cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of different chemical vapor deposition methodologies for the fabrication of heterojunction boron-carbide diodes

Abstract We find that boron-carbide thin film diodes are insensitive to the morphology of the film. The semiconductor properties of the material do not appear to depend upon crystallite size and the extent of long range order. Boron-carbide diodes were fabricated from a single source compound, closo-1,2-dicarbadodecaborane (C 2 B 10 H 12 ), and binary source gases, nidopentaborane (B 5 H 9 ) and methane (CH 4 ). Closo-1,2-dicarbadodecaborane was used in both synchrotron radiation induced chemical vapor deposition (SR-CVD) and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) to form boron-carbide films on n-type Si(111). A nidopentaborane and methane combination was also used in PECVD to form boron-carbide films on similar substrate for comparison. All of these boroncarbide films formed similar heterojunction diodes with n-type Si(111).
Periostin and osteopontin are overexpressed in chronically inflamed sinuses.

Objective In chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), the inflammation leads to a proliferative response in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Periostin and osteopontin are 2 ECM proteins which have received attention for their roles in tissue remodeling in inflammatory diseases of the upper and lower airways. Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ1) is an inflammatory cytokine that has been implicated in fibrotic conditions affecting virtually every organ. In this study we seek to evaluate the differential expression of periostin, osteopontin, and TGFβ1 in the ethmoid sinus and nasal floor of patients with CRS. Furthermore, we seek to determine if a correlation exists between their differential expression in the nose and sinuses of patients with CRS. Methods Biopsies from ethmoid sinus and nasal floor mucosa were taken from 15 patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for CRS. Complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray analysis demonstrated upregulation of periostin and osteopontin in the ethmoid sinus samples. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed for periostin, osteopontin, and TGFβ1. Statistical analysis was undertaken to examine correlations between the 3 genes of interest. Results RT-PCR confirmed that periostin and osteopontin were overexpressed in the ethmoid samples compared to the nasal floor. The differential expression of both periostin and osteopontin showed significant correlation with TGFβ1. Conclusion Periostin and osteopontin appear to be involved in ECM remodeling seen in CRS. TGFβ1 may be an upstream inducer of CRS-related changes in ethmoid sinus mucosa. © 2011 ARS-AAOA, LLC.
Thirty years of behavior therapy

From its beginnings, behavior therapy stood apart from all other psychotherapies in one important respect — its methods were derived from experimentally established paradigms. Behavior therapy's most direct influence was in the area of the anxiety disorders, where its most powerful impact was the weakening of anxiety by the simultaneous evocation of a competing response. Practical success depends greatly on systematic attenuation of anxiety based on hierarchical presentation of stimuli. Success can be widened if advantage is taken of a range of implementations of a paradigm. Yet, we need to keep in mind that not all behaviorally based paradigms are useful, and that some useful methods, such as Beck's cognitive approach, are not based on experimental paradigms.
Effect of ionic concentration on the infectivity of a virus of the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri.

Abstract A virus disease of the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri , is most infective in an aqueous suspension when the p H is between 5.0 and 7.0. Within the apparently optimum range of 5.6–6.6, viral stability was not immediately affected by salt at the concentrations tested, but in slightly alkaline solutions, viral inactivation was proportional to the concentration of salt in the suspending solution. In 0.017 m phosphate buffer, infectivity occurred at p H 8.0; in 0.033 m buffer, the upper limit was 7.6. After storage for 2 days at 10°C, the upper limit was reduced to 7.0. The effect of time on virus subjected to varied p H and concentrations of salt was dependent on storage temperature. When storage was at 10°C, activity occurred at p H 7.0 after 14 days in the most concentrated buffer. Material stored 2 days at 28°C was infective at p H 7.0 in only the most dilute buffer; after 5 days all suspensions were adversely affected.
Parental depressive symptoms and adolescent adjustment: a prospective test of an explanatory model for the role of marital conflict.

Despite calls for process-oriented models for child maladjustment due to heightened marital conflict in the context of parental depressive symptoms, few longitudinal tests of the mechanisms underlying these relations have been conducted. Addressing this gap, the present study examined multiple factors longitudinally that link parental depressive symptoms to adolescent adjustment problems, building on a conceptual model informed by emotional security theory (EST). Participants were from 320 families (158 boys, 162 girls), including mothers and fathers, who took part when their children were in kindergarten (T1), second (T2), seventh (T3), eighth (T4) and ninth (T5) grades. Parental depressive symptoms (T1) were related to changes in adolescents’ externalizing and internalizing symptoms (T5), as mediated by parents’ negative emotional expressiveness (T2), marital conflict (T3), and emotional insecurity (T4). Evidence was thus advanced for emotional insecurity as an explanatory process in the context of parental depressive symptoms.
Electronic Structure of Transition Metals. I. Quantum Defects and Model Potential

Recent applications of the concept of quantum defects in setting up model pseudopotentials for simple or transition-metal ions presuppose that the atomic-spectroscopy data of such metals can be expressed in terms of certain quantum defects. Experience indicates, however, that the old quantum-defect idea applies only to group I and II metals at best, but not to metals of higher chemical valence ($z\ensuremath{\ge}3$, $z$ being the nominal valence given by the group number, $\mathrm{I}A$ or $B$, $\mathrm{II}A$ or $B$, etc. in the Periodic Table). In this paper, a generalized quantum-defect law applicable to elements having $z\ensuremath{\ge}2$ is deduced empirically from an extensive study of the spectroscopic data of the first six rows of the Periodic Table. The empirical law states that the energy levels ${E}_{nl}$ of a single electron in the field of the positive ions of elements having the same inert-gas core, e.g., the elements of the isoelectric sequence, ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{Be}}^{2+}$,...,${F}^{7+}$, which are given (in the Heine-Abarenkov model-potential method) by the spectroscopic term value of the ion plus one electron, i.e., by the term values of Li, ${\mathrm{Be}}^{+}$,...,${\mathrm{F}}^{6+}$, by the term values of Li, ${\mathrm{Be}}^{+}$,..., ${\mathrm{F}}^{7+}$, obey the relation ${E}_{\mathrm{nl}}=\ensuremath{-}\frac{{z}^{2}}{{(n\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\mathrm{nl}})}^{2}}+{\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\mathrm{nl}}$, $z\ensuremath{\ge}2$, for the same quantum defects (${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\mathrm{nl}},{\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\mathrm{nl}}$). The old quantum defect (${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\mathrm{nl}}$) and the new quantum defect (${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\mathrm{nl}}$), equivalent to an "atomic core shift") thus represent the deviation of the atomic potential of a given inert-gas configuration from a Coulombic potential due to a nuclear charge $z|e|$. On the basis of this empirical law, the parameters of a transition-metal model potential of the Heine-Abarenkov type, adjusted to the energies ${\mathcal{E}}_{\mathrm{nl}}\ensuremath{\equiv}{E}_{\mathrm{nl}}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\mathrm{nl}}$, have been calculated for all 30 group-$B$ (excepting rare-earth) metals of the Periodic Table; and it has been found that the $l=2$ model potential parameter ${A}_{2}$ reflects the Ziman-Heine-Hubbard resonance model of $s\ensuremath{-}d$ hybridization through its strong energy dependence of the form ${(\mathcal{E}\ensuremath{-}{\mathcal{E}}_{3d})}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ for the $3d$ series, and similarly for the $4d$ and $5d$ series. The application of the new model potential to the calculation of the various aspects of the electronic structure of solids will be presented in the next and subsequent papers of this series.
EFFECTS OF ACUTE HYPERTHERMIA ON POLYRIBOSOMES, IN VIVO PROTEIN SYNTHESIS AND ORNITHINE DECARBOXYLASE ACTIVITY IN THE NEONATAL RAT BRAIN

— —Acute hyperthermia produces in situ disaggregation of brain polyribosomes in infant rats, as determined by electron microscopy. Protein synthesis is inhibited in infant, but not weanling, rat brain by 45 min of hyperthermia; this inhibition is reversed during a 2 h recovery period at normothermic conditions. Hepatic protein synthesis was inhibited less than that of brain. Acute hyperthermia also leads to a profound loss of ornithine decarboxylase activity in brain; during recovery the activity of this enzyme overshoots to values greater than those of normothermic control rats. This increase is blocked by cycloheximide administration. In testis, a tissue with high ornithine decarboxylase activity, enzyme activity was not affected by hyperthermia and recovery, indicating tissue specificity for these effects.
Proxy Contests: Are They Close Encounters of the Worst Kind?

This essay considers some of the negative effects of proxy contests and emphasizes that the proxy contest should be the choice of last resort. When costs are weighed against benefits, it would seem that there are better and cheaper ways for owners and managers to communicate and settle their differences. Recent research on this topic is considered and suggestions for research to judge the long‐term effects of proxy contests are offered. The essay concludes with some thoughts on how newly emerging corporate governance schemes may eventually obviate the need for proxy contests.
Systemic absorption and toxicity from topically administered lidocaine during transesophageal echocardiography

This report describes the cases of three patients who had central nervous system toxicity from locally administered lidocaine during transesophageal echocardiography. Parenteral sedation was not employed. Serum levels of lidocaine were obtained after the procedure in all three patients, who recovered spontaneously and suffered no permanent ill effects. Medical conditions such as congestive heart failure and diminished hepatic function or concomitant use of lidocaine analogs may predispose patients to the toxic side effects of locally administered lidocaine. Extreme care and close monitoring of patients are warranted when topical lidocaine anesthetic is employed in the setting of delayed lidocaine clearance.
A 6-DOF Vibration Specification Development Methodology

Multiple degree of freedom (MDOF) excitation systems and MDOF vibration control systems continue to improve, and are now standard equipment in many dynamic test laboratories. This paper concentrates on the often overlooked process of determination of an input specification for such MDOF systems. A pair of generalized six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) vibration specification development (VSD) techniques are proposed, discussed, and illustrated through an example.
Further Observations on the Increased Yield of Nucleic Acid from Irradiated Yeast

DURING the course of investigations intended to extend previously reported observations1 of increased yields of nucleic-acid-like substances from yeast irradiated with full ultra-violet radiation under conditions resulting in prolonged injury to the yeast cells, certain irregularities in the yields were noted. It now appears that these may be attributed to lack of quantitative yields in the final step of the chemical procedure wherein nucleic acid is precipitated.
Subcellular patterning: axonal domains with specialized structure and function

Myelinated axons are patterned into discrete and often-repeating domains responsible for the efficient and rapid transmission of electrical signals. These domains include nodes of Ranvier and axon initial segments. Disruption of axonal patterning leads to nervous system dysfunction. In this review, we introduce the concept of subcellular patterning as applied to axons and discuss how these patterning events depend on both intrinsic, cytoskeletal mechanisms and extrinsic, myelinating glia-dependent mechanisms.
New methods of frequency conversion in nonlinear waveguides

We propose new methods of frequency conversion in compound III-V semiconductor nonlinear waveguides and high mid- infrared absorbing nonlinear waveguides. In the first scheme we use higher order waveguide mode as an intermediary to achieve phasematching in nonlinear waveguides. In the second scheme we generate mid-infrared radiation in high absorption nonlinear waveguides by coupling the absorbing nonlinear waveguide to a linear waveguide with low absorption. We show that high conversion efficiencies can be achieved in both schemes.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Categories and Subjectivities in Identification of North Koreans in Japan

This article is about Korean residents in Japan, who identify themselves as overseas nationals of North Korea. Through ethnographical data I shall demonstrate that beyond a seeming opposition between minority identities and majority identity, there are multi-dimensional processes of self-identification employed by individuals who strategically mobilize social resources available. More often than not the legally-defined label or name only partially represents individuals' social life and no "stereotype" could be drawn out of categorized identification such as nationality or citizenship. The article combines historical overview and anthropological search, the former referring to the process of categorization of Korean residents in Japan and the latter exploring diversity within the limitations of categories. By so doing, the article aims to show that what are usually taken to be minority or majority identities are nothing other than ephemeral convention that in reality stands on highly unstable definitions of individuals in society. In usual social scientific discourse ethnic minority is placed in an opposite end to the nation-state system, suggesting the contrast between the inclusive whole against misfitting part. The identity of minorities is something that is not appropriately placed within the identity of the majority-a kind of excess. The minority identity is postulated anomaly within the tolerable limit of "proper" majority identity. The latter is regarded as mainstream, the former, something that goes against the current and hence, potentially disruptive for the stability of the symbolic order of the majority whole. The subjectivities of minority peoples are, therefore, necessarily problematical in terms of maintaining clear boundaries of nation-state system. At worst, it needs to be exterminated by way of elimination or assimilation; at best, it needs to be dealt with as a problem. Beyond this simple opposition, as many ethnographical literature as well as cultural studies texts have shown, identity of minorities are never unified and can exist only in unstable, debatable form within its vaguely-determined boundaries vis-a-vis the majority. By the same token, identity of the so-called majority is never stable or single: the constitution of majority-ness is often as contested as that of minority-ness. As the dissolution of Yugoslavia shows, for example, what had been assumed as a national-state and its identity was easy to be fragmented into that which looks like an endless realignment of groups and individuals, or indeed, minorities, while when we turn to the European Union, we find that the region full of different traditions and cultures is trying to identify itself under one political rubric "Europe." Identities in this light are unstable in the cases of both minority and majority and
2005 INS Presidential Address: Neuropsychological Crimes and Misdemeanors

This address to the International Neuropsychological Society membership challenges the wisdom of several common practices in contemporary neuropsychology. It is argued that, in spite of their popularity, the development of race-specific test norms, the indiscriminate use of Bonferroni's correction for multiple comparisons, and the conduct of “quality of life” research are all conceptually problematic. These practices may have untoward sociopolitical effects as well, and neuropsychologists are urged to exercise caution before embracing them.
Electronic structure of MnO studied by angle-resolved and resonant photoemission

Results are reported from angle-integrated, angle-resolved, and resonant photoemission measurements on cleaved MnO single crystals using synchrotron radiation. Normal-emission spectra from a cleaved (100) surface indicate that the relative dispersion of Mn 3d states in the valence band is less than \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1 eV along \ensuremath{\Gamma}--\ensuremath{\Delta}--X in the Brillouin zone, which supports the view of highly localized 3d electrons on the ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ cations. The results of polarization-dependent and off-normal-emission measurements are also consistent with a localized Mn 3d orbital picture. To explain the presence of satellite photoemission peaks, a hybridization between Mn 3d and O 2p valence states must be invoked. The degree of hybridization is evident from resonant-photoemission measurements at the Mn 3p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3d absorption threshold. The antiresonant behavior of the 3d-derived states near the top of the valence band in constant-initial-state spectra suggests that MnO is a charge transfer rather than a Mott insulator. The experimental results are discussed in the context of recent cluster and band theories which have been proposed to explain the insulating nature and electronic structure of MnO.
Moment Inequalities for Sn Under General Dependence Restrictions, with Applications.

Abstract : Consider a sum composed of a sequence of random variables and a sequence of constants. This paper establishes moment inequalities with dependence restrictions imposed upon the random variables but not depending upon the constants. A further inequality of more complicated form is also established. The dependence restrictions considered are either of the weak multiplicative type or of related types, namely exchangeable sequences and strongly mixing sequences. Three applications are developed. One treats the almost sure convergence of series under mild dependence restrictions and finite limit conditions. Secondly, an improved technique is presented for the problem of establishing the rate of convergence in the central limit theorem for simple linear rank statistics. Finally, the central limit theorem for strongly mixing summands is treated.
Regional differences in bronchoalveolar lavage and thoracic high-resolution computed tomography results in dyspneic patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objective. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the leading cause of death in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Although early identification and treatment of alveolitis may prevent deterioration of lung function, the best approach for diagnosing active alveolitis remains controversial. This study was undertaken to investigate the utility of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest, in comparison with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), in the diagnosis of alveolitis in these patients. Methods. Eighteen patients with SSc and dyspnea were evaluated for ILD by pulmonary function testing and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and 15 of these patients underwent chest HRCT. BAL was performed in either the middle lobe or the lingula, and also in a lower lung segment. Differential cell counts were determined by clinical cytopathology, with retrospective recounting in a blinded manner by a single technician. Active alveolitis was defined as the presence of >3.0% polymorphonuclear cells and/or >2% eosinophils in BAL fluid. BAL fluids were cultured for bacteria, mycobacteria, and fungi. HRCT scans were evaluated in a blinded manner for ground-glass opacification and fibrosis in the lavaged lobes. Results. Nine of the 18 patients had active alveolitis recorded in both lavaged segments, while in 4 patients it was recorded in only 1 segment (lower lobe in 3). Following repeat differential cell counting, 3 patients were reclassified as having active alveolitis and 1 as having no alveolitis. Culture of BAL fluid identified clinically unsuspected infection in 3 patients. For the right middle lung lobe or lingula there was excellent agreement between ground-glass opacification and the finding of alveolitis on BAL from segments in the same lung regions, but this was not observed for the lower lobes. The correlation between fibrosis on HRCT and the presence of alveolitis on BAL was significant for the lower lobes but not the middle lung fields. Conclusion. BAL of the middle lobe or lingula may underestimate the presence of active alveolitis. Similarly, while ground-glass opacification on HRCT accurately predicted alveolitis in the middle lung fields, HRCT did not detect all sites of inflammation and did not identify infectious etiologies. These data suggest that, in addition to HRCT, BAL with lavage, differential cell counting, and culture from at least 2 segments of lung be performed for diagnosing SSc alveolitis.
Equivalences between isolated hypersurface singularities

Let (9,+1 be the ring of germs of holomorphic functions (C ~+ 1, 0 ) ~ C. There are many important equivalence relations that have been defined on the elements of (9+ 1. ~ ' , ~s and ~f-equivalence are well known in function theory. Each of these equivalence relations can be defined in terms of a Lie group action on (9 +1For instance two functions are defined to be ~-equivalent if they are the same up to a holomorphic change of coordinates in the domain. In this case the Lie group acting on (9+ 1 is the group of all holomorphic change of coordinates preserving the origin. Simple complete characterizations of when two functions are ~'-, ~L,r or J~f-equivalent were given by Yau I-9] and by Mather and Yau [6]. .~_, ~t_, and ~-equivalence come from singularity theory. These equivalence relations are defined on the basis of algebra isomorphisms. For example, we can associate a C-algebra (9,+ JA(f), the Milnor algebra, to any fE(_9, + 1, where A(f) is the ideal in (9,+ 1 generated by the partial derivatives of f. We say that two functions are S-equivalent if their associated Milnor algebras are isomorphic. It is an interesting question to determine the relationships between these six equivalences. The goal of this paper is to study these relationships. For a holomorphic function f with a critical point at the origin, we determine when the equivalence classes o f f with respect to two different equivalence relations coincide. The purpose of this paper is two-fold. On the one hand, we give a necessary and sufficient condition for ~ e q u i v a l e n c e to coincide with ~-equivalence (cf. Theorem 5.1). This leads us to define the new notion of almost quasi-homogeneous functions. We suspect that the singularities defined by almost quasi-homogeneous functions may form a distinguished class of singularities which have some special properties shared by quasi-homogeneous ones. In Sect. 6, we discuss the relationship between .~and ~r Perhaps the most striking result here is Theorem 6.9, which provides us a lot of examples
Role of p38 MAPK in Transforming Growth Factor β Stimulation of Collagen Production by Scleroderma and Healthy Dermal Fibroblasts

Transforming growth factor β has been implicated as a mediator of excessive extracellular matrix deposition in scar tissue and fibrosis, including systemic sclerosis. To further characterize the mechanism of collagen gene expression in systemic sclerosis and healthy skin fibroblasts, we examined the role of p38 MAPK signaling in collagen gene regulation by transforming growth factor β. Treatment of dermal fibroblasts with transforming growth factor β resulted in a prolonged activation of p38 MAPK. Furthermore, a specific inhibitor of p38 suppressed transforming growth factor β stimulation of collagen type I mRNA and the α2(I) collagen promoter activity. To further probe the role of p38 in collagen regulation by transforming growth factor β, we utilized an expression vector containing p38α cDNA. Ectopic expression of p38α enhanced COL1A2 promoter activity and potentiated transforming growth factor β stimulation of this promoter. The p38 response element in the COL1A2 promoter overlapped with the previously characterized transforming growth factor β response element. Consistent with these observations, collagen type I mRNA and protein levels were increased in transforming-growth-factor-β-stimulated fibroblasts transduced with an adenoviral vector expressing p38α. To determine the possible role of p38 in abnormal collagen production by systemic sclerosis fibroblasts, p38 protein levels were compared in systemic sclerosis and healthy skin fibroblasts. Both cell types exhibited similar total levels of p38 MAPK and similar kinetics of p38 activation in response to transforming growth factor β. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a costimulatory role for p38 MAPK in transforming growth factor β induction of the collagen type I gene. Expression levels and activation status of p38 are not consistently elevated in systemic sclerosis fibroblasts suggesting that the p38 MAPK pathway is not dysregulated in systemic sclerosis fibroblasts.
The Nature of Membrane Curvature-Induction by Amphipathic α-Helices Relies upon Protein Length: Simulations of α-Synuclein and H0

Remodeling of membranes, for example the induction of membrane curvature, is a necessary step in vesicle fusion and fission. One mechanism for curvature induction relies upon the interfacial binding of amphipathic proteins, which act as a wedge in one leaflet of the membrane. In this study, we explore differences between the membrane remodeling effects of two biologically important amphipathic proteins, specifically α-Synuclein (αS) and the N-BAR helix H0. αS is an intrinsically disordered protein that adopts an amphipathic α-helical structure upon binding a membrane. Recently it has been shown that αS can induce tubulation and vesiculation of vesicles (Varkey et al. 2010, J Biol Chem, 285(42):32486). In contrast, the amphipathic helix H0 is unable, on its own, to induce tubulation, as N-BAR relies instead upon its large scaffolding domain (Fernandes et al. 2008, Biophys J, 94(8):3065). Using a combination of x-ray scattering and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, we explored the membrane remodeling effects of αS. Our findings suggest that αS 1) causes a significant thinning of the bilayer; and 2) stabilizes an anisotropic curvature-field of both positive mean curvature and negative Gaussian curvature. Simulations of H0 show a similar magnitude of the local curvature as with αS, however owing to its molecular length the curvature-field around H0 is isotropic. We propose that the difference in curvature-field anisotropy explains the difference in the two proteins’ abilities to induce macroscopic curvature (i.e. tubulation) of lipid vesicles.
Spinal Cord Compression

Malignant epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) remains a common neuro-oncologic emergency with high associated morbidity. Despite widespread availability of MRI, the diagnosis frequently goes unmade until myelopathy supervenes, which is unfortunate because the strongest predictor of neurologic outcome with treatment is the neurologic status when treatment is initiated. Once the diagnosis of MESCC is suspected, patients with neurologic deficits should be started on high-dose corticosteroids (eg, dexamethasone, 10–100 mg intravenously, followed by 16 to 100 mg/d in divided doses). Definitive therapy of MESCC almost always includes radiation therapy and in some cases surgical intervention; factors considered include the patient’s performance status and extent of visceral and skeletal disease, spinal stability, the tumor’s underlying radiosensitivity, and the degree of spinal cord compression. Patients with spinal instability or radioresistant tumors are likely to have a much better neurologic outcome with tumor resection and spinal stabilization prior to radiation; the same may also pertain to patients with moderately radiosensitive tumors who have good life expectancy in terms of their systemic tumor. Conventional radiation has historically been beneficial after surgery and in patients who are not surgical candidates. Recent studies suggest a role for stereotactic body radiation therapy in patients with spinal metastasis from radioresistant tumors and in patients who have received prior standard radiotherapy, so long as the spinal cord has been decompressed.
Right Heart Failure Secondary to Compression of the Right Pulmonary Artery by a Syphilitic Aortic Aneurysm

A 68-year-old man presented with right heart failure due to compression of the right pulmonary artery by a syphilitic aneurysm of the ascending aorta. The diagnosis was made by cardiac catheterization and angiography and it was proven by autopsy. This complication is unusual and supports the experimental evidence that unilateral pulmonary obstruction may be responsible for the development of pulmonary hypertension.
Online Flood Information System: REST-Based Web Service

This paper implements a cyber-platform which visualizes and analyzes spatial patterns of flooding with a user-oriented spatial intelligence. The paper is organized from three perspectives: first, why representation and modeling of flooding data set is vital; second, how the design of flooding analysis involves spatial intel ligence; third, why flooding analysis should be integrated into Cyber-infrastructure. The flood is one of the most common and devastative disasters. Flood disasters bring huge damages to the affected communities and beyond. Hence, a fast and effective flood information inquiry system is critical to reduce the loss. REST-based Web Service illustrates its great advantages in web map re-rendering, attribute information retrieving, and advanced GIS functions. This research introduces how to use REST-based Web Service to build a user-friendly online flood information inquiry system.
Beatrice Cenci in Hawthorne, Melville and her Atlantic-Rim Contexts

The figure of Beatrice Cenci was, according to Melville, the embodiment of those “two most horrible crimes possible to civilized humanity--incest and parricide." Nevertheless, she enjoyed a curious popularity as a subject in late eighteenth and nineteenth-century Atlantic-rim literary culture. Indeed, the renewed fascination with her story indicates several important psychological as well as social themes that authors as diverse as Walpole, Shelley, Swinburne, Hawthorne, Melville, Dickens, and Wharton all attempted to delineate. Although critics have analyzed the Cenci figure in Pierre and The Marble Faun before, comparing the use of this motif in relation to the earlier British works allows us a different perspective on an obvious though neglected theme in the two novels. In addition, the focus on the Cenci narrative in Atlantic-rim culture allows us to examine how a representation crosses cultures, nationalities, and ideologies in order to articulate common concerns and anxieties. In British gothic works the representation of Beatrice speaks to the horrific and corrupt power of the mother and father, both as brutal governmental force, an insane ruler, and a despotic and sadistic mater or pater familias, the head of the corrupted and polluted family. Further, the spectre of incest (sibling and parental) that stalks British gothic and romantic texts speaks to an ideologically conflicted posture. In works by Byron and Shelley, sibling incest is sometimes idealized (i.e., Manfred or Laon and Cythna), while in Shelley’s The Cenci incestuous rape by the father of his daughter (with broad suggestions of sodomy as well) is the most pernicious and evil act that can be committed. Clearly, the British romantics were of a divided mind about incest as a literary trope for the reunion of self and other. By the time the Cenci legend transmutes and reappears in America, however, Melville and Hawthorne are placing even heavier weight on the representation and its associations. Both of their works ask the questions: What is the nature of human history? What power does the past hold over the present and the future? Can Americans overthrow their European heritage and establish a new Garden in America, or is that promise blasted and futile? Both Pierre and The Marble Faun, although different from each other in their treatments of human nature and society, are particularly American works in criticizing the notion that a new order can replace the corrupt and rejected world of the fathers. Whereas Shelley's play ultimately condemns Beatrice for revenge on her father, neither Melville nor Hawthorne’s works do, although both see her as an omen predicting the failure of America to achieve its original promise.
2-Chloroadenosine attenuates NMDA, kainate, and quisqualate toxicity.

Abstract Excitatory amino acid (EAA)-induced cell death in the striatum is dependent upon intact glutamatergic afferents arising from the cerebral cortex. Through a mechanism possibly related to inhibition of glutamate release, adenosine receptor agonists attenuate EAA induced toxicity in the rat striatum. In the present study, we examined whether 2-chloroadenosine (2CLA), a stable adenosine analog, protects against toxicity induced by kainate (KA), quisqualate (QUIS), N- methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA), and ibotenate (IBO). In vivo intrastriatal injections of 2CLA (50 nmol) with each EAA tested provided a partial but significant protective effect versus injection of the EAA alone, as measured by striatal concentrations of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and substance P-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI). These results show that 2CLA attenuates both NMDA- and non-NMDA-mediated neuronal cell death.
Effectiveness of medical equipment donations to improve health systems: how much medical equipment is broken in the developing world?

It is often said that most of the medical equipment in the developing world is broken with estimates ranging up to 96% out of service. But there is little documented evidence to support these statements. We wanted to quantify the amount of medical equipment that was out of service in resource poor health settings and identify possible causes. Inventory reports were analyzed from 1986 to 2010, from hospitals in sixteen countries across four continents. The UN Human Development Index was used to determine which countries should be considered developing nations. Non-medical hospital equipment was excluded. This study examined 112,040 pieces of equipment. An average of 38.3% (42,925, range across countries: 0.83–47%) in developing countries was out of service. The three main causes were lack of training, health technology management, and infrastructure. We hope that the findings will help biomedical engineers with their efforts toward effective designs for the developing world and NGO’s with efforts to design effective healthcare interventions.
Antagonism of NPY-induced feeding by pretreatment with cyclic AMP response element binding protein antisense oligonucleotide

Although second messenger systems subserving neuropeptide Y (NPY)-mediated behaviors have been identified for a variety of receptors in several tissues, downstream signaling events are not well known. The nuclear binding protein, cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) appears to be a transcription factor that is activated following injection of NPY into rat hypothalamus. To allow determination of the functional nature of CREB mediation of NPY-induced feeding, injection cannulae were implanted into the perifornical hypothalamus of 18 rats. Treatment of seven rats with CREB antisense oligonucleotide (15 ug) significantly antagonized NPY feeding for up to one week after treatment, while similar injections of CREB sense oligonucleotide (15 ug) had no significant effect on NPY-induced feeding. Two weeks after the antisense oligonucleotide treatment, feeding was once again elicited by the injection of NPY. Hypothalamic CREB protein was also reduced significantly two days after the CREB antisense oligonucleotide treatment. These results suggest that activation of CREB, probably through phosphorylation, may be a necessary event for the signal transduction of NPY stimulation into feeding behavior.
Induction of heme oxygenase in toxic renal injury: A protective role in cisplatin nephrotoxicity in the rat

Induction of heme oxygenase in toxic renal injury: A protective role in cisplatin nephrotoxicity in the rat. Cellular content of heme is regulated by heme oxygenase, the rate limiting enzyme in the degradation of heme. Induction of heme oxygenase is a protective response in an in vivo model of heme protein mediated renal injury, the glycerol model of acute renal failure. In addition to heme, heme oxygenase is induced by diverse forms of oxidative stress, the functional significance of which is currently unknown. We examined whether heme oxygenase is induced, and the functional significance of such induction, in two in vivo models of oxidant-induced toxic nephropathy, namely, cisplatin and gentamicin nephropathies; nephrotoxicity in these models is not dependent on the delivery of a burden of heme proteins to the kidney as occurs in the glycerol model. We demonstrate induction of heme oxygenase mRNA and protein in the kidney as early as 6 and 12 hours after a single dose of cisplatin (6 mg/kg i.v.). Pretreatment with tin protoporphyrin, a competitive inhibitor of heme oxygenase, led to higher serum creatinine values on days 3 through 5 and lower inulin clearances on day 5; tin protoporphyrin also exacerbated renal injury in this model. Renal hemodynamics studied at day 2 after cisplatin demonstrate reduced renal blood flow rates, increased renal vascular resistance and increased fractional excretion of sodium in rats treated with tin protoporphyrin. Tin protoporphyrin alone had no significant effect on serum creatinine and renal hemodynamics in rats with intact, disease-free kidneys. We confirmed that tin protoporphyrin prevented the increase in heme oxygenase activity induced by cisplatin. Induction of heme oxygenase by cisplatin was associated with increased kidney heme content and ferritin content. Induction of heme oxygenase, as measured by mRNA and protein content, also occurred in gentamicin nephropathy, though less than that observed in cisplatin nephropathy. Inhibition of heme oxygenase did not influence sequential serum creatinine determinations in gentamicin nephropathy, thus indicating heterogeneity in the functional significance of induction of heme oxygenase in oxidative stress. We conclude that the induction of heme oxygenase is a protective response in toxic nephropathy, specifically, in cisplatin nephropathy. Ferritin content is also increased by cisplatin, and by sequestering iron, may subserve a beneficial role in this model. Endogenous heme, released from heme proteins, is potentially toxic and may contribute to cisplatin nephrotoxicity.
The Genetics of Infertility: Current Status of the Field

Infertility is a relatively common health condition, affecting nearly 7 % of all couples. Clinically, it is a highly heterogeneous pathology with a complex etiology that includes environmental and genetic factors. It has been estimated that nearly 50 % of infertility cases are due to genetic defects. Hundreds of studies with animal knockout models convincingly showed infertility to be caused by gene defects, single or multiple. However, despite enormous efforts, progress in translating basic research findings into clinical studies has been challenging. The genetic causes remain unexplained for the vast majority of male or female infertility patients. A particular difficulty is the huge number of candidate genes to be studied; there are more than 2,300 genes expressed in the testis alone, and hundreds of those genes influence reproductive function in humans and could contribute to male infertility. At present, there are only a handful of genes or genetic defects that have been shown to cause, or to be strongly associated with, primary infertility. Yet, with completion of the human genome and progress in personalized medicine, the situation is rapidly changing. Indeed, there are 10–15 new gene tests, on average, being added to the clinical genetic testing list annually.
Microforge modifications useful for construction of micropipettes to record the response of single ionic channels from living cells.

Abstract A variety of microforge modifications which increase the flexibility and reliability of patch pipette construction are described.
Exploring the Parental Role in First-Year Students’ Emotional Well-Being: Considerations by Gender

AbstractDuring a time of growing parental involvement in the lives of college-going students, this study examines how interactions with parents relate to students’ sense of emotional well-being and how this varies by gender. Using longitudinal data on first-year college students at one institution, the study reveals the importance of both quality and quantity of student-parent interactions, and describes how this varies by the gender of the student and the parent.
The role of AgOAl species in silver–alumina catalysts for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with methane

Abstract We examined the role of silver and alumina in Ag–alumina catalysts for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO x by methane in gas streams containing excess oxygen. A cogelation technique was used to prepare Ag–alumina materials with high dispersion of silver even at high metal loadings (>10 wt%) and after air calcination at 650 °C. Typically, a part of silver is present as fine nanoparticles on the alumina, whereas another part is ionic, bound with the alumina as [Ag O Al] species. Dilute nitric acid leaching was used to remove the silver particles and all weakly bound silver from the surface of these materials. Complementary structural characterization was performed by HRTEM, XPS, XRD, and UV–vis DRS. We found that the higher the initial silver content, the higher the amount of the residual [Ag O Al] species after leaching. NO–O 2 -TPD tests identified that silver does not modify the surface properties of the alumina. The SCR reaction-relevant NO x adsorption takes place on alumina. Temperature-programmed surface reaction (TPSR) and kinetic measurements at steady state were used to check the reactivity of the adsorbed NO x species with methane and oxygen to form dinitrogen. Only the alumina-adsorbed nitrates react with CH 4 to produce N 2 in the presence of oxygen, beginning at ∼300 °C as found by TPSR. Moreover, the SCR reaction rates and apparent activation energies are the same for the leached and parent Ag–alumina catalysts. Thus, metallic silver nanoparticles are spectator species in CH 4 -SCR of NO x . These catalyze the direct oxidation of methane at temperatures as low as 300 °C, which explains the lower methane selectivity for the SCR reaction measured over the parent samples.
Regulation of the inducible soybean nitrate reductase isoform in mutants lacking constitutive isoform(s)

In soybean, three nitrate reductase isoforms have been identified based on metabolic regulation, substrate specificity, and kinetic parameters. Two isoforms have been termed constitutive, as their activities are present without the addition exogenous nitrate to soybean seedlings. The third activity is termed inducible, as its activity is present only when soybean plants have been supplied with nitrate. The purpose of this study was to examine the regulation of the inducible nitrate reductase isoform in soybean mutants lacking one or both of the constitutive isoforms. Based on evidence obtained through measurements of enzyme activity, Western blotting, and RNA determinations, the absence of one or both of the constitutive nitrate reductase isoforms has no effect on the metabolite regulation of the inducible nitrate reductase isoform.
Fluctuations of interactions and the peak spacings distribution in Coulomb blockade quantum dots

Abstract Experimental and theoretical investigations of the distribution of Coulomb blockade peak spacings in chaotic quantum dots have shown a significant deviation from the Wigner–Dyson distribution predicted by the constant interaction model. Recently we introduced a random interaction matrix model for chaotic or diffusive dots that describes the crossover of the peak spacing statistics from a Wigner–Dyson distribution to a Gaussian-like distribution. Here we use this model to study the dependence of the peak-spacing distributions on the underlying space-time symmetries of the one-body Hamiltonian, and in particular we compare the cases of conserved and broken time-reversal symmetry. We also study the dependence of the peak spacing fluctuations on disorder strength in diffusive dots using a standard tight-binding Hamiltonian with Coulomb interactions. The fluctuations are found to increase with disorder and can be related to the disorder-enhanced fluctuations of the interaction matrix elements.
Bayesian transformed models for small area estimation

Sample surveys are usually designed and analyzed to produce estimates for larger areas. However, sample sizes are often not large enough to give adequate precision for small area estimates of interest. To overcome such difficulties, borrowing strength from related small areas via modeling becomes an appropriate approach. In line with this, we propose hierarchical models with power transformations for improving the precision of small area predictions. The proposed methods are applied to satellite data in conjunction with survey data to estimate mean acreage under a specified crop for counties in Iowa
Regulation of Acid-Base Transport in the Rat Thick Ascending Limb

The thick ascending limb of the rat influences urinary net acid excretion by reabsorbing both bicarbonate and ammonium. The bicarbonate absorption is mediated predominantly by apical membrane Na + -H + exchange and occurs at rates that are comparable to or greater than rates measured in cortical and medullary collecting ducts. The ammonium absorption is mediated predominantly by apical membrane Na + -NH 4 + -2CI - cotransport and enhances urinary ammonium excretion by promoting countercurrent multiplication of ammonium, which facilitates ammonium secretion into medullary collecting ducts. Studies with medullary thick ascending limbs (MTAL) in vitro have shown that the regulation of these transport processes involves both acute responses to changes in the luminal and peritubular environment and adaptive changes in tubule transport capacity in response to chronic systemic acid-base perturbations. In particular, an increase in potassium concentration inhibits ammonium absorption with no effect on net bicarbonate absorption whereas vasopressin inhibits bicarbonate absorption with no effect on net ammonium absorption. Chronic metabolic acidosis causes an adaptive increase in the ability of the MTAL to reabsorb both bicarbonate and ammonium. These results demonstrate that the MTAL is a site of regulation of renal acid-base transport and that ammonium and bicarbonate transport rates can vary independently in this nephron segment.
A rapid spectrophotometric assay for catechol-O-methyltransferase.

Abstract A new assay technique for catechol- O -methyltransferase is described. 3,4-Dihydroxyacetophenone is used as the substrate for the assay and the products, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyacetophenone are detected spectrophotometrically at 344 nm in borate buffer, pH 10.0. This spectrophotometric procedure is simple, rapid, and inexpensive while retaining reasonably high sensitivity and precision.