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Lidar-based measurements of cloud base and top height (CBH and CTH) and cloud geometrical thickness (CGT) with greatly improved accuracy provide new scientific insights. However, direct observation of the active Cloud Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) cannot penetrate optically thick clouds to their base. A work around for this problem is developed and validated in this study. This method is based on the 333-m resolution low-level water cloud data obtained from the Vertical Feature Mask product of CALIPSO. The methodology can effectively minimize the interference of surface signals, boundary layer aerosols and cloud anvils of CBH retrieval. The methodology overcomes the full attenuation of the lidar in optically thick clouds by assuming that CBH of boundary layer clouds is similar over an area of several tens of km. This allows taking the CBH of the neighbouring penetrable shallower cloud as having CBH representative for the entire cloud field. The retrieved CBH was validated against two surface-based ceilometer measurements in the islands of Barbados and the Azores, with an error standard deviation of ±100 m. The accurate CBH allow us to obtain CGT, which is an essential parameter in understanding of the aerosol-cloud interaction. Based on this newly developed methodology, we retrieved the annual, seasonal and diurnal distributions of global CBH, CTH and CGT for two years, and analysed the variations of CBH and CTH over the ocean and land. Some highlights from these first of a kind high-precision cloud geometry observations show for annual mean values that: (1) The lowest CBH occurs over the eastern margins of the subtropical oceans and increases westward from 300–400 to 700–800 m. The CGT increases from 300 to 1200 m, respectively. In the western part of the tropical oceans CBH is 500–600 m and CGT is ~1500 m. (2) A narrow band of lower CBH and CGT occurs over the Equator, especially over the eastern parts of the oceans. (3) CBH and CGT over the Amazon and Congo rain forests are 1200 and 1500 m, respectively. CBH over the drier tropical lands is 1500–2000 m, with CGT of 800–1000 m. (4) Lowering CBH towards Antarctica in the Southern Oceans, while deepening CGT. (5) Seasonally, the mid-latitude global oceans have the lowest CBH (mostly below 500 m) and CGT in summer seasons, and the highest cloud in winter, while the CBH and CGT distribution reversed over high-latitude Southern Oceans. (6) There is an obvious diurnal cycle of maximum CTH and CGT over the tropics. Over the ocean, there is no discernible diurnal cycle in CBH, but during night CTH is higher by ~300 m.

Introduction: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is known to cause QTc prolongation, however its association with other ECG changes and how those are related to markers of myocardial injury in COVID-19 patients (pts) are not well described. Hypothesis: To study ECG changes in COVID-19 pts with or without troponin (Tn) elevation >3X normal (Tn +/-), who were or were not treated with HCQ (+/-). Methods: This is an observational study of pts admitted with COVID-19. All had at least 3 ECGs during admission; on day 1, day 2-3 and day 4-6. Pre-admission and final ECGs were included when available. Pts were excluded if they had atrial fibrillation, paced QRS, QRS>120msec, STEMI, or end stage renal disease. QRS, QTc, PR, P wave duration, QRS amplitude and the sum of T wave deflections in both limb and precordial leads were measured. Data were collected on medical history, illness severity, electrolytes, and medications within the 12-hour window of each ECG. Results: A total of 116 pts were included: 85 HCQ+ (40% Tn+) and 31 HCQ- (48% Tn+). There were no differences between the two groups in baseline characteristics, illness severity or mortality. Significant QTc prolongation was noted only in the HCQ+ group (p Conclusions: HCQ related ECG effects extend beyond QTc prolongation. These are most notable in pts with evidence of myocardial injury.

Top-down and bottom-up aerosol-cloud shortwave radiative flux closures were conducted at the Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station in Galway, Ireland, in August 2015. This study is part of the BACCHUS (Impact of Biogenic versus Anthropogenic emissions on Clouds and Climate: towards a Holistic UnderStanding) European collaborative project, with the goal of understanding key processes affecting aerosol-cloud shortwave radiative flux closures to improve future climate predictions and develop sustainable policies for Europe. Instrument platforms include ground-based unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)(1) and satellite measurements of aerosols, clouds and meteorological variables. The ground-based and airborne measurements of aerosol size distributions and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentration were used to initiate a 1-D microphysical aerosol-cloud parcel model (ACPM). UAVs were equipped for a specific science mission, with an optical particle counter for aerosol distribution profiles, a cloud sensor to measure cloud extinction or a five-hole probe for 3D wind vectors. UAV cloud measurements are rare and have only become possible in recent years through the miniaturization of instrumentation. These are the first UAV measurements at Mace Head. ACPM simulations are compared to in situ cloud extinction measurements from UAVs to quantify closure in terms of cloud shortwave radiative flux. Two out of seven cases exhibit sub-adiabatic vertical temperature profiles within the cloud, which suggests that entrainment processes affect cloud microphysical properties and lead to an overestimate of simulated cloud shortwave radiative flux. Including an entrainment parameterization and explicitly calculating the entrainment fraction in the ACPM simulations both improved cloud-top radiative closure. Entrainment reduced the difference between simulated and observation-derived cloud-top shortwave radiative flux (delta RF) by between 25 and 60Wm(-2). After accounting for entrainment, satellite-derived cloud droplet number concentrations (CDNCs) were within 30% of simulated CDNC. In cases with a well-mixed boundary layer, delta RF is no greater than 20Wm(-2) after accounting for cloud-top entrainment and up to 50Wm(-2) when entrainment is not taken into account. In cases with a decoupled boundary layer, cloud microphysical properties are inconsistent with ground-based aerosol measurements, as expected, and delta RF is as high as 88Wm(-2), even high (> 30Wm(-2)) after accounting for cloud-top entrainment. This work demonstrates the need to take in situ measurements of aerosol properties for cases where the boundary layer is decoupled as well as consider cloud-top entrainment to accurately model stratocumulus cloud radiative flux. The research leading to these results received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) project BACCHUS under grant agreement no. 603445. EU H2020 project ACTRIS-2 under the grant agreement no. 654109 is also acknowledged for supporting the Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station. Keri Nicoll acknowledges a NERC Independent Research Fellowship (NE/L011514/1). Darius Ceburnis acknowledges the Irish EPA (2012-CCRP-FS.12). Jana Preissler acknowledges the Irish EPA (2015-CCRP-FS.24). Radiance Calmer acknowledges financial support from Météo France. Kevin J. Sanchez acknowledges the Chateaubriand Fellowship. We thank École Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ENAC) for assistance with construction and operation of the UAVs. The authors also acknowledge Kirsten Fossum for the collection of SMPS data. We applied a sequence-defines-credit approach for the sequence of authorship. peer-reviewed

Since it opened in 2013, the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw has been widely praised by journalists and scholars for its permanent exhibition and striking architecture. Built on the site of the former Warsaw ghetto established by the Nazis in World War II, the museum has been identified as a symbol of improved Polish–Jewish relations in the wake of the Holocaust. Few commentators, however, have delved deeply into the complexities of the museum’s architectural relationship to the Holocaust. This essay traces the long discussion surrounding the architectural symbolism of the museum – from its inception up to its recent completion – in order to illustrate how the Holocaust continues to pose major challenges to architects as they wrestle with the task of building after Auschwitz.

Three-dimensional printing called rapid prototyping, a technology that is used to create physical models based on a 3-D computer representation, is now commercially available and can be created from CT or MRI datasets. This technical innovation paper reviews the specific requirements and steps necessary to apply biomedical 3-D printing of pediatric musculoskeletal disorders. We discuss its role for the radiologist, orthopedist and patient.

Aim To comprehensively review the health needs of patients living with clinically significant haemoglobinopathies (thalassaemia and sickle-cell disease (SCD)) in New South Wales, Australia. Methods A survey-based health needs assessment was undertaken in outpatients cared for at five tertiary institutions in metropolitan and regional centres. Sixty-three of 121 adults (approximately 80–90% of adult patients with transfusion-requiring haemoglobinopathies in New South Wales) completed an in-house and commercial health-related quality assessment survey (SF-36v2). Results Subjects came from more than eight world regions, with those with SCD being more likely to be born outside of Australia than subjects with thalassaemia (P 12 months = 27%) and surgical splenectomy (55.6%). Use of hydroxyurea in SCD was less than expected with only 46.6% of subjects having prior use. Lack of universal access to magnetic resonance imaging-guided chelation (international best practice) was evident, although 65.5% had been able to access magnetic resonance imaging through clinical trial, or self-funding. Conclusions Patients with SCD and thalassaemia experience considerable morbidity and mortality and require complex, multidisciplinary care. This study revealed both variance from international best practice and between specialist units. The results of this research may provide the impetus for the development of clinical and research networks to enable the uniform delivery of health services benchmarked against international standards.

The Internet, in contrast to in-person interactions with health providers, allows anonymous and nonpunitive ease of access. Adolescents have long sought honest, direct answers to important but embarrassing questions about health; emerging technologies provide a venue to obtain relevant information without geographic, time, financial, and personal barriers. This article is a case study of TeenHealthFX.com. Those interested in how youth access online health information can learn of the positive and negative aspects of delivering messages through the Internet. This article discusses the process involved in creating and maintaining TeenHealthFX and the challenges of providing online health information to adolescents via new technology.

WHEN IT FIRST APPEARED in 1982, Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi's Zakhor seemed an anxious book-anxious about the state of Jewish collective memory, about the alleged role of professional historians m weakening it, and about the future of Jewish historical consciousness overall. Twenty-five years later, it is clear that many of the anxieties that underpinned Zakhor were unfounded. Much of what Yerushalmi explicitly viewed with foreboding-most notably, the conquest of memory by history-has not come to pass. Ironically enough, the reverse has proven to be the case, as the discipline of history has faced an enormous challenge by the emergence of what has been called the memory "boom."1 Relatedly, and perhaps more significantly, Yerushalmi failed to foresee one of the controversial phenomena that has stood at the center of the memory boom: the dramatic growth of Holocaust memory. Kspecially in light of the concerns that these two trends have sparked within some Jewish circles in recent years, the anxieties that informed Zakbor seem today far less pressing than they did when the book first appeared. For these reasons, while Zakbor has retained its reputation as a perceptive and erudite work of history, it may be viewed as a flawed work of prophecy.As is well known, Zakhor offered a novel thesis about the overarching trajectory of Jewish historical consciousness from the biblical to the modern age. According to Yerushalmi, the Jewish view of history was originally a unified one that combined a mundane view of the Jewish people as active agents m history along with a metahistorical, mythic view of the Jews as a people whose historical experience was directly shaped by divine agency. During Antiquity, m other words, Jewish history and memory were fused. The frequent biblical injunction to "remember," and the ways m which "ritual and recital" were meant to reinforce memory, Yerushalmi argued, were all devoted to preserving an awareness of "God's acts of intervention in history," whether they be his liberation of the Hebrews from Egyptian bondage or his granting of the Mosaic Law.2With the destruction of the Second Temple, the loss of national sovereignty, and the onset of exile, however, the two strands of Jewish historical consciousness became separated and "the Jews virtually stopped writing history" (p. 16). Now, when they experienced mundane historical events, the Jews interpreted (but rarely recorded) them in strictly metahistorical terms. During the rabbinic period, Jews displayed little interest in exploring recent history-for example, that of Rome or the Second Temple period-and mstead preferred to perceive events as reflective of "the continuing intervention of God m history" (p. 25).3 In medieval Kurope, similarly, Jews tended to assimilate new historical events mto "old and established conceptual frameworks" and "familiar archetypes" (p. 36). As Yerushalmi memorably described it, the Jews developed a typological perspective in whichthe latest oppressor is Haman, and the court-Jew who tries to avoid disaster is Mordecai. Christendom is "Hdom" or "Hsau," and Islam is "Ishmael." Geographical names are blithely lifted from the Bible and affixed to places the Bible never knew, and so Spain is "Sefarad," France is "Zarefat, [and] Germany is "Ashkenaz." (p. 36)Even radically new events, such as the Crusades, were ultimately seen through older archetypes, such as the binding of Isaac, and preserved in memory not through the means of conventional historiography but religiously rooted vehicles like penitential prayers known as selihot, memorial books written for Yizkor services, and Second Purims, which celebrated the deliverance of Jewish communities from harm (pp. 45-46).The only exception to this typological perspective, Yerushalmi pointed out, was a faint flame of Jewish historiographical activity that flickered m the sixteenth-century m the wake of the Spanish expulsions, as Jews tried to make sense of what seemed to many like an unprecedented catastrophe. …

Background: The present study compared the performance of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) using a coincidence dual-head gamma camera (FDG Co-PET) with 67gallium scinti graphy (GS) in pretreatment staging of lymphoma. Methods: A total of 46 patients underwent FDG Co-PET, computed tomography (CT) scanning and GS for pretreatment staging of lymphoma (40 newly diagnosed and recurrence) between November 1997 and December 1999. Results: Histological subgroups comprised low grade (8 patients), intermediate grade (25) high-grade (3) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease (10). Based on clinical assessment, CT scan findings and biopsy, 100 nodal sites and 15 extra-nodal sites were deemed positive. FDG Co-PET was superior to GS in nodal site positivity rate (97%vs 79%, P

IN THE YEAR 1824, the patriarch of the modern Western historical profession, Leopold von Ranke, became embroiled in a famous debate with another historian, Heinrich Leo, over a profound matter of historical methodology. Ranke had just published his first book, the Hidtoriem of the Romanic and Germanic Peoples from 1494 to 1514, in which he made the bold declaration that the controversial political philosophy of Nicolo Machiavelli, as set forth in his famous book The Prince, should not so much be condemned as understood as the product of its particular historical circumstances. As Ranke declared in a remark that was to become a maxim of modern historical scholarship, the task of the historian was not to "judge the past," but "merely to show what happened" ("wie es eigentlich gewesen [ist] ").' Heinrich Leo disagreed, and in a critical review of Ranke's book argued that Machiavelli needed to be seen as an amoral individual who had flirted with evil ideas and who should be viewed from an ethical perspective in order to appreciate his status as a figure of world historical importance. It was not sufficient merely to show what happened in the past, Leo concluded, the historian also had to judge it.2 As is well known, Leo's criticism of Ranke did little to prevent the latter from going on to become one of the giants of Western historiography. But the basic issue at the core of the debate between the two scholars has become fundamental to all subsequent historical writing in the modern era: is the historian's primary task historical explanation or historical judgment? Both strategies possess merits, of course, but they also entail various risks. Historians who set out to explain the past pride themselves on adhering to certain norms of scholarly objectivity; but they frequently end up producing sterile histories lacking in both moral resonance and relevance for present-day society. By the same token, historians who set

Background Two doctors working on a busy intensive care unit sustained injuries whilst removing a chest drain from an HIV-positive patient. One doctor had a needlestick injury into his finger whilst the other sustained an eyesplash when the chest drain was pulled out. Methods Following Department of Health format 'Doing less harm', a root cause and human factor analysis of the incident was carried out. The aim was to explore the underlying issues. Results and conclusions Training, cultural and organizational issues were exposed, and are now being addressed. This approach has led to a far more effective dialogue with the National Health Trust concerned than was previously experienced, and there is early evidence of progress on important aspects of health and safety management at organizational level. Lack of health and safety training of doctors at undergraduate and postgraduate level needs to be addressed.

To determine the safety and efficacy of the combination of idarubicin, cytarabine and etoposide ("ICE") for induction and consolidation treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and of dose-intensification of cytarabine in this setting, 54 previously untreated patients in three cohorts were studied by sequential dose escalation of cytarabine, in combination with standard doses of idarubicin and etoposide. Cytarabine was given to Cohort 1 at the conventional dosage of 100 mg/m2 per day by continuous infusion for 7 days in induction and 5 days in consolidation; to Cohort 2 at high-dose (HiDAC) (3 g/m2 intravenously twice daily on days 1, 3, 5 and 7) during induction with conventional dosage during consolidation; to Cohort 3 HiDAC was given for both induction and consolidation. In addition, Cohort 3 patients received lenograstim (Granocyte; rHuG-CSF) after both induction and consolidation courses. We found that there was no significant difference between the three cohorts in hematological toxicity in induction, but that HiDAC was associated with a greater incidence of gastro-intestinal toxicities. There was no difference in induction mortality between the three cohorts, which was 11% overall. Consolidation with HiDAC led to a significant increase in hematological toxicity. Overall, the complete remission (CR) rate was 80% with no significant difference between the three regimens. The estimated disease free survival at 3 years was 28%, 67% and 54% respectively for Cohorts 1, 2 and 3 with an estimated overall survival of 38%, 63% and 47%. We conclude that cytarabine dosage can be escalated safely in combination with idarubicin and etoposide in both induction and consolidation. The combination is effective for induction treatment of AML and its side-effects appear similar to those of standard regimens. Whether its use offers long-term benefits compared with standard regimens is the subject of ongoing controlled randomized studies.

High-value fresh agricultural products must maintain high quality standards and a predetermined shelf-life. Dynamic excitation and response sensing is an accepted method for the evaluation of fruit’s physical properties, quality, and shelf life. The purpose of the present study was to develop and evaluate a new nondestructive measuring technique of fruit firmness. The technique was based on mechanical impulse excitation, flexible piezoelectric film sensors and an FFT signal analysis method which was used to obtain the fruit’s resonance frequencies. Experiments with different geometrical configurations of the sensing elements, fruit mass, and impulse location were tested on three apple varieties. Results showed the potential of the new method to detect fruit firmness. The findings confirmed previous works on acoustical response of fruits and vegetables. The measuring technique was found to be simple, fast, and repeatable. Additional tests of large sample size and analysis by individual item are needed in order to develop reliable classification algorithms for various fruit species. Due to its simplicity, applications of the new technique may include on-line determination of firmness and shelf-life of fruit and vegetables.

Their ambiguous legal and ethical status has become a barrier to adolescents' appropriate involvement in research from which they may benefit and which is needed to improve adolescent health care and to inform health policy. Involvement of adolescents in research should be based on a scientific and empathetic understanding of their developing capabilities and a careful assessment of risks and benefits. The important role of parents and communities as protectors of adolescents should be respected and enhanced as we acknowledge and respect developing adolescent autonomy. These guidelines provide a framework to interpret the federal regulations for protection of human subjects in light of the unique legal, ethical, developmental, contextual, and racial issues that affect adolescents. The guidelines are designed to protect individual adolescent research subjects and to facilitate important youth research that would promote the health of adolescents.

We have studied the infrared transmission spectrum and the optical performance of HgCdTe photodiodes containing a linear composition gradient in the active layer. Our objectives were to enable the prediction of the optical performance of a photodiode at 77K, based on the easily and nondestructively measured transmission spectra, as well as to gain a better understanding of the effects of the grading on the optical performance. Consequently, we address three issues here. We first establish improved characterization techniques that can provide accurate values of the necessary material parameters such as gradient in composition. Second, we present a model that can predict the optical response of a diode, based on the material properties and the diode’s geometry. Third, we use the above-mentioned model for the theoretical calculations of the effects of the grading and the resulting built-in electric field on the diode’s optical response.

In this study, CdTe epilayers were grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on epitaxial HgCdTe with the purpose of developing suitable passivation for HgCdTe photodiodes. Two types of CdTe layers were investigated. One was grown directly,in situ, immediately following the growth of HgCdTe. The second type of CdTe was grown indirectly, on top of previously grown epitaxial HgCdTe samples. In this case, the surface of the HgCdTe was exposed to ambient atmosphere, and a surface cleaning procedure was applied. The material and structural properties of the CdTe/HgCdTe interfaces were investigated using secondary ion mass spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, Rutherford back scattering, and x-ray double crystal diffractometry techniques. Electrical properties of the CdTe/HgCdTe heterostructure were determined by capacitance-voltage (C-V) characterization of Schottky barrier devices and metal insulator semiconductor devices. Also, a preliminary current-voltage characterization of n+ p photodiodes was performed. A theoretical model suitable for analysis of graded heterojunction devices was used for interpretation of C-V measurements.

Sexually transmitted diseases, inflammatory conditions, and neoplasia occur all too often at the site of the uterine cervix. Multiple diagnostic options are available to clinicians ranging from simple inspection, to easily performed and widely accessible tests, to more complex laboratory procedures. Familiarity with and use of these methodologies by those providing health care for adolescents is likely to result in reduction of both the short- and long-term morbidity associated with these conditions.

Purpose: To compare a combination DNA probe test which detects both N. gonorrhoeae (GC) and C. trachomatis (CT) to the current culture methodologies among a population of female adolescents at an urban teaching center. In addition, the probe test for CT was compared to a direct immunofluorescence test. Methods: All sexually active female adolescents between the ages of 13–21 years who sought care at an urban teaching center from June 1991 through November 1991 and who required testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were recruited for this study. Results: The probe test was demonstrated to be 66.6% sensitive and 94.9% specific when compared to tissue culture for CT and 50% sensitive and 98.2% specific when compared to culture for GC. We found an overall prevalence of 23.5% for CT and 3.5% for GC. Conclusions: The two rapid diagnostic tests for CT evaluated in this study demonstrated similar sensitivities. However the probe test offers advantages in that it is easier to perform, skill at reading fluorescence is not required, and one specimen yields results for both CT and GC.

This paper presents a theoretical study of the composition dependence of the high frequency figures of merit of n-p-n homogeneous Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors (HBTs), based on SiGe alloys. Double heterostructure transistors with the same geometry and dopant profile but with different Ge concentrations in the emitter, base and collector, are compared. The composition dependencies of the emitter-to-collector transit time, the base-resistance collector-capacitance product, the associated unity current gain frequency (fT) and the maximum frequency of oscillation (fmax), are modeled and calculated. The computed results (of our structures and design) show that the composition dependencies of fT and fmax are non-monotonic. As the Ge composition in the emitter and collector layers is increased (and its concentration in the base is kept higher), fT and fmax first decrease, then remain constant and finally increase to attain their highest values.

The results of a study of the optical and electrical performance of P‐on‐n HgCdTe heterojunctions, with a linear gradient in composition, are presented. First presented is a solution of the one‐dimensional continuity equation which includes the spatial dependencies of the material properties, such as absorption coefficient, band gap, and intrinsic carrier concentration, in the graded layer. Using the above solution, diodes with different grading profiles (and hence different electric fields), but with the same cutoff wavelength, are compared. The advantages of the built‐in electric field formed by the grading in composition are presented and discussed. It is shown that the major consequence of the electric field is the reduction of the effects caused by the imperfect CdTe/HgCdTe interface at the backside.

Results are presented of a study of the quantum efficiency of HgCdTe heterojunction photodiodes. All heterojunctions considered in the study consist of a wide‐band‐gap P‐type layer and a narrow‐band‐gap n‐type layer, and are illuminated from the backside. The n‐type layer is compositionally graded and therefore contains a built‐in electric field. Due to the difference in band gaps photons are absorbed in the active n‐type layer only and are collected by both drift and diffusion mechanisms. The one‐dimensional continuity equation is first solved in the linearly graded n‐type region under illumination conditions, and then the dependence of the quantum efficiency on the resulting built‐in electric field is presented. Two different modes of illumination are compared: In the first mode, associated with n‐on‐P HgCdTe diodes, the light reaches the transparent P layer first; in the second mode, associated with P‐on‐n diodes, the light reaches the transparent P side after it passes through the opaque n‐type layer....

In the vast historiographical literature on the nazi period, few works have achieved as enduring a reputation or attained as unique a commercial success as William L. Shirer's The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. First published in October 1960, Shirer's epic history of the nazi dictatorship has, over the years, acquired a status unparalleled by any prior or subsequent historical work on the subject. In the thirty years since the book's initial appearance, it has sold millions of copies in the United States and millions more worldwide.' Still in print today, Shirer's work has been translated into numerous European and non-European languages and published in several special editions.2 It has even been made into a documentary film and recorded as a dramatic cantata.3 Undoubtedly the bestknown book ever published on the nazi era, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich has become more than just another work of history. A singular literary institution, it has acquired a reputation as 'the bestselling historical work ever written in modern times'.4 Certainly the most popular study ever published on the nazi period, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich was arguably the most controversial as well. Although widely acclaimed in the United States and in various European countries, Shirer's work was bitterly attacked in West Germany. Indeed, the contrast between the initial American and West German reactions to the book could not be more striking. In the US in 1960, it was an undisputed sensation, dominating the bestseller list for over a year, setting publishing records and reaping numerous honours and awards. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich coupled impressive sales with significant critical acclaim. While some dissenting voices were heard, the praise

A theoretical study of the effects of the strain on the base properties of ungraded and compositional-graded n-p-n SiGe Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors (HBT) is presented. The dependencies of the transverse hole mobility and longitudinal electron mobility upon strain, composition and doping, are formulated using published Monte-Carlo data and, consequently, the base resistance and transit time are modeled and calculated. The results are compared to results obtained using common formulas that ignore these dependencies. The differences between the two sets of results are shown. The paper's conclusion is that for the design, analysis and optimization of high frequency SiGe HBTs the strain effects on the base properties cannot be ignored.

The results of a theoretical study of the effects of the strain on the cutoff frequencies of SiGe HBTs are presented. The influence of the strain on the base resistance and transit time, and through them on high-frequency performance, was taken into account. The positive role played by the strain is demonstrated.

We used the novel experimental technique of photoemission spectromicroscopy to investigate the active area of SnO(x) thin films for gas sensors, deposited by dc sputtering. First, we analyzed the degree of oxidation and the homogeneity of as-deposited films in a high lateral resolution (30 mum) spectromicroscopy mode with an energy resolution of 0.4 eV. This led to a surprising discovery of a large amount of tin monoxide on the film surface. Then we studied the interaction of H-2 and H2O with the surface of polycrystalline SnO2 films used as sensitive layers in actual gas sensor devices. These results have been related to the resistivity changes of the corresponding devices: we found that such changes are primarily due to a reduction process in the film rather than to mere chemisorption.

We report on a simple process to fabricate planar Hg1−yCdyTe/Hg1−xCdxTe (x

Thin (10–400 nm) polycrystalline SnO2 film gas sensors are currently being fabricated and tested for several applications. Electrical conductivity, σ, and Hall-effect measurements at high temperatures on chemically and structurally characterized films are particularly investigated in the present study. The correlation with the gas tests shows that the best sensitivity for H2 is obtained in a thermal-activation regime of the carrier density, favoured by using films with small crystallites and low donor concentration. A sensitivity S = 200 is obtained at 100 ppm H2.

Timely diagnosis and early treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in the adolescent is essential, as it occurs with great frequency in this age group, and may result in severe long-term morbidity, including infertility. Study Objective: Previous reports have described that the onset of symptoms in this illness typically begins within the first week of the menstrual cycle. This study was undertaken to determine the relationship between timing of symptom onset and the bacterial etiology of acute PID in female adolescents. Design: A retrospective chart review was performed on 164 inpatients (mean age 19 years old) with the diagnosis of PID, and data were analyzed based on whether the patients were infected with gonorrhea, chlamydia, neither of these bacteria, or both. Results: Eighty-three percent of the patients with gonorrhea had onset of symptoms within the first menstrual week, which was significantly greater than those with chlamydia (31.7%) p = 0.004, or those with neither (29.7%) p = 0.001. Patients with concurrent gonorrhea and chlamydia developed symptoms on the average of menstrual cycle day 12. A greater proportion of those positive for gonorrhea had a leukocyte count > 10,000 than the other three groups ( p = 0.02), but 33–71% of patients in all groups had a normal leukocyte count. Temperature and sedimentation rate were not helpful in distinguishing the bacterial etiology of the PID. Conclusions: Among adolescents, only gonococcal PID results in onset of symptoms within the first week after onset of menses whereas nongonococcal disease occurs significantly later. Fever and leukocytosis are inconsistently present with PID. Their absence, therefore, should not discourage consideration of this diagnosis.

Clinicians caring for sexually active adolescents are likely to be called on to diagnose and treat many of the STDs discussed in this article. A variety of other STDs not covered here also may be observed, including lymphogranuloma venereum, granuloma inguinale, molluscum contagiosum, scabies, pediculosis, and hepatitis A, B, and C. Some of the special issues related to gay and lesbian youth are discussed in the article by Drs Bidwell and Deisher (see "Adolescent Sexuality: Current Issues," pp 293-302). Nonetheless, it should be mentioned that the same STDs occur in homosexual youths as in their heterosexual counterparts. However, the prevalence rates for many STDs differ between the two groups, and some STDs are rarely seen in heterosexual males. These discrepancies may be explained by a number of determinants including anatomic and physiologic factors (eg, lesbian women have lower rates of STDs), differences in sexual practices (eg, genital-anal and oral-anal contact), and numbers of sexual partners, although this last factor may be less important in adolescents as compared with adult gay men. Discovery of one STD should always prompt a search for others because multiple concurrent infections is the rule rather than the exception. A serologic test for syphilis and a discussion of the potential for HIV infection (possibly testing for HIV as well) should take place at each new encounter for an STD. Some patients, including those with multiple partners, have an increased chance for acquisition of an STD. However, the reality is that any adolescent who has had sexual intercourse could have an STD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1/f noise currents have been measured in HgCdTe photodiodes and gate‐controlled diodes as a function of gate bias, diode voltage, and dark (leakage) currents. The diodes are fabricated by ion implanting boron (n+) on bulk p‐type material with x=0.22. Native anodic sulfide in combination with deposited ZnS is used for surface passivation. The measurements demonstrate that the dominant mechanism that produces 1/f noise in HgCdTe photodiodes is tunneling. With the gated diodes it is possible to separate bulk and surface related mechanisms responsible for the 1/f noise currents. 1/f noise currents are produced by surface‐induced tunneling at pinched‐off depletion regions adjacent to accumulated surfaces and by tunneling across field‐induced junctions underneath inverted surfaces. Bulk trap‐assisted tunneling that limits the R0A product below 50 K but is masked by diffusion at 77 K, is responsible for the 1/f noise currents at optimized surface potentials, (i.e., approximately flat‐band conditions) at low bias...

The Internet has become a widely used resource for sexual health information, especially among adolescents. The appeal lies in the ease and anonymity with which online seekers can obtain advice and reassurance, particularly regarding sensitive topics. This article reviews the positive and negative influences of the Internet on this age group. Specific aspects of how this medium affects adolescents as well as how it can be used to assist them are discussed.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to recommend proactive measures that companies should take to manage reports of securities violations under the SEC's new whistleblower program.Design/methodology/approachThe paper explains the whistleblower bounty program and recommends ten proactive measures that companies should consider.FindingsCompanies have an incentive to investigate reports of potential violations quickly while also ensuring compliance with the anti‐retaliation protections.Practical implicationsCompanies should take steps now to bolster internal reporting and investigative procedures and encourage employees to utilize internal reporting mechanisms.Originality/valueThe paper provides expert advice from experienced securities and financial services lawyers.

Results of experimental measurements and theoretical analysis are presented for the TiAu/ZnS/CdTe/HgCdTe metal–insulator–semiconductor heterostructure. The passivation of HgCdTe is provided by a double layer consisting of a dielectric ZnS placed on top of an epitaxial CdTe layer. Both HgCdTe and CdTe were grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Two types of CdTe layers were investigated: one was grown directly, in situ, immediately following the growth of HgCdTe; the second was grown indirectly using previously grown HgCdTe samples. It is shown that directly grown CdTe layers lead to low fixed interface charge, which is a good condition for passivation. The indirectly grown samples are still acceptable, but not as good as the directly grown samples. We demonstrate, on the basis of theoretical considerations, that the dielectric ZnS improves the flatband condition at the CdTe/HgCdTe interface.

This is the first case series examining the role of fluorine-18 fludeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography-CT (PET-CT) in the diagnosis of lymphoma, and its impact on the clinical management of patients with secondary testicular involvement. This study explores the clinical significance of abnormal testicular uptake, maximum standardized uptake values and the diagnostic value of the CT component in PET-CT scans of these patients.The case notes and PET scans of 12 patients with diagnosis of lymphoma that were reported to have abnormal (18)F-FDG uptake in the testes were examined. Case notes were reviewed for the underlying diagnosis, indication for the scan and its effect on the management decision.12 patients demonstrated abnormal (18)F-FDG uptake on the PET-CT scans (mean age, 63 years; range, 37-82 years). Seven patients were diagnosed with testicular lymphoma. Six out of the seven (86%) patients received additional intrathecal chemotherapy in addition to their systemic chemotherapy, and one patient had testicular radiotherapy.This study establishes the importance of identifying and reporting abnormal (18)F-FDG uptake in the testes on PET-CT in patients with lymphoma. (18)F-FDG PET-CT is superior to conventional imaging in identifying testicular lymphoma and has significant management impact. It also emphasizes the importance of incorporating the testes as part of the scan coverage.The appearances of testicular lymphoma on (18)F-FDG PET-CT can be variable and abnormal testicular uptake warrants further investigations and confirmation. FDG PET-CT is an important tool and can be used in addition to conventional imaging in the identification of testicular lymphoma.

Since laparoscopy was first introduced as a diagnostic tool for pelvic pathology 15 years ago, this technique has been successfully adopted by general and specialty surgeons as a therapeutic tool for a variety of different diseases [1]. General surgeons initially embraced this new laparoscopic technique for intra-abdominal diseases such a cholecystitis, appendicitis, and inguinal hernias. Within a few years, laparoscopic cholecystectomy and appendectomy became common and standard procedures. Laparoscopic techniques offer the benefits of less perioperative morbidity, a shorter hospital stay, a more rapid return to work, and better cosmesis. Laparoscopic surgery has been a rare event in surgical history in a profound technical revolution. The role of laparoscopic techniques in colon and rectal cancer center around diagnosis and staging, palliative therapy and curative techniques, of which the latter remains the most controversial [2].

Background: Lengthy remission or cure has remained elusive for patients with many of the common haematological malignancies. Thus high dose chemotherapy followed by autologous haemopoietic stem cell transplantation is being increasingly utilised in these diseases. Aim: To assess the safety of high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation in haematological malignancy. Methods: Forty‐eight patients with haematological malignancy were given high dose chemotherapy followed by an infusion of previously cryopreserved autologous peripheral blood stem cells with (patients with acute myeloid leukaemia [AML]) or without (patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia [ALL], chronic myeloid leukaemia, non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma) autologous bone marrow. Results: All patients except one had sustained engraftment. The median (range) number of days to attain a neutrophil count of 0.5 × 10/L was 12 (10–42) and a platelet count of 20 × 10/L unsupported by platelet transfusions was 15 (eight to 155). Other than oropharyngeal mucositis and febrile neutropenia, morbidity was low. Two patients had haemorrhagic cystitis, one hepatic veno‐occlusive disease and one interstitial pneumonitis; all resolved. The treatment‐related mortality was 2% ‐ a single patient with AML died of failure of sustained engraftment. Conclusions: Autologous blood stem cell transplantation to support high dose chemotherapy is a relatively safe procedure and its efficacy is currently being explored in a wide range of haematological malignancies. (Aust NZ J Med 1995; 25; 483–489.)

PURPOSE: To explore the potential for the information superhighway to provide radiologists with new opportunities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Internet was used as the communication and distribution medium. MOSAIC, a graphical interface, provided access for clients, and a computer was used to serve text, images, sound, and cine onto the Internet. RESULTS: The system can be used to send reports and images to referring physicians or consulting radiologists; to provide a large database that is constantly available; to provide an increasing collection of teaching files; and to distribute interactive, multimedia teaching tools that can be used on any computer system. The use of the MOSAIC interface facilitates interaction, which allows users with limited computer experience to access the system. CONCLUSION: The Internet can dramatically expand the ways radiologists interact with their colleagues. These preliminary results indicate that there will be great challenges and opportunities for improving care and teac...

We performed a second examination for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA on 51 sexually experienced 13- to 21-year-old (mean = 17.8 years) female patients seen at an urban teaching hospital. Cervicovaginal lavages were performed 6 to 36 months apart (median = 13.3 months) to collect cells for HPV DNA detection and typing by Southern blot hybridization. At the first and second visits, 39.2% (20/51) and 25.5% (13/51) of patients, respectively, were infected with HPV. Collectively, 56.9% (29/51) of patients had at least one positive HPV test result. Although 7.8% (4/51) were infected with HPV at both visits, only one patient had infection with the same HPV type. These findings suggest that although HPV infection is a common sexually transmitted disease, genotype-specific HPV infection detected by Southern blot at two visits was rare.

To investigate the prevalence rates of and risk factors for genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in white, middle-class adolescents, we obtained specimens for HPV from 107 patients undergoing pelvic examination at a suburban adolescent health service. Specimens were obtained by means of cervicovaginal lavage and were analyzed for HPV DNA by Southern blot analysis. The subjects' mean age was 18.5 (+/- 2.0 SD) years; 47% of the subjects were seen for contraception, 36% for possible pregnancy, 12% for a gynecologic complaint, and 5% for a general examination. We detected HPV in 32% of patients; HPV types included 6/11 (6%), 16 (3%), 18 (15%), 31 (3%), 42 (6%), 45 (18%), and 56 (6%). The DNA type was classified as uncharacterized in 47%, and 3% had more than one type. Univariate analysis revealed that patients found to have HPV were more likely to have more than two sexual partners, to have been sexually active for more than 2 years, to have had menarche before 12 years of age, and to have a history of sexually transmitted disease; logistic regression multivariate analysis demonstrated that number of partners and age at menarche were independent risk factors for HPV. These data indicate that HPV is common among sexually active teenagers regardless of ethnicity or socioeconomic status. The association of cervicovaginal HPV infection with sexual activity further supports the notion of the sexual transmission of this agent.

The performance of HgCdTe photodiodes, realized for the purpose of thermal imaging in the 8–12μm atmospheric window, is often limited by traps and by the tunneling mechanism associated with them. This mechanism dominates the leakage current and the dynamic resistance in diodes operated in reverse bias above 1OOmV and at temperatures below 77K. In usual working conditions, namely low reverse bias and a temperature of 77K, the presence of traps and the tunneling mechanism associated with them, degrades the performance of the diodes. Although the diffusion mechanism dominating the leakage current and the dynamic resistance in diodes operated under the above conditions is of major concern, the presence of the traps should not be ignored. The traps result in shorter electron lifetime in the bulk as well as in the generation of 1/f noise, which degrades the device's figures of merit such as NETD. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the trapassisted tunneling mechanism is a prerequisite to studying its impact on the device performance.In this paper we present a model which describes the connection between the leakage current associated with the traps and the trap characteristics: concentration, energy level and capture cross-section. The validity of the model is confirmed by the good fit between measured and calculated characteristics of the diodes.

Background While mentorship programs, which connect adolescents with adults to whom they can turn to for help and advice, are proliferating in an attempt to prevent high-risk behaviors in teenagers, there are few data to show that mentorship actually makes a difference. Objective To determine if there is an association between having an adult mentor and high-risk behaviors in adolescents. Hypothesis Adolescents who have an adult mentor would be less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors than those without an adult mentor. Design Cross-sectional study. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was developed to assess demographics, involvement in risk behaviors, and the prevalence of a mentor in the life of a young person. Participants A convenience sample of 294 adolescents, seen consecutively (93% of those approached), receiving outpatient medical care. Participants were predominantly female (68%), of mixed race/ethnicity, aged between 12 and 23 years (mean ± SD age, 16.9 ± 2.4), and from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Setting An adolescent health service in a suburban community-based teaching hospital. Main Outcome Measures Adolescent smoking, alcohol and drug use, sexual practices, and weapon carrying. Results Adolescents with mentors were significantly less likely to participate in 4 of the 5 measured risk behaviors: ever carrying a weapon (odds ratio, 0.41;P≤.01), illicit drug use in the past 30 days (odds ratio, 0.44;P≤.01), smoking more than 5 cigarettes per day (odds ratio, 0.54;P≤.05), and sex with more than 1 partner in the past 6 months (odds ratio, 0.56;P≤.05). No significant difference was found with alcohol use (≥3 drinks in the past 30 days). Conclusion A strong positive relationship was found between adolescents having an adult mentor and decreased participation in 4 of the 5 risk behaviors evaluated.

Objective To evaluate the variability of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) results from different laboratories. Design Prospective analyses of sera separated and frozen, obtained from 15 female patients in the follicular phase. All kits used for radioimmunoassay (RIA) for FSH were from the Second International Reference Preparation (IRP). Four different kits were used for FSH and three for E2. Setting Sera obtained from each patient were separated into five test tubes and frozen. Analysis of all samples was done on the same day in each one of five participating hospital-based RIA laboratories (North Shore, Cornell, Yale, Mount Sinai, and Norfolk). Participants Fifteen consecutive patients from the assisted reproductive technology program at North Shore University Hospital participated in the study. Main Outcome Measures After FSH and E2 levels were tabulated for each laboratory, mean levels were calculated. Results Using the Bonferroni adjusted pairwise multiple comparisons analysis, significant differences were found between three groups of laboratories within the FSH results and three different groups within the E2 results. Conclusions [1] Different results may be obtained on the same sera for FSH and E2 at different laboratories; [2] for FSH, even though the same IRP is used, different results are reached; [3] for E2 even when the same kits are used, results may be significantly different. These results suggest that specific FSH and E2 levels used to predict chances for achieving a viable pregnancy through in vitro fertilization should be interpreted with caution across institutions.