cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Fractional-N Digital LC-PLL Using Coupled Frequency Doubler With Frequency-Tracking Loop for Wireline Applications

This article presents a 23.9-29.4 GHz digital LC-phase-locked loop (PLL) architecture with a low phase noise (PN) and power-efficient coupled frequency doubler for 224 Gb/s PAM-4 transmitter clocking. The proposed frequency doubler is designed with two oscillators running at 14 and 28 GHz which are coupled by a transformer. Compared to a conventional frequency doubler or a two-way coupled oscillator, the coupling between the 14 and 28 GHz oscillators provides extra PN reduction as the 14 GHz oscillator can achieve lower PN than the 28 GHz one. In addition, by stacking the two oscillators through the transformer, the current is reused and hence power consumption is reduced. To optimize the PN performance across process, voltage, and temperature (PVT), a compact and power-efficient frequency-tracking loop (FTL) is implemented. The 14 GHz oscillator output is fed to the PLL feedback divider rather than the doubled output, which enables power saving in the prescaler divider in the feedback path. The proposed PLL is fabricated in 10 nm FinFET technology and the PLL achieves a 65 fs random jitter at the transmitter output after a 1st-order 4 MHz-BW CDR filtering which enables the industry's first 224 Gb/s PAM-4 transmitter. Compared with a reference NMOS-GM LC-digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) implemented on the same die, the proposed coupled frequency doubler achieves 4.75 dB lower PN with only a 25% power consumption increase. The LC-PLL consumes 17.1 mW from a 0.8/1.0 V regulated supply and occupies an area of 0.088 mm².
Carbonyl Derivatives of Titanium, Zirconium, and Hafnium

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the carbonyl derivatives of titanium, zirconium, and hafnium. The synthesis and reactivity of the group 4B (Ti, Zr, Hf) metal carbonyls have developed relatively slowly. In contrast to the vast number of mono- and multinuclear binary carbonyl complexes of the transition metals, no isolable binary carbonyls of titanium, zirconium, or hafnium have been reported. While the majority of group 4B metal–carbonyl complexes contain π-bonded hydrocarbon ligands, most notably η-cyclopentadienyl, recent studies by Wreford and coworkers have led to the identification and isolation of three novel phosphine-stabilized titanium carbonyl complexes. The first phosphine-substituted derivatives of CP2Hi (CO)2 were reported by Rausch and coworkers in 1979 and were prepared photochemically, similarly to the zirconium congeners. Only two carbonyl complexes of group 4B have been reported that contain π-bonded acyclic hydrocarbon ligands that are not metallocenes. Mono (η-cyclopentadienyl) carbonyl complexes of Ti, Zr, and Hf have been noted only in the patent literature.
Purification and Properties of Three Separate Menadione Reductases from Hog Liver

Abstract Three separate menadione reductases—one specific for DPNH, another specific for TPNH, and a third equally reactive with either DPNH or TPNH—have been purified from the soluble fraction of hog liver homogenates. The DPNH-menadione reductase displayed two pH optima, one at pH 5.5 and another at pH 7.5. The TPNH enzyme had a pH optimum between 6.5 and 7.5, while the DPNH-TPNH enzyme showed a pH optimum at pH 5.5. The apparent Km for the DPNH enzyme was 1.2 x 10-5 m for DPNH and 1.0 x 10-4 m for menadione. Similar values for the TPNH- and the DPNH-TPNH enzymes are 4.6 x 10-5 m for TPNH, 1.1 x 10-5 m for menadione, 4.2 x 10-4 m for DPNH, and 1.0 x 10-5 m for menadione, respectively. DPNH-menadione reductase is not stimulated by added flavin adenine dinucleotide, but the TPNH and the DPNH-TPNH enzymes are almost completely dependent on added FAD for activity. Concentrations of dicumarol which inhibited the TPNH enzyme 100% were without effect on the DPNH enzyme. Similarly, concentrations of 2,4-dinitrophenol which inhibited the DPNH enzyme 100% were without effect on the TPNH enzyme. The DPNH-TPNH enzyme is highly sensitive to dicumarol and other uncoupling agents. The DPNH enzyme is inhibited by AMP, but not by any of the other nucleotides. The DPNH-TPNH enzyme is inhibited by high concentrations of nucleoside di- and triphosphates, but the inhibition is observed at acidic but not at basic pH values. The TPNH and the DPNH-TPNH enzymes are inhibited by folic acid and some of its derivatives. The DPNH enzyme is not inhibited by these pteridine derivatives.
Supporting Secure Ad-hoc User Collaboration in Grid Environments

We envision that many grid usage scenarios will be based on small, dynamic working groups for which the ability to establish transient collaboration is a key requirement. Current grid security mechanisms support individual users as members of well-defined virtual organizations. Recent research seeks to provide manageable grid security services for self-regulating, stable communities. Our prior work with component-based systems for grid computation demonstrated a need to support spontaneous, limited, short-lived collaborations which rely on shared or delegated fine grained access privileges. Our mechanisms enable the high-level management of such fine grained privileges based on PKIX attribute certificates and enforce resulting access policies through readily available POSIX operating system extensions. In combination, our mechanisms leverage other work in the grid computing and security communities, reduce administrative costs to resource providers, enable ad-hoc collaboration through incremental trust relationships and can be used to provide improved security service to long-lived communities.
An evaluation of maternal nitrogen and mineral needs during embryonic and infant development

Abstract 1. 1. Evidence from an analysis of various types of quantitative chemical and physiologic data on the nutritive demands of fetal and maternal metabolism indicates that a specific scientific dietary dictum may be advantageous during reproduction in endowing the child with nutritional stability, protecting the maternal tissues from metabolic loss, and providing for a storage to meet all needs of maternity. From an evaluation of maternal nitrogen and mineral needs during embryonic and infant development, it seems advantageous to provide a daily supply of from 70 to 100 gm. of protein, and a minimum of 1.6 gm. of calcium, 2 gm. of phosphorus, 0.3 gm. of magnesium, and 20 mg. of iron. 2. 2. From available scientific evidence, human lactation requires a greater amount of all food nutrients than does pregnancy. 3. 3. The necessity of fortifying the maternal diet with sufficient amounts of vitamins is indicated.
Evaluation and Management of Chronic Aspiration in Children With Normal Upper Airway Anatomy

Importance Chronic airway aspiration is a challenging problem for physicians and caregivers and can cause significant pulmonary morbidity in pediatric patients. Our knowledge regarding the causes and optimal management of these patients is in its infancy. Objective To review our experience with the evaluation and management of pediatric patients with documented aspiration and normal upper airway anatomy. Design, Setting, and Participants In this retrospective medical record review, we studied pediatric patients for airway disorders at a pediatric tertiary referral center who were diagnosed as having aspiration on modified barium swallow study during a 10-year period (June 1, 2002, through September 31, 2012). Interventions Direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy performed with the patient under general anesthesia. Main Outcomes and Measures Demographics, comorbidities, management, and swallowing outcomes were analyzed. Results Forty-six patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age at presentation was 1.56 years, and there was a male to female ratio of approximately 2:1. Eight patients (17%) were syndromic, 16 (35%) had developmental delay, and 12 (26%) had congenital heart disease. Fifteen patients (33%) underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging, and none had a brainstem or posterior fossa lesion that accounted for their aspiration. Patients were subdivided according to the consistency of the fluids that they aspirated: 25 (54%) aspirated thin liquids, 15 (33%) aspirated thickened liquids, and 6 (13%) aspirated purees. Of these patients, 21 (84%), 12 (80%), and 3 (50%) had resolution of their swallowing dysfunction with feeding and swallowing therapy, respectively. A total of 3 patients (7%) required a tracheostomy for their refractory aspiration. Conclusions and Relevance We recommend feeding and swallowing therapy for children with normal upper airway anatomy. Brain magnetic resonance imaging should be considered for patients with suspected brainstem or posterior fossa lesion based on neurologic examination findings. Most patients who aspirate thin and thickened liquids will have resolution of their swallowing dysfunction within 1 year of beginning therapy.
Symmetrizations of Markov processes

Two methods for symmetrizing Markov processes are discussed. Letua(x, y) be the potential density of a Levy process on a compact Abelian groupG. A general condition is given that guarantees thatv(x, y)=ua(x, y)+ua(y, x) is the potential density of a symmetric Levy process onG. The second method arises by considering the linear space of one-potentialsU1f, withf inL2, endowed with the inner product (U1f,U1g)=fU1g+gU1f. If the semigroup ofX(t) is normal, then the completionH of this space is the Dirichlet space of a symmetric processY(t). A set that is semipolar forX(t) is polar forY(t).
DERIVED IDENTITY AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY IN WOMEN DIFFERING IN MARITAL AND EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Derived identity, defined as a sense of self that is overly influenced by and dependent upon relationships with significant others, and depressive symptomatology, measured by the CES-D scale, were assessed in a sample of 564 adult women classified into one of six marital-employment status groups: married professional, single professional, married nonprofessional, single nonprofessional, married nonemployed, and single nonemployed. Married women were found to report more derived identity than single women and when age effects were controlled, married women also had higher CES-D scores than single women. Employment status results in aggregate indicated that for women of equal education: (1) employment outside the home, whether it be professional or non-professional, is related to a more autonomous sense of self than nonemployment and (2) employment outside the home is not associated with lower CES-D scores than nonemployment. Derived identity and depression were also found to be significantly correlated within the total sample and within each marital-employment status group.
The Neglected Role of the Status Quo in Models of Issue Voting

We offer a spatial model of voter choice based on the directionality and magnitude of expected shifts from the status quo. In this model citizens do not look merely at the positions (platforms) of the parties/candidates, but also at how successful potential officeholders are likely to be in implementing changes from the present status quo in the direction they intend. We argue that our model is more faithful in spirit to Downs's (1957) work than the standard operationalization and, more importantly, that it enables us to account for long-run dynamics of electoral politics in which, because of shifts in the location of the status quo, voter choices may change even though party locations and voter ideal points remain unchanged. Moreover, it leads to ideas for improving the operationalization of issue-voting models.
Magnetic layer thickness dependence of magnetization reversal in electrodeposited CoNi/Cu multilayer nanowires

Abstract The magnetization reversal of electrodeposited CoNi/Cu multilayer nanowires patterned in an array using a hole template has been investigated. The reversal mode is found to depend on the CoNi layer thickness t(CoNi); with increasing t(CoNi) a transition occurs from coherent rotation to a combination of coherent and incoherent rotation at around t(CoNi)=51 nm. The reversal mode has been identified using the magnetic hysteresis loops measured at room temperature for CoNi/Cu nanowires placed at various angles between the directions of the nanowire axis and external fields using a vibrating sample magnetometer. The nanowire samples have a diameter of ∼250 nm and constant Cu layer thickness of 4.2 nm with various t(CoNi) ranging from 6.8 nm to 7.5 μm. With increasing t(CoNi), the magnetic easy axis moves from the direction perpendicular to nanowires to that parallel to the nanowires at around t(CoNi)=51 nm, indicating a change in the magnetization reversal mode. The reversal mode for the nanowires with thin disk-shaped CoNi layers (t(CoNi)=6.8, 12 and 17 nm) is of a coherent rotation type, while that for long rod-shaped CoNi layers (t(CoNi)=150 nm, 1.0, 2.5 and 7.5 μm) can be consistently explained by a combination of coherent rotation and a curling mode. The effects of dipole–dipole interactions between nanowires and between adjacent magnetic layers in each nanowire on the reversal process have been discussed.
Sar1 assembly regulates membrane constriction and ER export

The guanosine triphosphatase Sar1 controls the assembly and fission of COPII vesicles. Sar1 utilizes an amphipathic N-terminal helix as a wedge that inserts into outer membrane leaflets to induce vesicle neck constriction and control fission. We hypothesize that Sar1 organizes on membranes to control constriction as observed with fission proteins like dynamin. Sar1 activation led to membrane-dependent oligomerization that transformed giant unilamellar vesicles into small vesicles connected through highly constricted necks. In contrast, membrane tension provided through membrane attachment led to organization of Sar1 in ordered scaffolds that formed rigid, uniformly nonconstricted lipid tubules to suggest that Sar1 organization regulates membrane constriction. Sar1 organization required conserved residues located on a unique C-terminal loop. Mutations in this loop did not affect Sar1 activation or COPII recruitment and enhanced membrane constriction, yet inhibited Sar1 organization and procollagen transport from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Sar1 activity was directed to liquid-disordered lipid phases. Thus, lipid-directed and tether-assisted Sar1 organization controls membrane constriction to regulate ER export.
Radiolabeled Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin analogs for in vivo imaging of colorectal cancer

Abstract The human Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (STh, amino acid sequence N1SSNYCCELCCNPACTGCY19) binds specifically to the guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) receptor, which is present in high density on the apical surface of normal intestinal epithelial cells as well as on the surface of human colon cancer cells. In the current study, two STh analogs were synthesized and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Both analogs shared identical 6–19 core sequences, and had N-terminal pendant DOTA moieties. The analogs differed in the identity of a 6 amino acid peptide sequence intervening between DOTA and the 6–19 core. In one analog, the peptide was an RGD-containing sequence found in human fibronectin (GRGDSP), while in the other this peptide sequence was randomly scrambled (GRDSGP). The results indicated that the presence of the human fibronectin sequence in the hybrid peptide did not affect tumor localization in vivo.
Progression of classic Kaposi's sarcoma with rituximab.

Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen of B cells and is being used increasingly for treatment of antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases. We observed the rapid progression of Kaposi's sarcoma after our patient received rituximab for autoimmune hemolytic anemia. We postulate that by very specifically depleting B cells, rituximab affects T-cell function (eliminating B- and T-cell interactions), resulting in impaired T-cell–mediated immunity. Dermatologists should use caution when offering rituximab for off-label use.
The use of a somatostatin analog in the treatment of refractory hypotension after cardiopulmonary bypass

The patient was a 59-year-old male status post-prior mitral valve replacement (MVR) for mitral regurgitation (MR) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) 6 months previously. He presented with recurrent MR due to endocarditis and a perivalvular leak, and was admitted with congestive heart failure (CHF) and shaking chills. Blood cultures were positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis. He had undergone 14 days of treatment with intravenous (IV) antibiotics, including vancomycin, gentamycin, and rifampin, which was associated with cessation of fevers and chills. His past medical history included hypertension, prior inferior myocardial infarction, and peripheral vascular disease. Additional medications included IV heparin, 1,000 u/h, and nitropaste, 2 inches every 6 hours. Laboratory values included a white blood cel1 count of 8,400 without bands, platelet count of 170,000/cc3, and a hematocrit of 29.7%. Cardiac catheterization revealed patent grafts, an enlarged left atrium (LA) and ventricle (LV), inferior and posterior hypokinesis, 3+ MR due to a perivalvular leak and a large LA vegetation. The patient was scheduled for a redo-MVR and debridement of his atrial vegetation. The patient was brought to the operating room where initial hemodynamics included a bloed pressure (BP) of 135165 mmHg, heart rate (HR) 65 beatsimin, centra1 venous pressure (CVP) 10 mmHg, pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) 43120 mmHg, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) 21 mmHg, with V waves to 38 mmHg, cardiac output (CO) of 5.0 Limin, systemic vascular resistance (SVR) of 1,200 dynes sec. cmes, and mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvOz) of 74%. Induction of anesthesia was carried out with 500 ug of sufentanil and 10 mg of pancuronium. After adequate relaxation, the trachea was intubated and mechanica1 ventilation was initiated with 100% oxygen. Maintenance of anesthesia was accomplished with sufentanil, pancuronium, and lorazepam (total sufentanil dose 1.5 mg, total lorazepam dose 4 mg). His antibiotics were continued in the operating room. The prebypass hemodynamics ranged from systolic bloed pressures (SBP) of 100-120 mmHg, HR 60-70 beatsimin, CVP 10-12 mmHg, PAP 35-40115-20 mmHg, CO 4-4.5 Limin, SVR of 1,300 dynes sec cmm5, and SvO2 68% to 80%.
A double patching technique for efficient bandwidth sharing in video-on-demand systems

Patching is an efficient bandwidth-sharing technique for video-on-demand systems. In this environment, a client joins an on-going regular multicast to receive and cache the data in a local buffer. The server needs to send only the leading portion of the video in a patching stream. When the client finishes playing back the patching data, it continues the playback using the data already cached in the buffer. Although this strategy enables stream sharing without the service delay, the performance of Patching has limitation: as the time distance to the last regular multicast enlarges, the patching cost for new requests increases and eventually, a new regular multicast must be scheduled to balance the cost. In this paper, we address this problem by proposing a new technique called Double Patching. Our research is based on the observation that a patching stream can be shared by the video requests arriving in the next w p time units if it delivers an additional 2 · w p time units of video data. With these extra data, the patching cost for these requests can be dramatically reduced. In the new technique, a client uses no more than two download channels at any one time. Thus, its implementation cost is the same as that of the original Patching. As for its performance, our study shows that the improvement achieved by the proposed technique is significant. In many cases, Double Patching doubles the performance of the original Patching.
Simvastatin Increases Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Ameliorates Cerebral Vasospasm Resulting From Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose— Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity is decreased after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Simvastatin increases eNOS activity. We hypothesized that simvastatin would increase eNOS protein and ameliorate SAH-induced cerebral vasospasm. Methods— Mice were treated with subcutaneous simvastatin or vehicle for 14 days and then subjected to endovascular perforation of the right anterior cerebral artery or sham surgery. Three days later, neurological deficits were scored (5 to 27; 27=normal), and middle cerebral artery diameter and eNOS protein were measured. The study was repeated, but simvastatin treatment was started after SAH or sham surgery. Results— In SAH mice, simvastatin pretreatment increased middle cerebral artery diameter (SAH-simvastatin=74±22 μm, SAH-vehicle=52±18 μm, P=0.03; sham-simvastatin=102±8 μm, sham-vehicle=105±6 μm). Pretreatment reduced neurological deficits (SAH-simvastatin=25±2, SAH-vehicle=20±2, P=0.005; sham-simvastatin and sham-vehicle=27±0). Simvast...
P-stable high-order super-implicit and Obrechkoff methods for periodic initial value problems

This paper discusses the numerical solution of periodic initial value problems. Two classes of methods are discussed, super-implicit and Obrechkoff. The advantage of Obrechkoff methods is that they are high-order one-step methods and thus will not require additional starting values. On the other hand they will require higher derivatives of the right-hand side. In cases when the right-hand side is very complex, we may prefer super-implicit methods. We develop a super-implicit P-stable method of order 12 and Obrechkoff method of order 18.
C-MOS/SIS&#8212;Using selective SF 6 etching of {1102} sapphire

A process for selectively etching holes in {1102} sapphire using SF 6 in H 2 is described. SiO 2 , Si 3 N 4 , and combinations thereof are studied as possible etchant masks. Refilling the holes with epitaxial silicon produces an SIS (silicon-in-sapphire) wafer wherein the silicon islands are imbedded into the sapphire substrate. The electrical characteristics of C-MOS/SIS transistors are similar to those of conventionally processed SOS devices.
A novel hypothesis for the mechanism of action of P-glycoprotein as a multidrug transporter.

For years, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) has been purported to be a membrane transporter capable of selectively transporting many (but not all) lipophilic anticancer drugs with diverse chemical structures. This notion has attracted enormous scientific interest because the alleged function of P-gp provides a straightforward, near-perfect explanation for the molecular mechanism of multidrug resistance associated with P-gp overexpression. However, the exact molecular mechanism for P-gp's purported function has never been clearly understood since its initial discovery some 20 yr ago. In this paper, I develop a novel working hypothesis regarding the mechanism of P-gp's action and suggest that P-gp is an energy-dependent efflux pump only for certain conjugated metabolites (probably sulfates) of the lipophilic anticancer drugs but not for the parent compounds, as was always claimed. According to this hypothesis, P-gp overexpression in most cases is not the “culprit” but instead an “accomplice” in P-gp–associated multidrug resistance. The culprit is probably the enhanced function of the metabolizing enzymes for the lipophilic anticancer drugs. This hypothesis also predicts that one of the important physiological functions of P-gp is to be part of an intracellular machinery (together with the phase I and II metabolizing enzymes) for the metabolism, detoxification, and disposition of lipophilic endogenous chemicals as well as xenobiotics, including cytotoxic anticancer drugs. There exists a considerable body of circumstantial evidence in the literature that lends strong support to this mechanistic hypothesis of P-gp's action as well as to the predicted physiological functions of P-gp. It will be of considerable interest to examine this novel hypothesis experimentally. Mol. Carcinog. 25:1–13, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An Untargeted Metabolomic Workflow to Improve Structural Characterization of Metabolites

Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics relies on MS2 data for structural characterization of metabolites. To obtain the high-quality MS2 data necessary to support metabolite identifications, ions of interest must be purely isolated for fragmentation. Here, we show that metabolomic MS2 data are frequently characterized by contaminating ions that prevent structural identification. Although using narrow-isolation windows can minimize contaminating MS2 fragments, even narrow windows are not always selective enough, and they can complicate data analysis by removing isotopic patterns from MS2 spectra. Moreover, narrow windows can significantly reduce sensitivity. In this work, we introduce a novel, two-part approach for performing metabolomic identifications that addresses these issues. First, we collect MS2 scans with less stringent isolation settings to obtain improved sensitivity at the expense of specificity. Then, by evaluating MS2 fragment intensities as a function of retention time and precursor mass targe...
Lightweight secure communication protocols for in-vehicle sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks are increasingly being integrated into the modern automobile with the intention of improving safety and reducing costs. However, it has been shown that the first widely-deployed and mandatory in-car sensor networks --Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMSs) -- employ no cryptographic algorithms for protecting their wireless communication, incurring serious security and privacy risks for consumers. In this paper, we design and evaluate cost-effective secure communication protocols that can resolve the privacy and security vulnerabilities of existing TPMSs as well as other forthcoming in-car wireless sensor networks. Our implementation on Arduino platforms shows that the proposed protocol incurs modest overhead and is applicable to resource-constrained embedded systems.
Relationship Between Protein Characteristics and Instant Noodle Making Quality of Wheat Flour

ABSTRACT We investigated the relationship between the protein content and quality of wheat flours and characteristics of noodle dough and instant noodles using 14 hard and soft wheat flours with various protein contents and three commercial flours for making noodles. Protein content of wheat flours exhibited negative relationships with the optimum water absorption of noodle dough and lightness (L*) of the instant noodle dough sheet. Protein quality, as determined by SDS sedimentation volume and proportion of alcohol- and salt-soluble protein of flour, also influenced optimum water absorption and yellow-blueness (b*) of the noodle dough sheet. Wheat flours with high protein content (>13.6%) produced instant noodles with lower fat absorption, higher L*, lower b*, and firmer and more elastic texture than wheat flours with low protein content ( 76.8 and 36 mL) and low proportion of salt-so...
Supercritical carbon dioxide processing of fluorinated surfactant templated mesoporous silica thin films.

The effect of processing mesoporous silica thin films with supercritical CO 2 immediately after casting is investigated, with a goal of using the penetration of CO 2 molecules in the tails of fluorinated surfactant templates to tailor the final pore size. Well-ordered films with two-dimensional hexagonal close-packed pore structure are synthesized using a cationic fluorinated surfactant, 1-(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,-10,10-heptadecafluorodecyl)pyridinium chloride, as a templating agent. Hexagonal mesopore structures are obtained for both unprocessed films and after processing the cast films in CO 2 at constant pressure (69-172 bar) and temperature (25-45 °C) for 72 h, followed by traditional heat treatment steps. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis reveal significant increases in pore size for all CO 2 -treated thin films (final pore diameter up to 4.22 ± 0.14 nm) relative to the unprocessed sample (final pore diameter of 2.21 ± 0.20 nm) before surfactant extraction. Similar pore sizes are obtained with liquid and supercritical fluid treatments over the range of conditions tested. These results demonstrate that combining the tunable solvent strength of compressed and supercritical CO 2 with the CO 2 -philic nature of fluorinated tails allows one to use CO 2 processing to control the pore size in ordered mesoporous silica films.
A four-step test for diagnosis of pseudo superior oblique palsy

An 8-year-old boy presented with an ocular torticollis that had appeared many months after a ptosis repair. The three-step test was positive for a superior oblique palsy. However, at the time of surgery the forced duction test showed a marked restriction in depression of the eye. These findings were duplicated before the second procedure normalized the ocular movements. The surgical microscope was of great help for the extensive dissection necessary to correct the condition. The fourth step, the forced duction test, was essential for accurate differential diagnosis between true superior oblique palsy and a mechanical hypertropia.
Light Scattering Shape Diagnostics for Nano-Agglomerates

Motivated by light scattering experiments showing enhanced intensity of electric field aligned nano-agglomerates versus randomly oriented nano-agglomerates, we address the theoretical basis for this effect by applying the theory of small angle Rayleigh-Gans-Debye light scattering to oriented nano-clusters generated by classical diffusion-limited cluster–cluster aggregation (DLCA). We show that the shape anisotropy of these clusters is related to the ratio of small angle light scattering for partially aligned and randomly oriented clusters. It is also shown that state-of-the-art small-angle aerosol scattering measurements would have the angular resolution required to measure the shape anisotropy of clusters with 30 to 1000 nano-monomers. For large q, it is shown from the simulations that S(q) for the partially aligned nano-clusters is not proportional to , where Df is the fractal dimension, as it is for randomly oriented clusters. Nano-clusters with a fixed orientation are shown to result in a structure fa...
Alteration of serotonin metabolism in rats deficient in niacin and tryptophan.

SummaryGroups of rats were fed tryptophan-deficient diets and niacin-tryptophan deficient pellagragenic diets. The former group showed significantly decreased concentrations of serotonin in the small intestine, brain, and colon, while pellagrous rats showed a significant increase in the small intestinal serotonin levels and no decrease in the brain or colonic concentration was observed. The elevated small intestinal concentration of serotonin in the N-T deficient rat is considered to be compatible with a diarrhea based on increased intestinal motility.
Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy: Three ‘Simple’ Questions, Complex Answers

Current guidelines recommend that hypothyroid patients should be treated with levothyroxine, which in the vast majority of the cases leads to resolution of the symptoms and normalization of serum free T4 (FT4), T3 and TSH levels. However, a small group of hypothyroid patients remain symptomatic for neurocognitive dysfunction despite normal serum FT4 and TSH, which could be explained by localized brain hypothyroidism. More than half of the T3 in the brain is produced locally via the action of the type II deiodinase (D2) and variability/defects in this pathway could explain the residual symptoms. If this rationale is correct, adding liothyronine to the replacement therapy could prove beneficial. However, with a few exceptions, several clinical trials failed to identify any beneficial effects of combined therapy. More recently, the results of a large clinical trial revealed a better neurocognitive outcome with combined therapy only in hypothyroid patients carrying a polymorphism in the DIO2 gene. This obviously needs to be confirmed by other groups but it is tempting to speculate that combined levothyroxine and liothyronine has a place in the treatment of hypothyroidism, for some.
Liver Transplant Pathology: Review of Challenging Diagnostic Situations

Histopathologic assessment of allograft liver biopsies has an important role in managing patients who have undergone liver transplantation. In this review, several topics are discussed that create diagnostic problems in transplant pathology, with emphasis on pathologic features and differential diagnosis. The topics discussed are acute cellular rejection, late acute rejection (centrizonal/parenchymal rejection), chronic rejection, plasma cell hepatitis, idiopathic posttransplant chronic hepatitis, fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis, selected viral infections (cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and hepatitis E), and acute antibody-mediated rejection.
Eating the Dead: Consumption and Regeneration in the History of Sugar

In various scattered passages of Sidney W. Mintz's great work, Sweetness and Power, there are tantalizing allusions to the “association between sugar and death.” These involved mostly the prod-ucts...
Estradiol treatment decreases type A and increases type B monoamine oxidase in specific brain stem areas and cerebellum of ovariectomized rats.

Abstract Ovariectomized rats were given either acute (50 μg 12 h or 24 h before sacrifice) or chronic (2 μg/day for one month) subcutaneous administration of 17β-estradiol. The activities of both type A and type B monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the cerebellum and in the areas A 1 , A 2 , and locus coeruleus of the brain stem were determined. The activity of type B MAO was increased by acute and chronic estrogen treatment in the different areas studied, whereas that of type A MAO did not change in the areas A 1 and A 2 and was decreased in the locus coeruleus and the cerebellum. These results indicate a discriminative action of estrogens on different forms of monoamine oxidase.
Stable Carbon Isotope Record of Holocene Environmental Change in the Central Great Plains

Ratios of stable carbon isotopes preserved in soil organic matter record vegetation and climate change and are applicable to the dry environment of the central Great Plains. We sampled two loess sections and one sand sheet swale in southwest Nebraska to study a continuous record of late Pleistocene and Holocene climate change. Carbon isotope (δ13C) data are combined with previously reported and new optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) age control to establish the timing and magnitude of vegetation change. Stratigraphic units studied include the late-Pleistocene Peoria Loess and Brady Soil, Holocene Bignell Loess, and four buried soils within Bignell Loess. Isotope ratios and OSL ages indicate a shift from a C3 to C4 vegetation community during formation of the Brady Soil, reflecting climatic warming spanning the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. By the early Holocene, between 10,100 and 9100 yrs. ago, drought became a persistently recurring feature in the region as indicated by the deposition of Bignell...
Optimal design of III–V heterostructure MOSFETs

Sb based materials offer large VBO/CBO suitable for heterostructure design. The small CBO for InGaAs/InP NMOS can be overcome by intelligent use of modulation doping. A heterostructure design with T CAP =1nm can reduce the effect of D it (Fig. 11), lead to an order of magnitude reduction in BTBT (Fig. 13) and a 100/50% improvement in the I Dsat (Fig. 14) while maintaining good electrostatic control in terms of subthreshold swing and DIBL (Fig. 11).
Human herpesviruses types 6 and 7 and febrile seizures.

The frequency was studied with which human herpesviruses types 6 and 7 (HHV-6 and HHV-7) occur in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with febrile seizures and matched control patients. CSF samples were prospectively collected from a case series of patients with febrile seizures and from age-, sex-, and race-matched control patients without febrile seizures, all of whom were evaluated in the emergency department of an urban, tertiary care, pediatric medical center. Using polymerase chain reaction, the samples were examined for the presence of viral DNA from HHV-6, HHV-7, herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). CSF from a subset of both groups was also examined for RNA from enteroviruses. During the 7-month, 2-week collection period, a total of 174 patients were evaluated for fever and seizures. Of these, 23 (13.2%) met the study criteria. Their mean age was 1.4 ± 0.7 years. Sixteen (70%) of the 23 were male. The 23 patients were matched to 21 control subjects. None of the samples from the patients or control subjects had polymerase chain reaction evidence of HHV-6, HHV-7, HSV-1, or HSV-2. All samples from the patients were negative for CMV. One control subject was positive for CMV. The 10 patients and seven control subjects tested for enteroviral RNA were negative. Neither HHV-6 nor HHV-7 appears to be present in the CSF of patients with febrile seizures. What role, if any, they have in the pathogenesis of febrile seizures merits further study.
Remembering to be tolerant

We avoid potentially lethal autoreactivity because our adaptive immune system ignores normal, healthy tissues. Although multiple mechanisms induce self-tolerance, it is less clear how tolerance is maintained. On page 723 in this issue, Schietinger et al. ( 1 ) report that self-specific T lymphocytes can be driven to transiently break tolerance, but revert back to the tolerant state, even in the absence of the relevant self-antigen. This suggests that a “memory” of tolerance restrains autoreactive lymphocytes.
Narration in International Human Rights Law

In his paper, "Narration in International Human Rights Law," Joseph R. Slaughter argues that the prohibitions and entitlements articulated in international human rights law presume and promote an image of the human being as a self-narrating subject. He proposes that human rights law enshrines commitments to the human voice and to the ability of the individual to construct narratives of identity. In this sense, human rights violations can be understood as assaults on the human voice and on the socio-cultural structures that make certain kinds of narratives and narration possible. This narratological reading of the law offers a way to recast, or complicate, the tension between the two poles of universalism and relativism that have dominated the human rights debate for a few decades. To demonstrate the centrality of narration to the human rights regime, Slaughter examines a particularly troublesome historical event that has renewed resonance today: the French practice of torture during the Algerian Revolution. Under torture, the voice is a primary site of repression, but, he suggests, torture is only an extreme example of the ways in which human rights violations generally attempt to disarticulate a free speaking, or narrating, subject. Joseph R. Slaughter, "Narration in International Human Rights Law" page 2 of 15 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 9.1 (2007): Thematic Issue, Representing Humanity in an Age of Terror. Ed. Sophia A. McClennen and Henry James Morello
Rotor Stability Separates Sustained Ventricular Fibrillation From Self-Terminating Episodes in Humans

Objectives This study mapped human ventricular fibrillation (VF) to define mechanistic differences between episodes requiring defibrillation versus those that spontaneously terminate. Background VF is a leading cause of mortality; yet, episodes may also self-terminate. We hypothesized that the initial maintenance of human VF is dependent upon the formation and stability of VF rotors. Methods We enrolled 26 consecutive patients (age 64 ± 10 years, n = 13 with left ventricular dysfunction) during ablation procedures for ventricular arrhythmias, using 64-electrode basket catheters in both ventricles to map VF prior to prompt defibrillation per the institutional review board–approved protocol. A total of 52 inductions were attempted, and 36 VF episodes were observed. Phase analysis was applied to identify biventricular rotors in the first 10 s or until VF terminated, whichever came first (11.4 ± 2.9 s to defibrillator charging). Results Rotors were present in 16 of 19 patients with VF and in all patients with sustained VF. Sustained, but not self-limiting VF, was characterized by greater rotor stability: 1) rotors were present in 68 ± 17% of cycles in sustained VF versus 11 ± 18% of cycles in self-limiting VF (p Conclusions In patients with and without structural heart disease, the formation of stable rotors identifies individuals whose VF requires defibrillation from those in whom VF spontaneously self-terminates. Future work should define the mechanisms that stabilize rotors and evaluate whether rotor modulation may reduce subsequent VF risk.
Martian crater dark streak lengths: explanation from wind tunnel experiments

The mechanism determining the length of dark erosional (type-Id) streaks near craters and hills on the surface of Mars is investigated using Mariner-9 images and the results of wind-tunnel studies (Greeley et al., 1974; Iversen et al., 1975 and 1976). An empirical model of time-dependent growth of crater-wake streaks in the downwind direction involving deflation by sand-grain saltation is developed and shown to give relatively good agreement with streak growth rates observed over a 38-day period of Mariner observations and with the streak-length/crater-diameter and streak-length/crater-height ratios analyzed statistically by Lee (1984). This time-dependent mechanism is thus considered a reasonable alternative (for dark streaks) to the blocking model proposed by Lee for both bright and dark streaks. Preliminary analysis of further wind-tunnel experiments (Iversen et al., 1982) supports the blocking model of bright-streak formation.
The Rate of Passage of Feed From the Crop of the Hen

Abstract IT IS useful to know how long it takes food to pass through the digestive tract. In order to maintain high productivity the hen must be constantly converting feed. The best converters of the feed nutrients are those individuals which digest their feed the best and empty the tract quickly so that additional feed can be consumed. The rate of passage of feed through the digestive tract has been expressed in various ways such as the time required to empty the crop, the lapse of time before the feed appears in the droppings and the time required to completely clear the digestive tract. There is considerable variation in the reported results concerning the rate of feed passage through the digestive tract of the hen. This no doubt is due to the fact that the rate is influenced by many factors, such as the amount of feed consumed, the mechanical condition . . .
Fibrinolytic agents in the treatment of intraventricular hemorrhage in adults

This paper aims to review current literature on the treatment of acute intraventricular hemorrhage in adults with intraventricular infusion of fibrinolytic agents. A literature search on the topics of “intraventricular hemorrhage” or “intracerebral hemorrhage” with “thrombolytic therapy”, “fibrinolytic therapy”, “urokinase”, “streptokinase”, “tissue plasminogen activator” or “tPA” covering the years 1966–1997 was carried out electronically. This was supplemented by searching the reference lists of the identified articles. Articles regarding exclusively intracerebral hemorrhage or hematoma, neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage, non-therapeutic issues, and laboratory research were excluded. The included articles are summarized in evidence and evaluation tables. Six articles evaluating the treatment of intraventricular hemorrhage in adults with intraventricular fibrinolytic agents were identified. One reports a small randomized clinical trial including 16 patients and appears to show a statistically insignificant preference for urokinase treatment. Five other reports present case series for which a total of 58 patients were exposed to either streptokinase, urokinase, or recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and suggest good outcome. Two of them were with non-randomized retrospective or prospective controls, and three have no controls. Despite important limitations, all reports suggest that blood is more rapidly cleared from the ventricles and outcome is better when administering a fibrinolytic agent intraventricularly. While the experience presented in these papers suggests that intraventricular administration of fibrinolytic agents may be associated with fewer complications, more rapid clearing of blood from the ventricles, less late hydrocephalus, and better long-term outcome than is seen in patients treated with ventricular drainage alone, it is insufficient to recommend such treatment as a matter of policy. Substantial methodologic flaws render these findings suggestive at best. If the suggestive findings of these studies were confirmed in well-designed randomized clinical trials, an important impact on clinical practice could be expected.
On conduction-cooling of a high-temperature superconducting cable

Abstract Current generation high-temperature superconducting (HTS) power transmission cables use liquid nitrogen as a coolant that circulates along the cable. In this work, the use of axial conduction-cooling in attaining HTS temperatures in transmission lines is proposed. Liquid coolant use is envisioned only at periodic length intervals along the transmission lines, in combination with insulation and copper. The proposed concept is feasible due to the high thermal conductivity of pure copper at cryogenic temperatures. A basic design for the insulated cable is proposed and a detailed numerical simulation of heat transfer in such a cable is carried out for various case studies considering the superconducting materials MgB2 and BSCCO-2223.
Parental pediatric corticosteroid preferences

Corticosteroids are often prescribed in the acute care management of asthma. Prednisolone can be administered intramuscularly (IM) or orally in 2 different concentrations. This study evaluated parental preference for three prednisolone preparations based on the route of administration, taste, and volume required. Accompanying adults (AAs) of pediatric patients were interviewed about their preferences based on the 3 factors. Those AAs who passed the health screen (51 of 214) were asked to taste 2 oral prednisolone preparations and reinterviewed about their corticosteroid preferences. Of the 214 AAs, 96% were parents. Of the group, 43% preferred IM corticosteroids whereas 40% preferred oral corticosteroids. Without considering taste as a factor for oral corticosteroids, 94% preferred the more concentrated syrup compared with the less concentrated one. When told that the less concentrated syrup tasted better, 58% preferred the less concentrated/better tasting syrup. After the 51 taste test subcohort subjects tasted the syrups, 96% preferred the less concentrated/ better tasting syrup over the more concentrated/poorer tasting syrup. Taste is more important than volume of administration for this particular corticosteroid comparison. Simply asking parents about their IM/oral and syrup formulation preferences may be the easiest way of optimizing their treatment plan.
Flow cytometric analysis of the multiple drug resistance phenotype

Laser flow cytometry is increasingly used for quantitation of cellular fluorescent drug retention, effect of efflux blockers and for expression of drug resistance related cellular surface markers. Several intrinsic and extrinsic factors can affect the results obtained from drug retention functional assays and lead to artifacts. In the present study, we have used a panel of well-characterized parental and drug resistant cell lines, fluorochromes and efflux blockers to identify the possible sources of artefacts in flow cytometric analysis of the multiple drug resistance phenotype.