cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal Evaluation of Glomerular Filtration Rate During Long-Term Lithium Therapy

Abstract Lithium produces many renal effects, but the important question of whether or not it causes chronic interstitial nephritis with consequent reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) remains unanswered. The several studies carried out in this area have been cross-sectional and, therefore, have not contained prospective information regarding creatinine clearance. The present study provides data from seven patients in whom creatinine clearances were obtained bracketing an average span of 7.5 years of continuous lithium therapy. Over this time, there was no significant change either in mean serum creatinine concentration or in average creatinine clearance (first determination: 1.1 ± 0.1 [SE] mgldL, 99 ± 8 mLlminl1.73 mz; second determination 1.0 ± 0.1, 105 ± 4, respectively). The data, thus, support preservation of GFR during long-term lithium therapy.
The Social Organization of Learning Initiation Rituals and Public Schools.

The question under investigation is why does a modern well-equipped school with well-trained staff fail to "educate" its pupils? The school in question is in a rural (and hence tribal) area of Liberia. It is compared with a newer, less well-equipped school in a village more recently opened to the outside world. This comparison reveals little difference in the apparent outcomes of the two schools despite the gross differences in input.An explanation for the failure of these and other similar schools in rural, formerly tribal enclaves is sought in an unlikely location—the initiation ritual. The study provides a broad review of initiation rituals throughout the world, utilizing the concepts of van Gennep and Goodenough to create a theoretical framework. The various constituent elements of the initiation ritual are examined from the standpoint of their contributions to the nature and direction of the changes they induce in initiates.This review of the initiation ritual provides a template on which the charact...
Gender differences in health-related quality of life in patients with bipolar disorder.

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a widely accepted measure of illness state that is related to morbidity and mortality. Findings from various populations show that women report lower HRQOL than men. We analyzed baseline HRQOL data for gender differences from a multisite, randomized controlled study for adults with bipolar disorder. HRQOL was assessed using the 12-item Short Form (SF-12) physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) health scales. Multivariate linear and bivariate regression models examined differences in self-reported data on demographics, depressive symptoms (nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire), bipolar disorder symptoms (Internal State Scale), and medical comorbidities. Out of 384 enrolled (mean age = 42 years), 256 were women (66.7 %). After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and clinical factors, women had lower SF-12 PCS scores than men [β = −1.78, standard error (SE) = 0.87, p < 0.05], indicating worse physical health, but there were no gender differences in MCS scores. After controlling for patient factors including medical and behavioral comorbidities, the association between gender and PCS score was no longer significant. Of the medical comorbidities, pain was associated with lower PCS scores (β = −4.90, SE = 0.86, p < 0.0001). Worse physical HRQOL experienced by women with bipolar disorder may be explained by medical comorbidity, particularly pain, suggesting the importance of gender-tailored interventions addressing physical health conditions.
Heme/O2/*NO nitric oxide dioxygenase (NOD) reactivity: phenolic nitration via a putative heme-peroxynitrite intermediate.

An oxy-heme complex, the heme-superoxo species (tetrahydrofuran)(F8)FeIII-(O2•−) (2) (F8 = an ortho-difluoro substituted tetraarylporphyrinate), reacts with nitrogen monoxide (•NO; nitric oxide) to produce a nitrato-iron(III) compound (F8)FeIII-(NO3−) (3) (X-ray). The chemistry mimics the action of •NO Dioxygenases (NODs), microbial and mammalian heme proteins which facilitate •NO detoxification/homeostasis. A peroxynitrite intermediate complex is implicated; if 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol is added prior to •NO reaction with 2, o-nitration occurs giving 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-nitrophenol. The iron product is (F8)FeIII-(OH) (4). The results suggest that heme/O2/•NO chemistry may lead to peroxynitrite leakage and/or exogenous substrate oxidative/nitrative reactivity.
Geodesic Delaunay triangulation and witness complex in the plane

We introduce a novel feature size for bounded planar domains endowed with an intrinsic metric. Given a point x in such a domain X, the homotopy feature size of X at x, or hfs(x) for short, measures half the length of the shortest loop through x that is not null-homotopic in X. The resort to an intrinsic metric makes hfs(x) rather insensitive to the local geometry of X, in contrast with its predecessors (local feature size, weak feature size, homology feature size). This leads to a reduced number of samples that still capture the topology of X. Under reasonable sampling conditions involving hfs, we show that the geodesic Delaunay traingulation DX (L) of a finite sampling L of X is homotopy equivalent to X. Moreover, DX (L) is sandwiched between the geodesic witness complex CWX (L) and a relaxed version CWX, v (L), defined by a parameter v. Taking advantage of this fact, we prove that the homology of DX (L) (and hence of X) can be retrieved by computing the persistent homology between CWX (L) and CWX, v (L). We propose algorithms for estimating hfs, selecting a landmark set of sufficient density, building its geodesic Delaunay triangulation, and computing the homology of X using CWX (L). We also present some simulation results in the context of sensor networks that corroborate our theoretical statements.
Finding the Forgotten: Displaced Urban Families in Argentina

One of the contributions anthropologists have made to development policy and programs is guidance on how resettlement projects can be handled more sensitively. Over the past forty years, they have documented the sociocultural effects of involuntary relocation, and some have had direct input in designing programs that offer a better quality of living to people displaced by development. Although the literature is replete with cautionary tales of resettlement schemes gone awry, there are a few relatively successful cases, and the World Bank has drawn up its own guidelines for managing resettlement when it cannot be avoided (Michael Cernea, Involuntary Resettlement in Development Projects, Washington, DC: World Bank, 1988).
Large Mesonephric Cyst with Acute Adnexal Torsion in a Teenage Girl

Abstract Background Mesonephric duct remnants usually do not present any clinical dilemma. However, if the cellular lining remains active, it may lead to cystic lesions that may cause pain or torsion of the adnexa. Case This is a 13-year-old female who presented because of severe pelvic pain. Ultrasound and CT scan revealed a large cystic mass in the pelvis. Mini-laparotomy confirmed torsion of the left adnexa due to the mass. The adnexa was untwisted. The cyst and the left tube were removed and the ovary regained its blood flow and was saved. Summary and Conclusion Mesonephric duct cyst should be considered in the diagnosis of pelvic masses in adolescent girls.
Photoinduced Interaction of Phenothiazine Drugs with a Lecithin Monomolecular Film

Monomolecular films of dipalmitoyl lecithin (DPL) were spread onto an aqueous phase into which a potential photo-sensitizing drug had been dissolved. Chlorpromazine, promazine, triflupromazine, prochlorperazine, and trifluoperazine were the drugs used. The drug-film system was exposed to ultraviolet irradiation and resultant changes in the drug-film interaction determined. The interaction of chlorpromazine and prochlorperazine with the DPL film was found to increase after irradiation. The film interaction of trifluoperazine showed an initial decrease, while that of promazine and triflupromazine was not affected by the irradiation. Thus the substituent in the 2-position of the phenothiazine nucleus appears to be critical in the photosensitized interaction. A photo-toxic index was calculated and related to in vivo data.
Synthesis and Characterizations of a Polymorphic Sodium Cobalt Phosphate with Edge-Sharing Co2+Octahedral Chains

Abstract A new sodium cobalt phosphate with a three-dimensional framework structure has been prepared by the hydrothermal method and characterized by thermal analysis, susceptibility measurements, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The oxide framework is built from octahedral and tetrahedral atoms (Co2+and P5+) and consists of cross-linked infinite Co–O–Co chains that propagate along the crystallographicb-axis. The framework connectivity can be correlated to that of potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) type structure. The structure of NaCoPO4is also compared to other divalent metal phosphates and a summary of structures isotypic to NaCoPO4is given. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the compound displays Curie–Weiss behavior down to a temperature of 13 K at which an antiferromagnetic phase transition occurs. The thermal analysis shows that the octahedral polymorph is a product of a phase transformation of the trigonal bipyramidal polymorph at about 710°C. The octahedral polymorph transforms into the tetrahedral polymorph at about 920°C. Crystal data for NaCoPO4:M=176.89, space groupPnma(No. 62),a=8.8957(12),b=6.8007(9),c=5.0341(7),V=304.55(7) A3,Z=4,Dc=3.858 g cm−3, pink thin plate, MoKα,λ=0.71073 A,μ=6.128 mm−1, 2θmax=56.38°,R(F)=3.68% for 41 parameters and 328 reflections withI>2σ(I).
NOTE ON THE PEARSON r AS A FUNCTION OF THE BIVARIATE DISTRIBUTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS1

Methodological difficulties inherent in the estimation of bivariate relationships due to distortions caused by distributional irregularities were investigated empirically. The data represented the performance of 700 Ss between two and ten years of age on nine ITPA subtests and the Stanford-Binet scale. The results indicated that scaling errors of one type or another caused considerable discrepancy in the measurement of underlying relations, but the effect of non-normality was minimum.
What's in a name revisited: should osteoporosis and sarcopenia be considered components of "dysmobility syndrome?"

Sarcopenia and osteoporosis are age-related declines in the quantity and quality of muscle and bone respectively, with shared pathogeneses and adverse health consequences. Both absolute and relative fat excess, i.e., obesity and sarcopenic obesity, contribute to disability, falls, and fractures. Rather than focusing on a single component, i.e., osteoporosis, sarcopenia, or obesity, we realized that an opportunity exists to combine clinical factors, thereby potentially allowing improved identification of older adults at risk for disability, falls, and fractures. Such a combination could be termed dysmobility syndrome, analogous to the approach taken with metabolic syndrome. An arbitrary score-based approach to dysmobility syndrome diagnosis is proposed and explored in a small cohort of older adults. Further evaluation of such an approach in large population-based and prospective studies seems warranted.
Blood flow in human tumors during local hyperthermia

Abstract The response of tumor blood flow during local hyperthermia was studied at 40 different points in 15 superficial human tumors. Hyperthermia was administered for 60 minutes by use of 915 MHz microwaves. Blood flow was determined from the rate of thermal clearance by use of the bioheat equation. The rate of thermal clearance was sampled at 10–15 minutes intervals by turning the applied power off for 30 seconds. A correction was made for thermal conduction from orthogonal profiles of the tumor temperature. No measurements were made during the first 10–15 minutes of heating. The response of tumor blood flow was found to be independent of temperature in the range of 40–44°C. The mean blood flow rate increased 10–15% between 15 and 30 minutes, but remained nearly constant thereafter. The coefficient of variation in this pattern is 15–20%. No evidence of a sharp reduction in flow was observed. Furthermore, the mean temperature elevation, net forward power, and rate of thermal conduction all remained nearly constant with time, providing further evidence of stability in the blood flow rate. Data obtained in one tumor suggest that a reduction in flow may occur at temperatures above 44°C. The mean blood flow rates obtained in this study range from 0–34 ml/100g/min with an average value of 15 ml/1008/min.
Estimation of encounter-level hospitalization costs: accuracy of a multivariate prediction model.

Wagner, Chen, and Barnett (2003 [this issue]) rightly identify the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA’s) historical lack of uniform cost data as an important barrier to economic analyses within the VA. Their article is an important contribution, and the cost estimates they generate should facilitate many types of health services research. At the same time, there are some aspects of their method that may limit the appropriateness of the cost estimates for certain types of analyses. We discuss several such aspects here. The model estimates costs in the long run, meaning it assumes all costs are variable. In the VA, however, managers often must make decisions that are essentially short run in nature. For example, managers are often unable to close facilities or even buildings due to political constraints. If the model had adopted a short-run perspective (i.e., treating some costs as fixed rather than variable), some of the parameter estimates (for example, the marginal cost of an extra day of hospitalization) would be expected to decline substantially. The reason for this is that fixed costs are high relative to variable costs in the short run (Schwartz and Mendelson 1991, 1994; Taheri et al. 1998, 1999; Taheri, Butz, and Greenfield 2000a, 2000b; Williams 1996; Reinhardt 1996; Roberts et al. 1999). For truly long-run analyses, in which it is appropriate and important to consider costs that managers consider fixed in the short run, cost estimates using the Wagner, Chen, and Barnett (2003) methodology are likely to play a
20α-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase and 3α-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase in Human Fetal Liver

Homogenates of human fetal liver were incubated with progesterone-4-C14 with or without a TPNH generating system, and 20α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and 5β- pregnane-3α-20α-diol were identified as products of progesterone metabolism. These findings indicate that the fetal liver has developed a 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and a 3a-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase by the 25th week of development.
Eye Choice for Acquisition of Targets in Alternating Strabismus

In strabismus, potentially either eye can inform the brain about the location of a target so that an accurate saccade can be made. Sixteen human subjects with alternating exotropia were tested dichoptically while viewing stimuli on a tangent screen. Each trial began with a fixation cross visible to only one eye. After the subject fixated the cross, a peripheral target visible to only one eye flashed briefly. The subject's task was to look at it. As a rule, the eye to which the target was presented was the eye that acquired the target. However, when stimuli were presented in the far nasal visual field, subjects occasionally performed a “crossover” saccade by placing the other eye on the target. This strategy avoided the need to make a large adducting saccade. In such cases, information about target location was obtained by one eye and used to program a saccade for the other eye, with a corresponding latency increase. In 10/16 subjects, targets were presented on some trials to both eyes. Binocular sensory maps were also compiled to delineate the portions of the visual scene perceived with each eye. These maps were compared with subjects' pattern of eye choice for target acquisition. There was a correspondence between suppression scotoma maps and the eye used to acquire peripheral targets. In other words, targets were fixated by the eye used to perceive them. These studies reveal how patients with alternating strabismus, despite eye misalignment, manage to localize and capture visual targets in their environment.
Chemical Composition of the Lunar Surface in a Terra Region near the Crater Tycho

More precise and comprehensive analytical results for lunar surface material in a terra region have been derived from the data of the alpha-scattering experiment on Surveyor 7. The silicon content and the low sodium abundance are close to that of mare material. The abundances of titanium and iron are at least a factor of 2 lower, whereas the abundances of aluminum and calcium are significantly higher. The analytical results provide direct evidence for chemical differentiation in the moon and indicate a lunar crust of appreciably lower density than the whole moon and with lower density and higher albedo than lunar mare material.
Copy Number Variation at the APOL1 Locus

Two coding variants in the APOL1 gene (G1 and G2) explain most of the high rate of kidney disease in African Americans. APOL1-associated kidney disease risk inheritance follows an autosomal recessive pattern: The relative risk of kidney disease associated with inheritance of two high-risk variants is 7–30 fold, depending on the specific kidney phenotype. We wished to determine if the variability in phenotype might in part reflect structural differences in APOL1 gene. We analyzed sequence coverage from 1000 Genomes Project Phase 3 samples as well as exome sequencing data from African American kidney disease cases for copy number variation. 8 samples sequenced in the 1000 Genomes Project showed increased coverage over a ~100kb region that includes APOL2, APOL1 and part of MYH9, suggesting the presence of APOL1 copy number greater than 2. We reasoned that such duplications should be enriched in apparent G1 heterozygotes with kidney disease. Using a PCR-based assay, we observed the presence of this duplication in additional samples from apparent G0G1 or G0G2 individuals. The frequency of this APOL1 duplication was compared among cases (n = 123) and controls (n = 255) with apparent G0G1 heterozygosity. The presence of APOL1 duplication was observed in 4.06% of cases and 0.78% controls, preliminary evidence that this APOL1 duplication may alter susceptibility to kidney disease (p = 0.03). Taqman-based copy number assays confirmed the presence of 3 APOL1 copies in individuals positive for this specific duplication by PCR assay, but also identified a small number of individuals with additional APOL1 copies of presumably different structure. These observations motivate further studies to better assess the contribution of APOL1 copy number on kidney disease risk and on APOL1 function. Investigators and clinicians genotyping APOL1 should also consider whether the particular genotyping platform used is subject to technical errors when more than two copies of APOL1 are present.
Spatial variability in modern tropical peat deposits from Sarawak, Malaysia and Sumatra, Indonesia: analogues for coal

Petrographic and chemical variability in two tropical, low ash, domed peat deposits of similar age and physiographic setting, but different external morphology, were examined as modern analogues for coal. Both occur in microtidal alluvial to deltaic plain settings, support similar arborescent vegetation and have accumulated in the past 5,000 years. One deposit is an extremely convex, mature done, with a surface that rises 10 m above river level; the other is a low-gradient dome, rising only 3 m above river level but with a concave base up to 6 m below. Both deposits have been eroded by adjacent rivers, yet peat in the mature dome has accumulated remote from persistent flooding and exhibits distinctive internal stratigraphy. Decomposed sapric peat floors the deposits and is overlain by increasingly better preserved woody hemic and a cap of coarse fibrous peat derived from less arborescent vegetation. Consistent flooding in the low-gradient dome has maintained conditions for the accumulation of predominantly woody hemic peat, which interfingers with and is overlain by oxidised sapric peat and levee-derived clastic sediments. Peat types in both deposits exhibit distinctive polymodal textures and organo-chemical signatures that correspond to botanical input and degree of decay. Due to the abundance of pre-huminite/vitrinite macerals in all peat types from these deposits, megascopic and microscopic texture is a better discriminator for comparison to ancient coal types. It is suggested that the upward vertical sequence of decreasing woodiness and increasing lightness in colour observed in the mature dome might best be compared to sequences observed in Tertiary brown coals. This ‘typical’ sequence can be modified or overprinted due to flooding in the burial process.
SU‐GG‐T‐154: Special Radiation Treatment Procedures Using RapidArc™

Purpose/Objective(s): To report on the capabilities of RapidArc to deliver a conformai dose to a highly irregular target and its capability of sparing nearby organs‐at‐risk (OARs). Material/Methods: RapidArc™ consisting of 2 and 3‐arc plans were generated to treat highly irregular targets on five patients (male=1, female=4, =68 yrs) diagnosed with inflammatory chestwall, angiosarcoma of the scalp, melanoma of the scalp, cancer to the left axilla and cancer to the left orbit respectively. The average target volume was 1019.86 cc (range: 50.7cc ‐ 3039.9cc) with the smallest target attributed to the left orbit and the largest to the inflammatory chestwall. Treatmentdoses ranged from 30Gy to 60Gy and were delivered in fractions of 1.8, 2.0 and 3.0Gy. Full (360‐deg) and partial arcs as well as 90‐deg couch rotation were used to treat these irregular sites. With the exception of the axilla case, all patients were treated with bolus of 2.5mm or 5mm thick. RapidArc™ plans were generated using Varian Eclipse™ 8.6 treatment planning software which allows for multiple arcs in a plan. Daily kV/kV and weekly CBCTimaging were performed prior to treatment for verification of patient positioning. Results: Beam‐on times ranged from 3–6 min and the average number of monitor units was 814 (range: 350 – 1907). Dosimetric evaluation of the plans was performed based on RTOG conformality index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI). The overall mean±SD values for CI and HI were 0.93±0.05 and 1.18±0.06 respectively. Remarkable OAR sparing was observed in all cases. Dose verification plans were generated and delivered to a solid‐water phantom comprising a Mapcheck unit. Conclusion: RapidArc™'s capability of delivering multiple coplanar and non‐coplanar arcs to irregularly shaped targets with short beam‐on times have resulted in very conformai doses with great OAR sparing.
Gene-Environment Interaction for Hypertension Among African American Women Across Generations:

African American women have the highest prevalence of hypertension and obesity of any group in the United States. African American girls have the highest incidence of obesity of any groups of children in the nation, and diagnoses of hypertension have been rising among this group. Because both genetic heredity and body mass index (BMI) are important risk factors for hypertension, this study examined the gene-BMI interaction for hypertension across the lifespan in two generations of African American women. Participants comprised of 868 African American women in the parent cohort and 322 in the offspring cohort from the Hypertension Genetic Epidemiology Network (HyperGEN) study, part of the Family Blood Pressure Program (FBPP). A total of 115 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were evaluated among the parent cohort and 491 among the offspring cohort for tests of SNP-BMI interaction using methods of false discovery rate (FDR; .05) and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (>.10). One SNP (located in the CAPN 13 gene, rs1879282) passed adjustments for the multiple testing mentioned above and had a significant (p < .01) gene-BMI interaction on both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) among African American female offspring. The rs1879282 SNP is located on chromosome 2 on the calpain (CAPN) 13 gene, which is part of a family of cytosolic calcium-activated proteases involved in apoptosis, cell division, modulation of integrin–cytoskeletal interactions, and synaptic plasticity. This SNP was not available for testing in the African American parent cohort.
A Proposed Test for Determining Physical Working Capacity at the Heart Rate Threshold

(1993). A Proposed Test for Determining Physical Working Capacity at the Heart Rate Threshold. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport: Vol. 64, No. 3, pp. 361-364.
Analysis of polarization and analyzing power in the reaction /sup 3/H(p,n)/sup 3/He

The difference between the polarization and analyzing power for the reaction /sup 3/He(p,n)/sup 3/He has been calculated in a 4h..omega.. model space within the framework of the generalized R-matrix method of Lane and Robson. The model calculations indicate neither the presence of f wave components nor a significant sensitivity of the P - A difference to the position of the /sup 4/He levels.
Catheter Ablation of the Left Bundle Branch for the Treatment of Sustained Bundle Branch Reentrant Ventricular Tachycardia

Sustained Bundle Branch Reentrant VT. Radiofrequency catheter ablation of the left bundle branch (LBB) was attempted in a patient with sustained bundle branch reentry. During sinus rhythm, the QRS had a complete LBB block pattern, and the LBB was activated retrogradely (transseptal). Ablation of the LBB eliminated inducibility of the tachycardia, while the QRS complex and the duration of the HV interval (70 msec) remained unchanged. Successful ablation of the LBB eliminated bundle branch reentry and yet maintained the anterograde conduction properties of the His-Purkinje system, obviating implantation of a permanent pacemaker.
Cardiovascular and renal actions of melanocyte-stimulating hormone peptides.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Melanocyte stimulating hormones (MSHs, melanocortins) have important roles in feeding and energy metabolism and in inflammation. Recent observations have uncovered major functions for these peptides, particularly gamma-MSH, in cardiovascular regulation and sodium metabolism. RECENT FINDINGS: Both alpha- and gamma-MSH acutely elevate blood pressure and heart rate through central stimulation of sympathetic nervous outflow. This action of alpha-MSH is mediated by the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), whereas sympathetic nervous stimulation by gamma-MSH does not involve its receptor MC3R but rather is likely due to activation of a sodium channel in the central nervous system. In contrast, gamma-MSH deficiency in rodents, or disruption of MC3R, leads to marked salt-sensitive hypertension, again through a central mechanism: a small dose of exogenous peptide delivered into the cerebroventricular system of mice with gamma-MSH deficiency restores blood pressure to normal. This salt-sensitive hypertension is accompanied by the development of insulin resistance; the mechanism linking these two consequences of a high-salt diet is not yet known but may involve activation of the sympathetic nervous system. SUMMARY: The study of MSH peptides in blood pressure regulation offers a new opportunity to gain insight into the mechanisms underlying salt sensitivity and its link to insulin resistance, and to new therapies.
Effect of thymectomy in immature rats.

ConclusionsIt is felt that on the basis of the reports quoted and on the above data, thymectomy by surgical methods has no apparent effect on the growth, development, or endocrine organ differentiation of the rat when performed at the age of 1-2 days and studied past the onset of puberty. Since surgical thymectomy results in no apparent effects as studied above, it is probable that irradiation thymectomy can have no further effect, and that the cause of the effects described1, 2 must be sought elsewhere.
Effect of Selected Organic Acids on the Pitting of Tinplate Cans in Model Systems

A model system of six organic acids found in green beans was prepared using two acid concentrations, two pH ranges, and two nitrate concentrations packed in conventional and double reduced tinplate cans. Can pitting severity was determined after 6- and 12-month storage periods. The pH increased with storage, but type of acid was more important than concentration and pH on pitting severity. The composite treatment of all six acids gave the lowest can pitting severity. Each acid treatment had a different can pitting profile. The can type was the most important factor affecting can pitting.
Growth of 4H- and 3C-SiC Epitaxial Layers on 4H-SiC Step-Free Mesas

Homo- and heteroepitaxial 3C-SiC layers were grown on 4H-SiC step-free mesas. The yields of smooth, defect-free mesas were ~ 17% for both intentionally and unintentionally doped films, while those with screw dislocations and multiple stepped surfaces were ~ 22%. The electronic and structural properties of the mesas were found on a micrometer-sized length scale using µ-PL and µ-Raman, respectively. 3C-SiC mesas were found to have complete 3C-SiC coverage with some of the mesas having electronic defects, while other mesas were found to be defect-free.
Intellectual property rights and foreign direct investment

Abstract This paper develops a product cycle model with endogenous innovation, imitation, and foreign direct investment (FDI). We use this model to determine how stronger intellectual property rights (IPR) protection in the South affects innovation, imitation and FDI. We find that stronger IPR protection keeps multinationals safer from imitation, but no more so than Northern firms. Instead, the increased difficulty of imitation generates resource wasting and imitation disincentive effects that reduce both FDI and innovation. The greater resources absorbed in imitation crowd out FDI. Reduced FDI then transmits resource scarcity in the South back to the North and consequently contracts innovation.
Clinical relevance of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphisms to predict risk of mechanical ventilation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

ObjectiveProlonged mechanical ventilation is a significant complication after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Angiotensin-converting enzyme mediates ischemia-reperfusion injury, which is an important mechanism of postcoronary artery bypass graft complications. An insertion/deletion polymorphis
Tensor-based finite element formulation for geometrically nonlinear analysis of shell structures

In the present study, a finite element computational model for the nonlinear analysis of shell structures is presented. A tensor-based finite element formulation is presented to describe the mathematical model of a shell in a natural and simple way by using curvilinear coordinates. In addition, a family of high-order elements with Lagrangian interpolations is used to avoid membrane and shear locking, and no mixed interpolations are employed. A first-order shell theory with seven parameters is derived with exact nonlinear deformations and under the framework of the Lagrangian description. This approach takes into account thickness stretching and, therefore, 3D constitutive equations are utilized. Numerical simulations and comparisons of the present results with those found in the literature for typical benchmark problems involving isotropic and laminated composites, as well as functionally graded shells, are found to be excellent and show the validity of the developed finite element model. Moreover, the simplicity of this approach makes it attractive for applications in contact mechanics and damage propagation of shells.
Survival of Mammary Epithelial Cells from Virgin Female BALB/c Mice Following in Vivo Gamma Irradiation

To examine the cytotoxic effects of ionizing radiation on mouse mammary epithelial cells, a transplantation assay was used to generate a single-dose survival curve. In these experiments, virgin female BALB/c mice were irradiated with 0, 100, 300, 600, 900, 1200, or 1500 rad whole-body /sup 137/Cs radiation. Mammary glands of control and irradiated mice were removed and the mammary epithelial cells were enzymatically dissociated, either immediately or 24 hr following irradiation, serially diluted, and injected into gland-free mammary fat pads of 3 1/2-week-old virgin female BALB/c host mice. The number of cells required to give ductal growth at 10 weeks in half the fat pads (the mammary cell dose 50%, MCD/sub 50/) was determined by a maximum likelihood procedure and the ratio of MCD/sub 50/ for nonirradiated control cells to MCD/sub 50/ for irradiated cells provided an estimate of cell survival. Fitting the data using a single hit multitarget model resulted in an estimate for D/sub 0/ of 250 rad with an n of 2.4. No significant difference in the results was obtained whether the cells were dissociated and transplanted immediately after irradiation or the cells were allowed to remain in situ for 24 hr following irradiation. Thus no inmore » situ repair was detected for mouse mammary epithelial cells.« less
Constraints on temperatures beneath Iceland from magnetotelluric data

Abstract The interpretation of magnetotelluric data from southwest Iceland provides three constraints on regional temperatures for the crust and upper mantle. First, it appears that temperature gradients from boreholes one or two kilometers deep (60–120°C/km) can be linearly extrapolated to the base of the crust. Second, the temperature at the crust-mantle interface (10–15 km) is in the range 1000 ± 200°C. Third, the temperature gradient in the upper mantle (15–100 km) is remarkably small and must be close to 1°C/km. Although the absolute value of temperature is uncertain, a distinct difference emerges between the range of temperatures estimated from the magnetotelluric interpretation and the range of temperatures theoretically calculated from the conventional heat-flow equation. These differences, we feel, are a direct manifestation of the tectonic setting of Iceland.
Critiquing courtly convention: Jean Froissart's playful lyric persona

Une mise en evidence de la tension ironique au regard des conventions courtoises entre l'expression de la voix auctoriale et les limitations de la persona lyrique dans le rondeau 44 et la ballade 23 de J. Froissart
Runtime adaptable concurrent error detection for linear digital systems

In response to the rising fault susceptibility of ICs due to aggressive device scaling, a number of concurrent error detection (CED) techniques have been proposed. The existing circuit- or logic- level CED techniques aim at the worst case of fault susceptibility. Recognizing that the energy consumption of the circuitry with different CED capability varies significantly, these techniques could result in significant overhead for today's deep sub-micron devices that suffer from strong variation of fault susceptibility. In this paper, we propose a novel RT-level CED technique for linear digital systems. The proposed technique offers run-time adaptable CED so that devices will never overpay the energy bills for their CED needs.
Polymer Nanocomposites in Building, Construction

Nanotechnology is an enabling technology allowing to do new things in almost every conceivable area. Initial efforts to exploit nanoscience/nanotechnology development in the construction industry focused mainly on understanding phenomena and improving performance of existing materials. Recently, polymer nanocomposites started to be introduced in other areas like the construction industry. Polymer nanocomposite field attracts considerable attention these days due to a variety of potential practical applications. They have offered a great opportunity in sustainable construction/green building application due to their efficiency and environmental protection. Their use in the construction industry is still less known outside the research area. This paper is a short review of recent studies done in this area, taking into account that some nano based materials are ready to be used by the construction industry. This review covers some studies done in the polymer nanocomposite applications in construction basic ...
Behavioral, electrophysiological and morphological studies of binocular competition in the development of the geniculo–corticalpathways of cats†

Cats were raised with one eye sutured and with a lesion in the retina of the other eye. In these cats the competitive interaction between the pathways that go to the cortex from each eye was tested by studying the behavioral capacities, the electrophysiological responses and the morphological appearance of the geniculo-cortical pathways. Two parts of the visual system in which no binocular competition was possible were defined. One is the segment that receives inputs from the monocular crescent of the visual field, which has been called the monocular segment. The other is the artificial monocular segment created by the limited lesion of the non-deprived retina, and this has been called the critical segment. In the binocular segments of the visual pathways we found, as have others, that: (1) behaviorally, cats do not respond to objects viewed by the deprived eye; (2) cortical cells tend not to respond to stimulation of the deprived eye; and (3) geniculate cells innervated by the deprived eye grow less than the normally innervated cells. However, we found that the deprived eye is more effective in driving neurons in contralateral than in ipsilateral cortex. Within the monocular and the critical segments of the visual pathways we found: (1) that cats orient appropriately to visual stimulation of the deprived eye, (2) that cortical cells respond to visual stimulation of the deprived eye, and (3) that geniculate cells grow more than the deprived cells in the binocular segment of the nucleus. Thus, the deleterious effects of visual deprivation of one eye can, to some extent, be prevented by damage to the other.
A family of [Mn6] complexes featuring tripodal ligands.

The synthesis and magnetic properties of four new Mn complexes containing tripodal alcohol ligands are reported: [Mn6(OAc)6(H2tea)2(tmp)2]·2MeCN (1·2MeCN), [Mn6(acac)4(OAc)2(Htmp)2(H2N-ep)2] (2), [Mn6(OAc)8(tmp)2(py)4]·2py (3·2py), and [Mn6(OAc)8(thme)2(py)4]·2py (4·2py) [H3tea, triethanolamine; H3tmp, 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane; H2N−H2ep, 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol; H3thme, 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane]. All complexes are mixed-valent with a [MnIII2MnII4] oxidation assignment and are constructed from four edge-sharing triangles but differ slightly in that complexes 1 and 2 display a [MnIII2MnII4(μ2-OR)6(μ3-OR)4]4+ core, while complexes 3 and 4 feature [MnIII2MnII4(μ2-OR)2(μ3-OR)4]8+ and [MnIII2MnII4(μ2-OR)4(μ3-OR)4]6+ cores, respectively. dc and ac magnetic susceptibility studies in the 2−300 K range for complexes 1−4 reveal the presence of dominant antiferromagnetic exchange interactions, leading to ground states of S = 0 for 1 and 2, while complexes 3 and 4 display S = 4 ground states wi...
High-performance liquid chromatography of deoxyribonucleoside di- and triphosphates in tomato roots

Abstract The levels of endogenous deoxyribonucleotides in plants are greatly affected by the absence of the micronutrient boron. Described here is a high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for quantitating deoxyribonucleoside di- and triphosphates in tomato root tip tissues under boron-sufficient and boron-deficient conditions. The extraction procedure consists of (a) removing phenols from the tomato root tips by grinding frozen tissue in 6% trichloroacetic acid containing polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, (b) neutralizing the extract with freon-amine, (c) selective degradation of ribonucleotides with periodate, followed by (d) treatment with rhamnose and methylamine prior to injection of the deoxyribonucleotides into an anion-exchange column. Results indicate that the eight deoxyribonucleoside di- and triphosphates can be reproducibly resolved and quantified. By this extraction procedure, column life was extended to more than 70 runs per cartridge. This assay technique can be used with less than 500 mg of fresh root tip tissue and allows quantitation of plant deoxyribonucleotides in the picomole range.
Sonic Theology: Hinduism and Sacred Sound

This title presents a comparative approach to understanding the centrality of sound to Hindu religious practices. The Hindu world is permeated by sound: drums, bells, gongs, cymbals, conches, flutes, and an array of vocalizations play a central role in worship. Guy L. Beck contends that the traditional Western focus on Hinduism's visual component has often been at the expense of the religion's most important feature - its emphasis on sound. In "Sonic Theology", Beck addresses this longstanding imbalance, contending that Hinduism is essentially a sonic theology. Beck argues that sound participates at every level of the Hindu cosmos. Comparing the centrality of sound in Hindu theology to its place in other religions, Beck raises issues about sound and language that not only reshape our understanding of Hindu worship but also invite a fresh approach to comparative theology.
Synthetic studies on lycoridicine. II. An effect route to cis dihydrolycoricidine.

Abstract The tricyclic skeleton of lycoricidine has been prepared by a route involving an intramolecular [4 + 2]cycloaddition of a trimethylsilyloxydienamide.
Myofibrillar proteinase, cathepsin B, and protein breakdown rates in skeletal muscle from septic rats

Muscle catabolism during sepsis is mainly caused by myofibrillar protein breakdown. The mechanism of this metabolic response is not known. We tested the hypothesis that increased protein breakdown in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle of septic rats is caused by increased activity of the so-called myofibrillar proteinase, which is a nonlysosomal proteolytic enzyme, and cathepsin B, which is a lysosomal proteinase. Sepsis, induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats (50 to 60 g) by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), resulted in an approximately 50% increase in myofibrillar proteinase activity and an approximately 30% increase in cathepsin B activity. Concomitantly, both total and myofibrillar protein breakdown rates, measured as release of tyrosine and 3-methylhistidine (3-MH), respectively, by incubated EDL muscles, were substantially elevated. Treatment of septic rats with the mast cell degranulating compound 48/80 or the lysosomal protease inhibitor leupeptin significantly reduced myofibrillar proteinase and cathepsin B activities, but did not affect protein breakdown rates. The results suggest that increased protein breakdown in septic skeletal muscle is associated with, but not caused by, myofibrillar proteinase or cathepsin B activity. The data also support the concept of a mast cell origin of the myofibrillar proteinase activity, but do not suggest an obligatory involvement of mast cell proteinase in increased protein degradation during sepsis.
Palmitoyl Protein Thioesterase 1 Protects Against Apoptosis Mediated by Ras—Akt—Caspase Pathway in Neuroblastoma Cells

Palmitoyl protein thioesterase (PPT) 1 is an enzyme involved in deacylation of palmitoylated proteins. A deficiency in PPT1 results in a genetic disease, infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, associated with massive death of cortical neurons. The role of PPT1 in neuronal survival and apoptosis was studied in human neuroblastoma (LA-N-5) cells overexpressing PPT1. Overexpression of PPT1 was shown both by the 200-350% increase in depalmitoylating activity over basal level (as determined by an in vitro PPT assay) and by western blot analysis of transiently expressed epitope-tagged PPT1. Overexpressed PPT1 showed the same acidic pH optimum (pH 4.0) as the endogenous enzyme, when assayed with a P0-derived octapeptide substrate, and reduced the growth rate by 30%. LA-N-5 cells underwent apoptosis, as evidenced by increased caspase 3-like activity and increased DNA fragmentation, when challenged with either C2-ceramide or a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor (LY294002). Overexpression of PPT1 inhibited this C2-ceramide- or LY294002-mediated activation of caspase-3 by 50%. There was also a concomitant decrease in DNA fragmentation and cell death. Consistent with increased resistance to apoptosis, we found increased phosphorylation of the antiapoptotic protein Akt (protein kinase B) in PPT1-overexpressing cells. p21Ras is known to be dynamically palmitoylated and depalmitoylated and is involved in both growth and cell death. The C2-ceramide-induced membrane association of p21Ras was reduced by 30-50% in PPT1-overexpressing cells compared with control. PPT overexpression also led to reduced membrane association of another palmitoylated protein, GAP-43, a neuron-specific protein. Our studies suggest that protein palmitoylation could be a physiological regulator of apoptosis.
Integration of multiple-baseline color stereo vision with focus and defocus analysis for 3D shape measurement

A 3D vision system named SVIS is developed for 3D shape measurement that integrates three methods: (i) multiple- baseline, multiple-resolution Stereo Image Analysis (SIA) that uses colore image data, (ii) Image Defocus Analysis (IDA), and (iii) Image Focus Analysis (IFA). IDA and IFA are less accurate than stereo but they do not suffer from the correspondence problem associated with stereo. A rough 3D shape is first obtained using IDA and then IFA is used to obtain an improved estimate. The result is then used in SIA to solve the correspondence problem and obtain an accurate measurement of 3D shape. SIA is implemented using color images recorded at multiple-baselines. Color images provide more information than monochrome images for stereo matching. Therefore matching errors are reduced and accuracy of 3D shape is improved. Further improvements are obtained through multiple-baseline stereo analysis. First short baseline images are analyzed to obtain an initial estimate of 3D shape. In this step, stereo matching errors are low and computation is fast since a shorter baseline result in lower disparities. The initial estimate of 3D shape is used to match longer baseline stereo images. This yields more accurate estimation of 3D shape. The stereo matching step is implemented using a multiple-resolution matching approach to reduce computation. First lower resolution images are matched and the result are used in matching higher resolution images. This paper presented the algorithms and the experimental result of 3D shape measurements on SVIS for several objects. These results suggest a practical vision system for 3D shape measurement.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Joint angle and delay spread statistics for 1920 MHz peer-to-peer wireless channels

This paper presents spatio-temporal channel statistics tabulated during a wideband peer-to-peer measurement campaign conducted on the campus of Virginia Tech. Based on over 2500 power-delay profile (PDP) snapshots made at 12 different local area locations, the measured statistics reveal trends about the spatio-temporal channel at microwave frequencies that are particularly useful for designing wideband wireless modems that operate in mobile ad-hoc networks.