}$.
Functional reactive programming from first principles

Functional Reactive Programming, or FRP, is a general framework for programming hybrid systems in a high-level, declarative manner. The key ideas in FRP are its notions of behaviors and events. Behaviors are time-varying, reactive values, while events are time-ordered sequences of discrete-time event occurrences. FRP is the essence of Fran, a domain-specific language embedded in Haskell for programming reactive animations, but FRP is now also being used in vision, robotics and other control systems applications. In this paper we explore the formal semantics of FRP and how it relates to an implementation based on streams that represent (and therefore only approximate) continuous behaviors. We show that, in the limit as the sampling interval goes to zero, the implementation is faithful to the formal, continuous semantics, but only when certain constraints on behaviors are observed. We explore the nature of these constraints, which vary amongst the FRP primitives. Our results show both the power and limitations of this approach to language design and implementation. As an example of a limitation, we show that streams are incapable of representing instantaneous predicate events over behaviors.
Two act as one: unexpected dimers of catechol direct a solid-state [2+2] photodimerization in a six-component hydrogen-bonded assembly

We describe hydrogen-bonded dimers of catechol that act collectively as a single template to direct an intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition in the solid state. The directed reactivity involves discrete, six-component hydrogen-bonded assemblies and a photoreaction that occurs stereoselectively and in quantitative yield.
Downregulation of Hematopoietic MUC1 during Experimental Colitis Increases Tumor-Promoting Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells

Purpose: MUC1 is a tumor-associated antigen that is aberrantly expressed in cancer and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Even though immune cells express low MUC1 levels, their modulations of MUC1 are important in tumor progression. Consistent with previous clinical data that show increased myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in IBD, we now show that downregulation of MUC1 on hematopoietic cells increases MDSCs in IBD, similar to our data in tumor-bearing mice. We hypothesize that MDSC expansion in IBD is critical for tumor progression. Experimental Design: To mechanistically confirm the linkage between Muc1 downregulation and MDSC expansion, we generated chimeric mice that did not express Muc1 in the hematopoietic compartment (KO→WT). These mice were used in two models of colitis and colitis-associated cancer (CAC) and their responses were compared with wild-type (WT) chimeras (WT→WT). Results: KO→WT mice show increased levels of MDSCs during colitis and increased protumorigenic signaling in the colon during CAC, resulting in larger colon tumors. RNA and protein analysis show increased upregulation of metalloproteinases, collagenases, defensins, complements, growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines in KO→WT mice as compared with WT→WT mice. Antibody-mediated depletion of MDSCs in mice during colitis reduced colon tumor formation during CAC. Conclusion: Development of CAC is a serious complication of colitis and our data highlight MDSCs as a targetable link between inflammation and cancer. In addition, the lack of MUC1 expression on MDSCs can be a novel marker for MDSCs, given that MDSCs are still not well characterized in human cancers. Clin Cancer Res; 19(18); 5039–52. ©2013 AACR .
Extrahepatic metabolism of carbamate and organophosphate thioether compounds by the flavin-containing monooxygenase and cytochrome P450 systems

The cytochrome P450 (P450) and flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) enzymes are the major oxidative enzymes in phase I metabolism. Many organophosphate and carbamate thioether compounds are excellent substrates for these enzymes. Stereoselective sulfoxidation of fenthion and methiocarb by human liver, kidney, and microsomes was investigated. A high level of stereoselectivity in the formation of fenthion +-sulfoxide was observed in kidney and intestinal microsomes. This activity was not inhibited by the P450 inhibitor 1-aminobenzotriazole but was dramatically reduced following mild heat treatment. In liver, fenthion was metabolized to its sulfoxide in a nonstereoselective manner, and the activity was sensitive to both 1-aminobenzotriazole and heat treatment. The carbamate pesticide methiocarb also was sulfoxidated with a high degree of stereoselectivity in human kidney microsomes. Human liver microsomes formed both stereoisomers in equal amounts. Sulfoxide formation in kidney was not inhibited by 1-aminobenzotriazole but was abolished in liver microsomes. Formation of methiocarb sulfoxides was not observed in intestinal microsomes. The relative contribution of FMO1 and FMO3 to the sulfoxidation of carbophenothion, demeton-O, ethiofencarb, fonofos, and methiocarb also was investigated by using baculovirus-expressed recombinant proteins. FMO1 showed the highest catalytic activity for all pesticides. This study indicates that FMO1 may have a bigger role in extrahepatic metabolism than previously thought.
Effect of Cooling Rate on Decomposition of the α Phase in Ti-(43-50) At.% Al ALLOYS:

The effect of cooling rate on transformations of the disordered, hep a phase in TiAl alloys containing 43 to 50 at.% Al is reported. Cast and homogenized samples of the alloys were solutionized in the completely a region and cooled at various rates, and the microstructures examined by various microscopical techniques. The results indicate a very strong effect of cooling rate on transformations, and depending on it the γ forms from the a in three morphologies. At low cooling rates, a lamellar morphology is observed, at intermediate rates both Widmanstatten and feathery morphologies appear, and at very high rates a massive transformation dominates. The crystallography of the various forms of γ, together with orientation relationships, compositions, and nature of the parent/product interfaces have been examined. Controlled heat treatments were also performed to further elucidate the cooling rate dependence of the lamellar and Widmanstatten structures. These various results are presented and the temperature and composition dependence of transformations are discussed in light of phase diagram considerations.