cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of caloric test asymmetry on response to treatment in vestibular migraine.

Objective This study aimed to examine the association between caloric asymmetry and response to treatment in patients with vestibular migraine. Method Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores were compared between patients with less than and more than 25 per cent asymmetry (using Cohen effect size) in a cohort of definite vestibular migraine patients who underwent caloric testing between August 2016 and March 2019. Results A total of 31 patients (mean age: 48.7 ± 20.0 years; mean follow up: 9.1 ± 8.1 months) were included. Mean caloric asymmetry was 15.1 ± 15.6 per cent, with 6 (19.4 per cent) patients having asymmetry more than 25 per cent. Overall, patients experienced significant improvement in Dizziness Handicap Inventory total (d = 0.623 (95 per cent confidence interval, 0.007, 1.216)), emotional domain (d = 0.635 (95 per cent confidence interval, 0.019, 1.229)) and functional domain (d = 0.769 (95 per cent confidence interval, 0.143, 1.367)) but not physical domain (d = 0.227 (95 per cent confidence interval, −0.370, 0.815)) scores. Patients with more than 25 per cent asymmetry had no significant improvement in Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores, whereas those with less than 25 per cent asymmetry had significant improvement in Dizziness Handicap Inventory functional domain scores only (d = 0.636 (95 per cent confidence interval, 0.004, 1.244)). Conclusion Vestibular migraine patients with peripheral vestibular weakness on caloric testing may be less likely to improve after treatment compared with those without.
Cerebrovascular Contributions to Neurocognitive Disorders in People Living With HIV.

BACKGROUND To investigate a comprehensive array of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based biomarkers of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) and relate these imaging biomarkers to cognition. SETTINGS Cross-sectional, community-based study. METHODS Participants were PLWH in New York City, aged 50 years or older. They underwent a brain magnetic resonance angiography or MRI to ascertain 7 MRI markers of CVD: silent brain infarcts, dilated perivascular spaces, microhemorrhages, white matter hyperintensity volume, white matter fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity (measures of white matter integrity), and intracranial large artery stenosis. Participants underwent a battery of neurocognitive tests to obtain individual and global cognitive scores representative of various aspects of cognition. RESULTS We included 85 participants (mean age 60 ± 6 years, 48% men, 78% non-Hispanic Black), most of them with well-controlled HIV (75% with CD4 cell count > 200 cells/mm3 and viral load < 400 copies/mL at or near the time of the MRI scan). Silent brain infarcts, intracranial large artery stenosis, and poor white matter integrity were associated with poorer performance in at least one cognitive domain, but the sum of these 3 MRI markers of CVD was associated with lower working memory (B = -0.213, P = 0.028), list learning (B = -0.275, P = 0.019), and global cognition (B = -0.129, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS We identified silent brain infarcts, intracranial large artery stenosis, and poor white matter integrity as exposures that may be modifiable and may, therefore, influence cognitive decline. In addition, these MRI markers of CVD may help in identifying PLWH at higher risk of cognitive decline, which may be more amenable to targeted therapies.
A Comparison Between the Electronic Properties of GaAs(111) and GaAs(\bar 1\bar 1\bar 1)

Results of an angle-resolved photoemission investigation of GaAs(lll)(2 × 2) and GaAs(\(\bar 1\bar 1\bar 1\))(2 × 2) are presented. Significant differences were found to exist between spectra for the two surfaces. In addition, the surface band dispersions which are derived directly from the data are distinctly different for the two surfaces.
CD4+CD25high Regulatory Cells in Human Peripheral Blood

Thymectomy in mice on neonatal day 3 leads to the development of multiorgan autoimmune disease due to loss of a CD(+)CD25(+) T cell regulatory population in their peripheral lymphoid tissues. Here, we report the identification of a CD4(+) population of regulatory T cells in the circulation of humans expressing high levels of CD25 that exhibit in vitro characteristics identical with those of the CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory cells isolated in mice. With TCR cross-linking, CD4(+)CD25(high) cells did not proliferate but instead totally inhibited proliferation and cytokine secretion by activated CD4(+)CD25(-) responder T cells in a contact-dependent manner. The CD4(+)CD25(high) regulatory T cells expressed high levels of CD45RO but not CD45RA, akin to the expression of CD45RB(low) on murine CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory cells. Increasing the strength of signal by providing either costimulation with CD28 cross-linking or the addition of IL-2 to a maximal anti-CD3 stimulus resulted in a modest induction of proliferation and the loss of observable suppression in cocultures of CD4(+)CD25(high) regulatory cells and CD4(+)CD25(-) responder cells. Whereas higher ratios of CD4(+)CD25(high) T cells are required to suppress proliferation if the PD-L1 receptor is blocked, regulatory cell function is shown to persist in the absence of the PD-1/PD-L1 or CTLA-4/B7 pathway. Thus, regulatory CD4 T cells expressing high levels of the IL-2 receptor are present in humans, providing the opportunity to determine whether alterations of these populations of T cells are involved in the induction of human autoimmune disorders.
The Gibeonite Exception

In this article I read the narrative of the Gibeonites' deception in Joshua 9 with the help of Giorgio Agamben's logic of sovereignty and the work of other contemporary political theorists. I argue that the Gibeonites are simultaneously included and excluded from political life, and as such they exemplify the paradox of sovereignty which Agamben describes. However, they also exhibit the complexities of sovereignty that are highlighted by one of Agamben's critics, William Connolly. My paper can be read as a literary interpretation of Joshua 9 or as a test case or exemplar for the political theories with which I engage.
Expression of Cdc2 and Cyclin B1 in Helicobacter pylori-Associated Gastric MALT and MALT Lymphoma : Relationship to Cell Death, Proliferation, and Transformation

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) may accumulate within gastric mucosa as a result of long standing Helicobacter pylori infection, and this acquired MALT may eventually develop into low-grade B-cell MALT lymphoma. To determine the possible association of cell cycle regulatory proteins and apoptotic cell death in the transformation of H. pylori gastritis to MALT lymphoma, the extent of cell proliferation, cell viability, expression of Cdc2/Cdk1 and cyclin B in gastric mucosal from patients with H. pylori -positive chronic gastritis ( n = 7), MALT ( n = 12), or MALT lymphoma ( n = 12) were undertaken. Control tissue was obtained from H. pylori - negative patients ( n = 5). Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Cdc2, and cyclin B1 were examined in paraffin embedded tissue by immunohistochemistry, while the apoptotic index (AI) was determined using the TUNEL assay. H&E staining for histology and modified Giemsa staining for the detection of H. pylori was conducted simultaneously. When compared to chronic gastritis tissue, those with MALT or MALT lymphoma had an increase in PCNA labeling index of 3.3- and 2.7-fold, while that for Cdc2/Cdk1 increased 2.3- and 3.1-fold, respectively. cyclin B1 labeling was 1.9 and 3.0 fold, while the AI was 3.4. and 1.4-fold higher in MALT and MALT lymphoma tissue, respectively, in the same comparison. On the other hand, the AI index of MALT lymphoma was 2.5-fold lower than that for MALT tissues. The labeling scores for Cdc2/Cdk1 and cyclin B1 were significantly higher in the germinal center when compared to the mantle and marginal zones of MALT tissues. Using χ 2 and Pearson/Spearman's rho correlation coefficient with regression analyses, there was an inverse correlation between the AI and Cdc2/Cdk1 or cyclin B1 in MALT and MALT lymphoma tissues. There was no correlation between AI and PCNA labeling in any of the tissues. These results suggest that Cdc2/Cdk1 and cyclin B1 expression may be actively associated in the modulation of cellular death by apoptosis, as well as cellular proliferation and transformation during the evolution of H. pylori -associated gastritis to MALT lymphoma. Subclassification of high labeling score (≥40) for Cdc2/Cdk1 and cyclin B1 and low labeling index ( H. pylori -associated MALT may help in identifying a population of patients with an increased risk of developing MALT lymphoma.
Squeezed in the Middle: The Middle Status Trade Creativity for Focus

Classical research on social influence suggested that people are the most conforming in the middle of a status hierarchy as opposed to the top or bottom. Yet this promising line of research was abandoned before the psychological mechanism behind middle-status conformity had been identified. Moving beyond the early focus on conformity, we propose that the threat of status loss may make those with middle status more wary of advancing creative solutions in fear that they will be evaluated negatively. Using different manipulations of status and measures of creativity, we found that when being evaluated, middle-status individuals were less creative than either high-status or low-status individuals (Studies 1 and 2). In addition, we found that anxiety at the prospect of status loss also caused individuals with middle status to narrow their focus of attention and to think more convergently (Study 3). We delineate the consequences of power and status both theoretically and empirically by showing that, unlike status, the relationship between power and creativity is positive and linear (Study 4). By both measuring status (Studies 2 and 3) and by manipulating it directly (Study 5), we demonstrate that the threat of status loss explains the consequences of middle status. Finally, we discuss the theoretical implications of our results for future research on status and problem solving on tasks that require either focus or flexibility. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved)
Insulin-stimulated plasma membrane association and activation of Akt2, aPKC ζ and aPKC λ in high fat fed rodent skeletal muscle

Several recent reports using cell lines have suggested that both Akt and atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) zeta/lambda are translocated to the plasma membrane (PM) in response to insulin. However, it has yet to be determined in skeletal muscle whether: (1) insulin increases PM-associated Akt2, aPKC zeta and/or lambda protein concentration, (2) the activity of these kinases is altered by insulin at the PM, and (3) high fat feeding alters the insulin-stimulated PM concentration and/or activity of Akt2 and aPKC zeta/lambda. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to either normal (n=16) or high fat (n=16) dietary groups. Following a 12 week dietary period, animals were subjected to hind limb perfusions in the presence (n=8 per group) or absence (n=8 per group) of insulin. In normal skeletal muscle, total PI3-kinase, Akt2 and aPKC zeta/lambda activities were increased by insulin. PM-associated aPKC zeta and lambda, and aPKC zeta/lambda activity, but not Akt2 or Akt2 activity, were increased by insulin in normal muscle. High fat feeding did not alter total skeletal muscle Akt2, aPKC zeta or aPKC lambda protein concentration. Insulin-stimulated total PI3-kinase, Akt2 and aPKC zeta/lambda activities were reduced in the high fat fed animals. Insulin-stimulated PM aPKC zeta, aPKC lambda, aPKC zeta/lambda activity and GLUT4 protein concentration were also reduced in high fat fed animals. These findings suggest that in skeletal muscle, insulin stimulates translocation of aPKC zeta and lambda, but not Akt2, to the PM. In addition, high fat feeding impairs insulin-stimulated activation of total aPKC zeta/lambda and Akt2, as well as PM association and activation of aPKC zeta and lambda.
EBG integrated textile monopole antenna for space health monitoring application

In this paper, performance of a monopole textile antenna integrated with a flexible Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) surface is presented. The integrated antenna is designed for operating within the 2.45 GHz Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band for space health monitoring applications. The goal was to increase the antenna gain, reduce the backward radiation toward the astronaut's body, and reduce the power consumption. Characteristics of the EBG antenna based on simulation results on a flat surface and under different bending conditions have been presented. Impedance matching and the antenna gain remain robust in many bending cases within the frequency range of interest.
Patients’ lived seclusion experience in acute psychiatric hospital in the United States: a qualitative study

The findings revealed that the patients perceived seclusion as an intervention that is punitive and a means used by the staff to exert control. Patients perceived that staff incitements and lack of communication skills led to their being secluded. The findings provided recommendations and strategies for seclusion reduction that were based on the patients' first-hand seclusion experiences. This phenomenological study used Husserlian's philosophy to explore and describe the lived experiences of psychiatric patients who were secluded at a free-standing acute care hospital located in South-western United States (US). The study is crucial because very few studies have been conducted in this area in the US. The study examined a purposive sample of 20 patients, 3 days post-seclusion. Data were generated through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews incorporating open-ended questions and probes to facilitate discussion until saturation was reached. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and data analysed using Colaizzi's seven steps method. Results were described according to the themes and subthemes identified. Findings uncovered four themes: (1) alone in the world; (2) staff exert power and control; (3) resentment towards staff; and (4) time for meditation. The findings from this study illuminated the views surrounding patients' seclusion experience. It provided first-hand information on the patients' seclusion experience that might be helpful to the mental health professionals in the seclusion reduction process.
A mechanism to verify cache coherence transactions in multicore systems

The functional correctness of shared memory applications executing on multicores and multiprocessor systems is supported by cache coherence protocols. The correct operation of these applications thus depends on the correctness of the cache coherence transactions. However, verifying the correctness of these transactions is not trivial since even simple coherence protocols have multiple states. Transitions among the states can fail due to aging of devices or single event upsets. In this paper we present a centralized mechanism for online verification of cache coherence transactions in snoopy bus multicore systems. We make use of an architecture that we previously proposed for opportunistic Dual Modular Redundancy (DMR). This architecture includes, in addition to the general-purpose cores, a diminutive core called the Sentry Core (SC) that is small and simple and thus, can be assumed to be fault-free. Like other cores, the SC has access to the shared bus and is aware of the cache coherence protocol. It monitors all bus transactions and by observing the current state of the cache line being addressed and the type of operation (e.g., read or write) it knows the expected next state for that cache line. Deviation from expected behavior will indicate a possibe error. Our preliminary experiments show that a significant fraction of the coherence transactions can be verified by our scheme.
Decrease in 4-aminobiphenyl-induced methemoglobinemia in Cyp1a2(-/-) knockout mice

Methemoglobin formation, as well as hemoglobin or DNA adducts, are useful biomarkers of occupational exposure to certain arylamines. It has been suggested that, in liver from animals not treated with a cytochrome P450 (CYP) inducer, hepatic CYP1A2 is the major P450 involved in N-hydroxylation. This is the first step in the metabolic activation of many arylamines, such as the human urinary bladder carcinogen 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP). The product of this catalytic step, N-hydroxy-4-ABP, reacts in the blood with oxyhemoglobin to form methemoglobin and nitrosobiphenyl. We therefore examined the role of CYP1A2 in causing methemoglobinemia in ABP-treated Cyp1a2(-/-) knockout mice. Application of ABP (100 micromol/kg body wt) to the skin resulted in a marked depletion in the levels of the hepatic thiols (reduced glutathione and cysteine) after 2 h, which rebounded to basal levels 24 h later, and we found no differences between the Cyp1a2(-/-) and wild-type Cyp1a2(+/+) animals. Unexpectedly, the methemoglobin levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in Cyp1a2(-/-) than Cyp1a2(+/+) mice at 2, 7, and 24 h following topical ABP. Treatment with dioxin, 24 h prior to ABP, decreased methemoglobin levels by about half at each of the time points in both the Cyp1a2(-/-) and Cyp1a2(+/+) mice. These data suggest that CYP1A2 does not play a positive role in methemoglobin formation via the activation of ABP; rather, the absence of CYP1A2 enhances ABP-induced methemoglobinemia. Because liver CYP1A2 levels are known to vary more than 60-fold between humans, our findings may be relevant to patients who are exposed to arylamines in the workplace.
Comparison of performance parameters of SRAM designs in 16nm CMOS and CNTFET technologies

CMOS devices are scaling down to nano ranges resulting in increased process variations and short channel effects which not only affect the reliability of the device but also performance expectations. Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistor (CNTFET) is a very promising and superior technology for its applications to circuit design. In this paper we intend to evaluate and compare the performance parameters of a traditional 6T SRAM cell between a predictive 16nm Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology and CNTFET. The model used to simulate CNT transistor is a tentative model from the researchers of Stanford University, which is not yet practically implemented. Since the dimensions of MOSFETS are reduced aggressively, it is essential to know the potential of what both the technologies have to offer, with their least dimensions available. The SRAM design uses the smallest transistors possible and is also susceptible to reliability issues and process variations, making it an ideal benchmark circuit to compare the two technologies. Our simulations results show that CNTFET based SRAM design is a viable design to choose compared to its CMOS counterpart. The results show that there is a 52.7% increase in SNM of the memory cell. Meanwhile, the cell becomes 5% faster. These results clearly justify that CNTFET is more suitable for circuit design rather than MOSFETs, although both the models under consideration are predictive models. This comparative study would definitely help us choose better technology alternatives in near future.
Postoperative pelvic irradiation of stage II ovarian carcinoma.

Abstract Clinical Stage II carcinoma of the ovary (1964 FIGO classification) represents a small proportion of total patients and has not been studied extensively. Even though the disease apparently is localized, end-results have been poor. Between 1960 and 1970, 24 patients with clinical Stage II disease received postoperative megavoltage pelvic irradiation following surgical procedures of varying extent. All patients but one received between 5000 and 6000 rad tumor dose to the whole pelvis and all patients were evaluable at a minimum of 5 years. Of 4 Stage II-A patients one was alive without disease. No patients were alive with recurrent tumor. Recurrences in the pelvis occurred only in 2 patients; 4 patients had recurrent disease in the pelvis and upper abdomen. A total of 8 patients developed upper abdominal recurrences in the apparent absence of pelvic disease. These results and those of others which are discussed in this paper suggest that surgery and irradiation to the pelvis only will not eradicate disease completely in over 60% of patients with clinical Stage II ovarian carcinoma.
Purchasing vs. leasing: A benefit-cost analysis of residential solar PV panel use in California

Abstract The use of small-scale solar electric generation in the U.S. has been steadily rising in the more recent years. Solar photovoltaic (PV) cell micro-generation has been used extensively for residential applications – especially in the state of California. Systems can be purchased by a homeowner or leased through a licensed distributor. Leasing has become a more popular option mostly because it does not require substantial upfront costs, and regularly schedules maintenance is often handled by the lessor. The inability by households to capture any tax breaks related to depreciation of solar capital equipment purchased by them also has made purchasing home systems even less appealing and continues to give leasing more of a competitive edge over purchasing. If homeowners were to choose financing a system through a home-equity loan, they would be eligible for tax breaks related to the interest paid on the loan. Our study uses a benefit-cost analysis to evaluate the impacts of combined tax breaks from depreciation and interest paid on home-equity loans on competitiveness under different purchase options for a 4 kW solar PV system in California. Purchasing strategies are compared to one another based on the resulting net electricity price ($/kWh) under each option. The net electricity price metric exploits the savings in annual utility bills given the displacement of grid-based electricity by solar generation. We find that cash purchases result in the highest net electricity price. Before depreciation, the differential in net electricity prices between the home-equity loan and leasing financing options is roughly $0.07/kWh. This gap shrinks to only $0.01/kWh when both the tax breaks from depreciation and interest paid on loans are considered. Overall, our results suggest that the additional tax breaks from depreciation in conjunction with those from interest paid on home-equity loans can make purchasing much more competitive. Sensitivity analysis was conducted for key parameters, and all sensitivity tests yielded the expected results.
The lateral spread of ictal discharges in neocortical brain slices

Abstract The in vitro brain slice technique was used to examine the lateral propagation of spontaneous electrographic ictal episodes across adjacent areas of guinea pig neocortex. Epileptiform activity was induced by perfusing slices with Mg-free artificial CSF. Simultaneous field potential recordings of ictal episodes were obtained from 4 micropipettes placed 1–3 mm apart across coronal slices in middle-cortical layers. Two types of lateral spread were characterized. Ictal episodes often developed focally and then spread as a slowly moving wavefront traveling at 30 mm/sec and were triggered by multiple pacemakers. Ictal episodes always terminated abruptly across the entire slice. The NMDA-receptor antagonist, 2-amino-phosphono-valerate, applied focally between recording sites, blocked rapid propagation across treated areas and resulted in the emergence of spatially separate, independent pacemakers. Pacemaker failure is the proposed mechanism for simultaneous and generalized termination of ictal episodes in this in vitro model of epileptogenesis.
Loss of a Conserved Tyrosine Residue of Cytochrome b Induces Reactive Oxygen Species Production by Cytochrome bc1

Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induces oxidative damages, decreases cellular energy conversion efficiencies, and induces metabolic diseases in humans. During respiration, cytochrome bc1 efficiently oxidizes hydroquinone to quinone, but how it performs this reaction without any leak of electrons to O2 to yield ROS is not understood. Using the bacterial enzyme, here we show that a conserved Tyr residue of the cytochrome b subunit of cytochrome bc1 is critical for this process. Substitution of this residue with other amino acids decreases cytochrome bc1 activity and enhances ROS production. Moreover, the Tyr to Cys mutation cross-links together the cytochrome b and iron-sulfur subunits and renders the bacterial enzyme sensitive to O2 by oxidative disruption of its catalytic [2Fe-2S] cluster. Hence, this Tyr residue is essential in controlling unproductive encounters between O2 and catalytic intermediates at the quinol oxidation site of cytochrome bc1 to prevent ROS generation. Remarkably, the same Tyr to Cys mutation is encountered in humans with mitochondrial disorders and in Plasmodium species that are resistant to the anti-malarial drug atovaquone. These findings illustrate the harmful consequences of this mutation in human diseases.
“Picasso in The Metropolitan Museum of Art”: An Investigation of Materials and Techniques

AbstractThe 2010 exhibition “Picasso in The Metropolitan Museum of Art” presented the unparalleled opportunity to examine the working methods and materials of Pablo Picasso's paintings in the museum's collection, 34 works in total, covering a span of over 60 years. All paintings were comprehensively examined and studied using infrared reflectography and x-ray radiography. The paintings with paint surfaces that visually presented qualities associated with alkyd, enamel, or house paints were analyzed. Four paintings presenting such significant characteristics emerged from the group and are the focus of this study. Pigment and binding media analyses indicated the possible use of non-traditional artist's paints but not necessarily house, alkyd, or enamel paints. Picasso's infinite creativity was reflected in his experimental nature with materials. Specifically, his manipulation and alteration of the oil medium, which directly impacted the appearance and handling properties of the paint, must be taken into acc...
Admissible estimation, Dirichlet principles and recurrence of birth-death chains on ℤ + p

We establish a connection between admissible simultaneous estimation and recurrence of reversible Markov chains on ℤ + . Specifically, to each generalized Bayes estimator of the mean of a vector of p independent Poisson variables for a weighted quadratic loss, we associate a variational problem and a reversible birth and death chain on ℤ + . The variational problem is closely related to the Dirichlet principle for reversible chains studied recently by Griffeath, Liggett and Lyons. Under side conditions, admissibility of the estimator is equivalent to zero infimal energy in the variational problem and to recurrence of the Markov chain. This yields analytic and probabilistic criteria for inadmissibility which are applied to establish a broad class of results and previous conjectures.
Structural Realignments in American City Politics: Less Class, more Race, and a New Political Culture

In the past, theorists have debated class versus race versus nonclass interpretations of city politics. This author suggests transcending the debate, concluding that some cities have race and class politics, and others do not. One can join this simple observation to more general theories by formulating propositions showing how structural characteristics generate or dampen racial cleavages and class politics. A new political culture is emerging, which contrasts with class and race politics. The author's propositions explain how and where. The propositions are tested using data from the Fiscal Austerity and Urban Innovation Project for the United States and, occasionally, other countries.
Elemental organic compounds. Part XIV. Polymerization of diene with organotransition metals

The polymerization of 1,3-butadiene by using organotitanium catalysts, e.g. tetramethyltitanium (classified as a radical-type catalyst), gave rubberlike polybutadiene in low yield which was rich in the trans-1,4-stereoisomer, while the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene by use of organotitanium catalysts, e.g., tetravinyltitanium and tetraphenyltitanium (classified as a π-type catalyst) gave polybutadiene rich in the 1,2-configuration in high yield. Titanocene dichloride and bisbenzenechromium iodide were each used individually to catalyze the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene with methyl Grignard reagent. In both cases polybutadienes rich in the 1,4-configuration were obtained in quite low yield. These results were interpreted to be due to the lack of availability of 3d orbitals in the above-mentioned catalyst. Organic chromium, iron, cobalt, and nickel compounds were also investigated as catalysts for the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene. Viscous, low molecular weight products were obtained in all cases. When the chromium catalysts were used, a mixture of polymers, namely 1,2-and trans-1,4-polybutadiene, was obtained in high yield. On the other hand, low product yields were observed with the use of the other catalysts; however, trans,trans,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene was found in each case. The configuration of polybutadiene was also dependent upon the number, odd or even, of organic groups on a transition metal atom.
Nitric Oxide Synthase and Skin Tumor Promotion

Up-regulation of inducible form of nitric oxide (NO)-synthase and increased production of NO has been shown to occur in many pathological conditions associated with inflammatory responses. In this study we show that topical application of skin tumor promoters, which are known to produce inflammatory response, down-regulate the constitutive form of NO-synthase in SENCAR mouse epidermis. The phorbol type of tumor promoters viz 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and mezerein produced greater inhibitory effects than the non phorbol tumor promoters viz anthralin, n-dodecane, benzoyl peroxide and okadaic acid. Pretreatment of the skin with a polyphenolic fraction isolated from green tea, which possesses strong antioxidant activity, almost completely restored the inhibitory response. We suggest that the constitutive NO-synthase activity may play an important role in tumor promoter-caused oxidative burst during the promotion stage of multistage skin carcinogenesis, and that antioxidants may also target their anti-tumor promoting effect via attenuating the NO-synthase pathway.
The 'medicine is war' metaphor.

As the Berlin Wall fell and the Iron Curtain was raised, we entered the post-Cold War era. Adapting to this new situation will require reconceptualizing how we interpret political events and make political decisions. Experiencing life in terms of war is more than mere rhetorical flourish. Metaphors may influence which ethical issues we raise, how we interpret problems, which alternatives we notice, how we rank those alternatives, and how motivated we are to carry out a solution (1) (2). The war metaphor affects more than foreign policy. It pervades our thinking about many areas of life. U.S. Presidents declare wars on poverty and on drugs, or offer us "the moral equivalent of war." In business, countless products are advertised as fighting some enemy from dirt to dandruff. We hear of football linemen engaging in "trench warfare," and of basketball rebounders fighting "the battle of the boards." We are frequently reminded of "the battle of the sexes." And G. Lakoff and M. Johnson note that my own profession is hardly pacific. Academic philosophers talk about attacking their opponent's premises and about finding a claim to be indefensible -- as part of the "rational argument is war" metaphor (3, pp. 61-65, 77-81, 87-96): The war metaphor has a powerful effect on medicine. The 'medicine is war' metaphor influences not only our language, but also our attitudes, moral beliefs, and actions relating to the physician-patient relationship and to medicine generally. I will examine the pervasiveness of the 'medicine is war' metaphor (section I), identify three issues affected by it (section II), critique the metaphor and explore another model for understanding medicine, based on caring (section III), and propose what might be done to limit the use of the war metaphor in medicine (section IV). Throughout, I will identify the relevance of this metaphor for hospital ethics committees (HEC). Once we see how the war metaphor shapes one area of life -- medical practice -- it will be easier to see its influence on the rest of life, including politics and personal relationships.
High Sensitivity Fluorescence Detection of Naphthalenedialdehyde- Derivatized Amino Acids with a Low Power Helium-Cadmium Laser for High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Analysis

The development of a convenient, low cost, low power He-Cd laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection system for HPLC is described. The system was developed for the detection of primary amines derivatized with naphthalenedialdehyde (NDA). The LIF system incorporates a fiber optic cell similar to the cell developed by Yeung and coworkers, which was modified in order to improve the S/Nratio. The LIF system exhibited detection limits of 0.75-1.2fmol which was comparable to the detection limits obtained for the derivatized amino acids with a high power argon ion LIF system and demonstrated a tenfold improvement in comparison to a commercial fluorescence detector. In addition, the LIF cell, collection optics and photomultiplier tube were mounted on a standard laboratory ringstand, which allowed the system to be easily moved. The applicability of the LIF system was demonstrated by derivatizing a human tear sample with NDA and subjecting it to HPLC analysis with LIF detection. Several amino acids were identified in the resulting chromatogram.
Reviewing the Connection Between Paradigms and Theories to Understand Adolescent Drug Use

Approaches to studying social phenomenon are fundamentally based upon personal beliefs about the nature of knowledge, reality, and order. Scholars, researchers, and practitioners can benefit from utilizing a coherent method that organizes the wide array of perspectives that exist and the theories, practice, prevention interventions, and policies that emerge. Although opinions regarding what constitutes real science vary, this article intends to demonstrate the utility of a multi-paradigmatic framework that may be used to organize theories that address adolescent drug use. Application of practice and implications for research, prevention interventions, and policy are presented.
Correspondence of interests and abilities with occupational choice.

The correspondence of interests and self-estimates of ability with occupational choice was examined in a nationally representative sample of high school seniors (N = 4,679). Correspondence was examined with D. J. Prediger's (1982) things–people and data–ideas dimensions on interests, ability self-estimates, and occupational choice by means of canonical correlation analyses. Interests and abilities were found to have a high level of correspondence with occupational choice and to overlap in their correspondence with occupational choice. Interests were found to have a higher correspondence to occupational choice than ability self-estimates. Career certainty, gender, and ethnicity were examined as moderating effects, resulting in support only for ethnicity being a moderator.
Intrathecal baclofen for severe spasticity: A meta-analysis

In order to evaluate the potential of intrathecal baclofen (IB) for treatment of severe spasticity, we meta-analyzed English-language literature and found that IB significantly reduces spasticity in most cases, reducing the mean Ashworth score from 3.9 to 1.6 (t-test: p ≤ .001) and the mean Penn spasm score from 3.2 to 0.6 (p < .001). No effectiveness differences by age or time since onset were evident; however, persons with cerebral palsy appear to experience less relief than do other diagnostic categories. Although 92% of all cases have a significant reduction in spasticity, a minority (8%) decide against implantation of a pump, and of those implanted, 8% discontinue treatment by one year, resulting in an overall 78% success rate. Dosage creep is about 15% per month, on average. Our conclusion is that IB is effective for treating spasticity but less so than previously claimed. Quantitative data to evaluate its effect on pain, comfort, and function are largely lacking. Further research on longer term effects, and complications, is necessary.
Knockdown of copper chaperone antioxidant-1 by RNA interference inhibits copper-stimulated proliferation of non-small cell lung carcinoma cells

Copper is required for cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis. Cellular copper metabolism is regulated by a network of copper transporters and chaperones. Antioxidant-1 (ATOX1) is a cytosolic copper chaperone important for intracellular copper transport, which plays a role in the regulation of cell proliferation by functioning as a transcription factor in cell growth signal-transduction pathways. The present study aimed to explore the role of ATOX1 in the copper-related regulation of lung cancer cell proliferation by immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of ATOX1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissue samples and by assessing the effects of RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of ATOX1 on copper-stimulated proliferation of NSCLC cells. Overexpression of ATOX1 was detected in NSCLC by IHC analysis of the tissue samples from patients diagnosed with NSCLC when compared with expression of ATOX1 in non-malignant lung tissue samples. Knockdown of ATOX1 in the NSCLC cells transduced by a lentiviral vector encoding short hairpin RNA (shRNA) specific for ATOX1 was associated with reduction in copper-stimulated cell proliferation. These findings suggest that ATOX1 plays an important role in copper-stimulated proliferation of NSCLC cells and ATOX1 holds potential as a therapeutic target for lung cancer therapy targeting copper metabolism.
Can a particle have a bag

Abstract Semi-classical reasoning suggests that, when a particle receives a contribution to its mass from the vacuum expectation value of a scalar, under certain conditions the ground state of particle number one is not just a single particle, but rather is a state where a “dimple” or shallow scalar field condensate forms around the particle. We argue that this is not the case. A careful analysis, taking into account quantum mechanics, shows that the semi-classical approximation is a poor one. We find that there are no energetically favored one-particle dimple solutions for perturbative coupling.
The determination of the regional part of the vertical gradient anomaly by a geodetic method

The significance of the vertical gradients of gravity is great in geophysics and also in geodesy. In geophysics the observed vertical gradients can give valuable information about mass distributions close to the surface of the earth and in geodesy they may be used in determining the shape of the equipotential surfaces. The observed vertical gradients are very sensitive to masses close to the surface of the earth and they change very rapidly. Therefore, they should not be used for purposes such as the reduction of the observed gravity to the sea level. The normal vertical gradients are not the best either for this purpose because they are much too uniform on the surface of the earth. The best values for practical purposes are probably the regional vertical gradients. This paper presents a method to determine the regional vertical gradient anomalies in large areas from geodetic observations which, added to the normal part, will give the regional vertical gradients.
Consistent scaling of multifractal measures: Multifractal spatial correlations.

There are a number of apparently disparate problems in multifractal scaling whose solutions have remained unclear, ranging from rather pathological cases where the standard Legendre transformations do not produce effective measures for the H\"older exponent and Hausdorff-Besicovitch dimension to the problem of describing the scaling of point-point correlation functions of moments of multifractal measures. We prove that an equivalent statement of multifractal scaling is the invariance of the generating functions of the scaling transformation. We show that the invariance of the generating functions is what allows the moment integrals to scale with simple power laws. We show that this definition can be successfully extended to cover the scaling of point-point correlation functions of moments of multifractal measures. Previous attempts to solve this problem have lead to non-scale-invariant behavior, presented as an inconsistency by Cates and Deutsch [Phys. Rev. A 35, 4907 (1987)]. We propose that the invariance of generating functions under their own transformations is the central defining characteristic of scale invariance in multifractal scaling.
Photon-counting intensified random-access charge injection device

At NASA GSFC we are developing a high resolution solar-blind photon counting detector system for UV space based astronomy. The detector comprises a high gain MCP intensifier fiber- optically coupled to a charge injection device (CID). The detector system utilizes an FPGA based centroiding system to locate the center of photon events from the intensifier to high accuracy. The photon event addresses are passed via a PCI interface with a GPS derived time stamp inserted per frame to an integrating memory. Here we present imaging performance data which show resolution of MCP tube pore structure at an MCP pore diameter of 8 micrometer. This data validates the ICID concept for intensified photon counting readout. We also discuss correction techniques used in the removal of fixed pattern noise effects inherent in the centroiding algorithms used and present data which shows the local dynamic range of the device. Progress towards development of a true random access CID (RACID 810) is also discussed and astronomical data taken with the ICID detector system demonstrating the photon event time-tagging mode of the system is also presented.
Biocompatible Flavone-Based Fluorogenic Probes for Quick Wash-Free Mitochondrial Imaging in Living Cells

Mitochondria, vital organelles existing in almost all eukaryotic cells, play a crucial role in energy metabolism and apoptosis of aerobic organisms. In this work, we report two new flavone-based fluorescent probes, MC-Mito1 and MC-Mito2, for monitoring mitochondria in living cells. These two probes exhibit remarkably low toxicity, good cell permeability, and high specificity; these probes complement the existing library of mitochondrial imaging agents. The new dyes give nearly no background fluorescence, and their application does not require tedious postwashing after cell staining. The appreciable tolerance of MC-Mito2 encourages a broader range of biological applications for understanding the cell degeneration and apoptosis mechanism.
Measuring efficiency in the presence of head-to-head competition

We develop a new DEA model that measures organizational efficiency in the presence of head-to-head competition. Our model differs from existing DEA models that ignore competition (or any other form of interaction) among the organizations under analysis. The model assumes that organizations deploy inputs for the explicit purpose of increasing its own outputs while reducing the outputs of its competitors. We apply this model to the 2002, 2004, and 2006 political campaigns in New York State for the US. House of Representatives in which candidates spent money to increase the number of votes that they received and decrease the number of votes that their opponents received. We show that campaign inefficiency can alter the outcome of an election. Specifically, a loser would have won in six of the 57 races had he or she been efficient. We also show that incumbents are more likely to spend inefficiently than are challengers. Overall, inefficiency accounts for less than 5% of campaign funding but a loss of about 9% in votes received. We find evidence that campaign efficiency has increased since the passage of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, known widely as the McCain-Feingold Act.
Transcatheter closure of defects within the oval fossa using the Amplatzer Septal Occluder.

This study reviewed the short-term outcome of transcatheter closure of the defects within the oval fossa using an Amplatzer® Septal Occluder. From January 1997 to December 2000, 210 patients with defects within the oval fossa underwent successful transcatheter closure. We reviewed a total of 190 patients with left-to-right shunts, assessing the patients for possible complications and the presence of residual shunts using transthoracic echocardiogram at 24 h, 1 month, 3 months and one year. Their median age was 10 years, with a range from 2 to 64 years, and their median weight was 23.9 kg, with a range from 8.9 to 79 kg. In 5 patients, a patent arterial duct was closed, and in 2 pulmonary balloon valvoplasty performed, at the same sitting. The median size of the Amplatzer® device used was 20 mm, with a range from 9 to 36 mm. The median times for the procedure and fluoroscopy were 95 min, with a range from 30 to 210 min, and 18.4 min, with a range from 5 to 144 min, respectively. Mean follow-up was 20.8 ± 12.4 months. Complete occlusion was obtained in 168 of 190 (88%) patients at 24 h, 128 of 133 (96.2%) at 3 months, and 103 of 104 (99%) at one year. Complications occurred in 4 (2.1%) patients. In one, the device became detached, in the second the device embolized into the right ventricular outflow tract, the lower end of the device straddled in the third, and the final patient had significant bleeding from the site of venupuncture. There were no major complications noted on follow-up. We conclude that transcatheter closure of defects within the oval fossa using the Amplatzer® Septal Occluder is safe and effective. Long-term follow-up is required, nonetheless, before it is recommended as a standard procedure.
TiB2 characterization by auger electron spectroscopy

Abstract Microstructures of TiB 2 materials produced by the auxiliary metal bath process were characterized by Auger electron spectroscopy. The purpose was to identify titanium diboride phases formed in the metallic baths. Use was made of the “Auger chemical effect” which was found with boron by the comparison between the boron Auger signal from pure boron and a titanium diboride standard.
Consumption versus asset smoothing: testing the implications of poverty trap theory in Burkina Faso

Abstract Despite solid theoretical foundations for the notion that poor, borrowing-constrained households will intertemporally manage assets to smooth consumption, the consumption-smoothing hypothesis has not always withstood empirical scrutiny. This paper reassesses the intertemporal asset management problem with a poverty trap model and shows that we would expect to see asset smoothing, not consumption smoothing, in the neighborhood of critical asset levels at which optimal accumulation behavior bifurcates. We then employ threshold estimation techniques to empirically confirm the co-existence of consumption and asset smoothing regimes using a household panel data set from West Africa. Households above the estimated threshold almost completely insulate their consumption from weather shocks, whereas those below the threshold do not. These results not only indirectly provide evidence of the existence of poverty traps but also speak to the level and incidence of the costs of uninsured risk.
Formalized Writing Curriculums? No!

(1970). Formalized Writing Curriculums? No! English in Education: Vol. 4, No. 3, pp. 74-77.
Keeping up with Africa: a selective annotated bibliography

Awareness of developments taking place in Africa is essential for non‐African economies, commercial interests, and investors; and also for governmental, diplomatic, and political interests. Reference librarians may find themselves faced with more and varied questions concerning African affairs and current events, and may be asked to supply more than just general answers about Africa. This article presents resources for developing an understanding of African affairs, and keeping up‐to‐date with African economics, governance, and development issues on a day‐to‐day basis.