cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spin-Orbit Coupling’s Effect on the Electronic Properties of Heavy Elements-Based Compounds

The topological insulating is the topic studied in the last days, these compounds have a lot of properties as electronics, optics and till superconducting, among compounds that will be a topological insulating or topological semimetals are: the semi-Heuslers that contain heavy elements of general formula XYZ, this study was about one of them is: ScPdBi. We studied its structural properties to investigate its crystallographic phase: ferromagnetic (FM) or anti-ferromagnetic (AFM), we found that it is an AFM compound and we classified its structural properties parameters. After that, we studied its electronic properties (band structure and DOS) without spin-orbit coupling (SOC) where we found that this compound has a metallic character. Finally, we applied the SOC where we found different results according the electronic properties where the inversion band appeared so the topological non-trivial nature appeared; this compound is from the most important candidate for the superconducting applications found by an external effect about it as hydrostatic pressure. The calculations were by the first principle based in DFT implemented in ELK code; the exchange potential calculated by general gradient approximation (GGA).
Kinetics of Photo-Polymerization

A phenomenological expression (or educated guess) was assumed in Chapter 6 for the transient heat source term when considering the exothermic polymerization reaction of resin composites during cure. In this chapter, we look at the mechanism of the polymerization reaction in more detail and derive a mathematical model that considers the various chemical steps involved in converting the monomers into polymers. We focus on reactions propagated by radicals, i.e. atoms, molecules, or ions with an unpaired valence electron, created by the curing light and make use of the law of mass action to construct the rate equations. Such a model would be useful for determining the appropriate compositions of the resin and the intensity of light required to optimize the composite cure.
Exercise, Flourishing, and the Positivity Ratio in Seventh-Day Adventists: A Prospective Study:

Purpose:Flourishing and mental health in the prediction of health behaviors such as exercise has been understudied. Positive emotions may promote, and negative emotions hinder protective health beh...
Age and axon-specific forms of cortical remyelination by divergent populations of NG2-glia

Myelin is critical for neural circuit function and its destruction is widespread in neurodegenerative disease and aging. In these conditions, homeostatic repair mechanisms initiate oligodendrocyte replacement by resident progenitor cells called NG2-glia. To investigate the cellular dynamics of this repair we developed a novel demyelination model by combining intravital myelin imaging with a targeted single-cell ablation technique called 2Phatal. Oligodendrocyte 2Phatal activated a stereotyped degeneration cascade which triggered remyelination by local NG2-glia. Remyelination efficiency was dependent on initial myelin patterning and dynamic imaging revealed rapid repair mechanisms resulting in near-seamless transitions between myelin loss and repair. A subset of morphologically complex NG2-glia executed this remyelination, pointing towards unrecognized functional diversity within this population. Age-related demyelination mirrored the degenerative cascade observed with 2Phatal, while remyelination in aging was defective due to failed oligodendrogenesis. Thus, oligodendrocyte 2Phatal revealed cellular diversity within the oligodendrocyte lineage and uncovered novel forms of rapid remyelination.
Ciliopathic micrognathia is caused by aberrant skeletal differentiation and remodeling.

Ciliopathies represent a growing class of diseases caused by defects in microtubule-based organelles called primary cilia. Approximately 30% of ciliopathies are characterized by craniofacial phenotypes such as craniosynostosis, cleft lip/palate and micrognathia. Patients with ciliopathic micrognathia experience a particular set of difficulties, including impaired feeding and breathing, and have extremely limited treatment options. To understand the cellular and molecular basis for ciliopathic micrognathia, we used the talpid2 (ta2 ), a bona fide avian model for the human ciliopathy oral-facial-digital syndrome subtype 14. Histological analyses revealed that the onset of ciliopathic micrognathia in ta2 embryos occurred at the earliest stages of mandibular development. Neural crest-derived skeletal progenitor cells were particularly sensitive to a ciliopathic insult, undergoing unchecked passage through the cell cycle and subsequent increased proliferation. Furthermore, whereas neural crest-derived skeletal differentiation was initiated, osteoblast maturation failed to progress to completion. Additional molecular analyses revealed that an imbalance in the ratio of bone deposition and resorption also contributed to ciliopathic micrognathia in ta2 embryos. Thus, our results suggest that ciliopathic micrognathia is a consequence of multiple aberrant cellular processes necessary for skeletal development, and provide potential avenues for future therapeutic treatments.
Words of (Un)welcome: Securitization & Migration Discourses in Ecuadorian Media

This article explores how state and non-state actors compete to promote or combat securitizing discourses about migration through different media in a Global South receiving country. Drawing on theories of framing and securitization, the article traces the ways in which migrants in Ecuador are securitized, and the types of actors that are most influential in proposing salient frames that are invoked to justify specific policies or practices. It examines the role of agency by analyzing the presence or absence of migrant voices and other non-state actors in influencing the framing of news stories and in concrete policy outcomes. The article employs multiple methods, including content analysis of more than 800 newspaper articles on migration in three Ecuadorian newspapers over eight years, frame analysis of more than 100 television news videos, and discourse and social network analysis of more than 400 tweets harvested in the aftermath of an anti-immigrant incident in 2019. Given the centering of European experiences in dominant securitization theories, this work contributes a Global South perspective that illuminates the role of power and authority in the diffusion of securitizing discourses. It shows that the social construction of migrant identity and framing profoundly affects the human security of migrants.
This Time is Really Different: The Multiplier Effect of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) on Small Business Bank Loans

Abstract In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the U.S. government passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on March 27, 2020, creating the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), among others, to aid small businesses and their employees. Most PPP loans were administered by commercial banks in return for fees, and the banks bore little monitoring costs or risks, since PPP loans were forgivable by the government. I analyze if PPP loans of up to $1 million were net substitutes or complements for conventional small business loans of the same size for the PPP-issuing banks. The $1 million upper bound roughly corresponds to credits to the smallest firms that are often financially constrained. Using Call Report data through 2020:Q4, I find significant net complementarities. An additional dollar of PPP credit of up to $1 million had multiplier effects on conventional loans to the smallest firms of about an extra dollar.
Some General Proposals for Increasing the Production of Minority Professionals in the Basic Sciences

On November 4, 1975, approximately 100 presidents of black colleges and universities met with Health, Education, and Welfare Secretary F. David Mathews to propose the establishment of a national plan to achieve parity of black and other minority representation in all areas of higher education and in all professional and technical fields by the year 2000. These college presidents were, in part, led to make this proposal out of consideration of the faltering progress being made toward eliminating the historic gaps between white and minority family incomes as indicated in Table 1 (Padulo, 1974, p. 147).
A X-band GaN power amplifier with Bitstream modulations and active noise filtering

Power amplifiers (PAs) using Bitstream modulations such as Envelope Delta-Sigma Modulations (EDSM) have been proposed to overcome the trade-off between the linearity and efficiency in RF transmitters for signals with complex modulations. The essential idea of Bitstream amplifiers with EDSM is to translate the analogue envelope to digitized envelope so the PA can settle in several discrete driving points for high efficiency operation. The quantization noise generated due to the Bitstream modulation, however, must be rejected in a lossless fashion to guarantee the high power efficiency. The suppression of the noise power has been traditionally achieved with a passive filter, which incurs additional power loss and bulky volumes. In this paper, an active noise filtering technique is applied to suppress the quantization noise power in Bitstream transmitters by leveraging on the load modulation between the multiple identical units of PAs driven under different phase delays. A GaN PA operating at X-band has been fabricated based on Triquint's 0.25um discrete GaN HEMT devices. Two units of PAs are combined for the purpose of the active noise filtering. Driven by a single-channel WCDMA signal with 5MHz bandwidth and peak-to-average ratio (PAPR) of 5.3dB, it delivers a 35.6 dBm output power with 42.8 % drain efficiency (DE) and 33.5 % power added efficiency (PAE). The active noise filtering characteristics leading to a significant noise power reduction has also been observed in the output spectrum of the PA.
Effect of Moisture on Ethylene Oxide Sterilization.

Bacterial cells dehydrated beyond a critical point no longer react uniformly to ethylene oxide sterilization. The percentage of cells resistant to the lethal effect of ethylene oxide after desiccation is often as small as 0.1 to 0.001%. However, 5% resistant cells were observed with one type of microorganism dried in broth. The presence of organic matter increases the percentage of cells that become resistant to ethylene oxide after dehydration. The phenomenon is produced by exposing cells to a vacuum or a chemically desiccated atmosphere. It is not a permanent change, because the resistant cells rapidly become susceptible if wetted with water. On the other hand, mere exposure to a high relative humidity (RH), i.e., 75 to 98%, after desiccation requires 6 and 4 days, respectively, to overcome this resistance. Moisture studies showed that there is less water in bacterial cells that have been desiccated and then equilibrated to successively high RH values up to 100% RH, than in cells that have not been desiccated, but allowed to dry naturally until equilibrated to the same RH values.
De Minimus Copyright Infringement

This short piece describes a legal action which involved the use of a poster placed on the wall of a set for a TV series, and whether this constituted copyright infringement when the poster appeared visible in episodes of the show, constituting a public display of a copyrighted work. Also discussed in this context is the "De Minimus" defense.The basis for the de minimis defense is the maxim "de minimis non curat lex" (the law does not concern itself with trifles). Those who violate rights in such an insignificant manner as to be meaningless should be insulated from liability. In copyright law, de minimis could mean a violation so trivial that the law will impose no consequence because the affect on the copyright owner is so insignificant as to be meaningless.In the copyright context, de minimis can also mean that the use does not involve enough of the quantity of a copied work to constitute substantial similarity, a required element of actionable copying.The author goes on to further describe the details of this case brought against the Black Entertainment Network and HBO.
Porphyrins: XVIII. Luminescence of (Co), (Ni), Pd, Pt complexes☆

Abstract Luminescence spectra were taken on a large number of Co, Ni, Pd, and Pt porphyrin complexes. The Co complexes were examined with the metal in oxidation states I, II, and III. In no case have excitation spectra confirmed that a Co or Ni complex luminesce, and in the purest samples an upper limit of phosphorescence yield is φp
A convenient synthesis of sulfated and sialyl oligosaccharides as potential ligands for CD22 adhesion protein

Stereoselective syntheses of 6-OSO3Na-Gal-β-(1→3)-GalNAc-α-OR (10), 6-OSO3Na-Gal-β-(1→3)-6-OSO3Na-GalNAc-α-OR (11), 3-OSO3Na-Gal-β-(1→3)GalNAc-α-OR (13), 6-OSO3Na-Gal-β-(1→3) [NeuAc-α-(2→6)]-GalNAc-α-OR (15), Gal-β-(1→3) [NeuAc-α-(2→6)]-GlcNAc-β-OR (18) and 6-OSO3Na-Gal-β-(1→3) [NeuAc-α-(2→6)]-GlcNAc-β-OR (19) were accomplished through utilization of two key glycosyl donors, namely, 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-6-O-bromoacetyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl bromide (3) and 2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-O-chloroacetyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl bromide (4). The synthesized compounds were evaluated as ligands for CD22 adhesion protein. Synthesis of 6-O-SO3NaGal-β-(1→3)-GalNAc-α-OR (10), 6-O-SO3NaGal-β-(1→3)-6-O-SO3NaGalNAc-α-OR (11), 3-O-SO3NaGal-β-(1→3)GalNAc-α-OR (13), 6-O-SO3NaGal-β-(1→3) NeuAc-α-(2→6) -GalNAc-α-OR (15), Gal-β-(1→3) NeuAc-α- (2→6) -GlcNAc-β-OR (18) and 6-O-SO3NaGal-β-(1→3) NeuAc-α-(2→6) -GlcNAc-β-OR (19) were accomplished
Expression and evolutionary features of the hexokinase gene family in Arabidopsis

Arabidopsis hexokinase1 (HXK1) is a moonlighting protein that has separable functions in glucose signaling and in glucose metabolism. In this study, we have characterized expression features and glucose phosphorylation activities of the six HXK gene family members in Arabidopsis thaliana. Three of the genes encode catalytically active proteins, including a stromal-localized HXK3 protein that is expressed mostly in sink organs. We also show that three of the genes encode hexokinase-like (HKL) proteins, which are about 50% identical to AtHXK1, but do not phosphorylate glucose or fructose. Expression studies indicate that both HKL1 and HKL2 transcripts occur in most, if not all, plant tissues and that both proteins are targeted within cells to mitochondria. The HKL1 and HKL2 proteins have 6–10 amino acid insertions/deletions (indels) at the adenosine binding domain. In contrast, HKL3 transcript was detected only in flowers, the protein lacks the noted indels, and the protein has many other amino acid changes that might compromise its ability even to bind glucose or ATP. Activity measurements of HXKs modified by site-directed mutagenesis suggest that the lack of catalytic activities in the HKL proteins might be attributed to any of numerous existing changes. Sliding windows analyses of coding sequences in A. thaliana and A. lyrata ssp. lyrata revealed a differential accumulation of nonsynonymous changes within exon 8 of both HKL1 and HXK3 orthologs. We further discuss the possibility that the non-catalytic HKL proteins have regulatory functions instead of catalytic functions.
That Was the Year That Was: An Evidence‐Based Clinical Geriatrics Update

BACKGROUND: Physicians are faced with an ever-growing information base in medical practice. Studies regularly show a disparity between science and patient care, with scientifically validated practices often taking 20 years and more to enter mainstream clinical practice. OBJECTIVES: To review the recent medical literature for high quality studies that practicing geriatricians should be aware of, either because they provide evidence that might lead to a change in clinical practice or because they provide insight into common geriatric syndromes. DESIGN: Overview DATA SOURCES: All articles abstracted or noted in ACP Journal Club, Evidence-Based Medicine, or The New York Times from July 1996 to June 1997. STUDY SELECTION: Studies that met the standards for inclusion in ACP Journal Club STUDY DESIGN: Sampling plan (including eligibility criteria), sample size, response rate, data analysis plan, proportion available for follow-up, main outcomes and measures, main results. RESULTS: Review of the 98 articles that met criteria resulted in the identification of several themes of importance to geriatricians, including the hazards of hospitalization, the prevention of NSAID-induced peptic ulcers, and the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease. The results of these studies expand the therapeutic armamentarium of practicing geriatricians, provide new insights into geriatric syndromes, and raise cautions about the use of certain therapies in older adults. CONCLUSIONS: Many methodologically rigorous studies relevant to the medical care of older people have recently been published. Evidence-based medicine and the use of journals of secondary publication are useful tools to enhance the efficiency of journal reading for geriatric practitioners whose interests span the journals of several disciplines and subspecialties. J Am Geriatr Soc 46:1040–1049,1998.
Model prediction of treatment planning for dose-fractionated radioimmunotherapy.

BACKGROUND Clinical trials of radioimmunotherapy (RIT) often use dose fractionation to reduce marrow toxicity. The dosing scheme can be optimized if marrow and tumor cell kinetics following radiation exposure are known. METHODS A mathematic model of tumor clonogenic cell kinetics was combined with a previously reported marrow cell kinetics model that included marrow stromal cells, progenitor cells, megakaryocytes, and platelets. Reported values for murine tumor and marrow cellular turnover rates and radiosensitivity were used in the model calculation. RESULTS Given a tolerated level of thrombocytopenia, there is a fractionation scheme in which total radioactive dose administration can be maximized. Isoeffect doses that had different numbers of fractions and total radioactivity, but induced identical platelet nadirs of 20%, were determined. Assuming identical tumor uptake for all dose fractions, six tumor types were examined: early-responding tumors, late-responding tumors, and tumors that lacked a late-responding effect, with either constant or accelerated doubling time. For most tumor types, better tumor control (tumor growth delay and nadir of survival fraction) was predicted for a dosing scheme in which total radioactive dose was maximized. For late-responding tumors with accelerated doubling time, tumor growth delay increased, but the nadir of survival fraction became shallower as the number of fractions increased. CONCLUSIONS A mathematic model has been developed that allows prediction of the nadir and duration of thrombocytopenia as well as tumor clonogenic cell response to various RIT doses and fractionation schemes. Given a maximum tolerated level of thrombocytopenia, the model can be used to determine a dosing scheme for optimal tumor response. Cancer 2002;94:1264–9. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10295
Hippocampal slice cultures integrated with multi‐electrode arrays: a model for study of long‐term drug effects on synaptic activity

Technological limitations have restricted the ability to determine chronic drug effects on synaptic function from in vitro preparations. In earlier studies, the extracellular recording duration was limited to less than 10 h and only a distinct population of neurons was examined. To address these limitations, we used organotypic hippocampal slice cultures integrated with planar multi-electrode arrays (MEA-OHSC), which permitted within-slice comparisons and examination of long-term changes across multiple populations of neurons. Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a widely accepted measure of synaptic plasticity, and is believed to be a cellular mechanism underlying learning and memory. Amyloid-β protein (Aβ) is a 40–42 amino acid peptide that is the primary element of senile plaques, a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In contrast to earlier studies, MEA-OHSCs allowed for long-term administration of Aβ1–42 to more closely model the chronic nature of AD pathogenesis. Prior to Aβ1–42 exposure, the CA1 region displayed robust potentiation, but afterwards the ability to induce LTP was nearly absent. Spatial analysis illustrated, for the first time, the substantial area of LTP induction, and clearly showed the global loss of this plasticity after long-term Aβ exposure. The MEA-OHSC model characterized here presents an ideal platform for examining the effects chronic exposure of a bioactive compound can have on a cellular correlate of memory. This model could also be used to screen potential therapeutics that may influence synaptic activity. Drug Dev Res 68:84–93, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.; Canadian Crown Copyright
Amino Acid Residues of RegA Important for Interactions with the CbbR-DNA Complex of Rhodobacter sphaeroides

CbbR and RegA (PrrA) are transcriptional regulators of the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) CO2 fixation pathway (cbbI and cbbII) operons of Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The CbbR and RegA proteins interact, but CbbR must be bound to the promoter DNA in order for RegA-CbbR protein-protein interactions to occur. RegA greatly enhances the ability of CbbR to bind the cbbI promoter or greatly enhances the stability of the CbbR/promoter complex. The N-terminal receiver domain and the DNA binding domain of RegA were shown to interact with CbbR. Residues in α-helix 7 and α-helix 8 of the DNA binding domain (helix-turn-helix) of RegA directly interacted with CbbR, with α-helix 7 positioned immediately above the DNA and α-helix 8 located in the major groove of the DNA. A CbbR protein containing only the DNA binding motif and the linker helix was capable of binding to RegA. In contrast, a truncated CbbR containing only the linker helix and recognition domains I and II (required for effector binding) was not able to interact with RegA. The accumulated results strongly suggest that the DNA binding domains of both proteins interact to facilitate optimal transcriptional control over the cbb operons. In vivo analysis, using constitutively active mutant CbbR proteins, further indicated that CbbR must interact with phosphorylated RegA in order to accomplish transcriptional activation.
Monte Carlo-based harmonic-balance technique for the simulation of high-frequency TED oscillators

A harmonic-balance technique for the analysis of high-frequency transferred electron device (TED) oscillators is developed. The behavior of the nonlinear TED is not obtained from a quasi-static equivalent circuit; rather, a physical transport model is used to determine its response in the time domain. This model is based on the ensemble Monte Carlo technique coupled to a heat-flow equation, which accounts for thermal effects on the device operation. It is found that the standard splitting method for updating the unknown voltage across the diode fails to converge to a steady-state solution at the fundamental frequency. A modified version is proposed, which updates the voltage at the fundamental and higher harmonics differently. This method exhibits much better convergence behavior. Simulation results obtained with the complete model are in very good agreement with experimental data from InP TED oscillators operating at 131.7 and 151 GHz in the fundamental mode and at 188 GHz in the second-harmonic mode.
Effect of random perturbations on the dynamic behavior of power systems

Abstract The dynamic stability of a power system under random perturbation is studied using the Langevin equation of motion. In particular, the dynamics of one machine connected to an infinite bus is modeled in which the variation of load is considered to be a stochastic process. The paper describes the calculation of mean first exit time of this system from the domain of attraction of its stable equilibrium point. It also discusses the effect of different system parameters on the evaluation of mean first exit time. The method can be expanded to consider the stability of a dynamic system with multi-stable states.
Software Analytics in Practice

With software analytics, software practitioners explore and analyze data to obtain insightful, actionable information for tasks regarding software development, systems, and users. The StackMine project produced a software analytics system for Microsoft product teams. The project provided lessons on applying software analytics technologies to positively impact software development practice. The lessons include focusing on problems that practitioners care about, using domain knowledge for correct data understanding and problem modeling, building prototypes early to get practitioners' feedback, taking into account scalability and customizability, and evaluating analysis results using criteria related to real tasks.
Surface‐Induced Polymer Crystallization in High Volume Fraction Aligned Carbon Nanotube–Polymer Composites

Surface-induced crystallization of high-density polyethylene in vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotube arrays has been investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).1-mm long nanotube arrays are infiltrated by polyethylene solutions and then the system is allowed to crystallize under controlled conditions. Periodic disk-shaped polyethylene single crystals grow perpendicularly to the aligned nanotubes but do not completely fill the intertube spacing, forming oriented 3D porous structures. This unique morphology leads to low density, high nanotube mass fraction (up to 80 wt.-%) composites. Microstructure (WAXD) analysis shows that the nanotubes act as both orientation templates as well as nucleating agents for polyethylene crystallization creating orthorhombic and monoclinic forms, although the overall crystal structure is dominated by the orthorhombic form. Thermal analysis (DSC) shows that the nanocomposite exhibits multiple phase transitions during heating and cooling with a weak superheating and supercooling dependence on different scanning rates. Three phase structures have been identified and a possible model is proposed to explain the observed phenomenon.
Non-linear vibrations of orthotropic doubly-curved shallow shells

The purpose of this study is the evaluation of the effects of curvature, material orthotropy and internal pressure upon the non-linear vibrations of shallow shells. The shells considered here are complete in the circumferential coordinate. A mode shape that leads to a continuous circumferential displacement is used as the basic solution in a Galerkin type procedure. Among the results of interest are the effects of the aforementioned physical parameters on the relative hardness of the shell response, as well as some interesting new perspectives on jump phenomena in non-linear shell vibrations.
Relationship between urinary excretion rate, steady-state plasma levels and diuretic response of furosemide in the rat.

The purpose of the present study was to determine if furosemide’s active transport process could be saturated at therapeutic concentrations and to define a relationship between furosemide in a measura
Determination of Gefitinib in Plasma by Liquid Chromatography with a C12 Column and Electrospray Tandem Mass Spectrometry Detection

Abstract A highly sensitive liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐ESI‐MS/MS) method has been developed for the measurement of gefitinib (ZD1839) in human plasma. The method was validated over a linear range of 0.5–1000 ng/mL, using deuterated gefitinib (D8‐ZD1839) as the internal standard (IS). Compounds were extracted from 500 µL of sodium heparin plasma by 6.0 mL butyl methyl ether liquid–liquid extraction. The dried residue was reconstituted with 250 µL of 20% acetonitrile with 1.0% formic acid and 30 µL injected onto the LC‐ESI‐MS/MS system. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Phenomenex® Synergi 4µ MAX‐RP 80 A C12 column (75 × 2.0 mm2) with an isocratic mobile phase of acetonitrile–1.0% formic acid (30:70, v/v). The analytes were detected with a PE Sciex API 365 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer using turbo ion spray® source with positive ionization. Ions monitored in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode were m/z 447.2 (precursor ion) to m/z 127.8 (product ...
Urbicide: The Politics of Urban Destruction

Urbicide: The Politics of Urban Destruction Martin Coward London: Routledge, 2008 176 pp, $39.95 (pbk) In Urbicide, Martin Coward argues that the deliberate destruction of buildings by violence is ...
Electrochemical solar cells with polypyrrole-coated CdSe sintered electrodes

A thin layer of polypyrrole was formed on sintered CdSe electrodes. The photoelectrochemical properties of bare CdSe and P-Py/CdSe electrodes were studied in electrolyte with the redox couple [K3Fe(CN)6]. The results were explained by assuming that a p-n junction is formed on CdSe electrodes with polypyrrole working as a p-type semiconductor.
Optical Processing and Holography with Incoherent Light

Several applications of incoherent optical processing and holography are discussed, including spatial filtering, tomography, resolution beyond the classical limit, and holographic optical elements.
Low-energy electron-electron bremsstrahlung.

THE emission of radiation in the scattering of electrons by atoms, free electrons, or nuclei generally is considered to be well understood. In fact, extensive reviews of bremsstrahlung cross-sections are available for both the non-relativistic1,2 and relativistic domains2,3. Nevertheless, there are some unresolved problems concerning the radiation emitted in electron–electron collisions—that is, collisions in which momentum, is absorbed by a free electron or through the excitation or ejection of a bound electron.
Spatial ordering of chromosomes enhances the fidelity of chromosome partitioning in cyanobacteria

Many cyanobacteria have been shown to harbor multiple chromosome copies per cell, yet little is known about the organization, replication, and segregation of these chromosomes. Here, we visualize individual chromosomes in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus via time-lapse fluorescence microscopy. We find that chromosomes are equally spaced along the long axis of the cell and are interspersed with another regularly spaced subcellular compartment, the carboxysome. This remarkable organization of the cytoplasm along with accurate midcell septum placement allows for near-optimal segregation of chromosomes to daughter cells. Disruption of either chromosome ordering or midcell septum placement significantly increases the chromosome partitioning error. We find that chromosome replication is both asynchronous and independent of the position of the chromosome in the cell and that spatial organization is preserved after replication. Our findings on chromosome organization, replication, and segregation in S. elongatus provide a basis for understanding chromosome dynamics in bacteria with multiple chromosomes.
Survival of pleomorphic sarcoma-37 transplanted virgin female DBA/2J mice: Hyperthermia and hyperglycemia, alone and in combination with drugs

Sarcoma-37 (S-37) transplanted DBA/2J mice were submitted to a controlled whole body hyperglycemic-hyperthermic (“double attack”) treatment. A single exposure to the 3-hr 400-500-mg % blood glucose level coupled with 1 hr of whole body 40.0° warming was safe and extended longevity by 40% over the nontreated controls. This increase suggests that additive or potentiated effects follow the two-parameter procedure. The treatment safety and resultant increased longevity were not enhanced by single-dose chemotherapy with doxorubicin and/or dacarbazine.
Spatial economic theory of pollution control

Abstract In February 1972 the Nixon Administration proposed a tax on sulfur oxide emissions, beyond the Federal standards, of electric power plants. It was hoped that such a tax would discourage power plant locations in heavily polluted areas like urban areas. Assuming that such a tax varies over space because pollution is not invariant over space, the spatial theory of the firm is presented in this paper cast doubt on the efficacy of such a polltuion tax to achieve the desired goal of the administration. In particular it is shown that the cost-minimizing spatial firm would abate its pollution in response to a tax by either changing its location or by reducing waste through process change or by using a transportable abatement good if the tax savings due to the change in marginal abatement through location change per unit change in abatement is greater than or equal to transport rate on the abatement good. If the goal of the firm is to maximize profits, the desired outcome would follow if in addition to the fulfillment of the above condition the percentage change in the delivered price of raw material (situated at one end of the linear location space) per unit distance is greater than or equal to the percentage change in net marginal revenue, i.e., marginal revenue net of transport cost per unit of output. In simple terms, the conclusions of this paper raise doubts regarding the effectiveness of a pollution tax in curtailing pollution of a firm which is operating in a space economy. This outcome is peculiar to a spatial firm. Sufficient conditions also have been obtained when land input is included in the production function of the firm.
Surgical treatment of posterior circulation aneurysms.

Summary Distal basilar aneurysms appear to produce symptoms from hemorrhage or enlargement at least as frequently as their anterior circulation counterparts. Once giant size has been reached, the future of the patient is indeed bleak. The diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic strategy to successfully combat these lesions requires thoughtful interaction between the neurosurgeon, the neuroradiologist, and medical and critical care physicians. In my opinion, patients are best served by referral to centers equipped for these complex and dangerous procedures.
Surface carbonic anhydrase activity on astrocytes and neurons facilitates lactate transport

A number of studies have provided physiological evidence for extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA) in brain. Association of extracellular CA with glia has been limited to functional studies of gliotic slices and retinal Muller cells. While astrocytes contain intracellular CA, there has been no direct evidence for surface CA on these cells. In fact, some morphological studies suggest that the extracellular CA in brain parenchyma resides on neurons, not glia. There has been no functional demonstration of extracellular CA activity on CNS neurons, however. Here we capitalized on the H+ dependence of inward lactate transport to reveal functional extracellular CA activity on cultured astrocytes and acutely isolated hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Exposure to 20 mM L-lactate produced a rapid acidification of astrocytes that was reversibly blocked by 10 μM benzolamide. The lactate-induced acidification (LIA) was also blocked by a dextran-conjugated CA inhibitor. In CO2/HCO3−-free, HEPES-buffered media, the LIA was largely unaffected. Acutely dissociated hippocampal pyramidal neurons underwent a similar LIA that was reversibly blocked by benzolamide. Surface CA is likely to facilitate lactate transport by enabling rapid replenishment (i.e., buffering) of surface H+ required for inward lactate-H+ cotransport. These results demonstrate functional surface CA for the first time on individual mammalian astrocytes and neurons and suggest that this enzyme may play a role in the utilization of monocarboxylate substrates such as lactate and pyruvate by the brain. GLIA 41:415–419, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
In vitro susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to a new macrolide antibiotic: RU-28965.

Abstract The in vitro susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to a new macrolide antibiotic RU-28965, alone and in combination with rifampicin or isoniazid, was studied by the agar dilution method. At a concentration of 4 mg/l, or lower, of RU-28965, 90 % of the strains were inhibited. A synergistic effect with both rifampicin and with isoniazid was demonstrated.
Education and training of pharmacists: Comments on sustaining continuous improvement

Abstract Objective: To examine three approaches to improving the education and training of pharmacists and their interrelationships. Data sources: American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, National Center for Education Statistics, and peerreviewed pharmacy literature. Summary: The education of pharmacists continues to change based on a paradigm of continuous quality improvement and broad agreement that many newly graduated pharmacists are not ready to practice in all practice settings. This commentary looks at three avenues for change: increased prepharmacy coursework up to a baccalaureate degree, more clinical experience during the professional Doctor of Pharmacy program, and postgraduate professional residencies. The three avenues are examined in terms of feasibility, unanswered questions, and interrelationships among the variables. Conclusion: The interrelationships among the three approaches for change suggest a coordinated approach in which progress in each area informs the others. Requiring additional prepharmacy coursework up to a baccalaureate degree is feasible and likely sustainable relative to total number of awarded and projected baccalaureate degrees. Higher undergraduate academic expectations can provide “space” in the pharmacy curriculum for more clinical education. The space makes more clinical education possible, with the caveat that more clinical education will require many more residency-trained pharmacists to serve in faculty positions. Residency growth could generate needed additional qualified faculty members and preceptors. Further evolution in pharmacist education and training should be driven by the goal of advancing the profession’s leadership in improving the safety and quality of the medication-use process.
Correlation of Dissolution-Dialysis Rates with Bioavailability of Nitrofurantoin Solid Dosage Forms

AbstractThe correlation of in-vitro dissolution-dialysis rates of solid dosage forms with in-vivo bioavailability was investigated. Dissolution-dialysis measurements were made of 50mg and 100mg tablets and capsules of Nitrofurantoin commercial products. The samples used represented product lots whose bioavailability had been previously reported. The dissolution-dialysis medium used was pH 7.2 phosphate buffer. A cellulose dialysis membrane was used. A high degree of correlation was osbserved between apparent dialytic rate constant (Kapp) of the drug and reported in-vivo bioavailability parameters for all 50mg tablets. But the 50mg capsule Kapp value, measured under the same test conditions, was higher and did not correlate with the tablet data. However a value correlating with tablet data was obtained when the stirring speed was reduced from 100 RPM to 10 RPM. A satisfactory correlation was not obtained for the 100 mg dosage forms. This might be due to bladder drug saturation reported to occur at higher d...
High force-to-volume Terfenol-D reaction mass actuator: modeling and design

A high force to volume ratio magnetostrictive reaction mass actuator has been designed and developed. The actuator operates as a resonant device allowing the stored strain energy to be utilized. A discussion of the design issues associated with this actuator are presented. In addition, preliminary data is presented for this actuator. This data includes a linear analysis, evidence of parameter variation, and preliminary small signal tests intended to explore this behavior.
Single Injection of Cd34+ Progenitor-derived Dendritic Cell Vaccine Can Lead to Induction of T-cell Immunity in Patients With Stage Iv Melanoma

Summary: There is evidence that dendritic cell (DC) vaccines induce tumor-specific immune responses that correlate with clinical responses. Little is known, however, about the kinetics of T-cell responses to antigens presented on DC vaccines. The authors vaccinated 18 HLA A*0201+ patients with stage IV melanoma with CD34 HPC-derived DCs pulsed with six antigens: influenza matrix peptide (Flu-MP), KLH, and peptides derived from the four melanoma antigens: MART-1/Melan A, gp100, tyrosinase, and MAGE-3. A single DC vaccination was sufficient for induction of KLH-specific CD4 T-cell responses in five patients and Flu-MP-specific CD8 T-cell responses in eight patients. A single DC vaccine was sufficient for induction of tumor-specific effectors to at least one melanoma antigen in five patients. Thus, a single injection of CD34 HPC-derived DCs can lead to rapid immune response to CD4 epitopes or to melanoma antigens.
Seed Bank Viability in Disturbed Longleaf Pine Sites

Some of the most species-rich areas and highest concentrations of threatened and endangered species in the southeastern United States are found in wet savanna and flatwood longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) communities. Where intensive forestry practices have eliminated much of the natural understory of the longleaf ecosystem, the potential for reestablishment through a seed bank may present a valuable restoration opportunity. Longleaf pine sites converted to loblolly pine plantations and non-disturbed longleaf sites on the Coastal Plain of North Carolina were examined for seed bank presence and diversity. Conducting vegetation surveys and examining the seed bank using the seedling emergence technique allowed for verification of the seed bank presence, as well as evaluation of the quality of the seed bank on disturbed longleaf pine sites. Forty-three species and over 1,000 individuals germinated, and the seed banks of both the disturbed and non-disturbed stand types contained species not noted in the vegetation survey. Although many of these species were considered weedy and typical of disturbance, numerous taxa were indicative of stable longleaf pine communities. This study confirms both the presence and quality of seed banks in highly disturbed former longleaf pine sites, suggesting that the seed bank may be an important tool in restoration efforts.
Tuberculosis and tumour necrosis factor‐α inhibitor therapy: a report of three cases in patients with psoriasis. Comprehensive screening and therapeutic guidelines for clinicians

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors, long used in rheumatology and gastroenterology, have made a significant impact on the therapy of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. TNF-alpha is an important cytokine in normal physiological processes such as the immune response to granulomatous infection. Inhibition of this process by TNF-alpha inhibitors has been reported to increase the susceptibility of patients to granulomatous infections such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Despite the numerous reported cases in the literature and appropriate warnings on the labels for the three currently approved TNF-alpha inhibitors, current guidelines do not address case-specific issues across the full spectrum of tuberculosis. The probability of developing active tuberculosis has been reported to be as much as seven times higher when recommendations are not followed. We report three cases of tuberculosis induced by TNF-alpha inhibitors despite a rigorous screening policy in our tertiary care psoriasis centre, and suggest tuberculosis-specific guidelines for clinicians using these agents based on a review of the literature.
Stochastic model of an influenza epidemic with drug resistance

A continuous-time Markov chain (CTMC) model is formulated for an influenza epidemic with drug resistance. This stochastic model is based on an influenza epidemic model, expressed in terms of a system of ordinary differential equations (ODE), developed by Stilianakis, N.I., Perelson, A.S., Hayden, F.G., [1998. Emergence of drug resistance during an influenza epidemic: insights from a mathematical model. J. Inf. Dis. 177, 863-873]. Three different treatments-chemoprophylaxis, treatment after exposure but before symptoms, and treatment after symptoms appear, are considered. The basic reproduction number, R(0), is calculated for the deterministic-model under different treatment strategies. It is shown that chemoprophylaxis always reduces the basic reproduction number. In addition, numerical simulations illustrate that the basic reproduction number is generally reduced with realistic treatment rates. Comparisons are made among the different models and the different treatment strategies with respect to the number of infected individuals during an outbreak. The final size distribution is computed for the CTMC model and, in some cases, it is shown to have a bimodal distribution corresponding to two situations: when there is no outbreak and when an outbreak occurs. Given an outbreak occurs, the total number of cases for the CTMC model is in good agreement with the ODE model. The greatest number of drug resistant cases occurs if treatment is delayed or if only symptomatic individuals are treated.
Adrenomedullin Receptor Expression in Human Lung and in Pulmonary Tumors

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a multifunctional regulatory peptide that stimulates cyclic AMP production in many target tissues and is highly expressed in the lung. Analysis of the distribution of the recently cloned AM receptor (AM-R) by non-radioactive in situ hybridization revealed abundant expression in the basal cells of the airway epithelium and Type II pneumocytes. The expression of AM-R in the two cell types involved in epithelial regeneration of the lung suggests that AM may be relevant in such functions as organ development, wound repair, and epithelial turnover. AM-Rs are also synthesized in vivo and in vitro by a variety of tumor cells that also express the ligand, suggesting the existence of an autocrine loop that may be involved in tumor growth stimulation. The present findings suggest that the AM/AM-R regulatory system plays a major role in respiratory physiology and lung carcinogenesis and that new functions for AM remain to be identified.
Tribology of thin-film media in both flying and sliding modes

Abstract Experimental, theoretical and numerical modelling issues concerning the tribology of thin-film rigid disk media are reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on the role of carbon overcoatings in friction and wear reduction at the head-disk interface (HDI), especially with regard to ultra-low flying or quasi-contact recording. An overview is provided of wear and failure mechanisms of carbon-coated media as observed under a variety of testing conditions. As the steady-state separation between slider and disk falls below 100 nm, novel techniques will be required for the acceleration of wear and for modelling of the HDI, some aspects of which are presented. In addition, the complementary roles of experimental techniques operating in the sliding and flying regimes, and operation near the boundary between flying and sliding, are discussed.
Comparison and evaluation of lupus nephritis response criteria in lupus activity indices and clinical trials

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with diverse manifestations. Although the approval of new therapies includes only one agent in 50 years, a number of promising new drugs are in development. Lupus nephritis is a dreaded complication of SLE as it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Advancing the treatment of lupus nephritis requires well-designed clinical trials and this can be challenging in SLE. The major obstacles involve identifying the correct population of patients to enroll and ensuring that a clinically appropriate and patient-centered endpoint is being measured. In this review, we will first discuss the clinical utility of endpoints chosen to represent lupus nephritis in global disease activity scales. Second, we will review completed and active trials focused on lupus nephritis and discuss the endpoints chosen. There are many important lessons to be learned from existing assessment tools and clinical trials. Reviewing these points will help ensure that future efforts will yield meaningful disease activity measures and well-designed clinical trials to advance our understanding of lupus management.