cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low excess noise AlInAsSb staircase avalanche photodiode

In conclusion, we report a one-stage staircase APD based on the AlInAsSb material system. Record low noise has been achieved for the first time and the results are consistent with Monte Carlo simulations.
Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders

The circadian system regulates the timing and expression of nearly all biological processes, most notably, the sleep-wake cycle, and disruption of this system can result in adverse effects on both physical and mental health. The circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders (CRSWDs) consist of 5 disorders that are due primarily to pathology of the circadian clock or to a misalignment of the timing of the endogenous circadian rhythm with the environment. This article outlines the nature of these disorders, the association of many of these disorders with psychiatric illness, and available treatment options.
Causation in Science

This article discusses some philosophical theories of causation and their application to several areas of science. Topics addressed include regularity, counterfactual, and causal process theories of causation; the causal interpretation of structural equation models and directed graphs; independence assumptions in causal reasoning; and the role of causal concepts in physics. In connection with this last topic, this article focuses on the relationship between causal asymmetries, the time-reversal invariance of most fundamental physical laws, and the significance of differences among varieties of differential equations (e.g., hyperbolic versus non-hyperbolic) in causal interpretation. It concludes with some remarks about “grounding” special science causal generalizations in physics.
A common origin for ridge-and-trough terrain on icy satellites by sluggish lid convection

Abstract Ridge-and-trough terrain is a common landform on outer Solar System icy satellites. Examples include Ganymede’s grooved terrain, Europa’s gray bands, Miranda’s coronae, and several terrains on Enceladus. The conditions associated with the formation of each of these terrains are similar: heat flows of order tens to a hundred milliwatts per meter squared, and deformation rates of order 10 −16 –10 −12 s −1 . Our prior work shows that the conditions associated with the formation of these terrains on Ganymede and the south pole of Enceladus are consistent with vigorous solid-state ice convection in a shell with a weak surface. We show that sluggish lid convection, an intermediate regime between the isoviscous and stagnant lid regimes, can create the heat flow and deformation rates appropriate for ridge and trough formation on a number of satellites, regardless of the ice shell thickness. For convection to deform their surfaces, the ice shells must have yield stresses similar in magnitude to the daily tidal stresses. Tidal and convective stresses deform the surface, and the spatial pattern of tidal cracking controls the locations of ridge-and-trough terrain.
NAD-dependent alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in the housefly, Musca domestica

Abstract The enzyme alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase was examined for homogeneity by gel electrophoresis in the extramitochondrial fraction of the thorax of the adult male housefly, Musca domestica . The absence of isozyme forms of this enzyme at any one age, and for each of three different post-emergence age levels (1 day, 5 days, and 12 days of adult life) was confirmed by the identical absolute mobilities obtained for the respective enzyme proteins extracted, thereby indicating a single homogenous enzyme regardless of age, for this species. Moreover, the absolute mobility of this enzyme was found to be identical with that for a purified, commercial preparation of rabbit muscle alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase.
Activation-induced cell death

The death of T lymphocytes following their activation involves several signal pathways that converge on a series of proteases, known as caspases, that degrade cellular proteins and activate a DNAse. Caspases are activated through ligation of cell surface death receptors as well as via direct activation of downstream caspases, often through metabolic stress such as cytokine withdrawal or generation of oxygen radicals, that culminates in mitochondrial dysfunction and release of the pro-apoptotic molecules, cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO. The Bcl-2 family members serve to regulate the mitochondrial membrane integrity. Recent studies are now revealing the significant contribution to the activation-induced cell death of T cells by downstream caspases such as caspase-3 and Bcl-2-homology domain 3 (BH3)-only members of the Bcl-2 family.
Apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy of newly diagnosed grade II gliomas.

Distinguishing between low-grade oligodendrogliomas (ODs) and astrocytomas (AC) is of interest for defining prognosis and stratifying patients to specific treatment regimens. The purpose of this study was to determine if the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) from diffusion imaging can help to differentiate between newly diagnosed grade II OD and AC subtypes and to evaluate the ADC and FA values for the mixed population of oligoastrocytomas (OA). Fifty-three patients with newly diagnosed grade II gliomas were studied using a 1.5T whole body scanner (23 ODs, 16 ACs, and 14 OAs). The imaging protocol included post-gadolinium T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images, and either three and/or six directional diffusion imaging sequence with b = 1000 s/mm2. Diffusion-weighted images were analyzed using in-house software to calculate maps of ADC and for six directional acquisitions, FA. The intensity values were normalized by values from normal appearing white matter (NAWM) to generate maps of normalized apparent diffusion coefficient (nADC) and normalized fractional anisotropy (nFA). The hyperintense region in the T2 weighted image was defined as the T2All region. A Mann–Whitney rank-sum test was performed on the 25th, median, and 75th nADC and nFA among the three subtypes. Logistic regression was performed to determine how well the nADC and nFA predict subtype. Lesions diagnosed as being OD had significantly lower nADC and significantly higher nFA, compared to AC. The nADC and nFA values individually classified the data with an accuracy of 87%. Combining the two did not enhance the classification. The patients with OA had nADC and nFA values between those of OD and AC. This suggests that ADC and FA may be helpful in directing tissue sampling to the most appropriate regions for taking biopsies in order to make a definitive diagnosis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Infected Bilomas in Liver Transplant Recipients: Clinical Features, Optimal Management, and Risk Factors for Mortality

Background. Infected hepatic fluid collections (bilomas) are a major infectious complication of liver transplantation. Limited data exist on management and outcome of biloma.Methods. We report a cohort study of 57 liver transplant recipients with posttransplantation bilomas undertaken to identify the clinical features of biloma, management strategies, and outcome.Results. Fever (44%) and abdominal pain (40%) were the most common presenting symptoms, but one-third of patients were asymptomatic; 79% had elevated hepatic enzyme levels. Patients without hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) had the highest rates of resolution with percutaneous drainage and anti-infective therapy (64%). Retransplantation was necessary in 64% of patients with HAT and biloma. Independent predictors of resolution with nonsurgical therapy were absence of HAT (odds ratio [OR] 7.69; P = .01) and absence of Candida (OR, 9.09; P = .02) or enterococcal infection (OR, 7.69; P = .03). Patients with bilomas had significantly greater mortality (Cox proportional hazard ratio [HR], 2.38; P = .008, by log rank test) and graft loss (HR, 4.31; P < .0001). Predictors of mortality by multivariable analysis included renal insufficiency (OR, 12.51; P = .02) or infection with Candida species (OR, 4.93; P = .03) or gram-negative bacilli (OR, 9.12; P = .01).Conclusion. Posttransplantation biloma should be suspected in patients with fever or abdominal pain or abnormalities of hepatic enzymes, and it can be confirmed by computerized tomography and radiographically guided aspiration. Bilomas are most likely to be successfully treated nonsurgically in patients without HAT and without Candida or enterococcus infection.
Vaginal delivery of the nonvertex second twin

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to test the hypothesis that there is no increased morbidity or mortality associated with vaginal delivery of the nonvertex second twin. STUDY DESIGN: The medical records of 781 consecutive twin gestations achieving a gestational age ≥20 weeks and delivering between Jan. 1, 1985, and Dec. 31, 1988, were reviewed. All live-born, vaginally delivered second twins were identified, grouped by presentation, and compared with respect to 5-minute Apgar scores, length of neonatal hospital stay, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, and neonatal deaths. RESULTS: Of the 390 live-born, vagi(1ally delivered second twins, 207 were delivered as vertex and 183 were delivered as breech. Ninety-five percent of the breech deliveries were total breech extractions. There were no statistically significant differences between the vaginal breech and vaginal vertex deliveries in any of the neonatal outcome measures studied even when stratified by birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the null hypothesis and suggest that vaginal delivery of the nonvertex second twin is a safe intrapartum management option, although no conclusion can be reached in infants weighing
Semi-micro quantitative analysis of complex urinary steroid mixtures in healthy and diseased states

Abstract A method for the determination of urinary steroid hormones in healthy and diseased states is described. The use of a Van den Berg all-glass injector coupled to a fused silica column has shown a dramatic increase in sensitivity and a significant reduction in gas chromatography analytical time. The increase in sensitivity also eliminates the need for processing large volumes of urine. The method has proven to be rapid, precise, reproducible and sensitive. Also, column life is increased due to the absence of solvent. This technique has shown to have broad applications in the analysis of such classes of compounds as sugars, steroids, prostaglandins and fatty acids.
Two-Photon Photovoltaic Effect in Silicon

Optical amplification, wavelength conversion, and a myriad of other functions that were once considered to be beyond silicon's reach have been made possible by the material's nonlinear optical properties. The common feature of such devices is the high optical intensity that is required to induce the nonlinear optical interactions. Concurrent with the useful nonlinearities (Raman and Kerr) are two-photon absorption and free carrier scattering, which are two related and harmful phenomena that render silicon lossy at high intensities. This paper explores the use of the two-photon photovoltaic effect as a means to counter these phenomena in an energy-efficient manner. The effect reduces losses due to free carrier scattering and serendipitously scavenges the optical energy lost to two-photon absorption. Analytical and numerical modeling of the two-photon photovoltaic effect in silicon devices is presented. The model is validated through comparison with experimental results and is used to establish the limits of this approach for creating energy-efficient silicon photonic devices.
Acene-doped polymer films: singlet oxygen dosimetry and protein sensing

This paper describes thin films comprising acenes dispersed in a conjugated polymeric host that have a ratiometric photoluminescence response to singlet oxygen. These films also respond to irradiation of protein-bound sensitizers, which represents a solution to the problem of protein–conjugated polymer non-specific interactions.
Insights into synaptic function from mouse models of human cognitive disorders.

Modern approaches to the investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying human cognitive disease often include multidisciplinary examination of animal models engineered with specific mutations that spatially and temporally restrict expression of a gene of interest. This approach not only makes possible the development of animal models that demonstrate phenotypic similarities to their respective human disorders, but has also allowed for significant progress towards understanding the processes that mediate synaptic function and memory formation in the nondiseased state. Examples of successful mouse models where genetic manipulation of the mouse resulted in recapitulation of the symptomatology of the human disorder and was used to significantly expand our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying normal synaptic plasticity and memory formation are discussed in this article. These studies have broadened our knowledge of several signal transduction cascades that function throughout life to medi...
RF coil optimization: Evaluation of B1 field homogeneity using field histograms and finite element calculations

Two-dimensional (2D) finite element analysis has been used to solve the full set of Maxwell's equations for the 2D magnetic field of radiofrequency (RF) coils. The field histogram method has been applied to evaluate and optimize the magnetic field homogeneity of some commonly used RF coils: the saddle coil, the slotted tube resonator, the multiple elements coil and the birdcage resonator, as well as the radial plate coil. Each coil model represents a cross-section of an infinitely long cylinder. The optimum configuration of each of these five RF coils is suggested. It was found that field homogeneity is more strongly dependent on the coil's window angle than on any other parameter. Additionally, eddy currents in the coil's conductive elements distort the current and magnetic field distribution. The frequency dependence of this eddy current distortion is analyzed and discussed.
Proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides, phosphoinositides, cAMP, and aldosterone secretion

Since the intracellular messengers of various proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides remain ambiguous at best, we have investigated the possible involvement of phosphoinositide metabolism in aldosterone secretion evoked by alpha-MSH, beta-LPH, as well as ACTH in rat and calf adrenal glomerulosa cells. We have also examined the cAMP responses in the adrenal glomerulosa cells to alpha-MSH comparing it with those of ACTH. Our results showed that neither alpha-MSH, beta-LPH, nor ACTH increased inositol triphosphate (IP3) or other inositol phosphates in adrenal glomerulosa cells while increasing aldosterone secretion from the same cells. Angiotensin II, known to cause hydrolysis of the phosphoinositides, increased IP3 in these adrenal cells in a dose-dependent manner. Both ACTH and alpha-MSH raised the cAMP levels in the calf adrenal glomerulosa cells, although the magnitude of the increase of cAMP in response to ACTH was greater. These findings suggest that IP3 as a mediator of alpha-MSH- and beta-LPH-induced aldosterone secretion is not likely and other mediator(s) may be involved.
Race and Gender Representations in Advertising in Cable Cartoon Programming

In her paper "Race and Gender Representations in Advertising in Cable Cartoon Programming," Debra L. Merskin explores what children see and what they learn about racial, ethnic, and gender identity in television advertisements. Merskin examines race and ethnicity in commercials on cable television, specifically on the Turner Cartoon Network, an environment devoted entirely to cartoons and to children. Her content analysis of 381 advertisements reveals that while White and African American children are overrepresented in relationship to their percentage of the U.S. population, other minority group children are rarely portrayed. In only one instance were children of color shown alone, not accompanied by at least one White child. In addition, girls, particularly minority girls, were more often shown in the home, performing stereotypical domestic tasks while boys, particularly White boys, were found in the outside world doing active and exciting things. When minority children are shown, they are either accompanied by Whites (i.e., not left on their own) or marginalized with girls in ads that only girls are likely to pay attention to. Social learning theory predicts early learning about race contributes not only to children’s present conception of self and others, but also provides the foundation for the construction of stereotypes that persist throughout a lifetime. Debra L. Merskin, "Race and Gender Representations in Advertising in Cable Cartoon Programming." page 2 of 9 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 10.2 (2008): Thematic Issue, Racialized Narratives for Children. Ed. C. Richard King and John Streamas
Somatic symptoms and physiologic responses in generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder: an ambulatory monitor study.

Background Physiologic responses of patients with anxiety disorders to everyday events are poorly understood. Objective To compare self-reports and physiologic recordings in patients with panic disorder (PD), patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and nonanxious controls during daily activities. Design Participants underwent four 6-hour recording sessions during daily activities while wearing an ambulatory monitor. Physiologic and subjective data were recorded every 30 minutes and during subject-signaled periods of increased anxiety or tension or panic attack. Setting Participants' everyday environment. Participants Twenty-six patients with PD and 40 with GAD, both without substantial comorbidity, and 24 controls. Interventions Recordings obtained during everyday activities. Main Outcome Measures Recordings of heart interbeat intervals, skin conductance levels, respirations, motion, and ratings of subjective somatic symptoms and tension or anxiety. Results Patients with anxiety disorders rated higher on psychic and somatic anxiety symptoms than did controls. Common to both anxiety disorders was diminished autonomic flexibility that manifested itself throughout the day, accompanied by less precise perception of bodily states. The main differences between patients with PD and GAD were a heightened sensitivity to body sensations and more frequent button presses. There also was a trend toward heightened basal arousal in patients with PD, manifesting itself in a faster heart rate throughout the day. Conclusions Patients with PD or GAD are more sensitive to bodily changes than nonanxious individuals, and patients with PD are more sensitive than those with GAD. Patients with PD experience more frequent distress than those with GAD and controls, but their physiologic responses are comparable in intensity. The findings suggest that the perception of panic attacks reflects central rather than peripheral responses. The diminished autonomic flexibility observed in both anxiety conditions may result from dysfunctional information processing during heightened anxiety that fails to discriminate between anxiety-related and neutral inputs.
Temporal contrast degradation at the focus of ultrashort pulses from high-frequency spectral phase noise

Expressions are derived for the low-intensity temporal pedestal produced by optical surface roughness within stretchers and compressors. Phase noise in the near field of a spectrally dispersed beam produces space-time coupling in the focal plane.
Depression in coronary artery disease: Does treatment help?

Research over the past decade on the link between depression and coronary artery disease (CAD) has moved from establishing the epidemiologic association between depression and CAD to a focus on whether and how treating depression in patients with CAD benefits these patients. Evidence to date indicates that depression therapy does improve depression, albeit somewhat modestly, in CAD patients. The effect of depression therapy on CAD outcomes is less clear, although there is enough positive evidence to encourage further research. The effects of depression treatment on mechanisms mediating increased CAD risk in depressed patients are variable. Future research should perhaps focus on targeting treatment at intermediary mechanisms as well as at depression itself.
Neoliberalism as a mobile technology

Neoliberalism has been viewed as a capitalist machinery that is structuring a new planetary geography. But the newness of the neoliberalism word does not disguise the classic method of relying on old macro political distinctions. By now, we are familiar with the image of neoliberalism as an economic tsunami that is gathering force across the planet, pummelling each country in its path and sweeping away old structures of power. This approach proceeds on the assumption that neoliberalism is an ensemble of coordinates that will
Design, construction and in vitro testing of zinc finger nucleases

Zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) are hybrid proteins that have been developed as targetable cleavage reagents for double-stranded DNA, both in vitro and in vivo. This protocol describes the design and construction of new DNA-binding domains comprised of zinc fingers (ZFs) directed at selected DNA sequences. Because the ZFNs must dimerize to cut DNA, they are designed in pairs for any new site. The first step is choosing a DNA segment of interest and searching it for sequences that can be recognized by combinations of existing ZFs. The second step is the construction of coding sequences for the selected ZF sets. Third, these coding sequences are linked to that of the nonspecific cleavage domain from the FokI restriction endonuclease in a cloning vector of choice. Finally, the ZFNs are expressed in Escherichia coli, partially purified, and tested in vitro for cleavage of the target sequences to which they were designed. If all goes smoothly, design, construction and cloning can be completed in about two weeks, with expression and testing completed in one additional week.
Acute ethanol administration produces specific patterns of localization of Fos-immunoreactivity in the cerebellum and inferior olive of two inbred strains of mice.

Abstract Genes play an important role in behavioral responses to ethanol. We examined the response of neurons within the inferior olivary complex (IO) and cerebellum of C57Bl6/J and C3H/HeJ mice to acute ethanol, using immunodetection of Fos (Fos-IR) protein as a marker of neuronal activation. The results demonstrate specific but different patterns of Fos-IR within the IO and cerebellum, especially lobule IX, in each strain. The Fos-IR banding pattern seen in the granule cells of lobule IX is aligned with a previously described banding pattern of Purkinje cells that constitutively expressed heat–shock protein-25 (HSP-25).
Anger experience and expression in social anxiety disorder: Pretreatment profile and predictors of attrition and response to cognitive-behavioral treatment

The present study examined social anxiety, anger, and depression among 234 persons with social anxiety disorder and 36 nonanxious controls. In addition to greater social anxiety, persons with social anxiety disorder exhibited more severe depression, greater anger, and poorer anger expression skills than did nonanxious control participants. Analyses investigating attrition and response to cognitive-behavioral group treatment (CBGT) among a subset of 68 persons treated for social anxiety disorder indicated that patients who experienced anger frequently, perceived unfair treatment, and were quick-tempered were less likely to complete a 12-session course of CBGT. Among treatment completers, significant reductions in the frequent experience of anger to perceived negative evaluation and in anger suppression were noted. However, those who suppressed anger responded less favorably to CBGT. Future directions and clinical implications are discussed.
Assessing the Needs of Women Recently Released From Prison

The growing number of females incarcerated in the United States suggests that greater importance needs to be placed on preparing practitioners and communities for their eventual release from prison. Female offenders present a unique set of needs, including greater mental health, substance abuse, and medical health problems than their male counterparts. Furthermore, women may possess unique needs at various points of their involvement with the criminal justice system (i.e., before, during, and following a period of incarceration). The current study examines the needs of female offenders while they are reentering the community from the perspective of community service providers who work directly with recently incarcerated women. Survey results reveal that community service providers identify needs in 7 domains. Prevalence and urgency measures provide unique profiles of the needs of female offenders, and respondent reports of the effectiveness of the existing community-based service sector lead to numerous i...
The Innovative Campus: Nurturing the Distinctive Learning Environment

In the 1960s and early 1970s, many innovative colleges and universities were founded as alternatives to the mainstream of American higher education. This book examines how these institutions have adapted and transformed in a changing social, political, and economic climate--and how many of them have preserved their founding missions. The author contends that the colleges and universities that grew out of the 1960s and 1970s reform period can serve as models for today's institutions as they prepare to meet new challenges appearing on the education horizon. A comprehensive master list of more than 300 distinctive campuses of the 1960s and 1970s is also included for those wishing to conduct further research.
The Effects of Alcohol, Emotion Regulation, and Emotional Arousal on the Dating Aggression Intentions of Men and Women

Verbal and physical dating aggression is prevalent among college-aged men and women, especially a pattern of mutual aggression in which both partners engage in aggression. Alcohol intoxication and anger arousal have been implicated in the occurrence of aggression, and the ability to regulate one's emotions may interact with both alcohol intoxication and emotional arousal to predict dating aggression. The current study is the first known experimental investigation to examine the effects of alcohol intoxication, alcohol expectancies, emotion regulation, and emotional arousal on dating aggression. Participants were randomized to receive alcohol (n = 48), placebo (n = 48), or no alcohol (n = 48). Intoxicated men and women expressed more verbal and physical aggression intentions than those in the no-alcohol condition, and individuals in the placebo condition did not significantly differ from those in the alcohol and no-alcohol conditions. These results suggest that the pharmacological effects of alcohol were important to the occurrence of dating aggression, whereas the effects of expectancy are less clear. Among those less able to engage in cognitive reappraisal, individuals who consumed or believed they consumed alcohol expressed more verbal and physical aggression intentions than those who received no alcohol. Those with higher arousal who were better able to suppress their emotions expressed fewer verbal and physical aggression intentions than those with lower arousal. In addition to reducing alcohol consumption, interventions for dating aggression might incorporate emotion regulation skills, with a focus on understanding the circumstances in which cognitive reappraisal and emotion suppression are relatively more effective. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).
Molecular imaging: T2-weighted CMR of the area at risk--a risky business?

T2-weighted cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (T2W-CMR) has been championed as the best noninvasive method to determine the myocardial area at risk and to quantify myocardial salvage in patients with acute coronary syndromes. However, several unresolved issues warrant discussion and we urge caution when utilizing T2W-CMR for this purpose.
Melancholy and Modernity: Emotions and Social Life in Russia Between the Revolutions

This article addresses the various manifestations of a new fascination with melancholy, as it developed in various sectors of Russian society early in the 20th century. The new atmosphere seemed, in part at least, a response to rapid social change, and it joined popular moods to discussions by leading intellectuals. The result provides a distinctive cultural moment in Russian history, and contributes as well to the larger study of emotions in history.
Random graph models for directed acyclic networks

We study random graph models for directed acyclic graphs, a class of networks that includes citation networks, food webs, and feed-forward neural networks among others. We propose two specific models roughly analogous to the fixed edge number and fixed edge probability variants of traditional undirected random graphs. We calculate a number of properties of these models, including particularly the probability of connection between a given pair of vertices, and compare the results with real-world acyclic network data finding that theory and measurements agree surprisingly well-far better than the often poor agreement of other random graph models with their corresponding real-world networks.
Migrating quake swarm may indicate magma conduit clog

On 13 January 2006, Augustine Volcano, a towering volcano offshore from the Alaska Peninsula, erupted explosively. In the days leading up to the eruption, a series of explosions and earthquake swarms had warned of the impending activity. On 12 January, 36 hours before the first magmatic explosions, a swarm of 54 earthquakes was detected across the 13-station seismic network on Augustine Island. Analyzing the seismic waves produced by the earthquakes, Buurman and West found that the earthquakes were being triggered from point sources within the magma conduit itself.
Comparison of device performance using various metal quinolates as the host for a guest-host active layer

ABSTRACT We present a study that focuses on a comparison of the absolute photoluminescence quantum efficiency (P) withthe electroluminescence quantum efficiency (Tiel) using a guest-host active layer. We also report the luminous powerefficiency of devices based on this same emissive layer. The active layer consists of a series of metal quinolates used as thehost for the dopant rubrene. We find that rubrene doping enhances the i of the metal qumolate host materials, tris(8- hydroxyquinolinato) gallium III (Gaq3), tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum III (A1q3), and tris(4-methyl-8- hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum III (Almq3), from 0.13, 0.25, and 0.42, respectively, to  1.0 for all metal quinolates. This isachieved by efficient Forster energy transfer from host to guest molecules. We also find that doping enhances the flel ofdevices using Gaq3 or A1q3 as the active layer from 0.6 % and 1 .0 %, respectively, to 2.2 % for both hosts when measured ata current density of 100 AIm2. The 1e1 of devices based on Almq3 increases from 1.6% to 2.9% upon doping with rubrene.At a brightness of 100 cd/rn2, the luminous power efficiency of devices based on the metal quinolates increases from 1.0lm!W, 0.99 lniIW, and 2. 1 lm!W to 3.6 lm/W, 4.0 lm/W, and 3.8 lm/W for Gaq3, Alq3, and Almq3, respectively, when dopedwith an optimized concentration of rubrene. These enhancements are attributed to carrier trapping followed by directrecombination on the rubrene dopant as well as efficient energy transfer from the host to rubrene.Keywords: Organic light emitting diodes, A1q3, Almq3, Gaq3, rubrene, dopant, guest-host system, photoluminescencequantum efficiency, electroluminescence quantum efficiency, luminous power efficiency.
Menicon Z rigid gas permeable lenses for keratoconus and irregular corneas: a retrospective case series.

Purpose. The tisilfocon A (Menicon Z) rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens polymer has the highest oxygen permeability (Dk) value of any RGP lens material. To our knowledge there is no published literature documenting the success of this material in fitting contact lenses to highly irregular and diseased corneas. Methods. A retrospective medical record review of 40 consecutive patients (64 eyes) who had worn lenses made in the Menicon Z RGP material was performed. All patients had some form of corneal pathology and were fitted in a single tertiary care hospital-based contact lens service. Results. Menicon Z contact lenses were fit to 33 eyes of 20 patients with keratoconus (KC) and 31 eyes of 23 patients with irregular corneas. The irregular cornea group comprised 28 eyes of 21 patients after corneal surgery, 1 eye with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid and 2 eyes of 1 patient with chronic staphylococcal blepharo-keratoconjuncitivitis. Treatment goals included acceptable corneal physiology, comfort, and visual acuity. In the KC group, there was an 82% (27/33 eyes) success rate as measured by the treatment goals. Mean duration of wear for successful patients was 2.5 years (0.5–5 years). Only 12% (4/33 eyes) failed directly due to inability of the Menicon Z material to perform adequately while another material was acceptable. In the irregular surface group (surgical and ocular surface disease), there was a 74% (23/31 eyes) success rate. Mean duration of wear for successful patients in this group is 2.79 years (3 months–7 years). Only 3% (1/31 eyes) failed directly due to inability of the Menicon Z material to perform adequately while another material was acceptable. Conclusions. The tisilfocon A hyper Dk lens material maintains clinically acceptable corneal health and clinically acceptable visual acuity for patients with KC and irregular corneal surfaces. In this series of patients with complicated corneal disease, the most failures were due to design issues and discomfort not related to the Menicon Z material. The Menicon Z material was inadequate in only 8% of eyes, whereas another RGP material was successful. Most patients with irregular corneas in a tertiary care center can be successfully fit with the tisilfocon A RGP material for visual rehabilitation.
Generic Method of Preparing Multifunctional Fluorescent Nanoparticles Using Flash NanoPrecipitation

There is increased demand for nanoparticles with a high fluorescence yield that have the desired excitation wavelength, surface functionalization, and particle size to act as biological probes. Here, a simple, rapid, and robust method, Flash NanoPrecipitation (FNP), to produce such fluorescent nanoparticles is described. This process involves encapsulation of a hydrophobic fluorophore with an amphiphilic biocompatible diblock copolymer in a kinetically frozen state. FNP is used to produce nanoparticles ranging from 30 to 800 nm with fluorescence emission peaks ranging from, but not limited to, 370 nm to 720 nm. Such fluorescent nanoparticles remain stable in aqueous solutions, and, in contrast to soluble dyes, show no photobleaching. Fluorophores and drugs are incorporated into a single nanoparticle, allowing for simultaneous drug delivery and biological imaging. In addition, functionalization of nanoparticle surfaces with disease-specific ligands permits precise cell targeting. These features make FNP-produced fluorescent nanoparticles highly desirable for various biological applications.
Microcomputer-Based Control and Data Collection for a Mass Spectrometer:

A microcomputer-based data acquisition and control system for a mass spectrometer was designed and built. This system incorporates commercially available microcomputer logic modules interfaced to various input and output devices; these devices include an IBM-compatible magnetic tape transport. The system operates from programs stored in firmware (permanent software) and can be programmed via a Teletype for several days of unattended operation. This report describes only the electronics for the system.
Raptor injury-induced and post-feeding hypoglycemia: A rare phenomenon in the American kestrel, Falco sparverius

Abstract 1. 1. Post-feeding hypoglycemia, an unknown phenomenon in wild raptors, was studied in a central nervous system (CNS) damaged American kestrel, Falco sparverius Linnaeus. 2. 2. Beef chunk ingestion (200 g/kg BW) produced symptomatic hypoglycemia (45–60 min) which was accompanied by prolonged decreases (240 min) in plasma glucose and increased plasma levels (60 min) of an immunoreactive component (IC) believed to be insulin. 3. 3. Beef chunk-induced hypoglycemia and increases in plasma IC levels were blocked by atropine (0.02 mg/kg) pre-treatment. 4. 4. Oral glucose loading (1 g/kg) also produced symptomatic hypoglycemia (30–40 min), but of shorter duration (90 min), with corresponding changes in plasma glucose and 1C levels but these responses were not blocked by atropine. 5. 5. Data suggest that insulin secretion was stimulated via indirect (vagal) and direct (blood glucose) routes and that post-feeding hypoglycemia resulted primarily from deranged CNS-associated mechanisms (hypothalamic, possibly pituitary) which control catabolic hormone release, endogenous glucose production and consequently, plasma glucose levels.
Is Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Culturally Appropriate for Muslim American Counselees?

The mental health needs of Muslims are considered in the context of their religious and family values, expectations of therapy, intra-group diversity and a hostile post-9/11 environment in the US. SFBT is different from traditional modes of psychotherapy due to its emphasis on minimal self-disclosure, short-term treatment, empowerment and a positive orientation. The review of the available literature and examination of the cultural match between SFBT and Muslims and Muslim Americans provide support for the cultural sensitivity of SFBT and its potential efficacy with Muslims. The resulting conceptual analysis and conclusions can be clinically useful and provide a launching pad for more formal empirical research to follow.
Prevention of adverse drug events

Adverse drug events (ADEs), defined as an injury involving medication use, occur commonly. ADEs include adverse drug reactions and medication errors. An adverse drug reaction is an adverse effect p...
Gunn effect in heterojunction bipolar transistors

The Gunn effect in III-IV heterojunction bipolar transistors is investigated using hydrodynamic simulations. It is shown that Gunn domains nucleate and propagate in the collector drift region of an npn AlGaAs/GaAs transistor in which the electric field at the base-collector space charge region is properly engineered.
The Urban School Leaders Collaborative: Twelve Years of Promoting Leadership for Social Justice

The purpose of this study was to analyze and report on a “different” model of leadership preparation that was customized to prepare school leaders to practice in schools where the student population is predominantly Latino and in an urban school setting. It is a preparation program designed to advance interactive collaboration between students, professors, and school district administrators. The Urban School Leaders Collaborative (USLC), now in its 12th year, is a cohort-based principal preparation program dedicated to developing leadership capacity within San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD), the third largest school district in the city.
Effects of ethanol on hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes in the rat.

Abstract The activities of several hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes were determined in male and female rats after administration of 20% ethanol or an isocaloric amount of glucose in drinking water for 10–49 days. The aniline hydroxylase activity increased, whereas the activities of both pentobarbital hydroxylase and benzphetamine N -demethylase were decreased in male rats given ethanol and killed without ethanol withdrawal. Twenty-four hr after removal of ethanol, the aniline hydroxylase remained elevated but a striking increase of both pentobarbital hydroxylase and benzphetamine N -demethylase above control values occurred. Six days later, all three of these microsomal enzymes returned to normal control values. The reduction in pentobarbital hydroxylase and benzphetamine N -demethylase could not be attributed simply to high endogenous ethanol levels since: (1) addition of high concentrations of ethanol in vitro inhibited microsomal aniline hydroxylase and pentobarbital hydroxylase but did not reduce benzphetamine N -demethylase; and (2) acute administration of ethanol by gastric tube, which markedly elevated the blood ethanol level, did not result in a decline in the enzyme activities. These two findings suggest that the observed decrease in microsomal enzymes in male rats required persistent ethanol exposure. In contrast to male rats, female rats given ethanol for 28 days showed a significant increase in aniline hydroxylase activity, but the activities of pentobarbital hydroxylase and benzphetamine N -demethylase were not decreased. Moreover, administration of ethanol for 28 days to female rats did not reduce the response of these three enzyme activities to pentobarbital administration. It is concluded that the effects of chronic ethanol ingestion on the hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes are complex and depend on sex, exposure to other agents and, most importantly, on the duration and proximity of ethanol intake.
Comparison of treatment of tardive dystonia and idiopathic cervical dystonia with botulinum toxin type A

To compare clinical parameters of patients treated with botulinum toxin type A (BTX) for treatment of idiopathic cervical dystonia (ICD) and for tardive cervical dystonia (TCD), we studied 156 patients (149 with ICD and 7 with TCD) who were treated with serial injections of BTX over 5 years. We hypothesized that patients with TCD and ICD would demonstrate similar improvement in severity scores after treatment with BTX. The diagnosis, dates, dosages, and frequency of BTX injected and severity assessments were recorded into a computerized database. Nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum and signed-rank tests were used to assess statistical significance. The change in severity scores between the first treatment and last treatment in both groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.4859), indicating similar improvement. The difference in BTX doses was significant (p = 0.0045). ICD patients (n = 149) received an average of 219.8 ± 63.5 units and those with TCD (n = 7) were treated with an average dose of 287.4 ± 60.3 units. The average number of days between treatments for individuals with ICD was 142.9 ± 85.8, similar to that for persons with TCD (144.7 ± 64.5) (p = 0.6075). Our analysis provides preliminary evidence that the improvement from the administration of BTX for patients with ICD and TCD is similar.
Toxicity of elevated partial pressures of carbon dioxide to invasive New Zealand mudsnails

The authors tested the efficacy of elevated partial pressures of CO2 to kill invasive New Zealand mudsnails. The New Zealand mudsnails were exposed to 100 kPa at three water temperatures, and the survival was modeled versus dose as cumulative °C-h. We estimated an LD50 of 59.4°C-h for adult and juvenile New Zealand mudsnails. The results suggest that CO2 may be an effective and inexpensive lethal tool to treat substrates, tanks, or materials infested with New Zealand mudsnails. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 1838–1842. © 2012 SETAC
Connoisseur's Choice: Prehnite Brandberg, Namibia

(1999). Connoisseur's Choice: Prehnite Brandberg, Namibia. Rocks & Minerals: Vol. 74, No. 3, pp. 178-180.
The Decision to Leave Work The Case of Retirement from an Academic Career

This study examines the explanations offered by faculty at a major university regarding their decisions to accept or reject an attractive early-retirement option. A survey of faculty eligible for this option was administered soon after the end of the decision period for accepting the option. Two models are developed to describe the findings: The first includes only factors expected to enter into explaining for the decision to accept or reject the early-retirement option; the second adds time spent obtaining information and "considering" the decision. Both rational explanations and role-taking explanations are found to be involved in the retirement/nonretirement decisions. In addition, the second model indicates that the amount of time spent examining the option is a crucial link in the decision-making process. Demographic characteristics, health, and scholarly productivity all fail to show significant effects on the decision to take the attractive option to retire early.
Small Molecule–Gold Nanorod Conjugates Selectively Target and Induce Macrophage Cytotoxicity towards Breast Cancer Cells

Gold nanoparticles are known to activate anti-tumor potential in macrophage immune cells; however, the subsequent effects of these cells on others nearby are poorly understood. A novel gold-nanoparticle conjugate that selectively targets and induces cytotoxic activity of tumor-associated macrophages towards breast cancer cells in co-culture is synthesized. These constructs are promising new tools for studying fundamental biological interactions with nanoscale materials and candidates for emerging macrophage-mediated delivery applications.
Magnbeic Recording of Neutron Cross-Section Data from an Undergrolund Nuclear Explosive Source

A high-resolution magnetic data recording system has been successfully used as part of the Los Alamos program of time-of-flight neutron cross-section measurements that use an underground nuclear explosion source. The data received were recorded in frequency modulation form on a rotating hard-surfaced magnetic disc. This is a novel way of recording these data. Magnetic recording facilitates electronic digitizing of the data, since there is no need for time-consuming film reading.
Effect of Myoinositol Phosphate Esters on In Vitro and In Vivo Digestion of Protein

Effects of phytate and its hydrolysis products (myo-inositol phophate esters) on protein digestion were investigated by in vitro and in vivo procedures. Tri-, tetra-, penta-, and hexa-phosphate ester fractions, isolated from phytate hydrolysates, inhibited pepsin digestion of casein and bovine serum albumin in vitro. The inhibition ranged from 0% for the mono- and diphosphate esters to 9–14% with the hexa-phosphate ester (phytate). The phosphate ester fractions did not significantly affect trypsin digestion of the proteins. In the in vivo study, rats were fed phytate and hydrolysates thereof (mixtures of the esters above) at levels of 1–3.5% of the diet. Under the conditions of this study, neither phytate nor its hydrolysates significantly affected protein utilization or weight gain in rats.
Oogenesis in Xenopus laevis (Daudin). III. Localization of negative charges on the surface of developing oocytes.

Developing oocytes and coelomic eggs of mature HCG-stimulated Xenopus females were dissected from the ovary, fixed in glutaraldehyde, and treated with a positively charged solution of colloidal iron. Electron micrographs reveal anionic sites preferentially localized in or on the plasmalemma covering the distal portions of the numerous microvilli of Stage IV oocytes. Both prior to and subsequent to Stage IV (the peak of vitellogenic activity), the anionic sites on the oolemma are more randomly distributed. No iron particles appear in endocytotic pits of the oolemma at any stage of development, but endocytotic pits of follicle cells are labeled. There are few if any anionic sites in the vitelline envelope. The assumption that the negative charges are due to sialic acid moieties of surface mucopolysaccharides was borne out by treatment with neuraminidase. Oocytes subjected to the enzyme and subsequently fixed and treated with colloidal iron show a marked reduction in the amount of labeling. These results are discussed in the light of earlier evidence regarding the endocytosis of vitellogenin, a negatively charged molecule.