cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-resolution spectra of cross phase modulation for an A/D converter

The spectral sub-structures of XPM were measured using a high resolution optical spectral analysis system. The observation is in good agreement with the theoretical prediction. The oscillatory behavior of the XPM spectrum is suggested to be used for a high-bit all-optical XPM A/D converter. With the advent of ultrashort laser sources, it has been established that a light pulse can be used to control the properties of its own or another light pulse by using optical nonlinear processes in a material. This important property can be utilized for the future generation of high-speed optical computations and communications. Over the past several years, the operation of ultrafast optical logic gated using picosecond Sagnac Kerr Interferometer switch and phase conjugation gates have been successfully demonstrated. The third order nonlinear process cross-phase-modulation (XPM), in which the phase of a weak signal pulse is modulated by the index change induced by a strong pump pulse to produce the spectral broadening, provides a novel method to modulated the frequency of optical pulses at THz speed. We propose the ultrafast all optical A/D converter using XPM and report on measurements on the fine spectral structures of the XPM spectra of picosecond laser pulses using high resolution grating spectral analysis system. The observed substructure of the oscillatory XPM spectrum is suggested to be used for increasing the accuracy of all optical XPM A/D converters.
Critical race-free low-power nand match line content addressable memory tagged cache memory

A low-power content addressable memory (CAM)-tagged microprocessor cache using dynamic hierarchical NAND match lines is presented, emphasising the timing impact on overall cache design. Low-capacitive clock loading and lower NAND CAM match line activity factor provide a total cache tag power dissipation savings of up to 64% over a conventional design with NOR match lines. The circuit design, operation and physical layout are described. Results measured on a 0.13-µm low standby power foundry process demonstrate 3.29 fJ/bit/search CAM tag energy at VDD=0.9 V and nearly 1 GHz operating frequency at VDD=1.75 V. The NAND match lines allow a completely critical race-free cache memory design, which improves robustness at high-scaled process technology nodes, while maintaining fast single-cycle access times.
Primary Sjogren's syndrome presenting as a case of isolated recurrent unilateral parotitis in a 12 year old

Abstract We describe a case of a 12 year old male presenting with recurrent unilateral parotitis who was found on diagnostic workup to have Sjogren's syndrome. We describe the presentation of Sjogren's syndrome in pediatric population and review the workup and diagnostic criteria.
WORK ENGAGEMENT: A QUANTITATIVE REVIEW AND TEST OF ITS RELATIONS WITH TASK AND CONTEXTUAL PERFORMANCE

Many researchers have concerns about work engagement's distinction from other constructs and its theoretical merit. The goals of this study were to identify an agreed-upon definition of engagement, to investigate its uniqueness, and to clarify its nomological network of constructs. Using a conceptual framework based on Macey and Schneider (2008; Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 1, 3–30), we found that engagement exhibits discriminant validity from, and criterion related validity over, job attitudes. We also found that engagement is related to several key antecedents and consequences. Finally, we used meta-analytic path modeling to test the role of engagement as a mediator of the relation between distal antecedents and job performance, finding support for our conceptual framework. In sum, our results suggest that work engagement is a useful construct that deserves further attention.
Comparative Study of Trichothecin, Amphotericin B, and 5-Fluorocytosine Against Cryptococcus neoformans In Vitro and In Vivo

Trichothecin (T-cin), amphotericin B (AB), and 5-fluorocytosine (FC) were compared singly and in combination for capacities to inhibit growth of Cryptococcus neoformans in culture and to protect mice bearing infections with this yeast. The minimum inhibitory concentrations for T-cin, AB, and FC were found to be 0.5, 0.2, and 5.0 μg/ml, respectively. In vitro viability studies demonstrated a marked reduction in colony counts with the AB-FC combination and additive effects with the AB–T-cin and FC–T-cin combinations for a 3-day period. In mice infected intravenously with C. neoformans , the mean effective dose for AB was 0.38 mg/kg, and for FC it was 100 mg/kg for a 30-day treatment period. No mean effective dose could be ascertained when T-cin was tested at doses of 0.1 to 50 mg/kg. Despite this, marked beneficial effects were noted in vivo with the AB–T-cin combination, whereas additive effects and indifference were observed for AB-FC and FC–T-cin combinations, respectively. High-dose T-cin controls survived despite having received a cumulative dosage of more than twice the reported (LD 50 ) mean lethal dose value.
Membrane-delimited Inhibition of Maxi-K Channel Activity by the Intermediate Conductance Ca2+-activated K Channel

The complexity of mammalian physiology requires a diverse array of ion channel proteins. This diversity extends even to a single family of channels. For example, the family of Ca2+-activated K channels contains three structural subfamilies characterized by small, intermediate, and large single channel conductances. Many cells and tissues, including neurons, vascular smooth muscle, endothelial cells, macrophages, and salivary glands express more than a single class of these channels, raising questions about their specific physiological roles. We demonstrate here a novel interaction between two types of Ca2+-activated K channels: maxi-K channels, encoded by the KCa1.1 gene, and IK1 channels (KCa3.1). In both native parotid acinar cells and in a heterologous expression system, activation of IK1 channels inhibits maxi-K activity. This interaction was independent of the mode of activation of the IK1 channels: direct application of Ca2+, muscarinic receptor stimulation, or by direct chemical activation of the IK1 channels. The IK1-induced inhibition of maxi-K activity occurred in small, cell-free membrane patches and was due to a reduction in the maxi-K channel open probability and not to a change in the single channel current level. These data suggest that IK1 channels inhibit maxi-K channel activity via a direct, membrane-delimited interaction between the channel proteins. A quantitative analysis indicates that each maxi-K channel may be surrounded by four IK1 channels and will be inhibited if any one of these IK1 channels opens. This novel, regulated inhibition of maxi-K channels by activation of IK1 adds to the complexity of the properties of these Ca2+-activated K channels and likely contributes to the diversity of their functional roles.
The Remainder Theorem and Its Application to Operational Calculus Techniques

The necessary procedure involved in the transition from the Laplace transformation to the solution of linear differential equations is summarized, and a particular form of partial-fraction expansion which may be advantageous in special cases is noted. The remainder theorem with regard to algebraic polynomials is restated, and it is shown how this theorem may be applied to the evaluation of high-degree polynomials for real and complex numbers. A numerical example is treated to illustrate application to a typical transfer function. Finally, the method is shown to be useful in the evaluation of the frequency response of such a transfer function.
Imaging Cancer-associated Motility and Remodeling by Temporal Statistics of OCT Signals

Optical coherence tomography provides spatially-localized heterodyne dynamic light scattering, which is used to monitor ATP-driven motions of cells and Brownian motions of plasmonic probe particles in 3D breast cancer tissue models.
Distribución y abundancia de larvas de langostino colorado Pleuroncodes monodon frente a la costa de Concepción, Chile

Se analiza la distribucion y abundancia de larvas de langostino colorado Pleuroncodes monodon capturadas en cuatro cruceros oceanograficos efectuados entre abril y diciembre de 1991, frente a la costa de Concepcion, Chile. Las muestras de zooplancton se obtuvieron en 15 estaciones oceanograficas, mediante pescas oblicuas con redes Bongo desde el fondo a superficie, con un maximo de 200 m de profundidad. En todos los cruceros realizados se observo la presencia de larvas de langostino, encontrandose la mayor abundancia en noviembre. Las mayores densidades de larvas se detectaron en aguas sobre la plataforma continental, particularmente en el norte del area de estudio. La biomasa zooplanctonica alcanzo valores maximos en abril y minimos en junio, registrandose las mayores densidades en aguas de la plataforma, en el norte y sur del area de estudio. La distribucion temporal de los distintos estados de desarrollo (zoeas y postlarvas), sugiere el desplazamiento desde la costa hacia el talud, a medida que avanza la metamorfosis larval. La distribucion vertical de las larvas mostro una preferencia de los estados de zoea por el estrato 0-25 m, mientras que las postlarvas se concentraron en el estrato 25-50 m. Bajo 50 m de profundidad, se observo una escasa cantidad de individuos.
Improved ion source stability using H 2 co-gas for fluoride based dopants

Fluoride based gases are commonly used in the ion implantation. Gases such as GeF 4 , SiF 4 use as pre-amorphization species and BF 3 is for high dose p-type BF 2 and 11Boron can be a productivity challenge for conventional ion implanters used for semi-conductor device applications. As device geometries continuously shrink, there is a trend to deliver higher beam currents at lower energies, with a corresponding reduction in particles and metal contamination.
Fully Reconfigurable Silicon Photonic Lattice Filters With Four Cascaded Unit Cells

We present a fully reconfigurable optical filter built by cascading four identical unit cells. The devices are fabricated using two distinct methods: a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) compatible process utilizes deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography with tuning elements defined by ion implantation to make lateral p-i-n diodes for current injection regions, while an electron beam (E-beam) lithography process uses nickel chrome (NiCr) heaters as tuning elements. The fabricated devices are characterized using swept optical vector network analyzer (OVNA) coherent measurements.
Changes in the optical properties of dental enamel at 1310 nm after demineralization

The first step towards the development of clinically useful optical diagnostic systems is achieving a fundamental understanding of how light propagates through the tooth. The optical properties of dental hard tissue needed to describe light propagation in those tissues have not been determined in the near-IR. Although it is well known that the overall magnitude of light scattering increases due to demineralization of tooth enamel and dentin, the specific nature of those changes, namely quantitative changes in the optical constants and the scattering phase function have not been determined. The objective of this study was to determine the changes in the optical constants and the scattering anisotropy of dental enamel after artificial demineralization at 1310-nm. During the caries process micropores are formed in the lesion due to partial dissolution of the individual mineral crystals. Such small pores are likely to behave as scattering centers, strongly scattering visible and near-IR light. In this study, demineralization increased the scattering coefficient more than two orders of magnitude at 1310-nm and the scattering due to the scattering centers (micropores) is highly forward directed.
Pharmacokinetics of ranitidine in patients with renal failure.

The pharmacokinetics of ranitidine were studied in ten patients with renal failure (creatinine clearance, 6-54 mL/min) after intravenous (IV) (50 mg) and oral doses (150 mg). After oral administration, peak plasma concentrations of 378-808 ng/mL were obtained in two to six hours. Plasma concentrations declined very slowly and concentrations greater than 100 ng/mL were obtained for 16 to 20 hours after the dose. The elimination half-life following oral administration was 8.5 +/- 2.8 hours (standard deviation [SD]), and the bioavailability of ranitidine was 43.3% +/- 10.5%. After IV administration, the elimination half-life, plasma clearance, renal clearance, and volume of distribution were 7.0 +/- 1.0 hours, 170 +/- 38 mL/min, 36.0 +/- 25.0 mL/min, and 1.3 +/- 0.4 L/kg, respectively. About 20% of the IV dose and 9% of the oral dose were recovered unchanged in urine. There was a significant correlation between the renal clearance of ranitidine and creatinine clearance (r = .74, P less than .05) after IV administration. The elimination half-life in patients with renal insufficiency is about three times greater than that reported in the literature for healthy subjects. Similarly, the plasma clearance in these patients is about 20% of that reported in healthy subjects. The results indicate that ranitidine elimination is appreciably reduced in renal failure and that an adjustment of dose in patients with renal failure is warranted. A dose of 75 mg bid may be adequate in maintaining the therapeutic plasma concentrations that are required for adequate H2-blocking activity.
Modeling of piezoelectric-based Lamb wave generation and sensing for structural health monitoring

Among the various schemes being considered for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), Lamb-wave testing has shown great promise. While Lamb-wave testing using hand-held transducers for Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE) is a well-established technology, Lamb-wave testing for SHM using surface-bonded/embedded piezos is a relatively new field. Little effort has been made towards a precise characterization of Lamb-wave excitation using piezos and often the various parameters involved are chosen without mathematical foundation. In this work, modeling of transient plane and circular-crested Lamb-wave generation and sensing using surface-bonded piezos in isotropic plates based on the 3-D linear elasticity equations is explored. Equations for the output voltage response of surface-bonded piezo-sensors in Lamb-wave fields are presented and optimization of the actuator/sensor geometry and materials is done based on those. Finally, numerical and experimental results to examine the validity of these models are discussed.
Tympanic and extratympanic sound transmission in the leopard frog.

The inner ear of the leopard frog,Rana pipiens, receives sound via two separate pathways: the tympanic-columellar pathway and an extratympanic route. The relative efficiency of the two pathways was investigated. Laser interferometry measurements of tympanic vibration induced by free-field acoustic stimulation reveal a broadly tuned response with maximal vibration at 800 and 1500 Hz. Vibrational amplitude falls off rapidly above and below these frequencies so that above 2 kHz and below 300 Hz tympanic vibration is severely reduced. Electrophysiological measurements of the thresholds of single eighth cranial nerve fibers from both the amphibian and basilar papillae in response to pure tones were made in such a way that the relative efficiency of tympanic and extratympanic transmission could be assessed for each fiber. Thresholds for the two routes are very similar up to 1.0 kHz, above which tympanic transmission eventually becomes more efficient by 15–20 dB. By varying the relative phase of the two modes of stimulation, a reduction of the eighth nerve response can be achieved. When considered together, the measurements of tympanic vibration and the measurements of tympanic and extratympanic transmission thresholds suggest that under normal conditions in this species (1) below 300 Hz extratympanic sound transmission is the main source of inner ear stimulation; (2) for most of the basilar papilla frequency range (i.e., above 1.2 kHz) tympanic transmission is more important; and (3) both routes contribute to the stimulation of amphibian papilla fibers tuned between those points. Thus acoustic excitation of the an uran's inner ear depends on a complex interac tion between tympanic and extratympanic sound transmission.
Dosage compensation and dietary glucose repression of larval amylase activity in Drosophila miranda.

The functional locus for α-amylase (Amy) inDrosophila miranda is in the evolutionarily new X2 chromosome. X2 evolved from an autosome in response to an ancestral autosome-Y translocation that gave rise to the “neo-Y” chromosome of this species. Y-linkedAmy, if still present in the ancestrally translocated element, is unexpressed. Dosage compensation for amylase activity was examined in larvae of the S 204 strain. Since dietary glucose is known to repressAmy expression inDrosophila melanogaster, dosage compensation of amylase activity in male larvae ofD. miranda was tested by rearing larvae of both sexes on yeast diets with or without a glucose supplement. The WT 10 strain ofDrosophila persimilis, a sibling species in whichAmy is autosomally linked, was used as a reference for tests of amylase activity differences between the sexes. On the diet with glucose,Amy expression was repressed in both WT 10 and S 204 larvae and male larvae of S 204 displayed dosage compensation for amylase activity. On the nonrepressing diet consisting of yeast alone, S 204 continued to display dosage compensation.
Fully-Developed Laminar Flow in Sinusoidal Grooves

The flow of a constant property fluid through a sinusoidal groove has been analyzed. A numerical solution of the conservation of mass and momentum equations for fully developed flow is presented. The mean velocity, volumetric flow rate, and Poiseuille number are presented as functions of the groove geometry, meniscus contact angle, and shear stress at the liquid-vapor interface
Prognostic significance of elevated serum β2-microglobulin levels in adult acute lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract purpose: Elevated serum beta-2 microglobulin (β2M) levels are associated with poor prognosis in several lymphoproliferative disorders including multiple myeloma and lymphoma. Their prognostic relevance in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is unknown. We analyzed the associations of serum β2M levels at diagnosis with pretreatment characteristics and with prognosis in adult ALL. patients and methods: One hundred fiftynine adults with newly diagnosed ALL were investigated. Serum β2M levels were determined at diagnosis, on fresh peripheral blood samples, using a radioimmunoassay, the Pharmacia β2 Micro RIA (Pharmacia Diagnostics, Uppsala, Sweden). Statistical correlations were assessed by standard methods, and further independent prognostic value of serum β2M was determined by multivariate analysis. results: Patients with β2M levels of 4.0 mg/L or above had a lower complete response rate (61% versus 80%; p=0.02), a significantly worse survival (p conclusion: Monitoring serum β2M levels may provide significant prognostic information in adults with ALL and should be included in their pretreatment evaluation. Its importance in childhood ALL requires investigation.
Decrease of Venous Return Caused by Right Atrial Pulsation

Over 250 records were made in 15 dogs to show the effect of artificially induced right atrial pressure pulsations on venous return. In not a single instance did the induced pulsations increase venous return, but often it decreased venous return. On the other hand, a very slight decrease in mean right atrial pressure down to the pressure level that the veins collapse completely was shown to increase venous return markedly. These experiments indicate that the benefit to venous return which results from rhythmic cardiac or respiratory suction is caused by a decrease in mean right atrial pressure.
A material scientist's view of complementary or alternate medicine

Abstract Living biological systems constitute a special and important component of the material world. As such, they offer an open challenge to those involved in developing the science of materials. The current interest in ‘alternative’ or ‘complementary’ medicine is used as the basis for emphasizing some of the special attributes of the biological domain.
Water intake following capture and deprivation in southwestern rodents

Unrestricted and time restricted water intake were compared in eight species of rodents for 200 days. Intake in either condition appeared to be related to water needs in nature. Intake following restricted periods was similar to intake following capture, suggesting that relative deprivation is a cause of high water intake in newly captive rodents.
Thermally activated sweep-rate dependence of magnetic switching field in nanostructured current-perpendicular spin-valves

Abstract We report on the thermal-activation nature of magnetic switching in magnetic nanostructures, using the junction magnetoresistance of a current-perpendicular magnetic spin-valve device as a probe. A spin-valve junction structure was fabricated using electron-beam lithography. A sweep-rate-dependent magnetic switching field was obtained in the quasi-static limit. Results confirm the predictions of a single-domain thermal activation model. The scaling relation between the magnetic field sweep rate, the magnetic switching field, and the sample size is verified for sample dimensions of 0.1×0.2 μm 2 .
Dynamics of photochemical electron injection and efficiency of electron transport in DNA

The dynamics of electron injection and quantum yields for photoinduced dehalogenation have been investigated in a series of DNA hairpins possessing an aminopyrene capping group. Aminopyrene serves as an electron donor and is separated from a bromo- or iodoracil electron trap by 1 to 7 A-T base pairs. Broad band femtosecond transient absorption spectra and fluorescence quantum yield measurements are indicative of rapid and efficient charge separation. The resulting charge-separated state decays predominantly via charge recombination on the picosecond time scale. Steady-state irradiation in the presence of 0.1 M i-PrOH results in loss of halogen and conversion of the halouracil-containing conjugates to the corresponding uracil-containing conjugates in high yield. Dehalogenation occurs via a multistep mechanisms consisting of electron injection, electron transport to the halouracil, loss of halide, and trapping of the uracilyl radical. Quantum yields for product formation decrease by a factor of 2 for each a...
Combined ethanol injection therapy and radiofrequency ablation therapy in percutaneous treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma larger than 4 cm.

Optimal treatment of large-sized hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still debated, because percutaneous ablation therapies alone do not always achieve complete necrosis. To report our experience in the treatment of patients with HCC larger than 4 cm in diameter by combined percutaneous ethanol injection and radiofrequency thermal ablation. In a 5-year period there were 40 consecutive patients meeting the inclusion criteria (24 men and 16 women; age range 41–72 years, mean 58 years). These subjects had a single HCC larger than 4 cm. Twelve subjects also had one or two additional nodules smaller than 4 cm (mean 1.2 nodules per patient). Patients were submitted to one to three sessions consisting of ethanol injection at two opposite tumor poles (mean 12 ml) and then of radiofrequency application through one or two electrodes placed at the tumor center (mean treatment duration 30 min). Complete necrosis was obtained in all cases with one to three sessions (mean 1.3 sessions per patient). All patients experienced pain and fever but one only subject had a major complication requiring treatment (abscess development and fistulization). Overall follow-up was 7–69 months. Two patients showed local recurrence and 9 developed new etherotopic HCC nodules. Seven subjects died during follow-up while 33 were free from recurrence 8–69 months after treatment. A combination of ethanol injection and radiofrequency ablation is effective in the treatment of large HCC.
Estimation of Regressions Involving Logarithmic Transformation of Zero Values in the Dependent Variable

In regression analysis, the observed values are often transformed into logarithmic values. How-ever, when some of the original values are zero, their logarithmic values are negative infinity, and thus cause difficulty in estimating the parameters of the regression. The problem arises frequently in empirical studies of the earninlgs function wYhich use the logarithmic values of earnings as the dependent variable, e.g., [1]. In order to overcome this difficulty, some studies simply discard the corresponding observations. Discarding part of the observations seems to be unappealing, since the available data do not seema to be fully utilized. Thus, others attempt to include these observations by arbitrarily setting the log-value of the dependent variable to be zero, wTith perhaps a dummy variable to indicate such a treatment for particular observations, e.g., t2]. Neither of these approaches has been based on rigorous argument or reasonable justification. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that, for practical purposes, the former procedure appears to be more appropriate than the latter. We shall also examine the relationship betwveen the estimated values of the parameters obtained by these two approaches. Consider a simple function in the form of
Dependability evaluation using composed SAN-based reward models

Abstract Dependability evaluation is an important, but difficult, aspect of the design of fault-tolerant parallel and distributed computing systems. One possible technique is to use Markov models but, if applied directly to realistic designs, this often results in large and intractable models. Many authors have investigated methods to avoid this explosive state-space growth, but have typically either solved the problem for a specific system design, or required manipulation of the model at the state-space level. Stochastic activity networks (SANs), a stochastic extension of Petri nets, together with recently developed reduced base model construction techniques, have the potential to avoid this state-space growth at the SAN level for many parallel and distributed systems. This paper investigates this claim by considering their application to three different systems: a fault-tolerant parallel computing system, a distributed database architecture, and a multiprocessor-multimemory system. We show that this method does indeed result in tractable Markov models for these systems, and argue that it can be applied to the dependability evaluation of many parallel and distributed systems.
Two-stage quadratic integer programs with stochastic right-hand sides

We consider two-stage quadratic integer programs with stochastic right-hand sides, and present an equivalent reformulation using value functions. We propose a two-phase solution approach. The first phase constructs value functions of quadratic integer programs in both stages. The second phase solves the reformulation using a global branch-and-bound algorithm or a level-set approach. We derive some basic properties of value functions of quadratic integer programs and utilize them in our algorithms. We show that our approach can solve instances whose extensive forms are hundreds of orders of magnitude larger than the largest quadratic integer programming instances solved in the literature.
Suing Media for Libel: A Litigation Study

This article summarizes the results of a study of 291 reported cases brought against media for libel during a four-year period. The results confirmed the finding in an earlier study that only 5 percent of plaintiffs emerged from the appellate process with judgments compared with more than 60 percent of defendants. Most of the defense successes occurred without trial. In cases that did reach trial, plaintiffs were successful far more often before juries than before judges but lost more than half these judgments on appeal. Cases were analyzed in terms of the identity of the parties, the content of the charges, and the role of state and federal law in shaping the outcome. Despite the recent attention to federal constitutional protections, it is clear that media defendants still do, and must, rely heavily on state law defenses. Finally, the Hutchinson and Wolston rulings of 1979 produced little change in appellate decisions.
Nephritogenicity of proteoglycans. III. Mechanism of immune deposit formation

Nephritogenicity of proteoglycans. III. Mechanism of immune deposit formation. Administration of antibody, directed against glomerular basement membrane (GBM) heparan sulfate-proteoglycan, into a presensitized rat results in the induction of membranous nephropathy with subepithelial immune-complex deposits. In this investigation, we examined the mechanisms responsible for the formation of subepithelial immune-complex deposits in the anti-HS-PG model. In initial experiments, the intravenously administered radioiodinated antibody was seen exclusively localized in the regions of the glomerular capillary wall where the subepithelial deposits were observed. To determine their exclusive localization in the subepithelial space, kinetics of movement of the intravenously administered antibody was investigated. The antibody localized in the inner layers of the GBM within a few minutes after its administration. It equilibrated in the inner and outer layers of the GBM in a matter of a few hours. Then, after 24 hours, it gradually disappeared from the inner layers of the GBM and persisted in the outer layers only. The ready clearance of the antibody from the inner layers may be related to the differential in the kinetics of lateral intrinsic plasma fluid currents within the GBM. The persistence of heterologous antibody exclusively in the outer layers and the availability of host autologous antibodies probably resulted in the development of immune complex deposits in the subepithelial space. The glomeruli devoid of plasma water currents showed no change in the concentration of the antibody in the inner and outer layers of the GBM or mesangial matrix. Also, no antibody binding was observed with the plasmalemma of either the foot processes or visceral epithelia. The data suggest that the biochemical-biophysical properties of the glomerular capillary wall, in concert with its intraglomerular hemodynamics, most likely played a significant role in the development of subepithelial immune-complex deposits in this model.
Results of Surgical Lysis of Lumbar Adhesive Arachnoiditis

From a series of 681 patients with lumbar disc disease treated between 1966 and 1978, 17 patients required surgical lysis of lumbar adhesive arachnoiditis, 8 having initially been operated upon by another surgeon. All patients had severe pain as a predominant feature, with pain being bilateral in 9 patients. Pain was the only major symptom in 3; the other 14 exhibited varying combinations of progressive neurological dysfunction. Three patients developed late symptoms after trauma, 8 to 21 years after back surgery. At operation, multisegmental arachnoiditis was found in 5 patients and anular or subtotal adhesions were found in 12. Complete lysis could not be obtained in 4 patients. Fourteen patients were treated with steroids at the time of operation. Follow-up after lysis was less than 1 year for 5 patients but averaged 4.8 years for the remaining 12. During the 1st year after operation, 76% experienced improvement in pain (35%, good to excellent), 71% experienced improvement in neurological status. Follow-up after at least 1 year revealed 50% still enjoying pain relief (25%, good to excellent) and 45% experiencing neurological improvement. Pain relief persisted in 4 of 5 patients followed 5 years or more. The etiological role of myelograpy and lumbar disc surgery in arachnoiditis has probably been over-rated. Arachnoiditis may be symptomatic or asymptomatic and may mask other, treatable lumbar lesions. More frequent intradural exploration for discrepancies between operative and myelographic findings might reveal, and benefit, more cases of spontaneous arachnoiditis mimicking lumbar disc disease.
Clinical reasoning: a 55-year-old man with weight loss, ataxia, and foot drop.

A 55-year-old man with prior alcohol abuse and an 80 pack-year smoking history was referred for evaluation of a 3-month history of subacute-onset, progressively worsening imbalance without back pain. He began using a cane to ambulate after multiple falls. He also described recent right foot weakness, numbness in his feet and fingertips, and unintentional 25-pound weight loss over the past year. His medical history was significant for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, diverticulitis, and pelvic abscesses. A paternal grandfather had lung cancer. He reported a remote history of IV drug use. General examination revealed cachexia. Neurologic examination findings were complex. Gait examination revealed severe ataxia, a high steppage gait on the right, and a positive Romberg sign. The total ataxia score using the Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (higher scores indicate increased severity)1 was 14/40, including gait, 5/8; stance, 4/6; sitting, 1/4; speech disturbance, 0/4; finger chase, 0/4; nose-finger test, 0/4; fast alternating hand movements, 2/4; and heel-shin slide, 2/4. Nystagmus was not present. Strength testing revealed hip and knee flexion weakness bilaterally (grade 4/5) and severe (grade 2/5) weakness of right ankle dorsiflexion and eversion but preserved inversion strength. Reflexes were brisk in the upper extremities and normal in the lower extremities and plantar responses were flexor. Sensory testing revealed absent lower extremity vibration, absent joint position at the toes, and reduced pinprick in the feet without a sensory level. Initial laboratory testing revealed a hemoglobin of 9.3 g/dL (normal range 13.5–17.5).
Validation of High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Methods for Analysis of Sustained-Release Preparations Containing Nitroglycerin, Isosorbide Dinitrate, or Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate

The assay of sustained-release tablets or capsules containing nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, or pentaerythritol tetranitrate by high-performance liquid chromatography is described. Acetonitrile was found to be the sample preparation solvent with the most general applicability to these products. Anisole was used as an internal standard for nitroglycerin and pentaerythritol tetranitrate, while 4-chloroacetanilide was used for isosorbide dinitrate. The method, which uses a C18 bonded-phase column, a methanol-water mobile phase, and 214-nm detection, was shown to be accurate, linear, and reproducible.
Synthesis and characterization of poly(N-acyl or N-aroyl ethylenimines) containing various pendant functional groups. IV. Poly (N-aroylethylenimines) with allyloxy and 3-hydroxy propyloxy groups

4-Allyloxy phenyl oxazoline was polymerized using methyl 4-nitrobenzene sulfonate as an initiator (M/I = 100/1) in o-dichlorobenzene. The olefin group in the resulting polymer, PAPO, was quantitatively transformed to a (SINGLE BOND)CH2 (SINGLE BOND)CH2 (SINGLE BOND)OH group by (1) hydroborating the olefin group using 9-BBN as a hydroborating agent in CHCl3/THF, and (2) oxidizing the hydroborated polymer. The polymer backbone is very stable in the hydroboration and oxidation environment. Both PAPO and the hydroxylated polymer, PAPO-OH, are crystalline and show birefringence. The PAPO-OH polymer crystallizes slowly due to its bulky side chain and strong interference of hydroxyl group with the packing of polymer molecules. However, once the polymer crystallizes, the side chains are extended and the (SINGLE BOND)OH groups do not hydrogen bond with the carbonyl groups in the polymer backbone. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
On the Potential Functions used in Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Ion Channels

The determination of the structure of the KcsA K+ channel represents an extraordinary opportunity for understanding biological ion channels at the atomic level. In principle, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations based on detailed atomic models can complement the experimental data and help to characterize the microscopic factors that ultimately determine the permeation of ions through KcsA. A number of MD studies, broadly aimed at analyzing the dynamical motions of water molecules and ions in the KcsA channel, have now been reported (Guidoni et al., 1999; Allen et al., 1999; Shrivastava and Sansom, 2000; Aqvist and Luzhkov, 2000; Berneche and Roux, 2000; Biggin et al., 2001; Luzhkov and Aqvist, 2001; Crouzy et al., 2001).
Study on Partial Degradation Operation Modes of VRB-ESS

Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRB) holds unique characteristic as the power and capacity of the physical structure of independent design, which determines VRB different from other battery types in operating characteristics by taking unique operation modes under the circumstance of module degradation or failure in some cases. Paper focuses on how to ride through the case of VRB system with partial degradation or failure during the normal operational conditions, launched a comprehensive experimental study and theoretical analysis. The paper analyzes several situations from the point of view of the battery physical components which should lead VRB system partial failed, and simulated the battery partial degradation or failure by experimental means, and carried out two operation modes to respond to different partial failure situations, which including the use of lower rated power and the use of times rated power. Study proved that those two modes operated in the case of VRB partial failure conditions, has no significant effect to VRB Energy Storage System (ESS) efficiency, as well as be helpful to improve a higher reliability of VRB energy storage system. This paper takes the lead in studying the operational characteristics of VRB- ESS from the angle of partial degradation or failure conditions, which has practical engineering significance for developing VRB -ESS demonstration.
The insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) in human breast cancer

Several lines of evidence suggest that IGFs are important regulators of breast cancer cell growth. Unlike other growth factors, the IGFs interact with specific binding proteins in all extracellular fluids. To date, six different IGFBPs have been cloned, although their exact physiological function is not understood. Experimental evidence accumulated over the past few years suggests that IGFBPs could function as modulators of IGF actions in a variety of systems. This includes breast cancer, since several groups have demonstrated the production of IGFBPs by human breast cancer cells. We have found that the pattern of expression of these binding proteins is heterogeneous and varies depending on the breast cancer cell ER status. We have also shown that estrogen is capable of regulating the expression of certain IGFBPs in MCF-7 cells. Specifically, estradiol enhanced the expression of IGFBP 2, 4, and 5, and decreased that of IGFBP-3 in this cell line. Since the IGFBPs can modulate IGF actions in different experimental systems, we and others have studied their potential role as inhibitors of IGF-induced mitogenesis in breast cancer cells. We have demonstrated that purified IGFBP-1 neutralized IGF-dependent growth of MCF-7 cells in a reversible manner. These results suggest that the IGFBPs might be used to inhibit IGF-mediated breast cancer proliferation.
Artificial Muscle Material with Fast Electroactuation under Neutral pH Conditions

A novel artificial muscle material based on an acrylic acid/acrylamide hydrogel blended with a conductive polypyrrole/carbon black composite was prepared. The material was optimized in terms of its electroactuation response by varying the acrylic acid content, the blending concentration of the conductive composite, and the intensity of the electric field. The artificial muscle material showed a fast and reversible electroactuation when a low potential was applied. Further, the artificial muscle was incorporated into a microfabricated pumping device that exhibited reproducible flow rates, thus demonstrating its potential usefulness in bio-micro-electro−mechanical systems (BioMEMS) applications.
Development of XAFS theory.

A major goal of theoretical simulations of X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) is to provide calculations for the interpretation and analysis of experimental data in terms of geometrical and electronic information. The extended region or EXAFS (50–2000 eV above an absorption edge) contains geometric information about the pair distribution function, i.e. distances to the nearest neighbors and their orientation. The theory of EXAFS is now well understood and has been recently reviewed [Rehr & Albers (2000). Rev. Mod. Phys. 72, 621–654]. The near-edge region (0–50 eV above the edge) or X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) probes the states just above the Fermi level, and contains important electronic information, e.g. the electronic density of states (DOS). This data can be used to obtain the number of electrons or holes in the electronic configuration and spin and orbital moments on a particular atom via sum rules. XANES calculations with our ab initio code FEFF8 [Ankudinov et al. (1998). Phys. Rev. B, 58, 7565–7576] usually give semi-quantitative agreement with experiment, and permits the interpretation of XANES in terms of DOS. However, fully quantitative calculations remain a challenge. Several effects still need to be considered to treat the XANES region. These include non-spherical parts of the scattering potential and many-body effects such as multi-electron excitations, core-hole effects and local field effects (screening of the X-ray field).
A neural network approach for early detection of program modules having high risk in the maintenance phase

Abstract A neural network model is developed to classify program modules as either high or low risk based on multiple criterion variables. The inputs to the model include a selection of software complexity metrics collected from a telecommunications system. Two criterion variables are used for class determination: the number of changes to enhance the program modules, and the number of changes required to remove faults from the modules. The data were deliberately biased to magnify differences in metrics values between the discriminant groups. The technique displayed a low classification error rate. This success, and the absence of the data assumptions typical of statistical techniques, demonstrate the utility of neural networks in isolating high-risk modules where class determination is based on multiple quality metrics.
Widefield in vivo spectral and fluorescence imaging microscopy of microvessel blood supply and oxygenation

Abnormal microvascular function and angiogenesis are key components of various diseases that can contribute to the perpetuation of the disease. Several skin diseases and ophthalmic pathologies are characterized by hypervascularity, and in cancer the microvasculature of tumors is structurally and functionally abnormal. Thus, the microvasculature can be an important target for treatment of diseases characterized by abnormal microvasculature. Motivated largely by cancer research, significant effort has been devoted to research on drugs that target the microvasculature. Several vascular targeting drugs for cancer therapy are in clinical trials and approved for clinical use, and several off-label uses of these drugs have been reported for non-cancer diseases. The ability to image and measure parameters related to microvessel function preclinically in laboratory animals can be useful for development and comparison of vascular targeting drugs. For example, blood supply time measurements give information related to microvessel morphology and can be measured with first-pass fluorescence imaging. Hemoglobin saturation measurements give an indication of microvessel oxygen transport and can be measured with spectral imaging. While each measurement individually gives some information regarding microvessel function, the measurements together may yield even more information since theoretically microvessel morphology can influence microvessel oxygenation, especially in metabolically active tissue like tumors. However, these measurements have not yet been combined. In this study, we report the combination of blood supply time imaging and hemoglobin saturation imaging of microvessel networks in tumors using widefield fluorescence and spectral imaging, respectively. The correlation between the measurements in a mouse mammary tumor is analyzed.
Defense suppression by virulence effectors of bacterial phytopathogens

Phytopathogenic bacteria and plants are locked in molecular struggles that determine the outcome of an infection. Bacteria make effector molecules that can induce defenses if recognized by specific host resistance (R) proteins. In susceptible hosts, however, effectors frequently promote virulence by suppressing host defenses. Defense-inducing and defense-suppressing activities are often related, as virulence-associated host modifications can elicit R protein activation. Thus, understanding of how an effector elicits defenses can translate into understanding of how it promotes virulence and vice versa. To control host cell functions, such as defense gene expression and vesicle trafficking, effectors use various biochemical activities, including protein modification, transcriptional regulation, and hormone mimicry. Progress with individual effectors will lead to an integrated view of how the activities of a collection of effectors intersect with genetically variable host plants to regulate susceptibility and resistance.
Cell-cell communication significantly decreases thermal noise limits for electromagnetic bioeffects

The thermal noise threshold at biological membranes for electromagnetic field (EMF) effects is considered. Increased EMF sensitivity occurs when cells are connected by gap junctions (short circuits) in a tissue structure. A distributed parameter electrical model represents this cell array structure and shows the transmembrane voltage to thermal noise ratio increases by a maximum factor of 103 as array length progresses from 10 μm (single cell) to a physiologically relevant length of 1 mm. Maximal spatial amplification occurs at much lower frequencies than for the corresponding single cell. This places the EMF sensitivity of the target well within the frequency range of environmental sources, and provides new guidelines for improved therapeutic signals.
Microstructural transformations and mechanical properties of cast NiAl bronze: Effects of fusion welding and friction stir processing

A plate of as-cast NiAl bronze (NAB) material was sectioned from a large casting. A six-pass fusion weld overlay was placed in a machined groove; a portion of the weld reinforcement was removed by milling and a single friction stir processing (FSP) pass was conducted in a direction transverse to the axis of and over the weld overlay. A procedure was developed for machining of miniature tensile samples and the distributions of strength and ductility were evaluated for the fusion weld metal; for the stir zone (SZ) produced by the friction stir processing; and for a region wherein friction stir processing had taken place over the fusion weld. A region of low ductility in the heat affected zone (HAZ) of the fusion weld and in the thermomechanically affected zone (TMAZ) of friction stir processed material was attributed to partial reversion of an equilibrium lamellar eutectoid constituent upon local heating above ∼800 °C and formation of non-equilibrium transformation products upon subsequent cooling. The adverse effect on ductility is worse in the heat affected zone of the fusion weld than in the thermomechanically affected zone of friction stir processing due to the lower heat input of the latter process. The implications of this work to engineering applications of friction stir processing are discussed.