cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interventions to Support Family Caregivers in Pain Management: A Systematic Review.

Abstract Context Family caregivers encounter many challenges when managing pain for their loved ones. There is a lack of clear recommendations on how to prepare caregivers in pain management. Objectives To evaluate existing interventions that support family caregivers in providing pain management to patients with all disease types. Methods Four electronic databases were systematically searched (PubMed, Cumulative Index for Nursing Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, and Scopus) using index and keyword methods for articles published before December 2019. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess the quality. Results The search identified 6851 studies, and 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. Only two studies exclusively focused on noncancer populations (8%). Three types of interventions were identified in this review: educational interventions, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and technology-based interventions. Both educational and cognitive-behavioral interventions improved family caregiver and patient outcomes, but the content and intensity of these interventions in these studies varied widely, and there was a limited number of randomized clinical trials (68%). Hence, it is unclear what strategies are most effective to prepare family caregivers in pain management. Technology-based interventions were feasible to support family caregivers in providing pain management. Conclusion Providing adequate pain management training can improve patient and family caregiver outcomes. However, the most effective interventions for family caregivers are still unclear. More rigorous and replicable clinical trials are needed to examine the effects of educational interventions, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and technology-based interventions. Also, more studies are needed in patients with a noncancer diagnosis or multimorbidity.
Evaluation and updates to the Leggett model for pharmacokinetic modeling of exposure to lead in the workplace - Part I adjustments to the adult systemic model.

California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health has initiated a process to update its standards for exposure to lead in workplaces. In support of this effort, the state’s Office of Environm...
Tricuspid annulus cinching force under pulmonary hypertensive right ventricle conditions: An ex vivo study.

Abstract This study investigates the force required to reduce or “cinch” the tricuspid annulus under elevated right ventricular pressures, commonly seen in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Tricuspid regurgitation affects 1.6 million Americans. Approximately 43% of patients who undergo tricuspid valve repair to correct tricuspid regurgitation will develop residual pulmonary hypertension, putting them at risk for developing increased right ventricle pressures. Previous studies have quantified the forces required to cinch the tricuspid annulus by only pressurizing the right ventricle, leaving out forces from the pressurized left ventricle and septal wall unaccounted for. This study pressurized both left and right ventricles of 10 porcine hearts to their normal physiological pressures of 110 mmHg and 30 mmHg respectively, then increased right ventricular pressures to mimic moderate and severe pulmonary hypertension. A suture was anchored around the free wall of the tricuspid annulus with the free end attached to a force transducer. The force transducer was mounted on a slider system which pulled the suture at regular intervals. The cinching force on the tricuspid annulus was quantified with each annular reduction by simulating peak systole condition in both ventricles. The data was compared with only the right ventricle pressurized as previous studies did. There were significant differences in required cinching forces with each increase in right ventricular pressure and between trials that pressurized both ventricles versus only the right ventricle, suggesting adoption of this physiologically improved protocol. We also found with increased cinching of the tricuspid annulus, notable changes occur in the mitral annulus.
Exceptional behaviour without exceptional effort

The adiabatic encirclement of exceptional points in non-Hermitian systems is known to produce surprising non-adiabatic effects. A new study finds a cheat code to exactly emulate this behaviour without ever having to produce an exceptional point.
Garbage Citizenship: Vital Infrastructures of Labor in Dakar, Senegal: By Rosalind Fredericks

Fredericks, Rosalind. Garbage Citizenship: Vital Infrastructure of Labor in Dakar, Senegal. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2018.
Functional Periodicity, “Function Clock,” and “Solar Time Clock” in Design

Some systems are designed to perform the same set of functions cyclically and repeatedly. These systems have “functional periodicity.” The best-known system with “functional periodicity” is a biological cell. A cell divides into two identical cells through mitosis, which involves five sequential phase transitions: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. These transitions occur when the cell is ready for phase change rather than after a fixed time delay. Similarly, in engineered systems such as the “track machine” used in manufacturing semiconductor chips, functional periodicity can be introduced to the system to improve the reliability of the manufacturing system and overcome inevitable variations of processing times. The time duration of the functional period may vary from cycle to cycle for a variety of reasons.
Social, Occupational, and Spatial Exposures and Mental Health Disparities of Working-Class Latinas in the US

Grounded in ecosocial theory, this paper discusses the mental health disparities of working-class Latinas from multiple perspectives. An overview of working-class Latinas’ prevalent mental health disorders, barriers to care and suggestions for interventions and future studies are provided.
Some Remarks on a Theorem of Dynkin

In [1], Dynkin gave a very simple proof of Nagasawa s theorem (see [3] or [4]) and its generalization [2]. His proof is based on a simple general result on measurable flows (see [1], Theorems 1 and 2). Unfortunately in the application to Nagasawa’s theorem in section 3, there is a measurability difficulty. This is hinted at in the footnote on page 616 of [1]. The purpose of this note is to correct this difficulty and to prove a theorem that shows that there really is a measurability problem that must be addressed. We use the notation of [1] without special mention.
A Ca2+-activated Cl− conductance in interstitial cells of Cajal linked to slow wave currents and pacemaker activity

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are unique cells that generate electrical pacemaker activity in gastrointestinal (GI) muscles. Many previous studies have attempted to characterize the conductances responsible for pacemaker current and slow waves in the GI tract, but the precise mechanism of electrical rhythmicity is still debated. We used a new transgenic mouse with a bright green fluorescent protein (copGFP) constitutively expressed in ICC to facilitate study of these cells in mixed cell dispersions. We found that ICC express a specialized ‘slow wave’ current. Reversal of tail current analysis showed this current was due to a Cl− selective conductance. ICC express ANO1, a Ca2+-activated Cl− channel. Slow wave currents are not voltage dependent, but a secondary voltage-dependent process underlies activation of these currents. Removal of extracellular Ca2+, replacement of Ca2+ with Ba2+, or extracellular Ni2+ (30 μm) blocked the slow wave current. Single Ca2+-activated Cl− channels with a unitary conductance of 7.8 pS were resolved in excised patches of ICC. These are similar in conductance to ANO1 channels (8 pS) expressed in HEK293 cells. Slow wave current was blocked in a concentration-dependent manner by niflumic acid (IC50= 4.8 μm). Slow wave currents are associated with transient depolarizations of ICC in current clamp, and these events were blocked by niflumic acid. These findings demonstrate a role for a Ca2+-activated Cl− conductance in slow wave current in ICC and are consistent with the idea that ANO1 participates in pacemaker activity.
The Long Baby Boom: An Optimistic Vision for a Graying Generation, by Jeff Goldsmith

Those educators, practitioners, and observers of society who are weary of the gloomy prediction of an inevitable negative economic impact of the advancing baby boomers will appreciate Jeff Goldsmit...
Broca's area network in language function: a pooling-data connectivity study.

Background and Objective. Modern neuroimaging developments have demonstrated that cognitive functions correlate with brain networks rather than specific areas. The purpose of this paper was to analyze the connectivity of Broca's area based on language tasks. Methods. A connectivity modeling study was performed by pooling data of Broca's activation in language tasks. Fifty-seven papers that included 883 subjects in 84 experiments were analyzed. Analysis of Likelihood Estimates of pooled data was utilized to generate the map; thresholds at p < 0.01 were corrected for multiple comparisons and false discovery rate. Resulting images were co-registered into MNI standard space. Results. A network consisting of 16 clusters of activation was obtained. Main clusters were located in the frontal operculum, left posterior temporal region, supplementary motor area, and the parietal lobe. Less common clusters were seen in the sub-cortical structures including the left thalamus, left putamen, secondary visual areas and the right cerebellum. Conclusions. BA44-related networks involved in language processing were demonstrated utilizing a pooling-data connectivity study. Significance, interpretation and limitations of the results are discussed.
Issues in Mental Health Assessment

This chapter focuses on the evolution and current state of community-based mental health assessment. A brief history of mental health assessment in the community and the challenges that led to four key generations of instrument development are described. Recent advances in mental health assessment—including the integration of dimensional instruments into the forthcoming versions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual and International Classification of Disease diagnostic manuals and the ongoing creation of item banks based on item response theory for specific disorders—are highlighted. Two main types of mental health assessment instruments, diagnostic and dimensional, are described in detail and examples of commonly used instruments of both types are presented along with source information. Practical issues in mental health assessment including sampling considerations and instrument selection and administration are discussed. Ongoing controversies and future directions for the field are described.
Algorithms for software and low-cost hardware RAIDs

RAIDs implemented in disk controllers are called hardware RAIDs. A software RAID, on the other hand, is implemented purely in software running on a host computer. In this paper, we describe algorithms that can be used by software RAIDs. We present one algorithm (parallel algorithm) for achieving fastest possible RAID update response time; we present one algorithm (PGS bit map algorithm) for improved recovery times; we present one algorithm for improved update concurrency; and we present four algorithms (Parity Caching, Delta Parity Caching, Delta Parity and Partial Parity Caching, and Data Prefetching) for improved sequential performance. Many of our algorithms are also appropriate for low-cost hardware RAIDs.
Control of roll in fiducialization of quadrupole magnets for the MIT-Bates South Hall Ring

The South Hall Ring (SHR) requires for all 94 quadrupoles in the lattice a roll tolerance of less than 2 mr. An important step in achieving this tolerance is the fiducialization: the relating of the magnetic axes to the position of the survey targets fixed to the magnet. The fiducialization procedure which we developed involved a harmonic analyzer system and the SLAC Industrial Measurement System. After fiducialization and database generation had been completed for over 1/3 of the elements, and after the precision installation had begun, we noticed a random roll well outside the tolerances. The roll had been overlooked partially because the harmonic analyser system is insensitive to rotations about the coil axis. We were able to overcome the problem through software by developing an extensive algorithm and regenerating the database without a need for refiducialization. This correction process for both the roll and the pitch will be presented. >
THE LOCALIZATION OF I131-LABELED TRIIODOTHYRONINE IN THE PITUITARY AND BRAIN OF NORMAL AND THYROIDECTOMIZED MALE RATS

The central nervous system and pituitary lobes of normal and hypothyroid male rats were both shown to be capable of concentrating triiodothyronine following intravenous injection of I131-labeled triiodothyronine. The pituitary site of maximal localization was similar to that observed in the guinea pig, being greatest in the anterior lobe. An autoradiographic study of the central nervous system and pituitary lobes showed a localization pattern similar to that seen in the guinea pig, being primarily associated with nuclear or cellular areas. However, the pronounced localization seen in the regions occupied by the neurosecretory structures in the guinea pig and rabbit was not observed in the rat.In addition, it was noted that the hippocampus, an area not actually studied in the other species, was practically autoradiographically negative in the rat. Thyroidectomy decreased the rate of uptake of labeled hormone in the central nervous system. However, the peak concentration was increased in the central nervous...
Chronic granulomatous disease associated colitis leading to profound zinc deficiency

We present a 3-year-old Pakistani girl with autosomal recessive chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) due to a novel mutation of the CYBA gene, which affects the p22 phox protein, a history of CGD-related colitis, failure to thrive, and recurrent hypoalbuminemia presenting with a chronic acrodermatitis enteropathica like rash secondary to malnutrition and zinc deficiency. Although inflammatory bowel disease has been well described in CGD, zinc deficiency has not been previously reported. Screening for this micronutrient deficiency should be a consideration in the management of patients with CGD and other primary immunodeficiency diseases associated with colitis, given its critical role in immune function. CGD affects phagocytes, which leads to recurrent and/or persistent intracellular bacterial and fungal infections and granuloma formation. CGD-related colitis with subsequent malabsorption has been well documented. There are 4
Direct and indirect pathways from the amygdala to the frontal lobe in rhesus monkeys

To elucidate the anatomical relationships between the frontal association cortex and the limbic system in primates, projections from the amygdala to frontal cortex were studied in the rhesus monkey using retrograde and anterograde tracing methods. Following injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the orbital prefrontal cortex, the gyrus rectus, the superior frontal gyrus, and the anterior cingulate gyrus of the frontal lobe, labeled neurons were found in the basolateral, basomedial, or basal accessory nuclei of the amygdala. None of these nuclei contained labeled neurons following HRP injections into the principal sulcus or the lateral inferior convexity of the frontal lobe. This selective distribution of amygdala connections was confirmed by injecting tritiated amino acids into the amygdala. Silver grains were present only over the orbital cortex and gyrus rectus on the ventral surface of the frontal lobe and over the superior prefrontal gyrus and anterior cingulate gyrus on the medial wall of the hemisphere, while the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was free of radioactivity. The isotope injection of the amygdala also revealed a projection to the magnocellular moeity of the mediodorsal nucleus (MDmc) which is known to innervate the same ventromedial regions of the frontal lobe that receive direct connections from the amygdala. Although MDmc and amygdala project to the same cortical regions, their terminal fields are different. The direct amygdala input terminates in layer 1 in orbital cortex and gyrus rectus and layer 2 in the dorsomedial cortex and cingulate gyrus, while the thalamic input is primarily to layer 3 and, in some areas, also to the superficial half of layer 1. These findings indicate that the frontal lobe of rhesus monkeys can be subdivided into two separable cortical regions:(1) A ventromedial region including the anterior cingulate gyrus which receives both direct (amygdalo-cortical) and indirect (amygdalo-thalamo-cortical) input from the amygdala; and (2) a dorsolateral frontal region which is essentially devoid of either direct or indirect amygdalofugal axons. On the basis of its selective relationship with the amygdala, the ventromedial region may be considered the “limbic” portion of the frontal association cortex.
Community involvement, planning and coping skills: pilot outcomes of a recreational-therapy intervention for adults with schizophrenia.

Purpose: The Independence through Community Access and Navigation (I-CAN) intervention was developed to increase community participation in adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) through identification of interest-based recreation activities and supported participation. Method: Ten individuals consented to participate in a 10-week pilot intervention. Eight individuals participated in the intervention, during which time they worked with a recreational therapist to identify interest-based recreation activities, develop participation goals and coparticipate with the recreational therapist. At the end of the intervention, seven participants were involved in a semistructured interview to understand their perceptions of the intervention, including its outcomes and effectiveness. Therapists’ notes and transcripts from the semistructured interviews were used to understand clients’ perception of the intervention. Results: Thematic analyses of seven exit interviews suggested the primary perceived outcom...
Models for the weak parity-violating vector meson exchange potential and the circular polarization in n + p → d + γ

Abstract We propose three models which lead to a p.v. nucleon-nucleon interaction mediated by charged and neutral vector mesons. Besides the ad hoc hypothesis of octet dominance, we consider two quark models (the Bose quark and colour Fermi quark model), which give a dynamical explanation of the ΔI = 1 2 rule in strangeness changing hyperon decays. They lead to p.v. potentials with different isospin dependence. We also derive the weak NNρ° coupling from a SU(2) × U(1) gauge theory with neutral currents. The circular polarization Pγ of the γ-quanta in the capture of thermal neutrons on protons is calculated for these different models. The Reid hard-core (HC) and soft-core (SC) potentials have been chosen to take into account the strong interaction. Then the naively factorized Cabbibo current-current interaction with charged rho exchange only gives PγHC = −2.7 × 10−8 and PγSC = −2.1 × 10−8. The strong octet dominance and Bose quark model lead to a vanishing circular polarization |Pγ| ≈ (1–4) × 10−9. The colour Fermi quark model enhances the circular polarization and gives Pγ ≈ −5 × 10−8.
Concurrent counting is harder than queuing

We compare the complexities of two fundamental distributed coordination problems, distributed counting and distributed queuing, in a concurrent setting. In both distributed counting and queuing, processors in a distributed system issue operations which are organized into a total order. In counting, each participating processor receives the rank of its operation in the total order, where as in queuing, a processor receives the identity of its predecessor in the total order. Many coordination applications can be solved using either distributed counting or queuing, and it is useful to know which of counting or queuing is the easier problem. Our results show that concurrent counting is harder than concurrent queuing on a variety of processor interconnection topologies, including high and low diameter graphs. For all these topologies, we show that the concurrent delay complexity of a particular solution to queuing, the arrow protocol, is asymptotically smaller than a lower bound on the complexity of any solution to counting.
Drag and Torque on Clusters of N Arbitrary Spheres at Low Reynolds Number

Hydrodynamics of particle clusters suspended in viscous fluids is a subject of considerable theoretical and practical importance. Using a multipole expansion of the flow velocity in a series of spherical harmonics, Lamb's fundamental solution of the Stokes flow outside a single sphere is generalized in this work to the case of N nonoverlapping spheres of arbitrary size with slip boundary conditions. The expansion coefficients are found by transforming the boundary conditions to the Lamb form and by transforming the spherical coordinates and solid spherical harmonics centered at different spheres. The problem is reduced to the solution of the linear system of equations for the expansion coefficients, which is carried out numerically. Based on the developed theory, the relation between the hydrodynamic and gyration radius of fractal-like aggregates with different structure is established. In another application, an asymptotic slip-regime dependence of the aggregate hydrodynamic radius on the Knudsen number and the number of particles is found by performing calculations of drag forces acting on the gas-borne fractal-like and straight chain aggregates. A good agreement is shown in comparing predictions of the described theory with available experimental and theoretical results on motion of various small sphere clusters in viscous fluid.
Intervention and Culture: An Anthropological Approach to Peace Operations

Culture is increasingly an important consideration in peace operations. Efforts to ameliorate culture-based difficulties between organizations participating in missions and between mission elements...
CONVERTING NATURAL LANGUAGE TEXT SENTENCES INTO SPN REPRESENTATIONS FOR ASSOCIATING EVENTS

A better understanding of events many times requires the association and the efficient representation of multi-modal information. A good approach to this important issue is the development of a common platform for converting different modalities (such as images, text, etc.) into the same medium and associating them for efficient processing and understanding. In a previous paper we have presented a Local-Global graph model for the conversion of images into graphs with attributes and then into natural language (NL) text sentences [25]. Here, in this paper we propose the conversion of NL text sentences into graphs and then into Stochastic Petri-nets (SPN) descriptions in order to efficiently offer a model of associating "activities or changes" in multimodal information for events representation and understanding. The selection of the SPN graph model is due to its capability for efficiently representing structural and functional knowledge. Simple illustrative examples are provided for proving the concept proposed here.
The application of advanced techniques for complex focused-ion-beam device modification

Advanced techniques for focused-ion-bearn (FIB) device modification have been developed for complex, multistep modifications to circuitry on planar chip technology. Applying gas-assisted etching (GAE) techniques for high-aspect-ratio milling and the selective milling of both conductive and insulating films enhances process latitude. Localized ion-beam-induced deposition of an insulating film provides reconstructive capability in previously modified areas. The application of both techniques for complex device modification of VLSI devices fabricated with CMOS process technology is reviewed.
An apparatus for obtaining extremely large heat flux densities

An apparatus capable of achieving extremely high energy flux densities from high temperature bodies moving through a liquid is described. The apparatus utilizes a transient technique to achieve these high flux levels. An application of the apparatus to measure heat transfer rates from a sphere to liquid sodium is discussed.
The formation of bilirubin mono- and diglucuronide by rat liver microsomal fractions

Abstract The product of the in vitro reaction catalyzed by bilirubin UDPglucuronyl-transferase has been studied with an improved chromatographic procedure for the separation and measurement of the diazo pigments. The source of enzyme activity was total microsomes and the smooth and rough microsomal subfractions after dialysis against EDTA. Biliburin monoglucuronide was the only conjugate formed by smooth microsomes while total and rough microsomes formed bilirubin mono and diglucuronide. These findings are compatible with the presence in rough microsomes of a factor(s), not present in smooth microsomes, necessary for the formation of bilirubin diglucuronide. The activity of bilirubin UDPglucuronyltransferase in rough microsomes was higher than in the smooth fraction.
High quality GaN grown at high growth rates by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy

High quality GaN has been grown by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) using ammonia as the nitrogen source. A growth rate as high as 1 /spl mu/m/h, which is an order of magnitude higher than previously reported for the growth of GaN by MBE, has been achieved. Strong reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) intensity oscillations have been observed during the growth, making in situ thickness monitor and control as thin as one monolayer possible. The undoped GaN demonstrated an unintentional n-type carrier density of 2/spl times/10/sup 17/cm/sup -3/ and an electron Hall mobility of 110 cm/sup 2//V.s, the best ever achieved by MBE. For Mg-doped p-type GaN films a hole density of 4/spl times/10/sup 17/ cm/sup -3/ and hole mobility of 15 cm/sup 2//V.s were achieved without post-growth annealing. Low temperature photoluminescence of as-grown materials was dominated by band-edge emissions, indicative of high quality materials which are promising for applications to blue light emitters and high-temperature electronic devices.
Bistability driven by Gaussian colored noise: First-passage times

Herein we present a calculation of the mean first-passage time for a bistable one-dimensional system driven by Gaussian colored noise of strength D and correlation time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{c}$. We obtain quantitative agreement with experimental analog-computer simulations of this system. We disagree with some of the conclusions reached by previous investigators. In particular, we demonstrate that all available approximations that lead to a state-dependent diffusion coefficient lead to the same result for small D${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{c}$.
Unsymmetrical Zirconacyclopentadienes from Isolated Zirconacyclopropenes with 1-Alkynylphosphine Ligands

The reaction of one equiv of 1-alkynylphosphines, R2PC≡CR′ (R = Et, iPr, or Ph and R′ = Ph or Mes), with Cp2Zr(pyr)(η2-Me3SiC≡CSiMe3) resulted in formation of monoalkyne complexes. In the case where R = Et, iPr, or Ph and R′ = Ph, a “ligand free” zirconacyclopropene complex is produced. These complexes are stabilized by intermolecular donation of the phosphorus lone-pair in the dimeric complexes [Cp2Zr(η2-R2PC≡CPh)]2 (R = Et, iPr, or Ph). However, with R = Ph and R′ = Mes, the zirconocyclopropene-pyridine complex Cp2Zr(pyr)(η2-Ph2PC≡CMes) is formed. Homocoupling of the 1-alkynylphosphines was demonstrated by reaction of a second equiv of Ph2PC≡CPh with [Cp2Zr(η2-Ph2PC≡CPh)]2 to give the diphosphinozirconacyclopentadiene Cp2Zr[2,5-(Ph2P)2-3,4-Ph2C4] with high regioselectivity (77%). The zirconacyclopropene complexes also react with one equiv of PhC≡CPh or EtC≡CEt to give zirconacyclopentadienes in which the phosphino substituent preferentially adopts the 2-position (α) of the zirconacyclopentadiene ring. T...
Study of the Cu-Au and Ag-Au Alloy Systems as a Function of Composition and Order through the Use of the Mössbauer Effect forAu197

M\"ossbauer spectra for $^{197}\mathrm{Au}$ and the alloy electrical resistivities have been measured for ordered and disordered phases of Cu-Au and Ag-Au alloys. The alloy compositions span the complete range (\ensuremath{\sim} 0-100)% Au. The change of isomer shift with pressure between \ensuremath{\sim} 0 and 65 kbar has also been measured for ordered ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$Au. A theoretical model is given which describes the isomer shift in terms of the average atomic volume of the alloy, the short-range-order parameters, and the alloy composition. The agreement between the model and our measurements is good. Friedel oscillations are shown to be present in the electron charge distribution in these alloys. An estimate of the relative contributions of alloy-volume and short-range-order effects to the average electron charge density at the gold nuclei is given.
Tamoxifen antiestrogens. A comparison of the activity, pharmacokinetics, and metabolic activation of the cis and trans isomers of tamoxifen

Abstract In the rat uterus, trans-tamoxifen (ICI-47,699, 1-[4-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)phenyl]-1,2-diphenylbut-1(E)-ene) is a full estrogen agonist, while trans-tamoxifen (ICI-46,474, 1-[4-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)phenyl]-1,2-diphenylbut-1(Z)-ene is a partial antagonist-partial agonist. In this investigation, we have compared the bioactivity of the tamoxifen isomers in the rat, and utilizing these isomers in tritium-labeled form, we have examined their metabolism and pharmacodynamics. In immature rats, trans-tamoxifen is a partial agonist-partial antagonist in terms of uterine weight stimulation, while cis-tamoxifen is a pure agonist; both isomers give little stimulation of uterine peroxidase, while only trans-tamoxifen is able to antagonize peroxidase stimulation by estradiol. After administration of [3H]-trans-tamoxifen to rats in vivo, there is a progressive accumulation of trans-hydroxytamoxifen and a yet more polar metabolite in the nuclear fraction of the uterus. With [3Hcis-tamoxifen, on the other hand, there is no accumulation of these metabolites in the uterus: in the nuclear fraction, there is a metabolite that is slightly less polar than cis-hydroxytamoxifen, and in the cytosol, a metabolite slightly more polar than cis-tamoxifen (but different from the nuclear metabolite). There is no evidence for isomerization of the isomers of tamoxifen or hydroxytamoxifen. In in vitro incubations with rat liver microsomes, both [3H]-trans-tamoxifen and [3H]-cis-tamoxifen undergo hydroxylation and to a lesser extent demethylation. Thus, the selective accumulation of trans-hydroxytamoxifen in the uterus appears to result from its greater affinity tor the estrogen receptor (285%, vs estradiol = 100%) relative to that of cis-hydroxytamoxifen (5%). The different metabolites that accumulate in the uterus following treatment with trans or cis tamoxifen may account for their different agonist-antagonist character.
Thiol-dependent passive K:Cl transport in sheep red blood cells: IX. Modulation by pH in the presence and absence of DIDS and the effect of NEM

Recently we proposed that cytoplasmic acidification of low K+ (LK) sheep erythrocytes may stimulate ouabain-resistant Cl−-dependent K+ flux (K+∶Cl− cotransport), also known to be activated by cell swelling, treatment with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), or removal of cellular bivalent cations. Here we studied the dependence of K+ transport on intracellular and extracellular pH (pH i , pH o ) varied either simultaneously or independently using the Cl−/HCO 3 − exchange inhibitor 4,4, diisothiocyanatostilbene-3,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS). In both control and NEM-treated LK cells volumes were kept near normal by varying extracellular sucrose. Using DIDS as an effective pH clamp, both K+ efflux and influx of Rb+ used as K+ congener were strongly activated at acid pH i and alkaline pH o . A small stimulation of K+ (Rb+) flux was also seen at acid pH i in the absence of DIDS, i.e., when pH i ≈pH o . Anti-L l serum, known to inhibit K+∶Cl− cotransport, prevented the pH i -stimulated K+ (Rb+) fluxes. Subsequent to NEM treatment at pH 6, K+ (Rb+) fluxes were activated only by raising pH, and thus were similar to the pH activation profile of K+ (Rb+) fluxes in DIDS-treated cells with pH o varied at constant physiologic pH i . Anti-L l , which inhibited NEM-stimulated K+ (Rb+) fluxes, failed to do so in NEM-plus DIDS-treated cells. Thus, NEM treatment interferes with the internal but not with the external pH-sensitive site.
The effect of dispersants on the tensile properties of carbon nanotube/vinyl ester composites†

The effects of eight different dispersants on the stability of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in vinyl ester (VE) resin systems have been systematically analyzed. Suspensions incorporating different amounts of dispersants relative to the concentration of MWCNTs in the VE have been prepared. The resistance to sedimentation of MWCNTs in the resin was investigated by using a centrifugation technique. One dispersing agent (B60H) was found to impart long-term stability to suspensions of MWCNTs in VE. VE-based composites reinforced with MWCNTs were prepared using different amounts of the dispersing agent. Tensile tests were performed to analyze the effect of different concentrations of MWCNTs and the use of the dispersing agent in the composites. Fracture surfaces of VE nanocomposites have been analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to elucidate the reinforcing effect of the CNTs. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Serum hormone levels before and two years after vasectomy.

Abstract Some alterations in plasma testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone have been reported post-vasectomy. Long-term studies are needed to determine whether prolonged vas deferens ligation alters hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function in any fashion. Nine men were studied in a longitudinal prospective manner and no alteration of plasma testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, luteinizing hormone, or follicle-stimulating hormone was noted for as long as 2.5 years after vasectomy. This study is at variance with previously published reports which have shown some minor alterations in these hormones.
Hydrodynamic Analysis and Fluid-Solid Interaction Effects on the Behavior of a Compliant Wall (Thick) Journal Bearing. Part 1: Theory

Analyse hydrodynamique et effets des interactions fluide-solide sur le comportement d'un palier a parois epaisses deformables. Etude theorique et resultats
The Hair Follicle Bulge Stem Cell Niche Resists Transformation by the Hedgehog Pathway

Similarities between basal cell carcinoma (BCC) tumor cells and hair follicle keratinocytes had previously suggested that BCC originates within the hair follicle bulge stem cell niche. However, in the current Nature Cell Biology, Youssef et al. (2010) show that BCC instead originates in the interfollicular epidermis.
Development of an ASTM Method for Measurement of the Extensional Viscosity of Agricultural Spray Solutions

Polymeric drift control agents are used to modify the droplet size distribution of pesticide sprays. These agents function by increasing the extensional viscosity of the spray liquid, enabling it to resist disruption as it emerges from the spray nozzle, usually leading to an increase in the median droplet diameter of the spray droplets. Extensional viscosity is often the most important physical property controlling the spray droplet size, especially when soluble polymers are present, but methods available for measurement of extensional viscosity of dilute solutions are complicated and are not generally available. This paper describes a simple, portable apparatus that can detect and quantify a relative extensional viscosity (screen factor) that is useful in evaluating the properties of drift control agents. The apparatus has been used to determine the screen factors of test substances used by the Spray Drift Task Force and to correlate them with independent measurements of extensional viscosity obtained using a Rheometrics RFX Extensional Rheometer. The method has been adopted as ASTM Method E 2408-04, “Relative Extensional Viscosity of Agricultural Spray Tank Mixes.”
Persistent müllerian duct syndrome

Persistent mullerian syndrome is rare. A case of phenotypically normal male with persistent mullerian structures that consisted of a bicornuate uterus, fallopian tubes, and upper third of the vagina is reported. These unusual structures were found in association with bilateral cryptorchidism and a right inguinal hernia, and were diagnosed while repairing the hernia in the neonatal period. The uterus and fallopian tubes were removed via laparotomy when the child was eighteen months old; at the same time a bilateral orchiopexy was performed. To avoid damage to the vas deferens, which lay in closely to the mullerian structures and could not be separated from the vaginal wall, a small segment of the upper third of the vagina was retained. The testicles, although normal on pathologic examination, have shown poor response to hormonal stimulation with human chorionic gonadotropin. Long-term follow-up for these patients is necessary because they have an increased risk of testicular tumors developing.
Low temperature micro-bumping assembly technology for 3D integration

3DIC integration has been well know as the next generation of semiconductor technology with the advantages of small form factor, high performance, low power consumption, high density integration, etc. The stacked assembly is one of the key enabling technologies to perform 3D integration. One popular approach to achieve intrinsic metal interconnect is stacked bonding by lead-free solder bumps. With the demand of high performance and high density applications, the development of fine pitch micro-bumps becomes more and more important in order to meet the requirements of low profile, light weight, and high pin counts for 3DIC integration applications There are three major important steps in assembly technologies for 3DIC integration: 1) micro-bumping wafer; 2) fabricating the TSV (through-silicon via)/RDL (redistribution layer)/IPD (integrated passive device) interposer/chip wafer with UBMs on its top-side and either ordinary solder bumps or UBMs at its bottom-side (temporary bonding and de-bonding the wafer to a supporting wafer is usually required); and 3) dicing the wafer into individual chip and bond it to the interposer/chip wafer (C2W) bonding or wafer to wafer (W2W) bonding. In this study, ultra fine pitch In lead-free solder micro-bumps are investigated. Emphasis is placed on wafer bumping, assembly, and reliability of micro-bumps for 3DIC integration applications. In this work, the optimum bonding condition is determined and the cross sections are characterized with SEM.
Potentially stable carbenes: a theoretical study of pyrazol-ylidenes

Abstract We report ab initio and density functional calculations for pyrazol-3-ylidene (1) and pyrazol-4-ylidene (5) using polarized split-valence basis sets. MCSCF calculations predict that the singlet-triplet separations of these species are 1.72 eV (1) and 1.11 eV (5). The corresponding proton affinities, calculated at the MP2 level, are 280.3 and 294.0 kcal mol−1, respectively. Finally, non-local density functional theory was employed to estimate the relative metal-ion affinities of these species towards (CO)5Cr by calculating the energetics of the reaction (CO)5CrL′ + L → (CO)5CrL + L′ where L represents species 1 or 5, and L′ is the related imidazol-2-ylidene 2. The nature of the bonding in the triplet species is discussed, as is the nature of the metal-ligand bond in the complexes with (CO)5Cr.
Stimulating the Substrate Folding Activity of a Single Ring GroEL Variant by Modulating the Cochaperonin GroES

In mediating protein folding, chaperonin GroEL and cochaperonin GroES form an enclosed chamber for substrate proteins in an ATP-dependent manner. The essential role of the double ring assembly of GroEL is demonstrated by the functional deficiency of the single ring GroELSR. The GroELSR-GroES is highly stable with minimal ATPase activity. To restore the ATP cycle and the turnover of the folding chamber, we sought to weaken the GroELSR-GroES interaction systematically by concatenating seven copies of groES to generate groES7. GroES Ile-25, Val-26, and Leu-27, residues on the GroEL-GroES interface, were substituted with Asp on different groES modules of groES7. GroES7 variants activate ATP activity of GroELSR, but only some restore the substrate folding function of GroELSR, indicating a direct role of GroES in facilitating substrate folding through its dynamics with GroEL. Active GroELSR-GroES7 systems may resemble mammalian mitochondrial chaperonin systems.
The problem of extras and the contingency of physicalism

Perhaps all concrete phenomena obtain solely in virtue of physical phenomena. Even so, it seems that the world could have been otherwise. It seems that physicalism, if true, is contingently true. In fact, many believe that the actual truth of physicalism allows metaphysically possible worlds duplicating the actual world in all physical respects while containing immaterial extras, e.g. ghosts, spirits, or Cartesian souls, that no physicalist would believe actually exist. Here I focus on physicalism regarding mentality and argue that the doctrine does not allow possible worlds that physically duplicate the actual world while differing mentally. By revealing what physicalism (regarding the mind) does not allow, this essay helps us get clear on what the view really amounts to and why it is contingent.
Anesthetic Considerations for Transoral Robotic Surgery

During the past decade, robotic surgery has been progressively incorporated into the mainstream of cardio-thoracic and abdominopelvic surgery. With the recent US Food and Drug Administration approval of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for the treatment of all benign tumors and select malignant tumors of the head and neck, robotic surgery has established its place in otolaryngologic surgery. Given the multispecialty applications and widespread use of robotic surgery, there exists a need for anesthesiologists to familiarize themselves with robotic surgery. This article focuses on TORS and the goal of which is to provide the anesthesiologist with a foundation for caring for the TORS patient in the perioperative period.
Epitaxial lines and the metastability of bcc cobalt.

Strains measured by quantitative low-energy electron diffraction for two systems in general pseudomorphic epitaxy are analyzed by means of generalized epitaxial lines. Epitaxial lines are lines of strained film states which characterize a given film-substrate epitaxial system. The lines are plotted on a plane with coordinates giving the shape and size of the film unit cell. A film of Co(001) deposited on a substrate of TiAl(010) strains the square unit mesh of the Co to the rhombic unit mesh of TiAl(010). The calculated strain of bcc Co is a close fit to the measured strain, but the calculated strain of fcc Co lies well beyond the limits of error of the measured strain. Comments are made on the potential usefulness of strain analysis of epitaxial films and on the discontinuous character of epitaxial paths going along epitaxial lines between bcc and fcc structures.
GeneChip analysis shows altered mRNA expression of transcripts of neurotransmitter and signal transduction pathways in the cerebral cortex of portacaval shunted rats.

Identifying the gene expression changes induced by hepatic encephalopathy (HE) leads to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of HE-induced neurological dysfunction. Using GeneChip® and real-time PCR, the present study evaluated the gene expression profile of rat cerebral cortex at 4 weeks after portacaval shunting. Among 1,263 transcripts represented on the chip, mRNA levels of 31 transcripts were altered (greater than twofold; 16 increased and 15 decreased) in the portacaval shunted (PCS) rat compared to sham control. Changes observed by GeneChip® analysis were confirmed for 20 transcripts (8 increased, 7 decreased, and 5 unchanged in PCS rat brain) by real-time PCR. Neurotransmitter receptors, transporters, and members of the second messenger signal transduction are the major groups of genes altered in PCS rat brain. Of importance was that the increased heme oxygenase-1 and decreased Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase expression observed raise the possibility of oxidative stress playing a pathogenic role in chronic HE. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Medium-Chain Acyl-Coa Dehydrogenase Deficiency: Postmortem Diagnosis in a Case of Sudden Infant Death and Neonatal Diagnosis of an Affected Sibling

Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency is an inherited disorder of fatty acid oxidation associated with sudden death in infants and, in its fulminant form(s), a Reye-like syndrome. In an 18-month-old female who died suddenly and unexpectedly, the postmortem diagnosis of MCAD deficiency was made by analysis of organic acids, acylglycines, and acylcarnitines and by analysis of the most common mutation causing MCAD deficiency (A985G) in a sample of heart blood obtained at autopsy and frozen at -20 degrees C for 8 months. The patient was homozygous for A985G and metabolites characteristic of MCAD deficiency were identified. Parents and an older sibling were heterozygous for A985G. The mother was 6 months pregnant when the results were known. At the birth of her male infant, blood spot cards and urine were obtained. The infant was homozygous for A985G by analysis of DNA extracted from blood spots and he excreted metabolites characteristic of MCAD deficiency. These results demonstrate the use of novel molecular and metabolite analysis in making the postmortem diagnosis of MCAD deficiency. The neonatal diagnosis of an affected sib permits the institution of appropriate dietary measures to prevent potentially fatal episodes of illness.
Recurrent acute otitis media associated meningitis in a patient with a contralateral cochlear implant and bilateral cochleovestibular dysplasia

Objective: To illustrate that a patient with a cochlear implant may be at increased risk of meningitis secondary to developmental anatomic abnormality associated with the underlying sensorineural hearing loss, as opposed to the implant itself. Methods: Case report. Results: Our 12-year-old patient has bilateral cochlear dysplasia, profound sensorineural hearing loss and no prior history of recurrent acute otitis media or meningitis. He underwent a left cochlear implant at 8 years of age and subsequently experienced three episodes of right acute otitis media and meningitis over the next 4 years. Middle ear exploration revealed a cerebrospinal fluid leak. A right radical mastoidectomy with closure of the external auditory canal, removal of the tympanic membrane, malleus, and incus, closure of the Eustachian tube, and obliteration of the mastoid and middle ear with abdominal fat has prevented further episodes. Conclusion: Meningitis in a patient with a cochlear implant is not necessarily related to the implant.
Stereospecificity of the 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthetase reaction.

Abstract As shown with PEP tritiated asymmetrically at C-3, the DAHP synthetase reaction is at least 60–70% stereospecific with respect to C-3 of PEP. This result excludes the intermediary formation of a methyl group at this carbon atom as an obligatory step in the reaction.