cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship between radiation damage anisotropy in MgO and YSZ single crystals and the Ion/Atom ratio deposition parameter in biaxially-textured MgO and YSZ thin films fabricated by ion beam assisted deposition

Abstract To elucidate the underlying physics of ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD), irradiation damage effects in magnesia (MgO) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) were investigated. Ion irradiations were performed on MgO and YSZ single crystals of three low-index crystallographic orientations using 100 and 150 keV Ar+ ions over a fluence range from 1 × 1014 to 5 × 1016 Ar/cm2. Damage accumulation was analyzed using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry combined with ion channeling. Damage evolution with increasing ion fluence proceeded via several characteristic stages and the total damage exhibited a strong dependence on crystallographic orientation. For both MgO and YSZ, damage anisotropy was maximal at a stage when the damage saturated, with the (1 1 0) crystallographic orientation being the most radiation damage resistant. The Ion/Atom ratio deposition parameter reported for IBAD of MgO and YSZ films was found to correlate with the damage plateau stage described above. Finally, the role of the Ion/Atom ratio is discussed in terms of radiation damage anisotropy mechanism.
Strong-coupling calculation of the mass ratio in supersymmetric field theory

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the suitability of strong-coupling expansions as a technique for obtaining useful numerical information from a supersymmetric field theory. Strong-coupling methods involve introducing a lattice which explicitly breaks supersymmetry invariance. However, we present compelling evidence that supersymmetry is restored in the continuum limit. Specifically, we calculate the ratio of the fermion mass to the boson mass and show that to seventh order in perturbation theory this ratio approaches one to within one percent.
NOTE ON LAGRANGE'S INVERSION FORMULA

An inductive algorithm is proposed to solve Lagrange's implicit equation when its right hand member is a power series in the small parameter.
Professionals in search of professionalism: Journalists' dilemma in four Maghreb states

This qualitative field study examines the major educational and training programs in journalism in Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia and difficulties posed by the political, legal and media struc...
High-resolution cartography of recently integrated human chromosome 19-specific Alu fossils

The recently inserted subfamilies of Alu retroposons (Ya5/8 and Yb8) are composed of approximately 2000 elements. We have screened a human chromosome 19-specific cosmid library for the presence of Ya5/8 and Yb8 Alu family members. This analysis resulted in the identification of 12 Ya5/8 Alu family members and 15 Yb8 Alu family members from human chromosome 19. The total number of Ya5/8 and Yb8 Alu family members located on human chromosome 19 does not differ from that expected based upon random integration of Alu repeats within the human genome. The distribution of both subfamilies of Alu elements along human chromosome 19 also appears to be random. DNA sequence analysis of the individual Alu elements revealed a low level of random mutations within both subfamilies of Alu elements consistent with their recent evolutionary origin. Oligonucleotide primers complementary to the flanking unique sequences adjacent to each Alu element were used in polymerase chain reaction assays to determine the phylogenetic distribution and human genomic variation associated with each Alu family member. All of the chromosome 19-specific Ya5/8 and Yb8 Alu family members were restricted to the human genome and absent from orthologous positions within the genomes of several non-human primates. Three of the Yb8 Alu family members were polymorphic for insertion presence/absence within the genomes of a diverse array of human populations. The polymorphic Alu elements will be useful tools for the study of human population genetics.
Cefepime-Induced Neurotoxicity: A Review of the Evidence

Purpose: Cefepime-induced neurotoxicity is a relatively underappreciated and unrecognized adverse event in current clinical practice. Because cefepime is widely used in many hospitals, it is vital that clinicians be aware of this adverse event.Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to highlight the current evidence linking cefepime and neurotoxicity.Results: More than 40 case reports were identified and analyzed for evidence of cefepime-induced neurotoxicity. Confusion, encephalopathy, coma, myoclonus, nonconvulsive status epilepticus, and frank seizures have been described. Most cases occurred in patients with impaired renal function. Onset of neurotoxicity ranged from 1 to 16 days. On discontinuation of cefepime, neurologic function returned to baseline.Conclusions: Cefepime-induced neurotoxicity occurs primarily in patients with impaired renal function; however, several cases have occurred in patients with normal renal function. Most cases of neurotoxicity have arisen in patients ...
Spectrophotometric determination of nonionic surfactants by flow injection analysis utilizing ion-pair extraction and an improved phase separator

The proposed flow-injection determination of nonionic surfactants of the general type RO(CH2CH2O)nH (where R is an alkyl or alkylphenyl group and n is the number of moles of oxyethylene group) is based on extraction of the colored ion-pair product formed between the nonionic surfactant and the regent tetrabromophenolphthalein ethyl ester potassium salt (TBPE-K). The complex is extracted into 1,2-dichloroethane and measured at 609 nm. A new phase separator is described. Triton X-100 is used as a model compounds, for which response is linear in the range 2–60 mg l−1. Precision of the method is excellent with a relative standard deviation of <1.0%. The sensitivity of the method depends on the type of surfactant examined.
Craniofacial features of isotretinoin embryopathy

The differential diagnosis includes verrucae accuminata (venereal warts) and ectopic sebaceous glands. Venereal warts tend to be of less uniform size and shape, usually change over time, and are not neatly arranged around the corona of the penis. Ectopic sebaceous glands are common penile lesions characterized by barely elevated discrete yellow papules on the penile shaft? The lesions increase in appearance on stretching the penile skin and a cheesy material may be expressible. Pink pearly papules seem to originate at the t ime of maximum physiologic pubertal changes, when males may have questions about changes in genital size and coloration. Adolescence is also a time of sexual experimentation and incomplete knowledge in the areas of sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases. In our experience, adolescents with prominent PPP seek medical attention, not with a sense of cosmetic abnormality but with concern that they have developed "VD" or have acquired a tumor as a result of masturbation. With simple reassurance all of our patients have been relieved and completely satisfied with the explanation. None has ever asked about cosmetic surgical revision. We have been surprised by most clinician's lack of familiarity with this normal developmental variant. Many physicians may confuse PPP with some form of genital wart or tumor and treat unnecessarily, with potentially painfiil results. Pink pearly papules require no treatment other than reassurance to the patient.
Anharmonic phonon decay in disordered systems

Abstract We investigate the effects of the relaxation of wave vector conservation due to broken translational symmetry on the anharmonic decay process. The relaxation of momentum conservation in the vicinity of a defect site is considered and its implications in various experimental methods of investigation are discussed.
Temperature variation of the resistivity in high quality single crystal palladium

Abstract Measurements of the temperature variation of the electrical resistivity in high-purity, single crystal Pd are reported for the range 20–300K. A previously reported abrupt change in the temperature coefficient of the resistivity near 93 K is undetectable in the present results. The temperature variation of this coefficient closely resembles that expected from electron-phonon scattering over a wide temperature range.
Impurity Effects on the Superconductive Critical Temperature of Indium and Aluminum.

We find that the effects of 0.01 to 1.0 atomic percent of various impurities on the superconductive critical temperature of indium and aluminum are strikingly similar to those previously reported for tin. For sufficiently small amounts of all solutes there is an electronic mean free path effect on the critical temperature such that ${T}_{c}$ decreases linearly with increasing reciprocal free path. For larger impurity concentrations the curves of critical temperature versus concentration fall into groups according to the valence difference between solvent and solute. ${T}_{c}$ has a sharp upward trend for higher valence solutes; for those with lower valence the curves of ${T}_{c}$ tend to flatten out. The similarity of these impurity effects for three such different superconductors suggests that they are a fundamental property independent of the detailed nature of the superconductor.
Fluorescence thermometry enhanced by the quantum coherence of single spins in diamond

We demonstrate fluorescence thermometry techniques with sensitivities approaching 10 mK · Hz(-1/2) based on the spin-dependent photoluminescence of nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. These techniques use dynamical decoupling protocols to convert thermally induced shifts in the NV center's spin resonance frequencies into large changes in its fluorescence. By mitigating interactions with nearby nuclear spins and facilitating selective thermal measurements, these protocols enhance the spin coherence times accessible for thermometry by 45-fold, corresponding to a 7-fold improvement in the NV center's temperature sensitivity. Moreover, we demonstrate these techniques can be applied over a broad temperature range and in both finite and near-zero magnetic field environments. This versatility suggests that the quantum coherence of single spins could be practically leveraged for sensitive thermometry in a wide variety of biological and microscale systems.
Identifying Academic Physical Sciences Research in Progress

The groundwork of a good research project always begins with a thorough literature search. When the scientist wants to replicate work, perhaps to compare results of conducting the same experiment on different materials, he or she turns to the library for journal articles on the subject. Librarians excel at producing lengthy subject searches through online search services. They can even produce the desired materials themselves, making good use of networking such as OCLC and RUN, and interlibrary loan, in addition to careful collection development in the library at hand.
Direct inhibition of the DNA-binding activity of POU transcription factors Pit-1 and Brn-3 by selective binding of a phenyl-furan-benzimidazole dication

The development of small molecules to control gene expression could be the spearhead of future-targeted therapeutic approaches in multiple pathologies. Among heterocyclic dications developed with this aim, a phenyl-furan-benzimidazole dication DB293 binds AT-rich sites as a monomer and 5′-ATGA sequence as a stacked dimer, both in the minor groove. Here, we used a protein/DNA array approach to evaluate the ability of DB293 to specifically inhibit transcription factors DNA-binding in a single-step, competitive mode. DB293 inhibits two POU-domain transcription factors Pit-1 and Brn-3 but not IRF-1, despite the presence of an ATGA and AT-rich sites within all three consensus sequences. EMSA, DNase I footprinting and surface-plasmon-resonance experiments determined the precise binding site, affinity and stoichiometry of DB293 interaction to the consensus targets. Binding of DB293 occurred as a cooperative dimer on the ATGA part of Brn-3 site but as two monomers on AT-rich sites of IRF-1 sequence. For Pit-1 site, ATGA or AT-rich mutated sequences identified the contribution of both sites for DB293 recognition. In conclusion, DB293 is a strong inhibitor of two POU-domain transcription factors through a cooperative binding to ATGA. These findings are the first to show that heterocyclic dications can inhibit major groove transcription factors and they open the door to the control of transcription factors activity by those compounds.
Entanglement symmetry, amplitudes, and probabilities: inverting Born's rule.

Symmetry of entangled states under a swap of outcomes (``envariance'') implies their equiprobability and leads to Born's rule ${p}_{k}=|{\ensuremath{\psi}}_{k}{|}^{2}$. Here I show the converse: I demonstrate that the amplitude of a state given by a superposition of sequences of events that share the same total count (e.g., $n$ detections of 0 and $m$ of 1 in a spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ measurement) is proportional to the square root of the fraction---square root of the relative frequency---of all the equiprobable sequences of 0's and 1's with that $n$ and $m$.
Adrenocortical effects on carbohydrate metabolism in Anolis carolinensis

Abstract The effects of varying doses of corticosterone and aldosterone on tissue glycogen and plasma glucose levels were compared. Neither hormone affected hepatic glycogen levels at doses of 0.01 or 0.1 μg (per day for 4 days), but both elevated liver glycogen levels comparably at doses of 1 and 10 μg. The highest dose (10 μg) of both hormones elevated muscle glycogen levels. Plasma glucose levels were not increased by any hormone treatment, but were reduced by the two highest dose levels of corticosterone.
An examination of policies addressing resident smoking in nursing homes.

Objectives To report findings of a nationwide project that examined nursing homes' tobacco policies for residents. Design A random selection procedure was used to sample nursing homes proportional to the geographic distribution of nursing homes in the United States. Rubrics were developed to objectively describe and compare policies. Setting Policies were obtained from 4 types of facilities: (1) facilities that allow smoking indoors and outdoors (I/O-SFs), (2) facilities that allow residents to smoke outdoors only (O-SFs), (3) facilities that do not allow residents to smoke indoors or out of doors (NSFs), and (4) facilities in transition (TFs) from a smoking facility to an NSF. Measures Rubrics used to score policies had common categories: administrative/authority issues, notification, resident smoking, safety, cessation assistance/encouragement, and smoking areas. Criteria within each category varied to reflect the smoking regulations of each type of facility (eg, policies of facilities that do not allow smoking indoors were not examined for inclusion of issues related to ventilation). Results Facilities' policies from geographically diverse facilities are described. Across all facilities, mean percentages reflecting policies' overall comprehensiveness were low, and when examining specific components of the policies, few areas were consistently addressed across facilities. Conclusions Considerable gaps were found in written policies regarding smoking. Although nursing homes may in fact have practices that are more extensive than their policies portray, creating policies that guide practice can assist these long-term care facilities to promote an environment that aligns with their goals and desired practices to protect the health of residents and staff.
Dynamical Basis for Drug Resistance of HIV-1 Protease

Background Protease inhibitors designed to bind to protease have become major anti-AIDS drugs. Unfortunately, the emergence of viral mutations severely limits the long-term efficiency of the inhibitors. The resistance mechanism of these diversely located mutations remains unclear.
Measurement of L-[1-14C]Leucine Kinetics in Splanchnic and Leg Tissues In Humans: Effect of Amino Acid Infusion

Although whole-body leucine flux is widely measured to study body protein turnover in humans, the contribution of specific tissues to the total-body measurement remains unknown. By combining the organ-balance technique with the systemic infusion of L-[1- 14 C]leucine, we quantitated leucine production and disposal by splanchnic and leg tissues and by the whole body, simultaneously, in six normal men before and during amino acid infusion. At steady state, disposal of arterial leucine by splanchnic and leg tissues was calculated from the percent extraction (E) of L-[1- 14 C]leucine counts: uptake = E × [Leu] a × flow. Tissue release of cold leucine (from protein turnover) into vein was calculated as the difference between leucine uptake and the net tissue leucine balance. In the postabsorptive state, despite substantial ( P 14 C]leucine by splanchnic (23 ± 1%) and leg (18 ± 2%) tissues, net leucine balance across both tissue beds was small, indicating active simultaneous disposal and production of leucine at nearly equivalent rates. Splanchnic tissues accounted for −50% of the measured total-body leucine flux. During amino acid infusion, the net leucine balance across splanchnic and leg tissues became positive, reflecting not only an increase in leucine uptake but also a marked suppression (by ∼50%, P 1 ) combining the organ-balance method with systemic L-[1- 14 C]leucine infusion enables leucine kinetics to be measured simultaneously in the whole body and in specific tissues; 2) splanchnic tissues account for −50% of whole-body leucine flux in postabsorptive humans; and 3 ) amino acid infusion markedly suppresses leg and splanchnic tissue leucine release, which may indicate inhibition of proteolysis.
Report on the NIST workshop of December 10, 2009: calibration strategies for bridging possible climate data gaps

A one-day workshop was held on December 10, 2009 at the National Institute of Standards and Technology to address the issue of data gaps in the time series of satellite measurements. Such gaps can occur due to launch delay, launch failure, inconsistencies, or data jumps in radiometric scales between satellites. The presence of such gaps limit the ability of using measurements to detect the small changes in key environmental variables that result from climate change. Leading experts in the Earth Observation community from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration (NOAA), United States Geological Survey (USGS), and academia attended the meeting to prioritize the calibration strategies for bridging and mitigating satellite data gaps for climate change detection. These strategies include establishing SI traceability for satellite sensor calibration and measurements; continuing improvements in prelaunch, onboard, and vicarious calibrations and transfer standards; establishing celestial standards and procedures for intercomparisons; establishing SI traceability for alternative measurement strategies, such as in-situ networks and airborne sensor campaigns; and leveraging international satellite assets. This paper summarizes the workshop and recommendations.
Limitation of the Mini-Mental State Examination for the detection of amnesia.

The present study demonstrates the limitation of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for detecting the amnestic syndrome. Although neuropsychological testing yielded severe memory deficits in all of the 11 amnesic patients tested, six of the patients obtained total MMSE scores above the standard cutoff score of 24. Further, only six patients completely failed the MMSE recall item, and three patients performed errorlessly on this item. Results from one postencephalitic patient are presented in detail. She performed the serial sevens task very quickly and subsequently recalled all three of the to-be-remembered words. Her performance on other memory tests confirmed that a longer retention interval than that provided by the MMSE is necessary to elicit her memory disorder. (J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 1992;5:233–237).
The role of self-efficacy in the treatment of substance use disorders

Self-efficacy is the belief that one has the ability to implement the behaviors needed to produce a desired effect. There has been growing interest in the role of self-efficacy as a predictor and/or mediator of treatment outcome in a number of domains. The present paper reviews the recent literature on self-efficacy in the substance abuse field. In numerous studies of substance abuse treatment, self-efficacy has emerged as an important predictor of outcome, or as a mediator of treatment effects. Despite these repeated positive findings, the self-efficacy concept has had little impact on the design of treatments. Since the concept was first introduced, there have been numerous suggestions regarding the means by which self-efficacy may be enhanced in clinical settings, but very little by way of empirical tests of those suggestions. This review concludes with a number of recommendations for further research to improve understanding of this potentially valuable concept and its interactions with other variables, and to develop effective strategies for enhancing self-efficacy.
The effect of community college enrollment on bachelor's degree completion

Abstract Rouse [Rouse, C. E. (1995). Democratization or diversion—the effect of community-colleges on educational-attainment. Journal of Business and Economic Statistics, 13(2), 217–224] finds that enrollment in a community college may divert students from attaining a bachelor's degree. However, this result may be due to selection bias, as the population of community college students should be quite different from those who attend 4-year institutions in terms of both observable and unobservable characteristics. This study uses propensity score matching to non-parametrically balance a data set from the 1996 Beginning Postsecondary Students survey in order to overcome issues associated with selection bias. Results from a Cox proportional hazards model indicate that attendance at a community college lowers the hazard rate for completing a bachelor's degree. The results are consistent with previous studies.
Hybrid (symbolic-numerical) optimization in mechanism design for the elimination of redundant constraints

Hybrid optimization, a new approach to design optimization employing both symbolic reasoning and algorithmic analysis, has been applied to the design of kinematic pairs in mechanisms. This hybrid design methodology provides a three-step systematic approach for (1) combining the degrees-of-freedom found in simple, lower kinematic pairs to obtain more complex but robust higher pairs, (2) judging inappropriately assigned joints for the elimination of redundant kinematic constraints and harmful mobilities, and (3) assisting nonexpert designers in applying nonlinear programming algorithms for detailed numerical design optimization of kinematic pairs. An example taken from the design of a spatial mechanism, specifically a universal joint, is presented and serves to demonstrate the utility of this procedure for detailed hybrid design optimization of kinematic pairs in mechanisms.
Technique of electrical beam treatment leading to an accurate and reliable critical dimension metrology measurement on a postetch layer

Accurate and reliable CD measurement is one of the most important goals of CD metrology. Today, most CD measurements are performed utilizing the SEM. One of the most commonly employed measurement detection algorithms is the Threshold method. This method is most useful for measuring CD when the structure begin measured consistently produces stable peaks in the secondary electron induced image intensity profile. However, the intensity profile becomes more complicated when there are multiple peaks whose peak heights are neither stable nor fixed in position. In this case, accurate and reliable CD measurements are difficult to achieve. In this paper, a novel technique of pre-dose and re-dose electrical beam treatment will be described. The technique is effective in producing reliable intensity profiles resulting in accurate CD measurements, and the recipe developed using the technique runs fully automated. The technique has been applied in our factory with success.
Increased urination following p-chloroamphetamine.

Abstract Para-chloroamphetamine (PCA) is a drug whose long-term and short-term neurochemical and behavioral effects have received considerable attention. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether PCA produces acute urination, defecation, and body weight changes similar to that seen following various amphetamine derivatives. Following baseline test sessions, rats were administered either 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 or 10.0 mg/kg of PCA or saline. Results indicated increased urination at some doses tested. Increased defecation, salivation, locomotor activities, and body weight losses were also observed. These data are discussed in terms of possible CNS or peripheral mechanisms of action.
The very pulse of the machine: Three trends toward improvement in electronic versions of humanities texts

Since April 1989, the Center for Text and Technology at Georgetown University has gathered information on the structure of projects that produce electronic text in the humanities. This report — based on the April, 1991 version of the Georgetown Catalogue and emphasizing its full-text projects in humanities disciplines other than linguistics —surveys the countries in which projects are found, the languages encoded, the disciplines served, and the auspices represented. Then the report explores three trends toward the improvement of electronic texts: increased scope of the new projects, improved quality of the editions used, and greater sophistication in the text-analysis tools added. Included among the notes is a list of titles and contacts for 42 projects cited in the report.
Female rats exposed to stress and alcohol show impaired memory and increased depressive-like behaviors

Exposure to daily life stressors is associated with increases in anxiety, depression, and overall negative affect. Alcohol or other psychoactive drugs are often used to alleviate stress effects. While females are more than twice as likely to develop mood disorders and are more susceptible to dependency than males, they are infrequently examined. In this study, female rats received no stress/no alcohol control (CON), alcohol alone (ALC), stress alone (STR), or stress plus alcohol (STR+ALC). Stress consisted of restraint for 6h/day/7days, and alcohol was administered immediately following restraint via gastric gavage at a dose of 2.0g/kg. Dependent measures included tests utilizing object recognition (OR), Y-maze, elevated plus maze (EPM), forced swim (FST), blood alcohol content, corticosterone levels, and body weights. ALC, STR+ALC, but not stress alone, impaired memory on OR. All treatments impaired spatial memory on the Y-maze. Anxiety was not affected on the EPM, but rats treated with alcohol or in combination with stress showed increased immobility on the FST, suggestive of alcohol-induced depression. Previously, we found alcohol reversed deleterious effects of stress on memory and mood in males, but current results show that females reacted negatively when the two treatments were combined. Thus, responses to alcohol, stress and their combination suggest that sex specific treatments are needed for stress-induced behavioral changes and that self-medicating with alcohol to cope with stress maybe deleterious in females.
A rabbit ear model for cold stress testing

A rabbit ear model resembling the human digit was studied to determine the vascular response of the rabbit ear to a cold stress. Following moderate cooling (10 minutes at 5°–8°C), auricular blood flow and cutaneous perfusion were reduced. This decrease was reversed by 30 minutes of warming. The response in the rabbit ear to cold stress is similar to that of normal human digits. The similarities between the control of the circulation in human digits and rabbit ears may result from the similarities in digital and auricular vascular receptors and receptor subtypes. Verification of the rabbit model provides an experimental method for obtaining important data regarding digital pathophysiology and the treatment of cold intolerance. Further study with this model will provide clinically relevant information regarding the pathophysiology of digital thermoregulatory abnormalities. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
"Dark and dangerous designs": Tales of Oppression, Dispossession, and Repossession, 1770-1800

Not unlike the inexplicable phantasm, the Gothic novel has appeared to materialize from nowhere. Few critics have been able to explain why Gothic novelists were fixated upon the tropes of persecution, oppression, and the reclaimed birthright or why indeed they sought to resurrect a seemingly regressive, escapist folk-tale-like form despite the success of the "realistic" novels of Fielding, Richardson, and Smollett. Even fewer have been able to explain why Gothic novelists displayed so much awareness of gender issues before the publication of Mary Wollstonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Woman in 1792. This essay begins by taking a rare glimpse into British reformist discourses of the late eighteenth century, focusing on contemporary allegations of incipient despotism and the widened appeal for universal (male) enfranchisement while also examining the new populist discursive strategies deployed by reformist writers. It demonstrates how the central themes and discursive strategies of Gothic novels from 1770 through 1800 conform to those found in contemporary reformist writing despite their lack of overt references to politics. On a larger scale, this essay shows how political discourse affects the shaping of literary genre and, conversely, how genre affects the shaping of political discourse in the rise of the so-called public sphere.
Squamous metaplasia and invasive epidermoid carcinoma of bladder

Abstract Invasive epidermoid carcinoma of the urinary bladder is described in a young woman with a long history of bladder infections and extensive squamous metaplasia without atypia. The literature on squamous metaplasia and leukoplakia progressing to epidermoid carcinoma of the bladder is reviewed, and the confusion between the two terms is explored. Young women with chronic dysuria, bladder infections, and long histories of squamous metaplasia of the bladder should be followed up very closely. If epidermoid carcinoma of the bladder develops, they should undergo radical surgery.
Local discontinuous Galerkin methods for moment models in device simulations: formulation and one dimensional results

We report, our preliminary work in applying the local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) finite element method to solve various time dependent and steady state moment models for semiconductor device simulations, in which both the first derivative convection terms and second derivative diffusion (heat conduction) terms exist and are discretized by the discontinuous Galerkin method and the local discontinuous Galerkin method (Cockburn and Shu, 2001) respectively. The potential equation for the electrical field is also discretized by the local discontinuous Galerkin method. This is an ongoing project, with the objective of developing a numerical tool based on the discontinuous Galerkin and local discontinuous Galerkin methodology, capable of solving various models for semiconductor device simulations (hydrodynamic models, energy transport models, quantum drift-diffusion or quantum hydrodynamic models, kinetic models, etc.) in a unified treatment of first and higher spatial derivatives, including those for the potential equations, which would allow easy k-p adaptivity and efficient parallel implementation.
On a fast deterministic parallel approximate matching algorithm

Sublinear parallel graph matching algorithms are investigated. The author proposes an approximation scheme for the cardinality matching problem on general graphs that runs in O(k/sup 5/log/sup 4/n) parallel time using O(2/sup k/n/sup 2k+2/) processors on a CREW PRAM parallel machine model. The approximation is at least as big as /sup k///sub k+1/. mod M mod . If the allowed error is a constant, then the algorithm runs in polylogarithmic time using a polynomial number of processors. >
GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS OF WING POLYMORPHISM IN THE WATERSTRIDER LIMNOPORUS CANALICULATUS.

Wing polymorphism commonly occurs in many insects, especially species of Orthoptera, Coleoptera, Homoptera, and Hemiptera (Harri-son, 1980). The polymorphism consists of dis-crete differences in wing length with morphs exhibiting fully developed, reduced, or to-tally absent wings. In addition to differences in wing length, morphs often differ in a number of other characteristics such as degree of ﬂ ight muscle development, duration of nymphal de-velopment, time to ﬁ rst reproduction, fertility and diapause (Anderson, 1973; Vepsalainen, 1978; Harrison, 1980). Wing polymorphism is an attractive sys-tem for investigating the evolution of disper-sal in natural populations (Vepsalainen, 1978; Denno and Grissell, 1979; Harrison, 1980). A key step in such studies is the identiﬁ cation of the environmental and genetic components of morph determination. Numerous studies of insects from several different orders have clearly demonstrated that environmental vari-ables such as photoperiod, temperature and density may strongly inﬂ uence the develop-ment of an individual into a particular morph (see references in Harrison, 1980). However, the genetic component of morph determina-tion is poorly understood. In a number of studies, attempts have been made to identify the genetic basis of determi-nation in species of waterstriders (Gerridae: Hemiptera), and the results used to formulate models of the evolution of winglessness. Pois-son (1924) claimed that results of crossing ex-periments with
Environmental biotechnology in the postgenomics era

The sequencing of the human genome and many microbial genomes has provided new opportunities to study the environmental impact on life processes, leading to development of new technologies that can be protected by patenting. Development of such new technologies has, however, led in some cases to judicial intervention because of their controversial nature. This article illustrates some of the trends in postgenomics biotechnology development and the attendant legal and ethical considerations.
Nanomanipulator applications in education: the impact of haptic experiences on students' attitudes and concepts

This research investigated educational uses of the nanoManipulator (nM) that when connected to an atomic force microscope allows students to get tactile feedback and manipulate objects such as viruses that are nanometer-sized. Our research focused on documenting how haptic feedback impacted students' attitudes as well as their understandings of viruses. The study involved 209 middle and high schools students. Half of the students received haptic feedback during investigations and half had the same investigations with the haptic feedback blocked by the computer. The results showed that students' with haptic feedback had better attitudes towards the investigations and were more likely to develop 3-dimensional concepts of adenoviruses that were more morphologically accurate.
It takes nerve to tell T and B cells what to do

The existence of an association be- tween the brain and immunity has been docu- mented. Data show that the nervous and immune systems communicate with one another to maintain immune homeostasis. Activated immune cells se- crete cytokines that influence central nervous sys- tem activity, which in turn, activates output through the peripheral nervous system to regulate the level of immune cell activity and the subsequent magnitude of an immune response. In this review, we will focus our presentation and discussion on the findings that indicate a regulatory role for the peripheral sympathetic nervous system in modulat- ing the level of cytokine and antibody produced during an immune response. Data will be discussed from studies involving the stimulation of the 2 adrenergic receptor expressed on CD4 T cells and B cells by norepinephrine or selective agonists. We will also discuss how dysregulation of this line of communication between the nervous and im- mune systems might contribute to disease develop- ment and progression. J. Leukoc. Biol. 79: 1093-1104; 2006.
Brief BIBO stability integral (L∞-gain) for second-order systems with numerator dynamics

It is shown that the most stressful bounded disturbance for linear stable second-order systems with numerator dynamics is bang-bang and can be realized in feedback form using a switch curve. Especially for the second-order systems with a finite zero, an explicit formula is given for the bounded input-bounded output stability integral based on the time maximum disturbance switch curve. This closed analytic form requires less-computational effort and gives an intuitive feeling as to how the L"~-gain will change with the free system parameters.
Maternal diet fatty acid composition affects neurodevelopment in rat pups

The effect of pre- and postnatal maternal dietary fatty acid composition on neurodevelopment in rat pups was studied. Timed pregnant dams were fed, beginning on d 2 of gestation and throughout lactation, either nonpurified diet (reference) or a purified diet whose fat source (22% of energy) was either corn oil or menhaden fish oil. On postnatal d 3, pups were randomly cross-fostered among dams of the same diet group and culled to 10 pups per dam. Milk was removed from stomachs of culled pups for fatty acid analyses. From postnatal d 4 to 30, pups were assessed daily for the appearance of neurodevelopmental reflexes. Auditory brainstem conduction times were measured on postnatal d 23 and 29. Pups were killed on postnatal d 30, and cerebrums were removed for fatty acid analyses. The fatty acid composition of maternal milk and pup cerebrums reflected maternal diet with higher levels of (n-3) and (n-6) fatty acids in the fish oil and corn oil groups, respectively. The time of appearance of auditory startle was significantly delayed (P = 0.004), and auditory brainstem conduction times on postnatal d 23 and 29 were significantly longer in pups of the fish oil- than corn oil-fed dams (P < 0.05). A delay in the appearance of the auditory startle reflex and longer auditory brainstem conduction times in pups of dams fed fish oil-supplemented diet may be due to negative effects on myelination of the auditory brainstem pathway. J.
Reverse interference between simian and murine poliomyelitis virus in guinea pigs.

SummaryThe above results indicate that reverse interference between simian and murine virus occurs with about the same frequency in rodents as direct interference between murine and simian virus in monkeys. The phenomenon may therefore be said to be reciprocal in character. Adjustments in the quantities of both viruses or variations of the time interval may further improve the efficiency of the reaction. In judging these results it must be borne in mind that successful operation of the interference phenomenon depends upon a delicate balance between the ability of the interfering virus to occupy susceptible cell receptors and the invasive potency of the challenging virus. It is therefore, perhaps, not without importance that the two strains of simian virus employed successfully in this work were passage strains of unusual virulence. One experiment with simian virus of lesser virulence has given less clear cut results. Leaving alone the question of its specificity, it therefore seems doubtful whether this r...
Maltreated Children's Thoughts and Emotions as Behavioral Predictors: Evidence for Social Work Action

The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to explore the mediating influence of internalizing behavior on the link between child maltreatment and externalizing behavior (for example, rule-breaking behavior and aggressive behavior) among children. Using a longitudinal comparison group design and a sample of 300 youths (56 percent maltreated), the relationship among maltreatment and internalizing and externalizing behavior was explored. Structural equation modeling revealed a mediating effect in which initial internalizing symptoms had a longitudinal residual effect on externalizing behavior among maltreated youths. Practice and policy strategies should include early identification, comprehensive assessment, and treatment for child maltreatment that include emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues. A comprehensive social work response may serve to reduce the risk of adverse behavioral outcomes among youths that place them at risk of juvenile delinquency and juvenile justice involvement.
Bit-wise combining for decode-and-forward relays

We consider the problem of combining the signals received from a decode-and-forward relay with those received from the source. As an alternative to the high-complexity maximum-likelihood combining strategy, we propose a bit-wise combining strategy in which the received signals are first converted to log-likelihood values before being combined. We show that, subject to the bit-wise constraint, the optimal combining strategy for binary alphabets — minimizing the probability of error — applies a sigmoidal nonlinearity to the relay log-likelihood values before adding to the source log-likelihood values. Unlike the maximal-ratio combining strategy, which has no diversity for the Rayleigh-fading decode-and-forward relay channel, the proposed strategy exhibits the maximum diversity order of two.
Detection of circular forms of eliminated DNA during macronuclear development in E. crassus

Following their sexual cycle, hypotrichous ciliated protozoa transform a copy of a chromosomal micronucleus into a macronucleus containing small, linear DNA molecules. A frequent event during macronuclear development is the removal of short segments of DNA (internal eliminated sequences: IESs) by a process equivalent to DNA breakage and rejoining. In this study we used a polymerase chain reaction procedure to demonstrate that free circular forms of IESs are present in cells undergoing macronuclear development. Sequencing of the junctions of the free circular IESs suggests that they share 12 nucleotides with the macronuclear DNA molecules that are generated following IES removal. The results provide evidence that IESs are removed by an active DNA breakage and rejoining process, which may involve staggered cuts in the substrate DNA.
Cytokeratin Immunohistochemical Validation of the Sentinel Node Hypothesis in Patients With Breast Cancer

No standard method for handling and histopathologic examination of the sentinel node (SN) exists. We hypothesized that a focused examination of all nodes with serial sectioning and cytokeratin immunohistochemical staining would confirm the SN as the node most likely to harbor metastasis. Intraoperative lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymphadenectomy using blue dye and 99m technetiumlabeled sulfur colloid were performed. All nodes were stained with H&E. All tumor-free nodes underwent additional sectioning and staining with H&E and an immunohistochemical stain. Routine H&E examination detected SN metastases in 27.6% of cases. Occult SN metastases were identified in 12.7% of cases. None of the 724 non-SNs examined contained occult metastases. The SN false-negative rate was zero. This study confirms histopathologically that the SN has biologic significance as the axillary node most likely to harbor metastatic tumor. Standardization of the handling, sectioning, and staining of the SN is necessary as lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymphadenectomy become integrated into the care of patients with breast cancer.
Assessment of Team Effectiveness During Complex Mathematical Modeling Tasks

ABET requires that engineering graduates be able to work on multi-disciplinary teams and apply mathematics and science when solving engineering problems. One manner of integrating teamwork and engineering contexts in a first-year foundation engineering course is through the use of Model-Eliciting Activities (MEAs) - realistic, client-driven problems based on the theoretical framework of models and modeling. This study analyzes student team self-reflections of team functioning while engaged in Model-Eliciting Activities as they compare to a researcher's observations of the team effectiveness. Both the self-reflections and the observations measure team effectiveness using the following qualities: interdependency (cooperation among team members to accomplish a task), goal-setting (team sets outcome goals and sub-goals to accomplish tasks), and potency (shared belief among team members that they can accomplish their goals).
Subjective and Objective Measurement of Cigarette Smoke Inhalation

The pattern of cigarette smoke inhalation was studied in 19 smokers with respiratory inductive plethysmography, a reliable unobtrusive ventilatory monitoring device. The mean volumes inhaled varied widely from 0.27 to 1.97 L, with a group mean (+/- SD) of 0.79 +/- 0.45 L. Mean duration of smoke inhalation varied from 2.0 to 6.8 seconds, with a group mean of 4.5 +/- 1.3 seconds. An inhalation fraction was derived by dividing the inhaled volume by the vital capacity; this fraction varied from 0.09 to 0.47, with a group mean of 0.20 +/- 0.10. Subjects rated the depth that they inhaled smoke into their lungs on a visual analog scale and on a grading system. Correlation between visual analog scale and inhalation fraction was poor (r = -0.15). Also, inhalation fraction bore no relationship to smoking pack-years or current pulmonary function. The smokers' inaccurate assessment of their inhalation pattern may help to explain the poor correlation reported between cigarette smoke inhalation and severity of obstructive lung disease.
Case-control study of statin prevention of mould infections.

Summary Invasive mould infections (IMI) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In vitro studies have demonstrated that hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) have activity against several pathogenic moulds including Zygomycetes and Aspergillus spp. The aim of our study was to determine if statin use is a preventive factor for the development of IMI. This was a retrospective case–control study of 10 United States Veterans Affairs Medical Centers that comprise the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 16. Cases with IMI and controls were identified from 2001 to 2008. Controls were matched by age, facility, history of transplantation, presence of chronic steroid use and presence of human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV). Two hundred and thirty-eight patients were included. Independent variables associated with the development of IMI were history of solid malignant tumours (OR 2.63, 1.41–4.87) and hypertension (OR 2.29, 1.13–4.68). Statin use within 3 months of index date was not an independent variable for prevention or development of IMI. No level of exposure to a statin drug appeared to influence the development of infection. This retrospective case–control study suggests that despite evidence of in vitro activity, statins may not decrease risk of IMI. Prospective, controlled trials may be necessary to investigate any potential clinical benefit.