cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimated duration of an auditory signal as a function of its intensity

Estimates of time intervals ranging from 50 to 800 csec were made by 36 Ss. The intervals were presented as auditory signals of fixed (1000 cycle) frequency but of varying intensities (20 to 60 dB). Two methods of measuring the perceived duration were employed, a direct estimate in csec and a comparison of the test signal with one of fixed duration (200 csec) and intensity (40 dB). Perceived duration was found to be a positive function of signal intensity.
Alternative medicine: Does it play a role in the management of voice disorders?

Summary Alternative medicine has begun to receive the attention of the legitimate medical community. Recent evidence reveals that 34% of American adults interviewed reported using at least one unconventional therapy during 1994. A 3-month survey of patient inquiries, conducted at The Voice Center, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA, U.S.A. revealed that 41% of patients made inquiries about the potential use of “unconventional approaches” in the management of their voice disorders. Alternative medicine, while largely unproven for efficacy, represents a rapidly growing approach. The present article defines several alternative medical practices, describes their theories and potential impact on the management of voice disorders, and calls for empirical studies to follow. The alternative practices discussed are limited to behavioral therapies such as massage therapy, creative visualization, Alexander, mindfulness, and meditation.
Preventing Customer Altercations in Nightclubs

Abstract Nightclubs face an increasingly difficult challenge to maintain a safe and secure environment for patrons. Here's a systematic approach from California club owners on how to guard against unruly customers and acts of violence on the premises.
Contrast media: are there differences in nephrotoxicity among contrast media?

Iodinated contrast agents are usually classified based upon their osmolality—high, low, and isosmolar. Iodinated contrast agents are also nephrotoxic in some but not all patients resulting in loss of glomerular filtration rate. Over the past 30 years, nephrotoxicity has been linked to osmolality although the precise mechanism underlying such a link has been elusive. Improvements in our understanding of the pathogenesis of nephrotoxicity and prospective randomized clinical trials have attempted to further explore the relationship between osmolality and nephrotoxicity. In this review, the basis for our current understanding that there are little if any differences in nephrotoxic potential between low and isosmolar contrast media will be detailed using data from clinical studies.
Tunability and Sub- and Superharmonic Entrainment of Limit Cycles in CW Laser Driven MEMS

The nonlinear dynamics of nanoscale mechanical oscillators driven both inertially and by CW laser light are explored experimentally. The oscillators are singly and doubly-supported beams, 200 nm thick with lengths up to 40 microns. The optically thin beams, suspended over a Si substrate, form a Fabry-Perot interferometer. The net effect is that the fractions of absorbed and reflected light are periodic functions of the gap. Thus, monitoring the reflected signal allows the motion to be measured. In addition, motion of the device through the interference field modulates the temperature and hence thermal stress of the oscillator. The thermal stress provides a thermo-mechanical drive to the beam, resulting in nonlinear feedback that can drive the beam into limit cycle oscillation. The laser power needed for the onset of limit cycles is studied as a function of beam geometry, and laser placement. The oscillators show both hardening and softening behaviors, sub- and superharmonic entrainment and wide frequency tunability.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
High resolution imaging of cell adhesion activity using photonic crystal biosensor surfaces

Photonic crystal surfaces combined with an imaging detection instrument are used for label-free quantification of cell adhesion with intra-cell spatial resolution. The adhesion response to chemical stimuli of cancer cells, cardiac cells, and stem cells are monitored.
Sustainable scale-up studies of Atomic Layer Deposition for microelectronics manufacturing

Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) is a promising nanotechnology under rapid development for a wide variety of industrial applications. Wide application of ALD technology in industrial productions can generate significant impact on the environment and human health due to the toxic chemicals involved and process emissions generated from ALD production system. In this paper, we conducted computational analysis on a 10 wafer ALD processing system to study the sustainability performance of ALD technology during its batch size production. The simulation is performed on the ALD of Al 2 O 3 high-k dielectric gate in microelectronics manufacturing based on the Cambridge Nanotech's Savannah S100 system which is capable of processing 10 wafers simultaneously through a 10-wafer cassette sitting in the reactor covered by a dome lid. The sustainability analyses are performed by quantitatively investigating the production productivity, precursor emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, and nano-wastes generated from the ALD Al 2 O 3 processes. The study shows that huge amounts of environmental emissions will be generated, and current ALD nanotechnologies must be significantly improved before its wide implementation in various industrial sectors.
STM atomic-scale characterization of the γ′-Al2O3 film on Ni3Al(111)

Abstract We report the first atomic-resolution study by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) of the γ′-Al 2 O 3 film formed on the Ni 3 Al(111) surface at ∼1000–1100 K. STM images of this well-ordered oxide film reveal a hexagonal array of corrugations with an average interatomic spacing of 3.0±0.1 A. The low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) pattern of the aluminum oxide film reveals the ordering of O 2− ions in the surface. On the basis of LEED data and theoretical considerations, the corrugations in the STM atomic-resolution images are tentatively assigned to oxygen anions. Annealing the oxide prepared at ∼300 K to ∼1100 K results in the appearance of a metallic aluminum peak in the Auger electron spectra and a substantial increase in the Al (1396) /Ni (848) ratio, indicating aluminum segregation close to the surface.
Does a Glass Ceiling Persist in Intercollegiate Athletics

AbstractFemales hold approximately one-third, rather than an equitable amount, of intercollegiate athletic administrative positions suggesting persistence of an attitudinal or organizational bias impeding career advancement, or a glass ceiling. To examine whether a glass ceiling persists in intercollegiate athletics, genders of senior athletic administrators and individuals responsible for academics, finance, compliance, facility and event management, fund raising, licensing, marketing, media relations, ticket operations, and athletic training were identified from the 1012 NCAA-member institutions. Significantly more males hold athletic director, associate athletic director, and assistant athletic director positions in all three NCAA divisions, with a much higher percentage of females serving as athletic directors in institutions without football teams. Significantly more males are responsible for facility and event management, media relations, and marketing across all NCAA divisions, while females were d...
The fate of Schwann cells isolated from axonal contact.

Chronically denervated rat and rabbit tibial nerve distal stumps were studied 3–58 weeks following nerve transaction. Schwann cells, macrophages and possibly fibroblasts participated in myelin removal which was largely complete by seven weeks. Degenerating myelinated and unmyelinated fibres developed respectively into circular and flattened columns of Schwann cell processes each delimited by a basal lamina. Schwann cell columns became encircled by fibroblasts and later by cells of perineurial type, underwent shrinkage with time and eventually were replaced by connective tissue. In another experiment, endoneurial tissue was removed from rabbit tibial nerve stumps seven weeks after transection and transplanted between the corneal stroma of the same animal for 2–6 weeks. In this locus, Schwann cells developed a thickened basal lamina and then underwent necrosis. It was concluded that the maintenance of Schwann cells in bands of Bungner is in part dependent on axonal contact and that failure of reinnervation eventually causes the columns of Schwann cells to disappear.
BEC-BCS crossover and universal relations in unitary Fermi gases

The contact parameter in unitary Fermi gases governs the short-range correlations and high-momentum properties of the system. We perform accurate quantum Monte Carlo calculations with highly optimized trial functions to precisely determine this parameter at $T=0$, demonstrate its universal application to a variety of observables, and determine the regions of momentum and energy over which the leading short-range behavior is dominant. We derive Tan's expressions for the contact parameter using just the short-range behavior of the ground-state many-body wave function, and use this behavior to calculate the two-body distribution function, one-body density matrix, and the momentum distribution of unitary Fermi gases; providing a precise value of the contact parameter that can be compared to experiments.
The Influence of Some Surfactants upon the Self-Dispersion and Churning of Whole Milk Powder

Summary The addition of certain surface active compounds to concentrated milk before spray drying increased the rate of self-dispersion of the milk powder. Surface active compounds which are polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters have been found the most effective but cause churning at certain concentrations. Sorbitan fatty acid esters were found to be effective in controlling the churning of the butterfat when the powder was reconstituted. When the proper hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of surfactants was present in the whole milk powder, a powder was made that was self-dispersible and yet did not churn when reconstituted.
Pituitary development and physiology

The functions of the pituitary hormones have been relatively well studied; however, understanding the regulation of their synthesis and release have been an ongoing subject of intense research. This review provides an overview of the pituitary cell types and their hormone products. Current understanding of the expression and regulation of the pituitary hormone genes, control of the synthesis and release of the corresponding hormones, and developmental changes are reviewed. This review concludes with a discussion of several of these genes and the genetic disorders with which they are associated.
RISK AND REGULATION IN DERIVATIVES MARKETS

The debate about risks and regulation in the markets for derivatives has failed to provide a clear analysis of what the risks are and whether regulation is a useful tool to address these risks. The debate is most confusing in the area of what has been termed ‘systemic’ risk. This paper provides a clear analysis of the risks associated with derivative transactions, systemic risk, and the appropriate role for regulation in reducing these risks.
Vibration control of redundant flexible-joint manipulators

Presented in this paper is a method for controlling vibrations ofa redundant flexible-joint manipulator. The main idea behind this method is to utilize joint redundancy to minimize the change in the manipulator inertia, so that a simple gain-fixed control law can be used to control joint vibrations. For this purpose, two optimal joint trajectory generators are proposed; one is based on the extended Jacobian method and the other is based on an optimization technique. Numerical simulations are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control method.
Social Movements & Globalization: How Protests, Occupations & Uprisings are Changing the World

Social Movements & Globalization is a timely volume on global protests and movements that brings together rich description of current events with acute analysis. The beginning chapters of the book ...
An Integrated Physical Dispersion and Behavioral Response Model for Risk Assessment of Radiological Dispersion Device (RDD) Events

A radiological dispersion device (RDD) or "dirty" bomb is a conventional explosive wrapped in radiological material. Terrorists may use an RDD to disperse radioactive material across a populated area, causing casualties and/or economic damage. Nearly all risk assessment models for RDDs make unrealistic assumptions about public behavior in their health assessments, including assumptions that the public would stand outside in a single location indefinitely. In this article, we describe an approach for assessing the risks of RDD events incorporating both physical dispersion and behavioral response variables. The general approach is tested using the City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a case study. Atmospheric models simulate an RDD attack and its likely fallout, while radiation exposure models assess fatal cancer risk. We model different geographical distributions of the population based on time of day. We evaluate aggregate health impacts for different public responses (i.e., sheltering-in-place, evacuating). We find that current RDD models in use can be improved with the integration of behavioral components. Using the results from the model, we show how risk varies across several behavioral and physical variables. We show that the best policy to recommend to the public depends on many different variables, such as the amount of trauma at ground zero, the capability of emergency responders to get trauma victims to local hospitals quickly and efficiently, how quickly evacuations can take place in the city, and the amount of shielding available for shelterers. Using a parametric analysis, we develop behaviorally realistic risk assessments, we identify variables that can affect an optimal risk reduction policy, and we find that decision making can be improved by evaluating the tradeoff between trauma and cancer fatalities for various RDD scenarios before they occur.
Studies on nonmammalian nephrons

The number of studies with segments of renal tubules from nonmammalian vertebrates isolated and perfused in vitro has increased substantially in recent years. These studies involve renal tubules from fish, amphibians, and reptiles. The motives for such studies range from a desire to understand the renal adaptations of nonmammalian vertebrates to their environment to a need to find a preparation appropriate for a particular area of study. Tubules from a number of nonmammalian vertebrates, despite difficulties in isolation and perfusion, offer special advantages for some studies. Often, of course, several motives have led to an individual study. Whatever the initial reasons for these studies, however, they are leading to an increased understanding of the general process of transport in renal tubules. In this review, I summarize the essential findings of these studies in regard to the transport of fluid, electrophysiology and the transport of inorganic ions, and the transport of organic substances. I attempt to indicate the particular importance of these findings for renal physiology, the way in which such findings are derived from the use of the isolated perfusion technique with the tubules from certain nonmammalian vertebrates, and the directions in which these studies are leading.
Tomography of the solar corona and the inner heliosphere: the solar imaging of coronal extended structures (SLICES)

Tomography of the Solar Corona and the Inner Heliosphere:The Solar Imaging onf Coronal Extended Structures (SLICES)Joseph M. DavilaNASA Goddard Space Flight CenterLaboratory for Astronomy and Solar PhysicsGreenbelt, MD 207711.0 ABSTRACTIn the solar corona, the density scale height is large, a considerable fraction of a solar radius. Because ofthis, observations of the Sun from a single vantage point produce images which show an unavoidableoverlapping of many structures along the line of sight. This makes it difficult, and sometimes impossible,to determine the true nature of the feature being observed. This difficulty can be overcome by obtainingsimultaneous observations from multiple vantage points. Using these observations, and a reconstructionsprocess similar to that used in medical imaging applications, the true three-dimensional nature of thesolar corona can be deduced. The same process can be used to follow the formation of coronal massejections (CME's) in the low corona and the propagation of CME's through interplanetary space.Key Words: solar mission, tomography, solar corona, solar wind
Bevacizumab in the management of colorectal cancer: A review

Background Since its approval in 2004 for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), multiple studies have been conducted with the objective of better defining the use of bevacizumab within and beyond the metastatic setting. This review aims to summarize the data on the clinical applications and nuances of bevacizumab in the management of CRC. Principal Findings Bevacizumab can prolong survival in patients with metastatic disease, but is not beneficial in the adjuvant setting. Bevacizumab may be considered as part of peri-operative treatment for carefully selected patients undergoing resection of liver metastases. Bevacizumab added to neoadjuvant chemoradiation for localized rectal cancer demonstrates promising activity and safety, but this is investigational. Conclusions/Significance The decision to use bevacizumab in the management of CRC requires careful consideration of the patient and clinical context. Given the cost as well as toxicities of bevacizumab, it is important for oncologists to know how to use this drug judiciously in order to ensure patient safety and quality of life in addition to improving survival.
A single nuclear gene specifies the abundance and extent of RNA editing of a plant mitochondrial transcript

A number of cytosines are altered to be recognized as uridines in transcripts of the NADH-dehydrogenase subunit 3 (nad3) gene in the mitochondria of the higher plant Petunia hybrida. Here we show that the extent of editing for three of the edit sites, all of which change the encoded amino acid, varies between different Petunia lines. Genetic analysis indicates that a single nuclear gene is responsible for this variation. Interestingly, according to RNA blot hybridization analysis, RNA editing extent and transcript abundance are correlated. This observation is consistent with the hypothesis that RNA editing is a post-transcriptional event.
Optical Radiation Hazards of Laser Welding Processes Part II: CO2 Laser

There has been an extensive growth within the last five years in the use of high-powered lasers in various metalkworking processes. The two types of lasers used most frequently for laser welding/cutting processes are the Neodymium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) and the carbon dioxide (CO2) systems. When such lasers are operated in an open beam configuration, they are designated as a Class IV laser system. Class IV lasers are high-powered lasers that may present an eye and skin hazard under most common exposure conditions, either directly or when the beam has been diffusely scattered. Significant control measures are required for unenclosed (open beam), Class IV laser systems since workers may be exposed to scattered or reflected beams during the operation, maintenance, and service of these lasers. In addition to ocular and/or skin exposure hazards, such lasers also may present a multitude of nonlaser beam occupational concerns. Radiant energy measurements are reported for both the scattered laser radiat...
Phosphorylation of the C terminus of Fos protein is required for transcriptional transrepression of the c-fos promoter

PROTO-ONCOGENE fos encodes a nuclear phosphoprotein of 380 amino acids that can modulate the transcription of other genes either by transactivation or by transrepression1-7. The v-Fos protein (381 amino acids) shares the first 332 amino acids with the c-Fos protein (with five single amino-acid changes), but differs at the C terminus8. We have previously reported that the c-Fos protein undergoes more extensive post-translational modification than v-Fos (refs 9, 10). The major modification of the c-Fos protein involves serine phosphoesterification of sites in the extreme C terminus10. We therefore argued that modification of the C-terminal region of the c-Fos protein may be involved in its ability to transrepress transcription without compromising its ability to transactivate other genes. Here we show that mutant c-Fos protein which is hypophosphorv lated at its C terminus is unable to repress transcription of the c-fos promoter following induction with serum or tetraphorbol acetate. The C-terminal phosphorylation-deficient mutant is, however, fully competent to activate transcription of promoters containing a phorbol response element. The requirement for phosphorylation can be offset by the introduction of a net negative charge in the C terminus of the Fos protein.
Mouse allergen is the major allergen of public health relevance in Baltimore City

Background Cockroach and mouse allergens have both been implicated as causes in inner-city asthma morbidity in multicenter studies, but whether both allergens are clinically relevant within specific inner-city communities is unclear. Objective Our study aimed to identify relevant allergens in Baltimore City. Methods One hundred forty-four children (5-17 years old) with asthma underwent skin prick tests at baseline and had clinical data collected at baseline and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Home settled dust samples were collected at the same time points for quantification of indoor allergens. Participants were grouped based on their sensitization and exposure status to each allergen. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, and serum total IgE level. Results Forty-one percent were mouse sensitized/exposed, and 41% were cockroach sensitized/exposed based on bedroom floor exposure data. Mouse sensitization/exposure was associated with acute care visits, decreased FEV 1 /forced vital capacity percentage values, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide levels, and bronchodilator reversibility. Cockroach sensitization/exposure was only associated with acute care visits and bronchodilator reversibility when exposure was defined by using bedroom floor allergen levels. Mouse-specific IgE levels were associated with poor asthma health across a range of outcomes, whereas cockroach-specific IgE levels were not. The relationships between asthma outcomes and mouse allergen were independent of cockroach allergen. Although sensitization/exposure to both mouse and cockroach was generally associated with worse asthma, mouse sensitization/exposure was the primary contributor to these relationships. Conclusions In a community with high levels of both mouse and cockroach allergens, mouse allergen appears to be more strongly and consistently associated with poor asthma outcomes than cockroach allergen. Community-level asthma interventions in Baltimore should prioritize reducing mouse allergen exposure.
New worst‐case results for the bin‐packing problem

In this note we consider the familiar bin-packing problem and provide new worst-case results for a number of classical heuristics. We show that the first-fit and best-fit heuristics have an absolute performance ratio of no more than 1.75, and first-fit decreasing and best-fit decreasing heuristics have an absolute performance ratio of 1.5. The latter is the best possible absolute performance ratio for the bin-packing problem, unless P = NP. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Convergent synthesis of meso-ferrocenyl porphyrins for TiO2 sensitization

Abstract Electron-donating ferrocenyl moieties have been incorporated into supramolecular carboxyporphyrin architectures Zn(II)-5-ferrocenyl-10,20-bistolyl-15-(4-methylbenzoate)porphyrin ( trans -Fc-ZnP-CO 2 Me), Zn(II)-5-ferrocenyl-10,15,20-tris(4-methylbenzoate)porphyrin [ trans -Fc-ZnP-(CO 2 Me) 3 ], and Zn(II)-5,15-bisferrocenyl-10,20-bis(4-benzoate)porphyrin [ trans -Fc 2 -ZnP-(CO 2 Me) 2 ] for self-assembly on metal oxide nanoparticles. Efficient and economic synthesis has required a convergent strategy toward reduced symmetry trans -A 2 B 2 and trans -AB 2 C substitution patterns about the porphyrin macrocycle minimizing the production of porphyrin side products and increasing yields of the target ferrocenylporphyrins. Preliminary spectroscopic data in solution and in the solid state bound to mesoporous TiO 2 films are discussed.
Demonstration of type-II superlattice MWIR minority carrier unipolar imager for high operation temperature application

An InAs/GaSb type-II superlattice-based mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) 320×256 unipolar focal plane array (FPA) using pMp architecture exhibited excellent infrared image from 81 to 150 K and ∼98% operability, which illustrated the possibility for high operation temperature application. At 150 K and −50 mV operation bias, the 27 μm pixels exhibited dark current density to be 1.2×10−5 A/cm2, with 50% cutoff wavelength of 4.9 μm, quantum efficiency of 67% at peak responsivity (4.6 μm), and specific detectivity of 1.2×1012 Jones. At 90 K and below, the 27 μm pixels exhibited system limited dark current density, which is below 1×10−9 A/cm2, and specific detectivity of 1.5×1014 Jones. From 81 to 100 K, the FPA showed ∼11 mK NEDT by using F/2.3 optics and a 9.69 ms integration time.
The effect of acidification in enclosures on the biomass and population size structure of Bosmina longirostris

An in situ enclosure experiment was performed from June to September, 1982, in Lake O'Woods, West Virginia (pH7.0), to examine the effects of acidification on the Bosmina longirostris population. Treatments were two control enclosures and two enclosures acidified from an initial pH of 7.2 to pH 4.2 over a 44 day period, using H2SO4. B. longirostris was not adversely affected by the acidification. In fact, its abundance, biomass, and mean body size increased in the acid treatment, as compared withe control. This positive response was probably not a direct consequence of the altered water chemistry, but instead may have occured due to reduced competition for food, and also reduced predation pressure. Acidification resulted in a decreased abundance of other herbivores, and elimination of the dominant carnivore, Mesocyclops edax.
ON THE ACTION OF COLCHICINE THE MELANOCYTE MODEL

The effect of colchicine was studied on the rapid, reversible darkening of frog skin under the influence of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH). Darkening is due to dispersion of melanin granules in melanocytes and is thought to be accompanied by a gel-to-sol cytoplasmic transformation. After subsequent washing, the skin lightens, with aggregation of melanin granules and cytoplasmic gelation. Preincubation of skin with colchicine had the following effects: 1. Darkening induced by MSH was increased in comparison to control skins, and on removal of MSH, lightening was inhibited. Inhibition was a function of both concentration (1 x 10(-5) to 9 x 10(-5)M) and exposure time (2 to 30 minutes). Once established, inhibition was maintained throughout the remainder of the experiment. 2. The same effects were noted (a) when darkening was effected by agents other than MSH (ATP) 0.9 x 10(-3)M; caffeine, 5.2 x 10(-3)M; ethyl acetate, 0.8 x 10(-2)M), and (b) when lightening was effected by addition of chemical agents (melatonin, 4.3 x 10(-10)M; hydrocortisone, 1 x 10(-3)M; norepinephrine, 1 x 10(-3)M), instead of by washing. 3. Colchicine alone produced a gradual, irreversible, dosage-dependent darkening over several hours. This darkening was inhibited by melatonin, 4.3 x 10(-10)M. The melanocyte model is used to construct a general theory of colchicine action on living cells, an action resulting in decreased protoplasmic viscosity. In this formulation colchicine lowers the potential limit of protoplasmic gelation, and does it rapidly, reversibly, in low concentration, in a dosage-dependent manner, and without killing the cell. The theory allows interpretation of "synergism" and "antagonism" to colchicine by other substances. It suggests a tentative approach to the understanding of colchicine action in acute gouty arthritis, where interference with ameboid activities of polymorphonuclear leukocytes is one possible aspect of the anti-inflammatory effect of colchicine. Finally, the colchicine-treated melanocyte is viewed as a good, live physical model that can be used to elucidate some fundamental biological properties.
Facile UV-healable polyethylenimine–copper (C2H5N–Cu) supramolecular polymer networks

This study focuses on the development of facile polyethylenimine–copper (C2H5N–Cu) supramolecular polymer networks which upon mechanical damage are capable of reversible UV-induced self-repairs by the reformation of Cu–N coordination bonds. The chemical changes responsible for self-healing that leads to network remodeling include the formation of C2H5N–Cu complexes which, upon UV absorption, induce charge transfer between σ(N) bonding and dx2–y2(Cu) antibonding orbitals. The primary structural component responsible for network remodeling is the C2H5N–Cu coordination complex center that, upon UV exposure, undergoes square-planar-to-tetrahedral (D4h → Td) transition. The energy difference between dx2–y2 and dxz/yz orbitals during process change decreases significantly, enabling the σ(N) → dx2–y2(Cu) charge transfer and leading to energetically favorable Cu–N geometries. Manifested by virtually no temperature changes during UV-initiated self-healing, a unique feature of this network is the high efficiency of the damage–repair cycle resulting from the reversible conversion of electromagnetic radiation to chemical energy.
Retropharyngeal hematoma from parathyroid hemorrhage in a hemodialysis patient

A case of a spontaneous retropharyngeal hematoma in a patient on chronic hemodialysis is described. A 75-year-old man presented with a 5-day history of throat discomfort and neck swelling. He had been on hemodialysis for chronic renal failure with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Examination showed a massively enlarged neck and bruising on his left neck and anterior chest. Flexible nasopharyngoscopy revealed bluish bulging of the posterior pharyngeal wall, and CT showed widening of prevertebral soft tissue. Hemodialysis reduced the swelling of the posterior pharyngeal wall, and conservative management including steroids and antibiotics was adequate for managing the airway and hematoma. Retropharyngeal swelling of this patient seemed to be derived not only from the hematoma itself, but also from the lymphatic and venous congestion. Follow-up CT and MRI indicated that the enlarged left parathyroid was the bleeding source. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second report of a retropharyngeal hematoma from parathyroid hyperplasia in a chronic hemodialysis patient. Physicians should be aware that rare parathyroid hemorrhage in chronic hemodialysis patients could lead to airway obstruction by retropharyngeal swelling.
Should Significant Others Be Encouraged to Join Adult Group Audiologic Rehabilitation Classes

The benefit of participation in group audiologic rehabilitation classes was examined for adults with hearing loss (subjects) and their significant others (SOs). Thirteen subjects attended the classes with their SOs, and 12 subjects attended the classes on their own. All subjects attended six 90-minute classes consisting of informational lectures, and training in communication strategies, auditory perception, and auditory and visual perception. Self-assessment scales measuring hearing aid benefit and use of communication strategies were completed prior to class participation and following the completion of all classes. The results indicated that the majority of subjects reported increased use of communication strategies following class participation. In addition, a significant reduction in hearing handicap following class participation was measured across all subjects and SOs, and the greatest reduction in handicap was measured for subjects who attended the classes with their SOs. SO participation in group AR (audiologic rehabilitation) classes should be encouraged.
Lipopolysaccharide and CpG DNA synergize for tumor necrosis factor-α production through activation of NF-κB

Unmethylated CpG motifs in bacterial DNA (CpG DNA) activate host innate immune responses synergistically with some other microbial products, such as endotoxins, and may contribute to disease pathogenesis through excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines. Because monocyte-derived tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is an important mediator of disease, we investigated whether CpG DNA and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) synergize for inducing TNF-alpha biosynthesis. CpG DNA and LPS synergistically induce TNF-alpha production in RAW264.7 cells and J774 cells through activation of NF-kappaB. Furthermore, transient transfection with a super-repressive mutant of IkappaBalpha (IkappaBalpha-AA) demonstrated that NF-kappaB plays a critical role in CpG DNA-mediated TNF-alpha expression. Like NF-kappaB activation, CpG DNA-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) regulates TNF-alpha production. Both extracellular receptor kinase (ERK) and p38 can regulate TNF-alpha gene transcription induced by CpG DNA. Although CpG DNA at the higher concentration slightly enhanced LPS-mediated phosphorylation of ERK, it did not alter the LPS-mediated activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38. In addition, CpG DNA showed little or no enhancement of LPS-mediated AP-1 activation. These results suggest that CpG DNA- and LPS-mediated signals converge at or above the level of NF-kappaB and ERK, and that there are distinct, as well as common, signaling pathways which are utilized by both CpG DNA and LPS for activating various transcription factors and MAPK.
Growth kinetics and diffusion mechanism in Pd 2 Si

We have studied the influence of substrate orientation and dopant on the growth kinetics of ${\mathrm{Pd}}_{2}$Si. Both $〈100〉$- and $〈111〉$-oriented Si wafers with P concentration in the range of 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{13}$ to 4.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{18}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ and with As concentration in the range of 2.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{19}$ to 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{20}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ have been used. Doping concentrations of the Si substrate below ${10}^{19}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ do not affect the growth kinetics but a significant influence is found for As doping levels exceeding ${10}^{19}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. For As concentrations of 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{20}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ the activation energy is lowered by about 0.35 eV and the preexponential factor is lowered by 3 orders of magnitude. These changes are independent of the Si substrate orientation. The results have been combined with earlier results of marker motion to interpret the vacancy mechanism of diffusion in ${\mathrm{Pd}}_{2}$Si.
Study of intestinal flow by combined videofluoroscopy, manometry, and multiple intraluminal impedance

Assessment of patterns of flow in the small bowel is difficult. Multiple intraluminal impedance has been recently used for study of flow dynamics in the esophagus. Our aims were 1) to validate mult...
Cytochrome P-450 heme and the regulation of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase in the liver

Abstract Hepatic δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase was induced in rats injected with allylisopropylacetamide. The induction process was studied in relation to experimental perturbation of cytochrome P-450 in the liver. Animals were treated with either administered endotoxin or exogenous heme, both of which accelerate degradation of cytochrome P-450 heme. These manipulations were effective in blocking induction of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase, and the effect of each compound was proportional to its ability to stimulate degradation of cytochrome P-450 heme. The findings suggest that the heme moiety of cytochrome P-450 dissociates reversibly from its apoprotein and, prior to its degradation, mixes with endogenously synthesized heme to form a pool that regulates δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity. A similar or identical heme fraction appears to mediate stimulation of heme oxygenase, which suggests that the regulation of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase and of heme oxygenase in the liver are closely interrelated.
On the significance of the logarithmic term in the free edge stress singularity of composite laminates

Abstract Composite laminates under axial stretching are analyzed by means of the enriched finite elements. The r 0 singularity and log r singularity arc included to describe the edge effects. It is concluded that, in general, they are both necessary if reliable information about the strength of those singularities is to be obtained.
Symptomatic Helicobacter pylori infection in a neurorehabilitation population

Helicobacter pylori infection has been associated with acute and chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, hypertension, and possibly gastric carcinoma and coronary artery disease. The prevalence of H pylori infection is more than 50% in people older than 60 years; however, the prevalence is not known in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or cerebrovascular accidents who are treated in inpatient rehabilitation services. This report describes 10 symptomatic patients with TBI and strokes who were diagnosed with and treated for H pylori infection after transfer to a neurorehabilitation unit during a 12-month period. Physicians who treat patients with TBI and stroke need to be aware of the possible high prevalence of H pylori infection in their patients. The authors recommend H pylori screening for symptomatic patients in neurorehabilitation units and providing definitive treatment to prevent recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, peptic ulcer disease, and gastritis.
Mechanistic and kinetic aspects of chemical ionization mass spectrometry of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and their halogen-substituted analogues using oxidizing reagents: A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric and Fourier transform mass spectrometric study

The mass spectral behavior of some substituted polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was investigated by using low-pressure chemical ionization conditions with a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance spectrometer (FT-MS) and by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) under higher pressure chemical ionization conditions. For the reactions of O−· with substituted PAHs, several reaction pathways are observed, including hydrogen atom transfer, hydrogen atom displacement, nucleophilic aromatic substitution, ring cleavage, and abstraction of H+2 to generate (M - 2H)−. Bimolecular rate constants and product branching ratios for the reactions of O−· with benzene and a variety of substituted naphthalenes were obtained using FT-MS. The rate constants vary from (2.1 ± 0.4) × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 for naphthalene to (2.1 ± 0.4) × 10−9 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 for 1 − chloronaphthalene, corresponding to reaction efficiencies of 8% and 60%, respectively. In contrast to previous pulsed radiolysis studies on the reactions of O−· with aromatic compounds in solution, O−· is observed to be a powerful gas-phase nucleophile. Nucleophilic substitution reactions are observed even in the absence of activating groups. Competition between this and other reaction pathways is related to the leaving-group abilities and inductive effects of the various substituents. Observation of reactions with the chlorinated naphthalenes implies limits on the heats of formation for the corresponding carbanions of ΔHf(1-ClC10H−6) < 46 ± 5 kcal mol−1 and ΔHf(2-ClC10H−6) < 49 ± 5 kcal mol−1 (1 kcal=4.184 kJ). Although the isomeric PAHs often give very similar mass spectra and their chromatographic peaks are not well resolved, differences in their GC-MS behavior can be used to distinguish anthracene and phenanthrene. For the unsubstituted PAHs reaction pathways are observed in agreement with recent studies and mass-selected FT-MS suggests which reaction pathways are due to ion-molecule reactions. Low ion intensities for many of the oxidation products relative to products formed by electron-transfer reactions of the PAHs suggest oxidation may occur by wall-catalyzed processes, in agreement with recent studies by Stemmler and Buchanan. The positional isomers of chloronaphthalene give clearly different mass spectra under both N2O and N2OO2 chemical ionization conditions whereas the chloroanthracenes are not readily distinguished using GC-MS.
Accommodating Linear and Nonlinear Boundary Conditions in Wave Digital Simulations of PDE Systems

The Wave Digital multidimensional discretization technique, recently proposed by A. Fettweis et al., is a potentially important new method for simulating systems of partial differential equations (PDEs), especially those that model processes appearing in nature. To date, no general method has appeared in the literature indicating how to accommodate boundary conditions in Wave Digital simulations. Since the incorporation of a consistent set of boundary conditions within a given PDE system is a necessary condition for that system even to possess a unique solution, it is clear that accounting for boundary conditions within numeric simulations is just as necessary. We present here a method for accommodating lumped, linear or nonlinear boundary conditions into the Wave Digital simulation of either linear or nonlinear PDE systems. Graphic results from the Wave Digital simulation of a simple acoustics problem are also given.
Erosion-corrosion of materials in high-temperature environments: Impingement angle effects in alloys 310 and 6B under simulated coal gasification atmosphere

The present paper provides a brief overview of the existing knowledge of erosion, hightemperature erosion, and hightemperature CGA erosioncorrosion (EC) phenomena. Experimental results and interpretive analysis of impingement angle effects in alloys 310 and 6B exposed to simulated CGA EC atmosphere at 1500 °F are presented and discussed. These results clearly demonstrate the utility of the interpretive analysis in developing better cause and effect and mechanistic understanding of the CGA EC phenomena.
Efficient asymmetric synthesis of important tryptophan analogs for biological research via the Schöllkopf chiral auxiliary

Abstract An efficient method has been developed via the Schollkopf chiral auxiliary for the asymmetric synthesis of the important tryptophan analogs: l -isotryptophan, l -benzo[f]tryptophan and l -homotryptophan.
Changing occupational characteristics of U.S. immigrants.

Although the proportion of legal immigrants to the United States reporting an occupation remained nearly stable from the early 1970s to the mid-1980s, there was a decline in the proportion of immigrant workers admitted with professional and technical occupations — a trend that the 1990 Immigration Act seeks to address in this decade. Using 1972 and 1986 United States Immigration and Naturalization Service public use data, this analysis shows that a major explanation for the decline is the recomposition of immigrant worker streams; notably large increases in admissions from Mexico and Central America, South America and the Caribbean vs. Asian workers; and increases in immediate family numerically exempt and sixth preference new arrivals and older workers — all categories with a low proportion of professional and technical workers. Contrary to expectations, immigrants admitted with family preference visas recorded an increase in professional and technical workers, even though the proportion of highly skille...
Perspective: From mutants to mechanisms? Assessing the candidate gene paradigm in evolutionary biology.

Abstract The generation of mutants in model organisms by geneticists and developmental biologists over the last century has occasionally produced phenotypes that are startlingly reminiscent of those seen in other species. Such extreme mutations have generally been dismissed by evolutionary geneticists since the “modern synthesis” as irrelevant to adaptation and speciation. But only in recent years has information on the molecular bases of mutant phenotypes become widely available, and thus work on testing the relevance of such extreme mutations to the generation of phylogenetic diversity has just begun. Here we evaluate whether evolutionary mimics are, in fact, useful for pinpointing the genetic differences that distinguish morphological variants generated during evolution. Examples come from both plants and animals, and range from intraspecific to interordinal taxonomic ranges. The use of mutationally defined candidate genes to predict evolutionary mechanisms has so far been most fruitful in explaining i...
Q-metrics: An efficient formulation of normalized distance functions

A generalized class of normalized distance functions called Q-metrics is described in this paper. The Q-metrics approach relies on a unique functional, using a single bounded parameter lambda, which characterizes the conventional distance functions in a normalized per-unit metric space. In addition to this coverage property of the proposed model, a distinguishing and extremely attractive characteristic of the Q-metric function is its low computational complexity. We present a formal mathematical proof that Q-metrics satisfy the standard metric axioms. A novel artificial neural network is completely defined and constructed using Q-metrics. This new network is shown to outperform a conventional feed forward back propagation network with the same size when tested on real data sets.
Association of BP with Death, Cardiovascular Events, and Progression to Chronic Dialysis in Patients with Advanced Kidney Disease

Background and objective The optimal BP target to reduce adverse clinical outcomes in patients with CKD is unclear. This study examined the relationship between BP and death, cardiovascular events (CVEs), and kidney disease progression in patients with advanced kidney disease. Design, setting, participants, & measurements The relationship of systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and pulse pressure (PP) with death, CVE, and progression to long-term dialysis was examined in 1099 patients with advanced CKD (eGFR≤30 ml/min per 1.7 3m 2 ; not receiving dialysis) who participated in the Homocysteine in Kidney and ESRD study. That study enrolled participants from 2001 to 2003. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the association between BP and adverse outcomes. Results The mean±SD baseline eGFR was 18±7 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 . During a median follow-up of 2.9 years, 453 patients died, 215 had a CVE, and 615 initiated long-term dialysis. After adjustment for demographic characteristics and confounders, SBP, DBP, and PP were not associated with a higher risk of death. SBP and DBP were also not associated with CVE. The highest quartile of PP was associated with a substantial higher risk of CVE compared with the lowest quartile (hazard ratio [HR], 1.67; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.10 to 2.52). The highest quartiles of SBP (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.61) and DBP (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.73), but not PP, were associated with a higher risk of progression to long-term dialysis compared with the lowest quartile. Conclusions In patients with advanced kidney disease not undergoing dialysis, higher PP was strongly associated with CVE whereas higher SBP and DBP were associated with progression to long-term dialysis. These results suggest that SBP and DBP should not be the only factors considered in determining antihypertensive therapy; elevated PP should also be considered.