cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
W, WSi{sub x} and Ti/Al low resistance OHMIC contacts to InGaN, InN and InAlN

W, WSi{sub 0.44} and Ti/Al contacts were examined on n{sup +} In{sub 0.65}Ga{sub 0.35}N, InN and In{sub 0.75}Al{sub 0.25}N. W was found to produce low specific contact resistance ({rho}{sub c} {approximately} 10{sup {minus}7} {Omega} {center_dot}cm{sup 2}) ohmic contacts to InGaN, with significant reaction between metal and semiconductor at 900 {degrees}C mainly due to out diffusion of In and N. WSi{sub x} showed an as-deposited {rho}{sub c} of 4{times}10{sup {minus}7} {Omega} {center_dot}cm{sup 2} but this degraded significantly with subsequent annealing. Ti/Al contacts were stable to {approximately} 600 {degrees}C ({rho}{sub c} {approximately} 4{times}10{sup {minus}7} {Omega} {center_dot}cm{sup 2} at {le}600 {degrees}C). The surfaces of these contacts remain smooth to 800 {degrees}C for W and WSi{sub x} and 650 {degrees}C for Ti/Al. InN contacted with W and Ti/Al produced ohmic contacts with {rho}{sub c} {approximately} 10{sup {minus}7} {Omega} {center_dot}cm{sup 2} and for WSi{sub x} {rho}{sub c} {approximately} 10{sup {minus}6} {Omega} {center_dot}cm{sup 2}. All remained smooth to {approximately} 600 {degrees}C, but exhibited significant interdiffusion of In, N, W and Ti respectively at higher temperatures. The contact resistances for all three metalization schemes were {ge} 10{sup {minus}4} {Omega} {center_dot}cm{sup 2} on InAlN, and degrades with subsequent annealing. The Ti/Al was found to react with the InAlN above 400 {degrees}C, causing the contact resistance to increase rapidly. W and WSi{sub x} proved to be more stable with {rho}{sub c} {approximately} 10{sup {minus}2} and 10{sup {minus}3} {Omega} {center_dot}cm{sup 2} up to 650 {degrees}C and 700 {degrees}C respectively.
Detection of changes in spatial position: III. Dot number or dot density?

Better detection of changes in spatial position is achieved within random dot patterns consisting of a small number of dots rather than a large number of dots. Why? The result might be related directly to the number of display elements which must be monitored and thereby linked to the sharing of attention across display elements. The result, previously obtained for displays of constant area, might be related to the density of display elements and thereby linked to proximity relations within spatial patterns. Or the result may be due to the local separation of neighboring dots when inquiring about the state of a specific dot. The present study attempts to unconfound these factors. It is shown that performance is related to the number of dots that must be motored, irrespective of dot density; that dot density 18 effective primarily 10 the inquiry of the state of specific elements; and then principally as It relates to the separation of the queried element from its neighbors.
Kaposi's sarcoma in homosexual men: An immunohistochemical study

A recent outbreak of disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma has been recognized in homosexual men in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Biopsy specimens of skin lesions were obtained from nine of these homosexual men in Los Angeles and San Francisco. T lymphocyte subset antigens, factor VIII-related antigen, and HLA-Dr antigen were evaluated in situ in frozen sections using immunoperoxidase technics. Factor VIII-related antigen and HLA-Dr antigen were present on tumor cells, supporting a vascular endothelial origin of this neoplasm. Langerhans cells and T lymphocytes were present in numbers similar to that of normal skin in skin specimens from seven patients with Kaposi's sarcoma with visceral dissemination, but were increased in specimens from two patients with only cutaneous involvement.
Halo Orbits Near Small Bodies in the Elliptic Restricted Problem

In this study, the feasibility of using halo orbits to explore small solar system objects, including asteroids and comets, is considered. Human-based missions in particular are the focus, although robotic missions are included as well. Specifically, the existence of L1/L2 periodic orbits is demonstrated by numerically computing halo-like orbits in the circular as well as elliptic restricted three-body problems for a range of small mass ratios. A two-level differential corrector scheme is utilized for the numerical continuation of halo orbits from the circular restricted problem into the elliptic problem. A stability analysis of these orbits is made and the results are compared with similar orbits in the Sun-Earth system. In considering a human exploration mission to asteroids or comets, halo orbits may provide benefits including a safe vantage point for staging/observation, reduced perturbation effects from the nonuniform gravitational field of the body, fewer communication blackouts, ease of guidance and control of a lander on the surface, etc. This work will be followed by a complete analysis of perturbation effects on these orbits along with an examination of station-keeping costs.
Designing processor-memory interfaces with monolithically integrated silicon-photonics

We propose a monolithically-integrated processor-to-DRAM interface using thermally-stable Mach-Zehnder switches for optical power guiding. For a representative set of SPLASH-2 benchmarks, we achieve 18% lower energy-per-bit cost over the previous resonant ring-switched design.
Plasticizer migration from polyvinyl chloride film to solvents and foods

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films used for food wraps contain significant concentrations of plasticizers, along with other additives. The rate of migration of these plasticizers to foods and food-simulating solvents is the principal concern of this paper, which reviews prior experimental studies and presents new data for radiolabelled dioctyl adipate. Analytical models are described to correlate many of the data, criteria are presented for identifying the controlling step in the mechanism of transfer of plasticizer from PVC films into foods and food-simulating solvents, and tentative recommendations are offered for the selection of food simulants and for the type of experiment necessary to allow an unambiguous interpretation of the data.
Complementary self-aligned laser by metalorganic chemical vapour deposition

A complementary two-step MOCVD growth technique for the self-aligned laser is described which eliminates any possible difficulty associated with regrowth on a high composition AlGaAs layer by placing the regrowth interface outside the stripe region. Single-longitudinal-mode operation with stable near and far-field patterns has been obtained to more than twice the laser threshold current.
Human intersexuality: difference or disorder?

In January 2008, I had been invited to the University of Hamburg to speak on the management of intersex conditions as I saw the current situation. While there, I was unexpectedly given an award by the German Intersex Society (Intersexuelle Menschen e.V.). As part of the award presentation, the group specifically complimented me for disputing the renaming of intersex with the acronym DSD with its meaning of Disorders of Sex Development. This intersex support group praised first encouraging the use of VSD for Variations of Sex Development (Tamar-Mattis & Diamond, 2007) and then DSD with the meaning of Differences of Sex Development (Diamond & Beh, 2008). The latter two acronyms removed the stigma accompanying the use of the word Disorder as part of an identifying characteristic while the latter transformation of DSD maintained the original convenience of the DSD abbreviation. DSD meaning Disorder, while developed by a consortium of clinicians and others (Hughes, Houk, Ahmed, Lee, & LWPES/ESPE Consensus Group, 2006), was not derived at by any official organization but by a self-selected group. The terminology and meaning given to DSD has been strongly spoken against by the largest international organization of intersexed persons as being demeaning and insulting (http:// www.intersexualite.org/Response_to_Intersex_Initiative. html). For those that argue that the use of Disorder as a description of the conditions referred to is a benefit to those that can gain from having a ‘‘medical condition’’ covered by insurance there are other instances where conditions exist that do not have to be labeled as a disorder to benefit from insurance coverage and they occur without being stigmatic and demeaning. The prime example is pregnancy. Personally, I have not encountered any parent or adult that was pleased with being informed they or their child had a disorder. I have met many that accept that there are differences. The designation DSD can certainly be maintained but with the meaning of Differences of Sex Development. Doing so would not be a loss to the original intent of removing previous stigmas using terms such as hermaphrodite or pseudohermaphrodite but would be an enhancement and improvement to the original intent. It would be an improvement in the treatment of those with intersex conditions.
Certificates of Participation and Capital Markets: Lessons from Brevard County and Richmond Unified School District

This article analyzes the genesis of certificates of participation (COP) in the municipal securities market. We document the trend in the use of COPs and illustrate problems in the market through case studies of the Richmond Unified School District default and the Brevard County referendum crisis. The valuable fiscal administration lessons drawn from the growing pains of a maturing sector of the municipal securities market can help municipal governments and investors avoid the tragic consequences that seem to inevitably accompany the circumvention of legal debt restrictions and public accountability.
Magnetic behavior of the three-dimensional Ising ferromagnet Fe ( Cl ) [ S 2 CN ( C 2 H 5 ) 2 ] 2 : Single crystals and mixed crystals with a bromide analog

The principal crystal susceptibilities of monoclinic Fe(Cl)${[{\mathrm{S}}_{2}\mathrm{CN}{({\mathrm{C}}_{2}{\mathrm{H}}_{5})}_{2}]}_{2}$ have been measured in the 1.5 to 20 K range, and are found to be along the crystal axes [010], [101], and ($\overline{1}01$) direction. Analysis of the data demonstrates that this system may be described as a three-dimensional Ising ferromagnet, with ${T}_{c}=2.457\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01$ K and with the preferred axis along [101]. Above 5 K a good fit to the data is obtained based on a spin-Hamiltonian appropriate to $S=\frac{3}{2}$, and including a molecular-field correction for exchange, in which the best parameter values are $\frac{D}{k}=\ensuremath{-}3.32\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$ K, $\frac{E}{k}=\ensuremath{-}0.65\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$ K, ${g}_{x}=2.09\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$, ${g}_{y}=2.10\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$, ${g}_{z}=2.12\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$, and $\frac{\mathrm{zJ}}{k}=0.81\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$ K. Analysis of heat-capacity data supports the conclusions drawn from the susceptibilities and leads to a quite similar estimate for the mean-field approximation exchange interaction. Also studied were crystals of isostructural Fe(Br)${[{\mathrm{S}}_{2}{\mathrm{C}\mathrm{N}({\mathrm{C}}_{2}{\mathrm{H}}_{5})}_{2}]}_{2}$ mixed with the chloride. These were found to order ferromagnetically, with the same principal axes, for chloride concentrations ranging from 71.2% to 15.7% and to be characterized by transition temperatures ranging from 2.213\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 K to 1.613\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 K. The susceptibilities in the paramagnetic region were accounted for in terms of pure chloride contributions, including a correction for ferromagnetic exchange, and pure bromide contributions, without any correction for exchange. The comparison suggests that less important effects of exchange between chloride and bromide species are also present. The susceptibilities along the preferred direction, [101], were also studied in the critical regions for both pure chloride and mixed chloride-bromide crystals. Unusually low values of the critical exponent $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ in the expression for the initial susceptibility were obtained, typically from 1.14 to 1.17. These are interpreted as being due to nondiverging antiferromagnetic contributions to the susceptibility of the pure chloride, arising from a canting (42\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}) between magnetic moments at inequivalent sites in the crystal lattice, or from randomness in the distribution of exchange and crystalline anisotropies or in site occupation in the mixed crystals.
Measuring diversity in product space: the missing axiom

Abstract In contrast to the standard monopolistic competition models of product differentiation, an n -good quadratic utility specification allows for asymmetries in the degree of substitutability among products. However, in order to guarantee the existence of a market equilibrium, these asymmetries need to be constrained to fulfil the ‘transitivity of closeness’ axiom.
Objective assessment of swallowing dysfunction and aspiration after radiation concurrent with chemotherapy for head-and-neck cancer.

Abstract Purpose:To objectively assess swallowing function after an intensive chemoradiation regimen for locally advanced head-and-neck cancer and to assess the clinical implications of swallowing dysfunction. Patients and Methods:Twenty-nine patients with nonresectable Stage IV head-and-neck cancer participated in a Phase I study of radiation, 70 Gy/7 weeks, concurrent with weekly gemcitabine. Because of a high rate of mucosal toxicity, reduced drug doses were delivered to subsequent patient groups: 300, 150, 50, and 10 mg/m 2 /week. Twenty-six of these patients underwent prospective evaluation of swallowing function with videofluoroscopy and esophagogram. Studies were performed pretherapy, early post-therapy (1–3 months), and late post-therapy (6–12 months). Results:Complete tests were performed pretherapy in 22 patients, early post-therapy in 20, and late post-therapy in 13. Twenty-five patients had at least one post-therapy study. Post-therapy dysfunction was characterized by reduced inversion of the epiglottis, delayed swallow initiation and uncoordinated timing of the propulsion of the bolus, opening of the cricopharyngeal muscle, and closure of the larynx, all of which promoted aspiration during and after the swallow. In addition, reduced base-of-tongue retraction with reduced contact to the posterior pharyngeal wall and incomplete cricopharyngeal relaxation resulted in pooling in the pyriform sinuses and vallecula of residue, which was frequently aspirated after the swallow. Post-therapy aspirations were typically "silent," eliciting no cough reflex, or the cough was delayed and noneffective in expelling the residue. Aspiration was observed in 3 patients (14%) in the pretherapy studies, in 13 (65%) in the early post-therapy studies, and in 8 (62%) in the late post-therapy studies (aspiration rates post-therapy vs. pretherapy: p = 0.0002). Six patients had pneumonia requiring hospitalization 1–14 months after therapy (median: 2.5 months), being the likely cause of death in 2 patients. Five cases of pneumonia occurred among 17 patients who had demonstrated aspiration in the post-therapy studies, compared with no cases of pneumonia among 8 patients who had not demonstrated aspiration ( p = 0.1). Of the 4 patients who had not undergone any post-therapy study, 1 developed pneumonia. Mucositis scores, prolonged tube feeding, presence of tracheostomy tube, and gemcitabine doses were not found to be related to aspiration or pneumonia risk. Conclusions:After intensive chemoradiotherapy, significant objective swallowing dysfunction is prevalent. It promotes aspiration, which may not elicit a cough reflex and may be associated with pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia may be an underdocumented complication of chemoradiotherapy for head-and-neck cancer. Future studies should examine whether routine post-therapy videofluoroscopy and training aspirating patients in safe swallowing strategies can reduce this risk.
Extraction of Pd from acidic high-activity nuclear waste using purex process compatible organic extractants

Abstract Purex process compatible organic systems which selectively and reversibly extract Pd from synthetic mixed fission product solutions containing 3 M HNO 3 have been developed. This advance makes the development of continuous solvent extraction processes for its recovery more likely. The matrix solution consists of tributyl phosphate (TBP) and kerosene in a TBP/kerosene ratio of 0.667. The anion exchangers Aliquat 336 and Alamine 336 both selectively extract Pd from the synthetic mixed fission product solution. The most effective Pd extractant appeared to be the tertiary amine Alamine 336. In a concentration of 0.3 M in the organic matrix solution when contacted with an equal volume of aqueous phase containing 0.004514 M Pd a distribution coefficient ( D org/aq of 1.95 was observed at 25°C. This was an order of magnitude greater than the distribution coefficient for any of the other species in the solution.
Myocardial infarction in a patient with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Abstract A 63-year-old male with a prior history of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura was admitted with sudden onset of syncope. He denied chest pain. His initial blood chemistries were consistent with acute relapse of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura as indicated by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. The patient had evidence of myocardial injury as indicated by elevation of cardiac enzymes. A 12-lead electrocardiogram demonstrated ST elevation (up to 5 mm) in leads V 2 to V 6 . The patient was treated with plasma exchange with fresh frozen plasma in addition to nitroglycerin, metoprolol and prednisone in a tapering dose. After reviewing the literature, we believe that the etiology of myocardial damage remains elusive, but may be secondary to an autoimmune phenomenon resulting in microthrombosis and myocarditis. We were unable to find any documentation about any specific treatment in such patients. Further studies are awaited regarding appropriate treatment of patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and acute electrocardiographic changes.
A case study of Streptococcus group G infection in a dairy herd

In this paper an outbreak of bovine mastitis in a dairy herd caused by Streptococcus group G is described. Initial identification of the organism as Streptococcus agalactiae was based upon hemolysis, esculin reaction, and CAMP reaction observed on blood agar used for bulk milk analysis. Initial therapy with a penicillin-containing, lactating cow product cured 24.4% of all streptococcal infections. Definitive serogrouping by coagglutination determined that the majority of infections were due to a weakly-hemolytic, esculin-negative Streptococcus group G. Treatment with a cephalosporin, lactating cow product was only moderately successful (54.9%). Dry-cow therapy with 300 mg cephalosporin eliminated 69.5% of refractory infections. Animals remaining infected following dry-cow therapy were culled. Histopathological study of parenchymal tissue in the lower portion of infected quarters revealed mild damage and slight involutionary changes, whereas, deep parenchymal areas appeared relatively unaffected.
A comparison of fractal analytical methods on 2- and 3-dimensional computed tomographic scans of soil aggregates

Abstract Computed tomographic (CT) images of small (approximately 3 mm diameter) intact aggregates from an agricultural soil of two contrasting management histories were analyzed. Fractal analysis was employed to quantify the heterogeneity of mass and pore space within individual aggregates. Three fractal analytical methods were compared: 1) density scaling fitted to a solid mass fractal model, 2) density scaling fitted to a pore–solid fractal model, and 3) cumulative pore number scaling. Ten aggregates from a continuous corn treatment and another 10 aggregates from a five-year crop rotation treatment were each scanned to obtain a 2-D CT image. Two of these aggregates, one from each treatment, were scanned fully for 3-D reconstructions. The objectives were to 1) demonstrate the utility of industrial quality CT scanning and density scaling for deriving fractal parameters, including the ability of 2-D scans to represent 3-D structures, and 2) compare the three fractal analytical methods to identify which worked best for estimating fractal parameters of individual soil aggregates. The results showed that density scaling methods are compatible with CT scanning and that solid mass fractal models described the 20 aggregates better than pore–solid fractal models. Comparison of the 2-D and 3-D data suggested that some fractal parameters, including the fractal dimension, can be obtained from 2-D slices of a whole soil aggregate. This study demonstrated a non-disruptive approach to quantify internal heterogeneity of individual soil aggregates, which can be used to address scaling issues of soil structure and to predict soil behavior and soil quality.
Disparities in oral and pharyngeal cancer incidence, mortality and survival among black and white Americans

Background The authors present statistics and long-term trends in oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC) incidence, mortality and survival among U.S. blacks and whites.
Procedural Error in Maintenance: A Review of Research and Methods

Aviation maintenance procedures have long been of interest to researchers because of their central importance to aviation maintenance and because of problems that seem to resist solution. In this article, we present a review of work that focuses on maintenance procedure incident reports conducted over several years at NASA Ames Research Center. Using 3 different exploratory methodologies, we analyzed relevant reports from a database of 1,046 maintenance reports (from 1998–2002) in the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System. Analyses revealed that procedural errors in maintenance take a variety of different forms, involve many different types of documents and can be attributed to both document deficiencies and user errors. The objective of these studies was to better characterize procedural errors in maintenance so that more effective solutions can be devised.
Photochemical Decomposition of Hydrogen Iodide

THE mechanism proposed by Warburg (Sitz. der preuss. Akad. der Wiss., 300; 1918) for the photochemical decomposition of hydrogen iodide, namely: , has been generally accepted for a long time but has not received experimental confirmation. Warburg obtained a quantum efficiency of two and showed thermodynamically that reaction (2) was the only secondary reaction possible. Reaction chains cannot be set up in view of the non-occurrence of the highly endothermic reaction, which thus interrupts the chain.
The John Insall Award: A Minimum 10-year Outcome Study of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation

Background Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has demonstrated good and excellent results in over 75% of patients up to 10 years after surgery. Reports of longer-term outcomes, however, remain limited.
Ethanol steam reforming over Co/CeO2 catalysts: Investigation of the effect of ceria morphology

Abstract Co catalysts supported on ceria supports with different morphologies such as nano-rods (NR) and nano-cubes (NC) were investigated in regard to their activity for ethanol steam reforming. Ceria supports were prepared using the hydrothermal method where the particle shape is manipulated by controlling the pH and pressure of the precipitation environment. Structural characterization with TEM and XRD showed the two morphologies to be similar in particle size, but different in the exposure of different crystal planes. The nano-cubes had a higher exposure of the (1 1 0) plane, which is known to have a higher affinity for creating anion vacancies and surface defects. Controlled atmosphere X-ray absorption fine structure analysis, temperature programmed reduction/oxidation, dispersion measurements and steady-state reaction performance tests showed significant differences between the two catalysts. Co catalysts supported on nanocubes showed higher reducibility compared to those supported on nanorods or commercial supports of similar particle size. These catalysts also showed high H 2 and CO 2 yields in the 400–500 °C range whereas Co/CeO 2 (NR) had limited carbon cleavage activity and were only active for dehydrogenation and dehydration. The superior performance of Co/CeO 2 (NC) catalysts is thought to be due to a combination of factors, including improved metal dispersion, increased reducibility and higher oxygen mobility.
Obesity and Academic Performance in Children

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To compare the relationship between obesity and academic performance in children. Twenty African-American males and fifteen African-American females, age 10-12, were assessed for dietary intake, physical exercise, academic performance, and weight for stature rank. A 24-hour recall was used to assess intake; daily physical activity was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire; and a ranking of academic performance by teachers was utilized. Weight for stature was plotted on the NCHS growth charts, with obesity defined as above the 90th percentile. T-tests were used to determine the existence of any significant differences between obese and non-obese children and the amount of calories consumed, the percentage of calories from fat, and the number of calories burned during physical activity. The chi square analyses were used to test for significance between weight groups and their academic performance and between gender and the occurrence of obesity. Results indicated that obese children consumed 45% more calories than non-obese. However, both groups consumed approximately 42.5% of calories from fat, but the obese children burned 25% less calories during physical activity. The analysis proved that there was a 40% greater occurrence of obesity in the females than the males. Significant difference was found also in the academic performance of the obese and the non-obese, with the non-obese consistently receiving higher academic rankings.
Collaborative Efforts to Improve Regenerative Agricultural Practices in Senegal

Anthropologists are skilled at developing rapport quickly with people from various backgrounds, and learning the essentials to participate appropriately in their activities. In Senegal, where many nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have assumed an intermediary role between local populations and the government or other external organizations, it is imperative for them to be able to demonstrate the results of their efforts with local populations. The task is made easier when NGOs and local people find a way to effectively plan their efforts collaboratively.
Application of interferometric continuous-dilution differential refractometry to some solutions, including isotopomer solutions : isotope effects on polarizability in liquids

Interferometric c.d.d.r. (continuous dilution differential refractometry) measurements on eight isotopomer solutions and ten other solutions (mostly solutions of aromatic hydrocarbons) are reported and the results discussed.
Syntactic variation in the history of Norwegian and the decline of XV word order

This essay examines syntactic variation between Complement–Verb (XV) and Verb–Complement (VX) order in a corpus of Middle Norwegian texts written between 1250 and 1525. In comparison to traditional studies which relate word order variation and the subsequent loss of XV word order to overt case morphology, this analysis proposes that information structure and variation in the underlying structure of the VP play a significant role. Empirical data point to the interaction of endogenous and exogenous factors, including language contact between Norwegian and Danish, which ultimately brings about the decline of XV word order in 15th-century Norwegian.
P02.71. The effect of acute yoga and aerobic exercise on word memory and anxiety.

Methods A repeated measures design was employed where thirty female college-aged participants (Mage=20.1, sd =1.95) completed three counterbalanced testing sessions: a yoga session, an aerobic exercise session, and a baseline assessment. Participants were presented with the state sub-form of the Spielberger’s State Trait Anxiety Inventory and a list of 40 words immediately after the exercise sessions. They completed a free recall and a recognition task where the 40 words were randomly intermixed with 40 new words.
Standardization of Value Profiles of Dental Students and Dental Faculty

This study used the Allport-Vernon, Lindzey1,2 Study of Values to establish standardized norms for dental populations, and examined the relationship among freshmen, seniors, and full-time and part-time faculty. The normative data indicate that there is a similarity in general patterns for all groups. The dental student population sampled have higher scores on aesthetic and social values than their counterparts ten years ago.
β-Agonist-mediated Relaxation of Airway Smooth Muscle Is Protein Kinase A-dependent

Inhaled β-agonists are effective at reversing bronchoconstriction in asthma, but the mechanism by which they exert this effect is unclear and controversial. PKA is the historically accepted effector, although this assumption is made on the basis of associative and not direct evidence. Recent studies have asserted that exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac), not PKA, mediates the relaxation of airway smooth muscle (ASM) observed with β-agonist treatment. This study aims to clarify the role of PKA in the prorelaxant effects of β-agonists on ASM. Inhibition of PKA activity via expression of the PKI and RevAB peptides results in increased β-agonist-mediated cAMP release, abolishes the inhibitory effect of isoproterenol on histamine-induced intracellular calcium flux, and significantly attenuates histamine-stimulated MLC-20 phosphorylation. Analyses of ASM cell and tissue contraction demonstrate that PKA inhibition eliminates most, if not all, β-agonist-mediated relaxation of contracted smooth muscle. Conversely, Epac knockdown had no effect on the regulation of contraction or procontractile signaling by isoproterenol. These findings suggest that PKA, not Epac, is the predominant and physiologically relevant effector through which β-agonists exert their relaxant effects.
Inhibition of T Cell Receptor-Coreceptor Interactions by Antagonist Ligands Visualized by Live FRET Imaging of the T-Hybridoma Immunological Synapse

Abstract The diverse effects of TCR agonists and antagonists on T cell activation are believed to be modified by the differential recruitment of CD4 or CD8 coreceptors to the TCR-MHCp complex. We used three-dimensional live cell imaging of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between CD3ζ and CD4 fused to variants of the green fluorescent protein to investigate TCR-CD4 interactions during T cell activation. We demonstrate that recognition of agonist MHCp complexes triggers intermolecular interaction between CD4 and TCR, detectable across the T-hybridoma-APC contact area. This interaction is blocked by the presence of antagonist ligands without decreasing the recruitment of ζ and CD4 or preventing their partial colocalization in the immunological synapse.
The structures of Cu(I) and Ag(I) coordination polymers using the tricyanofluoroborate anion.

The anion BF(CN)3− forms isomorphous network polymers with Cu(I) and Ag(I) that exhibit one-dimensional channels along the b axis and demonstrate stability to air and light respectively.
Failure of tacrolimus to prevent aspirin-induced respiratory reactions in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease

Background In patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), pretreatment with asthma controller medications (leukotriene modifiers, inhaled or systemic corticosteroids, and salmeterol) partially modifies the severity of aspirin-induced asthmatic reactions. Objective A recent study showed that pretreatment with tacrolimus completely prevented aspirin-induced respiratory reactions and might allow silent aspirin desensitization. Methods Ten patients with rhinosinusitis, nasal polyps, and asthma had a history of asthma attacks after ingesting aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. All underwent baseline oral aspirin challenges and had typical respiratory reactions. They were then randomized to receive tacrolimus (0.1 mg/kg weight; 8 patients) or placebo (2 patients) in a double-blind protocol before rechallenge with aspirin using the previous provoking dose of aspirin. In addition, respiratory reactions sustained by 50 consecutive patients with AERD during 2004 were recorded, analyzed, and compared with the tacrolimus/placebo-treated patients to determine whether there were any differences. Results Tacrolimus pretreatment failed to block respiratory reactions to provoking doses of aspirin in 5 of 8 patients with AERD, and in the other 3 patients did not block higher doses of aspirin. The results of oral aspirin challenges in the control population of 50 patients were compared with either the baseline or postchallenge data from the tacrolimus-pretreated or placebo-pretreated patients with AERD, and there were no significant differences. Conclusions Use of tacrolimus as add-on pretreatment to prevent reactions to aspirin in patients with AERD or to achieve the goal of silent aspirin desensitization could not be accomplished.
Abstract 1537: Combined Tbet and IL-12 gene therapy elicits and recruits superior anti-tumor immunityin vivo

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL We have recently shown that intra-tumor (i.t.) injection of syngenic dendritic cells (DC) engineered to express the transcription factor Tbet (TBX21) promotes protective Type-1 T cell-mediated immunity via a mechanism that is largely interleukin (IL)-12p70-independent. Since IL-12 is a classical promoter of Type-1 immunity, the current study was undertaken to determine whether gene therapy using combined Tbet and IL-12 cDNA would yield improved anti-tumor efficacy based on the complementary/synergistic action of these biologic modifiers. Mice bearing established s.c. tumors injected with DC concomitantly expressing ectopic Tbet and IL-12 (i.e. DC.Tbet/IL12) displayed superior i.) rates of tumor rejection and extended overall survival, ii.) cross-priming of Tc1 reactive against antigens expressed within the tumor microenvironment, and iii.) infiltration of CD8+ T cells into treated tumors in association with elevated locoregional production of CXCR3 ligand chemokines. In established bilateral tumor models, i.t. delivery of DC.Tbet/IL12 into a single lesion led to slowed growth or regression at both tumor sites. Furthermore, DC.Tbet/IL12 pulsed with tumor antigen-derived peptides and injected as a therapy distal to the tumor site prevented tumor growth and activated robust antigen-specific Tc1 responses. These data support the translational use of combined Tbet and IL-12p70 gene therapy in the cancer setting. In order to target multiple gene pathways which should provide a more beneficial clinical outcome, we have begun combinational immunotherapy with DC.Tbet/IL12 and chemotherapeutic drugs targeting multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (i.e. sunitinib). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1537. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1537
Doxazosin and Congestive Heart Failure

Doxazosin remains a commonly used antihypertensive medication, although its use has been tainted by recent findings from the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT). ALLHAT was a large, simple trial, designed in a fashion to closely mimic clinical practice as it occurs in high-risk hypertensive patients aged 55 years or older. Its goals were to determine whether the incidence of the primary outcome--a composite of fatal coronary heart disease and nonfatal myocardial infarction--differed between treatment with a diuretic (chlorthalidone) (12.5-25.0 mg/day) and treatment with each of three other types of antihypertensive drugs-a calcium-channel blocker (amlodipine), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (lisinopril), and a peripheral alpha-adrenergic blocker (doxazosin) (2-8 mg/day). Doxazosin was recently withdrawn from this trial after an interim analysis showed the secondary end point of combined cardiovascular disease to be 25% greater in patients on doxazosin than in those assigned to treatment with chlorthalidone. This finding was largely driven by congestive heart failure. The practicing clinician should not abandon doxazosin completely because of the ALLHAT findings, although these findings are indisputably important. These results represent an interim analysis and their application to clinical practice needs to occur carefully. A valued member of our therapeutic armamentarium need not be laid entirely to rest; rather, doxazosin should now be viewed as a secondary or tertiary antihypertensive therapy pending a more complete review of the ALLHAT data.
Soft tissue sarcomas in adults and children: A comparison

In most cases, soft tissue sarcomas in children are quite different from soft tissue sarcomas in adults and require a different approach to staging and treatment. Dr. Lawrence, Professor of Surgery and Director Emeritus of the Massey Cancer Center at the Medical College of Virginia, provides his insight into the differences and similarities in the clinical management of pediatric soft tissue sarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas in adults.
“Weight Gain after Tonsillectomy” Myth or Reality? Interpreting Research Responsibly

Excessive weight gain after tonsillectomy has been described by a handful of studies since as early as 1988 and, in recent years, mostly with variable study design, methods, and baseline weight of ...
Anomalous left coronary artery from the main pulmonary trunk: Physiologic and clinical importance of its association with persistent ductus arteriosus

Anomalous left coronary artery (ALCA) from the pulmonary trunk presents in early infancy with a clinical picture of failure to thrive, congestive heart failure (CHF), anginalike episodes, and mitral insufficiency. These manifestations which are due to myocardial ischemia may change in the presence of an associated lesion. We present a case and review two previous reports of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) associated with this anomaly. Although signs and symptoms are not as clear due to the less impaired coronary perfusion and the presence of a PDA, the presence of mitral insufficiency should raise the possibility of an anomalous coronary artery and, therefore, a cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography are recommended in anticipation of reparative surgery.
A controlled study of cellular immune function in affective disorders before and during somatic therapy

Lymphocyte blastogenesis induced by lectins (PHA, Con A, and PWM) was assessed in 27 drug-free patients with unipolar (n = 21) or bipolar (n = 5) depression and 13 normal controls. Fifteen patients were restudied after clinical remission. Symptomatic patients did not differ from controls nor did endogenous and nonendogenous depressions differ in their lymphocyte blastogenesis response to any of the three lectins. However, a significant reduction in lymphocyte blastogenesis with both PHA and Con A stimulation was found following somatic treatment. Cellular immune function appears to be normal in depressed patients, although the somatic therapies are associated with a reduction in this function.
Adenosine presynaptic inhibition and transmitter "spillover": a new hypothesis of etiopathogenesis of narcolepsy.

Abstract Neurobiologic and clinical evidence has been discussed in order to propose a new hypothesis explaining the precipitous nature of narcoleptic attacks. It is postulated that narcoleptic episodes are triggered by a surge in the tone of the arousal system which temporarily overcomes the abnormal tonic inhibitory influences of adenosine on presynaptic terminals of the arousal system. As a result, abnormally high levels of accumulated transmitters “spillover” onto supersensitive postsynaptic receptors both in the brain and spinal cord. Such a state reduces the tone of the skeletal muscles and blocks the thalamo-cortical association system, causing a hypnagogic state incompatible with adaptive and cognitive functions. An agent selectively blocking A1 receptors would constitute the most appropriate treatment of narcolepsy. In theory, the hereditary predisposition toward narcolepsy could be corrected by perinatal treatment with an agonist of A1 receptors, thus causing an enduring down-regulation of the genome expression that regulates the ontogeny and proliferation of the A1 receptors.
Decline in spontaneous activity of group Aαβ sensory afferents after sciatic nerve axotomy in rat

Abstract Changes are observed in the strength of central synaptic transmission and the firing behavior of primary afferents damaged by peripheral nerve injury. To clarify the relationship between synaptic strength and amount of spontaneous activity, firing behavior was studied in adult, male Sprague–Dawley rats in which sciatic nerve afferents were axotomized. Intra-axonal recordings were taken from A α βafferents within 7 h (acute, n =309), at 3 days ( n =228), or at 10 days ( n =230) after sciatic nerve cut. The proportion of spontaneously discharging afferents fell from 22% in the acute group to ≤13% in chronic groups. Thus, neither the progressive decline in the strength of central synaptic transmission from cut primary afferents nor the altered sensation observed after nerve cut can be explained by chronic changes in spontaneous activity of cut A α /Aβ afferents.
Angina inestable/infarto de miocardio sin elevación del segmento ST: las directrices más recientes*

Preparese para responder apropiadamente a partir de la revision actualizada de estos trastornos
Estimating species diversity: Comparison of two algorithms

Two approaches to estimating the number of species in a lithologic unit are compared. An empirical model of the sampling process, which involves fitting the equation of a rectangular hyperbola to the data from a collector's curve, is compared with a logarithmic model derived from a statistical theory of sampling. The two approaches give equally accurate estimates of species richness when organisms are randomly dispersed but the logarithmic model generally requires more sampling than the hyperbolic model.
Analysis of Load Frequency Control Performance Assessment Criteria

This paper presents the development and application of an analytic framework for the formulation and evaluation of control performance criteria in load frequency control (LFC). The framework is constructed so as to explicitly represent the uncertainty in the measured variables in LFC and to use metrics that are meaningful for the structure of the problem. The framework makes effective use of probability and random processes concepts to develop rather general criteria for LFC performance assessment. In fact, the NERC criteria CPS1 and CPS2 are special cases of the criteria of the framework. The paper thus provides an analytic rationale for the NERC control performance criteria. Analysis of the CPS1 and CPS2 criteria shows that, under conditions that are typically in effect in North American interconnections, the two criteria are redundant. Consequently, there is good analytical basis for not requiring the application of CPS2 once CPS1 is satisfied. Numerical results with four interconnections are given to illustrate the analytic results. The framework is a powerful construct that may be used to construct new criteria for LFC performance assessment.
Small gauge central venous catheters and right atrial catheters

Abstract In conclusion, the silastic catheters are viable alternatives to peripheral venous access in patients with impaired peripheral venous integrity secondary to prior chemotherapy, extravasation, circulatory impairment, and/or phlebitis. Careful planning in anticipation of the patient's long-term vascular access needs will enable earlier placement and may reduce complications secondary to chemotherapy administration via impaired peripheral veins. The oncology nurse has a primary role in the assessment of the patient's need for central venous access. Frequency of blood sampling, chemotherapy administration schedules, requirements for blood products and intravenous medications and fluids are all influencing factors. Providing information to the patient and family about the various vascular access devices is an important role of the oncology nurse as well. Assessment of the patient and family member's abilities to care for the catheter, the home environment, and follow-up needed will help plan later care. Early patient and family education, once a vascular access device is selected, will promote patient independence at home. Meticulous catheter care by the oncology nurse when the patient is hospitalized and careful follow-up of the patient's management of the catheter will help ensure the greatest longevity and lessen the incidence of complications. They are, in one patient's words, a “life-line,” and should always be respected. Oncology nurses are in the forefront of role-modeling this respect.
Psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder among alcoholic inpatients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the adequacy of two measurement systems--the Revised Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) and DSM-III diagnosed antisocial personality disorder (APD)--to distinguish alcoholic inpatients with regard to alcoholism characteristics, criminal activities and psychiatric disorders. Method: The 740 patients, who included 440 men, 387 blacks and 199 Hispanics, were admitted to one of five New York State alcohol treatment inpatient centers. Each patient was interviewed, and DSM-III diagnoses and other characteristics were recorded, and trained interviewers completed the PCL-R. Results: There was a statistically nonsignificant association between DSM-III-based APD diagnosis and PCL-based psychopathy diagnosis. APD (relative to non-APD) alcoholics had an earlier onset of problem drinking, higher levels of pathological drinking and social impairment, and a higher prevalence of familial alcoholism; a similar pattern was not indicated for PCL-R diagnosed psychopaths relative...
The mechanical properties of the rabbit and human cornea

The extensibility of rabbit and human corneas was measured by raising the pressure within the intact globe of the eye and measuring the displacements of two very small mercury drops on the corneal surface. The human cornea showed a negligible extensibility under low stresses. The rabbit tissue, however, underwent a 9% strain under low pressures with a curvilinear relationship between stress and strain. At higher pressures the relationship was linear, and the tissue showed some creep. The low pressure stress-strain relationship of the rabbit could not be explained on the basis that the collagen fibrils were being straightened out from an initial set in a sinusoidal wave. When the stroma was isolated from Descemet's membrane, it showed a negligible low pressure extensibility in rabbit and man. On the other hand, isolated Descemet's membrane was very extensible in both species. The difference between them in the behavior of the intact cornea seems to lie in the relative initial strain in the stroma and Descemet's membrane.
Goals and marital satisfaction: Perceived support for personal goals and collective efficacy for collective goals.

Abstract This study examined the role of personal and shared goals in marital satisfaction. Two constructs were investigated. Perceived support for personal goals was defined as the degree to which a spouse views the marital relationship as facilitating or hindering achievement of his or her personal goals. Collective efficacy for collective goals was defined as the degree to which a spouse believes that the couple is capable of accomplishing its shared goals. It was hypothesized that each variable would make a unique contribution to the prediction of marital satisfaction. Results of a survey of 117 married couples supported this hypothesis.