cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temperature-driven disorder-order transitions in 2D copper-intercalated MoO 3 revealed using dynamic transmission electron microscopy

We demonstrate two different classes of disorder–order phase transitions in two-dimensional layered nanomaterial MoO3 intercalated with ~9–15 atomic percent zero-valent copper using conventional in situ electron diffraction and dynamic transmission electron microscopy. Heating to ~325 °C on a time scale of minutes produces a superlattice consistent with the formation of a charge density wave stabilized by nanometer-scale ordering of the copper intercalant. Unlike conventional purely electronic charge-density-wave states which form, reform, and disappear on picosecond scales as the temperature is changed, once it forms the observed structure in Cu–MoO3 is stable indefinitely over a very large temperature range (30 °C to the decomposition temperature of 450 °C). Nanosecond-scale heating to ~380–400 °C produced a completely different structure, replacing the disordered as-fabricated Cu–MoO3 with a much more crystallographically ordered metastable state that, according to a precession electron diffraction reconstruction, resembles the original MoO3 lattice apart from an asymmetric distortion that appears to expand parts of the van der Waals gaps to accommodate the copper intercalant. Control experiments in Cu-free material exhibited neither transformation, thus it appears the copper is a necessary part of the phase dynamics. This work shows how the combination of high-density metal atom intercalation and heat treatment over a wide range of time scales can produce nanomaterials of high crystalline quality in unique structural states that cannot be accessed through other methods.
Measurements of the melting curve of 3He below 3 mK

Measurements of the pressure vs. temperature along the melting curve of 3He are presented. Cooling is obtained by adiabatic demagnetization of copper nuclei and these measurements extend below 1 mK. The results support conclusions about the entropy of solid 3He drawn from measurements on the heat capacity of the solid, and confirm the temperature scale inferred from measurements in Pomeranchuk cells.
The Origin and Evolution of Large-Volume Silicic Magma Systems: Long Valley Caldera

Despite extensive study, the origin of large-volume silicic magma systems remains poorly constrained. We review the source regions and processes involved in the generation, differentiation, and eruption of caldera-related silicic magma with particular reference to the Bishop Tuff erupted from Long Valley Caldera, California. Nd-isotopic compositions of the earliest-erupted rhyolites (between 2,1 and 1.2 Ma) at Glass Mountain, which may be associated with the Bishop Tuff magma chamber, are consistent with extensive fractional crystallization of basaltic magmas derived from an enriched lithospheric mantle source. In contrast, Nd-isotopic compositions of late Glass Mountain lavas (1.2 to 0.8 Ma) and the Bishop Tuff (0.76 Ma) suggest significant incorporation of continental crust. Shallow-crustal residence histories inferred from Sr-isotopic studies at Long Valley suggest that large-volume silicic magmas reflect either: (1) continuous growth with episodic eruption from a single, large, long-lived magma chambe...
Evidence that regenerative ability is an intrinsic property of limb cells in Xenopus.

Xenopus laevis, exhibits an ontogenetic decline in the ability to regenerate its limbs: Young tadpoles can completely regenerate an amputated limb, whereas post metamorphic froglets regenerate at most a cartilagenous “spike.” We have tested the regenerative competence of normally regenerating limb buds of stage 52–53 Xenopus, tadpoles grafted onto limb stumps of postmetamorphic froglets. The limb buds become vascularized and innervated by the host and, when amputated, regenerate limbs with normal or slightly less than normal numbers of tadpole hindlimb digits. Reciprocal grafts of froglet forelimb blastemas onto tadpole hindlimb stumps resulted in either autonomous development of tadpole hindlimb structures and/or formation of a cartilaginous spike typical of froglet forelimb regeneration. Our results suggest that the Xenopus, froglet host environment is completely permissive for regeneration and that the ability to regenerate a complete limb pattern is an intrinsic property of young tadpole limb cells, a property that is lost during ontogenesis.
Characterization of the Vibrio cholerae VolA Surface-Exposed Lipoprotein Lysophospholipase

Bacterial lipases play important roles in bacterial metabolism and environmental response. Our laboratory recently discovered that a novel lipoprotein lysophospholipase, VolA, localizes on the surface of the Gram-negative aquatic pathogen Vibrio cholerae. VolA functions to cleave exogenous lysophosphatidylcholine, freeing the fatty acid moiety for use by V. cholerae. This fatty acid is transported into the cell and can be used as a nutrient and, more importantly, as a way to alter the membrane architecture via incorporation into the phospholipid biosynthesis pathway. There are few examples of Gram-negative, surface-exposed lipoproteins, and VolA is unique, as it has a previously undercharacterized function in V. cholerae membrane remodeling. Herein, we report the biochemical characterization of VolA. We show that VolA is a canonical lipoprotein via mass spectrometry analysis and demonstrate the in vitro activity of VolA under a variety of conditions. Additionally, we show that VolA contains a conserved Gly-Xaa-Ser-Xaa-Gly motif typical of lipases. Interestingly, we report the observation of VolA homologs in other aquatic pathogens. An Aeromonas hydrophila VolA homolog complements a V. cholerae VolA mutant in growth on lysophosphatidylcholine as the sole carbon source and in enzymatic assays. These results support the idea that the lipase activity of surface-exposed VolA likely contributes to the success of V. cholerae, improving the overall adaptation and survival of the organism in different environments.
CR19P THE VALUE OF BEDSIDE COLONOSCOPY FOR THE CRITICALLY ILL PATIENT IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Purpose Bedside colonoscopy for the critically ill patient in Intensive Care Units (ICU) confronts the endoscopist with a new set of challenges and aims. This study examines the value and benefits that colonoscopy offers to critically ill patients with acute lower gastrointestinal disease. Methodology ICU patients who received bedside colonoscopy were identified from the colonoscopy database and the indications, co morbidities, depth of intubation, progression to surgery and death were recorded. Results 39 patients underwent one or more bedside ICU colonoscopies to investigate ischemic colitis (11, confirmed in 8, 3 operated), colonic distension (10, all decompressed, 2 operated), lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage (13, cause found in 3, 2 operated), and diarrhea (4 patients). 14 patients died. Overall, 18 patients were diagnosed with ischemic colitis; 7 were operated and 6 died. Colonoscopy reached the cecum in 16 patients, the hepatic flexure in 25 and the splenic flexure in 36. Prep was poor in 15 patients and stool prevented completion in 13. In 30% of patients colonoscopy was not pursued to the cecum because decompression was achieved without it, or because ischemic colitis was already diagnosed Colonoscopic techniques specific to ICU included prevention of a loop outside the patient and “slide-through” with copious irrigation. Conclusion Bedside ICU colonoscopies are able to make an accurate diagnosis. Reaching the cecum is often not the aim of the study, nor is the diagnosis of small adenomas. In many cases a serious colorectal disease can be diagnosed or excluded, helping in the management of these severely ill patients.
Can an Infinitude of Operations be performed in a Finite Time

In his book Philosophy of Mathematics and Natural Science, the renowned mathematical physicist Hermann Weyl raised the following question: Is it kinematically feasible that a machine carry out an infinite sequence of distinct operations in a finite time? And he gave a conditional answer to it as follows: If a machine obeying the principles of classical kinematics cannot carry out a denumerable infinity of operations in a finite time, then the received interpretation of the classical mathematical theory of motion is beset by one of Zeno’s kinematical paradoxes.
Towards a Theory of Document Learning.

In a bibliographic information system the database consists of a set of document representatives. Part of each document representative is a list of index terms whose function is to identify the content of the document represented. These index terms can be derived using an automated process. It is argued that automatic methods do not result in the best set of index terms being assigned to a document representative. A mathematical model is proposed which describes an information system which includes a method, document learning, of improving the set of index terms assigned to a document representative.
The regulation of‘early' enzymes during the development and dedifferentiation of Dictyostelium discoideum

Abstract The specific activities of the enzymes α-mannosidase and N-acetylglucosaminidase increase immediately after the initiation of the development of bacterially grown cell cultures of Dictyostelium discoideum. The regulation of these two enzymes was found to be dissociable in the developmental timer mutant, FM-1, which aggregates 4.5 h earlier than wild-type cells due to the absence of the first rate-limiting component of the preaggregative period. The increase in α-mannosidase activity occurs in the absence of the first rate-limiting component, but the increase in N-acetylglucosaminidase activity does not. These results indicate the following: (1) the increase in the specific activity of α-mannosidase is not related to the timing of subsequent developmental stages; (2) the increase in the specific activity of N-acetylglucosaminidase is not necessary for the subsequent developmental program; and (3) either the increase in the specific activity of N-acetylglucosaminidase is dependent upon progress through the first rate-limiting component, or the increase in this enzyme activity and the first rate-limiting component are both dependent upon an early event for which FM-1 is defective. In addition to early development, we monitored the two enzyme activities during dedifferentiation. The results demonstrate that there is no difference between dedifferentiating wild-type cells and de-differentiation-defective mutant HI-4 cells. Changes in enzyme specific activity accompanying dedifferentiation are dependent upon the composition of the dedifferentiation-inducing media and are consistent with the levels of these enzymes observed in cells growing in the different nutrient media.
On asymptotic optimality in empirical Bayes credibility

Abstract In this paper we consider linear empirical Bayes estimation of the pure premiums in a Buhlmann–Straub model, with m risk contracts and n i observations from the i th contract, and provide sufficient conditions, analogous to the conditions of Norberg [Scandinavian Actuarial Journal (1980) 172–194], for a stricter notion of asymptotic optimality. The sufficient conditions are used in the paper to show asymptotic optimality of explicit non-parametric examples. Our results, among other things, strengthen the estimators proposed by Buhlmann and Straub (1970) and their generalization by Sundt (1983) . They also strengthen the finite population mean estimators of Ghosh and Lahiri (1987) by showing the asymptotic optimality of their estimators under a weaker condition than the boundedness of the moments of fourth order.
The presidency of Calvin Coolidge

Robert Ferrell offers the first book-length account of the Coolidge presidency in 30 years, drawing on the recently opened papers of White House physician Joel T. Boone to provide a more personal appraisal of the 30th President than has previously been possible. Ferrell shows Coolidge to have been a hard-working, sensitive individual who was a canny politician and an astute judge of people. Drawing on the most recent literature on the Coolidge era, Ferrell has constructed a meticulous and highly readable account of the President's domestic and foreign policy. His book illuminates this pre-Depression administration for historians and reveals to general readers a President who was stern in temperament and dedicated to public service.
Diurnal variations in the content of preprocorticotropin-releasing hormone messenger ribonucleic acids in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of rats of both sexes as measured by in situ hybridization.

Abstract The content of mRNA coding for the precursor of CRH in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVH) was measured in intact male and estrogen-treated ovariectomized female rats at different times of the day using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Plasma corticosterone concentrations were measured in separate groups of animals at the same time points, with females showing higher levels than males at all times, and both sexes exhibiting the well characterized diurnal rhythm. There was a significant decrease (greater in females) in the content of prepro-CRH (ppCRH) mRNA between midday and midnight in rats of both sexes. Previous studies have demonstrated that the content of ppCRH mRNA in the PVH responds inversely to changes in the concentration of plasma corticosteroid in a concentration-dependent manner. The present study suggests that ppCRH mRNA in the PVH may respond in a similar way to fluctuating concentrations of plasma corticosterone throughout the day, and that although the exact mecha...
Experiments with peroxidase. III. Recombination of hemin and protein to the active enzyme.

Abstract The recombination of equimolecular amounts of protohemin and apoprotein to horse-radish peroxidase (HRP) in aqueous solution was studied using spectrophotometric techniques. In the Soret region (360–450 mμ) two intermediate compounds, E and F, were observed. The formation of E is very fast, whereas the two reactions E → F and F → HRP are slower and of different velocities. They could not be measured accurately since it is difficult to separate them spectrophotometrically. Kinetic observations showed that the first recombination reaction (C + D) → E was mainly due to a rapid change in the hemin molecule with pH, but another process, presumably a disaggregation of hemin, takes place simultaneously. The step E → F is attributed to the establishment of one or two linkages of the same type between hemin and protein. During this reaction the ability of the enzyme to form H2O2 complexes is re-established. The apparent free energy of activation was measured and a value of E′a = 11,900 ± 300 cal./mole was found. The apoprotein loses its ability to combine with hemin when heated at low pH. The reaction F → HRP is the slowest step and is superimposed on the step E → F. During the final reaction F → HRP the intrinsic activity of the enzyme-substrate complex HRP-H2O2II increases to its maximum value, which can lie somewhat above the value of the initial untreated HRP.
Efficacy and Toxicity of Tocainide for the Treatment of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Doberman Pinschers With Occult Cardiomyopathy

Tocainide was administered to 23 cardiomyopathic Doberman Pinschers at doses of 15 to 25 mg/kg tid. These doses produced peak (2–hour) serum concentrations of 6.2 to 19.1 mg/L and trough (8–hour) serum concentrations of 2.3 to 11.1 mg/L. Anorexia and gastrointestinal disturbances occurred in 8 dogs (35%) at doses (15.6 to 25.0 mg/kg) that were not different from those (16.0 to 26.0 mg/kg) received by dogs that did not experience toxicity. Doses producing peak serum concentrations that were either greater or less than 14 mg/L were not different. Likewise, doses producing trough values that were either greater or less than 6 mg/L were not different. The mean dose that produced peak serum concentrations of 10 to 13.6 mg/L and trough concentrations of 4.2 to 10.0 mg/L was 17.9 mg/kg, and was associated with anorexia in 4 dogs. Mean peak serum concentrations associated with toxicity (14.4 mg/L) were significantly higher (P= .02) than dogs not experiencing toxicity (11.8 mg/L). Serious adverse effects occurred in 7 of 12 dogs (58%) receiving tocainide for longer than 4 consecutive months. Progressive corneal endothelial dystrophy occurred in 3 dogs. Although a causal effect could not be proven, 6 dogs experienced renal dysfunction during treatment. Drug doses in these 7 dogs were similar to those received by other dogs. At least a 70% reduction of the total numbers of ventricular premature contractions occurred in 80% of dogs treated, and ventricular tachycardia was eliminated in 90% of affected dogs by the time of the first post-treatment Holter recording. Long-term control of ventricular tachyarrhythmias was difficult to achieve in some dogs when the left ventricular shortening fraction was less than approximately 17%. J Vet Intern Med 1996;10:235–240. Copyright©1996 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Is docetaxel now an essential component of neoadjuvant breast chemotherapy

REFERENCES 1. Cuzick J, Stewart H, Rutqvist L, et al: Cause-specific mortality in long-term survivors of breast cancer who participated in trials of radiotherapy. J Clin Oncol 12:447-453, 1994 2. EBCTCG: Favorable and unfavourable effects on long-term survival of radiotherapy for early breast cancer: an overview of the randomized trials. Lancet 355:1757-1770, 2000 3. Erselcan T, Kairemo KJ, Wiklund TA, et al: Subclinical cardiotoxicity following adjuvant dose-escalated FEC, high-dose chemotherapy, or CMF in breast cancer. Br J Cancer 82:777-781, 2000 4. Bergh J, Wiklund T, Erikstein B, et al: Tailored fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide compared with marrow-supported high-dose chemotherapy as adjuvant treatment for high-risk breast cancer: A randomized trial—Scandinavian Breast Group 9401 Study. Lancet 356:1384-1391, 2000 5. Scandinavian Breast Group Study 9401: Long-term follow-up of the randomized Scandinavian Breast Group (SBG) study 9401 comparing standard FEC followed by marrow supported high-dose therapy versus tailored and dose-escalated FEC therapy. Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol 22:24a, 2003 (abstr 94) 6. Hernberg M, Virkkunen P, Maasilta P, et al: Pulmonary toxicity after radiotherapy in primary breast cancer patients: Results from a randomized chemotherapy study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 52:128-136, 2002
From the gridiron and the boxing ring to the cinema screen: The African-American Athlete in pre-1950 cinema

(2003). From the gridiron and the boxing ring to the cinema screen: The African-American Athlete in pre-1950 cinema. Culture, Sport, Society: Vol. 6, No. 2-3, pp. 269-292.
Mass book digitization: The deeper story of Google Books and the Open Content Alliance

The Google Books and Open Content Alliance (OCA) initiatives have become the poster children of the access digitization revolution. With their sights firmly set on creating digital copies of millions upon millions of books and making them available to the world for free, the two projects have captured the popular imagination. Yet, such scale comes at a price, and certain sacrifices must be made to achieve this volume. With its greater visibility, most studies have focused on Google Books, addressing limitations of its image and metadata quality. Yet, there has been surprisingly little comparative work of the two endeavors, exploring the relationship between these two peers and their deeper similarities, rather than their obvious surface differences. While the academic community has lauded OCA's "open" model and condemned the proprietary Google, all is not always as it seems. Upon delving deeper into the underpinnings of both projects, we find Google achieves greater transparency in many regards, while OCA's operational reality is more proprietary than often thought. Further, significant concerns are raised about the long-term sustainability of the OCA rights model, its metadata management, and its transparency that must be addressed as OCA moves forward.
Asynchronous checkpoint migration with MRNet in the Scalable Checkpoint / Restart Library

Applications running on today's supercomputers tolerate failures by periodically saving their state in checkpoint files on stable storage, such as a parallel file system. Although this approach is simple, the overhead of writing the checkpoints can be prohibitive, especially for large-scale jobs. In this paper, we present initial results of an enhancement to our Scalable Checkpoint / Restart Library (SCR). We employ MRNet, a tree-based overlay network library, to transfer checkpoints from the compute nodes to the parallel file system asynchronously. This enhancement increases application efficiency by removing the need for an application to block while checkpoints are transferred to the parallel file system. We show that the integration of SCR with MRNet can reduce the time spent in I/O operations by as much as 15×. However, our experiments exposed new scalability issues with our initial implementation. We discuss the sources of the scalability problems and our plans to address them.
Combining Trichoderma virens-inoculated compost and a rye cover crop for weed control in transplanted vegetables

A number of techniques exist that have potential to be integrated into low-external-input weed management systems but it is not the norm for these different techniques to be investigated in combination. Here, we evaluate the weed management potential of two cultural weed management techniques, cover cropping and fertility management, with two allelochemical-releasing organisms compared to herbicides. Trichoderma virens (=Gliocladium virens), which releases the herbicidal molecule viridiol, is applied incorporated in composted chicken manure (CCM), and rye, which is known to release the herbicidal molecules (3H)-benzoxazolinone (BOA) and 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-(2H)benzoxazine-3-one (DIBOA), is used as the cover crop. Both T. virens-inoculated CCM and rye cover crops provided significant weed control in some experiments without a significant loss of crop vigor and yield. Yield was comparable to those obtained with chemical herbicides, although the results were not consistent. Clear weed suppressive activity exists with these nonherbicidal treatments, and effective weed management in transplanted vegetables seems feasible with these approaches. However, further refinements in these treatments is needed to ensure reliable performance prior to grower acceptance.
A Practical Guide to Leadership and Management in Academic Radiology

R.L. Arenson and C. Garzio Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, Ltd., 2012, 268 pages, $37.95 This book provides valuable guidance for those individuals seeking to become appointed or recently appointed as a chairperson in an academic radiology department. After an introductory chapter,
In vitro reversion of transformed phenotype in mouse C3H/10T1/2 cells

Spontaneous tumor regression is still one of the most puzzling events in human cancer. A cell culture model of malignant transformation designed to permit the study of this phenomenon in vitro was applied to examine reversion and re-expression of the transformed phenotype in two X-ray transformed mouse 10T1/2 cell clones. By alternating cell passages at low and high seeding density, the expression of cell contact inhibition and tumorigenic capacity were both reverted and restored. Growth of non-transformed wild-type cells was not affected by seeding density. This reversion of the transformed phenotype was associated with a modification in genomic 5-methylcytosine content. Initially, the transformed clones were hypomethylated, as occurs in most human tumors. After only four passages at low seeding density, the phenotype was reverted to that of non-transformed 10T1/2 cells and genomic 5-methylcytosine content was significantly increased to levels measured in non-transformed C3H/10T1/2 mouse cells. Thus, hypomethylation induced by ionizing radiation was not a permanent feature of malignantly transformed 10T1/2 cells. Although genomic 5-methylcytosine content returned to normal levels during low density passaging, the methylation pattern of the c-myc gene specifically was not associated with cell passages either at low or high seeding density. In an attempt to identify genes involved in this process, expression of the tumor suppressor gene p53 was measured. Western blot analysis failed to detect any correlation between expression of p53 protein and reversion of the transformed phenotype. The results of this study indicate that the transformed phenotype is not permanently associated with the malignant transformation of C3H/1OT1/2 cells, and can be modulated by growth conditions in vitro. We propose that modulation of genomic 5-methylcytosine levels may be involved in this process.
The medullary reticular formation is a site of muscle relaxant action of diazepam on deep back and neck muscles in the female rat

We tested the hypothesis that the effect of systemic injections of diazepam (DZ, 125 mg/kg) to reduce the quality of the reproductive behavior, lordosis, and to reduce the EMG of lumbar back muscles involved in lordosis (Schwartz-Giblin et al., 1984) is exerted through a reticulospinal pathway with cells of origin in the nucleus gigantocellularis that excites lumbar motoneurons indirectly (Robbins et al., 1990, Robbins et al., 1992). In contrast, DZ facilitates lordosis behavior when infused into the midbrain central gray (McCarthy et al., 1995). Direct deposits of crystalline mixtures of DZ (20-80 ng) in dextrose were delivered to the medullary reticular formation (MRF) by diffusion from a cannula inserted through a guide to which a bipolar stimulating electrode was attached. The multiunit EMG response evoked by 20 (300 ms long) stimulus trains was recorded in back and neck muscles, lateral longissimus and splenius before and 5, 15, 30 and 60 min after local DZ deposits. There was a significant reduction in EMG response over this time period when stimulus intensities were within the range of 1.2-1.5 times threshold (Friedman two-way non-parametric test, P < 0.002). Large amplitude motor units that provide large tensions were the most sensitive to DZ-induced inhibition. Control deposits of dextrose had no significant effect. Systemic injections of progesterone (1 mg, i.p.) 60 min after DZ deposits, but not after dextrose deposits, further reduced the MRF-evoked EMG responses over the course of 1 h. As predicted, DZ infusions into the midbrain central gray did not reduce the reticulospinal-evoked axial muscle response, consistent with the facilitatory effect of midbrain central gray infusions of DZ on the lordosis quotient. The results suggest that benzodiazepine agonists (if endogenous) acting at sites in the MRF would be effective muscle relaxants during pregnancy, prior to the fall in progesterone that precedes labor.
Distributed simulation (panel)

Distributed simulation involves the simulation of some physical process in a distributed manner over a network of tightly coupled processors so that during execution different parts of the model execute in parallel. For discrete models this means that the internal support structure of the language/operating system must be altered to handle the control and synchronization of the distributed parts of the model. Simulated time has to be encoded and included with messages between the processors in order to facilitate this process.The major issues in distributed simulation of discrete systems include the establishment of accurate and efficient communication protocols, the detection and resolution of deadlock among the processes, language and hardware architectures to support the distributed processing, and mechanisms for partitioning models for distributed simulation. A panel of leading researchers in this area will discuss their current work in distributed simulation. In particular we will consider:What is the current status of work in distributed simulation?What advantages does distributed simulation offer?What are the current problems still requiring research?What is the impact of this area on simulation?In addition to response from the panel we hope to stimulate discussion among those attending the session.
The Distance and Temperature Dependence of Electron-Transfer Rates

Electron transfer occurs over relatively long distances in a variety of systems. In interpreting the measured electron-transfer rates it is usually assumed that the rate constants depend exponentially on the distance separating the two redox sites and that this distance dependence arises from the decrease in the electronic coupling of the redox sites with increasing separation. Although the electronic coupling is an important factor determining the distance dependence of the rate, theoretical considerations suggest that the nuclear factors are also important. The various factors determining long-range electron-transfer rates are discussed and it is shown that very different distance dependences are predicted for reactions in the normal and inverted free-energy regions. The effect of the enthalpy change on the electron-transfer rate is also considered; three enthalpy regions are identified depending on the overall free energy and entropy changes for the reaction.
Elbow strength and endurance in patients with a ruptured distal biceps tendon.

Background Patients with complete distal biceps tendon ruptures complain of fatigability with repeated elbow flexion and forearm supination. Some studies have documented changes in strength, but limited information is available about the effects of biceps tendon rupture on endurance. Hypothesis A ruptured distal biceps tendon results in decreased strength and enducance. Materials and methods Isokinetic strength and endurance in elbow flexion and forearm supination were measured in both arms of 9 patients with an untreated unilateral complete distal biceps tendon rupture. One additional patient underwent isokinetic testing only. Tests were conducted using a dynamometer at 60° per second for isokinetic strength and 240° per second for endurance. Paired t tests were used for statistical analysis. Results The peak torque was significantly lower in involved limbs for both flexion (involved, 26.5±11.1Nm; uninvolved, 41.0±12.6Nm, P P P =.659) or supination (involved, 58±17.0; uninvolved, 54.3±14.8; P =.592). Discussion Complete rupture of the distal biceps tendon results in substantial reductions in elbow flexion and forearm supination strength. Endurance of the remaining intact musculotendinous units does not seem to increase or decrease over time. Nonoperative treatment is rarely recommended, but when selected, rehabilitation should concentrate on improving strength, not endurance. Conclusion A ruptured distal biceps tendon results in a substantial decrease in flexion and supination strength.
Effects of CO 2 , thulium, and erbium lasers on middle ear synthetic implants

10.6 micrometers CO 2 , 2.01 micrometers Thulium:YAG (Tm:YAG) and 2.94 micrometers Erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) are currently being used or investigated for potential applications in otologic surgery. In addition to biologic tissue there are numerous synthetic materials (Gelfoam, Silastic, C-Flex, Silicone and Teflon), mineral components (Hydroxylapatite) and metals (stainless steel) that may be encountered during surgery. Their behavior in response to laser irradiation is, for the most part, unknown. We investigated the effects of these lasers, operated at clinically relevant parameters on these materials. We looked for signs of melting, perforation, charring, smoke formation and ignition. The results show that wet Gelfoam proved to be a partially effective barrier to all lasers. Silastic transmitted the energy of the Tm and Er:YAG with minimal damage, but charred, ignited or exploded with the CO 2 depending on the energy applied. All lasers melted C-Flex at higher energies. On Silicon, CO 2 produced flames, char and melting; the other lasers produced a tiny spark and less melting. Teflon charred and perforated when exposed to any laser, but only Tm:YAG produced a spark. All lasers at moderate and high energies shattered hydroxylapatite. Stainless steel was not affected by CO 2 , but was perforated by Tm:YAG and Er:YAG. The results suggest that none of the tested lasers are safe for all currently used prosthetic materials and therefore they should be used with caution.
Optimal constructions of reversible digraphs

Abstract The paper deals with optimal methods for finding a minimum homeomorph and a minimum split of a digraph which are line digraphs. The algorithms may be used as approximate methods for finding a PERT network with the minimum number of dummy activities.
Single-Nanowire CMOS Inverter Based on Ambipolar Si Nanowire FETs

As the scaling of Complementary Metal-OxideSemiconductor Field Effect Transistor (CMOSFET) continues, the challenge of short-channel effects and exponentially increasing cost has almost become an impossible task for conventional bulk-Si based CMOS technology. [1] We have been engaged in the research of bottom-up Si nanowire FETs with gate-all-around (GAA) structure for high performance. [2-3] Si nanowire (SiNW) represents an intrinsic, ultimately small medium for efficient electronic conduction; and it is fully CMOS compatible. GAA structure provides the best electrostatics in the transistor channel and excellent gate control. [1] The SiNW based electronics built on a bottom-up selfassembly will have the advantage of low cost and high density. In this work, we have designed and fabricated single-nanowire CMOS inverter based on ambipolar SiNW FETs with 50 nm channel length from bottom-up approach.
Modification of bitter taste in children

The palatability of oral medications, many of which are quite bitter, plays an important role in achieving compliance in pediatric patients. We tested the hypothesis that the addition of a sodium salt to some, but not all, bitter tasting liquids enhances acceptance and reduces the perceived bitterness in 7- to 10-year-old children and their mothers. For both children and adults, sodium gluconate significantly suppressed the perceived bitterness and enhanced the acceptance of urea and caffeine whereas the reverse was true for another bitter stimulus, Tetralone. Because children preferred salted solutions more than did adults, these data suggest that the use of sodium salts may be an especially effective strategy for reducing the bitterness of some medicines and facilitating compliance among pediatric populations. However, based on sodium's differential ability to inhibit bitterness, as has been shown here with children and adults, clearly each drug of interest must be evaluated separately.
Is There Such Thing as a Schizophrenic Stomach

Sir We appreciate Drs Treuer and Karagianis interest in our work and their underscoring yet again the apparent complexity and multidisciplinary nature of the weight gain problems in patients with schizophrenia. The assertion that these problems may arise due to increases in ghrelin secretion from the stomach produced by the second-generation antipsychotic agents (SGAs) is however undermined by the following considerations: (a) preponderance of the studies reporting no or inverse relationship between plasma ghrelin levels and SGAs-induced weight gain (Togo et al, 2004; Palik et al, 2005; Theisen et al, 2005; Sporn et al, 2005; Hosojima et al, 2006); (b) the lack of reported evidence on ghrelin alterations in drug-free patients who are also prone for glucoregulatory abnormalities and for obesity; and (c) undetermined (primary vs secondary) mechanisms of the SGAs ghrelin effects. We have discussed the inconclusive ghrelin findings in the text (page 15) and in the tabulated format (Elman et al, 2006). Nonetheless the letter by Drs Treuer and Karagianis raises an important question concerning reciprocity between central nervous system and gastrointestinal (GI) pathologies, the entity addressed by the discipline of neurogastroenterology. Indeed, embryonically, the central and the enteric nervous systems are derived from the same neural crest tissue and are subsequently linked via the vagus nerve. Furthermore, the GI tract is abundant with the same hormones and neurotransmitters that are mediating reward and homeostatic processes in the brain; to name a few, cholecystokinin, insulin, opiates, gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, and norepinephrine. The GI concentrations of these chemicals are comparable to or are even exceed those in the brain (Gershon, 1998). Hence, it is in the realm of possible that the same prenatal lesion driving the development of schizophrenia neuropathology (Weinberger, 1987) may also result in corresponding alterations of the GI system, including impaired regulatory mechanisms of ghrelin secretion. Such a concept could gain indirect support from high prevalence of celiac disease in schizophrenic patients and their first-degree relatives (Eaton et al, 2004, 2006). In more general terms, the dynamic view of the brain–periphery interactions, rather than an either/or approach to the ailments afflicting both domains may provide heuristic value to clinical neuroscience and bring us closer to solving the mind–body mystery. In sum, although available clinical evidence renders elevated ghrelin an unlikely cause of weight gain during SGAs therapy, further research in this area is warranted.
A Fusion Cytokine Coupling GMCSF to IL9 Induces Heterologous Receptor Clustering and STAT1 Hyperactivation through JAK2 Promiscuity

Cytokine receptors are randomly distributed on the cell surface membrane and are activated upon binding of their extracellular ligands to mediate downstream cellular activities. We hypothesized that pharmaceutical clustering of ligand-bound, activated receptors may lead to heretofore unrealized gain-of-function with therapeutically desirable properties. We here describe an engineered bifunctional cytokine borne of the fusion of Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GMCSF) and Interleukin-9 (IL9) (hereafter GIFT9 fusokine) and demonstrate that it chaperones co-clustering of the functionally unrelated GMCSF receptor (GMCSFR) and IL9 receptor (IL9R) on cell surface of target cells. We demonstrate that GIFT9 treatment of MC/9 cells leads to transhyperphosphorylation of IL9R-associated STAT1 by GMCSFR-associated JAK2. We also show that IL9R-associated JAK1 and JAK3 augment phosphorylation of GMCSFR-linked STAT5. The functional relevance of these synergistic JAK/STAT transphosphorylation events translates to an increased mitogenic response by GMCSFR/IL9R-expressing primary marrow mast cells. The notion of inducing heterologous receptor clustering by engineered fusokines such as GIFT9 opens the door to a novel type of biopharmaceutical platform where designer fusokines modulate cell physiology through clustering of targeted receptor complexes.
Disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy: A complication of treated central nervous system leukemia and lymphoma

This report describes a form of disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy that has been observed in four children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and one child with Burkitt's lymphoma terminating in a leukemic phase. In addition to systemic vincristine, cytosine arabinoside, cyclophosphamide, and steroids, these patients received courses of intrathecal methotrexate, cytosine arabinoside, and hydrocortisone, because of meningeal tumor cell infiltration. Whole brain radiation was also given either before or during intrathecal therapy. Three of the children had a progressive irreversible neurologic illness, which developed either at or shortly after the completion of combined triple intrathecal therapy, death ensuing approximately 2 months later. The neuro-pathologic lesions consisted of discrete multifocal necroses of coagulative type, apparently extending by confluence, and disseminated in the cerebral white matter in a random manner. In one case, extensive symmetrical demyelinating and necrotizing lesions involved the centrum ovale bilaterally. There was a remarkable absence of inflammatory cellular response and a relative paucity of macrophage reaction, with usually little or no tissue breakdown. In addition to demyelination and glial cell loss, there was striking axonal damage, with conspicuous axonal swellings both within and around the necrotizing lesions. The surrounding white matter showed focal status spongiosus and a moderate astrocytic response. Vascular fibrinoid necrosis was inconstant and, except in one case, rarely observed. The possible causal relationship of these lesions to combined triple intrathecal antimetabolite therapy and brain radiation is discussed.
A uniformly computable Implicit Function Theorem

We prove uniformly computable versions of the Implicit Function Theorem in its differentiable and non-differentiable forms. We show that the resulting operators are not computable if information about some of the partial derivatives of the implicitly defining function is omitted. Finally, as a corollary, we obtain a uniformly computable Inverse Function Theorem, first proven by M. Ziegler (2006). (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Knowledge and beliefs about smoking and goals for smoking cessation in hospitalized men with cardiovascular disease.

Abstract Objectives To describe perceptions of smoking in men hospitalized with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Background Smoking is a major risk factor and associated with the high prevalence of CVD in Jordan. Methods The study design was cross-sectional with a convenience sample. A structured interview was conducted in 112 men who were hospitalized with CVD. Results The study showed that 91% of men hospitalized with CVD smoked daily. The majority (83%) had attempted to quit smoking in the past without help from others, and intended to quit in the future using the same previously unsuccessful method. They were unaware of the hazards of smoking such as stroke; or the long term health benefits of quitting smoking. Logistic regressions showed that men were more confident in quitting smoking if they had a high income (OR: 7.7; 95% CI: 2.7, 22.3), longer hospitalizations (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.3, 5.3), or were hospitalized in acute cardiac settings (OR: 3.9; 95% CI: 1.2, 12.7), and admitted with a diagnosis of MI or angina (OR: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.1, 8.3). Conclusion Assessment of smoking status with smoking cessation counseling is paramount in hospitalized men with CVD who smoke.
Laser interferometric method for measuring linear polymerization shrinkage in light cured dental restoratives.

Abstract Objective: A novel laser interferometric method for monitoring linear polymerization shrinkage in dental restoratives is demonstrated. Methods: The experimental apparatus consists of a low power Helium–Neon laser, a home-built Michelson interferometer, amplified photodiode detectors, and a computer data acquisition system. The feasibility of using interferometry to measure linear shrinkage was evaluated by measuring the percent linear contraction in five commercially available light cured restorative systems. Results: Five-min interferometric curing profiles were collected for each restorative using a 400 mW/cm2 curing light irradiance. The ‘interferograms’ were converted into percent linear contraction profiles that revealed the relative kinetics of material shrinkage. The overall percent linear contraction after 5 min compares favorably with literature data for the five commercial restoratives studied here. Significance: Interferometry offers several advantages over conventional methods of measuring polymerization contraction. These advantages include the inherent sensitivity and accuracy offered by interferometric measurements; the instrument does not need to be calibrated since the wavelength of the laser light source provides an accurate length standard. Also, the ability to collect data at high acquisition rates allows for the real-time characterization of unusually fast photopolymerization reactions. The low cost and relative ease of use associated with the apparatus are also advantageous.
A general model for soft body simulation in motion

Soft bodies are the models in which the bodies deform during animated frames depending on the interaction between themselves and environment. This paper presents a parametric general model for soft body simulation in which structure, deformation, and volume controls generate animated deformations restricted by a set of constraints within or without an environment of gravitation. In this model, the soft body shape is controlled by structure control and anamorphosis of the soft body is created by deformation control, while the mass is approximated by volume control. A set of constraints for these controls further restrict the types of deformation of the soft body. By selecting specific methods for structure, deformation, and volume controls with a set of constraints, we demonstrate a variety of appealing fluid-like surfaces and respiration of lungs for validating the usefulness of the general model.
Partition of the Carotid Sinus Baroreceptor Response in Dogs between the Mechanical Properties of the Wall and the Receptor Elements

The purpose of this investigation was to learn what part of the carotid sinus baroreceptor response is attributable to the gross mechanical properties of the wall and what part to the receptor elements. Static pressure forcings were applied to an isolated dog carotid sinus preparation while baroreceptor nerve activity was recorded; carotid sinus deformation was measured from still photographs taken during the experiment. Pressure-nerve activity data were obtained from four dogs and pressure-deformation data from another five dogs. The average electrical power in the nerve signal was used as the measure of nerve activity, and strain-energy density, a scalar quantity, was selected as the best indicator of the mechanical state of the sinus wall. Strain-energy density was calculated by measuring the circumferential and the longitudinal strains and by estimating the corresponding stresses in accordance with a thin-walled, axially symmetric model. The pressure-nerve activity data followed an S-shaped pattern, but the pressure-strain-energy density data were linear over the pressure range of 50 to 250 mm Hg. A curve of strain-energy density vs. nerve activity constructed from these two graphs, with pressure as the parametric variable, showed a linear relationship between nerve activity and strain-energy density over the pressure range of 75 to 175 mm Hg, but the slope of the curve rapidly went to zero with increasing pressure. We concluded that the nonlinearity in the pressure-nerve activity relationship was primarily due to the inability of the receptor elements to respond to increasing wall strains.