cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Histologic and immunophenotypic evaluation of pretreatment renal biopsies in OKT3-treated allograft rejections

The histologic features immunophenotype of intragraft mononuclear populations, and HLA-Dr expression in pretreatment formalin-fixed renal allograft biopsies were correlated with outcome of OKT3 therapy in 35 steroid resistant renal transplant rejections. Therapeutic response (63% overall) was better in pure acute cellular rejections (ACR) (13/15, 87%) than ACR with interstitial fibrosis (4/12, 33%) or with vascular injury (5/8, 62%). Intragraft T lymphocytes were more numerous in vascular rejection (mean 566/mm2) compared with pure ACR (mean 265/mm2, P = .049), and macrophages were greater in pure ACR (203/mm2) compared with ACR with interstitial fibrosis (83/mm2, P = .051). Distribution of T cells, B cells, plasma cells, and macrophages among various histologic categories was otherwise statistically similar. There was no correlation between therapeutic response to OKT3 and intragraft concentrations of individual mononuclear cell subsets. Vascular and/or epithelial HLA-Dr expression was present in 17/25 (68%) cases and was not associated with histologic features or treatment response. Follow-up graft function (median 7 months) correlated significantly with therapeutic response to OKT3 (P = .0004) and histologic presence of interstitial fibrosis (P = .031), but was not related to concentration of individual mononuclear subsets or HLA-Dr expression. We conclude that intragraft concentrations of major mononuclear cell types may relate to histology, but that these do not predict treatment response or graft outcome, and thus poorly reflect intensity or possible heterogeneity of host immunologic rejection mechanisms.
Contagion Effects in the Life Insurance Industry Spring and Summer 1991

During the spring and early summer of 1991 the life insurance industry experienced an unprecedented series of major life insurer insolvencies. The objective of this paper is to determine whether or not policyholder panic resulted from these failures. The analysis shows that each of the failed companies which are evaluated had unique financial problems which caused their demise. And through the use of an event study methodology it is concluded that industry‐wide policyholder panic did not occur as a result of the life insurer failures.
Dynamical lattice theory

A version of lattice gauge theory is presented in which the shape of the lattice is not assumed at the outset but is a consequence of the dynamics. Other related features which are not specified a priori include the internal and space-time symmetry groups and the dimensionality of space-time. The theory possesses a much larger invariance group than the usual gauge group on a lattice, and has associated with it an integer k/sub 0/ analogous to the topological quantum numer of quantum chromodynamics. Families of semiclassical solutions are found which are labeled by k/sub 0/ and a second integer x, but the analysis is not carried far enough to determine which space-time and internal symmetry groups characterize the lowest-lying states of the theory.
Obstetric care provider engagement in a perinatal depression screening program

To investigate obstetric care provider attitudes toward perinatal depression screening and factors associated with variable screening rates. Provider attitudes about depression screening were investigated via structured interviews (open-ended and rating scale questions) and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Most providers (86%) found screening effective at identifying women at risk for perinatal depression (average rating of 8.7 on 10-point analog scale). However, 95% overestimated their own screening rates and 67% inaccurately thought they achieved universal screening. Providers not directly involved in their office-based screening process demonstrated lower average screening rates (37%) than those who maintained active involvement (59%; p = 0.07). Obstetric care providers support perinatal depression screening in the context of a program that assumes responsibility for processing screens, conducts assessments of at-risk women and provides referrals to mental health professionals. Provider participation in screening and tying screening to routine obstetric outpatient activities such as glucose tolerance testing are associated with higher screening rates.
Contralesional Arm Preference Depends on Hemisphere of Damage and Target Location in Unilateral Stroke Patients

Background. Previous research has shown that during simulated activities of daily living, right-handed stroke patients use their contralesional arm more after left- than right-hemisphere stroke. These findings were attributed to a hand preference effect. However, these decisions about when to use the contralesional arm may be modulated by where in the work space the task is performed, a factor that could be used in physical rehabilitation to influence recovery by decreasing learned nonuse. Objective. To examine how target location and side of stroke influences arm selection choices for simple reaching movements. Methods. A total of 14 right-handed stroke patients (7 with left-hemisphere and 7 with right-hemisphere damage [RHD]), with similar degrees of hemiparesis (Fugl-Meyer motor score), and 16 right-handed controls participated in this experiment. In a pseudorandom fashion, 32 targets were presented throughout the reachable horizontal plane work space, and the participants were asked to select 1 hand t...
Interleukin-19 decreases leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions by reduction in endothelial cell adhesion molecule mRNA stability

Vascular endothelial cell (EC) inflammation is a key event in the pathogenesis of multiple vascular diseases. We tested the hypothesis that interleukin-19 (IL-19), an anti-inflammatory Th2 interleukin, could have a direct anti-inflammatory effect on ECs to decrease inflammation. IL-19 can significantly decrease tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-driven intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 mRNA and protein abundance in cultured human coronary artery ECs (P < 0.01). IL-19 treatment of ECs, but not monocytes, significantly reduced monocyte adhesion to EC monolayers (P < 0.01). In vivo, systemic administration of IL-19 could significantly reduce TNF-α-induced leukocyte rolling and adhesion in wild-type mice as assayed by intravital microscopy (P < 0.05). IL-19 does not reduce TNF-α-stimulated NF-κB activation in ECs but does decrease serine phosphorylation and cytoplasmic translocation of the mRNA stability factor HuR and significantly reduces stability of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA (P < 0.01). These data are the first to report that IL-19 can reduce leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion and the first to propose reduction in HuR-mediated mRNA stability of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 as a mechanism. Expression of IL-19 by ECs may represent a protective mechanism to promote resolution of the vascular response to inflammation. Function of IL-19 outside of the immune system is a novel concept, suggesting that resident vascular cells can adopt a Th2 phenotype, and has important ramifications for numerous inflammatory diseases.
INTERACTION OF MANGANESE-MESOPORPHYRIN WITH OLEIC ACID VESICLES

We investigated the interaction between manganese(III)mesoporphyrin (MnMeso), a metalloporphyrin, and liposome membranes containing oleic acid (OA; cis-9-octadecenoic acid). MnMeso associates preferentially with OA but minimally with egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC). Using small unilamellar vesicles, we characterized the MnMeso-OA binding at neutral pH. Our data suggest that MnMeso binds to the OA bilayer with Kd = 6.8 x 10(-4) M; the binding stoichiometry of MnMeso-OA was 1:3.4. This OA-MnMeso interaction was analyzed further for changes in the T1 relaxation property of MnMeso. OA increased the T1 of MnMeso significantly more than did EPC, suggesting that the OA-MnMeso interaction was stronger than that of PC-MnMeso. The side-chain specificity of the OA interaction with this porphyrin derivative was further supported in an experiment with manganese mesotetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine, which lacks hydrophobic side chains for OA interaction. The association of MnMeso with the OA membrane was proposed according to the structure of MnMeso and OA and further verified using electron microscopy. A strong association of MnMeso with OA, an absorption enhancer of the gastrointestinal tract, may be useful for delivery of MnMeso as an oral contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging.
Mechanism of fast proton transport along one-dimensional water chains confined in carbon nanotubes.

A reactive molecular dynamics simulation employing the multistate empirical valence bond (MS-EVB) methodology is reported for the hydration structure of an excess proton in a (6,6) carbon nanotube as well as for the mechanism of proton transport (PT) within the nanoconfined environment. The proton is found to be hydrated in a distorted Zundel cation (H5O2+) form within the one-dimensional, confined water chain. Proton transfer events occur via a “Zundel−Zundel” mechanism through a transient H7O3+ intermediate that differs significantly from the “Eigen−Zundel−Eigen” mechanism found in bulk water.
Parallel or serial processes in sexual differentiation

We argue that estrogen feminization of the brain is the result of a series of events initiated by differential androgen exposure. There is no need to postulate a feminizing process parallel to androgen-induced masculinization to explain the findings. Fitch & Denenberg (FD organizational effects can be seen in adulthood (Arnold & Breedlove 1985). In addition, it is now well accepted that activational and organizational effects of hormones can alter specific neuronal structures and functions. Furthermore, the work of Toran-Allerand (1995) suggests that estrogens may work by interacting with neurotrophins and their receptors or with other locally synthesized growth factors. This might represent a universal mechanism underlying the multiple and varied actions of estrogens at different stages of life. Response/Fitch & Denenberg: Sexual differentiation of the brain BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN SCIENCES (1998) 21:3 341 We feel that the crucial event for sexual differentiation is the presence or absence of androgens during the perinatal period. As a consequence of this experience, a cascade of other events occurs that further polarizes the behavior and morphological differences between males and females. One such event is probably the sexually dimorphic response to pubertal exposure to estrogens that normally occurs only in females. Another example might be the finding that androgen exposure perinatally leads to an increase in maternal licking, which has been found to further masculinize the male rat pup (Moore 1992). The responsivity of the corpus callosum to estrogen during late development is an important and intriguing finding that can be explained without the need to amend the “organizational theory” with a second parallel process.
A Scale to Measure Populist Attitudes

Summary A historical study of American Populism led to the development of a 20-item Likert scale with a high degree of internal consistency. One hundred original respondents took a preliminary set of 100 items, and the 20 items with the highest item-total score correlations were selected for the final scale. The final scale was administered to 222 new adult respondents, ages 18 to 69, 140 male and 82 female, from a wide occupational range. The resulting scale represents an attitudinal syndrome centering on the conviction that wealth and power are unfairly distributed in the United States; support for tax revision, governmental regulation of business, and compensatory social welfare programs; and personal pessimism and disillusion with the political process. This attitudinal syndrome corresponds with the positions of both historical American Populism and contemporary “New Populism.”
Successful brief captopril treatment in experimental radiation nephropathy

Experimental renal irradiation is followed by a well-defined sequence of events leading to kidney failure. Inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme can prevent the structural and functional changes that occur after renal irradiation, which suggests that the renin-angiotensin system plays a key role in their evolution. We therefore evaluated captopril, used for short intervals, in a total body irradiation model of radiation nephropathy. Irradiated 7- to 8-week-old rats that were treated with captopril from 3.5 to 9.5 weeks after irradiation had better kidney function and survival than irradiated animals treated at earlier or later intervals. At 26 weeks after irradiation, kidney function of these animals was similar to that of irradiated animals treated continuously with captopril, but their subsequent survival was less. Animals irradiated at 7 to 8 weeks of age and treated with captopril from 6 to 9 weeks after irradiation had better function and survival than animals treated at earlier or later intervals. Irradiated 15-week-old animals had significant functional and survival benefit from continuous captopril treatment but no protection from a 6-week interval of therapy. We conclude that radiation nephropathy may be significantly attenuated by the use of captopril from 3.5 to 9.5 weeks after irradiation in young animals. Although older animals did not appear to benefit from a short course of captopril, these data suggest that the renin-angiotensin system is important in the sequential expression of renal radiation injury, particularly between 3.5 and 9.5 weeks after irradiation.
Operant conditioning of EEG rhythms and ritalin in the treatment of hyperkinesis.

Enhanced voluntary motor inhibition regularly accompanies conditioned increases in the sensorimotor rhythm (SMR), a 12--14-Hz Rolandic EEG rhythm in cats.A similar rhythm, presumably SMR, has also been identified in the human EEG. The clinical effectiveness of SMR operant conditioning has been claimed for epilepsy, insomnia, and hyperkinesis concurrent with seizure disorders. The present report attempts to follow up and replicate preliminary findings that suggested the technique's successful application to hyperkinesis uncomplicated by a history of epilepsy. SMR was defined as 12--14-Hz EEG activity in the absence of high-voltage slow-wave activity between 4 and 7 Hz. Anticipated treatment effects were indexed by systematic behavioral assessments of undirected motor activity and short attention span in the classroom. EEG and behavioral indices were monitored in four hyperkinetic children under the following six conditions: (1) No Drug, (2) Drug Only, (3) Drug and SMR Training I, (4) Drug and SMR Reversal Training, (5) Drug and SMR Training II, (6) No Drug and SMR Training. All hyperkinetic subjects were maintained on a constant drug regimen throughout the phases employing chemotherapy. Contingent increases and decreases in SMR occurred in three of four training subjects and were associated with similar changes in classroom assessments of motor inactivity. Combining medication and SMR training resulted in substantial improvements that exceeded the effects of drugs alone and were sustained with SMR training after medication was withdrawn. In contrast, these physiological and behavioral changes were absent in one highly distractible subject who failed to acquire the SMR task. Finally, pretraining levels of SMR accurately reflected both the seve-ity of original motor deficits and the susceptibility of hyperkinetic subjects to both treatments. Although the procedure clearly reduced hyperkinetic behavior, a salient, specific therapeutic factor could not be identified due to the dual EEG contingency imposed combined with associated changes in EMG. Despite these and other qualifying factors, the findings suggested the prognostic and diagnostic value of the SMR in the disorder when overactivity rather than distractibility is the predominant behavioral deficit.
Entanglement entropy at generalized Rokhsar-Kivelson points of quantum dimer models

We study the $n=2$ R\'enyi entanglement entropy of the triangular quantum dimer model via Monte Carlo sampling of Rokhsar-Kivelson- (RK-) like ground-state wave functions. Using the construction proposed by Kitaev and Preskill [Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 110404 (2006)] and an adaptation of the Monte Carlo algorithm described by Hastings et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 157201 (2010)], we compute the topological entanglement entropy (TEE) at the RK point $\ensuremath{\gamma}=(1.001\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003)\mathrm{ln}2$, confirming earlier results. Additionally, we compute the TEE of the ground state of a generalized RK-like Hamiltonian and demonstrate the universality of TEE over a wide range of parameter values within a topologically ordered phase approaching a quantum phase transition. For system sizes that are accessible numerically, we find that the quantization of TEE depends sensitively on correlations. We characterize corner contributions to the entanglement entropy and show that these are well described by shifts proportional to the number and types of corners in the bipartition.
Effectiveness of Team-building and Teamwork in Virtual Worlds

Given the increasing importance of globalization and collaboration, this research investigates the possibility of training globally dispersed teams using the virtual world Second Life. Three meetin...
The dielectric constant associated with direct interband transitions in germanium

Abstract An expression for the complex dielectric constant associated with direct interband transitions in germanium has been obtained using a simple model. The model consists of four damped oscillators, and a fit to experimental results for the complex dielectric constant is made to obtain the model parameters, i.e., the oscillator frequencies and damping constants. The results show good agreement with experimental data over a broad range of frequencies.
THE EFFECTS OF EXTREME TURBULENT EVENTS ON THE ESTIMATION OF AERODYNAMIC VARIABLES IN A DECIDUOUS FOREST CANOPY

Baldocchi, D.D. and Meyers, T.P., 1989. The effects of extreme turbulent events on the estimation of aerodynamic variables in a deciduous forest canopy. Agric. For. Meteorol., 48:117-134. Heat, mass and momentum transfer, and the turbulence regime within a plant canopy, are dependent upon aerodynamic variables which are non-linearly related to wind speed. Measurements made in plant canopies show that turbulence is intermittent and non-Gaussian. Therefore, a statistical question arises when evaluating non-linear wind speed-dependent, aerodynamic variables: is the mean value of an aerodynamic function equal to that function evaluated at the mean wind speed? We evaluated the above-stated, statistical question for boundary layer resistances to mass and momentum transfer, the form drag force and the rate of work against form drag. Pertinent computations were based upon turbulence measurements made within a fully leafed, deciduous forest. In addition, expected values of these aerodynamic variables were computed with probability density functions derived from the Gram-Charlier expansion series. Boundary layer resistances for water vapor (Rb) and momentum (R~), computed with mean wind speeds, underestimate mean functional values by 5-20%. On the other hand, estimates of Rb and Rm derived from probability density functions underestimate mean functional values by < 3%. Computations of the form drag force, based on probability density functions and mean wind speeds, respectively, overestimate and underestimate mean functional values by ~ 20%. Theoretically, the form drag force in the streamwise direction is a function of the product of the horizontal wind velocity and the scalar wind speed. Hence, parameterizing its value based only on scalar wind speed squared is apt to be error prone. Estimates of the rate of work against form drag, based on the probability density functions, agree within 5% of mean functional values. The rate of work against form drag computed on the basis of the mean horizontal wind speed cubed underestimates mean functional values by 30-60%. This underestimate, however, is expected since it represents the rate of work done by the mean wind, which is a different quantity.
Ocean city defeats the manager plan

Realtors find scheme has advertising value. An extravagant whirlwind campaign. Defeat at hte hans of the “clam-diggers.”
Thermal study on the copolymers of phthalonitrile and phenylnitrile‐functional benzoxazines

Ortho-, meta-, and para-phenylnitrile–functional benzoxazines are polymerized at different compositions with phthalonitrile-functional monomers providing copolybenzoxazines of high thermal stability and easy processability. The most positive effect on these properties is obtained on copolymerizing phthalonitrile- and ortho-phenylnitrile–functional benzoxazines. Thermal decomposition of these polybenzoxazines is studied by thermogravimetry (TGA). It is demonstrated that only 30 mol % of phthalonitrile-functional benzoxazine added to the ortho-phenylnitrile–substituted monomer improves char yield significantly from 59 to 77 wt %, which is the value of neat phthalonitrile-based polybenzoxazine. Glass transition temperature (Tg) also dramatically increases from 180°C for neat ortho-phenylnitrile polymer to 294°C for the copolymer with 30 mol % of phthalonitrile-functional monomer. Additionally, the high melt viscosity of phthalonitrile-functional benzoxazines is dramatically decreased upon blending with phenylnitrile-functional monomer. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 2937–2949, 1999
New Type Of Solid-State Laser For Several Kilowatts

New type of solid-state laser for several kilowatts is discussed. The main difficulty for the high power solid-state laser is the thermal effects induced in the solid gain medium by the pumping light. As one of solutions to this problem, an annular type of solid gain medium is proposed and its thermal characteristcs are discussed on a concrete example. It is shown that the thermal stress can be drastically redusced by using the annular type of gain medium and that a laser with this annular gain medium is easily scalable to any high power. Several kinds of resonators are considered for the annular type of solid gain medium.
Gravity induced crease-to-wrinkle transition in soft materials

Creasing and wrinkling instability are two distinct surface instability modes characterized by localized singular folds and continuous smooth undulations, respectively. In this article, we show that the surface of a soft elastomer may develop wrinkles or creases under compression and the action of gravitational force, depending on the magnitude of gravitational force. Using linear perturbation analysis and numerical calculations, we establish a phase map with respective creasing domain, wrinkling domain and the domain of homogenous deformation. When the gravitational force is small, the surface of the elastomer forms creases when the compressive strain is beyond a critical value, while the surface of the elastomer forms wrinkles under compression when the gravitation force is large.
Influence of changes in observations on precipitation: A case study for the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR)

[1] Reanalysis products often show discontinuities in the time evolution of analyzed fields, particularly for the derived variables, for example, precipitation. In the recently completed Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, a sharp increase in the global mean precipitation around 1998 has been noted. A similar abrupt change also appears in several other reanalyses that have been recently completed. This sharp increase coincides with the introduction of the Advanced TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (ATOVS) data into the assimilation system. Based on model simulations to complement the CFSR, this study analyzes the reason behind the sudden jump in precipitation. The outputs from both the CFSR and a simulation with the CFSR's atmospheric component model forced with the observed sea surface temperature and carbon dioxide concentration are used to understand the precipitation abrupt change in the CFSR. The analysis indicates that the change results from (1) the tendency of the forecast (during the assimilation cycle) to drift toward its mean state that is cooler and drier, (2) the tendency of the assimilation to correct the first guess forecast to a wetter analysis, (3) an analysis that the period after 1998 is in an even wetter mean state due to the ingestion of the ATOVS data, and (4) the combination of previous three factors resulting in a abrupt change in precipitation during the assimilation around 1998. The results presented here may also provide the developers of the reanalysis systems further insights about the possible causes for the change in precipitation around 1998.
Effects of prolonged elevation of potassium on hippocampus of anesthetized rats

Abstract We tested the after-effects of prolonged depolarization on neurons in situ in the mammalian brain and examined the site of blockade responsible for failure of synaptic transmission. The CA1 region of the hippocampus of anesthetized rats was exposed to solutions containing elevated concentration of K + (100–125 mmol/1), administered either by microdialysis in intact brain or by irrigation of the exposed surface of the hippocampus. Recovery was observed for 5–61/2h. When K + was administered by microdialysis, evoked potentials were recorded from points near (up to 0.2 mm) and far (0.7–1.0 mm) from the dialysis probe. High K + dialysis induced recurrent waves of spreading depression and, in about half of the preparations, a prolonged unstable depressed state. In the intervals between SD waves orthodromic but not antidromic population spikes remained severely depressed at the ‘far’ recording site. Following high K + dialysis orthodromic population spikes recovered in a triphasic cycle: partial recovery with hyper-transmission was followed bysecondary depression and finally by slow partial or complete recovery. Final recovery was less complete in cases that have experienced prolonged spreading depression. Current source density analysis revealed that during secondary depression transmission was blocked due to failure of dendritic action potentials. When the exposed hippocampus was irrigated with high K + solution ortho- and antidromic evoked potentials recovered completely following high K + exposure of less than 30 min, incompletely after 45 min and failed entirely after 60 min. We conclude that prolonged steady depolarization of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons causes lasting loss of function. Dendritic function is especially prone to depolarization-induced injury. CA1 neurons are less vulnerable in situ than they are in vitro.
Strategies for prevention of varicella pneumonia: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of 3 strategies of serologic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing and post-exposure varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) prophylaxis for the prevention of maternal varicella pneumonia during pregnancy in patients with negative or uncertain histories of varicella infection. Methods:A decision tree was constructed to compare the following strategies: 1) routine serologic testing for varicella immunity followed by targeted post-exposure VZIG prophylaxis, 2) post-exposure serologic testing followed by targeted VZIG prophylaxis, and 3) untargeted post-exposure VZIG administration. The probabilities for the model were obtained from the medical literature and supplemented by expert opinion. The costs were obtained by a review of inpatient hospitalizations for varicella pneumonia. All costs were converted to 1995 dollars. Results: Routine serologic testing followed by targeted post-exposure VZIG prophylaxis was the most costly strategy ($37.22/person), with no demonstrable increase in benefit compared with the other 2 strategies. The disutility of this strategy compared with the others was stable across a wide range of values for the probabilities and costs utilized in the sensitivity analysis. We were unable to differentiate between the cost-effectiveness of the other 2 strategies. Conclusions: Routine serologic testing for varicella immunity in patients with negative or uncertain histories of varicella infection should not be performed. The remaining options ofscreening and prophylaxis appear to be reasonable alternatives for dealing with varicella exposures. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cascade pumping of GaSb-based type-I quantum well diode lasers

Cascade GaSb-based type-I quantum well diode lasers were designed and fabricated. Cascade pumping was achieved utilizing efficient interband tunneling through "leaky" window in band alignment at GaSb/InAs heterointerface. The 100% efficient carrier recycling between stages was confirmed by twofold increase lightcurrent characteristics slope of two-stage 2.4 – 3.3 μm cascade lasers as compared to reference single-stage devices. Moderate internal optical loss increase was observed in cascade lasers with interband injector located near the optical mode peak. Cascade pumping scheme increased the continuous wave output power of room temperature operated 2.4 - 3 μm semiconductor lasers and led to improved power conversion efficiency.
The Related Molecular Chaperones Calnexin and Calreticulin Differentially Associate with Nascent T Cell Antigen Receptor Proteins within the Endoplasmic Reticulum

Assembly of the multisubunit T cell antigen receptor (TCR) complex is an intricate process requiring coordinated regulation of at least six different gene products (α, β, γ, δ, ϵ, and ζ) and the ordered pairing of partner chains within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). To date, two proteins have been implicated as functioning as molecular chaperones in the assembly of nascent TCR proteins: calnexin, a resident ER transmembrane protein, which associates with all TCR components except ζ, and T cell receptor-associated protein, which selectively associates with CD3γϵ pairs. In this study, we examined the association of calreticulin, a soluble protein with significant sequence homology to calnexin, with newly synthesized TCR proteins. Analogous to calnexin, processing of glycan chains by glucosidase enzymes was required for initial association of TCRα and -β proteins with calreticulin; however, several major differences were noted regarding interaction of calnexin and calreticulin chaperones with TCR proteins. First, TCRα and -β proteins showed prolonged association with calnexin molecules compared with calreticulin; interaction of TCRα proteins with calreticulin was particularly transient, with most calreticulin-TCRα protein complexes dissociating within 15 min of their initial assembly. Second, we found that, unlike calnexin, which associated with clonotypic TCRα and -β proteins and invariant CD3δ and -ϵ polypeptides, calreticulin associated specifically with clonotypic TCRα and -β proteins. These studies identify calreticulin as a molecular chaperone for nascent clonotypic TCRα and -β proteins and demonstrate that calreticulin and calnexin differentially associate with newly synthesized TCR proteins within the ER.
Sacrificial high-temperature phosphorus diffusion gettering process for lifetime improvement of multicrystalline silicon wafers

Iron is among the most deleterious lifetime-limiting impurities in crystalline silicon solar cells. In as-grown material, iron is present in precipitates and as point defects. To achieve solar cell conversion efficiencies above 20%, bulk minority-carrier lifetimes in excess of 300 µs (p-type) and 900 µs (n-type) are required [1]. For cost-effective multi-crystalline silicon wafers, achieving this lifetime requires gettering. Gettering at higher temperatures for longer times is often necessary to fully dissolve and remove precipitated impurities. However, such time-temperature profiles can result in unacceptably deep emitters, affecting the blue response of the finished device. Here, we explore a “sacrificial” gettering step in which gettering and emitter-formation are decoupled and optimized independently. The optimization is guided by the Impurity-to-Efficiency simulation tool [2] and explores high-temperature regimes. While models predict that increasing the gettering temperature decreases total iron concentration resulting in an increased lifetime, experimental results show that for the highest temperatures tested, the minority carrier lifetime is reduced.
Dendritic morphology, local circuitry, and intrinsic electrophysiology of neurons in the rat medial and lateral habenular nuclei of the epithalamus

The habenular complex of the epithalamus in the mammalian brain receives input from the limbic forebrain and pallidum and, in turn, projects to numerous midbrain structures. Traditionally, the habenular complex is divided into the medial nucleus and two divisions of the lateral nucleus. Based on their distinct input and output pathways, the habenula is considered to constitute three, partially overlapping channels that regulate information flow from the limbic forebrain and pallidum to the midbrain. As a step to improve our understanding of how information delivered from the limbic forebrain and pallidum is processed in the habenula, we examined the electrical property and morphology of medial and lateral habenular cells. For this study, we generated live brain slices from rat habenula and performed whole cell recording. During recording, we filled habenular cells with biocytin. Medial habenular cells generate tonic trains of action potentials, whereas lateral habenular cells are capable of producing action potentials in burst mode. Lateral habenular cells produce dendrites that are much longer than those of medial habenular cells. Two distinct intrinsic circuits exist in the medial habenular nucleus, whereas in the lateral habenular nucleus, intrinsic axons travel largely from medial to lateral direction. The connection between the two habenular nuclei is asymmetrical in that only the medial habenula sends projection to the lateral habenula. The differences in the electrical and morphological properties of medial and lateral habenular cells indicate that the two nuclei process and integrate information in distinct fashions that is delivered from the limbic forebrain and pallidum.
Sufficient conditions for robust performance of adaptive controllers with general uncertainty structure

Sufficient conditions are given under which an adaptive control system is robustly stable and achieves a guaranteed robust asymptotic performance level equal to that of the robust controller given perfect parameter information. The conditions are general in several respects. For example, structured non-parametric uncertainty (e.g. block diagonal) is allowed, as well as exogenous noise inputs. In addition, the structure of the parametric uncertainty is very general, and even allows for parameters which scale the uncertainty magnitudes. This allows one to identify the size of the non-parametric uncertainty and to schedule the controller based on this size. Finally, the robust gain scheduled controller is largely unrestricted. Identification mechanisms which are proven to satisfy the sufficient conditions are not given here and, for the general problem, have not yet been developed. However, an example of such a mechanism for a subclass of systems does exist and is referenced. For the general problem, this paper provides properties to be sought in the development of robust identification laws for robust adaptive control.
Inverse deformation results for elastic materials

Es wird gezeigt, dass die Umkehrsatze fur die Deformation allgemeiner elastischer Korper unmittelbar aus einem Variationsprinzip gewonnen werden konnen, welches sich auf Gleichgewichtszustande bezieht.
Interleukin 6-preconditioned neural stem cells reduce ischaemic injury in stroke mice.

Transplantation of neural stem cells provides a promising therapy for stroke. Its efficacy, however, might be limited because of massive grafted-cell death after transplantation, and its insufficient capability for tissue repair. Interleukin 6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders. Paradoxically, interleukin 6 promotes a pro-survival signalling pathway through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. In this study, we investigated whether cellular reprogramming of neural stem cells with interleukin 6 facilitates the effectiveness of cell transplantation therapy in ischaemic stroke. Neural stem cells harvested from the subventricular zone of foetal mice were preconditioned with interleukin 6 in vitro and transplanted into mouse brains 6 h or 7 days after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Interleukin 6 preconditioning protected the grafted neural stem cells from ischaemic reperfusion injury through signal transducer and activator of transcription 3-mediated upregulation of manganese superoxide dismutase, a primary mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme. In addition, interleukin 6 preconditioning induced secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor from the neural stem cells through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, resulting in promotion of angiogenesis in the ischaemic brain. Furthermore, transplantation of interleukin 6-preconditioned neural stem cells significantly attenuated infarct size and improved neurological performance compared with non-preconditioned neural stem cells. This interleukin 6-induced amelioration of ischaemic insults was abolished by transfecting the neural stem cells with signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 small interfering RNA before transplantation. These results indicate that preconditioning with interleukin 6, which reprograms neural stem cells to tolerate oxidative stress after ischaemic reperfusion injury and to induce angiogenesis through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, is a simple and beneficial approach for enhancing the effectiveness of cell transplantation therapy in ischaemic stroke. * Abbreviations : DAPI : 4′,6 diamidino-2-phenylindole GFP : green fluorescent protein NSC : neural stem cell STAT3 : signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 TUNEL : terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated uridine 5′-triphosphate-biotin nick end labelling VEGF : vascular endothelial growth factor
The recirculating screw mixer : a new small-volume mixer for the polymer laboratory

The recirculating screw mixer (RSM), a new small-volume intensive mixer for the polymer laboratory, is designed, built, modeled, and tested. This type of batch mixer is intended for the mixing of 1 to 30 cm3 of viscous material at high shear rates. A material element in the mixer experiences alternating screw pump and tubular flows with reorientation between these flows. A mixer with a 10 cm3 sample capacity is built for testing and evaluation. Flow visualization experiments are used to investigate the quality of the distributive mixing achieved. The flows in the mixer are modeled for the cases of a Newtonian fluid and a power law fluid. The Newtonian model accurately predicts the recirculation time for particles suspended in Newtonian silicone oils. The power law model accurately predicts the screw torque obtained with a polystyrene and polyethylene. A method for the measurement of fluid rheology from the operating conditions of the RSM is proposed and tested. The mixing achieved by the RSM is compared to that obtained by a batch mixer with roller blades. Both mixers are used to prepare blends of ethylene-propylene rubber in polystyrene. The morphologies of the resultant blends are compared and differences in the mixing action are discussed. The mixers are also used to prepare composites of fumed silica in polyethylene. The quality of mixing obtained in the RSM compares quite favorably with that obtained in the batch mixer with roller blades for polystyrene/ethylene-propylene rubber reactive blends and polyethylene/silica composites.
Novel cladding structure for ZnSe-based white LEDs with longer lifetime over 10,000 hours

We have demonstrated ZnSe-based white LEDs with longer lifetime over 10,000 h at 14.5 A/cm 2 by introducing an i-ZnMgBeSe/p-ZnMgSe double cladding structure, which combined a very thin i-ZnMgBeSe layer for suppressing electron overflow and p-ZnMgSSe for efficient p-type carrier concentration. By adopting the double cladding layer instead of the conventional p-ZnMgSSe cladding layer, rapid degradation is suppressed. The device simulation and the temperature dependence of optical power showed that the i-ZnMgBeSe layer played the main role in increasing electron confinement. Our reliability test results indicate that the suppression of the electron overflow is essential to obtain long lifetime acceptable for truly practical use.
Prevention of Anaphylactoid Reactions in High-Risk Patients Receiving Radiographic Contrast Media

OBJECTIVE:To review various pretreatment regimens for the prophylaxis of anaphylactoid reactions to radiographic contrast media (RCM) in high-risk patients. The proposed etiologies and risk factors for such reactions are also reviewed.DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE search of the English-language literature was used to identify pertinent human studies and reviews.STUDY SELECTION:All studies comparing pretreatment regimens for anaphylactoid reactions to RCM were reviewed as well as studies comparing the incidence of anaphylactoid reactions between lower and higher osmolar RCM.DATA SYNTHESIS:The two types of reactions to RCM are the dose-independent, unpredictable anaphylactoid (pseudoallergic or idiosyncratic) reactions and the dose-dependent, predictable physicochemical (intrinsic, nonidiosyncratic) reactions. Prophylaxis of the former type is targeted at stemming the effects of certain chemical mediators, primarily histamine. The use of lower osmolar RCM is associated with a lower incidence of anaphylactoid react...
High performance size exclusion chromatography of starch with dimethyl sulfoxide as the mobile phase

Two types of high performance size exclusion chromatographic (SEC) columns were tested for the characterization of starch samples: μ Bondagel and Aquapore. The mobile phase was dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) containing 0.03 M sodium nitrate maintained at 80°C. The results indicated that both μ Bondagel and Aquapore can be used to determine the relative molecular weight of starch. The exclusion limits for these columns exceed ten million. Preliminary results using μ Styragel are also reported. Examples of SEC analysis of starch, including starch with anionic groups, are given.
Freedom of Information Laws and Global Diffusion: Testing Rogers’s Model

This exploratory study applied Everett Rogers’s diffusion framework to the global phenomenon of countries adopting freedom of information laws. The external influence of geographic proximity and th...
Serious Pulmonary Toxicity Secondary to Novel Hepatitis C Antiviral Therapy in a Liver Transplant Recipient

Historically, the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection has been difficult, but therapeutic options have improved markedly recently because of the development of novel antiviral therapies. These therapies have been well tolerated. We describe a patient who was receiving such therapy and had development of temporally related and histologically confirmed severe pulmonary toxicity. Pulmonary toxicity should be considered a potential serious complication of novel antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus infection.
Subwavelength optical probes for sensitive analysis

Near-field optics has been utilized for a variety of applications. Using near-field optical probe and microscopy, we have devised a method to introduce a near-field probe into live cultured vascular smooth muscle cell and NG108-15 neuroblastoma cells. We have effectively monitored cellular responses, with excellent spatial and fast temporal resolutions, to drug stimulation. Near-field optical probes enable the visualization of functional response in living cells. We have also nanofabricated the first single molecule optical probe. A single dye molecule, carbocyanine dye C18, is immobilized on a near-field optical probe by physical immobilization. We are able to control the preparation process by selecting the dye molecule concentrations and the interaction times of the probe with the DiI solution. The single DiI molecule probe's optical and spectroscopic properties have been characterized. Photobleaching of a single DiI molecule probe occurs as a discrete and total extinction of its fluorescence. We have also developed ultrasensitive detection schemes using near-field optical probes. Biomolecule immobilization has been carried out on optical fiber probes. Ultrasensitive biochemical sensors for glutamate and lactate have been prepared and characterized.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effect of Zn, Mn, and Fe on Cd accumulation in phytoplankton: Implications for oceanic Cd cycling

Cd and phosphate concentrations in seawater are closely related, suggesting that Cd distributions, like those of PO4, are controlled by algal uptake and regeneration. But the factors that control Cd levels in phytoplankton and their influence on oceanic Cd versus PO 4 relationships are poorly known. We examined the effect of important controlling factors (free ion concentrations of Cd, Zn, and Mn and Fe limitation of growth rate) on Cd accumulation by an oceanic diatom (Thalassiosira oceanica). More limited comparative experiments were also conducted with a coastal diatom (T. weissflogii) and an oceanic coccolithophore (Emiliania huxleyi). Cellular Cd : C ratios increased with increasing Cd ion concentrations and decreasing Zn ion concentrations in all species and with decreasing ionic Mn in the diatoms. The effects of Mn and Zn apparently are related to the uptake of Cd by the cells’ Mn and Cd/ Co transport systems, which are under negative feedback regulation by cellular Mn and Zn. Cd : C ratios were determined in the oceanic diatom as functions of free ion concentrations of Cd, Zn, and Mn over the oceanic range of these metal ions. The data were combined with estimates of free ion concentrations of these metals in seawater to construct models of Cd : C and Cd : P ratios in oceanic phytoplankton. The modeled Cd : P ratios showed good agreement with slopes of Cd versus P relationships in different oceanic regimes. The models suggest that the high Cd versus phosphate slopes found in iron-depleted waters of the Southern Ocean and subarctic Pacific result from unusually high levels of zinc depletion in these waters. The resulting low zinc ion concentrations induce high levels of Cd uptake by phytoplankton, yielding high algal Cd : P ratios. The heavy depletion of zinc may be linked to elevated Zn : C and Zn : P ratios in iron-limited diatoms, as observed in experiments we conducted with T. oceanica.
Suppression of Doppler ambiguities for linear sparse arrays

A key trade-off in airborne or spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) design involves the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) and the number and location of range and Doppler ambiguities. The associated design issues are complicated further when the system involves a sparse array. A methodology is formulated based on selecting the PRF to avoid range ambiguities in the envelope mainbeam. The effects of the Doppler ambiguities falling within the envelope mainbeam are mitigated by using an optimal algorithm to generate weights that place nulls in the pattern of the (sparse or contiguous) array in the directions of the Doppler ambiguities. This approach can be used for the analysis and design of airborne or spaceborne SAR systems with contiguous or sparse arrays.