cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid degradation of PFAS in aqueous solutions by reverse vortex flow gliding arc plasma

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of fluorinated organic anthropogenic chemicals that are resistant to degradation. In this paper, non-equilibrium, reverse vortex gliding arc plasma (GAP) discharges in air, nitrogen (N2), and pure oxygen (O2) gases were investigated for the removal of perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCA), perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSA), and fluorotelomer sulfonates (FtS) from liquid solutions in a 1-liter treatment system. At initial concentrations ranging from 0.05 g L−1 to 1 g L−1 significant removal was observed for all PFAS compounds by GAP discharges in air, but the degree of degradation and defluorination was highly dependent on perfluorinated alkyl chain lengths, with all those containing 8 or more perfluorinated carbons achieving greater than 90% removal and often greater than 25% defluorination in one hour of treatment time. Following treatment, a fluorine mass balance was attempted for PFOS (58.3% recovery) and PFOA (98.2% recovery) where only a miniscule portion (5.6% and 4.2%) respectively of the degraded PFOS and PFOA were converted to quantifiable PFAS, while the rest of the fluorine may leave as gaseous species or non-quantifiable PFAS. The non-equilibrium GAP discharge used in this study was found to use similar amounts of energy to other studies using non-equilibrium plasma (150 kJ L−1 to 1000 kJ L−1), which is approximately three to twenty times less than the amount of energy used to evaporate water (∼3000 kJ L−1). Assuming pseudo-first-order kinetics, the figure-of-merit electrical energy per order (EEo) values were calculated to estimate the energy efficiency of the system. The lowest EEo for PFOS was 23.2 kW h m−3 per order and 213.4 kW h m−3 per order for PFOA, similar with existing technologies (which range from 10 to 10 000 kW h m−3 per order). These results indicate that non-thermal air plasma discharges are promising technologies for treatment of PFAS that should be further researched and developed.
Small sequence variations between two mammalian paralogs of the small GTPase SAR1 underlie functional differences in coat protein complex II assembly

Vesicles that are coated by coat protein complex II (COPII) are the primary mediators of vesicular traffic from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus. Secretion-associated Ras-related GTPase 1 (SAR1) is a small GTPase that is part of COPII and, upon GTP binding, recruits the other COPII proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Mammals have two SAR1 paralogs that genetic data suggest may have distinct physiological roles, e.g. in lipoprotein secretion in the case of SAR1B. Here we identified two amino acid clusters that have conserved SAR1 paralog-specific sequences. We observed that one cluster is adjacent to the SAR1 GTP-binding pocket and alters the kinetics of GTP exchange. The other cluster is adjacent to the binding site for two COPII components, SEC31 homolog A COPII coat complex component (SEC31) and SEC23. We found that the latter cluster confers to SAR1B a binding preference for SEC23A that is stronger than that of SAR1A for SEC23A. Unlike SAR1B, SAR1A was prone to oligomerize on a membrane surface. SAR1B knockdown caused loss of lipoprotein secretion, overexpression of SAR1B but not of SAR1A could restore secretion, and a divergent cluster adjacent to the SEC31/SEC23-binding site was critical for this SAR1B function. These results highlight that small primary sequence differences between the two mammalian SAR1 paralogs lead to pronounced biochemical differences that significantly affect COPII assembly and identify a specific function for SAR1B in lipoprotein secretion, providing insights into the mechanisms of large cargo secretion that may be relevant for COPII-related diseases.
Species-abundance distributions and Taylor’s power law of fluctuation scaling

Two widely investigated areas of theory in ecology over the past half century are species-abundance distributions (SADs) and Taylor’s power law of fluctuation scaling (TL). This paper connects TL with a classic SAD, MacArthur’s broken-stick model. Each of these models is more than 60 years old, but apparently the connection has not been observed previously. For large numbers of species, the broken-stick model asymptotically obeys TL with exponent 2: the variance of species abundance equals the square of the mean species abundance. Equivalently, in the broken-stick model, the coefficient of variation of abundance is asymptotically 1. Because both the broken-stick model and TL have interpretations and applications beyond ecology, the connection established here has broader than purely ecological interest. This simple but previously unnoticed relationship between the broken-stick model and the power-law variance function raises the question of how other species-abundance distributions are related to power law or other variance functions.
Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D is essential to maintaining calcium and phosphate homeostasis and bone health. Many children do not achieve an adequate vitamin D status due to insufficient sunlight exposure and poor dietary intake. Vitamin D deficiency is common, affecting approximately 50% of children and adolescents. It is recommended to screen for vitamin D deficiency in patients at risk. Initial vitamin D supplementation dosage and frequency of administration are dependent upon the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and what will maximize medication compliance. Cholecalciferol is preferable to ergocalciferol as the former is more potent. Once replete, almost all patients require some maintenance vitamin D to maintain sufficient 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Reasons to refer to a pediatric endocrinologist include if there is concern for sequelae of vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets or hypocalcemia; the inability to increase the 25-hydroxyvitamin D level into the sufficient range in compliant patients, and following dose escalation.
Mortality trends in neonatal ECMO for pulmonary hypoplasia: A review of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization database from 1981 to 2016.

Abstract Background The purpose of this review is to provide ECMO outcome data for medical personnel who counsel families of patients with pulmonary hypoplasia (PH), often secondary to renal abnormalities. We report diagnoses and outcomes associated with PH in neonates that were treated with ECMO over the past 35 years. Methods Retrospective cohort study using the ELSO database for neonates born between 1981 and 2016 with a primary or secondary diagnosis of PH. Five patient groups were created based on ICD-9 codes. Mortality rates were compared and trends over time were investigated. Results Thirty-three percent of the 1385 patients survived to discharge. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) patients had significantly higher mortality than PH patients secondary to renal dysplasia (p Conclusions Neonates with PH that require ECMO have high mortality rates, which have generally decreased over the past 35 years; however, mortality for neonates with PH secondary to renal dysplasia continues to increase. We speculate that the apparent rise in mortality for these patients is because of changes in patient selection subsequent to improvements in non-ECMO ventilatory support. Level of evidence II
Bounding the difference between true and nominal rejection probabilities in tests of hypotheses about instrumental variables models

Abstract This paper presents a simple method for carrying out inference in a wide variety of possibly nonlinear IV models under weak assumptions. The method provides a finite-sample bound on the difference between the true and nominal probabilities of rejecting a correct null hypothesis. The method is a non-Studentized version of the S test of Stock and Wright (2000) but is implemented and analyzed differently. It does not require restrictive distributional assumptions, linearity of the estimated model, simultaneous equations, or information about whether the instruments are strong or weak. It can be applied to quantile IV models that may be nonlinear and can be used to test a parametric IV model against a nonparametric alternative. It provides information about the relation between the “degree of weakness” of the instruments and the power of the test. The bound presented here holds in finite samples, regardless of the strength of the instruments.
Impact of Ceftiofur Use on the Recovery of Salmonella and Resistant E. coli in Dairy and Beef Cattle Populations

The use of the third generation cephalosporin, ceftiofur, is common in animal agriculture for the treatment of a wide range of production-limiting disease conditions. The therapeutic use of ceftiofur in livestock can select for the blaCMY-2 genetic element in the intestinal flora. The presence of resistant organisms is a potential public health threat to the consumer. This project investigated the impact of ceftiofur removal from cattle populations and the meat products they produced. The working hypothesis is that the use of ceftiofur in food animal populations selects for the emergence and rapid dissemination of third generation cephalosporin resistant microorganisms, leading to the potential risk of food-borne zoonotic pathogen transfer via the food chain.
Impact of subcutaneous immunoglobulin on quality of life in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy previously treated with intravenous immunoglobulin

INTRODUCTION/AIMS Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is a common therapy for patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). IVIg may cause systemic adverse events (AEs); therefore, infusion of subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) may be preferred by some patients. In this study we document the experiences of patients transitioning from IVIg to SCIg. METHODS Transitioning subjects with CIDP were followed in a 6-month prospective, open-label study. The primary endpoint was percentage of subjects who withdrew for any reason (including significant AEs). The secondary endpoint was symptom progression or relapse requiring a change in management. Quality of life (QOL) and treatment satisfaction were assessed using the Short Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36), Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM), and Chronic Acquired Polyneuropathy Patient-Reported Index (CAP-PRI). Efficacy was assessed using the Inflammatory Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale, hand-held dynamometry, limb motor strength testing (LMST), and timed 25-ft walk (T25-FW). RESULTS Fifteen CIDP subjects transitioned from IVIg to SCIg. Of these, three (20%) met the primary endpoint and one (7%) met the secondary endpoint. The SF-36 showed a statistically significant improvement for the domain of role limitations-physical after 24 weeks (P = .03), with no significant differences observed in other domains. TSQM and CAP-PRI showed significant differences in favor of SCIg (P = .003 and .02, respectively). No significant differences were observed in efficacy after 24 weeks, except for LMST, which favored SCIg (P = .003). Eight of the 12 study completers (67%) continued with SCIg. DISCUSSION Transition to SCIg was associated with maintained efficacy and improved QOL.
Forecast for sunspot cycle 25 activity

Abstract Yearly sunspot cycle 24 (SC24) activity reached a minimum in December 2019. Timeline for SC25 is explored with data for sunspot numbers (SSNs) and geomagnetic indices (aa/Ap) using our time-tested heuristic methodology not based on any model. We infer SC25 may be as active as SC24, reaching its peak (Rmax) in February 2024 ± 6 months, ruling out Dalton-like minimum in 21st century as well as McIntosh et al. [2020] forecast that “SC25 could have a magnitude that rivals the top few since records began.” Wide range of SC25 forecasts challenges our understanding of solar dynamo operation and reliability of future long-term space weather / climate forecasts. We cannot anticipate whether SC25 may have multiple peaks; no theory is tuned to predict fine structure of a SC. During ascending phase of SC24 a CME from the Sun barely missed the Earth. A direct hit by it could have caused damage of trillions of dollars, shutting down power grid and rendering satellites blind.
HORIZONTAL VIOLENCE AMONG NURSES: EXPERIENCES, RESPONSES AND JOB PERFORMANCE

Horizontal violence (HV), or nonphysical intergroup conflict expressed in overt and covert behaviors of hostility, is pervasive in nursing and has been discussed in the literature for more than two decades. It is costly and has potentially devastating effects including high nurse turnover rates, increased illness, decreased productivity, and decreased quality of patient care. Recognizing how these behaviors are established and sustained is necessary if nurses are to overcome these types of behaviors. This mixed methods study used an online survey to examine 76 hospital nurses' experiences and responses to episodes of HV as well as its effects on job performance. Seven of these nurses answered more in-depth questions during a follow-up interview. Nurses in this study recognize HV as a phenomenon that occurred early in their careers as novice nurses. The literature suggests that these behaviors are evident during nursing education. The academic environment is an ideal place to teach the skills necessary to respond appropriately to HV with peer support being essential. Nurses also reported that manager and staff support and workplace education were the most helpful in reducing HV. Increased workload and stress and HV being accepted practice on the unit were factors identified as most important in promoting HV. Further, nurses cited reasons why they continue in their jobs after episodes of HV. Intervention studies are needed to test effective ways of reducing this very difficult behavior among nurses in the workplace.
Anonymous Communications for Mobile Agents

Anonymous communication techniques are vital for some types of e-commerce applications. There have been several different approaches developed for providing anonymous communication over the Internet. In this paper, we review key techniques for anonymous communication and describe an alternate anonymous networking approach based on agile agents intended to provide anonymous communication protection for mobile agent systems.
Magic of the Occult

The AIDS epidemic continues unabated, undaunted by researchers' attempts to develop a vaccine for this disease. Now a new, promising method for raising potentially effective antibodies to HIV is reported in this week's issue ([ LaCasse et al ][1].). In their Perspective, Montefiori and Moore describe the ambitious experiments that led to this discovery and the work that needs to be done before it is clear whether these results will pave the way to stemming the spread of AIDS. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/283/5400/357
Abundance of DCO^{+} in Nearby Molecular Clouds

DCO+ is one of the most common deuterated molecules in cold (TK ∼ 10 K) molecular cloud cores such as TMC-1. We report the results of a survey for DCO+ and H13CO+ emission regions among a sample of low mass cloud cores. We compare the derived DCO+ /HCO+ ratio (0.046±0.014) with current chemistry models for deuterium fractionation.
Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of Rectum with Associated Paraneoplastic Syndrome: A Case Report

Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the colon and rectum comprise fewer than 1% of all colorectal cancers. These aggressive tumors generally have a poor prognosis compared to that associated with colorectal adenocarcinoma. We describe herein the case of a 68-year-old female presenting with a bleeding rectal mass involving the anal canal, which case was associated with hyponatremia due to inappropriate serum levels of antidiuretic hormone. The histopathological examination was consistent with a small-cell neuroendocrine tumor. She was treated with combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) was managed with vasopressin antagonists. After the completion of therapy, endoscopic ultrasound revealed evidence of residual disease, for which she underwent an abdominoperineal resection (APR). The patient died 4 months later of disease progression. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a small-cell neuroendocrine tumor involving the rectum and anal canal that presented with the paraneoplastic syndrome, SIADH.
Particle-dynamics calculations of gravity flow of inelastic, frictional spheres

Summary Three-dimensional discrete-particle computer models that calculate the motion of each individual grain in assemblies of hundreds of particles in steady shearing flows with either periodic or real boundaries have been modified to simulate gravity flow of particles through arrays of cylindrical horizontal rods and down inclined chutes. The particle interaction models reproduce experimentally measured recoil trajectories for colliding frictional particles, including rotation effects. Laboratory measurements of the flow of glass beads cascading down through an array of horizontal cylindrical rods correlate well with gravity flow calculations of inelastic, frictional spheres falling through a similar rod array. Less elastic particles are found to cascade through the array faster than nearly elastic particles. Likewise, smaller particles are found to flow faster than large ones. Model simulations of nearly two-dimensional inclined chute flow tests of 6 mm diameter cellulose-acetate spheres flowing over a rough surface between parallel vertical glass plates, result in particle velocities that are considerably higher than values measured in similar laboratory tests at UCLA; however, inclusion of approximate air drag effects in the calculational model eliminates most of the discrepancy producing both density and velocity profiles that are close to the measured values.
Multiple Identities, Negotiations, and Agency Across Time and Space: A Narrative Inquiry of a Foreign Language Teacher Candidate

Drawing on the post-structural views and the literature on teacher identity and agency, and using narrative inquiry, this paper describes how one teacher candidate majoring in Spanish negotiated her identities across time and space and how her identity negotiations interacted with her agency. The recursive analysis of qualitative data sources demonstrates how this particular teacher candidate gave up teaching Spanish, after years of investment and preparation, and switched her focus to teaching English as a second language. By describing and discussing the identity transformation she underwent and negotiations she engaged in, this study adds to the limited literature on foreign language teacher identity and agency, and provides implications for teacher educators in foreign language teacher education programs.
MRI confirms loss of blood–brain barrier integrity in a mouse model of disseminated candidiasis

Disseminated candidiasis primarily targets the kidneys and brain in mice and humans. Damage to these critical organs leads to the high mortality associated with such infections, and invasion across the blood-brain barrier can result in fungal meningoencephalitis. Candida albicans can penetrate a brain endothelial cell barrier in vitro through transcellular migration, but this mechanism has not been confirmed in vivo. MRI using the extracellular vascular contrast agent gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid demonstrated that integrity of the blood-brain barrier is lost during C. albicans invasion. Intravital two-photon laser scanning microscopy was used to provide the first real-time demonstration of C. albicans colonizing the living brain, where both yeast and filamentous forms of the pathogen were found. Furthermore, we adapted a previously described method utilizing MRI to monitor inflammatory cell recruitment into infected tissues in mice. Macrophages and other phagocytes were visualized in kidney and brain by the administration of ultrasmall iron oxide particles. In addition to obtaining new insights into the passage of C. albicans across the brain microvasculature, these imaging methods provide useful tools to study further the pathogenesis of C. albicans infections, to define the roles of Candida virulence genes in kidney versus brain infection and to assess new therapeutic measures for drug development.
An unprecedented ortho effect in mass spectrometric fragmentation of even-electron negative ions from hydroxyphenyl carbaldehydes and ketones

A mass spectrometric peak for a carboxylate anion is observed in collision-induced dissociation (CID) mass spectra recorded from negative ions derived from ortho isomers of hydroxyphenyl carbaldehydes and ketones. For example, CID spectra of 2-hydroxy derivatives of benzaldehyde, acetophenone, propiophenone, isobutyrophenone, and pivalophenone show peaks at m/z 45, 59, 73, 87, and 101 for the formate, acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, and pivalate anions, respectively.
Pair creation by photon-photon scattering in a strong magnetic field

The fourth-order forward photon-photon scattering in an external magnetic field is considered by using an explicit "momentum" representation of the electron propagator. The optical theorem is then used to obtain the total pair-creation cross sections. Explicit results are obtained for the zero-field limit and for the case when both photon momenta are parallel to the magnetic field.
Codon-usage-based inhibition of HIV protein synthesis by human schlafen 11

In mammals, one of the most pronounced consequences of viral infection is the induction of type I interferons, cytokines with potent antiviral activity. Schlafen (Slfn) genes are a subset of interferon-stimulated early response genes (ISGs) that are also induced directly by pathogens via the interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) pathway1. However, many ISGs are of unknown or incompletely understood function. Here we show that human SLFN11 potently and specifically abrogates the production of retroviruses such as human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1). Our study revealed that SLFN11 has no effect on the early steps of the retroviral infection cycle, including reverse transcription, integration and transcription. Rather, SLFN11 acts at the late stage of virus production by selectively inhibiting the expression of viral proteins in a codon-usage-dependent manner. We further find that SLFN11 binds transfer RNA, and counteracts changes in the tRNA pool elicited by the presence of HIV. Our studies identified a novel antiviral mechanism within the innate immune response, in which SLFN11 selectively inhibits viral protein synthesis in HIV-infected cells by means of codon-bias discrimination.
Timeout and punishment of a single response within a short fixed-ratio schedule of food reinforcement

The purpose of the present experiment was to determine if pigeons would obtain timeouts when the 25th response within a FR 50 schedule of food reinforcement was immediately followed by shock. The location of timeouts within the ratio was also examined. The results suggested that this procedure may result in pigeons obtaining timeouts, although it was not clear as to the important variables underlying this behavior. Ss that did obtain timeouts showed a tendency to obtain them early in the ratio on further exposure to the shock.
Can we facilitate posttraumatic growth in combat veterans

The Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program, currently under development for the U.S. Army, will include a component designed to increase the possibilities for posttraumatic growth in the aftermath of combat. In this article, we briefly review studies that provide evidence for this phenomenon in combat veterans, and we suggest elements that such a program might include to facilitate posttraumatic growth. We urge the Army to conduct randomized controlled trials testing the efficacy of the program prior to its implementation.
Algebraic methods for the calculation of radiation exchange in an enclosure

The algebraic methods of Hottel and Sarofim, Gebhart and one recently published by the authors for the calculation of radiant interchange in an enclosure are examined. Each of these formulations, while written in a different form, is shown to be mathematically equivalent to the others. This equivalence is established by deriving the formulations of Hottel and Sarofim and Gebhart from that of the authors. Because of the analytical complexity of these forms their mathematical equivalence cannot be demonstrated by explicit methods. For this reason proof of equivalence is established by numerical programming using a digital computer. Three different numerical examples are used for this purpose.-In addition, the mathematical structure underlying the absorption factor Bij of Gebhart and the total exchange factor $$\overline {S_i S_j }$$ and total view factor ℱij of Hottel and Sarofim is developed.
Sensitivity of Listeria monocytogenes Scott A to Nisin and Diacetyl after Starvation in Sodium Phosphate Buffered Saline

This study determined the effectiveness of nisin and diacetyl to inhibit the growth of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) under normal cell cultivation and starvation conditions in sodium phosphate buffered saline (SPBS). Inhibitory effects of nisin at 320 or 1000 AU/mL or diacetyl at 0.25%, 0.50%, or 1.0% and combinations on Lm in brain heart infusion (BHI), SPBS, and potassium phosphate buffered saline (KPBS) were determined on BHIA (nonselective medium) and PALCAM (selective medium) agar at 0 and 2 h posttreatment after 0, 7, 14, and 21 d of starvation. Two-hour exposure to 1000 AU/mL nisin and 1% diacetyl gave 8 to 9 log CFU/mL reductions of nonstarved control cells regardless of plating medium after suspension in BHI, SPBS, or KPBS with inhibitors, but with 7 d starved cells a 2-h exposure reduced Lm levels to less than the detection limit (20 CFU/mL). Cells starved in SPBS for 14 or 21 d then suspended in BHI plus inhibitors were reduced 5 to 6 log CFU/mL. SPBS suspensions on days 14 and 21 were reduced 4 log CFU/mL and 2 to 3 log CFU/mL, respectively, on BHI media and 5 to 6 log CFU/mL and 2 to 3 log CFU/mL on PALCAM. Recovery was the same regardless of plating medium, indicating treated cells were killed and not merely injured by the nisin and diacetyl treatments. This study showed that nisin and diacetyl combinations were more effective on Lm than when either chemical was used separately in BHI, SPBS, or KPBS. Lm cells starved for 14 or more days were much more resistant to the nisin and diacetyl combinations than were nonstarved control cells.
Schistosoma mansoni p48 eggshell protein gene: characterization, developmentally regulated expression and comparison to the p14 eggshell protein gene

Abstract Egg production by worm pairs is a major cause of pathogenesis in schistosomiasis. To further the understanding of female reproductive development, we have isolated and characterized a complete copy of an eggshell protein precursor gene, p48. Sequence analysis reveals that the gene has 3 open reading frames and does not contain an intron. One of the open reading frames, ORF1, encodes a polypeptide of 50 kDa which shows strong homology to insect chorion proteins. Determination of the position of the mRNA cap-site facilitated identification of putative regulatory elements in the 5′ upstream region of the gene. Some of these elements (e.g. TCACGT) have been shown to play a role in the regulation of chorion gene expression in insects. p48 mRNA is detectable only in mature female worms and the ability to detect the mRNA coincides temporally with worm pairing. Quantitative comparisons, during female reproductive development, of p48 transcripts to those from another eggshell protein precursor gene, p14, show that the p48 mRNA is significantly less abundant than p14 mRNA. In mature female worms, p48 mRNA can only be detected in vitelline cells. Antibodies made against the polypeptide sequence deduced from ORF1 of the p48 gene recognize a 50-kDa molecule in extracts from mature female worms, but not in extracts from immature females or males.
Serial cytogenetic and hematologic studies on amongol with trisomy-21 and acute congenital leukemia**

A child with mongolism and acute congenital leukemia who had a year long spontaneous remission of the leukemia died at 2⅓ years of age of acute myeloid leukemia. Chromosome studies conducted when the child was 3 weeks of age showed 2 cell lines in the marrow—a major line with 47 chromosomes (trisomy-21) and a minor line with 48 chromosomes (trisomy-21 plus an additional chromosome in the 6–12 group). During remission, in addition to these 2 cell lines, a third transient line in which 1 or 2 deleted small acrocentrics replaced the normal chromosomes 21–22 was found in cultured peripheral blood cells. With exacerbation of the leukemia, the cell line with 48 chromosomes became the major line in the marrow. When leukocytes were cultured without phytohemagglutinin in the medium, the mode was also 48 chromosomes; with phytohemagglutinin, it was 47. Cells cultured from the skin, lung, thymus, lymph, and spleen all had 47 chromosomes.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF STIMULATED RAMAN SCATTERING GAIN IN SILICON NANOCOMPOSITE AND IN AMORPHOUS SILICON NANOPARTICLES

Nonlinear optics at nanoscale is a recent fascinating research field. Among the numerous nonlinear optics phenomena, stimulated Raman scattering is one of the most interestingphenomena, due to its significant implications from both fundamental and applicative point of view. In this paper, the observations of stimulated Raman scattering, at the wavelengths of interest for telecommunications, in silicon nanocomposite and in amorphous silicon nanoparticles are reported. A significant Raman gain enhancement and a significant threshold power reduction with respect to silicon are demonstrated. Our findings indicate that nanostructured materials show great promise for Si-based Raman lasers.
A modified torch system for direct solid analysis by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract A modified torch for use as a solid sampling system for laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) is described. The torch system could replace the conventional torch used for solution analysis. Preliminary results based on copper determination in standard steel samples in terms of precision (±10%) and accuracy (±20%) were considered acceptable though poorer than conventional solution ICP-AES.
Identification of an OH-Li center in ZnO: Infrared absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory

The $2644.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ vibrational line observed in ZnO grown by the hydrothermal method and doped with D impurities is split into two components with intensities consistent with the natural abundances of $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$ and $^{7}\mathrm{Li}$, unambiguously establishing the direct involvement of Li in this center. Comparison with the results of density functional theory calculations strongly supports a structure with H bond-centered between Li and O along the $c$ axis. Because isotope splittings for elements heavier than Li will be more difficult to detect, this OH-Li center may be considered a unique model system for H trapped by impurities in ZnO.
Key Articles and Guidelines in the Acute Management and Secondary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic stroke is a prevalent disease with a large burden on the health system. It is essential for practitioners caring for patients who have experienced an ischemic stroke to be familiar with the literature supporting both acute management as well as secondary preventive strategies. Due to the large amount of literature available on this topic, this bibliography (the second of a two-part series) aims to provide a comprehensive resource for medical practitioners charged with caring for this population. Acute management strategies involve controlling patients' blood pressure and administering thrombolysis (either pharmacologic or mechanical) to improve blood flow and preserve neurologic function. Various neuroprevention strategies have also been investigated. Secondary prevention strategies, similar to primary prevention, focus on modulation of various risk factors including antiplatelet treatments and control of blood pressure, and lipid levels, amongst others.
Induction of remission in acute promyelocytic leukemia with mitoxantrone

Two patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia in first relapse received mitoxantrone 12 mg/m2/day for 5 days. Both patients received IV heparin with replacement of platelets and coagulation factors for control of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Both have achieved a complete remission after one course of treatment. We conclude that mitoxantrone is active in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia and that these patients should also be included in the planned prospective randomized trials comparing daunorubicin and mitoxantrone in combination with cytarabine in previously untreated patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia.
Comments on ‘Uncertain discrete systems: uniform ultimate bounded stabilization’

Bahnasawi and Mahmoud (1989) give a two-pan (linear plus non-linear) control law to guarantee global uniform ultimate boundedness of a class of uncertain discrete systems. These results are applicable to naturally discrete systems, but require care in applying lo sampled-data systems. Some observations on the application by Bahnasawi and Mahmoud (1989) of these discrete system results to a discretized model of a Ward-Leonard speed controller arc indicated, and several interesting comments arc offered.
On the traction boundary value problem in the linearized gauge theory of dislocations

Abstract The static traction boundary value problem for finite material bodies is shown to be well posed in the linearized gauge theory of dislocations. The dislocation field variables assume the roles of generalized stress potentials that satisfy a system of fourth order linear partial differential equations. Accordingly, the stress distributions may be calculated directly from the traction boundary data without solving for the elastic displacement fields. Satisfaction of appropriate gauge conditions are shown to lead to significant simplifications and certain systems of first integrals of the governing equations are exhibited. The important thing here is that the gauge theory of dislocations provides direct means of calculating the distributions of dislocations that arise from given systems of boundary tractions. This is in sharp contrast with previous theories in which the distributions of dislocations are calculated from given distributions of dislocation densities.
Pemetrexed in pancreatic cancer.

Abstract New drugs are clearly needed for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer, a disease refractory to most chemotherapy. Pemetrexed, a novel antifolate, inhibits thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase, and aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase. Pemetrexed is active against pancreatic cancer cell lines in vitro. Two partial responses in pancreatic cancer patients were observed in a phase I trial of pemetrexed. This led to a phase II trial of pemetrexed in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The objective response rate was 6%, 1-year survival rate was 28%, and the toxicities of therapy were mild. Pemetrexed is synergistic with gemcitabine in vitro. In a phase I trial, the pemetrexed/gemcitabine combination was broadly active and well tolerated. A phase II trial of this combination in 42 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer showed promising activity. A 520-patient international randomized phase III trial that compares the pemetrexed/gemcitabine combination with single-agent gemcitabine is currently accruing patients. Semin Oncol 29 (suppl 18):49-53. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Revisiting communication code generation algorithms for message-passing systems

In this paper, we investigate algorithms for generating communication code to run on distributed-memory systems. We modify algorithms from previously published work and prove that the algorithms produce correct code. We then extend these algorithms to incorporate the mapping of virtual to physical processors and prove the correctness of this extension. This technique can reduce the number of interprocessor messages. In the examples that we show, the total number of messages was reduced from O(N 2) to O(P 2), where N is the input size and P is the number of physical processors. The reason that it is important to revisit communication code generation and to introduce a formal specification of the incorporation of mapping in the communication code generation is so that we can make use of the many scheduling heuristics proposed in the literature. We need a generalized mapping function so that we can apply different mapping and scheduling heuristics proposed in the literature for each input program, therefore ...
How Should We Grade Lumbar Disc Herniation and Nerve Root Compression? A Systematic Review

Background MRI is the gold standard for evaluating the relationship of disc material to soft tissue and neural structures. However, terminologies used to describe lumbar disc herniation and nerve root compression have always been a source of confusion. A clear understanding of lumbar disc terminology among clinicians, radiologists, and researchers is vital for patient care and future research.
Imaginary Play Companions: Characteristics and Functions.

This paper investigates some variables associated with the phenomenon of young children playing with imaginary play companions (IPC). The intelligence of a group of children with IPCs; the characteristics of the IPC itself; parental socio-economic and educational background, family size and birth order are compared with a group of children without IPCs.
Synergistic effect on insulin secretion from INS-1 cells of a sulfonylurea and a phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor

The effects on insulin secretion from INS-1 cells of varying concentrations of the sulfonylurea glyburide and the PDE3 inhibitor milrinone, separately and in combination were measured. Over a range of concentrations the effects of the two drugs in combination were more than additive. A response surface model was fit to the data and was found to describe the data well. From this model, it was apparent that a significant synergistic effect upon insulin secretion existed over a wide range of combinations of the two drugs.
A Pre-Processed Cross Link Detection Protocol for geographic routing in mobile ad hoc and sensor networks under realistic environments with obstacles

In mobile ad hoc and sensor networks, greedy-face-greedy (GFG) geographic routing protocols have been a topic of active research in recent years. Most of the GFG geographic routing protocols make an ideal assumption that nodes in the network construct a unit-disk graph, UDG, and extract a planar subgraph from the UDG for face routing. However, the assumption of UDG may be violated in realistic environments, which may cause the current GFG geographic routing protocols to fail. In this paper, we propose a Pre-Processed Cross Link Detection Protocol, PPCLDP, which extracts an almost planar subgraph from a realistic network graph, instead of a UDG, for face routing and makes the GFG geographic routing work correctly in realistic environments with obstacles. The proposed PPCLDP improves the previous work of Cross Link Detection Protocol, CLDP, with far less communication cost and better convergence time. Our simulation results show that the average communication cost and the average convergence time of PPCLDP are, respectively, 65% and 45% less than those of CLDP. This makes PPCLDP more desirable for mobile ad hoc and sensor networks.
Carbonyl Ligand Lability in the μ-H[Cr(CO)5]2− Anion

Abstract Studies on the mechanism of the conversion of μ-H[Cr(C0) 5 ] 2 − to L 2 Cr(CO) 4 are reported.
Shallow and deep fresh impact craters in Hesperia Planum, Mars

The depths of 109 impact craters ∼2–16 km in diameter, located on the ridged plains materials of Hesperia Planum, Mars, have been measured from their shadow lengths using digital Viking Orbiter images (orbit numbers 417S–419S) and the PICS computer software. On the basis of their pristine morphology (very fresh lobate ejecta blankets, well preserved rim crests, and lack of superposed impact craters), 57 of these craters have been selected for detailed analysis of their spatial distribution and geometry. We find that south of 30°S, craters 6.0 km diameter. We also find that two populations exist for older craters <6.0 km diameter. When craters that lack ejecta blankets are grouped on the basis of depth/diameter ratio, the deeper craters also typically lie equatorward of 30° S. We interpret the spatial variation in crater depth/diameter ratios as most likely due to a poleward increase in volatiles within the top 400 m of the surface at the times these craters were formed.
Paclitaxel attenuates Bcl-2 resistance to apoptosis in breast cancer cells through an endoplasmic reticulum-mediated calcium release in a dosage dependent manner

To address the controversy regarding efficacy of paclitaxel in the presence of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, we investigated calcium stored in the endoplasmic reticulum as a potential factor. Our results showed that the ER calcium store is a common target for both paclitaxel and Bcl-2 protein. Paclitaxel directly associates with the endoplasmic reticulum to stimulate the release of calcium into the cytosol, contributing to the induction of apoptosis. However, Bcl-2 expression suppresses the cell’s pro-apoptotic response of endoplasmic reticulum calcium release, thus inhibiting susceptibility of cancer cells to undergo apoptosis. Depending upon dosage, a paclitaxel-induced stimulatory effect can overcome the Bcl-2-mediated inhibitory effect on endoplasmic reticulum calcium release, thus attenuating the resistance of Bcl-2 to apoptosis. Our finding is the first to demonstrate that endoplasmic reticulum calcium plays a key role in the efficacy of paclitaxel in the presence of Bcl-2, thus providing insight into the complex but crucial paclitaxel–calcium–Bcl-2 relationship, which may impact breast cancer treatment.
Comment on “PAH refractory index as a source discriminant of hydrocarbon input from crude oil and coal in Prince William Sound, Alaska” by F.D. Hostettler, R.J. Rosenbauer, K.A. Kvenvolden

This comment addresses the recent paper by Hostettler et al. proposing a new geochemical refractory PAH index, T/C (the ratio of triaromatic steranes to methyl chrysenes), and using the index to indicate that coal is the main source of the natural petrogenic hydrocarbons in marine sediments in Prince William Sound, Alaska. In response Bench et al. argue that coal is only one of several possibilities, and that measurements of vitrinite/kerogen reflectance, hydrocarbon mass balance calculations, and other molecular indicators including biomarkers demonstrate that coal is not the dominant source. The small sample of data used by Hostettler et al., evidence from vitrinite/kerogen reflectance data, beach coal, mass balance constraints, and the limitations of the T/C index are discussed. Selected molecular parameters in the sediments and in the potential sources of the hydrocarbons background are tabulated.
An experimental investigation of the electrophoretic sedimentation of fine particles in waste kerosene

Abstract This study concerns the separation, by electrophoretic sedimentation, of fine positively charged oxidized aluminum and iron particles from waste kerosene used in an aluminum foil rolling operation. Settling experiments were carried out in a laboratory-scale cell which allowed the influence of an electric field to be studied simultaneously with gravitational settling. The study spans the clarification and thickening concentration ranges and includes the effects of field strength, settling height and electrical heating on the observed settling rates of several different samples of the particle—kerosene suspension. A number of correlations were found for the experimental results generally based on correlations for gravitational settling modified to take into account the imposition of an electric field.
Time course and extent of functional recovery during the first postoperative year after minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty with two different surgical approaches--a randomized controlled trial.

While others have reported short-term comparisons between various minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approaches to total hip arthroplasty (THA) and their conventional analogues, longer-term data is lacking, as is information indicating whether MIS approaches to THA provide a biomechanically complete recovery. Furthermore, different MIS approaches have not been compared. Our approaches of interest were a one-incision modified Watson-Jones, and a two-incision approach. Hypotheses: (1) There are significant differences in gait recovery patterns between the two surgical groups and (2) THA subjects have significant differences in function one year after surgery compared to control subjects. To test these hypotheses, THA candidates (n=26) were randomized to receive one of these MIS approaches and evaluated preoperatively, and postoperatively at 3 weeks, and at 3, 6 and 12 months. Evaluations included three-dimensional gait analysis and 24-hour step-counts. The same data were obtained from 25 control subjects. Recovery time-course was assessed using repeated measures ANOVA. T-tests were used to compare controls with the pooled group of THA subjects. We found no differences between the two THA surgical groups regarding the time-course of recovery (p≥0.591). Although recovery was statistically complete by 3 months postoperatively for all variables, there were significant differences from controls at 12 months. Most notably, the external hip adduction moment, which reflects hip abductor function, was more than one standard deviation below normal (p<0.001). THA subject inactivity could not explain the gait differences, since one year after surgery daily step counts were not significantly different from controls (p=0.346). More work is necessary to determine ways to improve biomechanical outcomes for today’s patients with high expectations for function and implant longevity.
Direct evidence for the deoxyribonuclease activity of the plant ribosome inactivating protein gelonin

Several plant ribotoxins, including gelonin, were reported to have additional weak nuclease activities on supercoiled DNA. The potential contribution of this activity to their cytotoxicity has not been given serious consideration due to concerns about contaminating nucleases in the protein preparations. We now report the degradation of single-stranded DNA by preparations of native plant gelonin and recombinant gelonin produced in E. coli. The DNase activity of both preparations is similarly modulated by zinc. An SDS-PAGE DNase assay identifies gelonin as the polypeptide responsible for deoxyribonuclease activity.
Carisoprodol Dependence: A Case Report

Although known to have central nervous system effects comparable to those of meprobamate, carisoprodol has not previously been reported to be a dependence-producing drug. This case report is of a woman, previously addicted to other drugs, who became dependent on carisoprodol.