cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bending of an elastic rectangular clamped plate : exact versus 'engineering' solutions

This paper addresses the fascinating long history of the classical problem of bending of a thin rectangular elastic plate with clamped edges by uniform pressure. Among various mathematical and engineering approaches, a method of superposition proposed by Lame (1852, 1859) and Mathieu (1881, 1890) and developed by the mathematician Koialovich (1902) and engineers Boobnoff (1902, 1914), Hencky (1913) and Inglis (1925) appears to be very useful for the analysis of distribution of stresses and deflection inside a plate. The object of this paper is both to clarify some purely mathematical questions connected with the solution of the infinite systems of linear algebraic equations and to provide a considerable simplification of the numerical algorithm.
Lactic Acid Translocation: Terminal Step in Glycolysis by Streptococcus faecalis

Streptococcus faecalis obtains metabolic energy chiefly from the conversion of glucose to lactic acid; the present experiments deal with the mechanism of lactic acid translocation across the cytoplasmic membrane. Efflux of [14C]lactate from preloaded cells was accelerated by raising the external pH, and also by the ionophores nigericin and valinomycin. These results suggest that lactate leaves the cell by an electroneutral process, presumably as lactic acid. Further evidence was obtained by studying the entry of [14C]lactate into nonmetabolizing cells. It appears that the membrane is essentially impermeable to the lactate anion, but allows passage of lactic acid. The most persuasive evidence is that, upon establishment of a pH gradient such that the cytoplasm was alkaline, l-[14C]lactate accumulated in the cells against the concentration gradient. Accumulation was transient, and dissipated in parallel with the collapse of the pH gradient. The concentration gradient attained at the peak was a function of the pH difference. Ionophores which are known to collapse a pH gradient, such as nigericin and valinomycin, abolished accumulation of l-lactate. We infer that lactic acid translocation, whether into the cells or outward, is an electroneutral process and for that reason the distribution of lactic acid across the membrane is a function of the pH of cytoplasm and medium. The specificity of translocation and its kinetic parameters suggest that it is mediated by a carrier of low specificity.
International Association of Applied Psychology

The International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP) was founded in 1920 to advance knowledge about applied psychology, and it is the oldest of the international psychology member associations. The International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS) is older, founded in 1889, but it is an international organization of psychological societies. The IAAP is a member organization with over 3,300 individual members from more than 80 countries. In order to sustain an international membership, the organization's dues structure allows for reduced and subsidized dues for individuals from developing countries and those who for other reasons cannot afford the standard dues.
The use of parenteral clindamycin in the treatment of obstetric gynecologic patients with severe infections. A comparison of a clindamycin kanamycin combination with penicillin kanamycin

2 antibiotic regimens penicillin-kanamycin and clindamycin-kanamycin were compared for clinical efficacy in the treatment of pelvic infections of various etiologies. 23 women received the former therapy and 21 the latter. Basically therapeutic responses were comparable. Contraindication for the penicillin-kanamycin therapy was infection caused by Bacteroides fragilis whereas a similar contraindication for the clindamycin-containing therapy was infection by the Enterobacteriaceae.
Legitimate Speech and Hegemonic Idiom: The Limits of Deliberative Democracy in the Diversity of its Voices

This article locates tensions at the heart of deliberative democracy by contrasting insights of Pierre Bourdieu and Jurgen Habermas. It argues that deliberation contains implicit presuppositions of two opposing sorts. Universalising presuppositions lead people to treat one another as equals. Differentiating ones lead people to treat one another as of greater or lesser worth in political dialogue. They undercut deliberative democracy by rendering some points of view less valuable than others. These contrary tendencies cannot be reconciled in a purely theoretical way; they are contextually specific challenges that must be negotiated in politics itself. In response, this article seeks to clarify the difficulties faced by deliberative regimes and better understand their relation to other forms of politics.
Resonant intra-channel four-wave mixing in strongly dispersion-managed transmission systems

Intra-channel four-wave mixing in a transmission system with strong periodic dispersion management is studied. The "ghost" pulse at the zero bit is shown to grow resonantly as a result of periodic forcing and temporal phase matching with the signal pulses.
A method for studying swelling kinetics based on measurement of electrical conductivity

Abstract A novel method was applied to the study of swelling kinetics of pH-responsive hydrogels. This technique is based on the pH-dependent electrical conductivity of these materials, which is measured by coating planar interdigitated electrode arrays with thin hydrogel membranes. To demonstrate the utility of the method, the swelling kinetics of a well-characterized pH-responsive hydrogel were studied. Cross–linked copolymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with up to 20 mol% dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMA) were studied as a function of copolymer composition in phosphate or triethanolamine buffer at buffer concentrations from 1 to 100 mM. The experiments consisted of measuring the change in electrical resistance of a hydrogel-coated electrode array following a small pH change in the external buffer medium. The characteristic response time to reach a new equilibrium following a pH change was proportional to the concentration of DMA within the polymer and was inversely proportional to the buffer concentration. The characteristic response times for devices tested in phosphate buffer were a function of the magnitude of the pH step, increasing from 2.6 to 5.6 min as the step size increased from 0.2 to 0.57 pH units. However, the response times for devices tested in triethanolamine were independent of step size. The observed dependences upon the values of the dissociation constant (pKa) of the buffering ion, the apparent pKa of DMA, and the pH of the external bath agreed with buffer-mediated diffusion–reaction theory, and as such this conductimetric method represents a powerful tool for the study of swelling kinetics of responsive hydrogels.
Deformation behaviour under constant structure of creep-resistant Al-Fe alloys

Murty and Koczak [1] investigated the high-temperature compression creep behaviour of three rapidly solidified Al-Fe-Si-V alloys processed by a powder metallurgy route. In this communication an alternative viewpoint is presented to interpret the results of Murty and Koczak
Posttraumatic Fat Necrosis Presenting as Prepatellar Loose Bodies in an Adolescent Football Player

A 16-year-old high school football player presented with 4 months of anterior knee pain and small, mobile, prepatellar "lumps" after falling onto an opponent's cleat. He reported knee pain primarily during knee flexion and direct pressure during squatting and kneeling. Knee radiographs were unremarkable. Ultrasonography revealed multiple, freely mobile, subcutaneous nodules of variable size and echogenicity in the prepatellar region. Analysis of magnetic resonance imaging suggested possible fat necrosis but was nondiagnostic. The patient opted for surgical exploration, at which time multiple, opalescent subcutaneous nodules were removed. Pathology was consistent with encapsulated fat necrosis. After surgery, his symptoms resolved, and he returned to sports without restrictions.
Effects of aflatoxin B1 on human skin lipids metabolism — a site of action on 1-14C-acetate incroporation

Aflatoxin B1 hemmt den Einbau von 1-14C-Azetat in die Lipide der menschlichen Haut. Wird aber3H-Azetyl-CoA als Vorstufe fur den Lipideinbau verwendet, so kommt es zu keiner merklichen Hemmung. Die Azetataktivierung scheint somit die wichtigste, vom Toxin beeinflussbare Stufe der Lipidsynthese zu sein.
Thickness in Entorhinal and Subicular Cortex Predicts Episodic Memory Decline in Mild Cognitive Impairment

Identifying subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) most likely to decline in cognition over time is a major focus in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research. Neuroimaging biomarkers that predict decline would have great potential for increasing the efficacy of early intervention. In this study, we used high-resolution MRI, combined with a cortical unfolding technique to increase visibility of the convoluted medial temporal lobe (MTL), to assess whether gray matter thickness in subjects with MCI correlated to decline in cognition over two years. We found that thickness in the entorhinal (ERC) and subicular (Sub) cortices of MCI subjects at initial assessment correlated to change in memory encoding over two years (ERC: r = 0.34; P = .003) and Sub (r = 0.26; P = .011) but not delayed recall performance. Our findings suggest that aspects of memory performance may be differentially affected in the early stages of AD. Given the MTL's involvement in early stages of neurodegeneration in AD, clarifying the relationship of these brain regions and the link to resultant cognitive decline is critical in understanding disease progression.
The chemical inducibility of mouse cardiac antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in vivo

Abstract The recognition of the critical involvement of oxidative and electrophilic stress in cardiac disorders has led to extensive investigation of the protective effects of exogenous antioxidants on cardiac injury. On the other hand, another strategy for protecting against oxidative/electrophilic cardiac injury may be through induction of the endogenous antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in myocardium by chemical inducers. However, our understanding of the chemical inducibility of cardiac antioxidants/phase 2 enzymes in vivo is very limited. In addition, careful studies on the basal levels of a scope of endogenous antioxidants/phase 2 enzymes in myocardium as compared with other tissues, such as liver, are lacking. Accordingly, this study was undertaken to determine the basal levels of endogenous antioxidants/phase 2 enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), GSH peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), GSH S-transferase (GST), and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and investigate the inducibility of the above antioxidants/phase 2 enzymes by the chemoprotectant, 1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T), in cardiac as well as hepatic tissues in C57BL/6 mice. Our results demonstrated that in C57BL/6 mice, the levels of catalase, GSH, GPx, GR, and GST were significantly lower in cardiac tissue than in hepatic tissue. The level of total SOD did not differ significantly between mouse heart and liver. Notably, heart contained a much higher NQO1 activity than liver. Immunoblotting and RT-PCR analyses further demonstrated the high expression of NQO1 protein and mRNA in myocardium. Oral administration of D3T at 0.25 and 0.5 mmol/kg body weight for 3 consecutive days resulted in a significant induction of cardiac SOD, catalase, GR, GST, and NQO1. No significant induction of cardiac GSH and GPx was observed with the above D3T treatment. Only GR, GST, and NQO1 in mouse liver were induced by the D3T treatment. Unexpectedly, we observed a significant D3T dose-dependent decrease in hepatic GPx activity. Taken together, this study demonstrates for the first time that: (1) the expression of NQO1 is remarkably high in mouse myocardium though other cardiac antioxidants/phase 2 enzymes are relatively lower as compared with liver; (2) a number of endogenous antioxidants/phase 2 enzymes in mouse cardiac tissue can be significantly induced by D3T following oral administration; and (3) the inducibility of endogenous antioxidants/phase 2 enzymes by D3T differs between mouse cardiac and hepatic tissues. This study provides a basis for future investigation of the cardioprotection of chemically induced endogenous antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in myocardium in animal models of oxidative/electrophilic cardiac disorders.
Public Health Management of Perinatal Hepatitis B Virus

Infants who are born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg)-positive women are at high risk for contracting perinatal hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. When maternal status is known, postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) consisting of a birth dose of (HBV) vaccine and Hepatitis B Immune Globulin may be administered within 12 hr of birth to provide 90% protection. Providers' reporting of maternal HBsAg positivity or perinatal HBV should prompt public health nurses to initiate nurse case management (NCM). NCM is the most successful way to ensure that at-risk infants receive PEP and follow-up serology. Unfortunately, reporting laws vary greatly by state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that perinatal HBV is significantly under-reported nationally. This article discusses public health measures for preventing perinatal HBV and presents a case study that used a novel method to assess the extent of under-reporting. We discuss barriers to public health NCM and the importance of a universal HBV vaccine birth dose to protect undetected and unreported cases. Finally, we suggest implications for public health nursing practice.
Doping dependence of polaron hopping energies in La 1-x Ca x MnO 3 (0≤x≤0.15)

Measurements of the low-frequency $(f\ensuremath{\le}100\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kHz})$ permittivity at $T\ensuremath{\lesssim}160\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ and dc resistivity $(T\ensuremath{\lesssim}430\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K})$ are reported for ${\mathrm{La}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ca}}_{x}{\mathrm{MnO}}_{3}$ $(0\ensuremath{\le}x\ensuremath{\le}0.15)$. Static dielectric constants are determined from the low-$T$ limiting behavior of the permittivity. The estimated polarizability for bound holes $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}22}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ implies a radius comparable to the interatomic spacing, consistent with the small polaron picture established from prior transport studies near room temperature and above on nearby compositions. Relaxation peaks in the dielectric loss associated with charge-carrier hopping yield activation energies in good agreement with low-$T$ hopping energies determined from variable-range hopping fits of the dc resistivity. The doping dependence of these energies suggests that the orthorhombic, canted antiferromagnetic ground state tends toward an insulator-metal transition that is not realized due to the formation of the ferromagnetic insulating state near ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{4+}$ concentration $\ensuremath{\approx}0.13$.
The promise of molecular targeted therapies: Protein kinase inhibitors in the treatment of cutaneous malignancies

A new revolution in cancer therapy has arrived with the development of agents targeting cancer-related protein kinases, critical regulators of malignant behavior. These drugs are selective inhibitors of protein kinases, which mediate most signal transduction pathways in malignant cells and result in increased proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis. Protein kinases are the second largest group of drug targets and they account for 20% to 30% of the drug discovery programs of many biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. A critical review of the literature is performed, highlighting selective inhibitors of signal transduction molecules involved in nonmelanoma skin cancer, melanoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, Merkel cell carcinoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, and systemic mastocytosis. Clinical studies were identified by searches of the Proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meetings, MedLine, and www.clinicaltrials.gov. Clinical trials of kinase inhibitors in study populations are illustrated, highlighting early results, side effects, and potential improvements in outcomes. Case series and case reports were included for rare diseases. These drugs will have important implications in clinical dermatology, based on their expected frequent use in the treatment of dermatologic malignancies, and their associated cutaneous side effects.
How to Structure a Social Theory? A Critical Response to Anthony King’s The Structure of Social Theory

This essay challenges King's argument for the claim that social relations have to be conceived of as primary and main ontological category for an adequate analysis of the social realm. The author shows that King's arguments do not succeed in fully replacing the categories of agency and structure that are pervasive in contemporary social theory. At most, King succeeds in delineating a neglected area of social theory, something that should be taken into account in addition to structure and agency.
X-ray diffraction microscopy: A new approach to the study of failure mechanism in semiconductor devices

The conventional view of the influence of crystal imperfections on device performance is based on the fact that devices made with dislocation-free silicon are not better than devices made with less perfect silicon. This view, however, has overlooked the fact that in making a device, defects will be introduced by the fabrication steps. Thus in practice one cannot avoid lattice defects. The questions then arise as to what are the harmful defects; can the number of these defects be reduced; by what processing steps are they introduced; can they be avoided, and if not can they be utilized to advantage? In order to answer these questions, it is necessary to have a non-destructive technique which (a) allows an inspection of the silicon slice after each processing step, and (b) is capable of detecting the existence of structural defects and the segregation of impurities at these defects. Such a technique is x-ray diffraction microscopy. The application of this new technique to the study of harmful defects in the semiconductor substrate, in the epitaxial layer, after thermal oxidation, after the opening of windows in the oxide and after the diffusion process will be discussed. In addition, the technique has been applied to silicon slices containing large numbers of diode or transistor structures. Correlation between defects and breakdown phenomena has been established.
A unified characterization of reproducing systems generated by a finite family, II

This article presents a general result from the study of shift-invariant spaces that characterizes tight frame and dual frame generators for shift-invariant subspaces of L2(ℝn). A number of applications of this general result are then obtained, among which are the characterization of tight frames and dual frames for Gabor and wavelet systems.
Modeling and simulation of piezocomposites

Solution procedures for large-scale transient analysis of piezocomposites are developed. Computational efficiency of unconditionally stable and conditionally stable implicit partitioned schemes as well as explicit partitioned schemes is investigated in the context of multilevel solution methods applied to separate field equations.
Bowen's disease and internal malignant disease.

The link between external changes and internal malignant disease has fascinated dermatologists and internists for many years. 1,2 Many important practical clinical questions must be answered if an association between a skin lesion and internal malignancy is noted, including whether or not occult malignancy should be searched for, how extensive a search should be conducted, and how often the search should be repeated. Not only are these questions important to consider for an individual patient, but the implications relating to socioeconomic, medicolegal, and psychological issues also need to be considered. If a dermatologic change is falsely associated with internal malignancy, the patient may undergo unnecessary procedures with their attendant risks, there are unnecessary costs to the individual and to the society, and there may be a potential for legal action if the search for malignant disease is not carried out "properly." Lastly, these "false" associations are not hidden from the
The carbon dioxide/climate controversy: Some personal comments on two recent publications

The pervasive opinion on the relationship between the state of the climate and the increasing concentration of CO2 is that a general global warming will occur with social, economical and environmental corollaries that may be adverse. However, there exist a number of dissenting arguments that call for a much smaller increase in global temperature or even an induced global cooling. Furthermore, the positive biological effects of a greater atmospheric CO2 loading are emphasized.
In-Lens Cryo-High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy of Large Vesicles

High resolution (1−10 nm) imaging of unfixed synthetic vesicles in their native state can be attained using cryogenic temperature high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. The relatively facile technique involves vitrification of an aqueous suspension of vesicles (∼10 μL) by plunge-freezing in liquid ethane, followed by fracture, coating with a thin layer (1 nm) of Cr, and direct observation of the frozen-hydrated sample on the upper stage (in-lens) of a field emission scanning electron microscope. A variety of lipid aggregate morphologies were observed including vesicles with smooth or rough outer surfaces. Membranes were found to fracture either through one or both halves of the bilayer, with most vesicles showing a combination of the two morphologies.
Competition and coadsorption of di-acids and carboxylic acid solvents on HOPG.

The self-assemblies of di-acids HOOC-(CH 2 ) n -COOH (n = 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10) in three solvents hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, and decanoic acid on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) were studied with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). In the solvent hexanoic acid, solvent molecules coadsorb with HOOC-(CH 2 ) n -COOH (n = 20, 18, 16) via formation of hydrogen bonds. The solvent octanoic acid coadsorbs with HOOC-(CH 2 ) n -COOH (n = 20, 18). Decanoic acid only coadsorbs with HOOC-(CH 2 ) 20 -COOH. In each solvent, the trend of coadsorption between solvent molecules and di-acid molecules decreases with decreasing chain-length of di-acid molecules. These systematic investigations suggest that coadsorption of solvent molecules with di-acid solute molecules is mainly dependent on the relative hydrogen-bond densities in the formed monolayer. This is consistent with the maximization of adsorption heat of the self-assembled monolayers of di-acids dissolved in solvents of carboxylic acids.
Persistent Tumor Necrosis Factor Signaling in Normal Human Fibroblasts Prevents the Complete Resynthesis of IκB-α

Transcription factor NF-kappa B is normally sequestered in the cytoplasm, complexed with I kappa B inhibitory proteins. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 induce I kappa B-alpha phosphorylation, leading to I kappa B-alpha degradation and translocation of NF-kappa B to the nucleus where it activates genes important in inflammatory and immune responses. TNF and interleukin-1 actions are typically terminated by desensitization, and I kappa B-alpha reappearance normally occurs within 30-60 min. We found that in normal human FS-4 fibroblasts maintained in the presence of TNF, I kappa B-alpha protein failed to return to base-line levels for up to 15 h. Removal of TNF at any time during the 15-h period resulted in complete I kappa B-alpha resynthesis, suggesting that I kappa B-alpha reappearance was prevented by continued TNF signaling. Long term exposure of FS-4 fibroblasts to TNF led to a persistent presence of I kappa B-alpha mRNA, sustained I kappa B kinase activation, continuous proteasome-mediated degradation of I kappa B-alpha, and sustained nuclear localization of NF-kappa B. Continuous exposure of FS-4 cells to TNF did not lead to a sustained activation of p38 or ERK mitogen-activated protein kinases, suggesting that not all TNF-induced signaling pathways are persistently activated. These findings challenge the notion that all cytokine-mediated signals are rapidly terminated by desensitization and illustrate the need to elucidate the process of deactivation of TNF-induced signaling.
Hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: indications and methods for oral challenges.

Almost 60 yr ago Dr. Robert Cooke’ reported asthmatic reaction following ingestion of aspirin. More than 10 yr ago Vanselow and Smith* demonstrated that indomethacin provoked an acute asthmatic attack in a patient with asthma, nasal polyps, and aspirin sensitivity. Samter and Beers” reported that cross-intolerance to aspirin and other antigenically dissimilar drugs is common. In the intervening years there have been additional reports of hypersensitivity reactions to the aspirin-like drugs.-‘, 5 There are 2 major types of clinical manifestations of aspirin hypersensitivity, rhinosinusitis-asthma and urticaria-angioedema. The respiratory reaction to aspirin has also been called an “intolerance” or “idiosyncrasy. ” In accordance with a major pharmacology text” “hypersensitivity” appears to be the appropriate descriptor. Only a few cases of simultaneous manifestation of both rhinosinusitis-asthma and urticaria-angioedema have been reported.“, .i In the typical patient with rhinosinusitis-asthma and aspirin sensitivity there are consecutive stages of disease covering years or decades. These include vasomotor rhinosinusitis complicated by polyp formation, asthma which usually requires corticosteroid treatment for adequate control, and a unique hypersensitivity response to aspirin characterized by an acute flush, rhinorrhea, and severe asthmatic attack within an hour or so of ingesting ordinary dosages of aspirin or an aspirin-like drug. Although aspirin exacerbates the respiratory disease, the rhinosinusitis-asthma occur and continue without ingestion of aspirin or aspirin-like drugs. Approximately 25% of patients with rhinosinusitis, nasal polyps, and asthma
Cure Characterization of Pultruded Soy-based Composites

Polymer matrix composites using renewable resources are currently of great interest. A novel soy-based resin system for pultrusion was synthesized at University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR). Due to relatively low reactivity of soy-based resin and short curing time of pultrusion, it is important to set up the process parameters properly in order to obtain a high quality pultruded product. In the present work, a combination of experimental and numerical methods is used to investigate the effect of pultrusion process variables on the cure of composites. A mathematical model has been developed and implemented in the commercial ABAQUS finite element package to predict the temperature and degree of cure of soy-based composites. The kinetic parameters of the soy-based epoxy resins are obtained from a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Glass fiber-reinforced composite samples are manufactured using a pultrusion machine. For experimental verification, an online monitoring system is used to measure the temperature...
Life History Evolution in Guppies: a Model System for the Empirical Study of Adaptation

I have used a diversity of observations and experiments to evaluate whether or not guppy life histories represent an adaptation to predator-induced mortality rates. I have primarily worked on natural populations of guppies from Trinidad, but have also considered populations from Tobago and Venezuela. My first step was to compare the life histories of guppies from high and low predation environments. I found that guppies from high predation environments matured more quickly, reproduced more often, and devoted more of their consumed resources to reproduction. They also produced more and smaller offspring in each litter. All of these differences had a genetic basis and many conform to theoretical predictions for how the life history should evolve in response to differences in mortality patterns. I also found that these same patterns were obtained in a new series of localities that had a completely different suite of predators, but had the same contrast between high and low predation communities. I employed mark-recapture techniques to demonstrate that guppies from high predation localities also have significantly higher mortality rates than their counterparts from low predation localities. Such differences in mortality rate provide a potential mechanism for the evolution of these life history patterns. Finally, I have introduced guppies from high predation communities into low predation communities from which they had previously been excluded by waterfalls. These introduced populations evolved in the predicted fashion (delayed maturity, reduced resource allocation to reproduction). Some variables changed significantly in as little as four years, or approximately six generations. While each observation by itself represents an incomplete argument for adaptation, together they make a very strong case for predation and mortality playing a significant role in selecting for interpopulation differences in life histories.
Excitation Intensity and Temperature Dependent Photoluminescence Behavior of Silicon Nanoparticles

The luminescence properties of silicon nanoparticles have been studied as a function of the excitation light intensity, the temporal Nature of the excitation source, and of sample temperature. The excitation intensity dependence of the luminescence was found to depend strongly on the temporal Nature of the excitation source. Under high intensity excitation from a pulsed 355 nm source, the photoluminescence (PL) intensity saturates and the peak PL wavelength shifts to the blue at room temperature. This behavior persists at reduced temperature. In contrast, under high intensity excitation using a cw 488 nm source at room temperature, the PL intensity saturates but does not shift in wavelength. At reduced temperatures, there is no saturation of luminescence intensity with high intensity cw excitation. These differences indicate that photogenerated carrier recombination occurs via different pathways depending on the temporal profile of the excitation, with cw excited samples following the expected Auger pathway while pulsed samples exhibit a state filling mechanism. Auger models for the pulsed behavior are found to be inconsistent with the experimental data. The temperature dependence of the PL from a pulsed excited sample for a constant excitation intensity was also monitored. The variation of the peak emission wavelength was found to be similar in magnitude to that observed for amorphous silicon, suggesting that structural disorder may play a role in the luminescence. The change in emission intensity was fairly weak, indicating enhanced carrier confinement, as would be expected in a quantum confined system.
Intra-articular penicillin treatment of suppurativearthritis in infants and children

Summary Four cases of suppurative arthritis in infants and children have been presented, in which surgical intervention was not required. Three were in the acute stage of the disease and one in the chronic stage, and adjacent osteomyelitis was present in three. All were treated by joint aspiration and intraarticular instillation of penicillin. Supplemental therapy consisted of intramuscular penicillin in all, oral sulfadiazine in three, transfusions, and physiotherapy. Three surviving patients were seen after discharge at three, nine, and twelve months, respectively, with complete return of function in the last two and without recurrence in any. It is suggested on a theoretical basis that intra-articular penicillin therapy alone in large dosage may be adequate.
Selective deep peroneal nerve injury associated with arthroscopic knee surgery

We report 3 cases of isolated deep peroneal nerve injury as a complication of arthroscopic knee surgery. At the level of the knee joint, the deep and superficial peroneal nerves are usually joined as the common peroneal nerve. However, because of the fascicular structure, a partial nerve injury can result in an isolated injury to the deep peroneal nerve fibers. Due to the intraneural topography of the peroneal nerve, electrodiagnostic studies in a partial nerve injury may erroneously indicate a more distal lesion.
Mast cell involvement in gastritis with or without Helicobacter pylori infection

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mast cells are initiators and regulators of inflammation, but their role in the human stomach remains unclear. Therefore, the extent and distribution of mast cell involvement in gastritis with or without Helicobacter pylori infection was investigated. METHODS: Mapped biopsy specimens from 17 H. pylori- positive and 20 H. pylori-negative subjects were examined. Sections were assessed for infection and inflammation and stained with anti- human mast cell tryptase to count mucosal and epithelial mast cells. Density of mast cells in different gastric compartments, their response to infection treatment, and their relationship with other inflammatory cells were evaluated. Mast cell degranulation was evaluated by electron microscopy. RESULTS: Mast cell density was significantly greater in the mucosa with gastritis, with or without H. pylori infection, than in the mucosa of noninfected normal subjects. In the antrum, density was much greater in H. pylori-infected peptic ulcer subjects than in the other gastritis groups. It also correlated significantly with the intensity of inflammation. Mast cell degranulation was demonstrated by electron microscopy in H. pylori-infected mucosa. Mast cell density in ulcer patients decreased significantly after cure of H. pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS: Mast cells may be important effector cells in the pathogenesis of gastritis, especially in H. pylori-associated peptic ulcer. (Gastroenterology 1997 Sep;113(3):746-54)
Versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system (VACES) for simultaneous in vivo and in vitro evaluation of toxic effects of ultrafine, fine and coarse ambient particles Part I: Development and laboratory characterization

Abstract This study presents the development and bench-testing of a versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system (VACES) capable of simultaneously concentrating ambient particles of the coarse, fine and ultrafine size fractions for conducting in vivo and in vitro studies. The VACES consists of three parallel sampling lines (concentrators), each operating at an intake flow rate of 110 l min −1 . Coarse particles are concentrated using a single round nozzle virtual impactor. Concentration enrichment of PM2.5 and ultrafine particles is accomplished by first drawing air samples through two parallel lines, having 2.5 and 0. 18 μm cutpoint pre-impactors, respectively, to remove particles larger than these sizes from the air sample. Both of the smaller PM fractions are drawn through a saturation–condensation system that grows particles to 2– 3 μm droplets, which are subsequently concentrated by virtual impaction. A diffusion dryer is used in the fine and ultrafine concentrators to remove excess vapor and return the concentrated particles to their original size, prior to supplying them for in vivo exposures. The VACES can also provide highly concentrated liquid suspensions of particles of these three modes for in vitro toxicity studies. This is accomplished by connecting the concentrated output (minor) flows of each of the VACES parallel concentrators to a liquid impinger (BioSampler), used in a modified configuration, to collect particles under near-ambient pressure. Detailed laboratory characterization of the individual components of the VACES are presented in this paper, including evaluation of its ability to preserve particle mass, number, and chemical species during the concentration enrichment process. Our experimental results showed that concentration enrichment is accomplished with very high efficiency, minimal particle losses and without any significant dependence on particle size or chemical composition.
On some suggestions for having non-binary social choice functions

The various paradoxes of social choice uncovered by Arrow [1], Sen [10] and others1 have led some writers to question the basic assumption of a binary social choice function underlying most of these paradoxes. Schwartz [8], for example, proves an important theorem which may be considered to be a generalization of the famous paradox of Arrow,2 and then lays the blame for this paradox on the assumption of a binary social choice function.3 He then proceeds to define a type of choice functions which, like binary choice functions, define the best elements in sets of more than two alternatives on the basis of binary comparisons, but which, as he claims, have an advantage over binary choice functions, in so far as they always ensure the existence of best elements for sets of more than two alternatives irrespective of the results of binary comparisons.4 The purpose of this paper is to show that even a considerable weakening of the assumption of a binary social choice function does not go very far towards solving some of the paradoxes under consideration, and that if replacing the requirement of a binary social choice function by a Schwartz type social choice function solves these paradoxes, it does so only by violating the universally acceptable value judgment that in choosing from a set of alternatives, society should never choose an alternative which is Pareto inoptimal in that set (i.e., the socially best alternatives in a set should always be Pareto optimal). This argument is substantiated with the help of an extended version of Sen's [10] paradox of a Paretian liberal, and thus a by-product of our analysis is a generalization of the theorem of Sen [10]. The argument itself, however, is more general and applies also to the impossibility result proved by Schwartz [8].
Cervical-Vaginal and Intraanal Human Papillomavirus Infection of Young Girls with External Genital Warts

To expand information regarding the epidemiology of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in young girls, girls with external genital warts were examined for the prevalence of cervical-vaginal or intraanal HPV infection. Cervical-vaginal wash specimens and biopsies of external lesions were examined for HPV genotypes 1, 2, 4, 6, 11, and 16 using Southern transfer hybridization with restriction endonuclease fragment length analysis. Exfoliated cells from cervical-vaginal and intraanal canals were processed for cytologic study. Of 18 girls, 8 (44%) had cytologic or genomic evidence (or both) of cervical-vaginal or intraanal HPV infection. Five had cervical-vaginal wash specimens that were positive for HPV genome and showed mild dysplasia. As is true for adults, young girls with external anal-genital warts are also frequently infected with HPV at internal mucosal sites. Determining the immediate and long-term prognosis of infected children and those with intraepithelial neoplasia will require appropriate prospective studies.
A component of pigeon dropping extract that reacts specifically with sera of individuals with pigeon breeder's disease

A component of pigeon droppings has been demonstrated to react with sera of individuals with pigeon breeder's disease, a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, by crossed isoelectric focusing. Similarly, exposed but asymptomatic pigeon breeders do not exhibit antibody to this component, even though they possess significant levels of antibody to other components of pigeon droppings. Purification of this disease-specific component of pigeon dropping was attempted by preparative isoelectric focusing, gel filtration, and affinity chromatography on an immunoadsorbent prepared with asymptomatic antibody. After repeated passage over the affinity column, complete purification could not be achieved. A rabbit antiserum made against the partially purified component revealed the presence of at least one other component that did not react with either symptomatic or asymptomatic sera. Despite these contaminants, the disease-specific component was characterized as a single polypeptide having a molecular weight of approximately 50,000 daltons and having an isoelectric point between 3.5 and 5.1.
Dietary influence on MAPK-signaling pathways and risk of colon and rectal cancer

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways regulate cellular functions including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis. Associations between genes in the DUSP, ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK-signaling pathways and dietary factors associated with growth factors, inflammation, and oxidative stress and risk of colon and rectal cancer were evaluated. Data include colon cases (n = 1555) and controls (n = 1956) and rectal cases (n = 754) and controls (n = 959). Statistically significant interactions were observed for the MAPK-signaling pathways after adjustment for multiple comparisons. DUSP genes interacted with carbohydrates, mutagen index, calories, calcium, vitamin D, lycopene, dietary fats, folic acid, and selenium. MAPK1, MAPK3, MAPK1, and RAF1 within the ERK1/2 MAPK-signaling pathway interacted with dietary fats and cruciferous vegetables. Within the JNK MAPK-signaling pathway, interactions between MAP3K7 and protein, vitamin C, iron, folic acid, carbohydrates, and cruciferous vegetables; MAP3K10 and folic acid; MAP3K9 and lutein/zeaxanthin; MAPK8 and calcium; MAP3K3 and calcium and lutein; MAP3K1 and cruciferous vegetables. Interaction within the p38-signaling pathway included MAPK14 with calories, carbohydrates saturated fat, selenium, vitamin C; MAP3K2 and carbohydrates, and folic acid. These data suggest that dietary factors involved in inflammation and oxidative stress interact with MAPK-signaling genes to alter risk of colorectal cancer.
Sensitivity analysis of limit cycles with application to the Brusselator

Sensitivity analysis, by which it is possible to determine the dependence of the solution of a system of differential equations to variations in the parameters, is applied to systems which have a limit cycle solution in some region of parameter space. The resulting expressions for the sensitivity coefficients, which are the gradients of the limit cycle solution in parameter space, are analyzed by a Fourier series approach; the sensitivity coefficients are found to contain information on the sensitivity of the period and other features of the limit cycle. The intimate relationship between Lyapounov stability analysis and sensitivity analysis is discussed. The results of our general derivation are applied to two limit cycle oscillators: (1) an exactly soluble two‐species oscillator and (2) the Brusselator.
Delayed Nasoseptal Flaps for Endoscopic Skull Base Reconstruction Proof of Concept and Evaluation of Outcomes

ObjectivesTo assess delayed nasoseptal flaps as a viable reconstructive option for sellar defects, evaluate postoperative vascularity of delayed nasoseptal flaps, and compare cerebrospinal fluid leak and surgery-specific complication rates of primary to delayed nasoseptal flaps.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center.Subjects and MethodsAll patients undergoing transsellar approaches for skull base tumors from 2009 to 2013 were evaluated. In cases where the necessity of a vascularized reconstructive flap was made evident only after tumor resection, the nasoseptal flap was raised after tumor resection and/or cerebrospinal fluid leak development, thus constituting a delayed nasoseptal flap. Outcome measures include postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, cerebrospinal leak rates, and complication rates.ResultsDuring this timeframe, 437 patients underwent transsellar approaches. Primary nasoseptal flaps were used to reconstruct 179 patients whi...
A tabu search approach to the cell formation problem

Abstract The formation of machine cells and part families is a central issue in the design of cellular production systems In this paper, we propose a tabu search based approach to deal with this problem by modeling it as a “Shortest Spanning Path” problem with respect to both parts and machines. A comparison of the proposed method with some of the existing methods is presented. Our results revealed that the proposed approach possesses several advantages that make it capable of handling the problem addressed in this paper as it exists in real-world situations.
Delay of reinforcement and delay shifts in dyadic communication

Participation in dyadic communication can be reinforced by the opportunity to speak in reply. Social analogs of delay of reinforcement and shifts in delay of reinforcement were investigated. In an experimental conversation modeled on discrete-trials instrumental conditioning, instrumental response speeds were faster when the opportunity to speak in reply was immediate rather than delayed (p <.005). Subjects shifted from short- to long-delay matched speeds with constant long-delay controls, while subjects shifted from long- to short-delay matched speeds with constant short-delay controls (N = 128).
Comparison of social time-out and activity time-out procedures in suppressing ethanol self-administration in alcoholics ☆

Abstract The experiments compared the potencies of three different contingent time-out procedures for suppressing drinking in alcoholics, and also compared two different experimental methodologies for conducting such studies. In a residential research ward setting fourteen volunteer chronic alcoholics were given daily access to 17 alcoholic drinks provided that a minimum of 40 min elapsed between receiving successive drinks. Each drink contained 1 oz 95-proof ethanol in orange juice. During the baseline condition subjects were free to drink with no behavioral restrictions. However during the time-out conditions, specific behavioral restrictions were imposed on the subjects for the 40-min period following receipt of each drink. The results showed that Social time-out suppressed drinking to 71 per cent of baseline conditions, while Activity time-out and the combined Social and Activity time-out suppressed intake to 36 and 24 per cent, respectively. The study also demonstrated that similar experimental results were obtained when subjects were continuously exposed to the experimental conditions for a number of consecutive days. or intermittently exposed to different conditions in a mixed order over successive days.
Protective effects of recombinant human tumour necrosis factor α and interferon γ against surgically simulated wound infection in mice

Tumour necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma have both been shown to have immunoregulatory properties, and to be able to influence, several microbial infections. This study showed that tumour necrosis factor was effective in modifying surgically simulated wound infections when administered both as prophylaxis and as therapy. Two models were used; one was an intramuscular bacterial challenge, and the other involved the use of a bacteria-laden thigh suture. The test bacterium for both models was Klebsiella pneumoniae, a common surgical pathogen in our surgical service. Interferon gamma was an effective biological response modifier in these models. Tumour necrosis factor was more potent than interferon gamma and there was no additive or synergistic effect with interferon gamma. This indicates potentially different mechanisms of action for these two cytokines.
Intensity and Power Statistics of Laser and Random Beams in Non-Kolmogorov Turbulence

Intensity and power statistics including PDF of several beams is investigated after they interact with non-Kolmogorov turbulence. Measurements are taken with help of several SLMs employed for phase perturbation for source and medium.