cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Overlay registration target design for wafer-induced shift characterization

A novel overlay registration target design was developed for the purposes of characterizing pre- and post- etch wafer-induced shift (offset) on metal layers. The new target enables the measurement of metal overlay offset during the same measurement run. The combination target was studied on production wafers and compared with the traditional two step pre- and post- etch characterization methodology. Wafer induced shift data measured by both methods showed good agreement in magnitude and direction across the wafer. The new target design was incorporated into an experiment to determine the effects of chemical-mechanical polishing, metal deposition thickness, and their interaction on the offset. Within the target process windows for both CMP and deposition, no significant dependencies of offset were observed. Analysis of this data indicated strong wafer level rotation and scale signatures, confirming offset arises from CMP and metal deposition processes. For the metal process conditions of the experiment, the offset is stable and reliable with respect to fluctuations in overpolish and deposition thickness.
Low-dose caudal morphine for postoperative analgesia in infants and children: A report of 500 cases

Abstract Study Objective: To determine the effectiveness of morphine 0.03 mg/kg or 0.04 mg/kg administered caudally to children for postoperative pain relief. Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: University-affiliated hospital. Patients: The charts of 500 children who had undergone various surgical procedures and who were given caudal morphine 0.03 mg/kg or 0.04 mg/kg either prior to the surgical procedure or immediately at the conclusion of the surgical procedure. Measurements and Main Results: Parameters of respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, nausea and vomiting, voiding problems, and pruritus were recorded for each patient. There was no respiratory depression noted in the review of the 500 patients; 23% had nausea and vomiting, 3% had voiding problems needing bladder catheterization, and 7% reported pruritus, which was treated with either diphenhydramine or naloxone. Conclusion: Statistically there were no differences between morphine 0.03 mg/kg and morphine 0.04 mg/kg in all the study parameters. There was no respiratory depression in the 500 cases reviewed. The postoperative pain relief ranged from 6 hours to over 24 hours. This method of immediate postoperative pain management proved to be effective and safe.
Superposition and quantum measurement of trapped atoms

We summarize experiments at NIST on quantum-state engineering, entanglement, quantum logic, and quantum measurement of trapped atomic ions.
The multivariate Laplace-De Moivre theorem

We find necessary and sufficient conditions for the convergence of (matrix) normed and centered k-variate binomial vectors to a full k-variate normal law. The norming matrices are also characterized. A converse to the univariate Laplace-De Moivre Theorem is obtained.
Cortisol production rate in childhood and adolescence.

We studied the daily cortisol production rate in 33 normal children and adolescents, using a stable isotope-dilution technique employing high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Two indwelling intravenous catheters were inserted and tracer 9,12,12- 2 H 3 -cortisol (deuterated cortisol) was infused continuously for 30 hours. After 6 hours of tracer infusion to allow for equilibration, blood was obtained every 20 minutes for 24 hours. The mean (±SD) cortisol production rate was 9.5±2.5 mg/day (6.8±1.9 mg/m 2 /day). Cortisol production rate did not vary with sex or pubertal stage. These results suggest that the cortisol production rate in children and adolescents is significantly lower than previously estimated.
An ODE Model of the Motion of Pelagic Fish

A system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is derived from a discrete system of Vicsek, Czirok et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett.75(6):1226–1229, 1995], describing the motion of a school of fish. Classes of linear and stationary solutions of the ODEs are found and their stability explored using equivariant bifurcation theory. The existence of periodic and toroidal solutions is also proven under deterministic perturbations and structurally stable heteroclinic connections are found. Applications of the model to the migration of the capelin, a pelagic fish that undertakes an extensive migration in the North Atlantic, are discussed and simulation of the ODEs presented.
Protection/Deprotection of Surface Activity and Its Applications in the Controlled Release of Liposomal Contents

The micelles of two tripropargylammonium-functionalized cationic surfactants were cross-linked by a disulfide-containing diazido cross-linker in the presence of Cu(I) catalysts. With multiple residual alkyne groups on the surface, the resulting surface cross-linked micelles (SCMs) were postfunctionalized by reaction with 2-azidoethanol and an azido-terminated poly(ethylene glycol), respectively, via the alkyne–azide click reaction. The water-soluble nanoparticles obtained had low surface activity due to the buried hydrophobic tails. Cleavage of the disulfide cross-links by dithiothreitol (DTT) exposed the hydrophobic tails and resumed surface activity of the “caged” surfactants within 2 min after DTT addition. The controlled breakage of the SCMs was used to lower the surface tension of aqueous solutions and trigger the release of liposomal contents on demand.
Differential regulation of levels of nicotinic receptor subunit transcripts in adult sympathetic neurons after axotomy

Axotomy of adult peripheral neurons produces decreases in the levels of transcripts for a number of proteins involved in synaptic transmission. For example, tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y mRNA decrease in axotomized sympathetic neurons in the superior cervical ganglion (SCG). In the present study, the effects of axotomy on the expression of nicotinic receptor subunit transcripts were examined in the SCG and the results were compared to those produced by deafferentation and explantation. Normally, neurons in the SCG express five different nicotinic subunits: alpha3, alpha5, alpha7, beta2, and beta4. Forty-eight hours after axotomy in vivo or explantation, dramatic decreases in these transcripts were seen, except for beta2, which increased. In contrast, deafferentation of the SCG had negligible effects on any of these transcripts. Both leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) have been shown to play a role in the decrease in neuropeptide Y mRNA expression after axotomy. In the cases of these nicotinic receptor transcripts, however, similar decreases were seen in wild-type and LIF knockout animals. Furthermore, administration of an antiserum to NGF in intact animals produced no changes in transcript levels. On the other hand, providing exogenous NGF to axotomized SCG in vivo or in explant cultures partially prevented the decreases in the transcripts for alpha3, alpha5, alpha7, and beta4. These data indicate that axotomy produces dramatic decreases in the expression of several nicotinic receptor subunit transcripts, and that the molecular signals underlying these changes differ from those previously shown to mediate the decrease in neuropeptide Y expression.
Effect of norepinephrine on renal tubular NaKATPase and oxygen consumption

Abstract Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated that norepinephrine (NE) increases sodium dependent phenylalanine uptake by in vitro rat cortical tubules. In the present study, we have examined whether the observed increase in proximal tubular sodium transport, during NE treatment, is related to changes in membrane NaKATPase and cellular oxygen consumption. Treatment of intact tubules with NE increased microsomal NaKATPase activity but had no effect on cellular oxygen consumption or ouabain inhibitable oxygen consumption. The increased NaKATPase activity is consistent with the observed increase in sodium transport while the lack of a detectable effect on oxygen consumption suggests that the increased transport does not require additional oxygen utilization.
Cyclogallanes and Metalloaromaticity. Synthesis and Molecular Structure of Dipotassium Tris((2,6-dimesitylphenyl)cyclogallene), K2[(Mes2C6H3)Ga]3 (Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2): A Structural and Theoretical Examination

The cyclogallane dipotassium tris((2,6-dimesitylphenyl)cyclogallene), K2[(Mes2C6H3)Ga]3 (Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2), has been prepared by either of two distinct synthetic routes. Disproportionation of gallium(II) chloride, Ga2Cl4, in the presence of (2,6-dimesitylphenyl)lithium, (Mes2C6H3)Li, followed by potassium metal reduction in Et2O affords the title compound as large ruby red crystals. Alternatively, K2[(Mes2C6H3)Ga]3 may readily be approached by direct alkali metal reduction of (Mes2C6H3)GaCl2. The title compound was characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The cyclogallane resides about the planar Ga3 triangle constituted by extremely short Ga−Ga bonds: 2.4260(5), 2.4317(5), and 2.4187(5) A. Theoretical examination of the Ga32- anionic core in [GaH]32-, Na2[GaH]3, and K2[GaH]3 suggests a well-defined π-molecular orbital. Both experimental and theoretical results strongly support the cyclogallene dianion, [(Mes2C6H3)Ga]32-, as a well-def...
The Effect of Length and Diameter on the Signal-to-Noise Ratio of Evanescent Field Absorption Fiber-Optic Sensors:

This paper discusses the theoretical and experimental implications of changing the length and diameter of the evanescent field sensing region of an evanescent field sensor. Particular emphasis is placed on optimizing the intensity of the evanescent field for near-infrared sensor applications. Both theoretical and experimental results show that an optimal length and diameter must be determined experimentally for each analyte system.
Factors affecting adoption in China, 1950-87

Though adoption in China is known to have increased as more girls were abandoned and became available for adoption following the introduction of the country's one-child policy in the 1980s, little is known about Chinese adoption practices. This paper investigates the factors affecting adoption in China in the period 1950-87 using data from the National Two-Per-Thousand Sample Survey on Fertility and Contraception of 1988. The results show that the national adoption rate was 2.3 per cent. Childless women were more likely than women with children to adopt and did not show a sex preference. Women with children by birth used adoption to secure a child of the 'missing' sex. Women who had experienced the death of a child were more likely to adopt than those who had not. Women with children may have used adoption as a strategy to circumvent the strict family planning policies.
Subdural hematoma hygroma, and hydroma in infants

Summary 1. The various diagnostic criteria for subdural hematoma, hygroma, and hydroma have been briefly reviewed. 2. The various theories of pathogenesis are drawn together into an inclusive review. 3. Twenty-two cases are analyzed from the standpoints of incidence, symptoms, signs, special studies, operative findings, pathology, and results. 4. The diagnostic criteria for chronic subdural hematoma, hygroma, and hydroma have been defined in a mutually exlusive manner. Their diagnostic procedures and individual treatment are mentioned. 5. The significance of birth injuries, neonatal “silent period”, and duration of nonspecific symptoms is emphasized. 6. A definitive surgical treatment for subdural hygroma is described. 7. The relative frequency of hygroma and hydroma is mentioned. 8. The importance of evaluating concurrent intrinsic brain damage prior to operation is emphasized.
In vivo and in vitro studies with agents that cause quasi-morphine withdrawal syndromes.

Abstract Compounds that elicit a “quasi-morphine withdrawal syndrome” (QMWS) after acute administration to rats constitute a new class of behavior-modifying agent. In studying the pharmacological bases of quasi-opiate withdrawal syndromes, we found that the dihydrocodeinone, RX 336-M, a standard QMWS-inducing agent, caused a naloxone-insensitive increase in twitch tension on the field-stimulated rat vas deferens preparation. In contrast, IBMX (3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine), the historical inducer of quasi-abstinence in rats, gave a naloxone-insensitive decrease in twitch tension. Tolerance developed to the “wet-dog” shakes elicited by twice-daily s.c. injections of RX 336-M or IBMX in rats for 5 or 15 days, respectively. The parallel development of tolerance to the in vitro effects of these compounds could not be demonstrated
Film Thickness Dependence of Protein Adsorption from Blood Serum and Plasma onto Poly(sulfobetaine)-Grafted Surfaces

In this work, we investigate protein adsorption from single protein solutions and complex media such as 100% blood serum and plasma onto poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (polySBMA)-grafted surfaces via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) at varying film thicknesses. It is interesting to observe that protein adsorption exhibits a minimum at a medium film thickness. Results show that the surface with 62 nm polySBMA brushes presents the best nonfouling character in 100% blood serum and plasma although all of these surfaces are highly resistant to nonspecific protein adsorption from single fibrinogen and lysozyme solutions. Surface resistance to 100% blood serum or plasma is necessary for many applications from blood-contacting devices to drug delivery. This work provides a new in vitro evaluation standard for the application of biomaterials in vivo.
Enhanced Sympathetic and Ventilatory Responses to Central Chemoreflex Activation in Heart Failure

Background—Sympathetic activation and respiratory abnormalities may each be implicated in the pathophysiology of congestive heart failure (CHF). Chemoreflexes are an important mechanism regulating both sympathetic drive and breathing. We therefore tested the hypothesis that chemoreflex function is altered in CHF. Methods and Results—We compared ventilatory, sympathetic, heart rate, and blood pressure responses to hypoxia, hypercapnia, and the cold pressor test in 9 patients with CHF and 9 control subjects matched for age and body mass index. Baseline muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was higher in the patients with CHF compared with control subjects (47±8 versus 23±3 bursts per minute, P<0.01). During hypercapnia, patients with CHF had greater increases in minute ventilation (6.7±1.4 versus 2.7±0.9 L/min, P=0.03) and heart rate (7.0±2.1 versus 0.6±1.2 bpm, P=0.02). Despite higher ventilation, which inhibits sympathetic activity, the MSNA increase in patients with CHF was also greater than that in c...
Intrasubject reproducibility of growth hormone-releasing hormone-stimulated growth hormone in older women, older men, and younger men

Abstract Intrasubject reproducibility of growth hormone (GH) response to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) was studied in healthy older women ( n = 9), older men ( n = 8), and younger men ( n = 10). Subjects received IV injections of 0.1 ml/kg saline, 1 μg/kg GHRH, and 2 μg/kg GHRH, three times each, and blood was sampled at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 120 min for GH concentration. There was no significant difference in peak GH response between the 1- and 2-μg/kg GHRH dosages. GH responsiveness, group variance of peak GH, and intrasubject variability were greatest for younger men, less for older men, and least for older women at both dosages of GHRH. Because of the large intrasubject variability observed in this study, it appears necessary to test subjects more than once to obtain a valid characterization of GH responsiveness.
INHIBITION OF RAT LIVER MICROSOMAL NADPH CYTOCHROME P450 REDUCTASE BY GLUTATHIONE AND GLUTATHIONE DISULFIDE

Previously we have demonstrated inhibition of lipid peroxidation by reduced glutathione (GSH) in rat liver microsomes that is dependent upon the presence of alpha-tocopheral (alpha-TH) in the membranes. Glutathione disulfide (GSSG) potentiated the inhibitory effect of GSH in an enzymatic (NADPH-dependent) lipid peroxidation system in rat liver microsomes; however, inhibition by GSH + GSSG is independent of alpha-TH. When we repeated these experiments with a non-enzymatic system (ascorbate/ADP) to stimulate lipid peroxidation, GSSG did not potentiate the inhibitory effect of GSH. To delineate the mechanism of inhibition of microsomal lipid peroxidation by GSH + GSSG, we examined the effects of these compounds on cytochrome P-450 reductase (EC 1.6.2.4), an important component of the NADPH-dependent enzymatic lipid peroxidation system. It was observed that GSH alone caused about 25% and 21% inhibition of reductase activity in crude microsomes and partially purified enzyme preparations, respectively. There was no inhibition of reductase activity by GSSG alone in either crude microsomes or partially purified enzyme preparations. However, when added together, GSH and GSSG enhanced the inhibition of reductase activity in crude microsomes and partially purified enzyme by 39% and 56%, respectively. We speculate that one possible mechanism for the inhibition of NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation by GSH + GSSG is, in part, due to inhibition of NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase, thus affecting the initiation phase of lipid peroxidation.
Review of Aflibercept for the Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been completely transformed by the development of drugs that bind vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The antibody-based VEGF inhibitors bevacizumab and ranibizumab usually prevent the enlargement of choroidal neovascular membranes, reduce vascular permeability, and improve visual acuity. The newest VEGF inhibitor, aflibercept, is a soluble fusion protein that binds all isoforms of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and placental growth factor with high affinity. Preclinical studies demonstrated aflibercept’s ability to prevent experimental neovascularization and tumor growth in animal models. In phase 3 trials for exudative AMD, patients who received aflibercept avoided moderate vision loss and experienced improved visual acuity comparable to those who received ranibizumab. Additionally, patients who were treated with aflibercept 2 mg every 8 weeks (after 3 monthly loading doses) had similar visual results to those treated every 4 weeks. When treated as needed during the second year of the trials, patients were able to last an average of 3 months between aflibercept injections. Since its regulatory approval, aflibercept has also been found to perform well as a salvage therapy for eyes that respond incompletely to ranibizumab and bevacizumab. Because aflibercept can be administered less frequently than ranibizumab, it promises to decrease the frequency of patients’ visits to physicians’ offices in addition to the overall cost of AMD therapy.
Isoflurane modulates excitability in the mouse thalamus via GABA-dependent and GABA-independent mechanisms

GABAergic neurons in the reticular thalamic nucleus (RTN) synapse onto thalamocortical neurons in the ventrobasal (VB) thalamus, and this reticulo-thalamocortical pathway is considered an anatomic target for general anesthetic-induced unconsciousness. A mutant mouse was engineered to harbor two amino acid substitutions (S270H, L277A) in the GABA(A) receptor (GABA(A)-R) alpha1 subunit; this mutation abolished sensitivity to the volatile anesthetic isoflurane in recombinant GABA(A)-Rs, and reduced in vivo sensitivity to isoflurane in the loss-of-righting-reflex assay. We examined the effects of the double mutation on GABA(A)-R-mediated synaptic currents and isoflurane sensitivity by recording from thalamic neurons in brain slices. The double mutation accelerated the decay, and decreased the (1/2) width of, evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs) in VB neurons and attenuated isoflurane-induced prolongation of the eIPSC. The hypnotic zolpidem, a selective modulator of GABA(A)-Rs containing the alpha1 subunit, prolonged eIPSC duration regardless of genotype, indicating that mutant mice incorporate alpha1 subunit-containing GABA(A)-Rs into synapses. In RTN neurons, which lack the alpha1 subunit, eIPSC duration was longer than in VB, regardless of genotype. Isoflurane reduced the efficacy of GABAergic transmission from RTN to VB, independent of genotype, suggesting a presynaptic action in RTN neurons. Consistent with this observation, isoflurane inhibited both tonic action potential and rebound burst firing in the presence of GABA(A)-R blockade. The suppressed excitability in RTN neurons is likely mediated by isoflurane-enhanced Ba(2+)-sensitive, but 4-aminopyridine-insenstive, potassium conductances. We conclude that isoflurane enhances inhibition of thalamic neurons in VB via GABA(A)-R-dependent, but in RTN via GABA(A)-R-independent, mechanisms.
The population genetic structure of the Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) in an agricultural landscape

Although population genetic structure and geographic differentiation have been reported for many bird species with insular distributions, high vagility typically results in high levels of gene flow and thus little local differentiation among continental populations. This study provides the first survey of population genetic variation in a South American ratite, suggesting that, in an agricultural landscape, recent fragmentation and isolation may affect the genetic structure of flightless bird species. Using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, I evaluated the population genetic structure of the greater rhea, Rhea americana albescens, by quantifying genetic variability within and among four isolated wild populations located in a highly fragmented region of the Argentinean Pampas. Levels of genetic diversity of the natural populations were compared to those of a captive population used as an inbred “control.” An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) based on a phenotypic analysis of 54 RAPD markers showed that 94.38% of the total observed variance was explained by differences within populations (P<0.001) whereas 6.37% was due to differences among populations (P=0.006). In addition, measures of genetic diversity (D: mean genetic diversity, and P: percentage of polymorphic bands) estimated for the wild populations were similar to those of the inbred “control.” The pattern of genetic variation reported combined with data on the sizes of eight wild populations and the reproductive success of a focal population are consistent with the idea that relatively recent fragmentation and isolation may have increased local genetic differentiation and decreased within-population levels of genetic variation as a result of genetic drift and inbreeding.
Mature dendritic cells readily break tolerance in normal mice but do not lead to disease expression

Objective To examine the ability of mature dendritic cells (DCs) or macrophages intentionally exposed to lipopolysaccharide or apoptotic or necrotic cells to break tolerance in normal mice. Methods We adoptively transferred into C57BL/6 mice a variety of syngeneic myeloid antigen-presenting cell populations exposed to different activation stimuli as well as to meals of necrotic and apoptotic cells. We studied expression of autoimmunity in the immunized mice by serologic evaluation of autoantibody production, subclass analysis of Ig production, clinical evidence of kidney disease, glomerular immune complex deposition, and renal pathology. Results Injection of mice with DCs incubated with apoptotic or necrotic cells, as well as, surprisingly, with DCs cultured in media alone, induced high levels of IgG autoantibodies, including anti–double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies. In striking contrast, transfer of equivalent-treated macrophages failed to generate IgG autoantibodies. IgG was deposited in the kidneys of mice vaccinated with DCs, but despite high levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies, these mice did not develop overt nephritis. Serologic evaluation of the antibody response revealed that the mice primarily developed elevated levels of IgG1 antibodies, including high levels of IgG1 anti-dsDNA. Conclusion The data suggest that mature myeloid DCs are able to break tolerance and induce lupus autoantibodies in normal hosts, but that other susceptibility factors must be in place to induce long-lasting autoimmunity and clinical expression of disease.
Far ultraviolet optical properties of MgF2 films deposited by ion-beam sputtering and their application as protective coatings for Al

Abstract Thin films of MgF2 deposited by evaporation is a material widely used for its transparency in the far ultraviolet (FUV) down to ∼115 nm. In this paper the optical properties of ion-beam sputtered (IBS) MgF2 in the FUV are investigated and compared with MgF2 films deposited by evaporation. A slightly higher transparency at the 121.6-nm, H Lyman α line was obtained for IBS MgF2 films compared to films deposited by evaporation, which makes IBS MgF2 a promising protective material for Al reflective coatings. Experimental work on Al films that were protected with a thin evaporated MgF2 film followed by an IBS MgF2 film to produce a protective coating with optimum thickness showed a reflectance at 121.6 nm that was higher by about 3% compared to an Al film protected with an all-evaporated MgF2 film.
The effect of formoterol on the late asthmatic phenomena in guinea pigs.

Abstract We investigated the effects of formoterol, a new, long-acting, selective β 2 -adrenoceptor agonist, on the antigen-induced late asthmatic response (LAR) and airway inflammation in guinea pigs. Animals were sensitized by exposure to aerosolized ovalbumin (2% in saline). After antigen challenge, preceded by administration of an H 1 -receptor antagonist, specific airway conductance was measured with a two-chambered whole-body plethysmograph. An aerosolized solution of formoterol, isoproterenol, or saline was inhaled 15 minutes before challenge. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed 24 hours after challenge. The provocative concentrations of histamine required to decrease specific airway conductance by 50% were obtained before challenge, at 24 hours, and at 72 hours after challenge. The LAR (52.7% ± 7.7% of the baseline; p
A Kool Reaction from the Fine Print

Food and other consumer products are chemicals, too. Ignoring warnings, implied warnings, or fine-print instructions on consumer product labels may change the products. The Kool-Aid soft drink mix package states "Do not store in a metal container". Why? In this activity, students investigate the reduction of artificial food dyes by citric acid-promoted oxidation of a metal (iron) in the form of fine or coarse steel wool. The artificial red and yellow food dyes present in the beverage contain azo linkages (nitrogen–nitrogen double bonds) that are readily reduced to colorless products under mild reducing conditions. Citric acid, which provides tart flavor in the drink, reacts with iron to create the mild reducing conditions. Comparing the reaction times for equal masses of fine and coarse steel wool allows the faster reaction time of the fine steel wool (with more exposed iron atoms) to be observed.
Structure of Liquids. VIII. An X-Ray Diffraction Study of Liquid Mercury-Gallium Systems

Abstract X-ray diffraction measurements were made at 0°, 30°, and 50°C on pure mercury and on two mercury-gallium systems of composition 0.9658 and 0.0197 mole fraction of mercury. Peak positions of the radial distribution functions for all samples show no significant change with temperature; the average position of the first and second peaks of the mercury curves are 3.01 A and 5.80 A, respectively. Coordination numbers for mercury as determined by the symmetrical curve method are 7.5, 7.3, and 7.0 atoms for 0°, 30°, and 50°C. The scattering function and the features of the structure obtained for the Ga-in-Hg solution are not significantly different from those of pure mercury; for the Hg-in-Ga solution, however, the coordination numbers are smaller than those for pure gallium, and the scattering functions are significantly different.
Concurrent purification of type-1 and type-2A protein phosphatase catalytic subunits.

Abstract We describe a simple purification scheme for the active catalytic subunits of both protein phosphatases type-1 and type-2A. The advantage of this procedure over others is that it produces intact proteins with high yield and specific activity and is suitable for either kilograms of tissue or a dish of cells. Type-1 and type-2A phosphatases from rabbit skeletal muscle were resolved on polylysine-agarose and subsequently obtained in homogeneous form. The phosphatases demonstrated characteristic properties. The phosphatase-1 catalytic subunit was inhibited by inhibitor-2 and phosphoinhibitor-1 whereas phosphatase-2A was not. The phosphatase activities were stable for years at −20°C when stored in the presence of Mg 2+ and glycerol. Based on the predicted sequence of the carboxyl terminus of each phosphatase, antibodies specific for phosphatases-1 and -2A were produced in rabbits using synthetic peptides as immunogens. Immunoblots showed complete specificity of these antibodies for their respective phosphatases and confirmed that the purified phosphatases has intact carboxyl termini. The purified catalytic subunits and antibodies will be useful for examining the regulation and the physiological roles of these protein phosphatases in cellular physiology.
Improving the quality of medical care: the normativity of evidence-based performance standards

Poor quality medical care is sometimes attributed to physicians’ unwillingness to act on evidence about what works best. Evidence-based performance standards (EBPSs) are one response to this problem, and they are increasingly employed by health care regulators and payers. Evidence in this instance is judged according to the precepts of evidence-based medicine (EBM); it is probabilistic, and the randomized controlled trial (RCT) is the gold standard. This means that EBPSs suffer all the infirmities of EBM generally—well rehearsed problems with the external validity of research findings as well as the inferential leap from study results in the aggregate to individual patient care. These theoretical weaknesses promise to have a practical impact on the care of patients. To avoid this, EBPSs should be understood as guidelines indicative of average effectiveness rather than standards to be applied in every case.
Hexahedral Meshing of Subject-Specific Anatomic Structures Using Registered Building Blocks

Generating high quality, subject-specific, 3D finite element anatomic models with minimal user-intervention remains a challenge. Numerous automated tetrahedral mesh generators are available, but hexahedral meshes are preferred due to their higher accuracy and faster computational time over tetrahedral meshes. Historically, the generation of hexahedral meshes for analysis is a tedious and time-consuming task. Therefore, the utilization of hexahedral meshes is often limited to baseline models that are powerful, but not patient-specific. Once a high quality mesh has been created, it would be ideal if it can be used to create meshes of similar surfaces from different subjects, without disrupting mesh quality.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Design and characterization of a new irreversible responsive PARACEST MRI contrast agent that detects nitric oxide

Irreversible responsive PARAmagnetic Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (PARACEST) MRI contrast agents constitute a new type of agent for molecular imaging. To investigate the utility of this approach, a novel PARACEST MRI contrast agent, Yb(III)-(1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid)-orthoaminoanilide (Yb-DO3A-oAA), was developed that detects nitric oxide (NO). The agent exhibited two CEST effects at -11 ppm and +8 ppm, which were assigned to chemical exchange from amide and amine functional groups, respectively. The effects of pH, temperature, and concentration were investigated to characterize the complex and to optimize PARACEST detection. This responsive PARACEST MRI contrast agent incurred an irreversible covalent change in the presence of NO and O(2), which caused an irreversible disappearance of both PARACEST effects from MR images. The NO-dependent response of a relaxivity-based MRI contrast agent, Gd-DO3A-oAA, was investigated for comparison. This report highlights the advantages of irreversible MRI contrast agents, demonstrates that large changes in PARACEST can be used to create a highly responsive agent, and indicates challenges that must be overcome to apply this type of contrast agent to in vivo biomedical applications in molecular imaging.
Effects of tobacco smoking and abstinence on middle latency auditory evoked potentials.

Objective To evaluate the effects of tobacco cigarette smoking and overnight abstinence on middle latency auditory evoked potentials among smokers and nonsmokers. Methods Groups of 9 to 10 adult male and female nonsmokers and smokers participated in the study. Each person volunteered for two laboratory sessions conducted in the early afternoon on 2 separate days. Smokers abstained from tobacco products 6 to 15 hours before the abstinent session and maintained their usual smoking behavior before the smoking session. The nonsmokers had a similar laboratory experience but sham smoked by means of inhaling air. Middle latency auditory evoked potentials were recorded from Cz to both ears as reference. Results The latencies of the Na and Pa potentials during the smoking session were significantly (p < 0.01) shorter than those in abstinent smokers and nonsmokers. After smoking, peak-to-trough amplitudes for the V-Na, Na-Pa, and Pa-Nb potentials were larger than those after abstinence and significantly larger than those among nonsmokers. Conclusions The shorter latencies of the middle latency brain wave components in the smoking session suggest faster processing of sensory information after cigarette smoking. Larger Pa amplitudes after cigarette smoking suggest a higher arousal level than that among partially abstinent smokers and nonsmokers. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1998) 63, 571–579; doi:
Using circular dichroism collected as a function of temperature to determine the thermodynamics of protein unfolding and binding interactions

Circular dichroism (CD) is an excellent spectroscopic technique for following the unfolding and folding of proteins as a function of temperature. One of its principal applications is to determine the effects of mutations and ligands on protein and polypeptide stability. If the change in CD as a function of temperature is reversible, analysis of the data may be used to determined the van't Hoff enthalpy and entropy of unfolding, the midpoint of the unfolding transition and the free energy of unfolding. Binding constants of protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions may also be estimated from the unfolding curves. Analysis of CD spectra obtained as a function of temperature is also useful to determine whether a protein has unfolding intermediates. Measurement of the spectra of five folded proteins and their unfolding curves at a single wavelength requires approximately 8 h.
Mixed-initiative multimedia for mobile devices: a voting-based user interface for news videos

A system is being created with the aim of providing news video to mobile devices, focusing on using an "interactive TV-channel" metaphor as one of the possible interaction modes. The user is presented a sequence of recommended news video clips and a set of operations to vote-up or vote-down a video to indicate its relevance. User-machine synergy is harnessed through interaction with the clips, used to tailor subsequent media clip recommendations. A framework for delivering relevant news clips to a mobile device is being developed, and future work and challenges are discussed in further detail. The goal is to create a methodology for presenting a sequence of news video clips in a manner that is seamless and cognitively palatable through usermachine synergy, and switching between automated and manual modes as deemed necessary.
Two-dimensional simulations of rf glow discharges in N2 and SF6.

Two-dimensional numerical simulations of self-consistent rf glow discharges in ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{SF}}_{6}$ gases are presented in this paper. Based on the single-moment fluid model, more accurate flux-corrected transport and reconstructed fast-Fourier-transform techniques are used to solve the continuity and Poisson's equations, respectively. The evolution of electric fields, ion densities, and electron densities has been displayed by the spatiotemporal contours in a cylindrically symmetric geometry. The influence of gas properties (nonattaching versus strong attaching gas) and background pressures (1 and 2 Torr) are investigated. The sheath near the radial wall of the reactor has been shown its important role in the rf discharges, particularly in the strong attaching gas or at a higher background pressure.
A TIR domain receptor-associated protein (TIRAP) variant SNP (rs8177374) confers protection against premature birth.

To investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway modulate susceptibility to preterm birth (PTB). Prospective case-control study examining the contribution of nine TLR SNPs to PTB (<37 weeks) and PTB <32 weeks. Genotyping was done on neonatal blood using a multiplexed single-base extension assay. Chi-square test, Fischer’s exact test and classification trees were used for data analysis. Preterm infants (n=177) were more likely to be African American (P=0.02), and were more likely to be born to mothers who smoked (P=0.007), had pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH; P=0.002) and placental abruption (P=0.0004) when compared with term infants (n=146). The TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, TLR9, nuclear factor-kappa B1 (NFκB1), NFκBIA and IRAK1 variants were not associated with PTB whereas the TIR domain receptor–associated protein (TIRAP) variant was more prevalent in term infants when compared with preterm infants born <32 weeks (P=0.004). PTB <32 weeks was more prevalent in infants without the TIRAP variant whose mothers had PIH and did not smoke (P=0.001). Presence of the TIRAP variant protected against PTB <32 weeks (P=0.015) in Caucasian infants. In our study, a TLR pathway adapter variant (TIRAP (rs8177374)) protected against PTB<32 weeks, supporting our hypothesis that genetic variation in the innate immune signaling pathway contributes to altered risk of PTB.
Parallelization of the Fvcom Coastal Ocean Model

The Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM) is a publicly available software package for simulation of ocean processes in coastal areas. The unstructured grid approach used in the model is highly advantageous for resolving dynamics in regions with complex shorelines such as estuaries, embayments, and archipelagos. A growing user community and a demand for large-scale, high resolution simulations has driven the need for the implementation of a portable and efficient parallelization of the FVCOM core code. The triangular grid approach used in FVCOM precludes the utilization of schemes used previously in the parallelization of popular structured grid ocean models. This paper describes recent work on a SPMD parallelization of FVCOM. The METIS partitioning libraries are employed to decompose the domain. Parallel operations are programmed with the Message Passing Interface (MPI) standard interface. Updates for flow quantities near the interprocessor domain boundaries are performed using a mixture of halo and flux summation approaches to minimize communication overhead. Evaluation of the implementation efficiency is made on machines comprising several parallel architectures and interconnect types. The implementation is found to scale well on medium-sized (~ 256 processor) clusters. An execution time model is developed to expose bottlenecks and extrapolate the performance of FVCOM to increasingly available large MPP machines. Application to a model of water circulation in the Gulf of Maine shows that the parallelized code greatly increases the capabilities of the original core scheme by extending practical model simulation timescales and spatial resolution.
Relations Among Symptoms of Social Phobia Subtypes, Avoidant Personality Disorder, Panic, and Depression

This study's primary goal was to examine relations between symptoms of specific social phobia (SSP), generalized social phobia (GSP), avoidant personality disorder (APD), and panic and depression. Past research has suggested a single social phobia continuum in which SSP displays less symptom severity than GSP or APD. We found SSP symptoms correlated less strongly with depression but more strongly with panic relative to both GSP and APD symptoms. These findings challenge a unidimensional model of social phobia, suggesting a multidimensional model may be more appropriate. These findings also inform current research aimed at classifying mood and anxiety disorders more broadly by identifying that the different factors of fear versus distress appear to underlie different subtypes of social phobia.
Distributed feedback device characterization using a continuous wave model

The second-order cw equation for a medium having gain and a modulated index of refraction is solved to characterize an aperiodic distributed feedback structure. The solutions are compared with those of a coupled-wave model for the cases of tapered, chirped, and phase-shifted structures. A correlation is observed between the solutions, endorsing the validity of the cw approach.
Method of administration affects the ability of bacteriophage to prevent colibacillosis in 1-day-old broiler chickens

Bacteriophages are viruses that kill bacteria. They are plentiful in nature with no known activity in human or animal cells, making them an attractive alternative to antibiotics. The objective of this research was to determine if a coarse or a fine spray of bacteriophage would prevent colibacillosis induced by an intratracheal (IT) challenge with Escherichia coli. Two studies were conducted with 6 treatments: untreated control, birds treated with a spray administration of bacteriophage and not challenged, birds administered bacteriophage IT and not challenged, birds not treated and challenged IT with E. coli, birds sprayed with bacteriophage and IT challenged with E. coli, and birds administered bacteriophage IT and challenged IT with E. coli. There were 3 replicate pens of 10 birds per pen, per treatment, and all treatments were administered at 1 d of age. Study 1 was concluded when the birds were 19 d of age, and study 2 was concluded when the birds were 21 d of age. In both studies, neither a coarse nor a fine spray protected the birds from an IT E. coli challenge; however, when bacteriophage was administered IT there was complete protection. This research demonstrates the necessity for the administration of bacteriophage therapeutics to deliver high bacteriophage titers to the site of a bacterial infection.
The mouse olfactory peduncle. 2.The anterior limb of the anterior commissure.

The central core of the olfactory peduncle (the tissue connecting the olfactory bulb to the forebrain) includes a white matter tract that extends caudally to the anterior commissure. The purpose of the present study was to examine this “anterior limb of the anterior commissure” (ALAC) to determine if the axons that progress through it segregate on the basis of their point of origin, neurotransmitter type, size or shape. While local differences in axon density were observed in the ALAC, they were not consistent between samples of the anterior and posterior peduncle, and no other compartmentalization within the tract was observed. The innervation of the caudal olfactory peduncle by neuromodulatory fibers was examined to determine if they enter the region via the ALAC. Cholinergic fibers densely filled the peduncle, followed in order by serotonergic, noradrenergic, histaminergic and orexinergic processes. Differences in the distribution of the fibers were noted for each system. While each axon type could be observed in the ALAC, it is probable that they enter the peduncle though several routes. Data for axon caliber in the ALAC was compared to information previously collected on the peduncle’s other white matter region, the lateral olfactory tract. Axons in the ALAC were smaller, suggesting that the olfactory system is organized with a fast system for distributing incoming sensory information and a more economical, distributed system for subsequent processing.
Contribution of SUMO-interacting motifs and SUMOylation to the antiretroviral properties of TRIM5α

Abstract Recent findings suggested that the SUMO-interacting motifs (SIMs) present in the human TRIM5α (TRIM5αhu) protein play an important role in the ability of TRIM5αhu to restrict N-MLV. Here we explored the role of SIMs in the ability of rhesus TRIM5α (TRIM5αrh) to restrict HIV-1, and found that TRIM5αrh SIM mutants IL376KK (SIM1mut) and VI405KK (SIM2mut) completely lost their ability to block HIV-1 infection. Interestingly, these mutants also lost the recently described property of TRIM5αrh to shuttle into the nucleus. Analysis of these variants revealed that they are unable to interact with the HIV-1 core, which might explain the reason that these variants are not active against HIV-1. Furthermore, NMR titration experiments to assay the binding between the PRYSPRY domain of TRIM5αrh and the small ubiquitin-like modifier 1(SUMO-1) revealed no interaction. In addition, we examined the role of SUMOylation in restriction, and find out that inhibition of SUMOylation by the adenoviral protein Gam1 did not alter the retroviral restriction ability of TRIM5α. Overall, our results do not support a role for SIMs or SUMOylation in the antiviral properties of TRIM5α.
Hydatidiform mole and persistent trophoblastic disease in adolescents.

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Growth kinetics for a system with a conserved order parameter: Off-critical quenches.

The theory of growth kinetics developed previously [G. F. Mazenko, Phys. Rev. E 50, 3485 (1994)] is extended to the asymmetric case of off-critical quenches for systems with a conserved scalar order parameter. In this instance, the new parameter M, the average global value of the order parameter, enters the theory. For M=0 one has critical quenches, while for sufficiently large M one approaches the coexistence curve. For all M, the theory supports a scaling solution for the order parameter correlation function with the Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner growth law L\ensuremath{\sim}${\mathit{t}}^{1/3}$. The theoretically determined scaling function depends only on the spatial dimensionality d and the parameter M, and is determined explicitly here in two and three dimensions. Near the coexistence curve oscillations in the scaling function are suppressed. The structure factor displays Porod's law ${\mathit{Q}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}(\mathit{d}+1)}$ behavior at large scaled wave number Q, and ${\mathit{Q}}^{4}$ behavior at small wave number, for all M. The peak in the structure factor widens as M increases and develops a significant tail for quenches near the coexistence curve. This is in qualitative agreement with simulations.