cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preliminary simulation studies related to the Cerro Prieto Field

Abstract It is of primary concern in developing a geothermal field to determine the size of the resource and the long-term response of the reservoir to significant fluid withdrawals. In most instances, only after a number of surveys and wells have been completed in the area can the details about the complex geologic and sedimentary structure be obtained which are needed for these predictions. At Cerro Prieto, a wealth of information on the geologic, chemical and reservoir engineering characteristics has been and continues to be collected. This makes Cerro Prieto an ideal field to which numerical modelling techniques can be applied in order to, for example: 1. (1) determine the energy potential of the system; 2. (2) investigate the reservoir behavior under different plans of exploitation; 3. (3) predict the magnitude of subsidence effects; and 4. (4) study various schemes for brine reinjection. Results of preliminary numerical simulations of the behavior of the Cerro Prieto field are discussed. The purpose of these studies is to examine: (1) the effect of using conventional isothermal methods of well test data analysis for geothermal systems, and (2) the influence of recharge from over under underlying aquifers on the temperature of a producing geothermal reservoir.
A broadband ultraviolet molecular hydrogen laser

Abstract The transition from the stable 3 Σ g to the repulsive 3 Σ u states of molecular hydrogen forms a naturally inverted system and laser action appears possible between 0.16 and 0.5 micron.
Alternate ionization pathways for resonance ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract Resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) has been evaluated for use in the mass analysis of europium. Many more RIMS-active optical transitions were found than can be predicted on the basis of an equilibrium thermal distribution of initial atomic states. These transitions involve high-lying initial atomic states ( > 13000 cm−1). It is proposed that these states are populated by hybrid resonant transitions involving dimer molecules. Such a process may be a general phenomenon in RIMS.
Four-angle saturation transfer (FAST) method for measuring creatine kinase reaction rates in vivo.

A new fast method of measuring kinetic reaction rates for two-site chemical exchange is described. The method employs saturation transfer magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and acquisition of only four spectra under partially saturated, high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. In two acquisitions one of the exchanging species is saturated; the other two employ a control saturation. Each pair of acquisitions is applied with two different flip angles, and the equilibrium magnetization, relaxation times, and reaction rates are calculated therefrom. This four-angle saturation transfer (FAST) method is validated theoretically using the Bloch equations modified for two-state chemical exchange. Potential errors in the rate measurements due to the effects of exchange are evaluated for creatine kinase (CK) metabolism modeled for skeletal and heart muscle, and are found to be < 5% for forward CK flux rates of 0.05 < or = k(f) < or = 1.0 s(-1), and up to a 90% depletion of phosphocreatine (PCr). The effect of too much or too little saturating irradiation on FAST appears to be comparable to that of the conventional saturation transfer method, although the relative performance deteriorates when spillover irradiation cuts the PCr signal by 50% or more. "FASTer" and " FASTest" protocols are introduced for dynamic CK studies wherein [PCr] and/or k(f) changes. These protocols permit the omission of one or two of the four acquisitions in repeat experiments, and the missing information is recreated from initial data via a new iterative algorithm. The FAST method is validated empirically in phosphorus ((31)P) MRS studies of human calf muscle at 1.5 T. FAST measurements of 10 normal volunteers yielded the same CK reaction rates measured by the conventional method (0.29 +/- 0.06 s(-1)) in the same subjects, but an average of seven times faster. Application of the FASTer algorithm to these data correctly restored missing information within seven iterations. Finally, the FAST method was combined with 1D spatially localized (31)P MRS in a study of six volunteers, yielding the same k(f) values independent of depth, in total acquisition times of 17-39 min. These timesaving FAST methods are enabling because they permit localized measurements of metabolic flux, which were previously impractical due to intolerably long scan times.
Corrections to the StermanWeinberg jet formula

Abstract The fraction of hadronic final states from e+e− annihilation consisting of two jets is calculated exactly to lowest order in QCD perturbation theory. This improves the Sterman-Weinberg expression increasing its range of applicability and may allow for detailed quantitative tests of QCD at feasible experimental energies.
Finite-temperature power absorption by collective modes in unconventional superconductors

Abstract We calculate the power absorption due to order parameter collective modes in a superconducting state with E 1g symmetry possibly applicable to UPt 3 , using a matrix kinetic equation approach. Close to the critical temperature, such features are observable as well-defined peaks in the absorption. At lower temperatures, however, a broad feature considerably larger than the normal state absorption is predicted.
Fundamentals of Physiologic Monitoring

For centuries, medical practitioners had no electronic medical instruments and had to rely on their senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch to obtain physiologic measurements. Although it is possible to estimate blood pressure by palpating the pulse at the radial or brachial artery, such estimates are not accurate. Determining arterial oxygen saturation of hemoglobin is more complex: how "blue" a patient appears depends on skin coloration, lighting, and the examiner's sense of color. Finally, using radiographic images to validate pulmonary edema when clinicians suspect that there is an elevated left atrial or pulmonary artery wedge pressure also challenges human senses. However, today's medical instruments use transducers and signal processors to convert patient information into a form that clinicians can easily perceive and understand. This article defines terms used with biomedical instrumentation and discusses the components of ideal physiologic patient monitoring systems.
Effects of nitroglycerin on isometric exercise

Eight patients with ischemic heart disease performed isometric handgrip of five minutes' duration at 30% of their maximum voluntary contraction, before and after administration of 0.4 mg sublingual nitroglycerin (NTG). Although isometric exercise resulted in similar rise of left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) before and after NTG, the level of LVSP during the post NTG effort was lower. Heart rate, cardiac index, stroke index, left ventricular stroke work index, and systemic resistance were not different during the pre- and post NTG exercise. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure rose to a significantly lower level (18.3 +/- 14.4 mm Hg) during the post NTG handgrip than during the pre NTG effort (31.4 +/- 17.6 mm Hg, P less than 0.005). It is concluded that NTG reduces preload and afterload both at rest and during isometric exercise and improves left ventricular performance during isometric exercise.
The picture of a specific maximal monotone set

Let E be a nontrivial Banach space. The concept of ‘picture’ has been used to provide a new proof of the surjectivity of S+J, for E reflexive and S: E→2E* maximal monotone. It is known that if E is reflexive, then the picture of a maximal monotone subset of E×E* is a singleton. We calculate an example showing that in the nonreflexive case, the picture of a maximal monotone subset can be quite substantial.
Ethanol-induced inhibition of GABA release from LS and SS mouse brain slices.

The effects of ethanol on K+-stimulated and spontaneous release of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were studied in cortical and cerebellar brain slices obtained from long-sleep (LS) and short-sleep (SS) mice. A superfusion technique was used. Tissue slices were perfused with ethanol (0–515 mM) for 20 min. Ethanol inhibited K+-stimulated 3H-GABA release at lower concentrations in LS cortical slices than in SS slices. Little or no inhibition of K+-stimulated 3H-GABA release was seen in both LS and SS cerebellar slices. The spontaneous release of 3H-GABA was inhibited to equal degrees in LS and SS cerebellar slices but was unaffected in cortical slices, at the concentrations used. The possibility that ethanol inhibits 3H-GABA release by stimulating prostaglandin production was partially tested by assessing the effects of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) on 3H-GABA release in cortical and cerebellar slices. No effect of PGF2α on 3H-GABA release was seen in either brain region. These results support the notion that ethanol may elicit some of its actions by inhibiting neurotransmitter release. This effect appears to be influenced by genotype and brain region.
Couples coping with dual careers: A description of flexible and rigid coping styles

Abstract This study is a qualitative examination and description of the coping styles of dual career couples. Data from in-depth couple interviews indicate two primary coping styles labeled Flexible and Rigid and discussed with reference to (1) indicators of coping style and (2) role strain. The distinguishing characteristics of this study is that couple, not individual, data are collected and analyzed to describe couple styles of coping reflecting the couple's negotiated perception of coping.
Intraductal carcinoma of major salivary gland

The clinicopathologic features of the cases of three patients with intraductal carcinoma of major salivary gland are described. As in the breast, these lesions of salivary ducts appear to represent an in situ or preinvasive phase of the disease. On follow-up, one patient had a local recurrence, and in another patient, the tumor subsequently became invasive. This experience suggests that wide surgical excision (preferably total parotidectomy) may be curative but that resections limited to grossly visible disease will result in local recurrence and/or the development of invasive ductal adenocarcinoma.
Robust detection of voiced segments in samples of everyday conversations using unsupervised HMMS

We investigate methods for detecting voiced segments in everyday conversations from ambient recordings. Such recordings contain high diversity of background noise, making it difficult or infeasible to collect representative labelled samples for estimating noise-specific HMM models. The popular utility get-f0 and its derivatives compute normalized cross-correlation for detecting voiced segments, which unfortunately is sensitive to different types of noise. Exploiting the fact that voiced speech is not just periodic but also rich in harmonic, we model voiced segments by adopting harmonic models, which have recently gained considerable attention. In previous work, the parameters of the model were estimated independently for each frame using maximum likelihood criterion. However, since the distribution of harmonic coefficients depend on articulators of speakers, we estimate the model parameters more robustly using a maximum a posteriori criterion. We use the likelihood of voicing, computed from the harmonic model, as an observation probability of an HMM and detect speech using this unsupervised HMM. The one caveat of the harmonic model is that they fail to distinguish speech from other stationary harmonic noise. We rectify this weakness by taking advantage of the non-stationary property of speech. We evaluate our models empirically on a task of detecting speech on a large corpora of everyday speech and demonstrate that these models perform significantly better than standard voice detection algorithm employed in popular tools.
Statistical Characterization of Nearest Neighbors to Reliably Estimate Minimum Embedding Dimension

False nearest neighbors (FNN) is one of the essential methods used in estimating the minimally sufficient embedding dimension in delay coordinate embedding of deterministic time series. Its use for stochastic and noisy deterministic time series is problematic and erroneously indicates a finite embedding dimension. Various modifications to the original method have been proposed to mitigate this problem, but those are still not reliable for noisy time series. Nearest neighbor statistics are studied for uncorrelated random time series and contrasted with the deterministic statistics. A new FNN metric is constructed and its performance is evaluated for deterministic, stochastic, and random time series. The results are also contrasted with surrogate data analysis and show that the new metric is robust to noise. It also clearly identifies random time series as not having a finite embedding dimension and provides information about the deterministic part of stochastic processes. The new metric can also be used for differentiating between chaotic and random time series.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Correctors of ΔF508 CFTR restore global conformational maturation without thermally stabilizing the mutant protein

Most cystic fibrosis is caused by the deletion of a single amino acid (F508) from CFTR and the resulting misfolding and destabilization of the protein. Compounds identified by high-throughput screening to improve ΔF508 CFTR maturation have already entered clinical trials, and it is important to understand their mechanisms of action to further improve their efficacy. Here, we showed that several of these compounds, including the investigational drug VX-809, caused a much greater increase (5- to 10-fold) in maturation at 27 than at 37°C (<2-fold), and the mature product remained short-lived (T(1/2)∼4.5 h) and thermally unstable, even though its overall conformational state was similar to wild type, as judged by resistance to proteolysis and interdomain cross-linking. Consistent with its inability to restore thermodynamic stability, VX-809 stimulated maturation 2-5-fold beyond that caused by several different stabilizing modifications of NBD1 and the NBD1/CL4 interface. The compound also promoted maturation of several disease-associated processing mutants on the CL4 side of this interface. Although these effects may reflect an interaction of VX-809 with this interface, an interpretation supported by computational docking, it also rescued maturation of mutants in other cytoplasmic loops, either by allosteric effects or via additional sites of action. In addition to revealing the capabilities and some of the limitations of this important investigational drug, these findings clearly demonstrate that ΔF508 CFTR can be completely assembled and evade cellular quality control systems, while remaining thermodynamically unstable. He, L., Kota, P., Aleksandrov, A. A., Cui, L., Jensen, T., Dokholyan, N. V., Riordan, J. R. Correctors of ΔF508 CFTR restore global conformational maturation without thermally stabilizing the mutant protein.
A YY1–INO80 complex regulates genomic stability through homologous recombination–based repair

DNA damage repair is crucial for the maintenance of genome integrity and cancer suppression. We found that loss of the mouse transcription factor YY1 resulted in polyploidy and chromatid aberrations, which are signatures of defects in homologous recombination. Further biochemical analyses identified a YY1 complex comprising components of the evolutionarily conserved INO80 chromatin-remodeling complex. Notably, RNA interference–mediated knockdown of YY1 and INO80 increased cellular sensitivity toward DNA-damaging agents. Functional assays revealed that both YY1 and INO80 are essential in homologous recombination–based DNA repair (HRR), which was further supported by the finding that YY1 preferentially bound a recombination-intermediate structure in vitro. Collectively, these observations reveal a link between YY1 and INO80 and roles for both in HRR, providing new insight into mechanisms that control the cellular response to genotoxic stress.
Role of radiotherapy in cancer of the larynx as related to the TNM system of staging. A review

An account of the results of treatment of cancer of the larynx is given employing the clinical staging presented by a committee member of the International Union Against Cancer. This system of staging may be valuable and may permit a better comparison of results and selection of treatment methods. It is only by constant comparison and review of the various modes of treatment that we can hope to achieve better results. Surgery and radiotherapy are complementary. External radiotherapy is the recommended choice of primary therapy in the early (T1T2N0M0) lesions. In patients with moderately advanced tumors (T3N0M0), 3 different plans of therapy may be offered: a. planned preoperative radiation therapy followed by total laryngectomy and radical neck dissection; b. initial radiotherapy followed by total laryngectomy and elective neck dissection in selective cases only, i.e., in patients where there is evidence of residual tumor in the larynx; c. initial total laryngectomy and elective radical neck dissection with or without postoperative radiation therapy. Some authors claim good results with plan a; others prefer plan b because a greater number of surviving patients retain their voice. Plan c is losing in popularity but is still recommended by some authors in supraglottic cancer. As the tumor extends to other regions with fixation or outside the larynx (T4N0M0), or metastasizes to cervical nodes (N1-3), total laryngectomy or laryngopharyngectomy with radical neck dissection may give the best chance for long time survival. Radiotherapy is an important adjuvant and is probably most effective when given preoperatively.
The Effect of Glycerol Level and Rate of Freezing, for Various Extenders, on the Survival of Bovine Spermatozoa Frozen and Stored at −79° C

Summary In a study of sperm survival in three different extenders containing three levels of glycerol and frozen at three different rates it was found that a 7% glycerol level resulted in significantly higher survival percentage than either a 10% or 15% level. The 15% level was in no way desirable. A chemical-milk extender, with an average survival percentage of 82.4, was superior to heated homogenized milk or yolk-citrate. A freezing rate of 2.2° C. or 3.3° C. per minute gave significantly higher survival percentages than a rate of 1.1° C. per minute.
Conductivity of materials containing fibers of rectangular cross section

Abstract The temperature distribution in a composite containing an array of long fibers of rectangular cross section is obtained by solving the governing equations using eigenfunction expansions and matching. The effective conductivity is found to be dependent heavily on the geometry and spacing of the fibers.
Synthesis and characterization of poly(arylene ether sulfone)s with pendant amines on the main chain

Synthesis of poly(arylene ether sulfone)s with random incorporation of pendant aryl amines was achieved by copolymerization of dichlorodiphenylsulfone (DCDPS) and bisphenol-A with bis(4-fluorophenyl)-3-aminophenylphosphine oxide (amino DFTPPO) with N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) as the solvent, toluene as the azeotrope and potassium carbonate (K2CO3) as the weak base. A unique feature of this polymerization is that one of the comonomer (amino DFTPPO) contains both an amine functionality as well as activated dihalides which can undergo aromatic nucleophilic displacement by the phenolate, the degree of amination on the main chain can be controlled very precisely by regulating the amount of the amino DFTPPO monomer relative to the other activated dihalide monomer (DCDPS) and bisphenol-A. The synthesis and characterization of poly(arylene ether sulfone)s with various concentration of amine groups on the backbone will be discussed in this paper.
A source for the production of large DC ion currents

A source for the production of large ion currents has been developed based on the “duo-plasmatron” principle suggested by M. von Ardenne). Constant hydrogen ion currents in excess of 300 mA have been obtained with accelerating voltages up to 80 kV. The mass ratios of hydrogen ions have been analyzed magnetically with currents up to 100 mA. In this range, up to 70 per cent of the total current could be made H 2 + . The operating characteristics of the source were determined as the various parameters were independently varied.
Akt phosphorylates and suppresses the transactivation of retinoic acid receptor α

The transactivation of nuclear receptors is regulated by both ligand binding and phosphorylation. We previously showed that RARalpha (retinoic acid receptor alpha) phosphorylation by c-Jun N-terminal kinase contributes to retinoid resistance in a subset of NSCLC cells (non-small cell lung cancer cells), but the aetiology of this resistance in the remainder has not been fully elucidated [Srinivas, Juroske, Kalyankrishna, Cody, Price, Xu, Narayanan, Weigel and Kurie (2005) Mol. Cell. Biol. 25, 1054-1069]. In the present study, we report that Akt, which is constitutively activated in NSCLC cells, phosphorylates RARalpha and inhibits its transactivation. Biochemical and functional analyses showed that Akt interacts with RARalpha and phosphorylates the Ser96 residue of its DNA-binding domain. Mutation of Ser96 to alanine abrogated the suppressive effect of Akt. Overexpression of a dominant-negative form of Akt in an NSCLC cell line decreased RAR phosphorylation, increased RAR transactivation and enhanced the growth-inhibitory effects of an RAR ligand. The findings presented here show that Akt inhibits RAR transactivation and contributes to retinoid resistance in a subset of NSCLC cells.
Enhanced Chemical Strengthening of Feldspathic Dental Porcelain

Previous studies on ion exchange of dental ceramics have shown that the biaxial flexural strength can be improved by exchanging potassium for sodium ions at temperatures below the strain point. The rubidium ion is bigger than the potassium ion and can also be considered as a candidate for replacing smaller ions, i.e., sodium or potassium, although it has not been used for dental ceramics. The double-step method uses the exchange of a small ion for a large ion (Li for Na) above the strain point, and the further exchange of a large ion for a small ion (K for Li) below the strain point. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of rubidium-for-potassium ion exchange with that of potassium-for-sodium exchange (Tuf-Coat, G-C International Corp., Japan) on the flexural strength of a feldspathic dental porcelain and to test the hypothesis that a double-step ion exchange can lead to greater strengthening than potassium ion exchange alone. Weight measurements were performed before and after treatment. Qualitative chemical analyses allowed the rubidium, potassium, and sodium concentration profiles to be determined along cross-sections of the specimens. The maximum biaxial stresses were calculated after specimens were fractured in water on a ball-on-ring fixture at 0.5 mm/min. Relative to the untreated control group, the flexural strength of the potassium-exchanged groups was significantly increased, except for those treated at 400 or 500 degrees C. All the groups treated with RbNO3 exhibited a significant increase in flexural strength, with a maximum for the group treated at 450 degrees C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ketamine attenuates liver injury attributed to endotoxemia: role of cyclooxygenase-2.

Background Endotoxic shock can cause end-organ dysfunction and liver injury. Critically ill patients frequently require surgical intervention under general anesthesia for source control. However, the effects of anesthetics on organ function during sepsis and their influence on inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) remain to be fully elucidated. Because ketamine anesthesia has anti-inflammatory effects in some tissues, we hypothesized that it would attenuate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury. Methods Adult rats were given no anesthesia (saline), continuous isoflurane inhalation, or intraperitoneal (ip) injection of ketamine 70 mg/kg. One hour later, the rats received saline or LPS (20 mg/kg ip) for 5 hours. The rats were killed, and serum hepatocellular enzymes, liver COX-2, iNOS protein (Western immunoblot), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)–binding activity (electrophoretic mobility shift assay) determined. In a separate study, the role of COX-2 in LPS-induced liver injury was examined by pretreating rats with the selective COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 (3 mg/kg, ip) and the role of iNOS examined with the use of the selective inhibitor aminoguanidine (45 mg/kg, ip) 1 hour before LPS. Results LPS increased serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, hepatic iNOS and COX-2 protein, and nuclear factor NF-κB. Ketamine, but not isoflurane, attenuated these effects caused by LPS. COX-2 inhibition with NS-398 as well as iNOS inhibition with aminoguanidine diminished LPS-induced changes in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels. Conclusions These data indicate that anesthetics differ in their effects on liver injury caused by LPS. Ketamine has hepatoprotective effects, while isoflurane does not. Moreover, the protective effects of ketamine are mediated, at least in part, through a reduction in COX-2 and iNOS protein that could be regulated via changes in NF-κB–binding activity.
Beyond improved quality: the motivational effects of statistical process control

Abstract The deployment of statistical process control (SPC) in manufacturing environments is a prominent global phenomenon. Managers have frequently justified investments in SPC by citing and/or demonstrating the improvements in quality and costs from the effective implementation and practice of SPC. This paper complements this rationalization by presenting conceptual arguments and empirical evidence to further our understanding of the motivational effects that result from the deployment of SPC within production environments. Several hypotheses derived from relating the deployment of SPC to process operators’ jobs and their affective reactions to work are tested using data provided by 100 process operators. The empirical results, generated from applying path analysis, suggest that the effective implementation and practice of SPC, in fact, would create more enriched jobs for process operators that lead to higher levels of work motivation and job satisfaction.
Planar and spherical shock wave generation during infrared laser ablation of calcium carbonate

Abstract Laser ablation of calcium carbonate was studied at wavelengths of 1.064, 4.0 and 7.0 μm using a time-resolved surface plasmon probe, plume photography and scanning electron microscopy. The surface plasmon measurements make it possible to correlate surface morphology with shock wave velocities. Planar shock wave production, either on the front or rear side of the ablated sample, is highly correlated with uniform material removal all across the irradiated spot on the sample surface. While rear-side ablation was not observed at longer wavelengths, front-side ablation with uniform material removal and planar shock waves are produced by excitation of calcium carbonate at its fundamental vibrational mode at 7 μm using a free-electron laser. At 1.064 μm, the mechanism of ablation appears to be related to absorption by surface defects, while at 7 μm, material appears to be removed by evaporation triggered by the resonant excitation of a fundamental vibrational mode.
Fusion of Visible and Infrared Images using Empirical Mode Decomposition to Improve Face Recognition

In this effort, we propose a new image fusion technique, utilizing empirical mode decomposition (EMD), for improved face recognition. EMD is a non-parametric data-driven analysis tool that decomposes non-linear non-stationary signals into intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). In this method, we decompose images from different imaging modalities into their IMFs. Fusion is performed at the decomposition level and the fused IMFs are reconstructed to form the fused image. The effect of fusion on face recognition is measured by obtaining the cumulative match characteristics (CMCs) between galleries and probes. Apart from conducting face recognition tests on visible and infrared raw datasets, we use datasets fused by averaging, principal component (PCA) fusion, wavelet based fusion and our method, for comparison. The face recognition rate due to EMD fused images is higher than the face recognition rates due to raw visible, raw infrared and other fused images. Examples of the fused images and illustrative CMC comparison charts are shown.
Assessment of Carbon Allocation with Stable Carbon Isotope Labeling

(...) In this paper, we describe a procedure for using the stable isotope 13 C for C labelling. By using gas-isotope-ratio mass spectrometry, isotopic differences as small as 0.4 μg of 13 C could be detected in the 23-d-old cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) we used to demonstrate the technique. The procedure is flexible and can be applied to most plant species and a wide range of research objectives. (...)
Diffusion of Innovations: Communication Evolution and Influences

Diffusion of innovations research has altered the research trajectories of those in the field of communication. In this article, the authors briefly explore the evolution of diffusion research, in terms of theoretical influences and applied research advances, and then address how the evolution of diffusion of innovations provided the impetus for a communication discipline identity search. An explication of how diffusion of innovations can be viewed as mechanistically affecting media convergence is presented. This piece closes with a call to return to diffusion research, especially given the face of current communication vehicles and media convergence.
Management of carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx: evolution, current concepts, and future trends.

The treatment of cancer of the supraglottic larynx has undergone an evolution. Better understanding of the anatomy and biology of cancer in this anatomic site has enabled surgeons to devise effective oncologic strategies while making every effort to preserve the function of the larynx. Certain recent concepts and changing trends have emerged in the treatment of cancer of the supraglottic larynx, including the treatment of the neck, significance of extracapsular spread of tumor in cervical lymph nodes, and conservation laser surgery. In 1985, Snyderman et al. 1 reported the prognostic significance of extracapsular spread in patients with cancer of the supraglottic larynx. In 1990, Lutz et al. 2 reported the results ofour experience with the treatment of 202 patients. The review verified the significant risk of bilateral neck disease in these patients, even with adjuvant radiation therapy. Accordingly, since 1990 all patients having cancer of the supraglottic larynx have been treated in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh with bilateral neck dissections. The use of adjuvant radiation therapy has been based on the presence of extracapsular spread. This study documents the oncologic effectiveness of this treatment and confirms the efficacy of bilateral neck dissections in an attempt to control neck disease and the prognostic significance of extracapsular spread. We review the evolution of the treatment of cancer of the supraglottic larynx, present our results, and consider innovative surgical approaches.
Oxo-niobium(v) and -tantalum(v) (phosphonato) polymers

Abstract NbCl5 and TaCl5 abstract oxygen from diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP) and adducts of the type MOCl3·xDIMP (M = Nb, Ta) are formed. At 100 °–125 °C solutions of these pentachlorides in DIMP yield polymeric complexes of the type [MO(IMP)3]x (IMP = isopropoxy methylphosphonato group). I.r. evidence indicates that these compounds contain M = O groups and both chelating and bridging phosphonato groups. Prolonged treatment of MCl5 solutions in DIMP at 70 °C leads to the formation of polymers of the type [M5O8Cl2(IMP)7]x. Formation of these products by co-polymerization of two different species, i.e., MO2Cl·DIMP and MOCl3·2DIMP, with simultaneous elimination of isopropyl chloride, is proposed. These polymers contain M=O and -M-O-M-groups, chelating and bridging phosphonato groups, as demonstrated by their i.r. spectra. Structural formulae for the new polymeric complexes are proposed.
Virtual crossmatch by identification of donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies by solid-phase immunoassay: a 30-month analysis in living donor kidney transplantation.

Abstract Selection of donors for kidney transplantation depends on accurate prediction of risk factors for immunologic rejection. Historically, cytotoxicity crossmatch (CXM) examining lysis of donor cells by preformed anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies (Abs) has been considered the best predictor of immunologic rejection. However, there is much interest in defining anti-HLA Ab specificity in recipient sera by immunoassay to predict crossmatch results and aid in donor selection. Current immunoassays for anti-HLA Abs are highly sensitive, though correlation between Abs detected by immunoassay and their functional relevance in CXM and subsequent transplantation is not well defined. In this study, we retrospectively examined the predictive value of detection of donor-specific anti-HLA Abs (DSA) by Luminex Single Antigen assay from 149 consecutive living donor kidney transplant recipients. We demonstrate that detection of DSA by immunoassay accurately predicted negative crossmatch and graft survival. However, this approach had limited sensitivity for predicting positive crossmatch, attributable to either limited typing of donor HLA-DQ and -DP alleles or due to non-HLA Abs. False-positive prediction of CXM correlated with detection of “weak” Abs with low mean fluorescence intensity (MFI
Increase of basal cell membrane area of the retinal pigment epithelium in experimental diabetes

Stereological analysis of electron micrographs of the pigment epithelium of rats with drug-induced diabetes demonstrated an increase of plasma membrane surface area at the basal aspect of the cells. In none of the diabetic animals examined was there any evidence of breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier to the protein tracer, horseradish peroxidase. Statistically significant increases in basal plasma membrane length and surface density (surface area per unit cell volume) were measured in both streptozotocin and alloxan-injected rats after four weeks of diabetes. When hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-injected rats was promptly reversed by transplantation of normal pancreatic islets, the increase of membrane surface area did not occur. We conclude, therefore, that increased basal surface area of pigment epithelial cells is related to the diabetic condition rather than to a toxic action of the diabetogenic agents. Furthermore, increased membrane surface area was present in streptozotocin-diabetic rats killed after six months of diabetes indicating that the structural change is relatively stable. Relation of basal membrane alteration in the pigment epithelium to any functional disturbance of the barrier cell layer or of the retina in diabetes remains to be established.
Effects of Timing of Adversity on Adolescent and Young Adult Adjustment.

Bioecological models posit that individuals develop within multiple contexts and that development is affected by factors at many levels, including distal and proximal influences (Bronfenbrenner, Morris, Damon, & Lerner, 1998). Distal factors, such as income and neighborhood, provide the contexts in which more proximal factors affect individual development, thus shaping the environmental circumstances experienced within and across developmental domains and periods (Catalano & Hawkins, 1996; Hawkins & Weis, 1985). Previous research has shown that risk experienced during childhood has deleterious effects on concurrent and subsequent adjustment (e.g., Dearing, McCartney, & Taylor, 2006; Gilman, Kawachi, Fitzmaurice, & Buka, 2002). In particular, a large body of research has identified low income and poverty (Brooks-Gunn & Duncan, 1997; McLoyd, 1998) as important contextual risk factors for negative health outcomes. Additionally, the experience of contextual risk such as low family income may be associated with increased exposure to adversity, which may also contribute to adjustment problems. Adversity has been defined as contexts which are associated with increased disruption, danger, and stress (Gest, Reed, & Masten, 1999), and includes dangerous or disorganized neighborhoods (Leventhal & Brooks Gunn, 2000), having a single parent (Macmillan, McMorris, & Kruttschnitt, 2004; Shaw & McKay, 1942), and being born to an adolescent mother (Jaffee, Caspi, Moffitt, Belsky, & Silva, 2001). Given the important role of family income in determining broad developmental contexts, this study examined the relative effects of risk (as measured by low income) and exposure to adversity, including having been born to an adolescent parent, living in a single-parent household, and perceptions of living in a dangerous neighborhood at three different developmental time points. The relative importance of these factors may vary across development, particularly as children transition into adolescence and experience increasing independence. Further, the predictive value of contextual adversity above the direct relation of income to later adjustment may vary across development as the relative importance of environmental variables changes with increased autonomy. This investigation sought to examine how the temporal effects of adversity during childhood and adolescence may have a concurrent and lasting impact on development through young adulthood. Finally, the study examined whether the relation of prior exposure to adversity with problems in adulthood was accounted for by adolescents’ adjustment at the time of risk exposure, or whether prior adversity predicted adult outcomes beyond the relation of adolescent adjustment problems with adult mental health and health outcomes. To address these aims, this study examined the timing of exposure to adversity related to low income, which may operate differently as children transition from childhood to adolescence.
Predominance of the amino-terminal octapeptide fragment of dynorphin in rat brain regions

Dynorphin is a 17 amino acid opioid peptide which was originally isolated and characterized from pig neurohypophysis and gut extracts1–3. It contains a leucine-enkephalin (Leu-enkephalin) sequence at the amino terminus and has an unusually potent in vitro opiate activity in the guinea pig ileum longitudinal muscle/myenteric plexus preparation1–4. Immunohistochemical studies have shown that perikarya, nerve fibres and terminals widely distributed throughout the central nervous system5,6 are immunoreactive for both dynorphin1–17 and α-neo-endorphin6,7, another Leu-enkephalin-containing opioid peptide which is structurally related to dynorphin (Fig. 1) and was isolated from hypothalamus8. But although the regional distributions of α-neo-endorphin and dynorphin1–17 in rat brain, as measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA), are similar, the molar ratio of the two peptides seems to vary greatly from region to region, with α-neo-endorphin being present in much higher concentrations than dynorphini1–17 9–11. We now report that dynorphin1–8, an amino-terminal fragment (Fig. 1), which has only ∼3% of the opioid potency of dynorphin1–17, (ref. 4), is present in up to 10-fold higher concentrations in brain than dynorphhi1–17 immunoreactivity. We further show that dynorphin1–8, but not dynorphin1–17, occurs in approximately equimolar concentrations with α-neo-endorphin in all brain regions examined, suggesting a close biosynthetic relationship between α-neo-endorphin and dynorphin1–8.
An improved high-pressure, temperature-variable ion source with coaxial electron beam/ion exit slit

Abstract A new mass spectrometer ion source has been developed to study high-pressure ion molecule kinetics and equilibria as a function of temperature. Unlike conventional mass spectrometer sources, the present source has coaxial electron entrance and ion exit apertures. Ions move through the source at a constant velocity due to the presence of a constant drift potential gradient. Low drift fields are used to minimize non-thermal conditions. The effect of the field on ion energy is discussed. As both a demonstration and a test of the source operation, mobilities of ions in gases were studied as a function of drift field, pressure and temperature. Good agreement was obtained with previously reported mobility measurements. The ternary association reaction N 2 + + 2N 2 → N 4 + + N 2 and the equilibrium CO 2 + + 2CO 2 ⇆ (CO 2 ) 2 + + CO 2 were also investigated as a function of temperature and pressure. Again, good agreement between literature values and these experiments was obtained.
Dynamic Scoring, Tax Evasion, and the Shadow Economy:

Measuring the impact of tax policy on tax evasion is crucial in estimating government revenues. In the United States, the government estimates that $300—$400 billion is lost each year to tax evasion. This article combines dynamic scoring with household preferences for tax evasion a la Feige and McGee to measure the macroeconomic feedback effects from tax cuts to changes in output and government revenues. Using a simple dynamic scoring model based on Mankiw and Weinzierl (2006), the feedback effects are divided into their constituent substitution, income, and evasion effects for an analysis of individual behavior at the microeconomic level. Calibrating the model to U.S. data reveals that the growth effects of income tax rate cuts can offset a significant percentage of the potential revenue losses.
Distances to diffuse interstellar clouds from IRAS measurements and observations of optical absorption lines.

Distances to diffuse interstellar clouds were determined from the amount of ultraviolet radiation that penetrates into the cloud and that arises from a nearby B star. The environment around 67 Ophiuchi, 20 Aquilae, kappa Aquilae, and 9 Cephei were studied. The intensities at 60 and 100 micron, as measured by IRAS, were used to derive dust temperatures for the clouds. Enhanced dust temperatures would indicate an influence of the star's radiation field on a cloud. Observation of molecular absorption were compared to the results of simplified chemical models in order to search for enhanced photodissociation that is caused by the star. Enhanced dust temperatures were observed for clouds in the vicinities of 20 Aql, kappa Agl, and 9 Cep. The range of the star's influence was found to be typically 1-5 pc. On the other hand, chemical analyses of the molecular data, which pertain to foreground gas, did not reveal the presence of enhanced dissociative flux from the sample of stars. Thus, upper limits were derived for the distances from the sun to the foreground material.
Interaction of particulate and transformation toughening

Abstract A theoretical study is made of the interaction between the fracture toughening effects of crack-bridging ductile particles and phase-transforming particles embedded in a brittle matrix. It is found that in certain parametric ranges the interaction can be synergistic, with an increase in toughness produced that is greater than the sum of the increases that would be provided separately by the two types of reinforcement. Quantitative results are provided for the toughening in terms of the individual toughening effects and coupling parameters that depend on the properties of the uncoupled systems.
Solution Strengthening of MgO Crystals

The solution strengthening of MgO by dissolved transition metal cations is examined. Trivalent cations, \( A{l^{3 + }} \), Cr3+ and Fe3+, harden MgO equally while divalent cations, Fe2+ and Ni2+, have little effect upon yield strength. The strengthening is inconsistent with the elastic theory of Fleischer for pinning of dislocations at tetragonal defects. The solution hardening by \( A{l^{3 + }} \), Cr3+ and Fe3+ is quantitatively explained by a recent theory by Gilman. Strengthening in this theory results from the change in electrostatic energy that occurs when a trivalent ion pair — cation vacancy complex is sheared by a dislocations passing through the complex.
Modeling and design of transdermal drug delivery patches containing an external heating device

Abstract Process modeling and design concepts were implemented to aid in the manufacturing of heat-enhanced transdermal drug-delivery systems. The simulated prototype consists of a corticosterone-loaded polymer patch applied to the skin and connected to a heating device in which an exothermic reaction occurs. To achieve a desired transdermal flux of 1.2 × 10−5 mg/cm2 h, this contribution focuses on the influences of the (1) initial reaction rate (−rA0), (2) mass of filler material in the device (m), (3) initial concentration (C0) of medicament in the patch and (4) overall heat transfer coefficient (U). A regression technique yielded the following results: −rA0 = 3.000 × 10−2 kg/m3 s, m = 1.251 × 10−8 kg, U = 6.124 × 10 J/m2 K s and C0 = 1.966 × 10−1 kg/m3. When m was fixed at 12.5 g, the optimum design required the following specifications: rA0 = 2.765 × 10−2 kg/m3 s, U = 1.402 × 103 J/m2 K s and C0 = 1.941 × 10−1 kg/m3. The priority (Si) of the input factors (i) in reaching the target delivery rate is: S C 0 > S − r A 0 > S m > S U .
Calcium, cellular adhesion and aggregation competence in the cellular slime mold Polysphondylium violaceum

Abstract Cellular adhesion in Polysphondylium violaceum is mediated by Ca 2+ ions. The extent of cell adhesion exhibited by developing P. violaceum is greater in the presence of 0.5 mM Ca 2+ than in the absence of Ca 2+ . Vegetative amebae exhibit some adhesive properties, although the cellular interactions expressed by vegetative amebae are not as extensive as those exhibited by developing amebae. If the amebae are incubated in the presence of chelators (EGTA or EDTA) cellular adhesion is prevented and the amebae remain as single cells. Vegetative cell adhesion is blocked by 1 mM EGTA, whereas blocking adhesion in developing cells requires 5- to 10-fold greater concentrations of EGTA. The acquisition of developmental adhesive properties occurs even if the amebae are incubated in the presence of EGTA, suggesting that Ca 2+ is required for interaction between adhesion sites but not for their formation. P. violaceum amebae become aggregationcompetent (aggregate immediately when placed on a solid surface) at the same time that the developmental adhesion sites are expressed, even when incubated in the presence of EGTA. Thus it seems unlikely that cellular adhesion is required to develop aggregation competence.
The 0.9 eV Absorption Band of Polyaniline: A Morphologically Sensitive Electronic Absorption

The optical absorption spectra of polyaniline in the visible and UV spectral regions have been characterized before. The electrically conductive form has a band gap absorption at 3.8 eV and polaron absorptions at 2.9 and 1.5 eV [1,2] . An additional electronic absorption band at 0.9 eV was found to be also related to the existence of polaron. The assignment of this transition has yet to be made. Epstein and co-workers [31 have found a photo-induced absorption band at 0.9 eV by photo-exciting emeraldine base (insulator) with 2.0 eV light. It is not known yet whether these two 0.9 eV transitions belong to the same set of electronic energy levels of polaron, or they belong to two different electronic systems but are coincidentally have the same transition energy.