cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Note on the Relationship Between Temperature and Water Vapor over Oceans, Including Sea Surface Temperature Effects

An ideal and simple formulation is successfully derived that well represents a quasi-linear relationship found between the domain-averaged water vapor, Q (mm), and temperature, T (K), fields for the three tropical oceans (i.e., the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans) based on eleven GEOS-3 [Goddard Earth Observing System (EOS) Version-3] global re-analysis monthly products. A Q - T distribution analysis is also performed for the tropical and extra-tropical regions based on in-situ sounding data and numerical simulations [GEOS-3 and the Goddard Cumulus Ensemble (GCE) model]. A similar positively correlated Q - T distribution is found over the entire oceanic and tropical regions; however, Q increases faster with T for the former region. It is suspected that the tropical oceans may possess a moister boundary layer than the Tropics. The oceanic regime falls within the lower bound of the tropical regime embedded in a global, curvilinear Q - T relationship. A positive correlation is also found between T and sea surface temperature (SST); however, for one degree of increase in T, SST is found to increase 1.1 degrees for a warmer ocean, which is slightly less than an increase of 1.25 degrees for a colder ocean. This seemingly indicates that more (less) heat is needed for an open ocean to maintain an air mass above it with a same degree of temperature rise during a colder (warmer) season [or in a colder (warmer) region]. Q and SST are also found to be positively correlated. Relative humidity (RH) exhibits similar behaviors for oceanic and tropical regions. RH increases with increasing SST and T over oceans, while it increases with increasing T in the Tropics. RH, however, decreases with increasing temperature in the extratropics. It is suspected that the tropical and oceanic regions may possess a moister local boundary layer than the extratropics so that a faster moisture increase than a saturated moisture increase is favored for the former regions. T, Q, saturated water vapor, RH, and SST are also examined with regard to the warm and cold "seasons" over individual oceans. The Indian Ocean warm season dominates in each of the five quantities, while the Atlantic Ocean cold season has the lowest values in most categories. The higher values for the Indian Ocean may be due to its relatively high percentage of tropical coverage compared to the other two oceans. However, Q is found to increase faster for colder months from individual oceans, which differs from the general finding in the global Q - T relationship that Q increases slower for a colder climate. The modified relationship may be attributed to a possible seasonal (warm and cold) variability in boundary layer depth over oceans, or to the small sample size used in each individual oceanic group.
The judicialization of religious freedom: Variations on a theme:

This article discusses places and historical circumstances where religious freedom is generally protected by governments, including their judicial systems, and contrasts this with examples where su...
Sublinear Time and Space Algorithms for Correlation Clustering via Sparse-Dense Decompositions

We present a new approach for solving (minimum disagreement) correlation clustering that results in sublinear algorithms with highly efficient time and space complexity for this problem. In particular, we obtain the following algorithms for $n$-vertex $(+/-)$-labeled graphs $G$: -- A sublinear-time algorithm that with high probability returns a constant approximation clustering of $G$ in $O(n\log^2{n})$ time assuming access to the adjacency list of the $(+)$-labeled edges of $G$ (this is almost quadratically faster than even reading the input once). Previously, no sublinear-time algorithm was known for this problem with any multiplicative approximation guarantee. -- A semi-streaming algorithm that with high probability returns a constant approximation clustering of $G$ in $O(n\log{n})$ space and a single pass over the edges of the graph $G$ (this memory is almost quadratically smaller than input size). Previously, no single-pass algorithm with $o(n^2)$ space was known for this problem with any approximation guarantee. The main ingredient of our approach is a novel connection to sparse-dense graph decompositions that are used extensively in the graph coloring literature. To our knowledge, this connection is the first application of these decompositions beyond graph coloring, and in particular for the correlation clustering problem, and can be of independent interest.
A Psuedo-Spectral Study of a 2-Parameter Bratu’s Equation

The two-dimensional nonlinear eigenvalue problem known as Bratu’s equation $${\nabla ^2}u + p\;\exp \left( {\frac{u}{{1 + eu}}} \right) = 0\quad {\text{|}}x{\text{|}},{\text{|}}y{\text{|}} < 1$$ $$u = 0\quad at\quad {\text{|}}x{\text{|}},{\text{|}}y{\text{|}} = 1$$ (1) arises in a variety of physical phenomena and has been suggested as a test case for nonlinear eigenvalue solvers (See, for example. Refs. 1-4).
Trends in Organosilicon Biological Research

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses trends in organosilicon biological research. Next to oxygen, silicon is the most common element in the earth's crust. With the possible exception of certain bacteria, organosilicon compounds containing the Si–C bond have not been found in living systems. On the other hand, some organosilicon compounds are extremely active. The pharmacological activity of a silicon-containing drug is often short-lived compared to that of the parent drug. Trimethylsiloxylation is extensively used for analytical purposes; however, only a few siloxy derivatives have been characterized and subjected to pharmacological testing. Silylated steroids, especially steroids having sex-hormone activity, have been the subject of numerous investigations. Although the silicon–oxygen bond is hydrolytically unstable, the silicon–carbon bond is stable toward hydrolysis. One of the most exciting areas of organometallic research today is that of organosilicon biological agents that do not have carbon analogs. A variety of organosilicon compounds possess biological activity. The activities are probably not attributable to the silicon atom per se but rather to the structure as a whole. Research in the area of organosilicon biological agents can be divided into two major sections: substitution of a silicon atom onto or into a known active compound and investigation of the activities of organosilicon compounds without known carbon analogs. In general, work in the silicon-derivative area has indicated that the fundamental activity of the parent structure is retained, although usually to a lesser degree than is found with the parent structure.
An electrokinetic microdevice for isolation and quantification of circulating cell-free DNA from physiological samples

This study reports a hybrid electrokinetic microdevice for rapid concentration and detection of circulating cell-free (cf)DNA. Rapid molecular analysis of cfDNA has the potential to change the current practice of medicine, such as in cancer diagnostics and in monitoring the efficacy of cancer treatments. With a combination of AC electrothermal flow and dielectrophoresis, the hybrid electrokinetic microdevice efficiently concentrates cfDNA from blood plasma and other physiological fluids. In this design, the long-range AC electrothermal flow, which is effective in conductive fluids, drives the cfDNA towards the center of the electrode where dielectrophoretic trapping of the cfDNA occurs. Once the cfDNA is collected at the electrode, the concentration in the blood sample can be quantified by fluorescence analysis with an intercalating dye that binds specifically to double-stranded DNA. The effects of the electrokinetic parameters were elucidated to optimize the design of the device. The device was demonstrated to separate high molecular weight DNA from low molecular weight DNA. Quantitative detection of clinically relevant concentrations of cfDNA was achieved in 10 minutes.
Orthogonal on-off keying (O3K) for free-space laser communications

Orthogonal On-Off Keying is a coded modulation technique, where the input digital signal is mapped into a block of orthogonal codes. The encoded data, which is in orthogonal space, modulates the laser beam by means of On-Off Keying. At the receiver, two photo cells are Cross Coupled to compensate the sunlight and other atmospheric noise. Since the laser beam is highly directional and can only be acquired by one photo cell, the input laser signal can then be received with little noise, and signal processing is made easier. These techniques are especially beneficial in high bandwidth, long distance secure laser communication applications, such as for use in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
Parabolic Rate Constants and Diffusion Mechanisms in Oxides and Sulfides

It is shown that the Wagner equation, K = D dlna, relating the parabolic rate constant K and the diffusion coefficient D of radioactive metal is equivalent to the proportionality between reaction rate and affinity, K = DA/kT, where D is the average diffusion coefficient in the oxide layer. This is simply the equation postulated by irreversible thermodynamics for a reaction close to equilibrium. In the case of oxides with cationic vacancies, D = D0P and K = nD0. It is suggested that the experimental data do not suffice to prove the proportionality K/A because the measurements have been restricted to oxygen pressures too far from equilibrium. The results are discussed of new diffusion experiments in the systems A g/Ag2S, Zn/ZnO, O/Cu2O, and possible mechanisms are proposed.
Nutrient influences on rat intestinal phenytoin uptake.

The intestinal uptake of phenytoin was studied as a function of concentration, intestinal region, coperfused glucose, and calcium chloride in rat intestinal perfusions and everted intestinal rings. Steady-state intestinal membrane permeabilities were obtained in an in situ perfusion system and initial rates of intestinal tissue uptake were obtained in an in vitro everted ring system as rate of absorption parameters. Steady-state membrane permeabilities were independent of phenytoin perfusion concentration and decreased from duodenum to ileum. Coperfusion of glucose increased, and high calcium chloride concentrations decreased phenytoin permeabilities. While phenytoin uptake in the in vitro ring system was also concentration-independent and depressed by high calcium concentrations, regional variations and glucose enhancement were not observed. Thus, drug–nutrient interactions involved in intestinal absorption from phenytoin solutions are a function of the isolation procedure.
The Material Is the Machine

Efforts are under way to manufacture electromechanical devices at ever smaller sizes. However, standard semiconductor technology places limits on how small such machines can be. In their Perspective, Bhattacharya and James explain how martensitic materials--which can distort reversibly without any diffusion taking place--may overcome this problem. Theoretical studies and preliminary experiments suggest that such materials can act as machines themselves, without the need for complicated construction of moving parts in the device.
Problems of Informed Consent with the Cognitively Impaired

The doctrine of informed consent for treatment and research is by now firmly embedded in health law and medical ethics. Federal regulations govern all research conducted on human subjects and supported by federal funds (Code of Federal Regulations, 1981); many states have passed legislation that mandates informed consent for treatment (Meisel and Kabnick, 1980); and the common law contains an increasing number of cases dealing both with informed consent for therapy and for research. Although it is interesting to learn the philosophical bases for the doctrine of informed consent (Veatch, 1978; Donagan, 1977) and to trace its history in law in the United States (Simpson, 1981; Trichter and Lewis, 1981), this chapter will be devoted primarily to the concept of informed consent as a moral requirement in the biomedical domain.
Electrochromic Sol‐Gel Coatings

Certain inorganic compounds, especially oxides of polyvalent metals, exhibit coloration that depends on the oxidation state of their cations. This property leads to electrochromism, which is a reversible and visible change in transmittance and/or reflectance. The oxidation–reduction reactions are electrochemically induced, using low voltages of the order of ± 1 V dc. In pursuing the development of completely sol-gel EC devices, physical properties need to be considered, in addition to the ionic conductivity. Of course, the electrolyte has to have high electronic resistivity, high ionic conductivity and no defects. In addition, all of the layers require a film thickness less than about 1000 nm (generally less than 500 nm), high transparency across the visible range, good adhesion between adjacent layers and thermodynamic stability between adjacent layers across a wide electrochemical window. Overall, an EC device should operate under the approximate conditions of +2.5 volts (100 s)/–1.5 volts (100 s) for more than 10,000 cycles at 15 mC/cm2. For practical EC windows, there has been significant recent progress using a variety of technologies. Sol-gel processing is only one route under investigation. Interest continues in sol-gel processing because precursors for all of the layers that lead to the appropriate oxide gels are readily available. The resulting gels are inorganic and rigid. In particular, the sol-gel electrolyte operates while playing the role of a mechanical divider between the electrodes. In addition, sol-gel processing is a logical batch process for large area coatings. Several studies show that sol-gel coatings have the required transmittance across the visible light range. Finally, the layers have “no moving parts.” Keywords: Electrochromism; Sol-gel processing; Tungsten oxide gels; Vanadium oxide gels; Galvanic cell
Soybean lipoxygenase-3 in complex with 4-nitrocatechol.

4-Nitrocatechol (4NC) is a known inhibitor of lipoxygenase. This work presents the X-ray structure of soybean lipoxygenase-3 in complex with 4NC refined at 2.15 A resolution. The X-ray analysis shows 4NC near iron with partial occupancy, blocking access to Fe but not covalently bound to it. The two hydroxyl groups interact with the C-terminus (4-OH) and His523 ND1 (3-OH). The residues surrounding the iron cofactor, His518*, His523, His709, Ile857* COO− and water, form a trigonal bipyramid with the residues marked with asterisks in the axial positions. The water bound to iron and the presence of the inhibitor seem to be responsible for the rearrangements and changes in the geometry of the ligand distribution and confirm the displacement of His518 from iron coordination. A description of the catechol binding contributes to the understanding of lipoxygenase inhibition and the participation of its co-oxidative activity in the utilization of natural flavonoids.
Surgical treatment of sternoclavicular joint infections in cirrhotic patients.

Abstract Background Cirrhotic patients with sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) infection pose a unique challenge for which there are no management guidelines. We reviewed our experience with this unusual infection in this high-risk patient population. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with cirrhosis (n = 5) treated surgically for SCJ infection from January 1998 to July 2006. Results All infections were locally advanced with bone necrosis, complex abscess formation, or mediastinal involvement. En bloc SCJ resection was performed in 3 patients. A more conservative approach of incision and drainage with debridement was performed in 2 patients. Sepsis and/or pulmonary compromise occurred in all patients postoperatively and the surgical mortality rate was 40%. All deaths occurred after en bloc SCJ resection. Conclusions Sternoclavicular joint infections in cirrhotic patients tend to be extensive in nature and pose a high surgical risk. Adequate surgical drainage and debridement may be better tolerated than a radical en block resection.
A simple Raman cell and furnace usable at temperatures higher than 1000° for corrosive melts

The two basic requirements for a sample container suitable for obtaining Raman spectra of corrosive melts are that the cell be optically transparent and inert to chemical attack by the melt. Several cell designs have been proposed in the past few years based on uv-visible spectroscopy experience. Two designs have been used for molten fluorides: a windowless cell in which the liquid level is maintained by its surface tension and a graphite cell with diamond windows to resist the attack by molten fluorides.
Low cost fillers die attach materials development for powerpad and non powerpad packages with PPF LDF

This paper presents TI development of low cost fillers die attach materials for powerpad and non powerpad packages with PPF LDF. While silver fillers drive conductive die attach applications in semiconductor history, eagerness for a promising alternative filler die attach has been arising to get rid of silver filler die attach price impacted by silver price on the market. Besides the short term cost benefit, how to maintain the long term cost advantage across the rivals is another priority for development. Silver plated copper (SPC) filler die attach materials have attracted a lot of attentions due to the relative higher thermal conductivity and lower cost of metal copper comparing with other metals. Although there has been available silver plated copper die attach materials in semiconductor industry, however the low thermal conductivity constrains the application in powerpad packages especially for the weak adhesion performance of PPF Au/Pd/Ni LDF. In addition to silver plated copper fillers, many opportunities are being engaged and evaluated for promising long term cost advantages die attach materials for electronic packaging. Among of them, copper filler is the most interesting target for the super low cost die attach materials. Quality and reliability of low cost metals die attach materials have been validating via extensive evaluation plan on powerpad and non powerpad packages in recent and confirmed as noteworthy solutions for further development.
A Biocompatible SiC RF Antenna for In-Vivo Sensing Applications

In this study, we present a small-size implantable RF antenna (biosensor) which is made of fully biocompatible material, cubic silicon carbide. Silicon Carbide is one of the few semiconducting materials that combine biocompatibility and sensing potentiality. The hypothesis of a SiC based antenna, to be used for glucose monitoring, is that the changes in the medium surrounding the antenna affect the antenna properties such as input impedance and resonance frequency, and these changes can be used to estimate the patient's plasma glucose level. An all-SiC patch antenna has been designed, simulated and fabricated with a target frequency of operation of 10 GHz. A Cu patch antenna was fabricated on SiC to serve as a reference antenna. The all-SiC antenna was realized by growing a poly-crystalline 3C-SiC film using CVD on a thick oxide layer that had been coated with poly-Si to serve as a growth template. A semi-insulating 4H-SiC substrate was used to minimize RF losses during operation.
Possibility of chemical weathering before the advent of vascular land plants

CHEMICAL weathering today is generally assumed to occur primarily in soils1,2. The rise of vascular plants during the Silurian and Devonian periods about 400 Myr ago brought about an increase in soil microbial activity and thus in soil CO2 generation, and it has therefore been widely believed that, as a result of these changes, soil CO2 replaced atmospheric CO2 as the primary agent of chemical weathering3–6. Here we show that the aerated region above the water table (the vadose zone) exerts a strong influence on the CO2 concentration to which runoff is exposed as it percolates beneath the soil, and we argue that this could have been the case before the Silurian. We present calculations which show that, for present-day atmospheric CO2 concentrations, a low level of microbial respiration may be sufficient to support appreciable CO2 concentrations in the vadose zone because of the slow rate of CO2 loss to the surface. Despite the small amount of microbial respiration in pre-Silurian soils, CO2 concentrations in subsoil vadose zones might therefore have been sufficient to account for the apparent constancy of chemical weathering since the mid-Proterozoic7, obviating the need to invoke high levels of atmospheric CO2 to explain the weathering record.
Improving surrogate-assisted variable fidelity multi-objective optimization using a clustering algorithm

We extended variable fidelity optimization framework to include multiple surrogates.Build multiple Kriging models by using k-means clustering algorithm.More reliably solve the large sample size surrogate-modeling problem.Accelerate surrogate-assisted multi-objective genetic algorithm.Results converge closely to the high-fidelity Pareto front. Surrogate-assisted evolutionary optimization has proved to be effective in reducing optimization time, as surrogates, or meta-models can approximate expensive fitness functions in the optimization run. While this is a successful strategy to improve optimization efficiency, challenges arise when constructing surrogate models in higher dimensional function space, where the trade space between multiple conflicting objectives is increasingly complex. This complexity makes it difficult to ensure the accuracy of the surrogates. In this article, a new surrogate management strategy is presented to address this problem. A k-means clustering algorithm is employed to partition model data into local surrogate models. The variable fidelity optimization scheme proposed in the author's previous work is revised to incorporate this clustering algorithm for surrogate model construction. The applicability of the proposed algorithm is illustrated on six standard test problems. The presented algorithm is also examined in a three-objective stiffened panel optimization design problem to show its superiority in surrogate-assisted multi-objective optimization in higher dimensional objective function space. Performance metrics show that the proposed surrogate handling strategy clearly outperforms the single surrogate strategy as the surrogate size increases.
The Changing Landscape of Special Education Administration

Effective leadership and administrative support for special education are critical issues in today's schools. The field of special education administration is gaining attention in the literature as professionals seek ways to foster accountability and drive change in ways that support the success of students with disabilities and their teachers. The purpose of this special issue of Exceptionality is to address current issues in special education administration and to explore promising directions. This introductory article provides a conceptual overview of the collaborative nature of special education administration, including issues of instructional, ethical, and teacher leadership. This article is intended to serve as a foundation for the succeeding articles within this special issue addressing key concerns within the field.
Wind shear near the ground and aircraft operations.

The variance of wind shear in the first 150-200 m of the atmosphere is a function of the direction of the mean wind relative to the flight path, the zenith angle of the flight path, the standard deviation of the three components of the turbulence velocity vector, the surface friction velocity, the stability properties of the atmospheric boundary layer, and the heights above natural grade of the beginning and end points of the portion of the flight path over which the shear is to be calculated. The results are applied by calculating wind shear for various risks of occurrence assuming wind shear is a Gaussian process, and it is shown that turbulence produces significantly large dispersions in wind shear about the mean wind shear. The results are interpreted in terms of the ICAO interim shear criteria for reporting wind shear in qualitative terms.
Mismatch repair co-opted by hypermutation.

Mice homozygous for a disrupted allele of the mismatch repair gene Pms2 have a mutator phenotype. When this allele is crossed into quasi-monoclonal (QM) mice, which have a very limited B cell repertoire, homozygotes have fewer somatic mutations at the immunoglobulin heavy chain and λ chain loci than do heterozygotes or wild-type QM mice. That is, mismatch repair seems to contribute to somatic hypermutation rather than stifling it. It is suggested that at immunoglobulin loci in hypermutable B cells, mismatched base pairs are “corrected” according to the newly synthesized DNA strand, thereby fixing incipient mutations instead of eliminating them.
Hydrogen cycling in a three-tiered food web growing on the methanogenic conversion of 3-chlorobenzoate

A defined 3-chlorobenzoate-degrading methanogenic consortium was constructed by recombining key organisms isolated from a 3-chlorobenzoate-degrading methanogenic sludge enrichment. The organisms comprise a three-tiered food chain which includes: (1) reductive dechlorination of 3-chlorobenzoate; (2) oxidation of benzoate to acetate, H2 and CO2; (3) removal of H2 plus CO2 by conversion into methane. The defined consortium, consisting of a dechlorinating organism (DCB-1), a benzoate degrader (BZ-1) and a lithotrophic methanogen (Methanospirillum strain PM-1) grew well in a basal salts medium supplemented with 3-chlorobenzoate (3.2 mM) as the sole energy source. The chlorine released from the aromatic ringe was recovered in stoichiometric amounts as the chloride ion. The reducing power required for reductive dechlorination was obtained from the hydrogen produced in the acetogenic oxidation of benzoate. One-third of the benzoate-derived hydrogen was recycled via the reductive dechlorination of 3-chlorobenzoate, indicating that the consortium operated as a food web rather than a food chain.
The blind tricyclist problem and a comparative study of nonlinear filters: A challenging benchmark for evaluating nonlinear estimation methods

Dynamic filters can provide powerful means to estimate hidden system states based on sensor data. For linear problems with Gaussian noise, the Kalman filter is the known optimal solution and has been available for a long time [1], [2]. Exact optimal solutions are rarely available for nonlinear problems, and the user typically selects from a variety of approximate techniques. These techniques include the traditional extended Kalman filter (EKF) [3]?[5], the iterated EKF (IEKF) [4], the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) [5]?[7], the particle filter (PF) [5], [8], [9], and the Gaussian mixture filter (GMF) [5], [10]?[12]. The EKF is widely used but is known to have degraded accuracy, or even to lose stability, for certain problems [5], [13], [14].
Sources of meaningfulness in the workplace: a study in the US hospitality sector

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the sources of meaningfulness at the workplace, according to the perceptions of hospitality employees from different national cultures in one US‐based hotel, based on Dimitrov's empirical study about the features of the humane organization.Design/methodology/approach – This was an exploratory research that employed a single embedded case study. There were 17 employees, selected via purposeful convenience sampling. The process of data gathering involved: personal statements, interviews, complete observations, and document analysis. Data were coded using open and theoretical codes. Content and constant comparative analysis was used to link the emerging themes.Findings – The respondents felt that sources of meaningfulness in the workplace are: work itself and pride in the product; the social environment; the self and spirituality at work; and becoming a humane organization.Research limitations/implications – The main recommendations for future research are to...
Responsibility for protection of medical workers and facilities in armed conflict

Summary Assaults on patients and medical personnel, facilities, and transports, denial of access to medical services, and misuse of medical facilities and emblems have become a feature of armed conflict despite their prohibition by the laws of war. Strategies to improve compliance with these laws, protection, and accountability are lacking, and regular reporting of violations is absent. A systematic review of the frequency of reporting and types of violations has not been done for more than 15 years. To gain a better understanding of the scope and extent of the problem, we used uniform search criteria to review three global sources of human rights reports in armed conflicts for 2003–08, and in-depth reports on violations committed in armed conflict during 1989–2008. Findings from this review showed deficiencies in the extent and methods of reporting, but also identified three major trends in such assaults: attacks on medical functions seem to be part of a broad assault on civilians; assaults on medical functions are used to achieve a military advantage; and combatants do not respect the ethical duty of health professionals to provide care to patients irrespective of affiliation. WHO needs to lead robust and systematic documentation of these violations, and countries and the medical community need to take steps to improve compliance, protection, and accountability.
Drought and declining reservoirs: Comparing media discourse in Arizona and New Mexico, 2002–2004

Abstract Media discourses about drought impacts on lakes and reservoirs in Arizona and New Mexico between 2002 and 2004 are compared to show how discursive contexts shape the framing of drought in temporal and spatial scales. Discursive contexts in the two states are shaped by their cultural and political histories and the differential development of water delivery infrastructures. Quantitative mapping of keywords in the states’ main newspapers shows how New Mexico experienced more conflict and Arizona more surprise about the drought. Qualitative case studies link these patterns to variation in framing between the states. In particular, the shorter temporal scale in New Mexico is linked to a greater sense of emergency, while the longer temporal scale in Arizona reflects the buffering of urban populations from drought through water delivery infrastructure. The finer spatial scale in Arizona, focusing on urban concerns, reflects an established infrastructure of reservoirs while the broader spatial scale in New Mexico, incorporating both rural and urban concerns, reflects a less developed physical infrastructure and greater prevalence of water rights conflicts. This study illustrates the usefulness of a multifaceted approach to the study of media discourse.
Studies on deposition parameters of silicon-nitride films prepared by a silane—nitrogen plasma-enhanced-chemical-vapour-deposition process nitride films prepared by a silane—nitrogen

Silicon-nitride films were deposited by a plasma-enhanced-chemical-vapour-deposition (PECVD) technique using silane-nitrogen as the reactant-gas sources. The influence of the process parameters (such as the flow ratio of the reactant gases, the pressure, the substrate temperature, the radio frequency (r.f.) power, the time of deposition and the electrode spacing) on the deposition and etch rates were investigated and the experimental results are presented in detail.
Processing Time Decreases Globally at an Exponential Rate during Childhood and Adolescence.

Abstract Children (N = 108) from 6 to 16 years of age and adults (N = 108) were tested on four speeded tasks that included 19 different experimental conditions. The 6- to 16-year-olds′ response times (RTs) increased linearly as a function of adults′ RTs in those same conditions. The slope of this linear function declined exponentially with age at a rate that could be predicted accurately from values established in previous research.
Supramolecular photochemical self-assemblies for fluorescence “turn on” and “turn off” assays for chem-bio-helices

We describe the development of an optical sensing system for the high-throughput screening (HTS) of a broad range of biological molecules, whole cells, organisms and pathogens, and illustrate the technology applications by a hyaluronidase enzyme activity assay as a specific example. At the core of the technology described in this paper, is the exciton concept that is relevant to molecular aggregation. J-aggregates of cyanine dyes have a narrower, red-shifted absorption band compared to monomer. We demonstrate that self-assembly may be driven by the helicogenic nature of the cyanine dye, converting the linear polymers of hyaluronic acid or carboxymethyl cellulose into supramolecular helical assemblies. This self-assembly is accompanied by an intense, sharp, red-shifted J-aggregate fluorescence. We utilized this property to develop an assay for the enzyme hyaluronidase, based upon the concept of “scaffold destruction,” whereby the disruption/destruction of the hyaluronic acid polymer by hyaluronidase is accompanied by an attenuation of light emission from the J-aggregate. The extent of light attenuation provides an index of hyaluronidase activity. Other polymers of carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids and chemical polymers (such as the carbon nanotube) might provide a similar scaffold for helicogenic dyes upon which molecular aggregation can occur. A key feature of these assays is that they are label-free.
The effects of environmental change on the spatial and environmental determinants of community-level traits

An advantage of trait-based approaches to ecology is the ability to predict the response of a species assemblage to environmental change through trait–environment relationships. Because species assemblages are also known to be affected by spatial processes, variation in community-level traits may be similarly affected by spatial structure. Furthermore, the importance of spatial structure may vary with changes to the environment. Using a dataset describing a local stream fish assemblage and environmental variables, we examine the relative contribution of environmental and spatial factors in explaining variation in community-level traits across seasons. We also test for any spatial structuring of community-level traits. For most traits, seasonal environmental change did not seem to alter the relative importance of environmental factors. Traits that did not vary consistently with environmental variables across seasons exhibited significant spatial structure. Overall, relationships between traits and environmental variables seemed to operate on a continuum with ‘environmental traits’ (those that were strongly correlated with environmental variables in response to environmental change) at one end to ‘spatial traits’ (those that did not correlate with environments, but exhibited spatial structure) at the other. We suggest that the distinction between these types of traits is important, as different modeling approaches would be appropriate in using community-level traits to predict the response of species assemblages to environmental change.
Comprehensive association analysis of nine candidate genes with serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels among healthy Caucasian subjects

Vitamin D deficiency is a common public health problem in the US. It is related to the high risk of rickets, osteoporosis and other diseases. Currently, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration is the best indicator of vitamin D status, and determination of its deficiency or sufficiency. This level has high heritability (28-80%). However, genes contributing to the wide variation in serum 25(OH)D are generally unknown. In this study, we screened nine important genes in vitamin D metabolic pathways using 49 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in a group of 156 unrelated healthy Caucasian subjects. Significant confounding factors that may affect serum 25(OH)D variations were used as covariates for the association analyses. An association test for quantitative trait was performed to evaluate the association between candidate genes and serum 25(OH)D levels. Permutation was conducted for correcting multiple testing problems. Evidence of association was observed at SNPs in the CYP2R1 (cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily R, polypeptide 1) and the GC (vitamin D binding protein) gene. Next, we performed a replication study for six promising SNPs in the gene CYP2R1 and GC, using another group of 340 unrelated healthy Caucasian subjects. Association analyses were conducted in the replication cohort (n = 340) and the pooled cohort (n = 496). The CYP2R1 gene and the GC gene remain significant in the pooled cohort. The results suggest that the CYP2R1 and GC genes may contribute to the variation of serum 25(OH)D levels in healthy populations.
The Clinical Model: The Optimum Approach to Supervision.

(1980). The Clinical Model: The Optimum Approach to Supervision. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 53, No. 5, pp. 238-240.
The burden of obesity among a national probability sample of veterans.

Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions in the United States.1 The most recent data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) for 1999 to 2000 reported age-adjusted rates for obesity of 30% for U.S. adults, an increase of almost 8% since NHANES III in 1994 to 1998.1 Lifestyle factors including excess calorie and fat intake and low levels of physical activity are central causes of obesity. The disease burden of overweight and obesity is well documented.2 Obesity is associated with higher rates of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and coronary artery disease.2 Obesity and overweight are also associated with poorer quality of life, earlier mortality, and increased health care costs.3–6 There are limited U.S. national epidemiological data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity, levels of physical activity and nutritional intake, and the health burden associated with obesity among veterans.7–9 Previous studies are limited by the use of convenience sampling, incomplete data, and data from a single VA site.7,8 Although well studied within the general population,2 the health effects of obesity among veterans are not well described. The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among veterans using a national probability sample of the U.S. adult population and to describe the association of obesity with lifestyle factors (diet and physical activity), health status, and disability, and with comorbid diseases (coronary heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia) among veterans who do and do not utilize the VA for health care services as well as nonveterans.
The effect of ambient pH changes on glucose absorption by the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta.

Abstract 1. Maximal rates of glucose transport by Hymenolepis diminuta are maintained within a significantly broader pH range (5·8–8·5) than has been reported for optimum glucose absorption by the rat host intestine (6·5–7·5). 2. Since the tapeworm infection reportedly results in an acidification of the host intestine, it is suggested that this broad pH optimum for the parasite's glucose transport system places the tapeworm in a favorable position for competing with the host for dietary glucose. 3. Higher H+ concentrations (i.e. pH values below 5·5) effect a significant reduction in Vmax but do not appreciably alter K1 for the H. diminuta glucose transport system. 4. In that reducing the ambient Na+ concentration has been shown previously to have a similar effect in this and other species, it is suggested that the degree to which tapeworm Na+-dependent glucose transport is sensitive to pH may be determined by the pK vaues of the Na+ binding sites at the sugar transport loci.
Efficient Simulation of Short and Long-Wave Interactions With Applications to Capillary Waves

A perturbation expansion and a multigrid technique are developed for simulating the fully-nonlinear unsteady-interaction of short waves riding on long gravity waves. Both numerical techniques are capable of simulating wave slopes near breaking and wavelength ratios greater than thirty, but the multigrid technique converges more rapidly and it is more efficient.
Controllable Targets Near a Chaotic Attractor

A nonlinear system with a chaotic attractor produces random like motion on the attractor. As a consequence, there must exist a neighborhood about any given point on or near the attractor such that the system will visit the neighborhood in finite time. This observation leads to a very simple “Chaotic control” algorithm for bringing nonlinear systems to a fixed point. Suppose that the system to be controlled is either naturally chaotic or that chaotic motion can be produced by means of open loop control. Suppose also, a neighborhood of the desired fixed point can be found, such that, using standard feedback control techniques, the system is guaranteed to be driven to the fixed point. If this neighborhood also has points in common with the chaotic attractor it is then called a “controllable target” for the fixed point. The chaotic control algorithm consists of first using, if necessary, open loop control to generate chaotic motion and then wait for the system to move into the controllable target. At such a time the open loop control is turned off and the appropriate closed loop control applied. The basic requirement with this approach is, of coarse, being able to determine a large controllable target. The following method is used here: The system is first linearized about the desired fixed point solution. If necessary, a feedback controller is then designed so that this reference solution has suitable stability properties. A Lyapunov function is then obtained based on this stable linear system.
On symmetrical three-dimensional datum conversion

A 3-D similarity transformation is frequently used to convert GPS-WGS84-based coordinates to those in a local datum using a set of control points with coordinate values in both systems. In this application, the Gauss-Markov (GM) model is often employed to represent the problem, and a least-squares approach is used to compute the parameters within the mathematical model. However, the Gauss–Markov model considers the source coordinates in the data matrix (A) as fixed or error-free; this is an imprecise assumption since these coordinates are also measured quantities and include random errors. The errors-in-variables (EIV) model assumes that all the variables in the mathematical model are contaminated by random errors. This model may be solved using the relatively new total least-squares (TLS) estimation technique, introduced in 1980 by Golub and Van Loan. In this paper, the similarity transformation problem is analyzed with respect to the EIV model, and a novel algorithm is described to obtain the transformation parameters. It is proved that even with the EIV model, a closed form Procrustes approach can be employed to obtain the rotation matrix and translation parameters. The transformation scale may be calculated by solving the proper quadratic equation. A numerical example and a practical case study are presented to test this new algorithm and compare the EIV and the GM models.
Optical Testing Of Off-Axis Parabolic Segments Without Auxiliary Optical Elements

The traditional optical test for an off-axis segment of a parabolic mirror utilizes an autocollimation flat and requires considerable test-bay space. Several other test configurations that will minimize space requirements are described. One method involves a null corrector, and three others require no auxiliary test optics. Combinations of the methods described will be useful in providing full independent evaluation of the figure of the segment under test.
GRO family chemokines are specialized for monocyte arrest from flow

Chemokines participate in various processes of monocyte recruitment including monocyte arrest and migration. Our group and others have demonstrated that growth-related oncogene (GRO)-α (CXCL1) can ...
Theory of Filtration of Ceramics: I, Slip Casting

The theory of colloidal filtration in slip casting of ceramics as developed by Aksay and Schilling for incompressible cakes has been extended to compressible materials. The rate of cake deposition in the mold depends upon the capillary pressure and permeability of the mold. Assuming that the capillary pressure is inversely proportional to an average diameter typifying the mold and that the permeability is directly proportional to the square of the diameter, an optimum diameter exists for production of maximum pressure drop across the cake and maximum rate of deposition.
SOME OBSERVATIONS AND AN HYPOTHESIS CONCERNING THE EARLY STAGES OF RADIATION RECOVERY.

Data are presented relating to the fluctuations in radiosensitivity, as determined by the acute LD/sub 50/, of two inbred strains of mice within the four days following conditioning whole-body irradiation. The kinetics of this recuperative process are typified by an initial minimum in radiosensitivity, succeeded by a rise to a maximum, terminating in a progressive return to the preirradiation level. A review of the relevant literature reveals the same kind of kinetics in other systems. It is therefore suggested that this is a general phenomenon applicable to the effects of divided doses of radiation on mammalian cell reproductive integrity. An hypothesis is proposed to account for these recuperation kinetics, based largely upon the evidence for generation phase- dependent radiosensitivity differences in division delay and survival of cell reproductive integrity. (auth)
Arthroscopic versus open shoulder stabilization: current practice patterns in the United States.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate current trends in arthroscopic and open shoulder stabilization in the United States. Methods Patients who underwent arthroscopic shoulder stabilization (Current Procedural Terminology code 29806) or open stabilization (Current Procedural Terminology codes 23455 [open Bankart repair], 23460 [anterior bone block], and 23462 [coracoid transfer]) were identified using a national database of insurance billing records during the years 2004 through 2009. Demographic data were recorded for each patient. Results From 2004 through 2009, there were 23,096 cases of shoulder stabilization, of which 84% (19,337) were arthroscopic and 16% (3,759) were open procedures. There were 17,241 male patients (75%) and 5,855 female patients (25%). The incidence of arthroscopic shoulder stabilization nearly doubled during the period studied, increasing from 11.8 cases for every 10,000 patients in 2004 to 22.9 cases for every 10,000 patients in 2009. The percentage of arthroscopic stabilizations increased from 71% of stabilization procedures in 2004 to 89% in 2009, whereas the percentage of open stabilizations decreased from 29% in 2004 to 11% in 2009 ( P P P Conclusions The current data indicate that arthroscopic stabilization is performed in nearly 90% of shoulder stabilization surgeries and nearly doubled in incidence from 2004 to 2009 in the United States. Additional research is needed to further investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of this practice pattern. Level of Evidence Level IV, retrospective database review.
Resolving Stellar Populations in Extragalactic Globular Cluster Systems

Photometric studies on globular cluster systems in early-type galaxies are widely used to resolve stellar populations in these galaxies. The knowledge of the age and metalicity structure within the globular cluster systems allows to set constraints on the major star formation episodes in the galaxy. Here we present our method of detecting age sub-populations in globular cluster systems based on optical/near-infrared observations and Monte-Carlo simulations. It is based on the determination of the cumulative age distribution and its comparison to simulated globular cluster systems. On various galaxies we will demonstrate the ability of our method to detect age sub-populations and show how we use the derived age structure to find correlations between various galaxy parameters and the formation/evolution of a given galaxy.