cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preeclampsia: A Mirror into Future Cardiovascular and Renal Health

Preeclampsia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy. It is defined as the development of hypertension after 20 weeks gestation accompanied by proteinuria and worsening renal function. The placenta is at the heart of the syndrome, and likely causes the cardinal symptoms through the release of antiangiogenic factors into the maternal circulation, a result of placental hypoxia caused by faulty vascular remodeling during implantation. The preeclampsia syndrome typically resolves after delivery of the placenta. However, women who suffer from preeclampsia remain at an elevated risk for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic complications. The same antiangiogenic factors released by the placenta cause changes in these women resulting in a lasting pro-inflammatory milieu, and increased risk of these future complications. Internists, cardiologists, and nephrologists should make a thorough obstetric history part of their standard history taking practices, and treat women who have suffered from preeclampsia as ‘high-risk cardiovascular profile’ when making decisions in regard to risk factor modifying therapy.
Enhancing Degradation Resistance of Polyethylenimine for CO2 Capture with Cross-Linked Poly(vinyl alcohol)

One critical issue in the development of immobilized amine sorbents for CO2 capture is sorbent degradation, which leads to a significant increase in the overall CO2 capture cost. Here we report a novel approach for enhancing the degradation resistance of a branched polyethylenimine (PEI) by hydroxyl groups (i.e., −OH) of a porous cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) support. The CO2 capture capacity of a PEI/PVA sorbent showed a 25% decrease and then leveled off. In contrast, the PEI/SiO2 sorbent exhibited more than a 3-fold decrease in CO2 capture capacity after exposure to a cyclic CO2 capture and oxidative degradation environment (15 vol % of CO2 in air at 130 °C). In situ infrared spectroscopic study revealed that the secondary amine is more liable to degrade than the primary amine on PEI/SiO2. On PEI/PVA, the PVA’s −OH groups interacted mainly with the secondary amine of branched PEI through a hydrogen bonding, which could contribute to enhancing the resistance of PEI against degradation. This new ...
The Pediatric Allergic Nose

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common ailments that can involve the pediatric upper airway with a prevalence of 20–40%. AR is closely related to asthma and atopic dermatitis. Along with the airway symptoms, AR also has an effect on the cognitive performance of a child. Diagnosis of AR is made by a combination of history and physical examination in combination with allergy testing. Allergy testing is done in vivo (skin testing) or in vitro (Rast testing). Treatment of AR can include allergen avoidance, pharmacotherapy, and immunotherapy. All three of these therapies are effective and safe.
Properties of water channels in human red cells.

The transport of water and small polar solutes across cell membranes is commonly interpreted in terms of small aqueous channels or “pores”.
Race, Religion, and Reinscription: The Paradoxes and Potentials of the Study of Islam in America

A review essay on the recent works of Erik Love, Islamophobia and Racism in America (New York: New York University Press, 2017); John O'Brien, Keeping it Halal: The Everyday Lives of Muslim American Teenage Boys (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2017); and Su'ad Abdul Khabeer, Muslim Cool: Race, Religion, and Hip Hop in the United States (New York: New York University Press, 2017).
GIS applications in emergency management: Infusing geographic literacy in the classroom.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to promote growth and recognition of geographic literacy among students, faculty, and emergency management practitioners through presentation of an array of possibilities that will further best practices in emergency management higher education. Design: Guided by previous research examining the development of geographic literacy in undergraduate students, this article provides examples of traditional and newer technologies in geographic information systems (GIS) and geospatial analysis that can be incorporated into the classroom to enhance the knowledge and skill sets of future emergency managers. Setting: The setting for this article includes colleges and universities offering emergency management degree programs. Results: The information resulting from a review of the literature provides a description of traditional and newer technologies used to address spatial issues in the management of hazards and disasters as well as practical suggestions for incorporating these technologies into classroom activities. Conclusions: Geographic literacy is an essential competency for the next generation of emergency managers and as such, classroom activities should provide students hands-on experience working with GIS and other geospatial technologies.
Right Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke in a Male of Prime Working Age

This case is an example of a right middle cerebral artery infarct in a young man, Mr. S. His notable motor improvement and persistence of good language skills raised unique questions to his medical team regarding potential to resume normal activities and his failure to do so. Were his deficits amenable to specific rehabilitation modalities? Issues concerning ability to live independently, vocational planning, completion of schooling, and driving were on the minds of the patient and the family, as well as his professional caregivers. Neuropsychological testing was used to help determine ability to complete these tasks.
Advances in sports equipment technology that enhance performance

Modern equipment has revolutionized many sports, leading to major improvements in performance, radical changes in technique, an increase in the sporti?½s popularity or safety, or in some cases a complete change in the structure of the sport. It is the purpose of this presentation to show the importance of equipment technology in modern Olympic sports and the competitive advantage that can be gained by equipment improvement.
Robotic Bladder Neck Reconstruction for Refractory Contracture: Techniques for Retropubic and Transvesical Approaches

Abstract Introduction: The use of robotic urologic bladder neck reconstruction is becoming more popular, specifically for procedures that necessitate suturing within a smaller area. In this video w...
Abdominal muscle segmentation from CT using a convolutional neural network

CT is widely used for diagnosis and treatment of a variety of diseases, including characterization of muscle loss. In many cases, changes in muscle mass, particularly abdominal muscle, indicate how well a patient is responding to treatment. Therefore, physicians use CT to monitor changes in muscle mass throughout the patient’s course of treatment. In order to measure the muscle, radiologists must segment and review each CT slice manually, which is a time-consuming task. In this work, we present a fully convolutional neural network (CNN) for the segmentation of abdominal muscle on CT. We achieved a mean Dice similarity coefficient of 0.92, a mean precision of 0.93, and a mean recall of 0.91 in an independent test set. The CNN-based segmentation method can provide an automatic tool for the segmentation of abdominal muscle. As a result, the time required to obtain information about changes in abdominal muscle using the CNN takes a fraction of the time associated with manual segmentation methods and thus can provide a useful tool in the clinical application.
The transitioning process: A qualitative case study of international swimming and diving student-athletes competing in the NCAA

Prior studies examining international student-athletes’ transition experiences to life on American colleges campuses have generally focused on outcomes related to their recruiting experience and change adaptation. Few studies included the adjustment process and challenges faced by the individuals. The primary purpose of this case study was to add to the existing literature by expanding on the psychological transition process of international swimming and diving student-athletes experience after joining an American intercollegiate athletics team. Utilizing Bridges (1986) model, the present study employed semi-structured interviews amongst 10 international student-athletes from a large NCAA Division I university. A thematic analysis revealed seven major themes, which were: realization that change was necessary, reflecting on the decision, language barrier, education system, cultural adjustment and valuable lessons,international bond, and words of wisdom. The findings suggested transition is a multi-stage process that occurs throughout student-athletes’ experiences on campus. Key words: college athletics, international student-athletes, transitioning process
Gpr125 Plays Critical Roles in Lacrimal Myoepithelia and Tear Film

Gpr125, encoded by Adgra3, is an orphan adhesion G-protein coupled receptor (aGPCR) implicated in Wnt signaling and planar polarity. Here we establish both physiological and pathological roles for Gpr125. We show that mice lacking Gpr125 display an ocular phenotype with many hallmarks of human dry eye disease. These include squinting, abnormal lacrimation, mucus accumulation, swollen eyelids and inflammatory infiltration of lacrimal and meibomian glands. We further demonstrate that mice expressing Gpr125 lacking six transmembrane and the cytoplasmic domain recapitulate the null phenotype, indicating that downstream signaling is essential. Utilizing a Gpr125-β-gal reporter and scRNAseq, we identify Gpr125 expression in a discrete population of embryonic myoepithelial cells located at the tips of developing lacrimal ducts. By lineage tracing we show these cells function as progenitors of the adult lacrimal myoepithelium. Beyond defining an essential role for Gpr125 in tear film and identifying its utility as a marker of lacrimal progenitors, this study implicates Gpr125 in the etiology of dry eye disease, and defines novel animal models of this common malady.
Disparate opinions on the value of Vice Chairs of education in Departments of Surgery: A national survey of Department Chairs and other surgical education stakeholders

Abstract Background The position of Vice Chair of Education (VCE) is increasingly common in Surgery Departments. The role remains ill-defined. The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of Department Chairs (DCs) and Other Education Stakeholders (OESs) regarding the VCE role. Methods DCs and OESs at institutions with a VCE were surveyed. Descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations were calculated (SAS V9.4). Results The overall response rate was 25% (166/666). There were significant differences in whether DCs and OESs agree that the VCE supports others in fulfilling educational roles (95.2% vs 49.5%, p = 0.0002), is critical in achieving education missions (90.5% vs 56.6%, p = 0.0032), enhances the quality of education (95.3% vs 65.7%, p = 0.0174), and is important to education teams (95.0% vs 68.7%, p = 0.0464). Conclusions DCs value the VCE role more so than OESs, whom VCEs support. In order for VCEs to be effective educational leaders in Departments of Surgery, the needs of key stakeholders deserve further clarification.
Peripheral Neuropathy and All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in U.S. Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background Growing evidence indicates that peripheral neuropathy (PN) is common even in the absence of diabetes. However, the clinical sequelae of PN have not been quantified in the general population. Objective To assess the associations of PN with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the general adult population of the United States. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), 1999 to 2004. Participants 7116 adults aged 40 years or older who had standardized monofilament testing for PN. Measurements Cox regression to evaluate the associations of PN with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality after adjustment for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors, overall and stratified by diabetes status. Results The overall prevalence of PN (±SE) was 13.5% ± 0.5% (27.0% ± 1.4% in adults with diabetes and 11.6% ± 0.5% in adults without diabetes). During a median follow-up of 13 years, 2128 participants died, including 488 of cardiovascular causes. Incidence rates (per 1000 person-years) of all-cause mortality were 57.6 (95% CI, 48.4 to 68.7) in adults with diabetes and PN, 34.3 (CI, 30.3 to 38.8) in adults with PN but no diabetes, 27.1 (CI, 23.4 to 31.5) in adults with diabetes but no PN, and 13.0 (CI, 12.1 to 14.0) in adults with no diabetes and no PN. In adjusted models, PN was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.49 [CI, 1.15 to 1.94]) and cardiovascular mortality (HR, 1.66 [CI, 1.07 to 2.57]) in participants with diabetes. In those without diabetes, PN was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (HR, 1.31 [CI, 1.15 to 1.50]), but the association between PN and cardiovascular mortality was not statistically significant after adjustment (HR, 1.27 [CI, 0.98 to 1.66]). Limitation Prevalent cardiovascular disease was self-reported, and PN was defined by monofilament testing only. Conclusion Peripheral neuropathy was common and was independently associated with mortality in the U.S. population, even in the absence of diabetes. These findings suggest that decreased sensation in the foot may be an underrecognized risk factor for death in the general population. Primary funding source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health.
Physical characteristics of ground switchgrass related to bulk solids flow

Abstract Switchgrass has potential as an energy crop, but problems with handling and flowability hinders its utilization. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the fundamental flow-related physical characteristics of switchgrass particles ground through three hammermill screen sizes of 6.4, 3.2 and 1.6 mm. Physical properties were determined through sieve analysis, density testing, image analysis, angle of repose and fractal analysis. The geometric mean diameter and geometric standard deviation of the ground material decreased with size reduction. Particle size significantly influenced particle and bulk density. Similar conclusions were made for angle of repose; values decreased with size reduction. Shape and surface parameters from image and fractal analyses were not significantly different among particle sizes. Non-spherical, needle-shaped particles were maintained through size reduction. Particle size reduction may slightly improve the flow of ground switchgrass bulk, but will always experience some degree of flow problems in regular storage silos and hoppers.
Micro-Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with One Closed-End Fabricated Via Dip-Coating and Co-Firing

The tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with one closed-end configuration have high thermal-cycling tolerance owing to the capability of expanding and shrinking freely in response to thermal stresses. The tubular cells with one closed-end have simple sealing requirements, and enable making the stacks with uniform temperature distribution. In this study, anode supported micro-tubular SOFCs with one closed-end were manufactured successfully by dip-coating and co-firing methods using carbon rods as a template. A dense electrolyte layer was obtained at a co-firing temperature of 1400°C, followed by cathode deposition and sintering. The prepared micro-tubular SOFCs were comprised of Ni-yttria-stabilized zirconia, Ni–scandia-stabilized zirconia (SSZ), SSZ, strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM)-SSZ, and LSM as the anode support, anode functional layer, electrolyte, cathode functional layer, and cathode current collector, respectively. The developed dip-coating method is fast in turnaround time and enables fabricating the one closed-end tubes of various lengths and diameters by co-firing.
Case 9: A Lucky Escape

A patient had consented to a study to assess myocardial wall motion during his hip replacement. A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) was to be used. There are two anesthesiologists in the room, one looking after the patient while the other was doing the study. After the patient was anesthetized, the TEE probe was to be inserted into the esophagus by one of the anesthesiologists. The patient was in the left lateral position. The insertion proved difficult and the colleague looking after the patient was asked to help. One anesthesiologist was flexing and pulling the jaw forward while the other was navigating the scope.
Myocardial infarct associated with a partial thickness left atrial tear in a dog with mitral insufficiency

A 10-year-old male neutered cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a 1-year history of degenerative mitral valve disease presented for dyspnea and severe weakness. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, systolic dysfunction, presumptive myocardial infarction and a left atrial thrombus based on thoracic radiographs, electrocardiogram and echocardiographic findings. Clinical signs also suggested right foreleg embolism. The dog was euthanized due to the grave prognosis and a postmortem evaluation was performed. The postmortem examination confirmed myocardial infarction and was thought to be due to embolic showering from the thrombus attached to a partial thickness left atrial endocardial tear.
Synchrotron X-ray diffraction of SiO2 to multimegabar pressures

Abstract α-Quartz was compressed at room temperature in a diamond-anvil cell without a medium to maximum pressures of 31 to 213 GPa and was studied by energy-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Broad peaks observed in a previous high-pressure diffraction study of silica glass are evident in the present study of quartz compression, providing in situ confirmation of pressure-induced amorphization above 21 GPa. The 21-GPa crystalline-crystalline (quartz 1–11) transformation previously observed on quasihydrostatic compression of quartz is found to also occur under the current nonhydrostatic conditions, at the identical pressure. With nonhydrostatic compression, however, new sharp diffraction lines are observed at this pressure. The measurements show the coexistence of at least one amorphous and two crystalline phases above 21 GPa and below 43 GPa. The two crystalline phases are identified as quartz II and a new, high-pressure silica phase. The high-pressure phases, both crystalline and amorphous, can be...
Nanoscale electrothermal energy conversion devices

Energy consumption in our society is increasing rapidly. A significant fraction of the energy is lost in the form of heat. In this talk we introduce thermoelectric devices that allow direct conversion of heat into electricity. Some new physical concepts and nanostructures make it possible to modify the trade-offs between the bulk electrothermal material properties through the changes in the density of states, scattering rates, and interface effects on the electron and phonon transport. The potential to increase the energy conversion efficiency and bring the cost down to $0.1–0.2/W will be discussed. We also describe how similar principles can be used to make micro refrigerators with cooling power densities exceeding 500 Watts per square centimeter. Hybrid liquid/solid-state cooling will be shown to have the potential to reduce the total cooling power requirement significantly by selective removal of hot spots. Finally, experimental results will be presented for thin film thermal conductivity of nanostructured materials using a femtosecond laser pump-probe technique. We describe how the ballistic and diffusive components of heat transport can be identified. The transition between energy and entropy transport in nanoscale devices will be discussed.
An Ideal Observer for a Model of X-Ray Imaging in Breast Parenchymal Tissue

We develop and evaluate an ideal observer for model of the 3D spatial distribution of x-ray attenuation coefficients in the breast. This model relies on thresholding of an underlying Gaussian random field to generate binary objects representing the distribution of adipose and glandular tissue in the breast parenchyma. Our motivation is to evaluate an emerging breast CT device for breast cancer screening. We show how the thresholded Gaussian model fits into the Markov-Chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) approach for evaluating ideal-observer performance devised by Kupinski et al. [JOSA-A, 2003], and we show some preliminary results indicating that the procedure can be made to generate qualitatively realistic simulations. We demonstrate improved performance of the MCMC ideal observer over a Hotelling linear filter in a small-scale simulation.
GREEN: proactive queue management over a best-effort network

We present a proactive queue-management (PQM) algorithm called GREEN (generalized random early evasion network) that applies knowledge of the steady-state behavior of TCP connections to drop packets intelligently and proactively, thus preventing congestion from ever occurring and ensuring a higher degree of fairness between flows. This congestion-prevention approach is in contrast to the congestion-avoidance approach of traditional active queue-management (AQM) schemes where congestion is actively detected early and then reacted to. In addition to enhancing fairness, GREEN keeps packet-queue lengths relatively low and reduces bandwidth and latency jitter. These characteristics are particularly beneficial to real-time multimedia applications. Further, GREEN achieves the above while maintaining high link utilization and low packet loss.
The Promise and Limits of Voluntary Management - Based Regulatory Reform: An Analysis of EPA's Strategic Goals Program

This paper presents a case study of a voluntary environmental program initiated by the U.S. EPA in the late 1990's, the Strategic Goals Program (SGP). This program was intended to create incentives for job shop metal finishers, an industry of small and medium sized enterprises, to improve and even go beyond compliance with existing federal regulations by investing in pollution prevention. The SGP's incentives included direct technical assistance and limited financial assistance, but the primary carrot it offered participants was more flexible regulatory treatment by state and local regulators. Although SGP clearly helped some firms discover ways to both cut their pollution and improve profitability (so-called "green gold"), environmental performance of firms that participated in the SGP was not generally superior to that of non-participants. The paper explains the SGP's relative ineffectiveness to the fact that the incentives it offered were relatively weak, given the cost of pollution prevention. In particular, the economic value of regulatory flexibility - such as reduced sampling or reporting requirements - appears to have been small relative to the cost of pollution prevention. The lesson of EPA's metal finishing SGP is that without direct public financial aid, there is limited potential for small, marginally profitable firms facing intense foreign competition and costly regulation to continue to improve their environmental performance by investing in pollution prevention. Federal laws and regulations should either directly subsidize such investments, or use pollution allowance trading as a way to lessen the economic dislocation that results when the demand for increasingly costly improvements in environmental performance destroys the viability of such small and medium sized enterprises.
Understanding the Relationship between Chronic Systemic Disease and Lichen Sclerosus Urethral Strictures.

Purpose: Lichen sclerosus is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition of the genitalia of unknown origin that accounts for nearly 10% of urethral stricture disease. In this study we determine systemic comorbidities associated with lichen sclerosus in men.Materials and Methods: We analyzed data from 1,151 men who were enrolled in a multi-institutional prospective urethroplasty outcomes database. Individuals were grouped by stricture etiology, and baseline demographics, medical histories and patient reported outcome measures were retrospectively compared across groups.Results: Of the 1,151 men in the database 81 (7.0%) were noted to have lichen sclerosus related urethral stricture disease. Average patient age was 46.06 ± 16.52 years, with those with lichen sclerosus being significantly older than those without lichen sclerosus (51.26 ± 13.84 vs 45.68 ± 16.64, p = 0.0011). Men with lichen sclerosus were more likely to have hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes, and to use tobacco products. Controlling for ...
Second‐Generation Decline or Advantage? Latino Assimilation in the Aftermath of the Great Recession

This article addresses the debate on second-generation advantage and decline among Latinos by providing a post-recession snapshot based on geocoded data from the Current Population Survey (2008–201...
Isolation and structural characterization of the first thermally robust and air stable Cr(4+) bent-metallocene complex

The first thermally robust and air stable bent-sandwich chromocene complex with chromium in the +4 oxidation state has been isolated and fully characterized.
Experimental and numerical investigations of low-density nozzle and plume flows of nitrogen

New experimental data are used to show that the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method provides an accurate description of a low-density flow in the nozzle and the near-field expansion of a small rocket for two slightly different experimental configurations. These results verify the DSMC method in an expansion flow for the first time. From a number of different gas/surface interaction models, it is found that fully diffuse reflection gives the best agreement with experiment.
Mixed potential sensors using lanthanum manganate and terbium yttrium zirconium oxide electrodes

Abstract We have demonstrated a mixed potential, zirconia electrolyte-based sensor that utilizes dense, thin films of LaMnO3 and Y0.16Tb0.30Zr0.54O2 − as electrodes to generate an EMF that is proportional to the oxidizable gas species (CO, C3H6, and C3H8) concentration in a gas stream containing oxygen. The devices reported in this work were tested at 600 and 700 °C and in gas mixtures with O2 concentrations between 0.86 and 1.75%. An Au/LaMnO3/YSZ/Y0.16Tb0.30Zr0.54O2 −/Au device was tested for a total of 3000 h at 600 and 700 °C and was subject to periodic excursions to 10−10 atm PO2 to simulate reducing conditions. SEM analysis indicated that the aging effects measured in the device response over the course of this experiment may be linked to the sintering of the Au pad used for current collection on the metal oxide electrode. Three-terminal devices were fabricated so that the magnitude of the mixed potential generated from CO and C3H6 exposure on the Au/Y0.16Tb0.30Zr0.54O2 −, Pt/Y0.16Tb0.30Zr0.54O2 −, Au/LaMnO3, and Pt/LaMnO3 metal/metal oxide electrode combinations could be studied at 600 °C and in 1% O2. It was found that the catalytic properties of the Au or Pt used for current collection played a significant role in the generation of the mixed potential for both metal oxides tested. The combination of Pt on LaMnO3 gave an equilibrium response whereas a significant mixed potential was generated on both Au/Y0.16Tb0.30Zr0.54O2 − and Au/LaMnO3 electrodes at 600 °C.
The Synthetic Gene Designer: A flexible web platform to explore sequence manipulation for heterologous expression

"Codon optimization" is a general approach to improving heterologous expression where genes are moved from their native genomes into alternatives that exhibit different patterns of codon usage. However, despite reports of successful manipulations and the existence of stand-alone codon optimization software packages or commercial services that offer to redesign genes, the scientific community lacks any systematic understanding of what exactly it means to optimize codon usage. Thus we present a bona fide web application, the "Synthetic Gene Designer," which contrasts with existing software by providing a centralized, free, and transparent platform for the broader scientific community to develop knowledge about synthetic gene design. Consistent with this goal, our software is associated with a moderated e-forum that promotes discussion of synthetic gene design and offers technical support. In addition, the Synthetic Gene Designer presents enhanced functionality over existing software options: for example, it enables users to work with non-standard genetic codes, with user-defined patterns of codon usage and an expanded range of methods for codon optimization. The Synthetic Gene Designer, together with on-line tutorials and the forum, is available at .
Carbon modified (CM)-n-TiO2 thin films for efficient water splitting to H2 and O2 under xenon lamp light and natural sunlight illuminations

Visible light-active carbon modified n-type titanium oxide (CM-n-TiO2) thin films were synthesized by both flame oxidation and a combination of spray pyrolysis and flame oxidation. An undoped reference sample was also synthesized in an electric oven for comparison. Photoresponse of CM-n-TiO2 and n-TiO2 was evaluated by measuring the rates of water splitting to hydrogen and oxygen, in terms of observed photocurrent densities. Under monochromatic illumination from a xenon lamp, the integrated photocurrent densities from 300 nm to wavelengths corresponding to band gaps were found to be 1.12, 7.7, and 12.7 mA cm−2 for optimized oven-made n-TiO2 (sample 1), flame-made (sample 2), and spray pyrolysis flame-made CM-n-TiO2 (sample 3) thin films at 0.48, 0.24, and 0.215 V biases, respectively. The corresponding maximum photoconversion efficiencies for these thin films were 0.84%, 7.62%, and 12.89%, respectively. Under actual natural global AM 1.5 sunlight illumination of 1 sun, the photocurrent densities for water splitting were 0.85, 5.89, and 12.27 mA cm−2 for samples 1, 2, and 3, respectively. These photocurrent densities generated the maximum photoconversion efficiencies of 0.67%, 5.63%, and 12.26% for samples 1, 2, and 3, respectively, under global sunlight illuminations. These values compared well with those found under monochromatic light illumination from the xenon lamp. The increasing efficiencies were found to be consistent with lowering of main band gap from 3.0 eV to 2.65 eV and the generation of mid-gap bands at 1.6 eV and 1.4 eV above the valence band for samples 2 and 3, respectively. Carbon contents were found to be 0.0, 17.60, and 23.23 atom% for samples 1, 2, and 3, respectively.
Social comparisons and health: Can having richer friends and neighbors make you sick?

Do richer friends and neighbors improve your health through positive material effects, or do they make you feel worse through the negative effect of social comparison and relative deprivation? Using the newly available National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) data set that reports individuals' income positions within their self-defined social networks, this paper examines whether there is an association between relative position and health in the US. Because this study uses measures of individuals' positions within their self-defined social groups rather than researcher-imputed measures of relative position, I am able to more precisely examine linkages between individual relative position and health. I find a relationship between relative position and health status, and find indirect support for the biological mechanism underlying the relative deprivation model: lower relative position tends to be associated with those health conditions thought to be linked to physiological stress. I also find, however, that only extremes of relative position matter: very low relative position is associated with worse self-rated physical health and mobility, increased overall disease burden, and increased reporting of cardiovascular morbidity; very high relative position is associated with lower probabilities of reporting diabetes, ulcers, and hypertension. I observe few associations between health and either moderately high or moderately low positions. This analysis suggests that the mechanism underlying the relative deprivation model may only have significant effects for those at the very bottom or the very top.
Clinical assessment of extracellular fluid volume in hyponatremia

Assessment of the status of extracellular fluid volume is important in evaluating the cause and selecting appropriate therapy for hyponatremic disorders. Since the sensitivity and specificity of clinical assessment of extracellular fluid volume status in hyponatremic states remain unknown, 58 non-edematous patients with serum sodium less than 130 meq/liter were prospectively evaluated. Patients were judged to be either normovolemic (no response of serum sodium to saline infusion) or hypovolemic (saline infusion significantly corrected hyponatremia). Hypovolemic patients had significantly higher plasma renin activity (5.0 +/- 1.5 versus 2.5 +/- 0.5 ng/ml per three hours, p less than 0.05) and norepinephrine (1,054 +/- 252 versus 519 +/- 55 pg/ml, p less than 0.05) concentrations than did normovolemic patients. Clinical assessment correctly identified only 47 percent of hypovolemic patients and 48 percent of normovolemic patients. Thus, clinical assessment was of limited sensitivity and specificity in identifying extracellular fluid volume status in these hyponatremic patients. However, the concentration of sodium in a spot urine sample clearly separated hypovolemic (mean UNa = 18.4 +/- 3.1 meq/liter) from normovolemic (mean UNa = 72 +/- 3.7 meq/liter, p less than 0.001) hyponatremic patients.
Identifying the CBK Personality.

This investigation dealt with the identification of a special category of killer referred to here as the cold blooded killer personality. The purpose was to identify certain personality traits that might distinguish this killer from a normal control group, softcore inmates, hardcore inmates, a random sample of inmates, and assaultive inmates. Significant differences were found among five groups of incarcerated felons and a normal control group in terms of certain personality traits and significant test items. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect between the groups. Univeriate F ratios were significantly different for twelve of the thirteen MMPI subscales. Simple effects analyses using the Duncan with a .05 level of confidence reliably discriminated between a number of group comparisons. The subjects were young adult males matched for age, sex, race and certain socioeconomic variables.
Cloned nodulation genes of Rhizobium leguminosarum determine host-range specificity

Three nodulation-deficient (nod) mutants of Rhizobium leguminosarum were isolated following insertion of the transposon Tn5 into pRL1JI, the R. leguminosarum plasmid known to carry the nodulation genes. DNA adjacent to the nod: Tn5 alleles was subcloned and used to probe a cosmid clone bank containing DNA from a Rhizobium strain carrying pRL1JI. Two cosmid clones which showed homology with the probe contained about 10 kb of DNA in common. The R. leguminosarum host-range determinants were found to be present within this 10 kb common region since either of the cosmid clones could enable a cured R. phaseoli strain to nodulate peas instead of Phaseolus beans, its normal host. Electron microscopy of nodules induced by Rhizobium strains cured of their normal symbiotic plasmid but containing either of the two cosmid clones showed bacteroid-forms surrounded by a peri-bacteroid membrane, indicating that normal infection had occurred. Thus it is clear that this 10 kb region of nodDNA carries the genes that determine host range and that relatively few bacterial genes may be involved in nodule and bacteroid development.
Residence and language maintenance in a multilingual city

Abstract Because of the pressures for communication between the different segments of a society's population, some form of bilingualism will occur in all nations inhabited by more than one language group. Although bilingualism is inevitable, its consequences for the language groups are not predetermined. Basically, there are two possible outcomes: mother tongue shift between generations will occur if bilinguals raise their children in the acquired language; or the bilinguals may maintain linguistic pluralism in the society by raising their children in the same mother tongue. In the first process, bilingualism is but a temporary stage intermediate stage between thc initial contact of two monolingual populations and the final outcome of a linguistically homogeneous society. This is largely the case for various non-English speaking immigrant groups in the Unitcd States, Australia, and Canada, where bilingualism is followed in a generation or two by descendants who can speak only English and have more Or less...
Molecular mechanics evaluation of the proposed mechanisms for the degradation of urea by urease.

Abstract A thorough conformational search of all the conformations available to oxygen-bound urea within wild-type urease was carried out. Identical low energy urea conformations were obtained by a Ramachandran type plot for the NHis272-Ni1-O-Curea and Ni1-O-Curea-Nurea dihedral angles. Ramachandran plots, with active sites and protonation states modified to model the different urease mechanisms, were used to evaluate the different mechanisms. Based upon the low energy conformations available to urea in the active site of wild-type urease one can conclude that the traditional “His320 acts as a base” mechanism is unlikely, while the N,O urea bridged and the reverse protonation mechanisms cannot be ruled out. A consensus hydrogen-bonding network that does not favor any of the mechanisms has been reconfirmed by the extensive conformational search.
Three-Dimensional Quantization from an Ordered Nanopore Array Diode Laser

The ordered nanopore array laser diode is a structure which exhibits three-dimensional carrier confinement similar to quantum dot lasers without the undesirable effects of spatially disconnected carrier pools. Simulation and experimental results will be presented.
On almost strong approximation for some exceptional groups

Abstract If G is a simply connected semisimple group defined over a number field k and ∞ is the set of all infinite places of k, then G has strong approximation with respect to ∞ if and only if the archimedean part of any k-simple component of the adele group G A is non-compact. Using the affine Bruhat–Tits building, the authors of [W.K. Chan, J. Hsia, On almost strong approximation of algebraic groups, J. Algebra 254 (2002) 441] formulated an almost strong approximation property (ASAP) for groups of compact type, and they proved that ASAP holds for all classical groups of compact type whose Tits indices over k are not 2 A n (d) with d⩾3. In this paper, we show that ASAP holds for groups of types 3,6 D 4 ,G 2 ,F 4 ,E 7 , or E8.
Immunity-based hybrid learning methods for approximator structure and parameter adjustment

Abstract From the point of view of information processing the immune system is a highly parallel and distributed intelligent system which has learning, memory, and associative retrieval capabilities. In this paper we present two immunity-based hybrid learning approaches for function approximation (or regression) problems that involve adjusting the structure and parameters of spatially localized models (e.g., radial basis function networks). The number and centers of the receptive fields for local models are specified by immunity-based structure adaptation algorithms, while the parameters of the local models, which enter in a linear fashion, are tuned separately using a least-squares method. The effectiveness of the procedure is demonstrated through a nonlinear function approximation problem and a nonlinear dynamical system modeling problem.
Multiwavelength Spectral Models for SNR G347.3-0.5 from Non-Linear Shock Acceleration

The remnant G347.3-0.5 exhibits strong shell emission in the radio and X-ray bands, and has a purported detection in the TeV gamma-ray band by the CANGAROO-II telescope. The CANGAROO results were touted as evidence for the production of cosmic ray ions, a claim that has proven controversial due to constraining fluxes associated with a proximate unidentified EGRET source 3EG J1714-3857. HESS has now seen this source in the TeV band. The complex environment of the remnant renders modeling of its broadband spectrum sensitive to assumptions concerning the nature and parameters of the circumremnant medium. This paper explores a sampling of reasonable possibilities for multiwavelength spectral predictions from this source, using a non-linear model of diffusive particle acceleration at the shocked shell. The magnetic field strength, shell size and degree of particle cross-field diffusion act as variables to which the radio to X-ray to gamma-ray signal is sensitive. The modeling of the extant data constrains these variables, and the potential impact of the recent HESS detection on such parameters is addressed. Putative pion decay signals in hard gamma-rays resulting from hadronic interactions in dense molecular clouds are briefly discussed; the requisite suppression of the GeV component needed to accommodate the 3EG J1714-3857 EGRET data provides potential bounds on the diffusive distance from the shell to the proximate clouds.
A criterion for gravitational instability in miscible dense plumes

Abstract Miscible subsurface contaminant plumes emanating from waste disposal sites and landfills can be denser than the ambient groundwater. These dense plumes may be either stable or unstable. Since unstable plumes contaminate larger regions of an aquifer, it is important to predict when gravitational instabilities will occur. In this paper, we propose a new criterion to predict gravitational instabilities in the transverse mixing zones at the bottoms of dense plumes in porous media. This new criterion is based on the existing π 1 number and a modified Peclet number. The experimental results of this study, together with those of previous research, seem to show that the proposed criterion is useful for prediction purposes.
New approach for 5× reticle CD methodology

This paper addresses the various issues of critical dimension (CD) measurement methodology for mask manufacturing today, and suggests a new approach for standardization of CD process monitors, process improvement/development, and process capability calculations. The sampling method -- both number and location -- used to measure CD performance has become more crucial to high density, fine line device fabrication. Unfortunately, most of the mask manufacturing industry still use either CD cells or a few special CDs located outside the device area to define how well the reticle's CDs meet the specifications. As an alternative, for process monitoring, process improvement/development and process capability calculations, we suggest using an `artifact,' a specially designed test mask. This mask allows measurement of a large number of CDs in order to accurately calculate the mask CD control. Using an `artifact,' process engineers can characterize CD patterns in their processes and can make better informed decisions. Unusual patterns in the CDs are more easily recognized with artifact data and, therefore, can be analyzed more efficiently. By measuring process capability with artifact CD data, rather than with product CD date, customers and management can be provided with a more accurate measure of the CD performance of a mask manufacturing line. In this paper, the application of artifact CD data to measuring the capability of a process to meet a CD performance specification is studied in detail.
Network locality in wireless networks

The locality of reference is a well studied phenomenon in computer systems. As one special case, the network locality has been demonstrated to exist in the wired local area networks. Previous research suggests that the network traffic does not follow uniform distribution. In this paper, we explore the network locality in the wireless networks. We take a close look at wireless traces from wireless local area networks (WLANs) and wireless mesh network simulations with different routing protocols to analyze various network locality characteristics. We also measure a new network locality characteristic to explore the possible use of such property in the network coding. Our experiment validates the prevailing existence of network locality in wireless networks and shows how these network locality characteristics are different from those in the wired networks.
Searching for Kiyoko: Bettering mandatory ESL writing placement

Abstract This essay proposes ways to improve mandatory college placement for ESL writers and explores them through theory, an experiment, and a case study. Current methods of placement have problems with reader bias and instructional validity and sometimes disregard common facts of writing diagnosis. The proposed new method intends to avoid the problems by combining and balancing these cognitive acts. It divides readers into two tiers. The first is non-specialist faculty, who read essays with information about the writer hidden, but who can only place students into the most desired course; the second tier is specialist faculty who read with foreknowledge of the writer's name and background. Six years of placement outcomes of this system are reported at one university. Results are also reported of an experiment (participant N = 124) in the reading of the placement writing of a Japanese student (Kiyoko) in which foreknowledge about the writer was systematically varied. Results supported the proposed new system in that ethnic and languagestatus inferences about the writer (some incorrect) and foreknowledge about the writer's background were systematicallly associated with changes in evaluation and placement. Finally, the actual placement history of Kiyoko and the possible effects of knowledge about contrastive rhetoric on the placement are considered as further support of the method.
Systematic methods for calculation of the dielectric properties of arbitrary plasmas

In the novel approach presented for calculating the dispersion integrals needed for determining plasma dielectric properties, the dispersion integrals for an arbitrary distortion function with a continuous derivative are systematically expanded in terms of a set of orthogonal functions whose corresponding dispersion functions are already known. This general approach is, on the one hand, implemented for unmagnetized plasmas, and on the other generalized to treat relativistic and magnetized plasmas. The method allows the systematic and efficient calculation of dispersion integrals, for the cases of either real or complex arguments.
Automated Detection of Stereotypical Motor Movements

To overcome problems with traditional methods for measuring stereotypical motor movements in persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), we evaluated the use of wireless three-axis accelerometers and pattern recognition algorithms to automatically detect body rocking and hand flapping in children with ASD. Findings revealed that, on average, pattern recognition algorithms correctly identified approximately 90% of stereotypical motor movements repeatedly observed in both laboratory and classroom settings. Precise and efficient recording of stereotypical motor movements could enable researchers and clinicians to systematically study what functional relations exist between these behaviors and specific antecedents and consequences. These measures could also facilitate efficacy studies of behavioral and pharmacologic interventions intended to replace or decrease the incidence or severity of stereotypical motor movements.