cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular regulation of the blood-brain barrier GLUT1 glucose transporter by brain-derived peptides

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) GLUT1 glucose transporter represents the limiting step in transport of glucose from blood to brain, and its activity has been shown to be altered in different pathophysiological conditions such as hypoglycemia, brain tumors, development, and Alzheimer’s disease. The molecular regulation of the BBB-GLUT1 gene is directed at both transcription and post-transcriptional stabilization of mRNA by brain-derived factors present in a bovine brain homogenate [Boado, et al. (1994) Mol Brain Res 22: 259] and in the brain-derived peptide rich preparation Cerebrolysin® (CL, EBEWE, Austria) [Boado (1994) Eur J Neurosci [Suppl] 7: 58], respectively. Since increased GLUT1 mRNA stability was correlated with augmented GLUT1 immunoreactive protein in hypoglycemia and with the antidiabetic agent pioglitazone, it is possible that Cl increases the translation efficiency of BBB-GLUT1 transcript. Therefore, in order to test this hypothesis, the present investigation studied the effect of CL on the expression of the BBB-GLUT1 gene in brain endothelial cultured cells transfected with a luciferase expression vector containing the complete 171 nucleotides of the 5′-untranslated region of the human GLUT1 mRNA, which possesses the GLUT1 translational control elements. Dose response studies showed that Cl at concentrations of 1–10µl/m1 culture media produced a marked increase in the levels of luciferase (122–324% of control), whereas no significant changes were observed with 25 or 50 µl/ml.
Fog dispersal by CO(2) laser pulses: an exact solution including prevaporization heating.

The coupled nonlinear equations governing the transmission of a collimated high-energy laser beam through a fog are solved analytically. The incident radiation is assumed to be of sufficient intensity to vaporize the droplets in the path of the beams, thus enabling a greater percentage than without vaporization of the incident energy to be transmitted. Prevaporization heating is included in the treatment, and the vaporization front provides a moving boundary condition for the solution. The initial laser intensity and aerosol density are taken to be arbitrary functions of time and position, respectively, Effects of scattering, molecular absorption, and heat conduction are ignored.
Key attributes of a modern surgical trainer: perspectives from consultants and trainees in the United kingdom.

Objective This study identifies key attributes of a modern surgical trainer as defined by individual trainees and consultant training faculty members. Design Using a collaborative inquiry process, we conducted focus groups and semistructured interviews with 32 trainees and 10 consultant trainers in general surgery. This study was undertaken in a single postgraduate deanery in the United Kingdom. Key trainer attributes were identified and categorized into themes. Results Key attributes identified by core trainees (CTs) were enthusiasm, giving feedback, setting targets, completing online assessments, and inspiring trainees. From specialty trainees (STs), key attributes were leading in difficult situations, patience, ensuring trainees perform cases, inspiring trainees, and being a role model. Key attributes from consultants were engaging other trainers, awareness of individual needs, ensuring trainees perform cases, discussing problems sympathetically, and patience. Effective communication was the principal trainer theme for CTs and STs identified the principal theme of leadership. These themes were emphasized also by trainers. Conclusions Trainees and trainers have different beliefs on the attributes a good surgical trainer should possess. These findings may be used to promote understanding between trainees and trainers of the expectations and difficulties faced by surgical consultants.
Conservative Color Improvement for Teeth with Fluorosis-Type Stain

This report describes use of carbamide peroxide bleaching gel to lighten the enamel of teeth after enamel microabrasion.
Acquired lumbar spinal stenosis

AbstractLumbar spinal stenosis is the most frequent reason for spinal surgery in patients over age 65 years. In this condition, narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal and nerve root canals leads to painful, debilitating compression of spinal nerves and blood vessels. As the population ages, an increas
The origins of kriging

In this article, kriging is equated with spatial optimal linear prediction, where the unknown random-process mean is estimated with the best linear unbiased estimator. This allows early appearances of (spatial) prediction techniques to be assessed in terms of how close they came to kriging.
Metastable pitting behavior of aluminum single crystals

Abstract The metastable pitting behavior of aluminum single crystals (99.999% pure) with orientations of (100), (110) and (111) was followed as a function of potential at potentials below the pitting potential in a deoxygenated 0.6 M NaCl solution. The (111) crystal face exhibited the highest number of metastable events at a given potential. The (100) face showed the second highest number of events, while the (110) had the least number of events. The peak pit currents for the three surfaces were not statistically different in the potential region −0.785 to −0.745 V vs. SCE indicating that the amount of electrochemical charge passed in a breakdown event is independent of orientation. These results are discussed in relation to the nature of the oxide film and the atomic planar densities of the three orientations.
Micromechanical analysis of a continuous fiber metal matrix composite including the effects of matrix viscoplasticity and evolving damage

Abstract A thermomechanical analysis of a metal matrix continuous fiber composite is performed herein. The analysis includes the effects of matrix inelasticity and interface cracking. Due to these nonlinearities, the analysis is performed computationally using the finite element method. Matrix inelasticity is modeled with a rate dependent viscoplasticity model. Interface fracture is modeled by the use of a nonlinear interface constitutive model. The problem formulation is summarized, and results are given for a typical SiC-Ti composite at elevated temperature. Preliminary results indicate that rate dependent viscoplasticity can be a significant mechanism for dissipating the energy available for interface fracture, thus contributing to improved macroscopic ductility of the composite.
Predictions from the Macrohomogeneous Model of an Aerospace Ni‐Cd Battery

The mathematical porous-electrode model developed at Texas A and M University has been combined with a planar model for the surface active layer to formulate a pseudo two-dimensional model for a sealed nickel-cadmium cell. The porous electrode model is based on a macrohomogeneous description of the electrodes and takes into account various processes such as mass transport in the liquid phase and porosity and conductivity changes in the solid phase. The planar electrode model describes the processes occurring across the surface layer of active material, i.e., solid-state diffusion of protons and conductivity changes in the nickel oxide, and the charge-transfer across the film-electrolyte interface. Also, various routines have been added to the pseudo two-dimensional model thus integrated, to allow predictions for any nickel-cadmium battery under any desired charge-discharge schedule. From a comparison with the experimental data of an aerospace cell, the model parameters describing charge-discharge behavior of a Ni-Cd cell have been optimized to obtain a closer prediction with the experimental data. Upon optimizing the model parameters, the performance of the aerospace nickel-cadmium cell has been simulated under various experimental conditions, i.e., at different rates and temperatures. Also, generic Ragone plots for the cell and typical Tafel plots for cadmiummore » and nickel electrodes at different states of charge have been constructed form the simulations. Finally, this model has been made available for any interested user through COSMIC NASA`s Computer Management and Information Center, along with documentation in six volumes describing the code, principles, and operating instructions.« less
Management of post-photorefractive keratectomy pain

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a refractive procedure gaining popularity that eliminates the risk of ectasia and flap complications that can occur after laser in situ keratomileusis. Post-operative discomfort is a major drawback after PRK and thus the management of pain and discomfort following PRK is of great importance. We summarize corneal pain pathways and summarize current approaches to pain management after PRK.
Catalogue of large alluvial fans in martian impact craters

Abstract We conducted a systematic, global survey using Thermal Emission Imaging System Infrared (THEMIS IR) coverage (∼100 m/pixel) to search for large alluvial fans in impact craters on Mars. Our survey has focused on large fans (apron areas greater than ∼40 km 2 , usually located in craters greater than 20 km in diameter) due to the resolution of the THEMIS images and Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) coverage. We find that the host craters are found to have a distinctive diameter range from 30–150 km. The fans generally cluster in three geographic areas—southern Margaritifer Terra, southwestern Terra Sabaea, and southwestern Tyrrhena Terra, however several outliers do exist. The alluvial fans do not form in a particular orientation along the crater rim nor are they associated with the location of current high rim topography. Fan area magnitude and variability increase with crater diameter while fan concavity magnitude and variability increase with decreasing crater diameter. Smaller fan aprons in general have higher, more variable concavity. The source of the water forming these fans is uncertain given the challenges of accommodating the global distribution pattern and formation patterns within the craters.
Intramolecular electronic interactions in conjugated ferrocene-π-extended-tetrathiafulvalene donor-π-donor molecular hybrids

The synthesis of new hybrid ferrocene and π-extended tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) donor1-π-donor2 molecular assemblies 16a−c has been carried out by a Wittig−Horner reaction of the respective phosphonate esters 15a−c with 2-(2-ferrocenylvinyl)-9,10-anthraquinone (18) prepared by olefination of ferrocenecarboxaldehyde (14) and the anthraquinone phosphonium salt 17. Electrochemical studies show that the D1-π-D2 (D = donor) molecular assemblies 16a−c essentially retain the redox characteristics of both ferrocene and the π-extended TTF components and the effects of solvent, temperature, scan rate, and working electrode are significant. Most importantly, pronounced intramolecular electronic interactions between the two donor moieties were observed by cyclic voltammetry and Osteryoung square wave voltammetry in both the ground and charged states. Semiempirical calculations support the electrochemical observations.
Productivity costs of nonviral sexually transmissible infections among patients who miss work to seek medical care: evidence from claims data

Background: Productivity losses can arise when employees miss work to seek care for sexually transmissible infections (STIs). We estimated the average productivity loss per acute case of four nonviral STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomoniasis. Methods: We extracted outpatient claims from 2001-2005 MarketScan databases using International Classification Disease ver. 9 (ICD-9) codes. We linked claims with their absence records in the Health and Productivity Management database by matching enrolee identifiers and the service dates from the claims such that our final data included only those who were absent because they were sick and were diagnosed with an STI on the day of their visit. To ensure that the visit was for the STIs being examined, we restricted the criteria to records with the specified ICD-9 codes only, excluding claims with other codes. We estimated the average number of hours absent and multiplied it by the mean hourly wage rate including benefits ($29.72 in 2011 United States dollars) to estimate the average productivity loss per case. Results: The average productivity losses per case were: $262 for chlamydia, $197 for gonorrhoea, $419 for syphilis and $289 for trichomoniasis. There were no significant differences between males and females. Conclusions: Among those who take sick leave to seek care, productivity losses associated with treating nonviral STIs may be higher than their estimated direct medical costs. These productivity cost estimates can help to quantify the overall STI burden, and inform cost-effectiveness analyses of prevention and control efforts.
Information gain of black-box testing

For model-based black-box testing, test cases are often selected from the syntactic appearance of the specification of the system under test, according to a pre-given test data adequacy criterion. We introduce a novel approach that is semantics-based, independent of the syntactic appearance of the system specification. Basically, we model the system under test as a random variable, whose sample space consists of all possible behavior sets (with respect to the specification) over the known interface of the black-box. The entropy of the system is measured as the (Shannon) entropy of the random variable. In our criterion, the coverage of a test set is measured as the expected amount of entropy decrease (i.e. the expected amount of information gained) once the test set is run. Since our criterion is syntactic independent, we study the notion of information-optimal software testing where, within a given constraint, a test set is selected to gain the most information.
Photoconductivity and transport in hydrogenated amorphous silicon

Abstract Measurements of both primary and secondary photocurrents for photon energies between 0.58 and 2.0 eV in hydrogenated amorphous silicon solar cell structures give information about the density of states above the valence band as well as show that holes are mobile deep in the band gap. Measurements of the response time of the secondary photocurrent as well as its magnitude are used to determine the majority carrier drift mobility for excitation energies above and below the band gap. The drift mobility is independent of excitation energy, indicating that the majority carriers are excited to the same states irrespective of the excitation energy.
Performance of multiple pulse position modulation on multipath channels

The effect of multipath dispersion on multiple pulse position modulation (MPPM) and its variants PPM and overlapping PPM are examined. Upper bounds for the error probability of each modulation scheme in the presence of intersymbol interference are presented, considering both an unequalised receiver and the optimal maximum-likelihood sequence detection receiver. Numerical results show that all the PPM-based schemes are approximately equally sensitive to multipath dispersion, and significantly more sensitive to multipath dispersion than on-off keying when maximum-likelihood sequence detection is used.
B ′ s with direct decays: Tevatron and LHC discovery prospects in the b b ¯ + E̸ T channel

We explore the discovery prospects for B ' ¯ Bpair production followed by direct decays B ' → bX, where Bis a new quark and X is a long-lived neutral particle. We develop optimized cuts in the (mB',mX) plane and show that the 7 TeV LHC with an integrated luminosity of 1 (10) fb −1 may exclude masses up to mB' ∼ 620 (800) GeV, completely covering the mass range allowed for new quarks that get mass from electroweak symmetry breaking. This analysis is applicable to other models with bb / ET signals, including supersymmetric models with bottom squarks decaying directly to neutralinos, and models with exotic quarks decaying directly to GeV-scale dark matter. To accommodate these and other interpretations, we also present model-independent results for the bb / ET cross section required for exclusion and discovery.
Pretreatment with Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog Deleted on Chromosome 10 (PTEN) Inhibitor SF1670 Augments the Efficacy of Granulocyte Transfusion in a Clinically Relevant Mouse Model

The clinical outcome of granulocyte transfusion therapy is often hampered by short ex vivo shelf life, inefficiency of recruitment to sites of inflammation, and poor pathogen-killing capability of transplanted neutrophils. Here, using a recently developed mouse granulocyte transfusion model, we revealed that the efficacy of granulocyte transfusion can be significantly increased by elevating intracellular phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate signaling with a specific phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) inhibitor SF1670. Neutrophils treated with SF1670 were much sensitive to chemoattractant stimulation. Neutrophil functions, such as phagocytosis, oxidative burst, polarization, and chemotaxis, were augmented after SF1670 treatment. The recruitment of SF1670-pretreated transfused neutrophils to the inflamed peritoneal cavity and lungs was significantly elevated. In addition, transfusion with SF1670-treated neutrophils led to augmented bacteria-killing capability (decreased bacterial burden) in neutropenic recipient mice in both peritonitis and bacterial pneumonia. Consequently, this alleviated the severity of and decreased the mortality of neutropenia-related pneumonia. Together, these observations demonstrate that the innate immune responses can be enhanced and the severity of neutropenia-related infection can be alleviated by augmenting phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate in transfused neutrophils with PTEN inhibitor SF1670, providing a therapeutic strategy for improving the efficacy of granulocyte transfusion.
An integrated optical oxygen sensor fabricated using rapid-prototyping techniques

This paper details the design and fabrication of an integrated optical biochemical sensor using a select oxygen-sensitive fluorescent dye, tris(2,2′-bipyridyl) dichlororuthenium(II) hexahydrate, combined with polymeric waveguides that are fabricated on a glass substrate. The sensor uses evanescent interaction of light confined within the waveguide with the dye that is immobilized on an SU-8 waveguide surface. Adhesion of the dye to the integrated waveguide surface is accomplished using a unique process of spin-coating/electrostatic layer-by-layer formation. The SU-8 waveguide was chemically modified to allow the deposition process. Exposure of the dye molecules to the analyte and subsequent chemical interaction is achieved by directly coupling the fluid channel to the integrated waveguide. The completed sensor was linear in the dissolved oxygen across a wide range of interest and had a sensitivity of 0.6 ppm. A unique fabrication aspect of this sensor is the inherent simplicity of the design, and the resulting rapidity of fabrication, while maintaining a high degree of functionality and flexibility.
Finite-difference time-domain analysis of gyrotropic media. I. Magnetized plasma

When subjected to a constant magnetic field, both plasmas and ferrites exhibit anisotropic constitutive parameters. For electronic plasmas this anisotropy must be described by using a permittivity tensor in place of the usual scalar permittivity. Each member of this tensor is also very frequency dependent. A finite-difference time-domain formulation which incorporates both anisotropy and frequency dispersion, enabling the wideband transient analysis of magnetoactive plasma, is described. Results are shown for the reflection and transmission through a magnetized plasma layer, with the direction of propagation parallel to the direction of the biasing field. A comparison to frequency-domain analytic results is included. >
The Mössbauer effect of ferroelectric transitions

Abstract The observed anomalous behavior of the Mossbauer fraction during the ferroelectric transition in PbTiO 3 is explained using a model consistent with Cochran's analysis of ferroelectricity. Our calculations show no anomalous behavior in the second order Doppler shift.
Genetic variants in the cell cycle control pathways contribute to early onset colorectal cancer in Lynch syndrome

Purpose Lynch syndrome is an autosomal dominant syndrome of familial malignancies resulting from germ line mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Our goal was to take a pathway-based approach to investigate the influence of polymorphisms in cell cycle-related genes on age of onset for Lynch syndrome using a tree model.
Hot-spot congestion relief in public-area wireless networks

Wireless LAN administrators are often called upon to deal with the problem of sporadic user congestion at certain popular spaces ("hot-spots") within the network. To address this problem, we describe and evaluate two new approaches, explicit channel switching and network-directed roaming for providing hot-spot congestion relief while maintaining pre-negotiated user bandwidth agreements with the network. The goals of these algorithms are: (i) to accommodate more users by dynamically providing capacity where it is needed, when it is needed; (ii) to improve overall network utilization by making more efficient use of deployed resources; and (iii) to guarantee at least a minimum amount of bandwidth to users. We propose that both the network and its users should explicitly and cooperatively adapt themselves to changing load conditions depending on their geographic location within the network. We describe how these algorithms enable the network to transparently adapt to user demands and balance load across its access points (APs). We evaluate the effectiveness of these algorithms on improving user service rates and network utilization using simulations. Our algorithms improve the degree of load balance in the system by over 30%, and user bandwidth allocation by up to 52% in comparison to existing schemes that offer little or no load balancing.
Absence of synergism between thymus and bone marrow in graft-versus-host reactions.

SummaryBone marrow cells were ineffective in producing significant graft-versus-host reactions as measured by a spleen assay test. No synergism between bone marrow and thymus was observed in the graft-versus-host reactions.
A Typology of Inner–Ring Suburbs: Class, Race, and Ethnicity in U.S. Suburbia:

Inner–ring suburbs initially built in the postwar period and before have evolved into places with varied characteristics, assets, and problems. Analyzing a sample of 1,742 inner–ring suburbs nation...
Lymphocyte radiosensitivity correlated with pelvic radiotherapy morbidity.

Abstract Purpose To test the hypothesis that, before treatment, prostate cancer patients who demonstrate a high yield of ex vivo radiation-induced micronucleus (MN) in G 0 lymphocytes represent a patient population with a greater-than-average risk of developing radiotherapy (RT)-related morbidity. Methods and materials We prospectively conducted the cytokinesis-block MN assay of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) in 38 prostate cancer patients. Before the initiation of RT, PBLs from each patient were irradiated (1–4 Gy). The mean patient age ± SEM was 68.7 ± 1.0 years. The clinical stage was T1 in 17, T2 in 15, and T3 in 6. The preoperative prostate-specific antigen level was ≤4 ng/mL in 5, 4–10 ng/mL in 18, and >10 ng/mL in 15. All patients underwent standardized pelvic external beam radiotherapy (range 41.4–50.4 Gy) and boost (range 16–26 Gy). The mean follow-up ± SEM was 32.8 ± 4.6 months. At the end of follow-up, a radiation oncologist scored the GI or GU morbidity according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria without knowledge of the MN data. Results We found that between the average reactors ( n = 25; i.e., patients who had Grade 1 or less RT-related morbidity) and over reactors ( n = 13; i.e., patients who developed Grade 2 or greater RT-related morbidity), the differences in the ex vivo radiation dose–response relationship of MN yield in PBLs were highly significant, especially at doses of ≥2 Gy. Also, the development of RT-related morbidity correlated with the radiation dose–response relationship of MN yield in PBLs before treatment, but did not correlate with any of the patients’ clinical variables. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the pre-RT ex vivo radiation dose–response relationship of MN yield in PBLs may be a significant predictive factor for the development of GI or GU morbidity in prostate cancer patients after pelvic RT.
Analysis of lorazepam in rat brain using liquid/liquid and solid‐phase extraction in combination with high performance liquid chromatography

A method for the determination of lorazepam in rat brain is described using liquid/liquid and solid-phase extraction, followed by high performance liquid chromatography. After addition of chlordiazepoxide as the internal standard, 100 mg brain tissue was homogenized and incubated with alkaline protease. Lorazepam and chlordiazepoxide were extracted three times with toluene. After treatment through a C 18-Bond Elut column, lorazepam and chlordiazepoxide were analyzed isocratically on a reversed-phase column with a mobile phase consisting of methanol + 0.025 M sodium phosphate buffer (66:34, v/v). The eluted drugs were monitored by their absorption at 240 nm. The sensitivity limit of this method was 10 ng of lorazepam per 100 mg of brain tissue sample. The standard curve was linear over the range of 20 to 200 ng lorazepam. The coefficient of variation for day-to-day precision established by 21 replicate analyses was 4.5 to 13.6%.
The Failure of the Nonregime: How Katrina Exposed New Orleans as a Regimeless City

Hurricane Katrina’s effect on New Orleans raised serious questions about governmental preparedness and response. New Orleans operates without a stable and long-lasting partnership among resource providers, and the absence of a regime greatly affected how it readied for and reacted to Hurricane Katrina. We employ regime analysis to identify how three key differences between regimes and nonregimes impeded New Orleans’s ability to respond to this event. New Orleans lacks an understood agenda; it depends on issue-based coalitions rather than more permanent governing arrangements; and it ineffectively targets resources in the absence of a scheme of cooperation. These characteristics place New Orleans and other nonregime cities in a much more precarious position than urban areas with regimes, and this crisis exacerbated the negative effects of this nonregime environment.
On separating voiced-speech into its components

We present a new strategy and several algorithms to separate voiced-speech into its natural components. Each component is a generalized spectral line whose instantaneous frequency and amplitude continually evolves in time. The decomposition is achieved by a set of demodulators followed by an array of interconnected feed-forward/feed-back filters. Further analysis of the separated components shows that the instantaneous frequencies of some of them (especially those which are located close to a narrow formant) can significantly deviate from their harmonic location, for tens of milliseconds. The envelopes of some components also exhibit interesting amplitude modulations. We conjecture that the group-delay compensated feed-back filter (RISC) structure we propose is similar to the bandpass filters implemented in the mammalian cochlea. >
Systemic anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody administration safely enhances immunity in murine glioma without eliminating regulatory T cells.

Purpose: Elevated proportions of regulatory T cells (T reg ) are present in patients with a variety of cancers, including malignant glioma, yet recapitulative murine models are wanting. We therefore examined T regs in mice bearing malignant glioma and evaluated anti-CD25 as an immunotherapeutic adjunct. Experimental Design: CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + GITR + T regs were quantified in the peripheral blood, spleens, cervical lymph nodes, and bone marrow of mice bearing malignant glioma. The capacities for systemic anti-CD25 therapy to deplete T regs , enhance lymphocyte function, and generate antiglioma CTL responses were assessed. Lastly, survival and experimental allergic encephalitis risks were evaluated when anti-CD25 was combined with a dendritic cell–based immunization targeting shared tumor and central nervous system antigens. Results: Similar to patients with malignant glioma, glioma-bearing mice show a CD4 lymphopenia. Additionally, CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + GITR + T regs represent an increased fraction of the remaining peripheral blood CD4 + T cells, despite themselves being reduced in number. Similar trends are observed in cervical lymph node and spleen, but not in bone marrow. Systemic anti-CD25 administration hinders detection of CD25 + cells but fails to completely eliminate T regs , reducing their number only moderately, yet eliminating their suppressive function. This elimination of T reg function permits enhanced lymphocyte proliferative and IFN-γ responses and up to 80% specific lysis of glioma cell targets in vitro . When combined with dendritic cell immunization, anti-CD25 elicits tumor rejection in 100% of challenged mice without precipitating experimental allergic encephalitis. Conclusions: Systemic anti-CD25 administration does not entirely eliminate T regs but does prevent T reg function. This leads to safe enhancement of tumor immunity in a murine glioma model that recapitulates the tumor-induced changes to the CD4 and T reg compartments seen in patients with malignant glioma.
Simulation of npn and pnp AlGaN/GaN heterojunction bipolar transistors performances: limiting factors and optimum design

The performance capabilities of npn and pnp AlGaN/GaN heterojunction bipolar transistors have been investigated by using a drift-diffusion transport model. Numerical results have been employed to study the effect of the p-type Mg doping and its incomplete ionization on device performance. The high base resistance induced by the deep acceptor level is found to be one of the causes of limited current gain values for npn devices. Reasonable improvements of the dc current gain /spl beta/ are observed by realistically reducing the base thickness and consequently the transit time, in accordance with processing limitations. Base transport enhancement is predicted by the introduction of a quasi-electric field in the base. The impact of the base resistivity on high-frequency characteristics is investigated for npn AlGaN/GaN devices. Simulation results reveal the difficulty to achieve decent current gain values at high current density for pnp HBTs in common emitter configuration. Despite the high electron mobility in the n-type base that aids in reducing the base resistance, a preliminary analysis for pnp devices indicates limited rf performances caused by the reduced minority hole transport across the base.
Influence of Niobium and Zirconium Alloying Additions on the Anodic Dissolution Behavior of Activated Titanium in HCl Solutions

Ti-45 wt % Nb (30 atom % Nb), and Ti-50 wt % Zr (34.4 atom % Zr), with the alloying elements in solid solution, exhibited reduced active anodic dissolution rates in comparison with commercially pure titanium (C. P. Ti) in deaerated hydrochloric acid (HCl) at 37°C. Furthermore, the alloying additions of niobium (Nb) and zirconium (Zr) to Ti were shown to reduce the anodic charge density required to transition from active anodic dissolution to passivity. The improved resistance of Ti-45% Nb, and Ti-50% Zr to active anodic dissolution in comparison to Ti was not attributable to spontaneous passivity induced by enhanced cathodic kinetics, as in Ti alloys containing noble metals, such as palladium. Instead, improved active dissolution resistance is attributed to strong covalent bond formation between neighboring Ti, Nb, and Zr atoms through the sharing of unpaired d level electrons. The extent of increases in covalent bond strengths is quantified by comparing the bond orders between atoms, A relationship between i crit , i corr , and bond order of selected Ti-based alloys is presented. The correlation obtained here takes into consideration surface enrichment of the Ti alloy surfaces with Nb and, possibly, Zr due to the preferential dissolution of Ti in the active state.
Insulin-like growth factor inhibits vascular contraction to 5-hydroxytryptamine: involvement of tyrosine phosphatase.

Abstract This study tests the hypothesis that insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)-induced vasodilation is due to the stimulation of tyrosine phosphatase. Rat aortic segments (endothelium intact) were placed in muscle baths for force measurement. Segments were contracted to serotonin [5-hydroxytyptamine (5-HT), 10−7–10−5 M] before and after incubation with IGF-1 (10-100 nM; 90 min). IGF-1 caused a 20% inhibition of 5-HT-induced contractions. This inhibition was reversed by the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors sodium orthovanadate and molybdate. Orthovanadate did not alter inhibitory properties of the calcium channel antagonist verapamil, suggesting that the phosphatase inhibitors were relatively specific. IGF-1-induced inhibition was not altered by blockade of nitric oxide synthase. Western blot analysis confirmed that the 5-HT-induced stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of the 42-kDa extracellular signal-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinase protein was reduced by IGF-1 (52% inhibition), an inhibition that was attenuated by orthovanadate. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the vasodilator activity of IGF-1 is mediated by the activation of a tyrosine phosphatase.
Use of Imaging for Staging of Early-Stage Breast Cancer in Two Integrated Health Care Systems: Adherence With a Choosing Wisely Recommendation

Use of imaging for staging of low-risk breast cancer was similar in both systems, and slightly lower than has been reported in the literature.
SELECTION AT THE HAPLOID AND DIPLOID PHASES: CYCLICAL VARIATION

This paper considers a deterministic model, where selection acts at both the diploid and haploid phases of development. The stability criteria for the maintenance of a protected polymorphism are derived. The implications of the model are examined through several examples, with emphasis on the comparison of these conditions to those of models that view selection as acting only at the diploid or haploid phases. It is found that the consideration of both phases broadens the conditions over such models.
Due Process and En Banc Decision Making

Several en banc decisions from the Ninth Circuit, and other circuits, raise issues regarding the institutional processes by which the circuits rehear panel decisions en banc, and whether and to what extent these processes should be more transparent. This article critically examines these issues, on which judges have taken a variety of divergent positions. First is whether the vote tallies of the circuit on motions to rehear panel decisions should be made public. Second is when, if ever, judges should publish opinions concurring in or dissenting from the denial of rehearing en banc, as well as the appropriate content of those opinions. The third issue is whether the likelihood of Supreme Court review of a case should influence a circuit in deciding to rehear a panel decision en banc. Several Ninth Circuit cases will serve as the focal point, though not the exclusive one, of the discussion of these issues.
Electrophoretic deposition of nickel zinc ferrite nanoparticles into microstructured patterns

Using DC electric fields, nickel-zinc ferrite (Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4) nanoparticles (Dh =16.6 ± 3.6 nm) are electrophoretically deposited onto silicon substrates to form dense structures defined by photoresist molds. Parameters such as electric field, bath composition, and deposition time are tuned to produce films ranging in thickness from 177 to 805 nm. The deposited films exhibit soft magnetic properties with a saturation magnetization of 60 emu/g and a coercivity of 2.6 kA/m (33 Oe). Additionally, the influence of the photoresist mold on the deposit profile is studied, and patterned films with different shapes (lines, squares, circles, etc.) are demonstrated with feature sizes down to 5 μm.
Re-Inventing the Helpdesk. Again. In Five Weeks or Less

In the fall of 2013, following a change in management and departmental structure, the Carleton College's ITS Helpdesk was identified as "a problem." A triumvirate of previously disparate ITS staff were thrust together and tasked with putting it back on the right track, improving its reputation, streamlining processes, decreasing ticket turnaround time, and generally lifting spirits. With only a month before the start of the academic year, could they do it?
Effect of Greenbug (Homoptera: Aphididae) Damage on Root and Shoot Biomass of Wheat Seedlings

Greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), damage to very small wheat plants has been implicated as the most important cause of yield reduction. A study of influence of greenbug infestation on ‘TAM W-101’ wheat seedling growth patterns was conducted using greenbug biotype E. Plants were grown in Supercell Cone-Tainers using a fritted clay medium and were infested at emergence and at 7 days postemergence. Greenbugs were allowed to feed and reproduce freely until damage was severe; then they were removed. Growth of roots and shoots was measured at 0, 7, and 14 days after greenbug removal. Little difference in growth between damaged and undamaged plants had occurred at 0 days, but at the end of 14 days damage was significant, and growth differences continued to diverge at an increasing rate. Greenbug damage to juvenile plants with several tillers demonstrated the same reduction in root and shoot biomass, but more greenbugs and a longer infestation period were required for a comparable rate of damage. These results show that primary expression of damage was a reduction of root and shoot biomass. Apparently, cost of infestation to small wheat plants is magnified over time and ultimately may be expressed in reproductive loss.
Poly(ε-caprolactone) nanowebs functionalized with α- and γ-cyclodextrins.

The effects of alpha- and gamma-cyclodextrins (α- and γ-CDs) on the thermal and crystal nucleation behavior of electrospun poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers have been investigated. PCL/CD composite nanofibers were obtained for the first time by electrospinning the mixture from chloroform/N,N-dimethylformamide (60:40). Scanning electron microscopy analyses indicated that neat PCL nanofibers have an average diameter of 400 nm, which increases with the addition of CDs. The presence of CDs on or in the electrospun PCL fibers in the electrospun mats was investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the PCL/CD composite fibers exhibit higher crystallization temperatures and sharper crystallization exotherms with increased CD loading, indicating the ability of CDs to nucleate PCL crystallization. Water contact angle (WCA) measurements indicate an inverse relationship between WCA ...
Purification of a cross-protective antigen from Pasteurella multocida grown in vitro and in vivo.

A peptone-based medium was formulated to grow Pasteurella multocida in vitro, which expressed an antigen that induces cross protection in turkeys against different serotypes. Vaccines of various chromatographic fractions obtained from P. multocida grown in the medium induced active immune cross protection in turkeys, and sera from these turkeys passively cross protected naive poults. An antigen of approximately 39 kD molecular size was purified by preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electroelution from hydroxyapatite chromatographic fractions of both in vivo- and in vitro-grown P. multocida. The purified antigen from either source induced active immune cross protection but no passive protection in one of two experiments. Increasing the dose of vaccine resulted in both active and passive immune cross protection in the second experiment.
Adenosine receptor-mediated relaxation of rabbit airway smooth muscle: a role for nitric oxide

In this study, we investigated the relaxant effect of adenosine receptor agonists on KCl-precontracted airway smooth muscle from rabbits and characterized the type of receptor involved in bronchorelaxation in the presence and absence of epithelium. We further defined the role of epithelium-derived relaxing factor, i.e., nitric oxide (NO), on these responses. In both epithelium-intact and -denuded tertiary airway rings from rabbits, the adenosine receptor agonists 2-[p-(2-carboxyethyl)]phenylethylamino-5-N'-ethylcarboxamidoadenos ine (CGS-21680), 5'-(N-ethyl-carboxamido)adenosine (NECA), 2-chloroadenosine (CAD), and (-)-N6-(2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine (R-PIA) relaxed airway smooth muscle with a potency order of CGS-21680 > NECA > CAD > R-PIA. A 98.5, 89.7, 73.2, and 64.7% relaxation was observed at 10(-5) M by CGS-21680, NECA, CAD, and R-PIA in the epithelium-intact bronchial rings, respectively. The 50% maximum effective concentration (EC50; x 10(-7) M) values for CGS-21680, NECA, CAD, and R-PIA were 2, 4, 9, and 80, respectively. Denuded rings, however, showed much less relaxant responses to various adenosine agonists compared with epithelium-intact rings. The adenosine receptor antagonist 8-(sulfophenyl)theophylline significantly attenuated the relaxant responses to all the agonists in the epithelium-intact and -denuded rings. The epithelium-dependent relaxant effect of the agonists in airway rings was inhibited by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 30 microM). The EC50 (x 10(-6) M) values for CGS-21680, NECA, CAD, and R-PIA in the presence of inhibitor were 5.5, 8, 30, and 200, respectively. The L-NMMA produced an insignificant inhibitory effect in the epithelium-denuded rings. L-Arginine but not D-arginine (100 microM) reversed the inhibitory effect of L-NMMA on adenosine agonist-induced relaxation. In primary epithelial cells in culture, CGS-21680 (10(-5) M) induced a fourfold increase in NO production over the control. The CGS-21680-induced NO production in epithelial cells was significantly inhibited by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Moreover, L-arginine reversed the inhibitory effect of L-NAME in the epithelial cells. The data suggest that adenosine relaxes rabbit airway smooth muscle through an A2 adenosine receptor and the epithelium serves as a source of NO.
THE COMPARISON OF SERUM AND BILE BACTERICIDAL ACTIVITY OF THREE FLUOROQUINOLONES

OBJECTIVE:Serum bactericidal activity(SBA) and bile bactericidal activity(BBA) of Levofloxacin(LVFX)?Ofloxacin(OFLX) and Ciprofloxacin(CPLX) were determined and compared in 19 patients underwent biliary duct drainage. METHODS: Broth microdilution method was used to determined SBA and BBA. RESULTS: SBA and BBA of LVFX were the highest against E.coli?Streptococcus?Proteus and S.aureus; SBA and BBA of OFLX were relatively high against Proteus and Streptococcus; the activity of CPLX was high only against Proteus; three drugs were low against P. Aeruginosa. CONCLUSION: The effect of LVFX in biliary tract infection was higher than that of OFLX and CPLX.
The Achievments and Prospect of the Head Meeting between the North and South Korea

The first-time head meeting between North Korea and South Korea after 55 years' division aroused intensive attention in the world. This paper analyzes thoroughly the achievements of this head-meeting, the prospect of their relationship, and the influence, caused by the meeting, upon the relevant countries and districts.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring: A Complementary Strategy for Hypertension Diagnosis and Management in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) can assess out-of-clinic blood pressure. ABPM is an underutilized resource in low-income and middle-income countries but should be considered a complementary strategy to clinic blood pressure measurement for the diagnosis and management of hypertension. Potential uses for ABPM in low-income and middle-income countries include screening of high-risk individuals who have concurrent communicable diseases, such as HIV, and in task-shifting health care strategies.
Development of Microbial Populations in Fermented Wastes from Frozen Vegetable Processing

Changes in microbial populations were evaluated in fermented silage-like products prepared from wastes generated during frozen vegetable processing. Lactobacillus plantarum (107/g) was used to inoculate wastes from black-eyed peas, corn, potatoes, turnip greens and green beans. Populations of facultative anaerobic flora (lactobacilli, lactic acid cocci), anaerobes (clostridia) and lactate-hydrolyzing microflora differed in silages of different composition. Development of microflora correlated with pH decline and production of volatile and nonvolatile acids. Lactic and acetic acids were produced early while secondary metabolic end products (propionic, butyric acids) accumulated later in silages as populations of clostridia and propionibacteria increased. Minimum pH levels were attained after 2 and 4 days of fermentation. Black-eyed pea and potato silages had relatively high pH levels (>4.50). This was correlated with low soluble carbohydrate content. No generalized role could be determined for population changes of fungi or coliforms. The most desirable waste silages can be produced from temperature-stressed materials adjusted to proper composition to ensure optimum fermentation patterns.
Toward biocompatible dinitrosyl iron complexes: sugar-appended thiolates

Both monomeric and dimeric tetraacetylglucose-containing {Fe(NO)2}9 dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) were prepared and examined for NO release in the presence of both chemical NO-trapping agents and endothelial cells.
The Urban Section: An Analytical Tool for Cities and Streets, by Robert Mantho

Books on urban structure and streets abound as the interest in and practice of urban design has expanded. Of those focused on physical design issues, texts range from the more academic or historica...