cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metastatic Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma and Cabozantinib: Case Series and Review of Literature.

Cabozantinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was approved by the US Food and Drug A dministration in November 2012, for the treatment of metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma. Although side effects typically include stomatitis, palmar-plantar ery throdysesthesia syndrome, hypertension and diarrhea, most patients are able to tolerate the recommended dose of 140 mg daily. Surgical resection is the primary treatment for medullary thyroid carcinoma. Patients with metastatic disease, who are not candidates for surgery, are considered candidates for systemic therapy. However, systemic chemotherapy has a limited role in metastatic disease. Our paper highlights not only the malignant potential of a medullary thyroid carcinoma, but also the role of cabozantinib in patients with progressive metastatic disease. We report two cases of patients with progressive metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma (involving lung, lymph nodes, liver, pancreas, brain and spine) who responded well to therapy with cabozantinib. World J Oncol. 2014;5(2):81-89 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/wjon779w
Ice‐crusts and snow‐settling at Snoqualmie Pass, season of 1939–40

The writer, new in the field of snow, chose to observe the building up of the snow-cover and its attendant changes, by dyes and identifying ice-crusts, at Snoqualmie Pass (altitude 3,019 feet) because of the short distance from Seattle (63 miles), accessibility (road is open all winter), and excellent supporting weather-records which are kept by Mr. Maybie of the State Highway Patrol. Eight trips were made between December 27, 1939, and April 4, 1940. The first of these was purely a reconnaissance trip in which the location of a convenient site, not disturbed by skiers, and yet level and treeless, was chosen. On January 18 the first profile was cut, and the succeeding six followed at approximately ten-day intervals until April 4. The only available equipment was a yardstick, a thermometer, and several bottles of various colors of dye. No measure of the water-content could be made owing to the lack of requisite equipment.
Interfacial adhesion and its degradation in selected metal/oxide and dielectric/oxide interfaces in multi-layer devices

Abstract A previously-developed laser spallation technique for measuring the intrinsic tensile strength of single thin film interfaces was modified to test adhesion among multilayers deposited on planar substrates. A laser-generated compressive stress wave on the backside of the substrate pries off the weakest of the interface after reflecting from the surface of the outermost layer in the multilayer assembly, which is deposited on the substrate's front surface. The test procedure was demonstrated on (a) polyimide/SiO 2 /Si 3 N 4 /Si, (b) W/SiO 2 /Si, and (c) Cu/SiO 2 /Si multilayer systems that have importance in device fabrication. The measured strengths were found to be rather sensitive to the coating deposition parameters and surface backsputter treatment prior to film deposition. Additionally, the polyimide/nitride interface showed a dramatic decrement in its strength when exposed to varying relative humidity levels for different durations. Beside showing the basic nature of the measurements, these latter results now afford implementation of a novel device reliability strategy which, in addition to being more rational, reliable, and robust, will result in significant time and cost savings compared with the exhaustive set of accelerated time/temperature/humidity tests that are presently employed by the industry. This new device reliability strategy is also discussed in the paper.
Supersaturation Development in a Vertical-Flow Thermal Diffusion Chamber

Abstract Analytical expressions are derived for temperature and vapor pressure profiles in a vertical-plate, steady-flow, thermal diffusion chamber designed to count cloud condensation nuclei. The influence of longitudinal diffusion of heat and water vapor on the supersaturation rise time is shown to be quite significant at low sample velocities. The effect of different velocity profile shapes is also investigated.
The development of tolerance to Clostridium perfringens type D o-toxin in MDCK and G-402 cells:

The epithelial Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line, Caucasian renal leiomyoblastoma (G-402) cells, human small airways epithelial (HSAE) cells, human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells and human renal proximal tubule (HRPT) epithelial cells were examined for sensitivity to Clostridium perfringens biotype D o-toxin. MDCK and G-402 cells were confirmed as being the only established cell lines that are sensitive to the toxin. HSAE, HBE and HRPT epithelial cells were only found to be sensitive to the toxin at concentrations of -1 mg/ mL. Cultures of MDCK and G-402 cells, with increased resistance (tolerance) to the cytotoxic effects of o-toxin, were developed by exposing these cultures to progressively higher concentrations of toxin. The greatest relative increase in tolerance to o-toxin was developed in MDCK cells, in which the LC50 in control cultures was 2mg/mL as determined by the MTS/PMS assay system; after selection for tolerance, this was raised to 100 mg/mL. This represents a 50-fold increase in ...
Reactions of clean lithium surfaces with SO2, O2 and H2O; auger lineshape analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis of the initial product layers

Abstract The reactions of clean lithium with gas phase oxidants such as SO2, O2 and H2O have been explored as a means of understanding the reactions that lithium undergoes in electrochemical environments. Auger electron spectra for sulfur and oxygen in the SO2 reaction indicated the presence of a lithium sulfide/lithium oxide layer as the product. XPS studies confirm this reaction sequence for SO2, and that complete oxidation occurs to the first monolayer by dissociative chemisorption of SO2 and O2 and H2O. Reaction with SO2 does not completely cease beyond the initial layer, and higher oxidation states of sulfur are formed on top of either the Li2S/Li2O layer (SO2) or on the Li2O layer (O2). Auger lineshapes of the reaction products of SO2, at partial pressures exceeding 10−3 Torr, up to atmospheric pressure, show a mixture of sulfur-oxyanion salts in the product layer.
A study of bacteriological media: the examination of peptides in bacto-casitone.

Three batches of Bacto-Casitone have been fractionated by the combined use of paper electrophoresis at pH 5.8 and paper chromatography in butanol-acetic acid-water system. Batches A, B and C showed 61, 73 and 73 subfractions respectively. Some of the subfractions have been found to be a mixture of few peptides while others consist of a single peptide by N-terminal amino acid analysis.
Understanding the synthesis of DEGVE pulsed plasmas for application to ultra thin biocompatible interfaces.

Abstract There is interest in the development of novel surface treatments for biocompatibility and non-fouling behaviors on various surfaces of in vivo devices. Polyethylene glycol thin films have shown promise as non-fouling passivation layers for such devices. Studies of the surface chemistry and non-fouling effectiveness of plasma deposited di(ethylene glycol) vinyl ether (DEGVE) films have observed that non-fouling performance is maximized when plasma deposition occurs at low values of average power, (
The artificial granuloma 1: In vitro lymphokine production by pulmonary artificial hypersensitivity granulomas☆

Abstract Artificial pulmonary hypersensitivity granulomas were induced around methylated bovine serum albumin (MBSA)-coated beads in sensitized mice. Seven-day-old lesions were isolated and explanted to tissue culture where they were incubated in the presence of MBSA (without serum) for 24 hr. Supernatants from foreign-body granulomas induced around plain beads cultured identically contained no chemotactic and macrophage migration inhibitory materials. The supernatants from the isolated hypersensitivity granuloma cultures contained chemotactic and macrophage migration inhibitory materials which were partially purified and separated by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The apparent molecular weight, thermostability, and the sensitivity to enzymatic digestion of these fractions was consistent with those reported for other murine lymphokines.
IDENTIFICATION OF PSYCHOSOCIAL RISK FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH SUBSEQUENT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN FAMILIES WITH INFANTS IN A NEWBORN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Parents of newborns in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit cf N.C. Memorial Hospital were evaluated on the basis of a 24 item scale to identify families who might have difficulty caring for premature or ill infants. During the 13 month period beginning June 1, 1975, 271 families with 282 newborns were interviewed. Based on this prospective evaluation 51 children were believed at high risk of abuse or neglect because of psychosocial familial factors. Of these high risk children 12 died or were discharged to foster care or institutions. Of the 39 children in this group discharged in parental care 2 children subsequently died and 9 were reported to be abused or neglected. None of the 206 infants in the low risk group discharged in parental care have been reported as a-bused or neglected in the 6-18 month follow-up. Adolescence, inexperience in child care, prior reproductive difficulties and recent life change were common in both high end low psychosocial risk groups. Factors predominantly associated with high risk were failure to accept or prepare for the infant, social isolation, non-use of medical resources and a family history of child abuse or neglect. Early identification of psychosocial risk factors and more effective social supports, as well as better medical services, are needed to improve the care of these predominantly poor, rural infants. (Supported by DHEW #90-C-408, National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect.)
The relation of social network and individual difference variables to loneliness.

Both social network variables and individual differences measures (extraversion, neuroticism, and self-disclosure) were predictive of self-reported loneliness in a college student sample. Of the social network variables, the density of the network showed the strongest and most consistent relation to
Effect of Testosterone and Oestradiol on Erythroprotein Production in Vitro

The effects of testosterone and oestradiol on erythropoietin production by mouse fetal liver in primary culture was studied. No stimulatory effect on in vitro erythropoietin production was observed by any of the oestradiol concentrations employed [10(-10)M to 10(-6)M]: whereas testosterone, only over a dose range of 10(-12)M to 10(-10)M, stimulated erythropoietin production by mouse fetal liver in culture. In addition, a stimulatory effect of testosterone on fetal liver tissue was obtained by injecting testosterone (20 mg/mouse) intramuscularly into pregnant mice 4 d prior to obtaining the fetal liver tissue for culture. Therefore, it is concluded that testosterone can exert a direct stimulatory effect on erythropoietin production by mouse fetal liver.
Mahfouz between Lukácsian and Brechtian Approaches to Realism

In his article "Mahfouz between Lukacsian and Brechtian Approaches to Realism" David F. DiMeo compares the interpretations of realism by the leading Arabic author of socially committed fiction to the theories of Bertolt Brecht and Gyorgy Lukacs. The early works of novelist Najib Mahfouz feature a Lukacsian approach, embracing critical realism to present a totalizing view of the social system, as experienced by credible, sympathetic characters. By the 1960s, disillusioned with this method, Mahfouz turned to a more Brechtian approach, seeking to highlight social injustices by alienating the audience from identification with the characters or particular situations through ambiguous narratives and unsympathetic characters. While Mahfouz did not overtly claim allegiance to these European Marxist theorists, the similarity in his experiments with realism stems from two possible, but opposing interpretations of realism, the same interpretations which had divided Lukacs and Brecht. David F. DiMeo, "Mahfouz between Lukacsian and Brechtian Approaches to Realism" page 2 of 8 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 12.3 (2010):
Chemical reaction equilibrium at supercritical conditions

Abstract A theoretical procedure for investigating the effects of pressure, temperature and initial reactant composition on supercritical fluid reaction equilibrium is presented. The procedure involves a simultaneous solution of the reaction equilibrium and phase equilibrium equations. The prediction of reaction equilibrium is based on the minimization of Gibbs energy method. The Peng-Robinson equation is employed to describe the state of the reaction mixture. Simulated equilibrium conversion and yield plots are presented as a function of both pressure and temperature for three model reaction networks, viz., isomerization of n-hexane, isomerization of l-hexene and oxidation of isobutane. Simulated results compare well with reported experimental ones. Based on our theoretical procedure, some important criteria for rational evaluation of SCF solvents as potential reaction media are introduced.
The heterogeneity of knowledge representation and the elimination of concept

In this response, I begin by defending and clarifying the notion of concept proposed in Doing without Concepts (Machery 2009) against the alternatives proposed by several commentators. I then discuss whether psychologists and philosophers who theorize about concepts are talking about distinct phenomena or about different aspects of the same phenomenon, as argued in some commentaries. Next, I criticize the idea that the cognitive-scientific findings about induction, categorization, concept combination, and so on, could be explained by positing a single kind of concept, and I insist that many categories (substances, types of events, etc.) are represented by distinct coreferential concepts that belong to very different kinds of concept. This is followed by an assessment of the hybrid theories of concepts offered by commentators, according to which categories, substances, and types of events are represented by hybrid concepts made of several parts. Finally, I defend the proposal that it may be useful to eliminate concept from the theoretical vocabulary of psychology.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Dynamics of a Rod/Sphere Organoceramic Composite Liquid

Composite liquids – liquids composed of polymers, particles, and small molecule solvents – constitute an important class of synthetic and naturally occurring materials. Examples include molecular composites, ceramic precursors, lubricants, adhesives, and the cytoplasm in biological cells. Due to the complexity of these liquids, experimental studies of precisely defined systems are essential in developing an understanding of the interactions between all components in the liquid. Unfortunately, such fundamental studies have been relatively rare due to both the difficulty of synthesizing precisely defined composite liquids and the lack of adequate experimental methods to monitor the motions of the various constituents. We have recently reported the synthesis, characterization and some studies of the dynamics of a rod/sphere composite liquid system [1]. In our case the “polymer” constituent is a rigid rod polymer, poly(γ-benzyl-α,L-glutamate) (PBLG). Rigid rod polymers are frequently used in composite liquids as viscosity enhancers. PBLG is commercially available in a wide range of molecular weights and its static and dynamic behavior in dilute and nondilute solutions has been studied. It, in addition, forms mesophases in the concentrated regime. The ceramic “particles” in our composite liquid are coated silica spheres. These spheres are synthesized by the method of Stober et. al. [2] and coated with an organic coating (3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TPM)) following a procedure based on that of Philipse et. al. [3] to render them dispersible in organic solvents. The spheres with sizes in the range from 10 nm up to almost 1μm can be synthesized with a relatively narrow size distribution. The solvent in our studies is dimethylformamide (DMF). Both polymer and particle are dispersible as singlets (nonaggregating) in these solvents and the PBLG retains its rigid (or nearly rigid) rod conformation. The diffusion of both the polymer and the sphere in the composite liquid is measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) [4]. In this paper, we focus on the spheres and examine the effects of rod concentration and rod length on the diffusion of different size spheres. This study suggests that the solution microstructure has an important influence on sphere diffusion.
Low-frequency noise in deep-submicron metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors

The author reviews the recent results obtained on the low-frequency noise characteristics of deep-submicron metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). The manuscript covers measurements, analysis and modelling of 1/f noise as well as random telegraph signals (RTS). In addition, techniques are presented where RTS and 1/f noise measurements can be utilised to characterise the oxide traps responsible for these fluctuations, namely the position of the trap in the oxide and along the conduction channel, the trap energy, and the associated screened scattering coefficient. Most of the analysis is based on the classical three-dimensional treatment of charge carrier calculation, although a section is reserved for charge quantisation and its effect on RTS. For noise modelling, an improved physics-based 1/f noise model is presented where the Berkeley short channel IGFET model (BSIM3) has been modified to include the threshold variation along the channel. This model merges into the classical BSIM3 for supermicron devices. The noise models presented in the manuscript are based on data that were obtained on many submicron channel length n- and p-MOSFETs made by different leading manufacturers using different technologies. It is expected that the developed models will be valid for all advanced MOSFETs.
The Patient Self-Determination Act: a cooperative model for implementation.

In 1990, I voiced strong doubts about a bill entitled the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA), which had been introduced in the U.S. Senate by John Danforth (R-MO) and Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY). I hoped to see it defeated. In 1991, after the bill had become a small part of a massive status (the Omnibys Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) adopted in the waning hours of the 101st Congress, I devoted countless hours to its implementation. I wanted to see it succeed. Why the change?
Acetylcholinesterase, carbonic anhydrase and catalase activity in Friend erythroleukemic cells, non-erythroid mouse cell lines and their somatic hybrids.

Abstract Friend erythroleukemic cells (clone 745), when compared with transformed mouse fibroblasts, hepatoma, myeloma and teratocarcinoma cells, display high levels of acetylcholinesterase and carbonic anhydrase activity. Dimethylsulfoxide, which enhances hemoglobin production in Friend cells, also increases the activity of both enzymes. Inhibitor studies demonstrate that all the cholinesterase activity present in Friend cells is accounted for by the “true” acetylcholinesterase form of the enzyme. Cultured hepatoma cells have low levels of both acetylcholinesterase and pseudocholinesterase. Hybrids between the Friend cells and either transformed mouse fibroblasts or hepatoma cells not only fail to produce any detectable level of hemoglobin or globin mRNA, but also have no carbonic anhydrase activity and only low levels of acetylcholinesterase activity. Dimethylsulfoxide induces an increase in acetylcholinesterase activity in these hybrids. Catalase, which does not increase during erythropoiesis until the reticulocyte stage, is at roughly the same level in Friend cells and the non-erythroid cells we have examined; dimethylsulfoxide has no effect on the level of catalase activity in any of these cells. The data suggest that the Friend cells represent an intermediate stage of erythroid differentiation. It would appear that dimethylsulfoxide treatment stimulates the cells to differentiate further, along a pathway whose events closely follow normal in vivo erythroid differentiation. The data also support the idea that a set of genes usually expressed together in a particular cell type can be coordinatively affected in hybrids between cells maintaining two different epigenetic states.
Microstructures, conductivities, and electrochemical properties of Ce0.9Gd0.1O2 and GDC–Ni anodes for low-temperature SOFCs

Abstract Powder of gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC, Gd 0.1 Ce 0.9 O 1.95 ), prepared using a glycine–nitrate process, is used to fabricate anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) by dry pressing. The microstructure, conductivity, and electrochemical properties of the GDC powder are studied as a function of sintering conditions. Results show that the relative density of the GDC electrolyte is about 92%, 95%, and 97%, respectively, when sintered at 1250, 1350, and 1450 °C for 5 h, indicating that the electrolyte can be adequately densified at a relatively low firing temperature (1250 °C). The conductivities of the electrolytes, however, are relatively insensitive to the sintering temperature. Using humidified (3% H 2 O) hydrogen as fuel and stationary air as oxidant, the electrochemical properties of the anodes are studied at temperatures from 400 to 600 °C. Impedance analysis indicates that the cathodic interfacial polarization is much larger than the anodic polarization under testing conditions. However, anodes sintered at a lower temperature exhibit better electrochemical performance than those sintered at a higher temperature.
Nine element Si-based pillar structured thermal neutron detector

Solid state thermal neutron detectors are desirable for replacing the current 3He based technology, which has some limitations arising from stability, sensitivity to microphonics and the recent shortage of 3He. Our approach to designing such solid state detectors is based on the combined use of high aspect ratio silicon PIN pillars surrounded by 10B, the neutron converter material. To date, our highest measured detection efficiency is 20%. An efficiency of greater than 50% is expected while maintaining high gamma rejection, low power operation and fast timing for multiplicity counting for our engineered device architecture. The design of our device structure, progress towards a nine channel system and detector scaling challenges are presented.
A note on the economics of the duty free zone

Abstract This note extends some of the results of Hamada (1974) on the economic effects of a duty free zone. It is shown that, in the presence of factor mobility between the duty free zone and the rest of the economy, the final equilibrium will yield the same trade pattern which would have prevailed under free trade; moreover, all of the trade will be done by the duty free zone.
Identification of novel elements which regulate the cell-type specificity of Dictyostelium 7E gene expression.

Abstract Previously, we have identified the Dictyostelium 7E gene promoter and shown that it is capable of driving expression in the same temporal and cAMP responsive manner as the endogenous gene during development. Furthermore, we have mapped the corresponding transcriptional regulatory sequences within the promoter. In the present study we used the lacZ reporter gene system to examine the role of 7E promoter elements in regulating cell-type specific expression during Dictyostelium morphogenesis. In situ detection of β-galactosidase activity revealed that expression was induced within anterior prestalk cells at approximately 18 h of development. Subsequently, we found that promoter activity was independently regulated in subpopulations of prestalk cells. Element(s) upstream of position − 532 were necessary for expression in pstA cells while more proximal elements (located downstream of position − 426) were capable of directing expression in pstO cells. Deletion of a G-rich element (‘GGT’ box; 5′-GGT GAT GA-3′) located between positions − 159 and − 152 resulted both in a loss of expression in pstA cells and aberrant expression in the prespore zone. Furthermore, the spatial organisation of reporter gene expression directed by this construct during culmination delineated a population of cells that have not been previously defined. These data suggest that the 7E gene is independently regulated in subpopulations of prestalk cells during development.
Radiofrequency Treatment of Turbinate Hypertrophy: A Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract Objectives We sought to evaluate the short-term efficacy of radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RFVTR) in treating nasal obstruction in subjects with inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Study design and setting We conducted a prospective, randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with crossover option, involving 32 patients and performed in a clinical office setting at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center. Results The outcomes were measured using 10-cm visual analog scales (VASs) before treatment and at 8 weeks and 6 months posttreatment. Improvement was shown in frequency of obstruction, severity of obstruction, and overall ability to breathe for both the placebo and RFVTR treatment arms at 8 weeks (P Conclusions RFVTR is an effective alternative for the treatment of patients with nasal obstruction due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Significance This is the first randomized trial that demonstrates that RFVTR is significantly better than placebo in treating nasal obstruction due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy.
Microwave Technique for Determining the Fine Structure of the Helium Atom

A new technique of microwave spectroscopy is proposed for application to excited states of short lifetime. If atoms are excited by electron bombardment, closely-spaced energy levels may be unequally populated. The radiation emitted in decay to lower states may have an angular distribution and polarization character correlated with the direction of bombardment. When such atoms are acted on by radio-frequency fields, transitions may occur between excited states which cause an observable change in the pattern of decay radiation. An analysis is made of the possibility of applying such a method to a determination of the finestructure patterns $(1snp)^{3}P_{J}(J=0, 1, 2)$ of the helium atom. After a review of previous optical spectroscopic work and theory of this fine structure, an old unsolved mystery concerning the polarization of collision light is discussed. The theory of the Zeeman effect is worked out in a form applicable to the microwave experiments. Expected transition frequencies and rf matrix elements, intensity changes and shape of resonance curves, Stark effect and singlet-triplet mixing are also considered. An estimate is made of the signal to be expected in the experiment described in the following paper.
Dynamic spin correlation functions of the XYZ chain at infinite temperature: A study based on moments

Abstract For infinite temperature we calculate the terms up to order t10 in the expansion of the correlation function 〈σz0(t)σzn(0)〉 of the anisotropic spin - 1 2 Heisenberg chain. These expansion coefficients are analyzed using the theory of Tchebycheff bounds. For the isotropic Heisenberg chain, where longer series are available, the Tchebycheff bounds are also calculated. These bounds are then used to assess the various phenomenological approximation schemes commonly used to discuss spin diffusion.
Embodied Knowing, Embodied Theology: What Happened to the Body?

As part of a larger project on human bodies and theological knowledge, this paper is a preliminary investigation into how biology and physicality shape human knowing. It asks whether, in the frequent use of the phrase embodied knowing or embodied theology, religion scholars have paid sufficient attention to actual bodies. It argues that there has been a lapse of attention to physical dimensions of bodies in the unreflective employment of such phrases, ironically among practical and pastoral theologians who have strong interest in understanding how theology operates on the ground. The paper traces evolving interest in embodiment across several disciplines, including theology, before exploring what might be learned from recent research on evolution, biology, and bodies in anthropology and the biological sciences.
Influence of Quaternary Amine Organosilane Structure on the Formation and Adsorption Properties of Surface-Imprinted Silicates

A series of quaternary ammonium functionalized silicates surface imprinted with the soman hydrolysis product pinacolyl methylphosphonate (PMP) were formed in a one-pot procedure. The formation and adsorption properties of these materials were dependent on the alkyl chain length of the quaternary amine. Brunauer−Emmett−Teller analysis and transmission electron microscopy revealed that silicates formed with added quaternary amine functionalized organosilanes with 10 and 14 carbon hydrocarbon segments (N,N-didecyl-N-methyl-N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)ammonium chloride (DDMAC) and N-tetradecyl-N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)ammonium chloride (TDDMAC), respectively) formed xerogels with surface areas of 630−712 m2/g and broad pore size distributions. The silicate that formed in the presence of a quaternary ammonium functionalized organosilane with an 18 carbon alkyl chain (N-octadecyl-N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)ammonium chloride (ODDMAC)) formed a microporous silicate with a lower surface ...
A descriptive study of complications of gastrostomy tubes in children.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the number and types of complications experienced by children with gastrostomy tubes. Methods This is a prospective study of children with gastrostomy tube complications. Enrollment occurred on the first 24 months of the study. Data were collected for 4 years, beginning at the enrollment of the first participant. Demographic data and information on infections, granulation tissue formation, and major complications were recorded. Results Infections occurred in 37% of patients, with most experiencing a single infection that occurred within the first 15 days after tube placement. Granulation tissue developed in 68% of patients, with 17% experiencing recurrent granulation tissue despite treatment. There was no difference in infection rates or granulation tissue formation between subgroups based on gender, ethnicity, or parents' education level. Major complications occurred in 4% of the patients. Conclusion Complications of infection and granulation tissue occur frequently and likely are a cause of stress and increased burden of care for these children and families. Improved strategies for care are needed.
Interacting bosons in an optical lattice: Bose-Einstein condensates and Mott insulator

A dense Bose gas with hard-core interaction is considered in an optical lattice. We study the phase diagram in terms of a special mean-field theory that describes a Bose-Einstein condensate and a Mott insulator with a single particle per lattice site for zero as well as for nonzero temperatures. We calculate the densities, the excitation spectrum, and the static structure factor for each of these phases.
Left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy in association with trisomy 13

In recent years, left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) has been recognized as a distinct form of cardiomyopathy with its own clinical presentation and natural history. More than 100 cases of LVNC have been described in children. Although LVNC has been described in association with metabolic disorders such as Fabry's disease or genetic disorders such as Roifman's syndrome, this case represents the first report of LVNC in a child with trisomy 13.
Analysis of A-C servomotors operated from unbalanced nonsinusoidal voltage sources and nonlinear discontinuous source impedances

MANY ANALYTICAL studies directed at the predetermination of output characteristics of a-c servomotors have been based on the assumptions of constant-source impedance and sinusoidal excitation. Under these assumptions, the method of symmetrical components serves admirably, particularly when steady-state characteristics are desired, and in cases where the duration of the mechanical transients makes the electrical transients insignificant.
Efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Implications for behavior therapy

The commitment of behavior therapy to empiricism has led it to a prominent position in the development of validated methods of treatment. The recent development and rapid expansion of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a treatment that bears a resemblance to behavioral techniques and that has been proposed as an alternative to such techniques for numerous psychological disorders, raises important questions for the field of behavior therapy. In this article, we examine 17 recent studies on the effectiveness of EMDR and the conceptual analysis of its mechanisms of action. The research we review shows that (a) the effects of EMDR are limited largely or entirely to verbal report indices, (b) eye movements appear to be unnecessary for improvement, and (c) reported effects are consistent with non-specific procedural artifacts. Moreover, the conceptual analysis of EMDR is inconsistent with scientific findings concerning the role of eye movements. Implications of the empirical and theoretical literature on EMDR for behavior therapy are discussed.
Ethical Principles and Pitfalls of Genetic Testing for Dementia

Progress in the genetics of dementing disorders and the availability of clinical tests for practicing physicians increase the need for a better understanding of multifaceted issues associated with genetic testing. The genetics of dementia is complex, and genetic testing is fraught with many ethical concerns. Genetic testing can be considered for patients with a family history suggestive of a single gene disorder as a cause of dementia. Testing of affected patients should be accompanied by competent genetic counseling that focuses on probabilistic implications for at-risk first-degree relatives. Predictive testing of at-risk asymptomatic patients should be modeled after presymptomatic testing for Huntington's disease. Testing using susceptibility genes has only a limited diagnostic value at present because potential improvement in diagnostic accuracy does not justify potentially negative consequences for first-degree relatives. Predictive testing of unaffected subjects using susceptibility genes is currently not recommended because individual risk cannot be quantified and there are no therapeutic interventions for dementia in presymptomatic patients.
Critical street links for demand responsive feeder transit services

This paper presents a methodology to identify and locate critical links in a grid street network system for feeder transit services. A 'critical' link can be defined as a link that-when eliminated from or appended to an existing network-would cause the largest change in the network connectivity and consequently in the transit performance. The most significant contribution of this study is to present a simple analytical approach to locating the critical link(s) for a grid street network system of any size with uniform passenger demand across the service area. The distance between demands points have been used as the basic measure of impedance in the final derived closed-form equations. Easily computable formulas for identifying the critical links have been validated by simulation analyses with the street network system from the City of St. Joseph, Missouri. Useful insights from the analytical derivations and simulation results indicate a monotonic decrease in link criticality when moving from the centrally located links to those located at the periphery in a grid street network system.
Intra-guild interactions and projected impact of climate and land use changes on North American pochard ducks

The co-occurrence of functionally similar species is very common in nature, and is often put forward as a basis for ecosystem resilience to disturbance. At the same time, competition between similar species is also considered a strong driver of community composition. However, environmental stochasticity can alter this prediction, either because competitive abilities depend on time-varying factors or because covariance in species’ responses to environmental conditions masks the effect of competition. Interactions other than competition can also influence community dynamics but have received less attention. We used a simplified community of two sympatric duck species (redhead Aythya americana and canvasback A. valisineria) and a previously published analysis of 50 years of demographic data to parameterize a stochastic, density-dependent, stage-structured model. These ducks interact via nest parasitism (mostly of canvasback by redhead) in addition to competition for food resources, with consequences at the demographic level; these interactions are modulated by habitat availability (number of ponds in the study landscape). We found that if habitat availability decreased there was a high risk of quasi-extinction, and redheads, although initially able to maintain their numerical dominance, quickly became the least abundant species because they perform worse during droughts. If habitat availability increased, we found that the initially more rare canvasback would increase in relative abundance, albeit slowly. We interpret this as a shift from a community influenced by nest parasitism (which is detrimental to canvasback) to a community mostly driven by species-specific dynamics due to relaxation of resource limitation.
The Use of Aprotinin in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

SUMMARY The use of aprotinin in children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) attenuates activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems, preserves platelet function, and reduces some inflammatory processes. The clinical outcomes in children as a result of these effects have varied among studies and patient populations, however, this is probably in large part due to variations in dosing regimens. Nevertheless, improved clinical outcomes have been consistently demonstrated in neonates undergoing primary sternotomies and in children undergoing repeat sternotomies or lung transplantation with the use of aprotinin. Such clinical outcomes create a strong argument for the routine administration of aprotinin to these subsets of children. The magnitude of beneficial clinical outcomes after aprotinin administration is dose-dependent so, while a definitive dosing regimen has not been established for children, higher dose regimens should be employed. Indeed, the use of some very high dose regimens have indicated that aprotinin may even be beneficial in children, other than neonates, undergoing primary sternotomies. The occurrence of adverse effects from the use of aprotinin in children is low but allergic reactions from repeat exposures, especially within six months of the prior use of aprotinin, must be anticipated and guidelines followed to minimize their occurrence and effects. Aprotinin is a potent part of a clinician's arsenal when dealing with children undergoing CPB and its cost-effective improvement of clinical outcomes justifies its consideration when planning the management strategy of these children.
Approach to the Patient with an Adrenal Incidentaloma

Unsuspected adrenal masses, or incidentalomas, are increasingly found with the widespread use of thoracic and abdominal imaging. These masses may be hormonally active or nonfunctional and malignant or benign. Clinicians must determine the nature of the mass to decide what treatment, if any, is needed. Measurement of precontrast Hounsfield units (HU) and contrast washout on computed tomography scan provide useful diagnostic information. All patients should undergo biochemical testing for pheochromocytoma, either with plasma or urinary catecholamine measurements. This is particularly important before surgical resection, which is routinely recommended for masses larger than 4 cm in diameter without a clear-cut diagnosis and for others with hormonal secretion or ominous imaging characteristics. Hypertensive patients should undergo biochemical testing for hyperaldosteronism. Patients with features consistent with Cushing’s syndrome, such as glucose intolerance, weight gain, and unexplained osteopenia, should b...
A New Analytical Expression of Overall Collision Efficiency for the Water Droplet Impinging on a Cylinder

The ice amount accreting on the rotating multi-cylinders can be used to obtain the liquid water content (LWC) and the median volume diameter of water droplet (MVD) based on cylindrical icing model. In this model, the overall collision efficiency is usually calculated by Finstads (φ100) and Langmuirs formulations (φ
Clinical Aspects of Familial Forms of Frontotemporal Dementia Associated with Parkinsonism

Frontotemporal dementia is the second most common dementia among people under the age of 65. Fifty percent of affected patients have an associated family history. Several pathogenic genes have been identified for frontotemporal dementia associated with parkinsonism, including microtubule-associated protein tau, progranulin, and chromatin modifying protein 2B, and fused in sarcoma. It has also been reported that frontotemporal dementia associated with parkinsonism can be linked to chromosome 9p. In addition, there are families with frontotemporal dementia associated with a parkinsonian phenotype but unknown genetic status. Some of these kindreds have been diagnosed clinically as familial progressive supranuclear palsy, hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids, “overlap” syndrome, and others. Clinical presentation of frontotemporal dementia associated with parkinsonism is variable at age of symptomatic disease onset, disease duration, symptoms, and their occurrence during the disease course. Clinically, it is often difficult to sort out the different genetic forms of frontotemporal dementia associated with parkinsonism. However, with available clinical genetic testing for known genes, the precise diagnosis can be accomplished in some cases.
Mechanical analysis of tendon suture techniques

Abstract The relative strengths of seven methods of tendon repair were measured by mechanical disruption in an effort to determine the quality of a technique using loaded criss-crossing sutures and a running epitenon stitch. Fifty-seven calcaneus tendons were harvested from adult New Zealand white rabbits and randomized for transection. Standardized oblique transections were repaired with nylon using modified Halsted peripheral suture; modified Kessler technique; Kessler core stitch alone; running peripheral epitenon stitch; modified Becker technique #1; modified Becker technique #2; and a new augmented Becker repair. Sixteen additional rabbits each had bilateral tendon repairs in situ , one leg by Kessler and the other by the new augmented Becker repair technique. Half were lethally injected after 2 weeks and half after 4 weeks. Tenorrhaphies were pulled apart at constant speed until a gap of 1 mm was observed. Strength (maximum stress) and toughness (energy absorption to gap formation) were calculated. At time 0 the new augmented Becker repairs were the strongest, followed by the Kessler and Becker #2 tenorrhaphies. Kessler repairs were weaker at 2 weeks and then gained in strength; new augmented Becker repairs did not weaken at the 2-week point and demonstrated significant gains in strength after 4 weeks in vivo . The new augmented Becker repair was the strongest by a significant margin at all time points.
Synthesis and growth mechanism of multilayer TiO2 nanotube arrays

High-aspect-ratio TiO(2) nanotube arrays formed by anodic oxidation have drawn extensive attention due to their easy fabrication and various excellent optical, electrical and biomedical properties. In contrast to conventional single-layer TiO(2) nanotubes prepared via constant-voltage anodization, we synthesize multilayer TiO(2) nanotube arrays with high surface area by using alternating-voltage anodization steps. This work presents synthesis and growth mechanisms of single-layer smooth TiO(2) nanotubes, bamboo-type nanotubes and double-layer nanotubes, by tuning various parameters such as voltage, time, and water content in the electrolyte. It is found that ion diffusion inside the nanotubes dominates growth of these three structures. A stable pH and ion-diffusion profile allows the steady growth of smooth TiO(2) tubes in NH(4)F-containing ethylene glycol (EG). The addition of a low-voltage anodization step reduces the pH and ion-diffusion gradient in the nanotubes and induces formation of bamboo-type nanotubes and double-layer nanotubes when a second high-voltage anodization is conducted. Ion diffusion through a nanotube takes time; thus formation of lower-layer TO(2) nanotubes costs more time if longer nanotubes are grown in the upper layer, since ions diffuse through these longer nanotubes. This ion-diffusion controlled growth mechanism is further confirmed by tailoring the water content (0-20 vol%) in the electrolyte and the voltage gaps to control the time needed for initiation of lower-layer TiO(2) nanotube arrays. The fundamental understanding of the growth characteristics of double-layer TiO(2) nanotubes presented in this paper offers us more flexibility in engineering morphology, tuning dimensions and phase compositions of multilayer TiO(2) nanotubes. In addition, we synthesize double-layer TiO(2) nanotube arrays composed of one layer of anatase phase and another layer of amorphous phase.
In-plane capacitive MEMS flow sensor for low-cost metering of flow velocity in natural gas pipelines

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and experimental results of an in-plane capacitive MEMS flow sensor that uses the displacement of a micro-fabricated paddle caused by dynamic pressure for measuring the velocity of the flow of surrounding gas. The fabrication process is simple; the device is fabricated on Silicon-On-Insulator wafers using only three photolithographic masks. A comb-drive capacitance is used as the transducer for the flow sensors. This capacitive mechanism is virtually insensitive to changes in ambient temperature. Simplicity of fabrication, combined with insensitivity to variations in ambient temperature makes this sensor ideal for widespread deployment in natural gas pipelines.
The cnidarian and the canon: The role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the evolution of metazoan embryos

In a recent publication, Wikramanayake and colleagues have implicated the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway as a mediator of axial polarity and germ-layer specification in embryos of the cnidarian Nematostella. In this anthozoan, beta-catenin is localized in nuclei of blastomeres in one region of the 16- to 32-cell embryo whose descendants subsequently form the entoderm of the embryo. They claim that the pattern of nuclear localization is significant for two reasons: (1) when nuclear localization of beta-catenin was inhibited, gastrulation does not occur, and (2) when localization of beta-catenin took place in all cells of the pregastrula embryo, the number of entodermal cells increases. Since the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway also plays a role in establishing axial polarity and specifying endoderm and mesoderm in a number of bilaterians, Wikramanayake et al. imply that this developmental mechanism is an evolutionary inheritance from a radially symmetrical ancestor. Some of the gaps in the current evidence, which must be filled to evaluate their interpretation, are discussed.