cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased Hindlimb Leukocyte Concentration in a Chronic Rodent Model of Venous Hypertension

Background.The pathophysiologic mechanism for tissue damage in chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is venous hypertension (VH), the primary mediator behind leukocyte trapping in tissues. We developed a new rodent model of chronic hindlimb VH to allow testing of the microvascular dysfunction that occurs in clinical CVI. Materials and methods.Hindlimb VH was created in adult rats (∼350 g, male, Wistar) by ligation of the inferior vena cava, bilateral common iliac veins, and bilateral common femoral veins. In a sham group, a loose tie was placed around the same vessels. One week later, pressure catheters were placed in the right common carotid artery, right internal jugular vein (forelimb), and right superficial epigastric vein (hindlimb). Measurements were taken 15 min later, to allow for stabilization. Bilateral forelimb and hindlimb skin specimens were harvested. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay, an indicator of tissue leukocyte trapping, was performed using a well-described, standard technique. Results.In the chronic rats (n= 8), the hindlimb pressures (12.6 ± 3.2 mm Hg) were significantly elevated (P< 0.05) when compared to forelimb pressures (1.75 ± 0.71) and to chronic sham rat (n= 6) hindlimb (3.3 ± 1.2) pressures. There was a significant (P< 0.05) elevation of MPO activity in hindlimbs of the chronic group (32.9 ± 13.9 units) when compared to forelimbs (17 ± 11.3) and sham hindlimbs (18 ± 10.2). Conclusions.In our chronic model, as in clinical studies and previous acute investigations, we have demonstrated, using an MPO assay, an increase in the amount of cutaneous leukocytes in the hindlimbs with chronic VH but not in experimental forelimbs or sham hindlimbs or forelimbs.
Improving SEM image quality using pixel super resolution technique

The most decent scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can provide image magnification up to 500kX which seems to be suitable to image semiconductor devices for the advanced technology nodes. However, SEM images at such a high magnification often suffer from the drift and space related displacement errors, potentially causing image blur and distortion. To circumvent this, we apply the super-resolution (SR) technique to enhance the resolution of the CD-SEM metrology by using the advanced signal processing algorithms. The resolution enhancement can be realized by exploiting the multiple low resolution (LR) images that include unique information of an imaging target by looking at a slightly different position. We experimentally demonstrate image quality improvement gained by the SR technique after correcting the time-dependent drift/displacement and mapping estimated information onto the high resolution (HR) pixel grid with the non-linear pixel interpolation scheme. In addition, estimating the time-dependent drifts of the wafer position could be useful to investigate the drift properties of the CD-SEM tool.
Spectral Diffusion at the Water/Lipid Interface Revealed by Two-Dimensional Fourth-Order Optical Spectroscopy: A Classical Simulation Study

Using a classical simulation protocol for nonlinear optical signals, we predict the two-dimensional (2D) spectra of water near a monolayer of [1,2-dimytristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine] (DMPC) generated by three IR probe pulses followed by one visible probe pulse. Sum-frequency-generation 1D spectra show two peaks of the OH stretch representing two environments: near-bulk water nonadjacent to DMPC and top-layer water adjacent to DMPC. These peaks create a 2D pattern in the fourth-order signal. The asymmetric cross-peak pattern with respect to the diagonal line is a signature of coherence transfer from the higher- to the lower-frequency modes. The nodal lines in the imaginary part of the 2D spectrum show that the near-bulk water has fast spectral diffusion resembling that of bulk water despite the orientation by the strong electrostatic field of DMPC. The top-layer water has slower spectral diffusion.
ECOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY OF IRIDAEA CORDATA (GIGARTINALES, RHODOPHYTA) GROWTH1

The in situ growth, maturation and senescence, of central California Iridaea cordata (Turner) Bory was studied. This ontogenetic progression was quantified by measuring development and growth of: i) individually tagged blades, and ii) populations of blades within cumulative (1-yr duration) and seasonal experimental plots. Greatest growth and longest life span were exhibited by winter-spring initiated blades, and were correlated with a rapid increase, in irradiance, but not with either seawater temperature or nutrients. Tagging studies showed that reproductive maturation and senescence of blades occurred throughout the year, irrespective of date tagged, growth rate or size. Moreover, the majority of blades continued to elongate following maturation, and some matured within 3 mo of initiation at all seasons but winter. At the population level maturation took place primarily during summer-autumn when 90 ±2% of the population was mature. The majority of the population senesces or “dies back” during autumn-winter. It is concluded that in situ, the blades are derived almost totally via vegetative means involving perennation. This indirectly suggests that sexual reproduction or the success of sporeling development are marginal. Additionally, the species is perennial with annually deciduous blades, characterized by both rapid growth and maturation.
A comparison of induction time and crystallization rate for syndiotactic polystyrene

One objective of this study was to measure the crystallization parameters for syndiotactic polystyrene (M W = 244.000) to support a computer simulation of this material in an injection molding application. A second objective was to introduce a new crystallization rate equation that adequately predicts crystallization rates over a broader temperature range than the Hoffman-Lauritzen equation. A third objective was to establish a new clearly defined method for determining the true induction time of a semicrystalline polymer as a function of temperature. The new crystallization rate equation introduced in this study has been formulated to give appropriate crystallization rate constants for all the temperatures currently usable with the Hoffman-Lauritzen equation. In addition, this new equation also predicts appropriate crystallization rate constants outside the range of the Hoffman-Lauritzen equation from temperatures significantly below the glass transition temperature, T g , to temperatures significantly above the melting point, T m . Interestingly, the isolation of the true isothermal induction times from apparent induction times in this study nicely mirrored the isothermal crystallization rates at each specific temperature. Both the true induction time and the crystallization rate curves were found to be similarly unsymmetrical as a function of temperature. Also, the temperature at the minimum induction time and the temperature at the peak crystallization rate determined from nonisothermal crystallization rate measurements were found to be nearly identical. Consequently, the results from this study strongly suggest that there is a significant and potentially very useful relationship between induction time analysis and crystallization rate kinetics.
Entry of Vaccinia Virus and Cell-Cell Fusion Require a Highly Conserved Cysteine-Rich Membrane Protein Encoded by the A16L Gene

The vaccinia virus A16L open reading frame encodes a 378-amino-acid protein with a predicted C-terminal transmembrane domain and 20 invariant cysteine residues that is conserved in all sequenced members of the poxvirus family. The A16 protein was expressed late in infection and incorporated into intracellular virus particles with the N-terminal segment of the protein exposed on the surface. The cysteine residues were disulfide bonded via the poxvirus cytoplasmic redox system. Unsuccessful attempts to isolate a mutant virus with the A16L gene deleted suggested that the protein is essential for replication. To study the role of the A16 protein, we made a recombinant vaccinia virus that has the Escherichia coli lac operator system regulating transcription of the A16L gene. In the absence of inducer, A16 synthesis was repressed and plaque size and virus yield were greatly reduced. Nevertheless, virus morphogenesis occurred and normal-looking intracellular and extracellular virus particles formed. Purified virions made in the presence and absence of inducer were indistinguishable, though the latter had 60- to 100-fold-lower specific infectivity. A16-deficient virions bound to cells, but their cores did not penetrate into the cytoplasm. Furthermore, A16-deficient virions were unable to induce low-pH-triggered syncytium formation. The phenotype of the inducible A16L mutant was similar to those of mutants in which synthesis of the A21, A28, H2, or L5 membrane protein was repressed, indicating that at least five conserved viral proteins are required for entry of poxviruses into cells as well as for cell-cell fusion.
ON ONE ATYPICAL SCHEME OF APPLICATION OF THE SECOND LYAPUNOV METHOD

The second Lyapunov method is applied to the analysis of stability of triangular libration points in a three-dimensional restricted circular three-body problem. It is shown that the triangular libration points are unstable.
A study of vanadium as diffusion barrier between aluminum and gadolinium silicide contacts

Implementation of GdSi2 as low‐barrier (0.4 eV) Schottky contacts in a Si device requires a diffusion barrier between the GdSi2 and Al interconnects to prevent Al penetration. In this work, the effectiveness of vanadium films as such a diffusion barrier has been studied by using a set of complimentary experimental techniques: nuclear backscattering, x‐ray diffraction, and current‐voltage measurement of Schottky barrier height on both n‐type and p‐type Si substrates. We found that the effectiveness depends strongly on how the thin‐film structure of Al/V/GdSi2/Si was made, and especially on the formation process of GdSi2. The GdSi2, which was formed upon deposition onto a high‐temperature substrate, is superior in stability by showing no Al penetration to other processing schemes investigated. These results are explained by structural and compositional changes occurring in the layered films of Al/V/Gd/Si as a function of heat treatment. In order to understand the complex interdiffusion and compound formatio...
Light Absorption Enhancement in Thin‐Film Solar Cells Using Whispering Gallery Modes in Dielectric Nanospheres

Freely propagating sunlight can be diffractively coupled and transformed into several guided whispering gallery modes within an array of wavelength scale dielectric spheres. Incident optical power is then transferred to the thin-film cell by leaky mode coupling into a thin solar cell absorber layer and significantly enhances its efficiency by increasing the fraction of incident light absorbed.
Modernization and Religious Concord

AbstractTocqueville said that Americans combined a general belief in God with a lack of interest in denominational differences. Although this outlook may be particularly prevalent in the United States, it is also visible in other Western societies, although combined with lower levels of religious belief. This paper investigates the possibility of a relationship between a belief that there is truth in many religions and modernization, using data from the Gallup International Millenium Survey. The belief that there is truth in many religions is more prevalent in more affluent nations. Moreover, this belief does not seem to be merely an intermediate stage in a move away from religion. The relationship is about equally strong among people of all religious backgrounds. The tendency for modernization to lead to “religious concord” may help to explain the relationship between modernization and democracy noticed by Lipset.
Layer-by-layer assembled films of cellulose nanowires with antireflective properties.

Natural nanowires (NWs) of cellulose obtained from a marine animal tunicate display surprisingly high uniformity and aspect ratio comparable with synthetic NWs. Their layer-by-layer assembled (LBL) films show strong antireflection (AR) properties having an origin in a novel highly porous architecture reminiscent of a “flattened matchsticks pile”, with film-thickness-dependent porosity and optical properties created by randomly oriented and overlapping NWs. At an optimum number of LBL deposition cycles, light transmittance reaches nearly 100% (λ ≈ 400 nm) when deposited on a microscope glass slide and the refractive index is ∼1.28 at λ = 532 nm. In accordance with AR theory, the transmittance maximum red-shifts and begins to decrease after reaching the maximum with increasing film thickness as a result of increased light scattering. This first example of LBL layers of cellulose NWs can be seen as an exemplary structure for any rigid axial nanocolloids, for which, given the refractive index match, AR proper...
Toward a Theoretical Framework of Collaborative Destination Marketing

Marketing a destination has been a challenging task for many communities that rely on tourism for economic development. Collaborative marketing efforts of the tourism organizations representing the destination provide solutions to this challenge. This article develops an integrative theoretical framework in an attempt to explore the nature and dynamism of collaborative marketing efforts at the destination level. Specifically, a model of collaborative marketing is proposed that integrates the preconditions, motivations, processes, and outcomes of destination marketing alliances and networks based upon theories of interorganizational relations. Implications are provided and discussed from both practical and theoretical perspectives.
Chronic benzodiazepine administration. XI. Concurrent administration of PK11195 attenuates lorazepam discontinuation effects.

Chronic Benzodiazepine Administration XI Concurrent Administration of PK11195 Attenuates Lorazepam Discontinuation Effects
Time-dependent quantum weak values : Decay law for postselected states

Weak measurements offer insights into the behavior of quantum systems. Combined with postselection, quantum mechanics predicts a range of experimentally testable phenomena. In this paper I consider weak measurements performed on time-dependent preselected and postselected ensembles, with emphasis on the decay of excited states. The results show that the standard exponential decay law is a limiting case of a more general law that depends on both the time of postselection and the choice of final state. The generalized law is illustrated for two interesting choices of postselection.
Spectroscopic Characterization of Active-Site Variants of the PduO-type ATP:Corrinoid Adenosyltransferase from Lactobacillus reuteri: Insights into the Mechanism of Four-Coordinate Co(II)corrinoid Formation

The PduO-type adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP):corrinoid adenosyltransferase from Lactobacillus reuteri (LrPduO) catalyzes the transfer of the adenosyl-group of ATP to Co1+cobalamin (Cbl) and Co1+cobinamide (Cbi) substrates to synthesize adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl) and adenosylcobinamide (AdoCbi+), respectively. Previous studies revealed that to overcome the thermodynamically challenging Co2+ → Co1+ reduction, the enzyme drastically weakens the axial ligand–Co2+ bond so as to generate effectively four-coordinate (4c) Co2+corrinoid species. To explore how LrPduO generates these unusual 4c species, we have used magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic techniques. The effects of active-site amino acid substitutions on the relative yield of formation of 4c Co2+corrinoid species were examined by performing eight single-amino acid substitutions at seven residues that are involved in ATP-binding, an intersubunit salt bridge, and the hydrophobic region surrounding th...
Aeromonas bacteraemia in burn patients

Human aeromonas infection is uncommon and is usually associated with immunosuppression, chronic disease or trauma in an aquatic setting. Burn injury may induce a state of immunosuppression, making the thermally injured patient a suitable host for aeromonas infection. We reviewed the experience of one burn centre with this pathogen. Retrospective examination of blood culture results from 8151 patients admitted between 1959 and 1994 disclosed eight patients with clinically relevant Aeromonas hydrophilia bacteraemia. Five were burned outside the USA. Aquatic exposure was known or suspected in only three cases. Five of the eight patients died. Aeromonas infection in burn patients is rare but may occur in the absence of aquatic exposure.
Urological Disorders in Chronic Kidney Disease in Children Cohort: Clinical Characteristics and Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate

Purpose: Urological disorders are the most common cause of pediatric chronic kidney disease. We determined the characteristics of children with urological disorders and assessed the agreement between the newly developed bedside glomerular filtration rate estimating formula with measured glomerular filtration rate in 586 patients in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children study.Materials and Methods: The Chronic Kidney Disease in Children study is a prospective, observational cohort of children recruited from 48 sites in the United States and Canada. Eligibility requirements include age 1 to 16 years and estimated glomerular filtration rate by original Schwartz formula 30 to 90 ml/min/1.73 m2. Baseline demographics, clinical variables and glomerular filtration rate were assessed. Bland-Altman analysis was conducted to assess agreement between estimated and measured glomerular filtration rates.Results: Of the 586 participants with at least 1 glomerular filtration rate measurement 348 (59%) had an underlying ...
Web-based treatment for rural women with alcohol problems: preliminary findings.

Alcohol abuse among women in rural areas is a concern, particularly because treatment is not readily accessible and women are highly susceptible to the ill effects of alcohol misuse. The Internet may offer a treatment delivery alternative for women who cannot easily take part in sex-focused programs that are located in urban centers. The purpose of this randomized study was to evaluate a 90-day Web-based treatment program for women in rural areas of Missouri with problem drinking habits. The online treatment program consisted of reference and decision-making modules, synchronous and asynchronous communication features, and the option to interact privately with the researcher. Preliminary findings relating to participant demographics, Web site use, and satisfaction are reported in this article. The enrolled participants (n = 46) had a mean (SD) age of 50 (11) years and were relatively well educated and, to a large extent, financially secure. Based on their Web site usage, participants appeared to prefer reading communiques over actively posting messages to the asynchronous bulletin board. In general, participants indicated satisfaction with the program, and 83% noted that they would recommend it to a friend.
Factorizations and partial contraction of nonlinear systems

In this paper, we introduce new results in the analysis of convergence of nonlinear systems. The point of view we take is the one of contraction theory and we focus in particular on convergence to smooth manifolds. A main characteristic of contraction theory is that it does not require nor use any knowledge about the asymptotic trajectory of the system. Our contribution is to extend the core body of contraction results to include such knowledge in the analysis. As a result, this approach naturally leads to the definition of a new type of commutator for vector fields. We will show that the vanishing of this commutator, together with a contraction assumption, yields a sufficient condition for convergence and we will illustrate the results on the Andronov-Hopf oscillator.
From Many, One: Genetic Control of Prolificacy during Maize Domestication

A reduction in number and an increase in size of inflorescences is a common aspect of plant domestication. When maize was domesticated from teosinte, the number and arrangement of ears changed dramatically. Teosinte has long lateral branches that bear multiple small ears at their nodes and tassels at their tips. Maize has much shorter lateral branches that are tipped by a single large ear with no additional ears at the branch nodes. To investigate the genetic basis of this difference in prolificacy (the number of ears on a plant), we performed a genome-wide QTL scan. A large effect QTL for prolificacy (prol1.1) was detected on the short arm of chromosome 1 in a location that has previously been shown to influence multiple domestication traits. We fine-mapped prol1.1 to a 2.7 kb "causative region" upstream of the grassy tillers1 (gt1) gene, which encodes a homeodomain leucine zipper transcription factor. Tissue in situ hybridizations reveal that the maize allele of prol1.1 is associated with up-regulation of gt1 expression in the nodal plexus. Given that maize does not initiate secondary ear buds, the expression of gt1 in the nodal plexus in maize may suppress their initiation. Population genetic analyses indicate positive selection on the maize allele of prol1.1, causing a partial sweep that fixed the maize allele throughout most of domesticated maize. This work shows how a subtle cis-regulatory change in tissue specific gene expression altered plant architecture in a way that improved the harvestability of maize.
Multi-mode trace signal selection for post-silicon debug

Trace buffers are used during post-silicon debug to increase the visibility to the internal signals of a chip via online tracing of a few state elements within a capture window. Due to the small bandwidth of the trace buffer, only a few state elements can be selected or tracing in order to restore the states of the remaining state elements as many as possible. In this work, we show that the quality of restoration corresponding to a set of trace signals selected for a single operating mode, may significantly degrade over the remaining operating modes of a design; an operating mode refers to specific values taken by control signals such as signals for mode selection and scan enable. This is the first work to study the multi-mode trace signal selection problem in order to maximize the restoration over all the operating modes of a design. We propose algorithmic strategies for this problem as well as a procedure to reduce the number of modes by merging the ones with “similar” restoration maps; merging improves the runtime scalability of our multi-mode trace selection algorithm with increase in the number of modes, without much loss in the solution quality.
Design Considerations of a New 4H-SiC Enhancement-Mode Lateral Channel Vertical JFET for Low-Loss Switching Operation

A new silicon carbide (SiC) enhancement-mode lateral channel vertical junction fieldeffect transistor (LC-VJFET), namely “source inserted double-gate structure (SID-gate) with a supplementary highly doped region (SHDR)”, was proposed for achieving extremely low power losses in high power switching applications. The proposed architecture was based on the combination of an additional source electrode inserted between two adjacent surface gate electrodes and a unique SHDR in the vertical channel region. Two-dimensional numerical simulations for the static and resistive switching characteristics were performed to analyze and optimize the SiC LCVJFET structures for this purpose. Based on the simulation results, the excellent performance of the proposed structure was compared with optimized conventional structures with regard to total power losses. Finally, the proposed structure showed about a 20 % reduction in on-state loss (Pon) compared to the conventional structures, due to the effective suppression of the JFET effect. Furthermore, the switching loss (Psw) of the proposed structure was found to be much lower than the results of the conventional structures, about a 75 % ~ 95 % reduction, by significantly reducing both input capacitance (Ciss) and reverse transfer capacitance (Crss) of the device.
Charge reduction lowers mass resolving power for isotopically resolved electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectra

Electrospray ionization of synthetic or biological macromolecules above ∼1–2 kDa in mass typically produces ions of multiple charge states. Several recent papers have illustrated charge reduction as a means to simplify low-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectra, at the cost of significant loss in signal-to-noise ratio. However, if mass resolving power is sufficiently high (as in Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry) to resolve the heavy-atom isotopic distribution, then charge reduction actually lowers mass resolving power by a factor proportional to the ion charge. For proteins or nucleic acids of 10–50 kDa in mass, reducing the charge state to unity thus lowers mass resolving power by a factor of 10–50. In other words, as long as it is possible to resolve the isotopic distributions, charge reduction has no advantages for electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and has the very serious disadvantage of greatly degraded mass resolving power. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Locating Self-Organization at the Edge of Chaos

Langton [3] attempted to parametrically characterize subspaces of cellular automata (CA) rules that determine trajectories of the automata that are not quite chaotic but still sufficiently complex to be able to carry out computation. As the number of available local states and neighborhood size increases it is difficult to sharply recognize regular structure in either the subspace of rules or the corresponding parameter values. In-depth re-examination of Langton’s parameterization of the CA-rule space by Mitchell, Hraber and Crutchfield [4] casts doubt on the utility of Langton’s original parameterization but leaves open the question of whether interesting emergent structure in the trajectories of CAs capable of supporting computation is associated with CA-rules located at or near phase transitions in the rule space.
Difficult choices in the new post- conflict agenda: the international community in Rwanda after the genocide

Since the genocide, development agencies have spent tens of millions of dollars in Rwanda on justice, governance, security and reconciliation - issues they used to consider far beyond their mandate until very recently. As a result, Rwanda has emerged as one of the countries where the new postconflict agenda is being most strongly implemented, under extremely difficult conditions. An analysis of donor behaviour in two high politics areas - the nature of the government and justice - shows that deep and unresolved ethical problems exist with this post-conflict agenda. Lack of information and understanding, conflicts between goals and principles, the difficulty of associating the people concerned in an equitable manner - all these and other issues render unclear the ethical basis upon which donors can base decisions which often have life and death implications for thousands of people.
The phenotypic spectrum of ZIC3 mutations includes isolated d-transposition of the great arteries and double outlet right ventricle.

Disease causing mutations for heterotaxy syndrome were first identified in the X-linked laterality gene, ZIC3. Mutations typically result in males with situs ambiguus and complex congenital heart disease; however affected females and one male with isolated d-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) have been reported. We hypothesized that a subset of patients with heart defects common to heterotaxy but without laterality defects would have ZIC3 mutations. We also sought to estimate the prevalence of ZIC3 mutations in sporadic heterotaxy. Patients with TGA (n = 169), double outlet right ventricle (DORV; n = 89), common atrioventricular canal (CAVC; n = 41), and heterotaxy (n = 54) underwent sequencing of ZIC3 exons. We tested 90 patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) to correlate genotype with phenotype. Three potentially disease-related missense mutations were detected: c.49G > T (Gly17Cys) in a female with isolated DORV, c.98C > T (Ala33Val) in a male with isolated d-TGA, and c.841C > T (His281Tyr) in a female with sporadic heterotaxy. We also identified a novel insertion (CPFP333ins) in a family with heterotaxy. All were absent in 200 control patients and the 1000 Genomes Project (n = 629). No significant mutations were found in patients with TOF. Functional studies demonstrated reduced transcriptional activity of the ZIC3 His281Tyr mutant protein. ZIC3 mutations were rarely identified in isolated DORV and d-TGA suggesting that a subset of DORV and d-TGA may fall within the spectrum of laterality defects. ZIC3 mutations were found in 3.7% of patients with sporadic heterotaxy; therefore testing should be considered in patients with heterotaxy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Listening to the adolescent therapy group

This article reviews traditional psychodynamic views of “listening” to the manifest and latent content of the patient's communication. It then reviews the literature on the application of such “listening” in group treatment. The particular application of such listening and intervention in groups for adolescents with significant ego deficits is explored.
High-temperature thermodynamics of dilute solutions of hydrogen and deuterium in tantalum and in dilute tantalum-oxygen solid solutions

We report a comparison between the partial enthalpies of solution of hydrogen (ΔH¯H) and of deuterium (ΔH¯D) in tantalum at 715°K and findΔH¯H = −220cal mole−1. This allows a calculation of the average vibrational frequency of hydrogen which is 1350 cm−1. On the basis of this result we have made a new estimate of the “residual” excess entropy (S¯EH − S¯H(vibr) − S¯H(el)) for hydrogen and deuterium and find a value of 4.6 cal °K−1mole−1. This is consistent with occupancy by hydrogen of the tetrahedral interstitial sites, and may possibly reflect occupancy of both tetrahedral and octahedral sites. The presence of oxygen in solid solution in tantalum in amounts of 1–3 at.% makes the partial enthalpy of solution more negative, and also reduces the partial entropy by about 1 cal °K−1mole−1. The net effect of these two terms is toincrease the partial pressure of hydrogen compared to pure tantalum at low oxygen contents, but toreduce the partial pressure at higher oxygen contents (NO≳ 0.035).
Suppression of human lymphocyte responsiveness by forskolin: reversal by 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate, diacylglycerol and ionomycin.

Abstract Forskolin, a potent activator of adenylate cyclase, was examined for its ability to alter human peripheral blood lymphocyte (HPBL) activation by both mitogens and antigens. We found that forskolin, at concentrations ranging from 0.04 to 2 μg/ml, caused a dose-dependent inhibition of HPBL responses to mitogens (concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen and Staphylococcus aureus) and to recall antigens (tetanus toxoid and streptokinase/streptodornase). Inhibition was reflected in altered DNA, RNA and protein synthesis, including immunoglobulin production, and was not due to altered cell viability. Forskolin also induced a 19-fold increase in HPBL cyclic AMP levels at the same concentrations that suppressed HPBL function. To further define the mechanism(s) by which these elevations in cyclic AMP suppressed HPBL function, we tried to reverse these inhibitory effects with several agents; ascorbic acid, carbachol and levamisole had no effect. However, the phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate, as well as L -α-1,2-dioleoyl diacylglycerol were able to completely reverse the inhibition. Furthermore, the Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin, was also able to act synergistically with lower and less effective concentrations of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate to reverse the inhibitory effects of forskolin. The data suggest that forskolin-induced elevations in cyclic AMP may lead to inhibition (or, more correctly, prevents the activiation) of protein kinase C, presumably by inhibiting phospholipid turnover. Our studies suggest a linkage between these two opposing membrane-signal transduction systems with protein kinase C representing a pivotal point for various regulatory signals that ultimately control lymphocyte activation and function.
Cation–π interactions in ligand recognition and catalysis

The cation-pi interaction is a potent, general noncovalent binding force that is observed in a wide range of biological contexts. Here, we present an overview of well documented cases in which a cation-pi interaction makes an important contribution to small-molecule recognition at a protein binding site. From these and other studies it is clear that, in addition to the hydrophobic effect, hydrogen bonding and ion pairing, the cation-pi interaction must be considered when evaluating drug-receptor interactions.
SN 1006 at optical and UV wavelengths

Optical and UV emission from SN 1006 is observed on the periphery of the SNR, particularly in the NW, and arises as material from interstellar gas is ionized behind the shock front. The shapes of the emission lines have been used to infer a shock velocity of about 2900 km s −1 and to show that the electron and ion temperatures are close to that expected from standard shock theory. The combination of the shock velocity and the proper motion of the filaments in the NE accurately locates SN1006 at a distance of 2.2 kpc, some 550 pc above the Galactic plane. At UV wavelengths, ejecta from SN 1006 have also been observed as broad absorption lines from Si, Ca and Fe in spectra of the Schweitzer-Middleditch star and two quasars. The observations appear to limit the mass of Fe in SN 1006 to less than 0.16 M ⊙ , much less than expected from models of Type Ia supernovae. In this brief review of the UV and optical properties of SN 1006, I will summarize how these observations yield a fairly consistent description of SN 1006, and suggest what further observations might be undertaken to extend our understanding of SN 1006 in its second millennium.
Toward resolution of a longstanding controversy in personality disorder diagnosis: Contrasting correlates of schizoid and avoidant traits

Abstract Although the construct validity and clinical utility of separate schizoid and avoidant personality disorder (PD) categories has been controversial since avoidant PD was first introduced in DSM-III, few studies have compared individuals with schizoid versus avoidant features on variables relevant to their contrasting personality dynamics. Those few investigations that exist have yielded inconclusive results. In this study a mixed-sex sample of nonclinical participants ( N = 123) completed the International Personality Disorder Examination Screening Questionnaire (IPDE-SQ) and self-report measures of attachment style, defense style, empathy, internalized shame, need to belong, rejection sensitivity, and social anhedonia. High levels of social anhedonia were uniquely predictive of schizoid features; high levels of need to belong and internalized shame were uniquely predictive of avoidance. These findings support retaining the two PD categories in future versions of the DSM. Supplementary analyses revealed that among women—but not men—schizoid and avoidant traits were positively and significantly intercorrelated; it may be that women show more of a blended schizoid–avoidant profile, whereas men display the more prototypical categorical profile where either schizoid or avoidant features predominate.
Imaging with Raman Spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy, based on the inelastic scattering of a photon, has been widely used as an analytical tool in many research fields. Recently, Raman spectroscopy has also been explored for biomedical applications (e.g. cancer diagnosis) because it can provide detailed information on the chemical composition of cells and tissues. For imaging applications, several variations of Raman spectroscopy have been developed to enhance its sensitivity. This review article will provide a brief summary of Raman spectroscopy-based imaging, which includes the use of coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS, primarily used for imaging the C-H bond in lipids), surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS, for which a variety of nanoparticles can be used as contrast agents), and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs, with its intrinsic Raman signal). The superb multiplexing capability of SERS-based Raman imaging can be extremely powerful in future research where different agents can be attached to different Raman tags to enable the interrogation of multiple biological events simultaneously in living subjects. The primary limitations of Raman imaging in humans are those also faced by other optical techniques, in particular limited tissue penetration. Over the last several years, Raman spectroscopy imaging has advanced significantly and many critical proof-of-principle experiments have been successfully carried out. It is expected that imaging with Raman Spectroscopy will continue to be a dynamic research field over the next decade.
Methods for estimating missing human skeletal element osteometric dimensions employed in the revised fully technique for estimating stature

One of the greatest limitations to the application of the revised Fully anatomical stature estimation method is the inability to measure some of the skeletal elements required in its calculation. These element dimensions cannot be obtained due to taphonomic factors, incomplete excavation, or disease processes, and result in missing data. This study examines methods of imputing these missing dimensions using observable Fully measurements from the skeleton and the accuracy of incorporating these missing element estimations into anatomical stature reconstruction. These are further assessed against stature estimations obtained from mathematical regression formulae for the lower limb bones (femur and tibia). Two thousand seven hundred and seventeen North and South American indigenous skeletons were measured, and subsets of these with observable Fully dimensions were used to simulate missing elements and create estimation methods and equations. Comparisons were made directly between anatomically reconstructed statures and mathematically derived statures, as well as with anatomically derived statures with imputed missing dimensions. These analyses demonstrate that, while mathematical stature estimations are more accurate, anatomical statures incorporating missing dimensions are not appreciably less accurate and are more precise. The anatomical stature estimation method using imputed missing dimensions is supported. Missing element estimation, however, is limited to the vertebral column (only when lumbar vertebrae are present) and to talocalcaneal height (only when femora and tibiae are present). Crania, entire vertebral columns, and femoral or tibial lengths cannot be reliably estimated. Further discussion of the applicability of these methods is discussed.
Plant-facilitated mobilization and translocation of weathered 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethylene(p,p′-DDE) from an agricultural soil

Field experiments were conducted to determine the uptake and translocation of highly weathered 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)1,1-dichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) from an agricultural soil. In soil containing known amounts of p,p'-DDE, experimental plots containing zucchini, pumpkin, or spinach were constructed. At destructive harvest, three soil fractions were collected that differed in the degree of influence exerted by the plant roots. The bulk soil was vegetation-free, the near-root zone was within the area encompassed by the roots, and the rhizosphere remained physically attached to the roots at harvest. For each crop, statistically significant decreases were found in the concentration of p,p'-DDE in either the near-root zone or the rhizosphere relative to the bulk soil, suggesting plant-facilitated mobilization and/or degradation of the residue. Plant tissues were analyzed to determine the extent of contaminant removal from the soil and the magnitude of translocation through the shoot system. The concentration of p,p'-DDE in the roots of both zucchini and pumpkin was more than an order of magnitude larger than the bulk soil concentration, followed by significant translocation through the plant tissues to the fruit. The data indicate that certain plants may effectively accumulate residues of persistent organic pollutants in their tissues, suggesting phytoremediation as a possible treatment strategy.
Dynamic Methods for Missing Value Estimation for DNA Sequences

Many gene expressions in the DNA micro array and gene sequences have missing values in the datasets. It is critical to estimate these missing values accurately, because most of the existing algorithms for gene expression analysis require the complete DNA dataset as an input, which affects the performance of gene classifications. This paper introduces dynamic local least squares imputation (DLLSimpute), which selects local matrices dynamically and consequently uses more gene information each time to recover the missing values. Numerical results show that the DLLSimpute recovers missing values more accurately than the k-nearest neighboring imputation (KNNimpute) and the local least squares imputation (LLSimpute) regardless of the completeness of the datasets.
Comparison of Power Between Randomized Discontinuation Design and Upfront Randomization Design on Progression-Free Survival

Purpose Enrichment based on molecular characteristics has emerged as an important inclusion criterion in phase II trials of targeted anticancer agents. In this study, we evaluate a well-described method of population enrichment by tumor growth characteristics in the early development stage of targeted cytostatic agents. Methods For some solid tumors, such as pancreatic carcinoma, using a time-to-event end point (eg, time to disease progression) to evaluate the efficacy of a cytostatic agent in a phase II trial is more relevant than clinical response by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. In this setting, we compared the power of the randomized discontinuation and upfront randomization designs under two previously proposed tumor growth models for treatment effect when the end point is time-to-event. Results By selecting patients with more homogeneous tumor growth characteristics, the randomized discontinuation design is more efficient than the upfront randomization design when treatment benefit i...
Making Oral Health a Priority in Your Preventive Pediatric Visits

Oral health is a prevalent health issue for children. Pediatricians have an important role in screening, educating, and making referrals during well-child visits. Advice must be age-specific to be effective. Topics to be covered include hygiene, diet, habits, fluoride, and referrals to dentists. Other members of the office can play a role in educating care givers. Special needs children and literacy issues demand extra attention in oral health management. There are many oral health resources available for pediatricians and parents.
Association Study of Cobalamin Deficiency in the Chinese Shar Pei

Cobalamin deficiency is a common disorder in Chinese Shar Peis (Shar Peis) and is thus suspected to be hereditary. The objective of this study was to identify a genomic region or locus that cosegregates with the phenotype of cobalamin deficiency in Shar Peis. Serum cobalamin concentrations were measured, and blood for genomic DNA extraction was collected from 14 cobalamin-deficient Shar Peis and 28 Shar Peis with a serum cobalamin concentration in the reference range. The 327 microsatellite markers from the canine minimal screening set 2 and 4 additional markers were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and genotyped by automated capillary electrophoresis. Two microsatellite markers, DTR13.6 (P 5 1.4 10 6 ) and REN13N11 (P 5 1.5 10 5 ), both on canine chromosome 13, showed evidence of linkage disequilibrium. These findings indicate that the region of chromosome 13 near these markers should be mapped and closely examined for potential mutations associated with this disease in Shar Peis.
The Criterion of Maximum Profits in the Theory of Investment

Three logical possibilities as to what an entrepreneur should maximize: the internal rate of return, total profits, rate of profit over cost, 56. — I. The use of these criteria in the literature on the theory of capital and interest, 57. — II. The case of tree-growing: the internal rate of return, 63; total profits, 66; choice between them when a market rate of interest exists, 68; when no market rate exists, 70. — III. Total profits vs. rate of profit over cost, 71. — Where entrepreneur's funds are not limited, 75. — Financing by stock and by debts, 76.
Block error correcting codes using finite-field wavelet transforms

This paper extends the popular wavelet framework for signal representation to error control coding. The primary goal of the paper is to use cyclic finite-field wavelets and filter banks to study arbitrary-rate L-circulant codes. It is shown that the wavelet representation leads to an efficient implementation of the block code encoder and the syndrome generator. A formulation is then given for constructing maximum-distance separable (MDS) wavelet codes using frequency-domain constraints. This paper also studies the possibility of finding a wavelet code whose tail-biting trellis is efficient for soft-decision decoding. The wavelet method may provide an easy way to look for such codes.