cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coupling among electroencephalogram gamma signals on a short time scale

An important goal in neuroscience is to identify instances when EEG signals are coupled. We employ a method to measure the coupling strength between gamma signals (40-100 Hz) on a short time scale as the maximum cross-correlation over a range of time lags within a sliding variable-width window. Instances of coupling states among several signals are also identified, using a mixed multivariate beta distribution to model coupling strength across multiple gamma signals with reference to a common base signal. We first apply our variable-window method to simulated signals and compare its performance to a fixed-window approach. We then focus on gamma signals recorded in two regions of the rat hippocampus. Our results indicate that this may be a useful method for mapping coupling patterns among signals in EEG datasets.
PARITY EFFECT IN A SMALL SUPERCONDUCTING PARTICLE

Matveev and Larkin calculated the parity effect on the ground-state energy of a small superconducting particle in the regimes where the mean level spacing $\ensuremath{\delta}$ is either large or small compared to the bulk gap $\ensuremath{\Delta}.$ We perform a numerical calculation which extends their results to intermediate values of $\ensuremath{\delta}/\ensuremath{\Delta}.$
Crystallization Mechanisms of Hemoglobin C in the R State

Crystallization of the mutated hemoglobin, HbC, which occurs inside red blood cells of patients expressing b C - globin and exhibiting the homozygous CC and the heterozygous SC (in which two mutant b-globins, S and C, are expressed) diseases, is a convenient model for processes underlying numerous condensation diseases. As a first step, we investigated the molecular-level mechanisms of crystallization of this protein from high-concentration phosphate buffer in its stable carbomonoxy form using high-resolution atomic force microscopy. We found that in conditions of equilibrium with the solution, the crystals' surface reconstructs into four-molecule-wide strands along the crystallographic a (or b) axis. However, the crystals do not grow by the alignment of such preformed strands. We found that the crystals grow by the attachment of single molecules to suitable sites on the surface. These sites are located along the edges of new layers generated by two-dimensional nucleation or by screw dislocations. During growth, the steps propagate with random velocities, with the mean being an increasing function of the crystallization driving force. These results show that the crystallization mechanisms of HbC are similar to those found for other proteins. Therefore, strategies developed to control protein crystallization in vitro may be applicable to pathology-related crystallization systems.
Adaptation of a Spectrophotometric Assay for Pectinmethylesterase to a Kinetic Microplate Reader

A continuous spectrophotometric assay for pectinmethylesterase (PME) has been adapted to a kinetic microplate reader. Linear standard curves could be constructed from 0 to 50 nMol galacturonic acid and remained linear for 15 min. Activity estimates from commercial orange peel PME were accurate from 0.009 to 0.015 units. Comparison of microplates with differing protein binding efficiencies indicated that low and medium binding plates showed significantly higher activity levels than high binding plates. The utility of the assay was demonstrated on two commercial mixtures of pectolytic enzymes and two commercial PMEs. The assay is extremely rapid; 24 samples replicated three times each could be performed in less than 1 hr. Additionally, it requires very small volumes of substrate (final volume per well was 200 μL) and sample (less than 10 μL per well).
Regeneration and vegetative propagation

During the past decade remarkable strides have been made in the field of growth substances in general and in their practical application in various aspects of vegetative propagation. Anatomical and morphological studies appear not to have kept pace with more practical considerations. In particular, innumerable useful tools in the form of “hormones”, growth substances and new techniques have been put at the disposal of the plant propagator. But many gaps remain in our scientific knowledge as well as our art, and we still have very little basic knowledge concerning protoplasm and how it behaves in the various aspects of plant regeneration.
Diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis is suppressed in lecithin:retinol acyltransferase-deficient mice primarily through retinoid actions immediately after carcinogen administration

Loss of retinoid-containing lipid droplets upon hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is one of the first events in the development of liver disease leading to hepatocellular carcinoma. Although retinoid stores are progressively lost from HSCs during the development of hepatic disease, how this affects hepatocarcinogenesis is unclear. To investigate this, we used diethylnitrosamine (DEN) to induce hepatic tumorigenesis in matched wild-type (WT) and lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) knockout (KO) mice, which lack stored retinoid and HSC lipid droplets. Male 15-day-old WT or Lrat KO mice were given intraperitoneal injections of DEN (25 mg/kg body wt). Eight months later, Lrat KO mice showed significantly less liver tumor development compared with WT mice, characterized by less liver tumor incidence and smaller tumor size. Two days after DEN injection, lower serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and decreased hepatic levels of cyclin D1 were observed in Lrat KO mice. Lrat KO mice also exhibited increased levels of retinoic acid-responsive genes, including p21, lower levels of cytochrome P450 enzymes required for DEN bioactivation and higher levels of the DNA repair enzyme O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), both before and after DEN treatment. Our results indicate that Lrat KO mice are less susceptible to DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis due to increased retinoid signaling and higher expression of p21, which is accompanied by altered hepatic levels of DEN-activating enzymes and MGMT in Lrat KO mice also contribute to decreased cancer initiation and suppressed liver tumor development.
Scalable MPEG-4 Video Transmission Using Video Quality Metrics

Video streaming applications place high bandwidth requirements on the network, even for efficiently compressed MPEG-4 and H.264 videos. There is a need for these applications to reduce the use of bandwidth, especially when operated on bandwidth- constrained access networks involving cable, DSL, and wireless. However, a direct reduction in allocated bandwidth to a video may have an adverse effect on its visual quality. In addition, the high bit rate variability associated with MPEG-4 compressed video makes it difficult to determine the appropriate level of bandwidth reduction for such videos. MPEG-4 encodes videos as a sequence of I, P, and B-frames, with B-frames containing the least amount of information. Furthermore, the encoded sequence contains forward and backward references for the predictive coding of P and B-frames, which can be used to predict these frames when there is a frame loss. We exploit this feature to selectively drop B- frames to reduce the bandwidth requirements and bit rate variability. We also employ the frame-size (content- independent metric) and the relative PSNR (content- dependent metric) to achieve scalable video transmission. It will be shown via an actual network setup that substantial bandwidth savings can be achieved using the proposed methods and in the majority of the cases, this can be done without sacrificing video quality during playback.
Combating spam, spyware, and other desktop intrusions: legal considerations in operating trusted intermediary technologies

To prevent spam, spyware, and other intrusions, network operators and software providers deploy trusted intermediary technologies to protect their end users and networks. These technologies can be designed to anticipate legal challenges that may be raised by the companies and other actors whose behaviors they inhibit
Confucius’s View of Courage

This article discusses Confucius's view of courage in comparison with Aristotle's and Neo-Confucians'. It proposes the following arguments: (i) Confucius's conception of courage is much broader than Aristotle's, since it does not confine courage to the category of martial virtue and moral excellence that presupposes a noble motive; (ii) both Confucius's and Aristotle's conceptions of courage hold that courage is concerned with the fear of external threats but not the strength in self-improvement as Neo-Confucians have proposed; and (iii) Confucius's conception of courage is more relevant and significant than Aristotle's and Neo-Confucians' to contemporary life.
Cyclization reactions in isoprene derived β-hydroxy radicals: implications for the atmospheric oxidation mechanism

The initial isomeric branching in the addition of hydroxyl radical to isoprene controls the distribution of first generation oxidative end products. Two of the four OH-isoprene radical isomers, formed from OH addition to the inner carbons, can undergo a cyclic isomerization pathway to produce α-hydroxy isoprene radicals. This chemical pathway, while well studied for analogous systems, has not been considered previously in the oxidation of isoprene. The hydrogen abstraction reaction is the exclusive pathway in the presence of molecular oxygen for α-hydroxy radicals and results in the formation of C5 aldehydes or ketones. In this paper the energetics of the isomerization reaction are studied using quantum chemical calculations, and the branching ratios among the isomers are determined using RRKM theory coupled with the master equation formalism.
Computer graphics in real‐time docking with energy calculation and minimization

We describe a real-time docking method using molecular graphics and high-speed calculation of the energy of interaction between a drug and a receptor. A three-dimensional tabulation of the potential is computed prior to the docking experiment, and the total interaction energy is calculated and updated on the display screen in real-time to provide immediate visual feedback to the user as the drug molecule is moved inside the receptor pocket. The “Simplex” method is then used to minimize the energy of interactions after each docking. Using this real-time method, it is now possible to examine rapidly the interactions of a large number of drugs and their analogues with receptor molecules. As an application, the interaction of thyroid hormone and its analogues with prealbumin is considered. The final interaction energies of this very rapid method compare well with those calculated by more orthodox means, while also providing visual feedback on both molecular geometry and energy.
Cirrus and water vapour transport in the tropical tropopause layer - Part 2: Roles of ice nucleation and sedimentation, cloud dynamics, and moisture conditions

Abstract. A high-resolution, two-dimensional numerical model is used to study the moisture redistribution following homogeneous ice nucleation induced by Kelvin waves in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL). We compare results for dry/moist initial conditions and three levels of complexity for the representation of cloud processes: complete microphysics and cloud radiative effects, likewise but without radiative effects, and instantaneous removal of moisture in excess of saturation upon nucleation. Cloud evolution and moisture redistribution are found to be sensitive to initial conditions and cloud processes. Ice sedimentation leads to a downward flux of water, whereas the cloud radiative heating induces upward advection of the cloudy air. The latter results in an upward (downward) flux of water vapour if the cloudy air is moister (drier) than the environment, which is typically when the environment is subsaturated (supersaturated). Only a fraction (~25% or less) of the cloud experiences nucleation. Post-nucleation processes (ice depositional growth, sedimentation, and sublimation) are important to cloud morphology, and both dehydrated and hydrated layers may be indicators of TTL cirrus occurrence. The calculation with instantaneous removal of moisture not only misses the hydration but also underestimates dehydration due to (i) nucleation before reaching the minimum saturation mixing ratio, and (ii) lack of moisture removal from sedimenting ice particles below the nucleation level. The sensitivity to initial conditions and cloud processes suggests that it is difficult to reach generic, quantitative estimates of cloud-induced moisture redistribution on the basis of case-by-case calculations.
Algorithm Design for Agents which Participate in Multiple Simultaneous Auctions

In this paper, we discuss the design of algorithms for agents to use when participating in multiple simultaneous English auctions, aiming to purchase multiple goods. Firstly, we present a coordination algorithm, which ensures the agent places appropriate bids in the different auctions to buy exactly the right number of goods. Secondly, we combine this with an algorithm to determine what maximum bid an agent should place in an auction that is about to terminate. This algorithm combines a belief-based model of the auctions with a utility analysis. This analysis is to trade off the certain outcome of the terminating auction against the possible outcomes of the remaining auctions, and hence to place appropriate bids in each.
Disability in Context: A Community-Based Learning Experience

SUMMARYThis article describes a course in disability awareness that integrates didactic content with community-based Level 1 fieldwork experience. Course content includes the experience of disability, effective writing skills, peer review, interviewing techniques, and therapeutic relationships. In home and community settings, students interview and observe volunteers who have disabilities. In a teaching role, the volunteer exposes the student to resources utilized and barriers faced by a person with a disability living independently in the community. Professional documentation skills are developed through written assignments. This experiential course provides the opportunity for students to recognize the impact of dysfunction on human occupation and gain an appreciation of each individual's ability and responsibility for self-determination.
An extensor mechanism for an anatomical robotic hand

The human finger possesses a structure called the extensor mechanism, a web-like collection of tendinuous material that lies on the dorsal side of each finger and connects the controlling muscles to the bones of the finger. In past robotic hand designs, extensor mechanisms have generally not been employed due in part to their complexity and a lack of understanding of their utility. This paper presents our first design and analysis effort of an artificial extensor mechanism. The goal of our analysis is to provide an understanding of the extensor mechanism's functionality so that we can extract the crucial features that need to be mimicked to construct an anatomical robotic hand. With the inclusion of an extensor mechanism, we believe that all possible human finger postures can be achieved using four cable driven actuators, we identified that this extensor mechanism gives independent control of the metacarpo-phalangeal (MCP) joint and acts not only as an extensor but also as a flexor, abductor, adductor, or rotator depending on the finger's posture.
Revision of unstable capitellocondylar (unlinked) total elbow replacement

Background: Instability is a recognized complication associated with unlinked total elbow implants. The best form of treatment of this problem is uncertain as very little has been written about it. Methods: Twelve patients underwent operative treatment of instability at the site of a capitellocondylar unlinked total elbow replacement, and the results were reviewed retrospectively. The study group included ten women and two men with an average age of fifty-eight years. Ten patients had rheumatoid arthritis. Three elbows underwent conversion to a semiconstrained hinged prosthesis. In the other nine elbows, an attempt was made to continue with an unlinked prosthesis: three had reconstruction of one or both collateral ligaments, four had component revision, and two had both ligament reconstruction and component revision. Results: After an average duration of follow-up of six years (range, two to fifteen years) only three patients had retained a functioning unlinked prosthesis. Of the remaining nine patients, three had had a conversion to a semiconstrained arthroplasty at the time of the index procedure, four had had a conversion to a semiconstrained prosthesis at the time of a salvage procedure, one had had a resection arthroplasty, and one had a painfully dislocated elbow and had declined revision. Thus, seven elbows eventually underwent conversion to a semiconstrained prosthesis; these conversion procedures were technically difficult, with perforation of the humerus occurring in six patients and perforation of the ulna occurring in four. After all procedures, the average elbow flexion was 132° and the average flexion contracture was 25°. According to the Mayo Elbow Performance Index, there were four excellent results, three good results, three fair results, and one poor result. Conclusions: Revision of an unlinked total elbow prosthesis to a linked total elbow prosthesis is difficult, but it restores elbow function. Although the present series documents the unpredictability of attempts to salvage an unstable unlinked prosthesis, it seems reasonable to attempt at least one soft-tissue procedure before converting to a linked prosthesis. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
On the performance quantification of resonant refractive index sensors

Refractive index (RI) sensors based on optical resonance techniques are receiving a high degree of attention because of the need to develop simple, low-cost, high-throughput detection technologies for a number of applications. While the sensing mechanism of most of the reported RI sensors is similar, the construction is quite different from technique to technique. It is desirable to have a uniform mechanism for comparing the various RI sensing techniques, but to date there exists a degree of variation as to how the sensing performance is quantified. Here we set forth a rigorous definition for the detection limit of resonant RI sensors that accounts for all parameters that affect the detection performance. Our work will enable a standard approach for quantifying and comparing the performance of optical resonance-based RI sensors. Additionally, it will lead to design strategies for performance improvement of RI sensors.
Some Cautionary Comments on the Use of Retrospective Designs to Evaluate Treatment Efficacy

This article contrasts the true experimental approach with nonexperimental alternatives, such as retrospective designs, for research on treatment efficacy. The potential problems and limitations of the nonexperimental approach are highlighted so that when deviations from the more desirable experimental methodology are necessary, they can be undertaken with full knowledge of the hazards to be expected. Important issues are illustrated through discussion of a specific type of retrospective design, the case-control design.
Evaluation of compatibility and stability of filtered 99mTc-sulfur colloid when combined with fluorescent indocyanine green dye.

It is a common practice to administer dyes and radiopharmaceuticals separately for the localization of sentinel nodes in patients with biliary tract malignancies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical properties and particle size of filtered 99mTc-sulfur colloid before and after it is combined with indocyanine green for injection. This study also evaluated the compatibility and stability of the two when combined, for the possibility of a single injection. Methods:99mTc-sulfur colloid was prepared according to the package insert, and the final preparation was passed through a sterile 0.2-μm filter. Green dye was also prepared as per the package insert. In a sterile syringe, 0.25 mL of 14.8-MBq (400-μCi) filtered 99mTc-sulfur colloid was mixed with 0.25 mL of 1.25-mg green dye in a 1:1 proportion for a total volume of 0.50 mL. The radiochemical purity and pH of filtered 99mTc-sulfur colloid were obtained immediately and at 1 and 2 h after preparation. Particle size was analyzed using an electron microscope immediately and at 2 h. Results: The average radiochemical purity was 97.6% ± 2.0% (n = 51). The average pH was 5.56 ± 0.26 (n = 51). Evaluation of the particle size of filtered 99mTc-sulfur colloid with the green dye was determined by electron microscopy to be an average of 53 ± 30 nm (n = 365) at 0 h and 60 ± 35 nm (n = 303) at 2 h. This was compared with filtered 99mTc-sulfur colloid without the green dye, which averaged 71 ± 41 nm (n = 41). Measurements of unfiltered 99mTc-sulfur colloid were recorded at 253 ± 192 nm (n = 21) for additional comparisons. Conclusion: The chemical properties and particle size of filtered 99mTc-sulfur colloid were not affected by the addition of the green dye; thus, combination of filtered 99mTc-sulfur colloid and green dye in the same syringe for administration is suitable.
The impact of organizational ethical climate fit on information technology professional's job satisfaction and organizational commitment research in progress

The recent wave of high profile corporate ethical failures, as well as ethical issues surrounding information technologies and users of those technologies, raises questions about the limits that an IT professional will tolerate and accept as normalized behavior. Consideration as to what is normalized behavior within the organizational ethical climate is an important aspect of corporate ethics, in that beliefs about the organizational ethical climate fit are theorized to have effects on both job satisfaction and organizational commitment. In order to account for both the situational and moral components of the individual's beliefs about the ethical climate, the study operationalizes the IT professional's ethical climate "fit," the individual's beliefs about their "fit" with the organizational ethical climate. Social Cognitive Theory was used as a foundation for the research model. Development and refinement of the instrumentation was accomplished using expert evaluators and qualitative discussion groups. The instrument was administered to a small sample of undergraduate students, and the final phase of the pilot test (n = 63) was conducted to pre-validate the instrument and research model using path analysis procedure. The pilot test results appear to indicate that both the instrumentation and research model possess positive characteristics that support their pre-validation, and hence, their usefulness for subsequent research. These findings may represent an early assessment of an emerging awareness in corporate ethics, and therefore of considerable value both to researchers and practitioners. It is the intent of the authors to pursue this line of inquiry with a primary data collection effort to support an expanded research model.
Cyclic Loading for RC Bridge Columns Considering Subduction Megathrust Earthquakes

Current structural design philosophies rely on the inelastic capacity of structures for resisting seismic excitations. To assess such capacity, cyclic loading protocols have been used as a common practice in laboratory and numerical evaluations. The main objective was to obtain quasi-static loading protocols that reflect the increase in the inelastic demands of bridge columns subjected to long duration ground motions caused by subduction megathrust earthquakes. To study the demands imposed on the structural system, results from nonlinear time-history analyses considering numerous subduction ground motions imposed on structures with a wide range of structural periods and target ductilities were used. Because the number of inelastic cycles and the expected damage can be closely related, statistical analyses of the number of inelastic cycles and the cumulative inelastic demands were used to develop the loading protocols. Due to the observed dependence of the demand parameters on the structural period, different protocols were developed for short-, medium-, and long-period responses. The proposed cyclic deformation histories are more representative of the inelastic demands from subduction earthquakes; therefore, their application would improve the seismic assessment of bridge columns exposed to such hazards.
Nothing Makes Sense in Computing Except in the Light of Evolution

Most work on computation deals with its structural aspects—what it is composed of, how the individual elements work in isolation and how they are connected to one another, how best they can be implemented by a physical systems, etc.—in sum, it concerns itself with a proximate account of computation’s mechanisms. We argue that, though that kind of work is of course indispensable, computation cannot be understood or even properly defined if it is not placed in the context of the evolutionary feedback loop that brought it into being and continually monitors its adaptive fitness with respect to its ultimate goals within the organism that employs it. Far from treating it as an optional, somewhat marginal activity, this viewpoint assigns to unconventional computing a fundamental role in the above evolutionary process, namely, to generate and support through their initial stages those variations—those experiments and explorations —that will then be evaluated by evolution’s differential-survival engine.
Respiratory, cardiovascular, and hemolymph acid‐base changes in the amphibious crab, Cardisoma guanhumi, during immersion and emersion

The cardiorespiratory and hemolymph acid base status of bimodal breathing crabs, Cardisoma guanhumi, was monitored during the transition from breathing air to breathing water. Upon immersion, oxygen uptake (MO2) decreased by half. Ventilatory frequency (fsc) increased more than 5 fold, causing a decrease in hemolymph carbon dioxide partial pressure (PCO2). This was nearly fully compensated for by a gradual decrease in hemolymph bicarbonate concentration ([HCO3 ‐]) over 96 hours post‐immersion. After one to two weeks of immersion, when crabs were removed from the water, oxygen uptake initially increased, but eventually returned to the initial immersed value. Heart rate was unchanged but fsc slowed dramatically. The decreased ventilation resulted in a buildup of hemolymph PCO2, causing a respiratory acidosis that was slowly compensated for by increased hemolymph [HCO3 ‐]. C. guanhumi appears to be a truly amphibious crab with respiratory and acid‐base adaptations found in both fully aquatic and fully terres...
Les réacteurs à eau pressurisée en France

Apres avoir defini, sur le plan technique, les caracteristiques de la filiere a eau pressurisee, l'auteur met en lumiere les principaux facteurs qui, sur le plan de la surete et de la competitivite, ont conduit a l'important developpement commercial de cette filiere. Il decrit ensuite les moyens industriels mis en œuvre, en France, par les constructeurs de reacteurs a eau pressurisee pour faire face aux commandes passees par les pouvoirs publics. Il evoque enfin les ameliorations techniques qui pourront etre apportees a la filiere pour conclure que l'avenir des PWR en France ne semble pas devoir se heurter a un quelconque probleme de fond, que ce soit sur le plan industriel ou sur celui de la technologie.
Synthesis of a Mesoporous Manganese Dioxide-Graphene Composite by a Simple Template-Free Strategy for High-Performance Supercapacitors

A manganese dioxide(MnO2)-graphene composite material with a unique structure consisting of MnO2 surrounded by graphene sheets was prepared by a simple hydrothermal and thermal decomposition method. The morphology and structure of the obtained materials were examined by scanning electron microscopy, transition electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and N2 adsorption-desorption.Electrochemical properties were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge- discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The specific surface area increased from 109 to 168 m2·g-1 for the composite containing 15%(w) graphene. The specific capacitance also increased from 294 to 454 F·g-1 at a current density of 0.2 A·g-1 in an aqueous electrolyte supercapacitor. Moreover, after 2000 cycles of a galvanostatic charge-discharge test, the hybrid electrode still had excellent cycle stability(92% retention rate).
Potentiation of NMDA currents by pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide in neonatal rat sympathetic preganglionic neurons.

Wu, S. Y. and N. J. Dun. Potentiation of NMDA currents by pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide in neonatal rat sympathetic preganglionic neurons. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 1175–1179, 1997....
Pathology of testicular germ cell tumors.

Testicular germ cell tumors exhibit a wide range of histologic patterns. The pathologist plays an important role in establishing the histologic diagnosis, staging the tumor, and identifying features relevant to biologic behavior.
Antonio Sorge, Legacies of Violence: History, Society and the State in Sardinia , Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 2015, pp. 194

Book review of Antonio Sorge, Legacies of Violence. History, Society and the State in Sardinia, Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 2015, pp. 232.
Protecting kids with a patch

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of hospitalization in young children, with 60% of children infected within their first year of life. Although RSV infections affect infants most severely, RSV continues to infect humans with age and can result in pneumonia and lung
Potentialism and the experience of the new

AbstractIn this paper, I argue that potentialism is uniquely able to articulate the value of educational practices (such as philosophy with children, and study) that lack the kind of directionality commonly associated with educational activities. It does so by operating with radically different assumptions about the nature and value of education – assumptions that can be derived from the basic premise of progressive education that education needs to be rooted in experience. I follow here a line of thought that leads from Dewey’s (broadly scientific) notion of experience aimed at new and better experiences, to Ivan Illich’s emphasis on the experience of the new, to Gert Biesta’s idea that education needs to allow students to bring something new into the world, to Jan Masschelein and Maarten Simons’ emphasis on the experience of the possibility of the new. Finally, drawing from the work of Giorgio Agamben and Tyson E. Lewis, I show how a potentialist notion of experience operates with a different temporalit...
High speed 45nm gate length CMOSFETs integrated into a 90nm bulk technology incorporating strain engineering

A leading edge 90 nm logic bulk foundry technology with 45 nm gate length devices, incorporating strain engineering, is described in this paper. Gate length and dielectric scaling, along with optimized strain engineering, enable high performance devices, which are amongst the best reported to date. Short channel effect control down to 35 nm is demonstrated. Both NMOS and PMOS performance are improved through careful optimization of stress effects from both trench isolation and contact etch stop nitride film. Furthermore, analysis of the channel mobility and current enhancement is used to gain understanding of the stress mechanisms, and hence layout design practice should be optimized for performance.
Energy-efficient power control policies in fading channels with Markov arrivals and QoS constraints

In this paper, energy efficiency in fading channels is analyzed when data arrivals are modeled as a discrete Markov process and statistical QoS constraints are imposed. In particular, under the assumption that the channel side information is available at the transmitter, energy-efficient power adaptation policies are identified, taking into account both transmission and circuit power consumptions. In this setting, the impact of QoS limitations, circuit power considerations and source burstiness on the optimal power control policies and the optimal average power transmission levels required for energy efficient operation is investigated.
Tendon and Ligament Fixation to Bone

For the successful transplantation or transposition of ligaments and tendons, fixation techniques are very important. As most postsurgical rehabilitation protocols emphasize immediate full range of motion and early return to function, fixation must provide adequate strength and stiffness during the early postoperative period. Table 1 lists mechanical properties (failure load, ultimate strength, stiffness, and elastic modulus) of ligament, tendon, or deep fascia of different species. Ideally, fixation strength should meet or exceed the requirements for normal activity on ligaments or tendons. In addition, fixation should not interfere with healing and must be biocompatible for long-term use or easily removable (1). Large animals (goats, dogs, sheep, pigs, and monkeys) are common species for studies of ligament and tendon fixation. Large bone volume of these animals is the most important factor for the facilitation of bone instrumentation (fixations with screws or implants). Selected animal models from the literature to evaluate ligament or tendon fixation to bone are listed in Table 2.
Salvage Surgery After Renal Mass Ablation

Thermal ablative techniques represent treatment options for patients with small renal masses who are not candidates for surgery. The oncologic efficacy of ablation has not been compared in a randomized fashion with nephron-sparing surgery, and the urologist must be knowledgeable regarding the workup and treatment of patients with suspected residual or recurrent tumor following these therapies. Surveillance of patients with tumor recurrence after ablation may be indicated in select circumstances. When patients are deemed appropriate for salvage therapy, most undergo a repeat course of the same ablative modality. Salvage surgery is possible but often complicated by the prior ablative techniques.
Three-dimensional modeling of single stranded DNA hairpins for aptamer-based biosensors

Aptamers consist of short oligonucleotides that bind specific targets. They provide advantages over antibodies, including robustness, low cost, and reusability. Their chemical structure allows the insertion of reporter molecules and surface-binding agents in specific locations, which have been recently exploited for the development of aptamer-based biosensors and direct detection strategies. Mainstream use of these devices, however, still requires significant improvements in optimization for consistency and reproducibility. DNA aptamers are more stable than their RNA counterparts for biomedical applications but have the disadvantage of lacking the wide array of computational tools for RNA structural prediction. Here, we present the first approach to predict from sequence the three-dimensional structures of single stranded (ss) DNA required for aptamer applications, focusing explicitly on ssDNA hairpins. The approach consists of a pipeline that integrates sequentially building ssDNA secondary structure from sequence, constructing equivalent 3D ssRNA models, transforming the 3D ssRNA models into ssDNA 3D structures, and refining the resulting ssDNA 3D structures. Through this pipeline, our approach faithfully predicts the representative structures available in the Nucleic Acid Database and Protein Data Bank databases. Our results, thus, open up a much-needed avenue for integrating DNA in the computational analysis and design of aptamer-based biosensors.
Numerical Approach to Model the Effect of Moisture in Adobe Masonry Walls Subjected to In-Plane Loading

ABSTRACTThis article proposes a numerical modeling approach to account for the weakening effect of moisture on the in-plane (lateral) resistance of adobe masonry walls. The approach uses a variable that links the water content of the soil to its strength properties, with varying locations of a moist region in the wall (i.e., length across the wall). A nonlinear, isotropic finite element model was used to study adobe walls at the macro scale. The adequacy of the proposed approach was examined numerically through finite element (FE) analysis for I-shaped adobe walls with varying length and water content of a moist region along the base. The analysis showed that the lateral strength of adobe walls, defined as the maximum force required to cause a given displacement, may drop considerably (up to about 40% for the cases considered) depending on the length, location, and water content of the moist (weakened) region of the wall.
Silicon-on-lithium niobate waveguides for mid-infrared

A planar waveguide design is studied for the mid-infrared wavelengths from 2.5μm to 4.5μm by simulation. Lithium-niobate and silicon are integrated to increase functionality. Silicon as a higher index material is introduced on behalf of its transparency to the infrared spectrum. Power transfer from a buried lithium-niobate waveguide to silicon is simulated using field mode matching software for several wavelengths and taper dimensions. In addition, bend losses and mode mismatch losses to a quantum cascade laser are evaluated by simulation.
Microarray analysis of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition genes suggests differential epithelial remodeling in human disease vs. mouse models of asthma (MUC1P.912)

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the process by which epithelial cells revert to a less differentiated, mesenchymal phenotype; it occurs in maintenance of tissue homeostasis and is exaggerated in disease. EMT has been implicated in human asthma, although it is not clear whether this process is caused by inflammation or rather contributes to it. In allergen-induced murine models of asthma, EMT would be directly caused by inflammation; however, evidence for EMT in such models is lacking. To assess weight-of-evidence and causality for EMT, we contrasted gene expression between mouse models and human asthma samples, using data from 12 gene expression microarrays (GEO, NCBI). PCA analysis surprisingly discriminated human and mouse studies based on behavior of 8 classical EMT genes and 25 epithelial differentiation genes. Increased expression of Cdh2 , Twist1 , Twist2 , Snai2 and Zeb1 supported existence of EMT in human asthma. Interestingly, the same genes did not change or decreased their expression in mouse models. Moreover, inducers of EMT Sox4, Fgf18 and Fgfr4 decreased and suppressor of EMT Runx3 increased expression in mice, consistent with mesenchymal-epithelial transition associated with repair. The fact that even chronic mouse models failed to recapitulate the EMT pattern seen in patients suggests that allergic inflammation alone is not sufficient to trigger persistent epithelial de-differentiation, implicating a missing component in the causation of EMT in asthma.
Primary Factors Statistically Associated with Diarrheal Occurrences

Abstract To successfully prevent diarrheal pathogen transmission, a variety of causal pathways should be considered. This study utilized a suite of tools to identify primary factors associated with diarrheal occurrences in a set of communities in Para, Brazil that had received a biosand filter (BSF). First, existing Demographic and Health Survey data sets from the departments of Para and Amazonas, Brazil were analyzed using three statistical techniques, namely: Mahalanobis-Taguchi Strategy, canonical correlation analysis, and latent factor regression. Second, results of statistical analyses were combined with a literature review and field observations to locally adapt a previously validated structural equation model (SEM) originally developed for Quiche, Guatemala. Third, a randomized household survey was used to collect data—including water sources, sanitation facilities, hygiene practices, socioeconomic statuses, education levels, BSF maintenance, and diarrheal occurrences—in Para, Brazil and analyzed w...
Correlations between Health Insurance Status and Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in the Elderly Asian American Population.

Background Asian Americans are often seen as a model minority; however, the group faces significant cultural, language, and financial barriers to adequate health care access. Assessing health insurance's impact on cardiovascular disease risk factors among older Asian Americans may provide support for further research and intervention development focused on improving insurance enrollment. The authors sought to examine the associations between elevated blood pressure and body mass index and insurance coverage. Methods Individuals attended health fairs held by a student-led organization in Southern California between 2008 and 2011. Age and insurance status were obtained through participant questionnaires. Participants' blood pressure and body mass index were measured. Analyses identified health and insurance associations. Results In total, 53.8% of respondents were 60 years or older. Of these, 30.9% had an elevated blood pressure and 36.6% had an elevated body mass index. Of respondents 60 years or older, 52.0% had health insurance. Both elevated blood pressure (p = 0.04) and body mass index (p = 0.03) were significantly associated with lacking insurance. Conclusions Insured participants were less likely to have elevated blood pressure and body mass index measurements, supporting a positive correlation between having insurance and less risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These findings provide incentives for further research into the importance of health insurance in preventative health care.
Interactions with 8‐Anilinonaphthalene‐1‐sulfonic Acid (ANS) and Surface Hydrophobicity of Black Gram (Vigna mungo) Phaseolin

Surface hydrophobicity (SH) properties of the trimeric storage protein phaseolin (black gram phaseolin [BGP]) of black gram (Vigna mungo) were investigated using 8‐anilinonaphthalene‐1‐sulfonate (ANS) as an extrinsic fluorescent probe. The emission maxima of fluorescence spectra of BGP:ANS complex were blue‐shifted to 455 nm as compared to 515 nm for the free ANS. Saturation binding occurred at a dye‐to‐protein ratio of about 30:1. The quantum yield of the complex increased with increasing ionic strength. The Kdvalues were 1.7 × 10−5and 1.37 × 10−5M using fractional occupancy and Scatchard analysis, respectively. Analysis of the binding data using Klotz plot revealed 4 binding sites/protomer. SH of BGP was 48%, which rapidly decreased due to the perturbation of the binding sites as the protein unfolded in GdnHCl and urea. By varying processing conditions, it may be possible to alter the surface exposure of SH of BGP to extend its applications in novel food products with desired textural attributes. Varying solvent and/or processing conditions can assist to modulate the surface hydrophobicity of functional legume proteins to achieve desired textural properties in the end product.
The consequences of deviating from financial reporting industry norms: Evidence from the disclosure of foreign cash

Abstract This study examines how investors respond to firms’ disclosure practices that deviate from the majority of industry peers (i.e., industry norms). The SEC has made repeated calls for the disclosure of foreign cash in order for investors to have more information in determining firms’ liquidity positions. We examine the association between firm value and the non-disclosure of foreign cash in industries where the majority of firms choose to disclose foreign cash. We define partial disclosure as disclosing permanently reinvested earnings (PRE), but withholding the disclosure of foreign cash, and find that when the majority of industry peers disclose foreign cash, investors discount the firm-specific partial disclosure of foreign operations. This finding suggests that investors have similar information demands as the SEC, and that withholding foreign cash results in a valuation discount. We also find that this discount is more pronounced for firms predicted to have higher levels of foreign cash and higher levels of PRE. The discount in firm value is also concentrated among firms with managers who have more career concerns, suggesting that managers shift the cost of partial disclosure to shareholders instead of bearing the personal reputational cost of full disclosure. Our results are robust to multiple matched samples and entropy balancing. While previous literature has considered the valuation implications of foreign cash disclosures, we reveal the consequences of opting to withhold the disclosure of foreign cash. Our findings should be of interest to both managers and policy-setters in forming their disclosure protocols.
Recent advances in optical technologies for data centers: a review

Modern data centers increasingly rely on interconnects for delivering critical communications connectivity among numerous servers, memory, and computation resources. Data center interconnects turned to optical communications almost a decade ago, and the recent acceleration in data center requirements is expected to further drive photonic interconnect technologies deeper into the systems architecture. This review paper analyzes optical technologies that will enable next-generation data center optical interconnects. Recent progress addressing the challenges of terabit/s links and networks at the laser, modulator, photodiode, and switch levels is reported and summarized.
The Changing Landscape of Women’s Leadership in India and Korea From Cultural and Generational Perspectives:

This article attempts to (a) identify leadership challenges and opportunities among Korean and Indian women, and (b) explore how women’s leadership differs by generation in India and Korea. We prov...
Asian International Student and Asian American Student: Mistaken Identity and Racial Microaggressions

This study examines the experiences of Asian American students who are mistaken as Asian international students; it provides insight into domestic students’ perceptions of and potential racial microaggressive experiences of international students. Drawing from racial microaggressions survey data of Asian Americans, this study highlights the multiple layers of overt racism, microaggressions, and xenophobia directed against students who are perceived as Asian international students. The Asian American students’ narratives reveal that international students are often racialized by skin color, English proficiency, and nationality, which reflect U.S. racist framings of Asian Americans. Thus, we argue that racial experiences of Asian international students should be addressed as a part of U.S. racial ideology, notions of Whiteness, and racial microaggressions on campus.