cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pulsed Laser-Assisted Focused Electron-Beam-Induced Etching of Titanium with XeF2: Enhanced Reaction Rate and Precursor Transport

In order to enhance the etch rate of electron-beam-induced etching, we introduce a laser-assisted focused electron-beam-induced etching (LA-FEBIE) process which is a versatile, direct write nanofabrication method that allows nanoscale patterning and editing. The results demonstrate that the titanium electron stimulated etch rate via the XeF2 precursor can be enhanced up to a factor of 6 times with an intermittent pulsed laser assist. The evolution of the etching process is correlated to in situ stage current measurements and scanning electron micrographs as a function of time. The increased etch rate is attributed to photothermally enhanced Ti-F reaction and TiF4 desorption and in some regimes enhanced XeF2 surface diffusion to the reaction zone.
Met -/- kidneys express epithelial cells that chemotax and form tubules in response to EGF receptor ligands

The growth factor/receptor combination of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-met has been postulated to be critical for mesenchymal-to-epithelial conversion and tubule formation in the developing kidney. We therefore isolated and immortalized cells from embryonic kidneys of met -/- transgenic mice to determine whether these cells were epithelial and able to chemotax and form tubules in vitro. The cells were immortalized with retrovirus expressing human papillomavirus 16 (HPV 16) E6/E7 genes. Two rapidly dividing clones were isolated and found to express the epithelial cell markers cytokeratin, zonula occludens-1, and E-cadherin but not to express the fibroblast marker vimentin. The met -/- cells were able to chemotax in response to epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and form tubules in vitro in response to TGF-alpha but not HGF. These experiments suggest that the HGF/c-met axis is not essential for epithelial cell development in the embryonic kidney and demonstrate that other growth factors are capable of supporting early tubulogenesis.
Demonstration of an n-channel inversion mode GaAs MISFET

Summary form only given. An operational GaAs inversion mode n-channel MISFET has been demonstrated using a composite SiO/sub 2/ (15 nm)/Si (1 nm)/GaAs structure. This result is based on an in situ hydrogen cleaning process (used to prepare the GaAs surface just prior to the Si-SiO/sub 2/ deposition), a low-temperature pseudomorphic Si deposition process, and a low-temperature high-quality SiO/sub 2/ deposition process, all performed sequentially in an ultrahigh-vacuum/load locked system. The first working devices exhibit a DC transconductance of 0.26 mS/mm at a gate length and width of 2 mu m and 50 mu m, respectively. Capacitance-voltage analysis of MIS capacitors on chip with the transistors indicates that the midgap electron trap density is on the order of 4*10/sup 11/ cm/sup -2/. >
Lineage Specific Chimerism Analysis Reveals That Mixed Donor T-Cell Chimerism Is Common in the Early Post-Transplant Period Following Myeloablative Allotransplants from HLA-Matched but Not HLA-Haploidentical Donors: A Multivariable Analysis of Allografted Patients from a Single Center

Failure to achieve complete donor T-cell chimerism in the early post-transplant period may impair the graft-versus malignancy effect and contribute to a higher risk of disease relapse. Lineage specific chimerism analysis (LSCA) of T-lymphocytes versus myeloid cells is routinely performed following reduced-intensity or non-myeloablative hematopoietic cell allografts. However, many centers do not perform LSCA following myeloablative conditioning. We performed LSCA in all consecutive patients receiving a first T-replete allotransplant using myeloablative conditioning as defined by the CIBMTR (Giralt 2009 BBMT 15;367) between 2/2006 and 2/2015 (n=232; patient characteristics: median age 49 (18-73); Female 50%, Black 19%, Asian 3% white 78%; donor MRD 41%, MUD 39%, Haploidentical 20%; graft PBSC 88%, BM 11.5%, both 0.5%; diagnosis AML 52%, ALL 18%, MDS 11%, CML 11%, NHL 4% MPS1%, CLL1%, HL 1%; DRI low 10%, intermediate 51%, high 29%, very high 10%. Our objectives were to determine the rate of full-donor and mixed T-cell chimerism in the early post-transplant period (d 30 and d 90) , to determine the association of T-cell chimerism with patient, disease and regimen specific factors, and to determine whether early mixed chimerism impacts post-transplant outcomes following myeloablative conditioning. LSCA was performed on peripheral blood using a RoboSep instrument for automated sorting of CD3-positive T-cells and CD33 positive myeloid cells to 96.5-100% and 98.3-100% purity respectively, and short tandem repeat analysis by PCR. Full donor chimerism was defined as > 90% donor derived cells. Probability of achieving full donor T-cell chimerism in evaluable patients on d 30 and d 90 post transplant were 55% and 71%. In contrast the probabilities of achieving full-donor myeloid chimerism were 99.5% and 93.5% respectively. On univariate analysis the following factors were significantly associated with achievement of full-donor T-cell chimerism on d 30: donor type (haploidentical 100%, MRD 39%, MUD 47%, p 50% or to administer DLI (starting at 1 x 10e6 CD3+ cells/kg) for patients with CD3 chimerism Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Entropic crossovers in superionic fluorites from specific heat

Neutron scattering/diffraction experiments and atomistic simulations reveal that anions in fluorite superionic conductors show rapid disordering at a characteristic temperature T α, which is distinct from the superionic or λ transition temperature T λ that is associated with a quasi-divergent behavior of the thermodynamic response functions. We demonstrate that both crossovers are unmistakably captured by the variation of the ratio of specific heat to the temperature (c/T)—a surprisingly seldom-used thermodynamic metric representing the rate of change of entropy with temperature (ds/dT). With increasing temperature, c/T decreases and portrays a minimum near T α; it then increases and depicts a maximum near T λ. The minimum in c/T corresponds to the onset of superionic state characterized by a rapid increase in the ionic conductivity while the maximum represents a quasi-second-order thermodynamic phase transition. The simple c/T metric appears to be a useful experimental indicator for entropic crossovers that arise from complex disordering in a wider class of superionic conductors.
Impressive and durable response to nivolumab in a patient with metastatic type 2 papillary renal cell carcinoma: On-label but without evidence.

Nivolumab is a treatment option for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) previously treated with targeted antiangiogenic therapy. Papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC) comprises 10–15% of RCC cases but non-clear cell subtypes were excluded from the immunotherapy trials. We report the case of a woman with recurrent metastatic PRCC who had an impressive therapeutic response to nivolumab with no significant adverse events. She had previously been treated with sunitinib and pazopanib with no response. She showed a remarkable clinical improvement after only the first 2 immunotherapy cycles and subsequent radiographic studies demonstrated a marked decrease in tumor burden. At present, she continues to show a durable benefit after 8 months of treatment. Her tumor had <1% positivity for PD-L1 staining and a low tumor mutational burden with no actionable mutations on genomic sequencing. Considering its high genetic variation, checkpoint blockade immunotherapies (CBIs) are attractive treatment options in PRCC. This is the third case that reports objective responses of nivolumab in PRCC. We believe our patient’s experience supports the inclusion of non-clear cell RCC on clinical trials using CBIs. PD-L1 status and TMB may not serve as predictive biomarkers for response.
Implications of Recent Clinical Trials in Cardiovascular Imaging on Primary Prevention Therapies

This review aims to provide an overview of how cardiovascular imaging can help individualize preventive cardiovascular care, while focusing on the implications of various recent noninvasive and invasive imaging studies for the field of preventive cardiology. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) has established itself as a well-validated tool for detecting the presence or absence of coronary atherosclerosis and thus can provide a more precise measurement of risk than many commonly used risk scores. While individuals with no CAC have an excellent prognosis, those with even minimal CAC have an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. These findings have now been extended across several different patient cohorts, including younger patients (e.g., age 35–46 years), for whom the presence of any plaque is associated with a substantially higher risk. Aside from helping to guide the need for various preventive therapies, the detection of CAC may lead to improved risk factor modifications and enhance patient compliance. The implications of these studies include the fact that the incidental identification of CAC on nongated chest CT scans in patients without prior known CAD should prompt intensification of preventive therapies. Recent trials have suggested that among patients with stable symptoms, coronary CTA, as compared to functional testing, leads to higher initiation and intensification of preventive strategies, and a lower incidence of future myocardial infarction. As such, it imperative to use the results of cardiovascular imaging tests—which are often ordered to evaluate symptoms, and not necessarily for implementing preventive therapies—in a way that would promote more aggressive preventive therapies to individuals who have evidence of subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular imaging in both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients can have significant implications on long-term preventive treatments and allows for a more precise assessment of risk. Consequently, physicians should routinely incorporate the results of any available imaging studies together with clinical data, when deciding on the role and intensity of various pharmacologic and lifestyle changes. Communication of such findings with patients could enhance adherence and is essential for optimal patient-centered care.
Political Philosophy, Law, and Public Policy

In democratic political life, political philosophy, law, and public policy are often interrelated. John Rawls’s abstract thought experiment to develop, behind a veil of ignorance, basic institutions for already well-ordered and law-abiding societies, may not be relevant to the correction of practical injustice. Amartya Sen’s idea of addressing human capabilities and practices of applicative justice, better addresses real-life injustice. Concerns about affirmative action and racial profiling involve questions about their injustice. The US Supreme Court has upheld affirmative action only as part of a full range of individual qualifications. Police racial profiling has led to homicides against unarmed young black men, although police discretion has been upheld by the US Supreme Court.
Impairment of Diuretic Secretion

Publisher Summary Acetazolamide, the thiazides, loop diuretics, and amiloride must reach the lumen of the renal tubule to exert their effect. However, these agents are extensively bound to serum proteins, primarily albumin, which effectively prevents their entry into the tubule through glomerular filtration. Thus these drugs reach the tubular lumen by secretion from blood into tubule fluid. The transport mechanisms responsible for tubular secretion are not unique to the kidney and occur in other organs as well. In the kidney, however, these processes have gained considerable attention because of their importance to the pharmacology of many drugs and drug metabolites. This chapter focuses on the importance of impaired diuretic system to diuretic pharmacology. The most frequently used diuretic compounds, thiazide and loop diuretics, exist in the serum as organic anions, while the diuretics, amiloride and triamterene are organic cations. Both classes of compounds are secreted by the charge selective secretory pathways located in the proximal renal tubule. The general characteristics of both of these secretory systems are that they can move substances uphill against a concentration gradient, at times transport substrates bidirectionally, can be saturated by high substrate concentrations, and demonstrate competitive inhibition between compounds in the same class.
Processing high efficiency functional gradient thermoelectric materials

Abstract The converting efficiency of thermoelectric material is rated by its figure of merit, zT, which varies with temperature and usually goes through a maximum at a temperature TM. To have a better utilization on their temperature ranges of high zT, cascaded components have been designed by stacking up different material layers that have their TM at different temperature ranges. There are shortcomings in this arrangement mainly because of the monolithic properties of each layer and the thermal gaps between them. To improve its efficiency, thermoelectric properties need to vary continuously along its length, the so-called functional gradient (FG) thermoelectric materials, such that the value of TM of each individual thin layer matches the actual temperature along its thermal gradient. Here, we show that such a high efficiency FG thermoelectric material with continuously monotonic variation of TM can be accomplished by melt growth using the directional solidification technique and have demonstrated it in the n-type doped PbTe system.
Cather’s O PIONEERS! and Veblen’s THE THEORY OF THE LEISURE CLASS

In 1985, when American Heritage magazine asked critic Jonathan Yardley to name 10 books that shaped the American character, one of his choices was Thorstein Veblen’s The Theory of the Leisure Class...
Trait-mediated indirect effects in a natural tidepool system

We demonstrate an apparent trait-mediated indirect interaction (TMII) of predators on primary producers in a natural community by altering prey behavior over short and long time scales. Small predatory sea stars (Leptasterias spp.) caused herbivorous snails (Tegula funebralis) added to rocky intertidal tidepools to quickly flee into refuge microhabitats outside tidepools within days, and this was associated with a 58% increase in microalgal growth after 2 weeks. Similarly, removing sea stars caused snails to increase use of tidepools for 1–10 months. After adding sea stars to tidepools, snails quickly fled and then consistently increased use of refuges outside tidepools for 10 months. This was associated with average increases of 59% for microalgal growth over 1 month and 254% for macroalgal growth over 8 months inside tidepools. In 63 unmanipulated tidepools, densities of sea stars and snails were negatively correlated. High densities of snails were associated with unpalatable algal species and bare rock, while high densities of sea stars were associated with palatable algal species, suggesting that this apparent TMII may have community-level impacts. Though multiple lines of evidence suggest TMIIs were likely operating in this system, it was not possible to experimentally partition the relative contributions of TMIIs and density-mediated indirect interactions (DMIIs), so further caging experiments are necessary to distinguish their relative strengths. Overall, we suggest that predators can benefit primary producers by changing prey behavior even when predators and prey are unrestrained by cages or mesocosms, embedded in complex communities, and observed over multiple time scales.
Cache-aware load balancing of data center applications

Our deployment of cache-aware load balancing in the Google web search backend reduced cache misses by ~0.5x, contributing to a double-digit percentage increase in the throughput of our serving clusters by relieving a bottleneck. This innovation has benefited all production workloads since 2015, serving billions of queries daily.A load balancer forwards each query to one of several identical serving replicas. The replica pulls each term's postings list into RAM from flash, either locally or over the network. Flash bandwidth is a critical bottleneck, motivating an application-directed RAM cache on each replica. Sending the same term reliably to the same replica would increase the chance it hits cache, and avoid polluting the other replicas' caches. However, most queries contain multiple terms and we have to send the whole query to one replica, so it is not possible to achieve a perfect partitioning of terms to replicas.We solve this via a voting scheme, whereby the load balancer conducts a weighted vote by the terms in each query, and sends the query to the winning replica. We develop a multi-stage scalable algorithm to learn these weights. We first construct a large-scale term-query graph from logs and apply a distributed balanced graph partitioning algorithm to cluster each term to a preferred replica. This yields a good but simplistic initial voting table, which we then iteratively refine via cache simulation to capture feedback effects.
Dynamics of Field–Aligned Currents in the Laboratory, Aurorae, and Galactic Space

One of the outstanding properties of electron beam propagation along an axial magnetic field is the breakup of the beam into discrete vortex-like current bundles when a threshold determined by either the beam current or distance of propagation is exceeded (Buneman et al. 1992; Peratt and Snell 1985; Shishlov et al. 2002; Krejci et al. 1993; Dessler 1983; Peratt 1992).
Inventing America, again

In US intellectual and academic life, the 1940s and 1950s stand out as a period abounding with attempts to assay the characteristic and distinctive forms of ‘American culture’ and ‘American society...
Traveling between Worlds: German-American Encounters

Review of: "Traveling between Worlds: German-American Encounters," edited by Thomas Adam and Ruth Gross.
From Metternicht’s ‘Justice, Love and Peace’ to Mises’ ‘Oligarchic’ ‘Liberty’ and Russia of the Oligarchs

After the failed Munich Beer Hall Putsch, Hitler gradually worked his way towards an understanding that in ‘these elections democracy must be destroyed with the weapons of democracy.’ Hayek described his own struggle: ‘I think I was just taken in by the theoretical picture of what democracy was--that ultimately we had to put up with many miscarriages, so long as we were governed by the dominant opinion of the majority. It was only when I became clear that there is no predominant opinion of the majority, but that it’s an artefact achieved by paying off the interests of particular groups, and that this was inevitable with an omnipotent legislature, that I dared to turn against the existing conception of democracy.’ Hitler (who would shout: ‘Propaganda, propaganda, all that matters is propaganda’) referred to the ‘intellectual classes’: ‘Unfortunately we need them; otherwise we might one day, I don’t know, exterminate them or something like that. But unfortunately we need them.’ Likewise, Hayek stated that ‘what I call the intellectuals, in the sense in which I defined it before--the secondhand dealers in ideas--have to play a very important role and are very effective.’ It was ‘increasingly my concern to persuade the intellectuals in the hopes that ultimately they could be converted and transmit my ideas to the public at large. That I cannot reach the public I am fully aware. I need these intermediaries.’ While secular education promotes critical thought and the evaluation of evidence, Mises promoted subservience to his prejudices, and Hayek hoped to promote a ‘turn against the existing conception of democracy.’ This would leave ‘shaped opinion’ to ‘wealthy man of affairs’ and those that do their ‘bidding- - their secondhand dealers in opinion.’ If this failed, ‘Fascists’ were required (Mises), or a ‘dictator’ who ‘can say no’ (Hayek). This chapter examines the neo-feudal ‘spontaneous’ order—from Metternicht’s Concert of Europe to Mises’ oligarchic ‘liberty’ and beyond.
Ameliorating Chronic Kidney Disease Using a Whole Food Plant-Based Diet

Novel approaches to ameliorating chronic kidney disease (CKD) are warranted as most patients are undiagnosed until they begin displaying symptoms of kidney failure. There is increasing evidence that a whole food plant-based (WFPB) diet may offer benefits that slow the progression of CKD, decrease the incidence cardiovascular disease, decrease rates of diabetes and obesity, and reduce inflammation and cholesterol, which in turn can delay kidney failure and the initiation of dialysis. While animal-based protein ingestion promotes an acidic environment, inflammation and renal hyperfiltration, study authors report plant-based protein can be alkaline-producing and anti-inflammatory and can contain renoprotective properties. Although there may be benefits to adopting a WFPB diet, macronutrient and micronutrient content should be carefully considered and adjusted to avoid malnutrition in CKD patients. Further research needs to be done in order to establish the biological plausibility and feasibility of a WFPB in individuals with diagnosed CKD.
GTP cyclohydrolase I activity from Rickettsia monacensis strain Humboldt, a rickettsial endosymbiont of Ixodes pacificus

The complete folate biosynthesis pathway exists in the genome of a rickettsial endosymbiont of Ixodes pacificus, Rickettsia monacensis strain Humboldt (formerly known as Rickettsia species phylotype G021). Recently, our lab demonstrated that the folA gene of strain Humboldt, the final gene in the folate biosynthesis pathway, encodes a functional dihydrofolate reductase enzyme. In this study, we report R. monacensis strain Humboldt has a functional GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCH1), an enzyme required for the hydrolysis of GTP to form 7,8-dihydroneopterin triphosphate in the folate biosynthesis pathway. The GCH1 gene of R. monacensis, folE, share homology with the folE gene of R. monacensis strain IrR/Munich, with a nucleotide sequence identity of 99%. Amino acid alignment and comparative protein structure modeling have shown that the FolE protein of R. monacensis has a conserved core subunit of GCH1 from the T-fold structural superfamily. All amino acid residues, including conserved GTP binding sites and zinc binding sites, are preserved in the FolE protein of R. monacensis. A recombinant GST-FolE protein from R. monacensis was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified by affinity chromatography, and assayed for enzyme activity in vitro. The in vitro enzymatic assay described in this study accorded the recombinant GCH1 enzyme of R. monacensis with a specific activity of 0.81 U/mg. Our data suggest folate genes of R. monacensis strain Humboldt have the potential to produce biochemically active enzymes for de novo folate synthesis, addressing the physioecological underpinnings behind tick-Rickettsia symbioses.
BMP signaling plays a role in anterior-neural/head development, but not organizer activity, in the gastropod Crepidula fornicata.

Abstract: BMP signaling is involved in many aspects of metazoan development, with two of the most conserved functions being to pattern the dorsal-ventral axis and to specify neural versus epidermal fates. An active area of research within developmental biology asks how BMP signaling was modified over evolution to build disparate body plans. Animals belonging to the superclade Spiralia/Lophotrochozoa are excellent experimental subjects for studying the evolution of BMP signaling because a highly conserved, stereotyped early cleavage program precedes the emergence of distinct body plans. In this study we examine the role of BMP signaling in one representative, the slipper snail Crepidula fornicata. We find that mRNAs encoding BMP pathway components (including the BMP ligand decapentaplegic, and BMP antagonists chordin and noggin-like proteins) are not asymmetrically localized along the dorsal-ventral axis in the early embryo, as they are in other species. Furthermore, when BMP signaling is perturbed by adding ectopic recombinant BMP4 protein, or by treating embryos with the selective Activin receptor-like kinase-2 (ALK-2) inhibitor Dorsomorphin Homolog 1 (DMH1), we observe no obvious effects on dorsal-ventral patterning within the posterior (post-trochal) region of the embryo. Instead, we see effects on head development and the balance between neural and epidermal fates specifically within the anterior, pre-trochal tissue derived from the 1q1 lineage. Our experiments define a window of BMP signaling sensitivity that ends at approximately 44–48 ​hours post fertilization, which occurs well after organizer activity has ended and after the dorsal-ventral axis has been determined. When embryos were exposed to BMP4 protein during this window, we observed morphogenetic defects leading to the separation of the anterior, 1q lineage from the rest of the embryo. The 1q-derived organoid remained largely undifferentiated and was radialized, while the post-trochal portion of the embryo developed relatively normally and exhibited clear signs of dorsal-ventral patterning. When embryos were exposed to DMH1 during the same time interval, we observed defects in the head, including protrusion of the apical plate, enlarged cerebral ganglia and ectopic ocelli, but otherwise the larvae appeared normal. No defects in shell development were noted following DMH1 treatments. The varied roles of BMP signaling in the development of several other spiralians have recently been examined. We discuss our results in this context, and highlight the diversity of developmental mechanisms within spiral-cleaving animals.
The Voices of Twitter: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Racial Discourses on Twitter Following the Alt-Right March on Charlottesville, Virginia

This chapter takes a critical look at the belief that Twitter allows for the kind of dialogue essential to democracy by bringing together disparate voices. Using Critical Discourse Analysis, Dyer and Hakkola analyze Twitter responses to the 2017 Alt-right march held in Charlottesville, Virginia for signs of such dialogue. Results show that tweets either augmented or resisted the colorblind discourse that has dominated political discussions in the United States for the past decades. The divisions between the various sides of the debate lead the authors to conclude that discussions on Twitter might show the potential for the kind of dialogue needed for democracy but the lack of mutual engagement means that these interactions seem to only further divide the country.
The sodium in sodium oxybate: is there cause for concern?

Sodium oxybate (SO), the sodium salt of γ-hydroxybutyric acid, is one of the primary pharmacologic agents used to treat excessive sleepiness, disturbed nighttime sleep, and cataplexy in narcolepsy. The sodium content of SO ranges from 550 to 1640 mg at 3-9 g, given in two equal nightly doses. Clinicians are advised to consider daily sodium intake in patients with narcolepsy who are treated with SO and have comorbid disorders associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk, in whom sodium intake may be a concern. It remains unclear whether all patients with narcolepsy treated with SO should modify or restrict their sodium intake. No data are currently available specific to the sodium content or threshold of SO at which patients might experience increased CV risk. To appraise attributable risk, critical evaluation of the literature was conducted to examine the relationship between CV risk and sodium intake, narcolepsy, and SO exposure. The findings suggest that increased CV risk is associated with extremes of daily sodium intake, and that narcolepsy is associated with comorbidities that may increase CV risk in some patients. However, data from studies regarding SO use in patients with narcolepsy have shown a very low frequency of CV side effects (eg, hypertension) and no overall association with CV risk. In the absence of data that specifically address CV risk with SO based on its sodium content, the clinical evidence to date suggests that SO treatment does not confer additional CV risk in patients with narcolepsy.
Management of HBV in Pregnancy

Hepatitis B in pregnancy must include diagnosis and management of the pregnant woman as well as modalities to decrease mother to child transmission (MTCT). MTCT remains the most important mode of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission, although effective strategies exist to reduce this risk. Universal screening for HBV can identify women with previously unrecognized infection and allow for targeted therapy to prevent MTCT. All children of HBV-infected mothers should receive passive active immunoprophylaxis with hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and HBV vaccination within 12 h of birth. With such measures, the risk of transmission can be decreased to less than 1 % in women with low viral loads. Immunoprophylaxis failures occur in as many as 15 % of children born to mothers with high viral loads at the time of delivery (>6 log copies/ml or >200,000 IU/ml), and therefore, additional treatment in the third trimester is warranted in this group. Antiviral therapy with lamivudine, tenofovir, or telbivudine in the third trimester can decrease MTCT to less than 5 % and should be used in women with high viral loads in the third trimester. Postpartum flares of liver disease are common, and therefore, careful monitoring is warranted in women who stop therapy. The decision to breastfeed while on antiviral therapy should be individualized, but current evidence suggests that it is safe.
Special Sensory Systems

The special senses are those sensory systems confined to the head. They include the sensory systems which respond to visual, auditory, vestibular, gustatory, and olfactory stimulation, and are responsible for the five special senses of sight, hearing, equilibrium, taste, and smell.
Fenoprofen nephropathy: Lipoid nephrosis and interstitial nephritis: A possible T-lymphocyte disorder

Abstract Five patients are presented, each of whom had an acute idiosyncratic reaction to fenoprofen calcium (Nalfon ® ) characterized by acute renal failure and marked proteinuria. Renal pathology was similar in all patients. Light microscopy revealed marked lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrates and normal glomeruli. Immunofluorescent staining was minimal or absent. Electron microscopy showed fusion of podocytes in otherwise normal glomeruli. Two patients were studied using T-cell and B-cell specific fluorescent staining, which revealed that the interstitial infiltrates were composed exclusively of T-lymphocytes. This finding is considered in relation to prior experimental and theoretic work. It is suggested that the various clinical and pathologic findings in fenoprofen nephropathy are all manifestations of a disordered cell-mediated immunity.
Managing Facilities for Results: Optimizing Space for Services, by Cheryl Bryan

In this time of uncertain economy, prudent planning and resource management are necessary when public libraries are investigating new facilities for library services, including expansions and/or re...
Pictorial review of cardiac sarcomas and their mimickers

This review aims to present imaging characteristics of cardiac sarcomas, their most important mimickers and benign differential diagnoses in order to avoid potential pitfalls, guide to achieve proper diagnosis, leading to timely and appropriate treatment.
Initiation of recA+-dependent recombination in Escherichia coli (λ)

Abstract When λ bacteriophages were treated with a photosensitizing agent, psoralen or khellin, and 360 nm light, monoadducts and interstrand crosslinks were produced in the phage DNA. The DNA from the treated phages was injected normally into Escherichia coli uvr A − (λ) cells and it was converted to the covalent circular form in yields similar to those obtained in experiments with undamaged λ phages. In excision-proficient host cells, however, there was a dose-dependent reduction in the yield of rapidly sedimenting molecules, and a corresponding increase in slow sedimenting material, the extent of this conversion corresponding to about one cut per two crosslinks. Presumably, the damaged λ DNA molecules were cut by the uvr A endonuclease of the host cell, but were not restored to the original covalent circular form. The presence of psoralen damage in λ phage DNA greatly increased the frequency of genetic exchanges in λ phage-prophage crosses in homoimmune lysogens (Lin et al. , 1977). As genetic recombination is thought to depend on cutting and joining in DNA molecules, experiments were performed to test whether psoralen-damaged λ DNA would cause other λ DNA in the same cell to be cut. E. coli (λ) host cells were infected with 32 P-labeled λ phages and incubated to permit the labeled DNA to form covalent circles. When these host cells were superinfected with untreated λ phages, there was no effect upon the circular DNA. When superinfected with λ phages that had been treated with psoralen and light, however, many of the covalent circular molecules were cut. The cutting of undamaged molecules in response to the damaged DNA was referred to as “cutting in trans ”. It required the uvr A + and rec A + host gene functions, but neither rec B + nor any phage gene functions. It occurred normally in non-lysogenic hosts treated with chloramphenicol before infection. Cutting in trans may be one of the steps in rec A-controlled recombination between psoralen crosslinked phage λ DNA and its homologs.
Growth Dynamics of the Middle Devonian Jukoupu Bioherm, Xinshao, Hunan

The growth process, palaeoecological features and the function of organisms in reef-building of the Jukoupu bioherm in Hunan are discussed in detail. The bioherm is divided into 10 micro facies. Organisms are very abundant in the reef. Thirty-two genera belonging to 7 phyla have been recognized. They make up 5 communities composed mainly of stromatopoids, corals and algae, each of which has its own salient ecological features. An analysis of all communities shows that the organic functions are very complex. The same organisms may possess diverse functions simultaneously as the reef growth enters the late stage. The growth process of the reef may involve five stages: (l) biostrome stage, (2) stabilization stage, (3) frame-type reef-building stage, (4) binding and covering-type reef-building stage, and (5) baffle-type reef-building stage.
Supporting abstract relational space-time as fundamental without doctrinism against emergence

Modern physics, via the standard model with Higgs mechanism and string theory for example, has supplied ether-like models and emergent general relativity scenarios that substantially weaken the usual defense of orthodox relativity and abstract, relational space-time in general. Over a dozen arguments in support of relativism against space-substances are discussed. It is not known whether perceived space-time is fundamental or due to a condensed state or string theoretical membrane. Emergent relativity indicates perhaps a whole tower of more fundamental space-times. Whether space is best described as a thing, an emergent phenomenon, or instead Kant's necessary, a priori pre-condition of the possibility of all phenomena, depends on which space-time is under consideration. Nevertheless, space-time is fundamentally abstract relational. This is supported by throughout acknowledging as well as illustrating the value of space-substance models, yet still keeping firm in refusing them on the deepest level. The gist is that even while refusing, physics and philosophy gain more from ether concepts than from plainly refusing them.
G-rich sequence factor 1, a novel marker of prostate cancer virulence identified through mRNA differential display

G-rich sequence factor 1, a novel marker of prostate cancer virulence identified through mRNA differential display
Luminescence and nonradiative energy transfer to surfaces

Luminescent molecules near metal surfaces can have dramatically decreased quantum efficiencies and lifetimes. For example, decreases of \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{3}$ in quantum efficiency and in lifetime occur for nitrogen atoms within 3 nm of potassium surfaces. This paper presents experimental decay curves for light emission from nitrogen atoms in a ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ matrix of varying thickness (3 to 1000 nm) on sapphire, silver, and potassium substrates. Theoretical decay curves are derived and found to be in agreement with the experimental curves. Both experiment and theory agree that for potassium there is near-resonant coupling between excited nitrogen atoms and potassium surface plasmons. For metal films, both film thickness and surface roughness affect the decay curves.
Single treatment of grades II and III cellulite using a minimally invasive 1,440-nm pulsed Nd:YAG laser and side-firing fiber: an institutional review board-approved study with a 24-month follow-up period.

Cellulite represents one of the common topographic alterations to the skin surface and one of the structural changes to the subdermal fat and septal band of the posterolateral thighs. Currently, no treatment exists to address this entity with a multifactorial genesis that produces long-term beneficial outcomes. This clinical study evaluated the safety and efficacy of the 1,440-nm laser and the duration of the clinical benefits during 2 years. Initially, 25 healthy women with thigh cellulite were enrolled in this prospective institutional review board (IRB)-approved study. For grade II cellulite, the laser fiber delivered up to 1,000 J of energy to the undersurface of the entire involved skin. For grade III cellulite, the laser fiber distributed 1,300 to 1,500 J of energy to melt the subdermal fat, subcise the taut septal bands, and heat the reticular dermis. Baseline and posttreatment analyses included standardized high-resolution photography, skin elasticity measurements, ultrasound scanning for dermal thickness, histology, investigator global assessment scores, and recording of adverse events. Of the 24 subjects who underwent treatment, only 20 were available for the 6-month follow-up assessment. Objective measurements at 2 years demonstrated an increase over the baseline mean skin elasticity (34 %) and mean dermal thickness (11 %), as well as an increase in the average percentage of dermal thickening determined by ultrasound imaging. Independent investigator global assessments were rated higher for grade II subjects than for grade III subjects throughout the 2-year follow-up period. Mild adverse events disappeared by the third month. This IRB-conducted clinical trial, as part of a multicenter study for Food and Drug Administration approval, demonstrated the safety and efficacy of a single minimally invasive treatment for grades II and III thigh cellulite during a 2-year follow-up period. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
Combustion Properties of Partially-Premixed Turbulent Flames of Soy Methyl Ester and Diesel Blends

Soy methyl ester (SME) is a biofuel that is a renewable alternative energy resource and is produced by the transesterification of soy oil; it is carbon-neutral and low in sulphur content. The objective of this study was to document the combustion characteristics of blends of SME and No 2 diesel fuel in a partially-premixed turbulent flame environment. The experiments were conducted at an initial equivalence ratio of 7 and three Reynolds numbers (based on the injector diameter and the bulk burner-exit velocity of the air/fuel mixture): 2700, 3600 and 4500. Three blends, B25, B50 and B75 corresponding to 25, 50 and 75% volume concentration of SME were studied. The liquid fuel was completely vaporized and mixed with air before exiting the burner. The radiative heat fraction measured in the SME flames was lower than the corresponding value in pure diesel flames and increased with Reynolds number. The global emission measurements indicated that the NOx emissions from the SME-diesel blend flames were lower than those from the pure diesel flame. At quarter and half flame height the temperature peaked at the edge of the flame where as for three quarters the temperature peaked at the centerline of the flame. In-flame NOx concentrations decreased with an increase in Reynolds number. The CO emission index decreased with the increase in the SME concentration in the fuel blend and decreased with the increase in Reynolds number.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Seasonal movement, growth and survival of brook trout in sympatry with brown trout in Midwestern US streams

Seasonal patterns in growth, survival and movement of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis were monitored in two southeastern Minnesota streams divided into study reaches based on brown trout Salmo trutta abundance. We estimated survival and movement while testing for effects of stream reach and time using a multistrata Cormack–Jolly–Seber model in Program MARK. Multistrata models were analysed for three age groups (age-0, age-1 and age-2+) to estimate apparent survival, capture probability and movement. Survival varied by time period, but not brown trout abundance and was lower during flood events. Age-0 brook trout emigrated from reaches with low brown trout abundance, whereas adult brook trout emigrated from downstream brown trout-dominated reaches. Growth was highest in spring and summer and did not differ across streams or reaches for the youngest age classes. For age-2+ brook trout, however, growth was lower in reaches where brown trout were abundant. Interspecific interactions can be age or size dependent; our results show evidence for adult interactions, but not for age-0. Our results suggest that brook trout can be limited by both environmental and brown trout interactions that can vary by season and life stage.
Rotational Analysis of the A4Πr−X4Σ− Band System of Molybdenum Nitride (MoN)

Abstract The high-resolution laser-induced fluorescence spectrum of a supersonic molecular beam sample of molybdenum nitride, MoN, was recorded in the 596- to 633-nm spectral range. The A 4 Π r − X 4 Σ − band system of the 92 Mo, 94 Mo, 96 Mo, 98 Mo, and 100 Mo isotopic forms was analyzed to produce an improved set of spectroscopic parameters. The isotopic dependence of the parameters is discussed and a comparison with a previous rotational analysis is given.
Singular perturbation analysis of a stationary diffusion/reaction system whose solution exhibits a corner-type behavior in the interior of the domain

We consider a singularly perturbed system of second-order differential equations describing steady state of a chemical process that involves three species, two reactions (one of which is fast), and diffusion. Formal asymptotic expansion of the solution is constructed in the case when solution exhibits a corner-type behavior in the interior of the domain of interest. The theorem on estimation of the remainder is proved using a fixed point argument.
Stable rightward shifts of the oxyhemoglobin dissocation curve induced by encapsulation of inositol hexaphosphate in red blood cells using electroporation

Rightward shifts of 50-100% of the P50 values in the oxygen dissociation curve of intracellular hemoglobin are obtained after encapsulation of inositol hexaphosphate in mouse and dog red blood cells (RBC) by electroporation. Life spans of mouse RBC-myo-inositol hexaphosphate in circulation are unchanged from the normal RBC values.
Clinical course following endoscopic repair of type 1 laryngeal clefts

Summary Objectives Treatment of type I laryngeal clefts (T1LCs) remains controversial. We present our experience with 16 endoscopic T1LC repairs to evaluate the effect of patient characteristics and surgical technique on outcomes. Methods A retrospective study was performed. Diagnosis of T1LC was made by interarytenoid palpation during operative microlaryngoscopy. Two surgeons performed endoscopic repair using either microflap reconstruction or laser demucosalization and reapproximation. All patients received preoperative and postoperative modified barium swallow (MBS) studies. Improved MBS at 3–5 months determined success of repair. Factors contributing to success of repair were analyzed statistically. Results No intraoperative complications occurred. One T1LC repair dehisced after 3 months. Overall, 11 of 16 repairs (68.8%) were successful. Mean age at repair was 23.3 months. Length of stay for microflap repair was significantly shorter than for laser reapproximation (0.89 days vs. 4.6 days, p t -test). The difference in patient age between failures and successes (21.3 months vs. 24.2 months) was non-significant ( p = 0.661, two-tail t -test). Success for the nine patients receiving microflap reconstruction (77.8%) vs. the seven receiving laser reapproximation (57.1%) is comparable ( p = 0.596, Fisher's exact test). No correlation between comorbidities and failure was found ( p > 0.05, Fisher's exact test). Conclusions This series matches the largest reported series of endoscopic T1LC repairs. Success rates were lower than in previously reported studies, and comorbidities were higher. However, comorbidities did not contribute to surgical failure. No difference in outcome was seen between the two endoscopic techniques. Microflap repair may require a shorter hospital stay.
Cadmium perturbs calcium homeostasis in rat osteosarcoma (ros 17/2.8) cells; a possible role for protein kinase c

The mechanism of the toxic effects of Cd2+ on bone cell function is not completely understood at this time. This study was designed to characterize the effect of Cd2+ on Ca2+ metabolism in ROS 17/2.8 cells. Cells were labeled with (45)Ca (1.87 mM Ca) for 20 h in the presence of 0.01, 0.1, or 1.0 microM Cd2+ and kinetic parameters were determined from (45)Ca efflux curves. Three kinetic compartments described the intracellular metabolism of (45)Ca. Cd2+ (0.01 microM) caused an approximate 9 x increase in Ca2+ flux across the plasma membrane and a decrease in the most rapidly exchanging intracellular Ca2+ compartment (S1). However, there was no change in total cell Ca2+, indicating an increased cycling of Ca2+ across the plasma membrane. Flux between S1 and the intermediate Ca2+ compartment (S2) was also increased and S2 increased significantly. All Cd2+ induced changes in Ca2+ homeostasis were obliterated by concurrent treatment with 0.1 microM calphostin C (CC), a potent protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor. This data suggests that Cd2+ perturbs Ca2+ metabolism via a PKC dependent process.
Bacterial endocarditis in idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis

Bacterial endocarditis complicating idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS) is uncommon but endocarditis may be the first clinical manifestation of IHSS. In this report of such a case, the aortic and the mitral valves were the sites of the bacterial infection. Many chordae tendineae to the mitral valve were ruptured from the extension of the infectious process. The endothelial lesions, which served as the seat for the bacterial infection on the anterior mitral leaflet, likely resulted from its abutting action against the septal prominence. Damage to the aortic valve leaflet may have resulted from abnormal valve motion caused by IHSS and created an environment conducive to endocarditis. This patient developed aortic insufficiency during the course of bacterial endocarditis, suggesting that the occasional association of aortic insufficiency in patients with IHSS may be secondary to healed endocarditis of the aortic valve.