cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Equipment and Manufacturability Issues in CVD Processes

Device scaling continues to drive increasingly stringent requirements of thin films from the transistor through the interconnect layers. Such films that enable scaling include those in the high- k gate stack to minimize leakage, channel materials, and stressors for mobility enhancement, metals in the back end for low resistance interconnects, and low- k dielectrics to minimize parasitic capacitance. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is routinely utilized to deposit all the aforementioned films with a quality and throughput that delivers enhanced device performance and a reduced per transistor cost with each succeeding technology node. This chapter provides an overview of CVD equipment and the films CVD is capable of depositing in the device fabrication process. Several CVD technologies (including atmospheric, low-pressure, plasma-enhanced, and metal-organic CVD) and their applications in semiconductor manufacturing for depositing metals, dielectrics, and epitaxial semiconductors are reviewed. The goal here is to enable the reader to make an educated decision on which CVD technology to use based on application, material, and manufacturing needs. Practical matters related to CVD equipment and deposition such as metrology, contamination concerns, and equipment procurement are also covered. The chapter begins with a history of CVD and finishes with recent trends in CVD technology.
Sodium Orthovanadate Inhibits Proliferation and Triggers Apoptosis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in vitro.

Sodium orthovanadate (SOV) is a general inhibitor of tyrosine phosphatases, a large family of enzymes that catalyze the removal of phosphate groups from tyrosine residues. SOV is commonly used in the laboratory to preserve the protein tyrosyl phosphorylation state of proteins under study. It has shown promising antineoplastic activity in some human cancer cell lines; this effect has not been fully investigated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In this study, the effect of SOV on cell growth, proliferation, viability, and apoptosis was assessed in Cal27 cells, an oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell line. SOV exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth and decrease in cell viability and colony formation. The IC50 values for treatment lasting 72 h and 7 days were 25 and 10 μM, respectively. The cytotoxic effect of the drug was associated with poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase cleavage detected by immunoblot. Flow cytometry of Cal27 cells stained with annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide showed a dose-dependent increase in apoptosis that reached approximately 40% at 25 μM SOV. These findings demonstrate that SOV has in vitro antiproliferative and proapoptotic effect on OSCC cells.
Understanding and Curing Structural Defects in Colloidal GaAs Nanocrystals

GaAs is one of the most important semiconductors. However, colloidal GaAs nanocrystals remain largely unexplored because of the difficulties with their synthesis. Traditional synthetic routes either fail to produce pure GaAs phase or result in materials whose optical properties are very different from the behavior expected for quantum dots of direct-gap semiconductors. In this work, we demonstrate a variety of synthetic routes toward crystalline GaAs NCs. By using a combination of Raman, EXAFS, transient absorption, and EPR spectroscopies, we conclude that unusual optical properties of colloidal GaAs NCs can be related to the presence of Ga vacancies and lattice disorder. These defects do not manifest themselves in TEM images and powder X-ray diffraction patterns but are responsible for the lack of absorption features even in apparently crystalline GaAs nanoparticles. We introduce a novel molten salt based annealing approach to alleviate these structural defects and show the emergence of size-dependent ex...
The effect of Na on Cu-K-In-Se thin film growth

Abstract Co-evaporation of Cu-KF-In-Se was performed on substrates with varied Na supply. Compositions of interest for photovoltaic absorbers were studied, with ratios of (K + Cu)/In ∼ 0.85 and K/(K + Cu) ∼ 0–0.57. Bare soda-lime glass (SLG) substrates had the highest Na supply as measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry, while SLG/Mo and SLG/SiO2/Mo substrates led to 3x and 3000x less Na in the growing film, respectively. Increased Na supply favored Cu1−xKxInSe2 (CKIS) alloy formation as proven by X-ray diffraction (XRD), while decreased Na supply favored the formation of CuInSe2 + KInSe2 mixed-phase films. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed the KInSe2 precipitates to be readily recognizable planar crystals. Extrinsic KF addition during film growth promoted diffusion of Na out from the various substrates and into the growing film, in agreement with previous reports. Time-resolved photoluminescence showed enhanced minority carrier lifetimes for films with moderate K compositions (0.04
MEASUREMENT OF SWELLING OF INDIVIDUAL SMECTITE TACTOIDS IN SITU USING ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a novel method for measuring changes in clay swelling in situ at the tactoid level in an aqueous environment. While the swelling process has been directly observed at the mesoscale level for multi-tactoid aggregates and the associated pores, no method to date has allowed the direct observation of swelling dynamics at the nanoscale. In initial proof-of-concept studies, individual tactoids of a Na-exchanged nontronite (NAu-1) were imaged in a solution of 5 mM NaCl. When multiple line profiles were examined on the same tactoid, the changes in height varied and depended on which layers of the profile were transected, and demonstrated that AFM analyses can be used to directly probe intratactoid heterogeneity in the swelling process. To better visualize this heterogeneity, a method was developed to restrict AFM images to include only the portions of a tactoid above a threshold height. A comparison of the changes in these images for multiple threshold values revealed that swelling in one part of a tactoid may occur simultaneously with compression in another portion, which suggests that the encroachment of layers into intra-tactoid micropores can partially compensate for the overall volume change. Finally, to demonstrate the ability of this technique to monitor in situ swelling changes as the surrounding aqueous environment is modified, a tactoid of K-montmorillonite (SWy-2) was monitored during cation exchange as a KCl solution was replaced with NaCl. After exchange, a transition from the crystalline swelling regime to the osmotic regime was observed. Subsequent height profiles were unchanged for a period of several hours and indicated that the AFM measurements were stable in the absence of changes to the aqueous phase composition. Because this technique is the first method that allows the swelling of a single tactoid to be monitored in an aqueous solution, it complements the ensemble-averaged data obtained from diffraction and scattering techniques.
Regulation and Impact of Chromatin Decondensation in Mammalian Cells

Abstract 50 years ago Vincent Allfrey and colleagues discovered that lymphocyte activation promotes histone acetylation and gene expression. Recent studies clarified that G0 B cells proportionally amplify their transcriptome upon stimulation by a mechanism that involves Myc and TFIIH. We now show that B cell chromatin undergoes massive decondensation by the amplification of histone acetylation, methylation, and nucleosome remodeling. Super-resolution microscopy revealed that histone acetylation triggers rapid spreading of chromatin nanodomains from the periphery to the entire nucleus. Furthermore, nanodomains decompact into single nucleosome fibers by a process that requires Myc and ATP production. Using single molecule tracking, we show that chromatin decompaction increases the dynamics of transcription factor binding. Architecturally, B cell activation mediates a marked shift from long-range to short-range interactions and the formation of loops and contact domains that facilitate interaction between cognate regulatory elements. The data thus reveal the epigenetic and topological features that support transcriptome amplification, and help explain the primed nature of B cells. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Epigenetic Dysregulation in Pediatric Leukemia

Abstract Clinical and basic research in pediatric leukemia has been at the forefront of oncological advances since its inception, and results have also been successfully translated into effective therapeutics. This is reflected in the gratifying improvement in patient survival from 20% to 30% in the 1960s to greater than 90% in latest trials in the 2000s. This success is the result of the integration of multiagent chemotherapy, Central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis, disciplined randomized clinical trials, and appropriate risk stratification based upon biological and clinical risk groups. The recognition of distinct biological subgroups characterized by whole chromosome gains or losses, and translocations refined treatment stratification. Even more recently the development of high throughput genomic analysis led to the discovery of focal copy number gains/losses, somatic mutations, and gene expression signatures that drive leukemogenesis and resistance to therapy. All of these critical advances have focused on changes in the DNA code itself but it is increasingly clear that epigenetic alterations in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNAs play a major role in shaping gene expression. Indeed, many of the somatic alterations occur in genes that control these processes and the advent of novel agents that target the epigenome are in clinical trials.
An optimized method for 3D fluorescence co-localization applied to human kinetochore protein architecture

Two-color fluorescence co-localization in 3D (three-dimension) has the potential to achieve accurate measurements at the nanometer length scale. Here, we optimized a 3D fluorescence co-localization method that uses mean values for chromatic aberration correction to yield the mean separation with ~10 nm accuracy between green and red fluorescently labeled protein epitopes within single human kinetochores. Accuracy depended critically on achieving small standard deviations in fluorescence centroid determination, chromatic aberration across the measurement field, and coverslip thickness. Computer simulations showed that large standard deviations in these parameters significantly increase 3D measurements from their true values. Our 3D results show that at metaphase, the protein linkage between CENP-A within the inner kinetochore and the microtubule-binding domain of the Ndc80 complex within the outer kinetochore is on average ~90 nm. The Ndc80 complex appears fully extended at metaphase and exhibits the same subunit structure in vivo as found in vitro by crystallography.
Patterning and reduction of graphene oxide using femtosecond-laser irradiation

Abstract Graphene has emerged as one of the most versatile materials ever discovered due to its extraordinary electronic, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties. However, device fabrication is a well-known challenge and requires novel fabrication methods to realize the complex integration of graphene-based devices. Here, we demonstrate direct laser writing of reduced graphene oxide using femtosecond-laser irradiation at λ = 795 nm. We perform a systematic study of the reduction process of graphene oxide to graphene by varying both the laser fluence and the pulse repetition rate. Our observations show that the reduction has both thermal and non-thermal features, and suggest that we can achieve better resolution and conductivity using kHz pulse trains than using MHz pulse trains or a continuous wave laser. Our reduced graphene oxide lines written at 10-kHz exhibit a 5 order-of-magnitude decrease in resistivity compared to a non-irradiated control sample. This study provides new insight into the reduction process of graphene oxide and opens doors to achieving a high degree of flexibility and control in the fabrication of graphene layers.
Children-Centered Sensing in Early Childhood Classrooms

We envision a novel framework for observation tools in Montessori classrooms and other learning environments to facilitate informed interaction between teachers, caregivers, and children. An ongoing project is described as a case study in Montessori philosophy inspired sensing: designing unobtrusive sensor networks to understand and reflect on a child's learning progress, by instrumenting existing Montessori learning materials using distributed sensing techniques.
Classifying Aircraft Approach Type in the National General Aviation Flight Information Database

This work details the development of the “Go-Around Detection Tool”, a tool for classification of aircraft approach types for the National General Aviation Flight Information Database (NGAFID). The NGAFID currently houses over 700,000 h of per-second time series flight data recorder readings generated by over 400,000 flights from 8 fleet of aircraft and over 190 participating private individuals. The approach phase of flight is one of the most dangerous, and classifying types of approaches as stable or unstable, and if they were a go-around, touch-and-go, or stop-and-go is an especially important issue for flight safety monitoring programs. As General Aviation typically lacks the Weight on Wheels (WoW) technology and many others that exist within Commercial Aviation, there is difficulty in detecting landings and go-arounds as these need to be inferred somehow from the raw flight data. The developed application uses several airplane parameters reported by a flight data recorder and successfully detects go-arounds, touch-and-go landings, and stop-and-go landings as either stable or unstable with an accuracy of 98.14%. The application was tested using 100 student flights from the NGAFID, which generated 377 total approaches. Out of those approaches, 25.73% were classified as unstable. It was found that only 20.62% of all unstable approaches resulted with a go-around, which is far from the ideal 100% goal. Lastly, the application was parallelized and found to have a 9.75x speedup in doing so. The Go-Around Detection Tool can be used to provide post-flight statistics and user-friendly graphs on both an organizational- and individual-level for educational purposes. It is capable of assisting both new and experienced pilots for the safety of themselves, their organization, and General Aviation as a whole.
Dynamics of a Particle

We have seen that in an inertial reference frame, Euler’s first law (5.43) for the motion of the center of mass “particle” of a rigid body ℬ, a fictitious material point of mass m(ℬ) that moves with the body, has the same form as Newton’s second law (5.39) for the motion of a particle P of mass m(P). Hence, the motion of any such “material point” or “particle” is governed by the Newton-Euler law of motion, here written in its various forms as $$ F = \dot p = ma = m\dot v = m\ddot x, $$ (6.1) in which m is the mass of the “particle,” p=m v, and x, v, and a are its respective current position, velocity, and acceleration in an inertial reference frame.
Heterosis of quantitative trait loci modifying lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster

Knowledge of genes responsible for aging and death is a prerequisite for determining the relative contributions of the different evolutionary factors responsible for the limited duration of life. Polymorphism of these genes probably accounts for the variation in lifespan. Previously, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling this variation were mapped with the use of 98 recombinant inbred (RI) lines originating from two parental isogenic Drosophila melanogaster stocks. In each RI line, lifespan was measured for 25 males and 25 females, and alleles were established for 93 marker genes segregating between the parental lines. Significant correlation between marker segregation and lifespan was revealed for several chromosome regions. The lifespan genes had sex-specific effects and late age onset. In the present work, the effects of the QTLs were compared for homozygous and heterozygous flies. In Six out of the eight detected QTLs alleles that decreased lifespan were recessive. Heterosis was observed for a of QTL at 33E-38A. Thus, heterosis might contribute to maintaining variation in lifespan in natural populations.
Plasma Exchange in the Treatment of Patients with Systemic Amyloidosis

The demonstration of an amyloid degrading activity of human serum (Kedar et al., 1974) which appears to be defective in patients with amyloidosis led us to assess the possible benefits of plasma exchange through plasmapheresis in the therapy of advanced systemic amyloidosis. To date, five patients were enrolled in this program consisting of weekly plasmapheresis of a minimum three units of plasma which were replaced with fresh frozen plasma. One patient had primary amyloidosis, another one had rapidly progressing FAP while the other three patients had reactive systemic amyloidosis (RSA) with high SAA levels (11.2, 7.5, 8.3 µg/ml) accompanying tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, and recurrent tonsillities, respectively. 99m Technetium-diphosphonate scanning revealed amyloid deposits in the myocardium of three of these patients and in all their liver, spleen, and G.I. tract.
Predictors of satisfaction with Kenya’s police and Kenya’s criminal justice system: Results from a sample of Kenyan college students:

Although the influence of procedural justice on citizens’ satisfaction and cooperation with police has been tested in several geopolitical contexts, this is the first study to examine the relations...
Modiolar rotational cheiloplasty: Addressing the central oval in facial paralysis.

Objectives/hypothesis Current static reanimation of the midface fails to provide adequate functional and aesthetic improvement; there is a need for more effective static correction of the ptotic midface. Our objective herein was to describe a novel method of static midface suspension that produces improved functional and aesthetic outcomes compared to previous techniques. Specifically, our goal was to describe the technique of alar and oral commissure repositioning via modiolar rotational cheiloplasty with alar base transposition, and gingivobuccal sulcoplasty. Study design Retrospective case series. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the results of a series of adult patients desiring surgical intervention for paralysis of the central oval of the face at a tertiary care referral center. We present our technique of modiolar rotational cheiloplasty first with an example case, including subjective outcomes reported by the patient and objective improvements in facial appearance using Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Facial Assessment by Computer Evaluation Program (MEEI FACE-Gram) software, then demonstrate long-term outcomes from the series. Results Clinically, patients noted subjective improvement in drooling, buccal stasis of food, dysarthria, nasal obstruction, and overall appearance. Patients with significant atrophy and lateral displacement of the lower lip underwent concomitant wedge resection, which further improved the symmetry and position of the lips. The MEEI FACE-Gram software demonstrated objective improvement in symmetry of smile and position of the philtrum and nasal base in an example case. Conclusions Modiolar rotational cheiloplasty with alar base transposition is an effective and efficient static procedure for midface palsy that improves both function and appearance. Level of evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 129:2262-2268, 2019.
Efficacy of Talimogene Laherparepvec (T-VEC) Therapy in Patients with In-Transit Melanoma Metastasis Decreases with Increasing Lesion Size

Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) is the first injectable oncolytic viral therapy approved for in-transit melanoma metastasis, with a reported overall response rate (ORR) of 25% and complete response rate (CRR) of 10%. To ascertain the role of patient selection on outcomes in routine practice, we evaluated the impact of patient, lesion, and treatment factors on clinical response. Medical records were extracted for patients with recurrent stage IIIB–IV melanoma completing T-VEC at Duke University Medical Center between 1 January 2016 and 1 September 2018. Kaplan–Meier analysis assessed time to response and survival, while logistic regression measured associations of clinicopathologic status, lesion burden, T-VEC dosing, and use of prior and concurrent therapy with ORR and CRR. Of 27 patients, an objective response was observed in 11 (40.7%), including one patient with partial response (3.7%) and 10 with complete response (37.0%). Time to complete response and overall response was a median 22 weeks (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.0–41.9 weeks and 15.8–28.2 weeks, respectively), and median progression-free survival was 17 weeks (95% CI 0–36 weeks). Logistic regression demonstrated each millimeter increase in maximum lesion diameter predicted decreased ORR (odds ratio [OR] 0.866, 95% CI 0.753–0.995; p = 0.04). Stage IV disease (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00–0.74; p = 0.031) and programmed death-1 inhibitor treatment (OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.01–0.74; p = 0.028) also predicted reduced clinical response. This study corroborates recent data suggesting response rates to T-VEC may be higher than reported in clinical trials, arising in part from patient selection. T-VEC lesion diameter was persistently associated with clinical response and is a readily assessed predictor of successful T-VEC therapy.
Response of Two Florist Azalea Cultivars to Foliar Applications of a Growth Regulator

Abstract Bonzi (paclobutrazol) sprays of 100 and 150 ppm controlled bypass shoot development and increased flower number of ‘Alaska’ azalea compared to the control, while minimally affecting forcin...
Cysteine String Proteins: Presynaptic Function and Dysfunction

The observation that is the basis of this chapter is the finding by Zinsmaier and colleagues1 that neuronal degeneration is present in organisms with mutations of the gene encoding cysteine string proteins (csps). Since there is still a very limited number of instances in which neurodegenerative disorders have been traced to alterations of single genes, it is plausible that studies of csp mutants will provide useful insights into the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases. To develop this thesis, we will review what is known about csps and then consider scenarios by which mutation of the csp gene could have neurodegenerative sequelae.
Blunted cardiac output response to exercise in adolescents born preterm

Premature birth is associated with lasting effects, including lower exercise capacity and pulmonary function, and is acknowledged as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim was to evaluate factors affecting exercise capacity in adolescents born preterm, including the cardiovascular and pulmonary responses to exercise, activity level and strength. 21 preterm-born and 20 term-born adolescents (age 12–14 years) underwent strength and maximal exercise testing with thoracic bioimpedance monitoring. Baseline variables were compared between groups and ANCOVA was used to compare heart rate, cardiac output (Q) and stroke volume (SV) during exercise between groups while adjusting for body surface area. Preterm-borns had lower maximal aerobic capacity than term-borns (2.0 ± 0.5 vs. 2.5 ± 0.5 L/min, p = 0.01) and lower maximal power (124 ± 26 vs. 153 ± 33 watts, p < 0.01), despite similar physical activity scores. Pulmonary function and muscular strength did not differ significantly. Although baseline Q and SV did not differ between groups, preterm adolescents had significantly lower cardiac index (Qi) at 50, 75 and 100% of maximal time to exhaustion, driven by SV volume index (SVi, 50% max time: 53.0 ± 9.0 vs. 61.6 ± 11.4; 75%: 51.7 ± 8.4 vs. 64.3 ± 11.1; 100%: 51.2 ± 9.3 vs. 64.3 ± 11.5 ml/m2, all p < 0.01), with similar heart rates. Otherwise healthy and physically active adolescents born very preterm exhibit lower exercise capacity than term-born adolescents. Despite similar baseline cardiovascular values, preterm-born adolescents demonstrate significantly reduced Qi and SVi during incremental and maximal exercise.
Self-driving with One RGB Camera

We have used only one RGB camera with a tunable field of view to achieve self-driving. The study reveals that one RGB camera is sufficient for achieving self-driving. The optimal field of view of the camera is between 100 and 130 degrees.
Impact of trade credit on supply chains with downgraded customers

Trade credit is the liquidity provision from suppliers to customers. In this paper, we examine the use of trade credit in the supply chain after customer firm's credit rating being downgraded. We find that trade credit is likely to decrease after customers getting downgraded credit ratings. We further show that suppliers and customers will be both better off in profitability if trade credit increases following customers' credit rating downgrades. Given that the use of trade credit generally has a significant positive effect on suppliers' and customers' profitability, we show that this effect is stronger when customers receive credit rating downgrades. The empirical evidence in our paper suggests that strengthening the financial collaborations in the supply chain is a superior strategy relative to shrinking the financial collaborations under the circumstance that customer firms suffer from a growing financial constraint and financial distress.
ALTERATION AND PATHOLOGY OF CEREBRAL PROTEIN METABOLISM.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the alteration and pathology of cerebral protein metabolism and discusses whether factors that alters the physiological protein metabolism of the brain exist. Recent work has established that the major portion of the cerebral proteins is metabolically active. In terms of the turnover rate, brain can be compared with other organs, the average turnover rate of brain proteins being lower than that of the most active organs, but higher than a number of other organs. Within the brain, there is a spectrum of turnover rates with the lifetime of various proteins ranging from minutes to the life span of the animal. Galactosemia, one of the enzymes participating in the transformation of galactose into glucose (phosphogalactouridyl transferase) is almost completely absent. The resulting accumulation of galactose phosphate causes galactosuria, galactosemia, and probably other metabolic changes as well.
Checking properties of heap-manipulating procedures with a constraint solver

A method for finding bugs in object-oriented code is presented. It is capable of checking complex user-defined structural properties - that is, of the configuration of objects on the heap - and generates counterexample traces with no false alarms. It requires no annotation beyond the specification to be checked, and is fully automatic. The method relies on a three-step translation: from code to a formula in a first-order relational logic, then to a propositional formula, and finally to conjunctive normal form. An off-the-shelf SAT solver is then used to find a solution that constitutes a counter example. This underlying scheme, presented previously, does not scale readily. In this paper, we show how a suite of optimizations results in much improved scalability. The optimizations are based on a special treatment of relations that are known to be functional, and target all steps. The effect of the optimizations is demonstrated by application to the analysis of a red-black tree implementation.
Treatment of unipolar depression accompanied by delusions: ECT versus tricyclic antidepressant-antipsychotic combinations

A retrospective chart study conducted to compare the effectiveness of ECT to tricyclic antidepressant--antipsychotic combination therapy in the treatment of psychotic major depressive disorder. A favorable treatment response occurred in 86% of the ECT-treated patients and 42% of the antidepressant--antipsychotic-treated patients. Depressive symptoms showed improvement in all ECT-treated patients but only 50% of the tricyclic antidepressant--antipsychotic-treated patients. It was concluded that a significantly better treatment response can be expected in delusional depressed patients if treated with ECT rather than a tricyclic antidepressant--antipsychotic drug combination.
Structure and Dynamics of Proteins Adsorbed to Biomaterial Interfaces

Biomineralization, defined as the organized deposition of inorganic materials in the cellular or extracellular matrix, may be as simple a process as the formation of an iron oxide crystal in the vesicle of a magnetobacterium, or as complex a process as the formation of the intricate calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate structures found in marine coccoliths, invertebrate shells, vertebrate skeletons and teeth. The phenomenon of Biomineralization has attracted a great deal of attention recently from the materials science community, which seeks to understand the way in which inorganic biological composites are synthesized and processed in nature.
Umbrella-shaped gate field-effect transistor for biosensing measurements

Based on previous CMOS-compatible biosensor designs and the flash memory technology, a novel Umbrella-Shaped Field-Effect Transistor (UGFET) is realized as a biochemical charge sensor in the MOSIS AMIS 1.5 um standard CMOS process. The devices show high scalability and versatility needed for VLSI application. The UGFET device architecture is modified from previous CvMOS (Shen et al. 2003) and CMFET (Barbaro et al. 2006) designs and is scaled down to maximize the charge sensing area and drastically improve the chip density. The device simulation results show an approximate 1 volt increase in floating gate voltage for every 10 2 / nC cm charge density increase on the sensing electrode. The designed UGFET devices are quite stable and very sensitive to the gate potential change. Two methods based on shifts in the threshold voltage and drifts in the subthreshold voltage slope are developed to sense and detect miniscule charges in charged poly electrolytes and poly amino acids. All the measured results are consistent and show the applicability of using UGFET devices as charge-modulated biosensors. Array implemented sensor chips are also taped out and tested with biochemical solutions.
Routine Use of Sterile Fish in Salmonid Sport Fisheries

Abstract Since 1997, Idaho Department of Fish and Game hatchery and research personnel have worked cooperatively to develop a sterile trout program with the primary goals of protecting the genetic integrity of native stocks while continuing to supply hatchery-reared trout for harvest-oriented anglers. Results of recent field evaluations of sterile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) demonstrate that they provide recreational fisheries of equal or superior quality to normal diploid fish when stocked as catchables in streams or as fingerlings in productive lentic systems. Our preliminary evaluations suggest that use of sterile trout in high mountain lakes may require stocking adjustments or may eventually prove problematic because of lower survival rates. Sterile trout eggs can be readily purchased from commercial sources or produced from agency broodstocks with nominal equipment and manpower costs. To gain a better understanding of sterile fish use by other agencies, we conducted a U.S. state phone survey ...
Power analysis: attacks and countermeasures

Side channel cryptanalytic techniques, such as the analysis of instantaneous power consumption, have been extremely effective in attacking cryptographic implementations on simple hardware platforms. The significant economic ramifications of such attacks, especially on the smart card market, have spurred a scramble for countermeasures. Unfortunately, most of the proposed countermeasures are ad hoc and ineffective. This is largely due to the absence of a sound scientific basis for understanding side channel information leakage resulting in the lack of a methodology for designing and validating proposed countermeasures.A more scientific approach to the problem is to create a model for the power consumption characteristics of the device, and then design implementations that are provably secure in that model, i.e. they resist generic attacks with an a priori bound on the number of experiments. We propose such a model for power consumption and a generic programming technique to create provably secure implementations. We expect that this formal model will become the basis for further work in this area.
Seasonal time bombs: dominant temperate viruses affect Southern Ocean microbial dynamics

Rapid warming in the highly productive western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) region of the Southern Ocean has affected multiple trophic levels, yet viral influences on microbial processes and ecosystem function remain understudied in the Southern Ocean. Here we use cultivationindependent quantitative ecological and metagenomic assays, combined with new comparative bioinformatic techniques, to investigate double-stranded DNA viruses during the WAP spring– summer transition. This study demonstrates that (i) temperate viruses dominate this region, switching from lysogeny to lytic replication as bacterial production increases, and (ii) Southern Ocean viral assemblages are genetically distinct from lower-latitude assemblages, primarily driven by this temperate viral dominance. This new information suggests fundamentally different virus–host interactions in polar environments, where intense seasonal changes in bacterial production select for temperate viruses because of increased fitness imparted by the ability to switch replication strategies in response to resource availability. Further, temperate viral dominance may provide mechanisms (for example, bacterial mortality resulting from prophage induction) that help explain observed temporal delays between, and lower ratios of, bacterial and primary production in polar versus lower-latitude marine ecosystems. Together these results suggest that temperate virus–host interactions are critical to predicting changes in microbial dynamics brought on by warming in polar marine systems. The ISME Journal advance online publication, 21 August 2015; doi:10.1038/ismej.2015.125
Diageo, University College Dublin and the integrity of alcohol science: it's time to draw the line between public health and public relations

On 6 April 2006 Diageo Ireland, a subsidiary of Diageo plc, the world's largest producer and distributor of alcoholic beverages, announced the awarding of a grant of 1.5 million euros to the University College Dublin's (UCD)Geary Institute. The grant will fund a 3-year study of health risk behavior in relation to hazardous drinking among young adults (aged 18-25 years) in Ireland. In the context of growing industry involvement in alcohol research, we question the propriety of this funding initiative and ask the administration of UCD to reconsider their decision to accept it.
Unlocking the GATE to Differentiation: A Qualitative Study of Two Self-Contained Gifted Classes:

The main purpose of this qualitative study was to examine and describe the differentiation strategies implemented in 4th- and 5th-grade gifted classrooms, both self-contained, at a public elementary school located in California. This study documented, described, and captured the daily practice of two teachers and the teaching and learning experiences that occurred in a self-contained gifted program. Findings illuminated strategies teachers used to challenge and engage students. An emphasis on integrated units, student choice, and firsthand experiences characterized the curriculum in the gifted program. Teachers said they had more autonomy and academic freedom to differentiate curriculum for individual students than their colleagues who were teaching in the general education classrooms.
A Retrospective Clinical Analysis of Moderate to Severe Athletic Concussions

Objective: To investigate differences in clinical outcomes on the basis of gender and age after a moderate or severe concussion in a cohort of physically active subjects examined by a single clinician. Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective chart review of consecutive patients. Setting: Outpatient assessments by a single clinician with expertise in sports concussion. Patients: Physically active subjects seen for evaluation after a concussion experienced while participating in sports (N 194; 215 concussions; age mean standard deviation 19.19 8.53 years) were included. Interventions (Independent Variables): Intergroup differences and associations were examined by gender, age group (18 years and 18 years), and concussion grade for all outcome measures. Main Outcome Measurements: Separate 2 tests were used to assess associations between gender, age group, and symptom duration group (7 days, 8-90 days, 90 days), the presence of depression, the presence of loss of consciousness, altered school or work, and concussion grade. Separate independent samples t-tests was used to examine differences in symptom reporting and time to recovery. Results: No association was observed between gender and any measured characteristics (P .05). Subjects 18 years or older took longer to recover (315.77 days), compared with younger subjects (91.31 days) (t213 2.01, P .049). Older subjects also reported more concussions than did younger ones, 4.33 and 2.37, respectively (t213 3.77, P .001). Conclusions: Allconcussionsincludedinthisstudyweremoderatetosevereinnatureas definedbytheRevisedCantuGradingScale.Contrarytoexistingliteratureregardinggender differences in concussion of a lesser severity, no gender differences were observed in this sample. Age differences were observed, with the population of subjects who were 18 years and older experiencing a greater number and duration of concussion symptoms than the younger group. Developing evidence-based return-to-play progressions and rehabilitation strategies in this population is the next frontier for concussion researchers. PM R 2010;2:1088-1093
Pharmacologic intervention and treatment of childhood seizure disorders: relative efficacy and safety of antiepileptic drugs.

Summary: : Four antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) represent > 90% of all AEDs prescribed in the United States. The efficacies of the available AEDs are surprisingly similar and far from complete, and none is entirely safe. Thus, the incidence of side effects is often the determining factor in the choice of AED. Clinical decisions about which AED to select should be made on the basis of the combination of efficacy and toxicity, expressed as a protective or therapeutic index (TI). Efficacy seldom comes without some degree of toxicity, whereas toxicity can occur in the absence of any efficacy. As the dose of the AED increases, efficacy can reach a plateau but toxicity does not. Complete seizure control should not be the final goal of epilepsy treatment; optimal AED therapy is equal to the highest possible TI, not necessarily to maximal seizure control. Each AED has a different TI, and each has a different TI in every patient. This is confounded further when combinations of AED are prescribed.
Bose-Einstein Condensation in a Circular Waveguide

We have produced Bose-Einstein condensates in a ring-shaped magnetic waveguide. The few-millimeter diameter, nonzero-bias ring is formed from a time-averaged quadrupole ring. Condensates that propagate around the ring make several revolutions within the time it takes for them to expand to fill the ring. The ring shape is ideally suited for studies of vorticity in a multiply connected geometry and is promising as a rotation sensor.
Barriers to the initiation and maintenance of prostate specific antigen screening in Black American and Afro-Caribbean men.

Purpose: Black American and Afro-Caribbean men may experience the highest incidence of prostate cancer globally. We examined the effect of race/ethnicity on the initiation and maintenance of annual prostate specific antigen screening and the role of physicians in screening continuity in these high risk groups.Materials and Methods: Stratified cluster sampling of census tract blocks in Brooklyn, New York yielded 533 male participants 45 to 70 years old. The men were classified into 4 racial/ethnic groups, including white men born in the United States, black men born in the United States, immigrant Jamaican men, and immigrant men from Trinidad and Tobago. Participants recorded the number of prostate specific antigen tests performed in the last 10 years. Subject adherence was calculated as annually screened, less than annually screened and never screened. Multinomial logistic regression was used to compare screening behavior across the ethnic groups.Results: Overall 28.3% of participants reported annual scre...
Magnitude and Reliability of Measurements of Muscle Strength across Trials for Individuals with Mental Retardation

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the magnitude and reliability of strength measures on the Nicholas Manual Muscle Tester for individuals with mental retardation. 17 subjects were given six trials with the dominant and nondominant flexor and extensor muscle groups. No significant differences were found between dominant and nondominant muscle groups by side or by muscle group. Interclass correlations ranged from .96 to .98 for six and three trials, respectively. It was concluded that the test was appropriate for reliably assessing strength in this population and that these individuals can achieve a sufficient magnitude on three trials for a reliable measure of strength.
Recent Excitement in the Ionotropic Glutamate Receptor Field

: The synapse is a specialized cellular junction with an elaborate and highly evolved capacity for signal transduction. At excitatory synapses, the neurotransmitter glutamate is released from the presynaptic nerve terminal and stimulates several types of glutamate receptors in the postsynaptic membrane. These include the ionotropic receptors, which are glutamate-gated cation channels, and the metabotropic receptors, which are G protein-coupled seven-transmembrane receptors. The ionotropic glutamate receptors have received special attention because of growing evidence that changes in their synaptic abundance, posttranslational modification, or molecular interactions can provide long-term changes in synaptic strength. This review summarizes new information about the ionotropic glutamate receptors and relates receptor function to the organization of the postsynaptic membrane and the regulation of electrophysiologic and biochemical signaling at the synapse.
Toward a broader conceptualization of development: The role of gains and losses across the life span

Abstract Developmental psychologists traditionally have conceived of childhood primarily as a time of positive change, or gain, and old age primarily as a time of negative change, or loss. Life-span developmental psychologists recently have challenged these assumptions, asserting that gains and losses are ubiquitous across the life span. While generally supporting this assertion, we suggest that the relation between developmental gains and losses needs to be considered in more depth. Even life-span developmentalists seem to have assumed that gains and losses are causally related, and that the direction of causality is determined by age. In this paper, we review previous considerations of gains and losses. Then, we show that losses during early life are not necessarily responses to gains, and that gains during later life are not necessarily responses to losses. Finally we suggest criteria and methods for assessing four alternative models (unrelated phenomenon, spurious phenomenon, suppression, and compensation) relevant to the causality and directionality of the relation between developmental gains and losses.
Improving the clinical risk score: an analysis of molecular biomarkers in the era of modern chemotherapy for resectable hepatic colorectal cancer metastases.

Background The prognostic relevance of variations in expression of specific tumor genes in colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLMs) in patients treated with resection and modern chemotherapy is not known. Methods Patients submitted to liver resection for CRCLM between January 2000 and October 2007 were studied. A clinical risk score (CRS; range, 0–5) was calculated for each patient. RNA was extracted from histologically confirmed tumor isolates, and using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies, we assessed the quantitative expression of 12 genes with potential importance in chemotherapy resistance and tumor progression, including thymidylate synthase (TS; 5-fluorouracil), excision repair cross complementing gene-1, and xeroderma pigmentosum groups A through G (oxaliplatin), topoisomerase-I (irinotecan), c-met, and hepatocyte growth factor. Primary outcomes were recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) after hepatic resection. Results One-hundred fifty-five patients with good quality tumor mRNA were identified. Median follow-up was 32 months for survivors, and the median CRS was 2. Eighty-seven patients (56%) received preoperative chemotherapy, and 124 (80%) received postoperative chemotherapy. Median RFS for all patients was 13 months, and 3-year DSS was 69%. Median RFS and 3-year DSS for patients with an increased CRS (3–5) was lower (7 vs 18 months [P Conclusion In patients with hepatic CRCLM treated with resection and modern chemotherapy, increased expression of TS improves outcome stratification and appears to be a useful biomarker.
Separating Fact from Fiction: A Challenge for the Media [Soapbox]

?It ain?t what you don?t know that gets you into trouble. It?s what you know for sure that just ain?t so.?
Inhibition of Pseudomonas fluorescens by hydroxycinnamic acids and their alkyl esters.

Alkyl esters of six hydroxycinnamic acids and cinnamic acid were evaluated in a liquid medium for their effectiveness in inhibiting the growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens, a bacterium commonly implicated in food spoilage. Compounds were tested at concentrations of 0–250 ppm, using turbidity as a measurement of growth. At 125 ppm, esters of p-coumaric and caffeic acids were more inhibitory than either methyl or propyl paraben. Methyl esters of methoxylated cinnamic acids were much less inhibitory than the methyl esters of the corresponding positional hydroxylated cinnamic acids. The results indicate that esters of certian of these naturally occurring hydroxycinnamic acids may be useful as food additives to extend shelf life by inhibiting microbial growth.