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With digital-image correlation techniques, it is now possible to measure the forming-limit diagram, FLD, of metal sheet using both strains outside (Bragard-type analysis) and inside (temporal, correlation-coefficient calculation) of a necking instability. We performed these measurements using the Marciniak and Kuczynski, MK, specimen geometry on three metals having very different strain-rate sensitivities: Zn20, a Zn-Cu-Ti alloy; a cold-rolled steel; and an AA6061-T4 aluminum alloy. The relationship between the Bragard type and temporal FLDs was very different depending on the metal’s strain-rate sensitivity. For the highly strain-rate sensitive Zn20, m = 0.075, the temporal FLD was well above the Bragard type for all strain states, from uniaxial tension to balanced-biaxial deformation. In the case of the cold-rolled steel, m = 0.015, the two analyses were equivalent in balanced-biaxial deformation, but the temporal results were higher in plane-strain and uniaxial tension, by 25 and 40%, respectively. The two types of FLD curves were equivalent for all strain states for the AA6061-T4 aluminum alloy, m = zero. In addition, we found that the strain paths followed by the three metals were different for the same MK sample geometries. These differences were due to different shapes of the yield/flow loci, as confirmed based on visco-plastic self-consistent simulations. These results indicate that engineers should account for the different FLDs for positive strain-rate sensitive metals, possibly as upper and lower bounds. In addition, it appears that for metals with yield/flow loci like that of the AA6061-T4 aluminum alloy, certain strain paths between plane strain and balanced-biaxial deformation are difficult to attain when using the MK-type sample geometry.

Non-responsive celiac disease (NRCD) has many aetiologies, including gluten exposure. Budesonide may be used for refractory celiac disease (RCD) and celiac crisis. We reviewed the effectiveness of budesonide to induce clinical and histologic response in NRCD with villous atrophy (VA). Case series of adult cases with NRCD and VA prescribed budesonide at two celiac centers. Clinical variables and mucosal recovery (i.e., normal villous architecture within 1 year of treatment) were evaluated. Forty-two cases [77% female, median age 45.0 (IQR 28.3–60.0) years] were included. Most common symptoms were diarrhea (64%) and abdominal pain (62%). Budesonide was initiated at 9 mg (83%) for a median duration of 16.0 weeks (IQR 6.8–25.0 weeks). In total, 57% exhibited a clinical response, positively associated with diarrhea (adjusted OR 6.08 95% CI 1.04–35.47) and negatively with fatigue (adjusted OR 0.18 95% CI 0.03–0.98). Clinical response was higher among those with dietitian counseling prior to budesonide (n = 29, 70 vs. 23%, p

Background Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are widely used for malaria diagnosis of both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections. Although RDTs are a reliable and practical diagnostic tool, the sensitivity of histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2)-based RDTs can be reduced if pfhrp2 or pfhrp3 (pfhrp2/3) gene deletions exist in the Plasmodium falciparum parasite population. This study evaluated dried blood spot (DBS) samples collected from a national household survey to investigate the presence of pfhrp2/3 deletions and the performance of the RDT used in the cross-sectional survey in a low transmission setting. Methods The 2015 Ethiopia Malaria Indicator Survey tested household members by RDT and collected DBS samples. DBS (n = 2648) from three regions in northern Ethiopia were tested by multiplex bead-based antigen detection assay after completion of the survey. The multiplex assay detected pan-Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), pAldolase, and HRP2 antigens in samples. Samples suspected for pfhrp2/3 gene deletions (pLDH and/or pAldolase positive but low or absent HRP2) were further investigated by molecular assays for gene deletions. Antigen results were also compared to each individual’s RDT results. Dose–response logistic regression models were fit to estimate RDT level of detection (LOD) antigen concentrations at which 50, 75, 90, and 95% of the RDTs returned a positive result during this survey. Results Out of 2,648 samples assayed, 29 were positive for pLDH or pAldolase antigens but low or absent for HRP2 signal, and 15 of these samples (51.7%) were successfully genotyped for pfhrp2/3. Of these 15 P. falciparum infections, eight showed single deletions in pfhrp3, one showed a single pfhrp2 deletion, and six were pfhrp2/3 double-deletions. Six pfhrp2 deletions were observed in Tigray and one in Amhara. Twenty-five were positive for HRP2 by the survey RDT while the more sensitive bead assay detected 30 HRP2-positive samples. A lower concentration of HRP2 antigen generated a positive test result by RDT compared to pLDH (95% LOD: 16.9 ng/mL vs. 319.2 ng/mL, respectively). Conclusions There is evidence of dual pfhrp2/3 gene deletions in the Tigray and Amhara regions of Ethiopia in 2015. As the prevalence of malaria was very low (

Background: Some weight loss medications, including liraglutide 3.0 mg, are thought to facilitate weight loss by improving appetite control. However, no studies have evaluated their long-term appetitive effects. Subjects/Methods: This study examined changes in appetite in a subsample of 113 adults with obesity (76.1% female, 55.8% white, BMI = 38.8±4.8 kg/m2) who participated in a 52-week trial. Participants were randomized to intensive behavioral therapy alone (IBT-alone), IBT with liraglutide 3.0 mg/day (IBT-liraglutide), or IBT-liraglutide combined with a 12-week meal replacement diet (Multi-component). Participants rated their hunger, fullness after meals, liking of meals, and food preoccupation (all as experienced over the past week) using visual analogue scales (0-100 mm). Ratings were completed at baseline and 8 subsequent visits over the year. Results: At week 52, participants treated by IBT-alone lost 6.2±1.6% of baseline weight, compared with 11.8±1.6% and 12.1±1.5% in the IBT-liraglutide and Multi-component groups, respectively. Compared to IBT-alone, IBT-liraglutide participants reported larger reductions at week 6 in hunger (−0.3±4.2 vs −16.8±4.0 mm, p=.005) and food preoccupation (+0.2±3.7 vs −16.3±3.6 mm, p=.002) and larger increases in fullness (−5.1±3.2 vs +9.8±3.0 mm, p=.001). These significant differences persisted at all assessments through week 24. There were no differences between IBT-alone and IBT-liraglutide in meal liking. IBT-alone and Multi-component participants differed in hunger at week 6, and in food preoccupation at all assessments through week 24. Multi-component participants reported reduced liking of meals relative to the IBT-alone and IBT-liraglutide groups through weeks 40 and 52, respectively. There were no other differences among any groups at week 52. Conclusions: Consistent with short-term studies, IBT-liraglutide participants reported greater improvements in hunger, fullness, and food preoccupation than those assigned to IBT-alone. Differences in appetite persisted for 24 weeks but were not maintained at week 52, despite the relatively greater weight losses in the liraglutide-treated participants at the trial’s end.

To examine the relationship between food cravings and food addiction as defined by the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) and to assess the effects of these variables on weight loss during a 14-week group lifestyle modification program. Data were from 178 participants who were prescribed a 1000-1200 kcal/day portion-controlled diet and provided with weekly group lifestyle modification sessions. Participants completed the Food Craving Inventory and YFAS pre- and post-treatment. Weight was measured weekly. Participants with YFAS-defined food addiction (6.7%) reported more frequent overall food cravings relative to those without food addiction. More frequent food cravings at baseline were associated with less weight loss over the 14 weeks. Analyzed categorically, participants in the highest tertile of baseline food cravings lost 7.6 ± 0.5% of initial weight, which was significantly less compared to those in the lowest tertile who lost 9.1 ± 0.5%. Percent weight loss did not differ significantly between participants with YFAS-defined food addiction (6.5 ± 1.2%) and those who did not meet criteria (8.6 ± 0.3%). Addictive-like eating behaviors significantly declined from pre- to post-treatment. Participants with frequent food cravings lost less weight than their peers. Targeted interventions for food cravings could improve weight loss in these individuals. Few participants met YFAS-defined criteria for food addiction. Addictive-like eating behaviors tended to decline during behavioral weight loss, but neither baseline nor change in YFAS scores predicted weight loss.

The advancement of point-of-care diagnostics and the decentralization of healthcare have created a need for the simple, safe, standardized and painless collection of blood specimens. Here, we describe the design and implementation of a capillary blood-collection device that is more convenient and less painful than a fingerstick and venepuncture, and collects 100 µl of blood. The technology integrates into a compact, self-contained device an array of solid microneedles, a high-velocity insertion mechanism, stored vacuum, and a microfluidic system containing lithium heparin anticoagulant. The use of the device requires minimal training, as blood collection is initiated by the single push of a button. In a clinical study involving 144 participants, haemoglobin A1c measurements from device-collected samples and from venous blood samples were equivalent, and the pain associated with the device was significantly less than that associated with venepuncture. The device, which has received premarket clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration, should help improve access to healthcare, and support healthcare decentralization.

This study examined the recovery of both physical and biotic characteristics of small (

OSIRIS-REx is the first NASA mission to return a sample of an asteroid to Earth. Navigation and flight dynamics for the mission to acquire and return a sample of asteroid 101955 Bennu establish many firsts for space exploration. These include relatively small orbital maneuvers that are precise to ∼1 mm/s, close-up operations in a captured orbit about an asteroid that is small in size and mass, and planning and orbit phasing to revisit the same spot on Bennu in similar lighting conditions. After preliminary surveys and close approach flyovers of Bennu, the sample site will be scientifically characterized and selected. A robotic shock-absorbing arm with an attached sample collection head mounted on the main spacecraft bus acquires the sample, requiring navigation to Bennu’s surface. A touch-and-go sample acquisition maneuver will result in the retrieval of at least 60 grams of regolith, and up to several kilograms. The flight activity concludes with a return cruise to Earth and delivery of the sample return capsule (SRC) for landing and sample recovery at the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR).

Captive-taking is an extensive international and domestic problem that faces law enforcement, as well as the military and intelligence communities. To date, a modicum of research has been done to understand these offenders and the methods they employ in the commission of their crimes. Understanding the tactics, techniques, and procedures that perpetrators use to execute a captive-taking event will better prepare law enforcement agencies and others to prevent, mitigate, respond to, and recover from captive-taking incidents. The current research is drawn from a pilot study consisting of interviews of seven captive-takers. Consensual qualitative analysis was utilized to draw conclusions from the interview transcripts about the modus operandi of these perpetrators. Sixty-one domains of M.O. were yielded, grouped into 35 core ideas, and cross analyzed with weighted labels identifying the frequency each particular domain/core idea arose. The results presented are unique because they are derived directly from the perspective of the captive-takers themselves and the data were gathered using a systematic methodological approach (Perpetrator-Motive Research Design). Limitations, strengths and future research directions are also discussed.

Beclin 1 is a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor that is decreased in many human tumors. The function of beclin 1 in cancer has been attributed primarily to its role in the degradative process of macroautophagy. However, beclin 1 is a core component of the vacuolar protein sorting 34 (Vps34)/class III phosphatidylinositoI-3 kinase (PI3KC3) and Vps15/p150 complex that regulates multiple membrane-trafficking events. In the current study, we describe an alternative mechanism of action for beclin 1 in breast cancer involving its control of growth factor receptor signaling. We identify a specific stage of early endosome maturation that is regulated by beclin 1, the transition of APPL1-containing phosphatidyIinositol 3-phosphate-negative (PI3P(-)) endosomes to PI3P(+) endosomes. Beclin 1 regulates PI3P production in response to growth factor stimulation to control the residency time of growth factor receptors in the PI3P(-)/APPL(+)-signaling-competent compartment. As a result, suppression of BECN1 sustains growth factor-stimulated AKT and ERK activation resulting in increased breast carcinoma cell invasion. In human breast tumors, beclin 1 expression is inversely correlated with AKT and ERK phosphorylation. Our data identify a novel role for beclin 1 in regulating growth factor signaling and reveal a mechanism by which loss of beclin 1 expression would enhance breast cancer progression.

Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada supports important sport and aboriginal-subsistence fisheries and is among the last remaining pristine great lakes of the world. The lake’s unique ecology is characterized by a harsh subarctic climate, low productivity and species diversity, and high intraspecific diversity of lake trout. These aspects in combination with geographical remoteness present special challenges to the management of two exceptionally different fisheries. The history of its management has not been well documented or reviewed; therefore, our objectives in this paper were to summarize the history and status of Great Bear Lake’s fisheries and their management, and to identify gaps in knowledge, future challenges, and actions required to meet those challenges. Prior to 1970, management goals for the lake had not been established formally, and harvest numbers and biological characteristics of fish were unknown. To reduce data gaps, creel surveys, gillnet assessments, fish tagging, and subsistence monitoring were implemented. During the 1980s, Canada established the management goal of conserving a high quality sport fishery, while protecting aboriginal access to the subsistence fishery. On the basis of assessment data, lodge harvest quotas, lodge guest capacity limits, individual angler harvest limits, and angler licensing were among the management actions taken to achieve that goal. Since 2005, decision making has been guided by the “water heart,” a management plan for Great Bear Lake. Management has since evolved into a complex co-management system among aboriginal, territorial, and federal governments. Changes in regulations, sport trophy and tourism industries, subsistence resource use, and social and cultural norms and practices contributed to changes in the Great Bear Lake fishery and its management. In the future, anthropogenic and climate change are the two main challenges facing co-management of the lake’s resources. We recommend the adoption of an ecosystem approach to management, establishment of a fishery technical committee, reformulation of the current plan, explicit commitment to evaluation, conducting community-based monitoring, and development and use of a joint strategic plan among co-managers to describe how to interact and implement the Great Bear Lake management plan.

This paper examines the effects of alcohol consumption on university undergraduate students in eight management schools in the province of Ontario, Canada. The study establishes two contrasting groups—the socially oriented and the academically oriented. It elaborates on the potential consequences that excessive drinking may have on the learning, ethics, and self‐efficacy of these emerging adults and their interaction with classmates and faculty. These results will help to determine how alcohol affects the student experience, engagement, and success while attending a postsecondary institution.

Many structural brain asymmetries accompany left hemisphere language dominance. For example, the cingulate sulcus is larger in the medial cortex of the right hemisphere, while the more dorsal paracingulate sulcus is larger on the left. The functional significance of these asymmetries is unknown because fMRI studies rarely attempt to localize activation to specific sulci, possibly due to difficulties in consistent sulcal identification. In medial cortex, for example, there are many regions of partial sulcal overlap where MRI images do not provide sufficient information to unambiguously distinguish a paracingulate sulcus from a displaced anterior cingulate segment. As large samples of postmortem material are rarely available for cytoarchitectural studies of sulcal variation, we have investigated the effect of variation in boundary and sulcal definition on paracingulate asymmetry in the MRI scans of 200 healthy adults (100 men, 100 women). Although women displayed a reliable asymmetry in the size of the paracingulate sulcus, regardless of boundary definition or technique, asymmetry was greatest when (1) the measurement was limited to the midcingulate region between the genu and the anterior commissure; and (2) the more dorsal of two overlapping sulci was always classified as a paracingulate sulcus (rather than as a displaced cingulate segment). The fact that paracingulate asymmetry is maximal in the midcingulate region suggests that this region may play a particular role in hemispheric specialization for language. Future work should investigate the structural and functional correlates of sulcal variation in this region.

To determine whether self-reported symptoms of depression are differentiated by changes in sleeping patterns or appetite, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II; Beck et al. 1996) was administered to 1,250 outpatients diagnosed with a major depressive disorder. A series of focused contrasts supported the hypothesis that the mean BDI-II total scores and the majority of the symptom ratings of the outpatients who described increases or decreases in their sleeping patterns or appetites were comparable and higher than the mean BDI-II total scores and symptom ratings of the patients who reported no changes in their sleeping patterns or appetites. However, the patients who were sleeping less described themselves as being more agitated than those who were sleeping more. Decreases and increases in sleep or appetite were both discussed as indicating comparable levels of depressive symptomatology.

A survey of university business professors1 focused on their use of individual assignments in courses and their views on cheating and its impact on student learning. Based on responses from 456 professors (37% response rate) from Ontario, Canada. it was concluded that most facult2 believe that individual assignments are effective learning tools and that cheating on these assignments is a serious offence. They believe that cheating occurs widely, but continue to use these assessments, with some alterations, to ensure that students obtain learning benefits. The survey findings varied across disciplines and tenure status. A framework is proposed to explain the faculty perspective and the outcomes that professors experience. The adjustments they make to individual assignments are influenced by multiple factors that are internal (university policies and regulations) and external (internet usage) to the university. The discussion centres on the three stakeholders — faculty, students and administration — the need for culture change, and the role of honor codes in controlling cheating and supporting a learning environment.

Wheat is prone to strawbreaker foot rot (eyespot), a fungal disease caused by Oculimacula yallundae and O. acuformis. The most effective source of genetic resistance is Pch1, a gene derived from Aegilops ventricosa. The endopeptidase isozyme marker allele Ep-D1b, linked to Pch1, has been shown to be more effective for tracking resistance than DNA-based markers developed to date. Therefore, we sought to identify a candidate gene for Ep-D1 as a basis for a DNA-based marker. Comparative mapping suggested that the endopeptidase loci Ep-D1 (wheat), enp1 (maize), and Enp (rice) were orthologous. Since the product of the maize endopeptidase locus enp1 has been shown to exhibit biochemical properties similar to oligopeptidase B purified from E. coli, we reasoned that Ep-D1 may also encode an oligopeptidase B. Consistent with this hypothesis, a sequence-tagged-site (STS) marker, Xorw1, derived from an oligopeptidase B-encoding wheat expressed-sequence-tag (EST) showed complete linkage with Ep-D1 and Pch1 in a population of 254 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between wheat cultivars Coda and Brundage. Two other STS markers, Xorw5 and Xorw6, and three microsatellite markers (Xwmc14, Xbarc97, and Xcfd175) were also completely linked to Pch1. On the other hand, Xwmc14, Xbarc97, and Xcfd175 showed recombination in the W7984 x Opata85 RIL population suggesting that recombination near Pch1 is reduced in the Coda/Brundage population. In a panel of 44 wheat varieties with known eyespot reactions, Xorw1, Xorw5, and Xorw6 were 100% accurate in predicting the presence or absence of Pch1 whereas Xwmc14, Xbarc97, and Xcfd175 were less effective. Thus, linkage mapping and a germplasm survey suggest that the STS markers identified here should be useful for indirect selection of Pch1.

Introduction The technology available for replacing/resurfacing the hip is constantly evolving. The surgeon can now choose from a wide array of components to perform a cemented, hybrid, uncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) or resurfacing arthroplasty (RSA). The aim of our study was to evaluate and compare the restoration of hip biomechanics following the insertion of three different, commonly used constructs.

The anatomy and embryology of the aortic arch and its branching tributaries (brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery) in man and animals are well substantiated. However, the anatomical variations and morphometry of the aortic arch and its branching tributaries in rat fetus at the 21st gestation day have not been studied. Pregnant rats were hysterectomized and the arterial systems of 114 fetuses were injected with a polymerisable resin through the umbilical artery. After maceration, the vascular casts were dissected out and prepared for observations under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The resulting SEM pictures were studied with a picture analyser and different vessel parameters (diameters, lengths and angles) were measured. The success rate of the microvascular cast injection was 46.5%. Out of the 53 observed aortic arch casts, 98.1% showed the classical branching pattern and one (1.9%) had no brachiocephalic trunk. Morphological analysis showed many differences, which were not linked to the litter. The statistical processing of the measurements enabled us to determine that the aorta diameter after the branching of the left subclavian artery was the most replicable parameter. Moreover, the results revealed some strong correlations between different parameters. There are probably no discrete categories among the various observed parameters as diameters and angles. Some parameters show very little variability and can thus be used as reference points for further studies such as the comparison of a control population with a population treated with a relevant xenobiotic.

The origin of CD4+ T cells reappearing in the blood following antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection is still controversial. Here we show, using mathematical modeling, that redistribution of T cells to the blood can explain the striking correlation between the initial CD4+ and CD8+ memory T-cell repopulation and the observation that 3 weeks after the start of treatment memory CD4+ T- cell numbers reach a plateau. The increase in CD4+ T cells following therapy most likely is a composite of initial redistribution, accompanied by a continuous slow repopulation with newly produced naive T cells.

Identification of marker–trait associations is the first step towards marker-assisted selection in plant breeding. Here we assess genetic diversity and population structure of 94 diverse wheat elite lines and use genome-wide association mapping to identify marker–trait associations for five important traits: kernel hardness (KHA), thousand-kernel weight, grain protein content, test weight (TWT), and plant height (PHT). The 94 accessions employed in this study were grouped into three subpopulations based on the first three principal components, which accounted for 51.5 % of the variations. A mixed linear model was used to detect marker–trait associations incorporating covariance of population structure and relative kinship. A total of six marker loci was significantly associated with KHA, TWT, and PHT after the correction of false discovery rate (α c = 0.05). The gene pinB was found to be highly associated with KHA, and is reported to be a major determinant of KHA together with the gene pinA at the Ha locus on chromosome 5D. Marker XwPt-7187 on chromosome 2A was also significantly associated with KHA, two Diversity Arrays Technology markers XwPt-1250 and XwPt-4628 with TWT, and marker Xgwm512 with PHT, making the first report of marker–trait associations in these genomic regions.

A 4450-year sequence of varves, spanning the entire Neoglacialinterval, has been recovered from Hector Lake, Alberta. The varve record is compared to records of regional glacial history toevaluate therelationship between alpine glacial activity and sediment production. Glacial controls on sediment production vary with the timescale considered. Long-term variations in sedimentation rate, of centuries to millennial duration, reflect changes in ice extent of the same timescale. Superimposed on these long-term changes is decadal-scale variability that is complexly related to upvalley ice extent. Over the short term, high sedimentation rates may be associated with glacier maximum stands, or with periods of glacier advance or recession. Overthe last millennium at least, highest sedimentation rates appear to have been associated with transitional periods, preceding or post-dating maximum ice stands, rather than with times of maximum ice extent.

Cuphea wrightii A. Gray is an herbaceous annual that accumulates 30% caprate (10:0) and 54% laurate (12:0) in seed storage lipids. We investigated the role of acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) thioesterases (TE) in acyl chain-length regulation in C. wrightii. Two embryo-derived cDNAs, encoding the TEs Cw FatB1 and Cw FatB2, were isolated. Both proteins were detected in developing embryos and mature seeds but not in other tissues, suggesting involvement in seed oil synthesis. Although expected to be 10:0/12:0-ACP-specific, these genes produced a broad range of fatty acids (12:0, 14:0, and 16:0) in transgenic Arabidopsis with the greatest accumulation at 14:0. Cw FatB2 transformants also accumulated small amounts of 10:0. Because C. wrightii accumulates only ca. 5% 14:0 and ca. 2% 16:0, we tested the possibility that gene dosage effects might significantly alter the overall kinetics of the pathway. Phenotypic comparisons of progeny segregating for the transgenes individually and in a hybrid population demonstrated that increased enzyme pools in vivo had a minor effect on diverting fatty acid production to shorter chains. We propose that Cw FatB1 and Cw FatB2 may be necessary but not sufficient determinants of the C. wrightii phenotype.

Analysis of the HIV protease gene from the plasma of HIV-infected patients revealed substitutions at nine different codons selected in response to monotherapy with the protease inhibitor ritonavir. Mutants at valine-82, although insufficient to confer resistance, appeared first in most patients. Significant phenotypic resistance required multiple mutations in HIV protease, which emerged subsequently in an ordered, stepwise fashion. The appearance of resistance mutations was delayed in patients with higher plasma levels of ritonavir. Early mutants retained susceptibility to structurally diverse protease inhibitors, suggesting that dual protease inhibitor therapy might increase the duration of viral suppression.

Results of large-area (up to 1000 cm2/run) Cd1-xZnxTe heteroepitaxy on both GaAs and GaAs/Si substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) are presented. Cd1-xZnxTe (x = 0-0.1) films exhibited specular surface morphology, 1% thickness uniformity (standard deviation), and compositional uniformity (Δx) of ±0.002 over 100 mm diam substrates. For selected substrate orientations and deposition conditions, the only planar defects exhibited by (lll)B Cd1-xZnxTe/GaAs/Si films were lamella twins parallel to the CdTe/GaAs interface; these do not propagate through either the Cd1-xZnxTe layer or subsequently deposited liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) HgCdTe layer(s). Background Ga and As-impurity levels for Cd1-xZnxTe on GaAs/Si substrates were below the secondary ion mass spectroscopy detection limit. Preliminary results of HgCdTe liquid phase epitaxy using a Te-rich melt on Si-based substrates resulted in x-ray rocking curve linewidths as narrow as 72 arc-sec and etch-pit densities in the range 1 to 3 x 106 cm2.

Treatment of infected patients with ABT-538, an inhibitor of the protease of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), causes plasma HIV-1 levels to decrease exponentially (mean half-life, 2.1 +/- 0.4 days) and CD4 lymphocyte counts to rise substantially. Minimum estimates of HIV-1 production and clearance and of CD4 lymphocyte turnover indicate that replication of HIV-1 in vivo is continuous and highly productive, driving the rapid turnover of CD4 lymphocytes.

We sought to establish what impact knowledge of procalcitonin (PCT) levels could have on antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship within our 18-bed mixed critical care unit. Assicot and colleagues demonstrated that PCT levels are raised during sepsis and can correlate with the severity [1]. The PCT level peaks after 6 to 12 hours and has a half-life of approximately 25 to 36 hours in critically ill patients [2], declining with adequate treatment. A recent multicentre trial demonstrated reduced duration of antibiotic therapy by using PCT-guided treatment strategy; however, only 10% of the cohort was surgical patients and therefore this finding cannot be extrapolated to a general critical care population [3].

AIGaP and GaP films were deposited on the (100) Si substrates by atomic layer epitaxy (ALE) in the temperature range between 450 and 600°C. Under optimum growth conditions, the growth of GaP and AIGaP was observed to proceed in a two-dimensional (2-D) fashion in the initial growth stages. These ALE-grown films have better surface morphology when compared with the corresponding MOCVD-grown films. With an AIGaP buffer layer grown on Si, the subsequent growth of GaAs on the AlGaP-coated Si substrates tends to proceed as 2-D growth. This avoids island growth and the two-step growth process currently used.

The analysis of visual imagery in magazine advertising can be approached directly or indirectly insofar as gender messages are concerned. Using Goffman's theoretical underpinning, some of the more subtle clues regarding gender relations, gender stereotyping, and gender roles were explored. Over 1000 advertisements, selected from Good Housekeeping, Sports Illustrated, Time, MS, Gentlemen's Quarterly, and Rolling Stone were content analyzed using Goffman's decoding behavior methodology. The results demonstrated that the feminine touch and ritualization of subordination were fairly often discovered; licensed withdrawal occurred somewhat; and relative size, function ranking, and the family very infrequently. The findings reported were provocative and suggestions for future research are enumerated.

Reputational surveys frequently are used in evaluating doctoral programs. A sample of faculty-rated graduate programs and the resulting data are used to rank the programs in the academic discipline being considered. As an alternative, we present a new and auspicious assessment methodology by analyzing sixty doctoral programs in sociology for 1975/80 on six measures of research productivity and graduate education. We calculate two proximity matrices and reduce each with ALSCAL. Two solutions are generated: (1) per capita and (2) gross productivity of departments. These analyses show that conventional ranks contain a number of deficiencies and more comprehensive measures of departmental performance add important dimensions. We empirically document a tendency for conflict between faculty productivity and graduate education. Finally, our analyses suggest that omission of several assessment variables may have penalized departments emphasizing qualitative research. Recommendations for improving the next national assessment are advanced.

This paper reports a collaborative effort of a team which formed at Los Alamos to investigate the announcement that “cold fusion” may be occurring in electrochemical cells using palladium cathodes and platinum anodes in a LiOD electrolyte. Four electrochemical cells were construced and operated for 3–5 weeks under various geometrical and electrical conditions. Nuclear diagnostic measurements included high and low resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy, integral neutron counting with well detectors and banks of3He tubes, and neutron spectroscopy withNE-213 scintillators. For one of the cells, the deuterium loading of the cathode was determined from resistance measurements to beD/Pd⩽ 0.8. No conclusive evidence was found for the production of neutrons or 2.223-MeV gammas above levels consistent with background. The results of the measurements of tritium levels in the cell electrolytes are also reported. Experiments to reproduce the observation of neutrons from high pressureTi-D2 gas experiments were also performed with negative results.

Between 3 and 6 per cent of children who are otherwise unimpaired have extreme difficulties producing and understanding spoken language1. This disorder is typically labelled specific language impairment. Children diagnosed with specific language impairment often have accompanying reading difficulties (dyslexia)2, but not all children with reading difficulties have specific language impairment3. Some researchers claim that language impairment arises from failures specific to language or cognitive processing4–6. Others hold that language impairment results from a more elemental problem that makes affected children unable to hear the acoustic distinctions among successive brief sounds in speech7–11. Here we report the results of psycho-physical tests employing simple tones and noises showing that children with specific language impairment have severe auditory perceptual deficits for brief but not long tones in particular sound contexts. Our data support the view that language difficulties result from problems in auditory perception, and provide further information about the nature of these perceptual problems that should contribute to improving the diagnosis and treatment of language impairment and related disorders.

This paper reports the events at NCSU leading up to and including those of June 5, 1997 which produced the first demonstration of a nitride laser diode on silicon carbide – and the very first nitride laser demonstration outside of Japan. All of the laser diode samples tested at NCSU were designed, grown, and fabricated into cleaved cavity test structures at Cree Research. Laser testing at NCSU consisted of spectral emission versus current measurements, light output power versus current (L-I) measurement, and light output polarization measurements versus current. The first successful laser on silicon carbide emitted at 402.6 nm. Subsequently, lasers displaying outputs ranging from 402.6 to 430.2 have been successfully tested at NCSU.

Single crystal thin films with compositions from the A1N-InN-GaN system were grown via metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on single crystal 6H-SiC substrates. Blue light emitting (LED) and laser diode (LD) structures were fabricated. The conducting buffer layer LEDs employed an AlGaN buffer layer which provides a conduction path between SiC and the active device region. The external quantum efficiency of the LEDs was 3% at 20 mA- 3.6V and peak emission wavelength of 430 nm. Violet and blue LDs were fabricated and consisted of an 8-well InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well (MQW) active region in a separate confinement heterostructure (SCH) design. Lasing was obtained both on structures using an insulating buffer layer, and also on structures using a conducting buffer layer. The resulting lasers operated at room temperature using pulsed and continuous wave operation with an emission wavelength of 404-435 rim. The lowest threshold current density obtained for lasing was 11 kA/cm2.

We report several new aspects of the excitonic properties of heteroepitaxial GaN grown on sapphire or 6H-SiC. In particular, we observed the n = 2 free exciton associated with both A and B excitons (which are distinct from the n = 1 C exciton) using reflectance and 1.7 K photoluminescence. We also studied the behavior of the n = 2 A-exciton using magnetoluminescence in fields up to 12 T. The large diamagnetic shift and splitting positively confirm the identification, yielding an exciton binding energy of about 26.4 meV. Several previous identifications of the n = 2 free exciton yielding a smaller exciton binding energy are probably in error, based on our results. We have also detected the two-electron replica of the neutral donor-bound exciton for the first time in GaN and observed its splitting pattern in magnetic fields up to 12 T. This feature is 22 meV below the principal neutral donor-bound exciton peak, independently of strain shifts in the overall spectrum. It yields a precise donor binding energy of 29 meV for the shallow residual donor in material grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition and gas-source molecular beam epitaxy, considerably smaller than that of the residual donor reported earlier in hydride vapor phase epitaxial material (about 35.5 meV).

Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is an important parameter and prognostic indicator of the patient's underlying physiologic status [1]. Correct IAP measurement therefore is crucial. The gold standard measurement method via a bladder catheter first described by Kron poses the risk for infection and needle-stick injury and interferes with urinary output estimations [1]. Cheatham and Safcsak reported a revision of Kron's technique limiting these risks but still interfering with urinary output estimation [2]. All these measurements also interfere with nursing time and cannot be done without manipulation of the Foley catheter. A technique for measuring IAP using the patient's own urine as transmitting medium has been described previously [1]. The aim of this study is to validate IAP measurement via two prototypes (Holtech Medical, Kopenhagen, Denmark) using this technique. A 50 ml container fitted with a bio-filter for venting is inserted between the Foley catheter and the drainage bag. The container fills with urine during drainage; when the container is elevated, the 50 ml urine flows back into the patient's bladder, and IAP can be read from the position of the meniscus in the clear manometer tube between the container and the Foley catheter. The first prototype consisted of a 50 ml plastic bag with a bio-filter, inserted between the Foley catheter and the urine collection bag; a major drawback was occasional blocking of the bio-filter, leading to overestimation of IAP in some cases. Another drawback was the occasional presence of air-bubbles in the manometer tube, producing multiple menisci leading to misinterpretation of IAP. In addition, the volume of urine flowing back into the bladder was not well defined. Prototype 2 was adapted to correct for the drawbacks of prototype 1, using a rigid 50 ml reservoir with a large bio-filter surface.

The production of radioactive nuclides in the reactions of 9 GeV/c protons and deuterons with181Ta has been investigated at the Dubna synchrophasotron. The production cross section of target fragments with 24≦A≦178 were determined by off-line gamma-spectroscopy. Charge dispersions and mass yields are deduced from these data. The results are discussed in terms of the concepts of high-energy nuclear physics.

Linguistic styles of men and women in the area of sexual language were explored.. Two hundred forty-eight students were requested to list as many synonyms as possible for “sexual intercourse.” On the average, males listed a larger number of sexual intercourse synonyms than did females (nine vs. six). Similarly, males listed over 160 different words, whereas females listed over 130. In both instances, the vocabularies were rich, descriptive, and extensive. Males preferred the word “fuck”; females preferred the word “screw.” Males vis-a-vis females were more prone to approve the use of “fuck” and “screw” in same-sex or mixed-sex company. Females had a penchant for using the phrase “make love,” which may be related to the strong emphasis that females place on love in the context of sexual intimacy.

Two iterative procedures for the transformation of canonical self-consistent field molecular orbitals to intrinsic localized molecular orbitals are proposed. A first-order method based on a series of (n × n) unitary transformations may be applied to orbitals which are far from convergence. The second method, based on Newton's method, yields quadratic convergence. Numerical results based on Boys' criterion are presented for water, carbon monoxide, boron fluoride, nitric oxide, and methylacetylene. A composite method may be used to obtain rapid convergence for large molecules for which it is not practical to calculate the entire hessian matrix. The performance of the composite method is demonstrated by application to the dinitrogen tetroxide molecule. Highly converged localized molecular orbitals may be obtained for most molecules with five to eight first-order iterations followed by three or four iterations based on either the second-order or composite method.