cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tectorial membrane morphological variation: effects upon stimulus frequency otoacoustic emissions.

The tectorial membrane (TM) is widely believed to play an important role in determining the ear's ability to detect and resolve incoming acoustic information. While it is still unclear precisely what that role is, the TM has been hypothesized to help overcome viscous forces and thereby sharpen mechanical tuning of the sensory cells. Lizards present a unique opportunity to further study the role of the TM given the diverse inner-ear morphological differences across species. Furthermore, stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs), sounds emitted by the ear in response to a tone, noninvasively probe the frequency selectivity of the ear. We report estimates of auditory tuning derived from SFOAEs for 12 different species of lizards with widely varying TM morphology. Despite gross anatomical differences across the species examined herein, low-level SFOAEs were readily measurable in all ears tested, even in non-TM species whose basilar papilla contained as few as 50–60 hair cells. Our measurements generally support theoretical predictions: longer delays/sharper tuning features are found in species with a TM relative to those without. However, SFOAEs from at least one non-TM species (Anolis) with long delays suggest there are likely additional micromechanical factors at play that can directly affect tuning. Additionally, in the one species examined with a continuous TM (Aspidoscelis) where cell-to-cell coupling is presumably relatively stronger, delays were intermediate. This observation appears consistent with recent reports that suggest the TM may play a more complex macromechanical role in the mammalian cochlea via longitudinal energy distribution (and thereby affect tuning). Although significant differences exist between reptilian and mammalian auditory biophysics, understanding lizard OAE generation mechanisms yields significant insight into fundamental principles at work in all vertebrate ears.
Influence of initial aerobic fitness, aerobic training and changes in aerobic fitness on personality functioning.

Abstract Data reflecting aerobic performance and personality functioning were obtained from 103 women before and after they participated in a 15 week aerobic training program. Regression and covariance analyses revealed that better personality functioning was reliably associated with higher initial levels of aerobic fitness, participation in the training program independent of changes in fitness, and with changes in fitness. However, different aspects of personality functioning were related to initial fitness, participation in training and changes in fitness.
Influence of Zn doping profiles on excitation dependence of photoluminescence intensity in InGaAsP heterostructures

It is known that the Zn doping profile in strained multi-quantum-well (MQW) InGaAsP lasers strongly affects the electro-optical characteristics of these devices and their temperature sensitivity. A systematic investigation of the excitation dependence of the active layer photoluminescence (PL) intensity from compressively strained InGaAsP MQW pin laser material with different Zn doping profiles is described. When the pn junction lies within the active region, the excitation dependence of the PL intensity is superlinear at low excitation and linear at higher excitation. As the Zn profile is set back from the heterointerface creating a displaced pn junction from the active region, the excitation dependence is superlinear and linear at 300 K but becomes linear for all excitation powers at 77 K. The implications of these observations are discussed.
Handwritten Kanji recognition using combined complementary classifiers in a cascade arrangement

In classifier combination, the degree of recognition accuracy improvement depends not only on how classifiers are combined, but also on how much they complement each other. From this view point, a complementary classifier that is combined with an existent classifier should use features that make it easy to recognize patterns misrecognized by the existing classifier. As such features, I propose using common difference principal components and difference principal components in a complementary classifier. I also propose combining complementary classifiers in cascade. In each complementary classifier, the common difference principal components and the difference principal components are obtained to make it easy to recognize patterns misrecognized in the preceding combined classifier. These ideas were applied to handwritten Kanji recognition. Experiments showed that the recognition rate increased from 97.35% to 98.00% after a single complementary classifier was combined and to 98.23% after four were combined.
Detection of gastrointestinal bleeding with 99mTc-labeled red blood cells

Using a modified in vivo Tc-99m red cell labeling technique, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding scintigraphy was performed in 100 patients with GI bleeding. Sixty-two patients with melena or brigtt red blood per rectum had positive scintiscans. In comparison to results of angiography, endoscopy, surgery and contrast radiography, radionuclide scintigraphy correctly located the site of bleeding in 83% of patients. The procedure could be performed over a 24 hr period which increased the sensitivity of the test since 85% of the scintiscans were positive at one hr or greater after the onset of imaging. The procedure was more sensitive than angiography in detecting sources of GI bleeding. We conclude that GI bleeding scintigraphy 99m Tc-red cells is an accurate and effective method to detect upper and lower GI bleeding in patients with acute or intermittent gastrointestinal bleeding.
Whistler modulational instability.

Derivation of the modulational instability characteristics of whistlers in cold and hot plasmas. The cold-plasma analysis considers both ion motion and relativistic effects; the unstable band, with a growth rate proportional to (B/B sub zero)squared, is contiguous to Omega sub e/4 and, depending on the plasma density, lies above or below that frequency (Omega sub e is the electron cyclotron frequency of the static magnetic field; B and B sub zero are the whistler and static magnetic fields). In hot plasmas, stability occurs between Omega sub e/4 and Omega prime (less than Omega sub e), with Omega prime depending mainly on the mean energy and anisotropy of the energetic electron population; the complementary unstable band has a growth rate proportional to (B/B sub zero) to the 1/2 power. The relevance of the instability to whistlers in the magnetosphere is discussed.
Air velocity and high temperature effects on broiler performance

Abstract Three trials, using a total of 1,320 male broilers, were conducted to study the effect of air velocity at 125 m/min on body weight gain and feed: gain. The broilers were placed on litter in pens in a wind tunnel or on litter in floor pens with conventional cross ventilation when 4 wk old. Except for air velocity, the conditions in the floor pens and the tunnel were the same. In Trials 1 and 2, only nipple waterers were used. In Trial 3, one-half of the pens on the floor and one-half of the pens in the tunnel were equipped with trough waterers; the remaining pens were equipped with nipple waterers. When compared with conventional ventilation, tunnel rearing improved body weight gain and feed:gain in all three trials. In Trial 3, waterer type did not significantly affect body weight gain or feed:gain in the tunnel. However, body weight gain and feed:gain were reduced in floor-reared birds using nipple waterers as compared with birds using trough waterers. The increased panting of the conventionally ventilated birds, as compared with the tunnel-ventilated birds, may have contributed to their decreased body weight gain and improved feed:gain. The lower body weights may occur because of the difficulty the birds experience when drinking from nipples while panting.
Simple Model for Semiconductor-Metal Transitions: Sm B 6 and Transition-Metal Oxides

We propose a simple model for a semiconductor-metal transition, based on the existence of both localized (ionic) and band (Bloch) states. It differs from other theories in that we assume the one-electron states to be essentially unchanged by the transition. The electron-hole interaction is responsible for the anomalous temperature dependence of the number of conduction electrons. For interactions larger than a critical value, a first-order semiconductor-metal phase transition takes place.
TWO NEW SPECIES OF MYRSINACEAE FROM FRENCH GUIANA

Herbarium studies leading to a treatment of the Myrsinaceae for the Flora of Central French Guiana resulted in the discovery of two heretofore undescribed species,Cybianthus prevostiae andStylogyne incognita. The species are described and illustrated, and hypotheses regarding phylogenetic relationships with their respective congeners are provided.Cybianthus prevostiae is unusual among members ofCybianthus subgen.Weigeltia owing to its monoaxial habit and ellipsoid pistil, and deeply cupuliform calyx.Stylogyne incognita, a taxon often confused withS. micrantha, is most closely related toS. sordida but is separated from it by the corymbose inflorescence, entire leaves, longer petioles, and membranaceous perianth.
Shear-horizontal vibration modes of an oblate elliptical cylinder and energy trapping in contoured acoustic wave resonators

We study shear-horizontal free vibrations of an elastic cylinder with an oblate elliptical cross section and a traction-free surface. Exact vibration modes and frequencies are obtained. The results show the existence of thickness-shear and thickness-twist modes. The energy-trapping behavior of these modes is examined. Trapped modes are found wherein the vibration energy is largely confined to the central portion of the cross section and little vibration energy is found at the edges. It is also shown that face-shear modes are not allowed in such a cylinder. The results are useful for the understanding of the energy trapping phenomenon in contoured acoustic wave resonators.
Dechlorination of chlorinated phenols by catalyzed and uncatalyzed Fe(0) and Mg(0) particles.

Abstract Uncatalyzed, and palladium-catalyzed Fe(0) and Mg(0) systems were examined for their efficiencies of dechlorination of 2.86 mM 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), 2.52 mM 2,6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP), 3.03 mM 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), and 2.48 mM pentachlorophenol (PCP) in 50/50 (v/v) 2-propanol/water under room temperature and pressure conditions. Previous investigators have found that PCP is extremely recalcitrant under these conditions. In this investigation, complete dechlorination of 5.0 ml of 2.48 mM PCP was observed for 1.0 g of 2659 ppm Pd/Mg (20 mesh) after 48 h. The only detectable products were cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone at 25% yield. No other chlorinated or otherwise products were observed by mass spectral analysis. It is hypothesized that volatile low molecular weight species were formed from the Pd/Mg dechlorination of PCP. Under conditions of equal surface area (0.0786 m 2 ), the approximate order of PCP dechlorination power of these systems followed as 2659 ppm Pd/Mg>319 ppm Pd/Mg>Mg≈4856 ppm Pd/Fe>Fe. Degradation of the other chlorinated phenols by all metallic systems was more facile than PCP.
An illustration on the measurement of the net yield of the SSRL beamline I-I monochromator☆

Abstract The measurement of the net yield of a monochromator with the cross section variation of the detecting material filtered out is briefly illustrated. This is achieved by measuring the absorption cross section variation of a thin film that is made of the same material as the flux monitor detecting material at the same time when the monochromator is sweeped. Using this measured absorption cross section, the substrate response can then be divided out and thus give the monochromator yield from the measured total yield. The key point of this measurement is to use same materials at two sites. In principle, the result is independent of the material chosen and this method can be easily applied to various monochromators operated at a wide photon energy range, for example, from infrared to hard X-rays, without the previous knowledge of the photoionization cross section of the detecting material.
Virus-like particles: flexible platforms for vaccine development

Virus-like particles (VLPs) consist of viral structural proteins that, when overexpressed, spontaneously self-assemble into particles that are antigenically indistinguishable from infectious virus or subviral particles. VLPs can be considered as dense, repetitive arrays of one or more protein subunits with properties that are highly advantageous for use as stand-alone vaccines or as vaccine platforms. This review discusses the development of VLP-based platform technologies for vaccines against pathogens, as well as nontraditional targets such as self-antigens involved in chronic diseases.
Comparative metabolism of bis(2-methoxyethyl)ether in isolated rat hepatocytes and in the intact rat: Effects of ethanol on in vitro metabolism

The metabolism of the reproductive and developmental toxicant bis(2-methoxyethyl)ether (diglyme) was studied in isolated rat hepatocytes and in the intact rat. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (190–220 g) were used in both studies. Hepatocytes, isolated by a two-step in situ collagenase perfusion of the liver, were cultured as monolayers and incubated with [14C]diglyme at 1, 10, 30, and 50 μM for up to 48 h. For the in vivo study, rats were given single oral doses of [14C]diglyme at 5.1 mmol/kg body wt, and urine was collected for up to 96 h. Radioactive compounds in the culture medium or in the urine were separated by high performance liquid chromatography and quantified with an in-line radioactivity monitor. Metabolites were identified by comparison of their chromatographic retention times and their mass spectra with those of authentic compounds. The principal metabolite from hepatocytes and in the urine was (2-methoxyethoxy)acetic acid (MEAA). This metabolite accounted for approximately 36% of the radioactivity in the 48-h culture medium and about 67% of the administered dose in the 48-h urine. Other prominent metabolites common to both systems included 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol, methoxyacetic acid (MAA), 2-methoxyethanol, and diglycolic acid. The diglyme metabolite profiles from urine and from hepatocytes were qualitatively similar, demonstrating that, in the rat, hepatocytes serve as a good model system for predicting the urinary metabolites of diglyme. Moreover, MEAA was shown to be the metabolite best suited for use as a short-term biological marker of exposure to diglyme. Pretreatment of rats with ethanol resulted in a marked increase in the overall in vitro metabolism of diglyme. The major metabolic pathways for diglyme involve O-demethylation and cleavage of the central ether bond, and it is the latter pathway that leads to the formation of MAA, the metabolite associated with the reproductive and developmental toxicity of diglyme. The amounts of MAA formed in hepatocytes from ethanol-pretreated rats ranged from two to four times those formed in hepatocytes from untreated rats.
MYH mutations in patients with attenuated and classic polyposis and with young-onset colorectal cancer without polyps

Abstract Background & Aims: MYH -associated polyposis is a recently described disease that is characterized by multiple colorectal adenomas and a recessive pattern of inheritance. Individuals with MYH -associated polyposis have biallelic mutations in MYH, a base excision repair gene, and are negative for germline mutations in the APC gene. In this study, the 2 most prevalent MYH mutations in white persons, Y165C and G382D, were analyzed for their presence in 984 subjects selected from 3 groups: 400 undergoing screening colonoscopy and found to have 0–3 polyps, 444 with colorectal cancer (CRC), and 140 referred for APC mutation analysis in which a germline mutation was not identified. Methods: Genotyping for Y165C and G382D was performed by Pyrosequencing. Results: Biallelic mutations for Y165C and/or G382D were not found in any of those undergoing screening colonoscopy with 0–3 polyps (n = 400), in those APC-negative patients with MYH mutations were not found among patients whose tumors showed the presence of defective DNA mismatch repair (n = 62). However, the presence of biallelic germline MYH mutations correlated with the presence of ≥20 adenomatous polyps. Interestingly, 2 of the 116 individuals with CRC diagnosed at 50 years of age or younger also presented with biallelic germline mutations in MYH . Conclusions: These data suggest that screening of MYH should be considered not only in patients with multiple polyps but also in patients with early-onset CRC.
Quantum theory and classical, nonlinear electronics

Abstract The present view of quantum theory considers electrons to be point charges or waves, and ignores radiative near fields. It was shown previously that a first order (near field) reactive radiation reaction force acts to rend a small charge within a potential well into a non-radiating current configuration. It is shown here that, through the near field, a continuum charge density responds to an applied radiation field nonlinearly; the nonlinearity results in radiation with quantum properties, including full directivity and quantized angular momentum. During radiation exchange large near fields act nonlinearly to expand atomic radii from ground state to or beyond excited state values. Necessary supporting atomic current magnitudes do not appear to be excessive. Results are the Schrodinger wave equation as a non-mechanistic descriptor of system- and time-average kinematic values, and quantum radiation; thus quantum theory appears as a special case of classical theory applied to nonlinear, atomic-level systems.
Dynamin: a novel microtubule-associated GTPase

Abstract The field of microtubule-based intracellular motility has grown enormously in the past few years with the identification of the microtubule motors cytoplasmic dynein and kinesin ★ ★A review of kinesin will appear in the next issue of TCB.. A recent addition to the class of microtubule-activated nucleotidases is dynamin, named from the Greek word ‘dynamis', meaning force or power. Dynamin contains a GTP-binding domain, and exhibits motility characteristics distinct from those of kinesin and dynein. This article describes recent findings that suggest that dynamin is a member of a family of structurally related GTP-binding proteins with diverse functions in the cell.
Improving our reviewing processes

Our reviewing practices today are failing.With the number of ACL submissions steadily growing over the last several years (for example, ACL 2009 had a 24% increase in submissions over ACL 2008), the need for more reviewers has become more pronounced. However, qualified reviewers are becoming hard to find, and when they are found, they are often hard-pressed for time. As a result, slipshod reviews are becoming commonplace. Allowing this situation to continue as before will result in the deterioration of our ability to recognize excellence in our research. An ‘intervention’ is therefore needed. As I see it, there are two distinct problems to tackle: first, a lack of qualified reviewers, and second, a lack of quality control in reviews. After discussing these, I will suggest some solutions that I believe are worth implementing.
Osteology, systematics, and relationships of earliest Miocene Mesocyon venator (Carnivora: Canidae)

ABSTRACT “Temnocyon” venator is not related to Temnocyon of the Family Amphicyonidae; as shown by auditory structure, it is a true canid that is dentally convergent with Temnocyon. “T.” venator can be placed within the canid genus Mesocyon, as a derived species of presumably hypercarnivorous ?solitary predator, with reduced M1–2, and trenchant M1–M2 M. venator has generalized, catlike cervical vertebrae and pelvis, short, Gulo-like limbs, and a sub-digitigrade manus with a long pollex. Temnocyon is not related, and M. venator is not closely related, to Speothos (=Icticyon), Cuon, or Lycaon, living convergent, hypercarnivorous canids which have reduced upper molars and a trenchant M1.
Price Sensitivity Measurement and New Product Pricing: A Cognitive Response Approach

Understanding the price sensitivity of potential buyers is a requirement for successfully determining the price for a new product. Marketers desire to set a price that will maximize demand and ensure a profitable business result. The price sensitivity measurement approach to price setting provides a methodology for mapping the upper and lower bounds of acceptable prices from the customer's perspective. Price sensitivity measurement is based on value perceptions and is a useful tool for pricing new products. This paper explores the role of cognitive response theory as a primary construct underlying the determination of the price customers are willing to pay. Potential customers for a new software service generated significantly more support arguments at the optimum price point than they did at price points above or below the acceptable pricing range. Concomitantly, counterarguments were significantly higher at prices above the upper price threshold and below the lower price threshold. The implications of these findings are discussed. The complementary use of price sensitivity measurement and cognitive response methodologies provides a convenient and easily implemented set of customer- value based tools for pricing new products.
Physician deception and patient autonomy.

Bennett Foddy (2009) argues in favor of the use of placebos when no (other) effective treatments exist. This is a controversial position that we challenge. We begin with a logical point. Foddy (200...
Optical Atomic Coherence at the 1-Second Time Scale

Highest-resolution laser spectroscopy has generally been limited to single trapped ion systems because of the rapid decoherence that plagues neutral atom ensembles. Precision spectroscopy of ultracold neutral atoms confined in a trapping potential now shows superior optical coherence without any deleterious effects from motional degrees of freedom, revealing optical resonance linewidths at the hertz level with a good signal-to-noise ratio. The resonance quality factor of 2.4 × 1014 is the highest ever recovered in any form of coherent spectroscopy. The spectral resolution permits direct observation of the breaking of nuclear spin degeneracy for the 1S and 3P optical clock states of 87Sr under a small magnetic bias field. This optical approach for excitation of nuclear spin states allows an accurate measurement of the differential Lande g factor between 1S and 3P. The optical atomic coherence demonstrated for collective excitation of a large number of atoms will have a strong impact on quantum measurement and precision frequency metrology.
Differing α-Tocopherol Oxidative Lability and Ascorbic Acid Sparing Effects in Buoyant and Dense LDL

Abstract The enhanced oxidizability of smaller, more dense LDL is explained in part by a lower content of antioxidants, including ubiquinol-10 and α-tocopherol. In the present studies, we also observed greater rates of depletion of α-tocopherol (mole per mole LDL per minute) in dense ( d =1.040 to 1.054 g/mL) compared with buoyant ( d =1.026 to 1.032 g/mL) LDL in the presence of either Cu2+ or the radical-generating agent 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride. Differences were particularly pronounced at the lowest Cu2+ concentration tested (0.25 μmol/L), with a fivefold greater rate in dense LDL. At higher concentrations (1.0 and 2.5 μmol/L Cu2+), there was a greater dependence of depletion rate on initial amount of α-tocopherol, which was reduced in dense LDL, thus resulting in smaller subfraction-dependent differences in depletion rates. Inclusion of ascorbic acid (15 μmol/L), an aqueous antioxidant capable of recycling α-tocopherol by hydrogen donation, was found to extend the course of Cu2+-induced α-tocopherol depletion in both buoyant and dense LDL, but this effect was more pronounced in dense LDL (time to half-maximal α-tocopherol depletion was extended 15.6-fold and 21.2-fold in buoyant and dense LDL, respectively, at 2.5 μmol/L Cu2+; P <.05). Thus, dense LDL exhibits more rapid α-tocopherol depletion and conjugated diene formation than buoyant LDL when oxidation is performed in the absence of ascorbic acid, but these differences are reversed in the presence of ascorbic acid. These results suggest that differences in oxidative behavior among LDL density subfractions may involve differences in antioxidant activity and thus that the efficacy of antioxidant regimens designed to inhibit LDL oxidation in vivo may vary in relation to interindividual variations in LDL particle distribution profiles.
X-Ray Emission in Wind Instability Simulations

We estimate X-ray emission by shock-heated regions in hot star winds, using temperature and density profiles calculated by time-dependent dynamical models; the shocks result from the instability of the line scattering force that drives the wind. For main sequence late O and early B stars, the model X-ray flux is generally well below the observed flux, though the shape of the model spectrum is approximately consistent with observations. For the early O supergiant ζ Pup, the model spectral shape again agrees with observation; the total flux predicted by models is well above the observed flux, though significant uncertainties remain.
Unique unbalanced X;X translocation (Xq22;p11.2) in a woman with primary amenorrhea but without Ullrich-Turner syndrome.

This is a report of a patient with delayed puberty and a previously unreported translocation 46,X,-X,+der(X),t(X;X) (q22;p11.2) without any manifestations of Ullrich-Turner syndrome. The relationship of this unbalanced translocation to the critical region hypothesis is discussed. 6 refs., 3 figs.
Arrhythmias in children having a single left superior vena cava and minimal structural heart disease.

Background: The presence of a single left superior vena cava in the absence of complex congenital heart disease is uncommon, and, in the absence of hemodynamic consequences, it would not be expected to result in cardiovascular signs or symptoms. Single case reports and our anecdotal experience suggested to us that this anomaly is highly associated with cardiac arrhythmias. Objective: We sought to describe the clinically important arrhythmias in a population of young patients having this anomaly. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed from all patients <20 years old and who were determined by echocardiography over an 11-year-period to have a single left superior vena cava and minor or no coexisting congenital heart defects. The prevalence of nonsinus pacemaker, age-corrected sinus rate percentile, and prevalence of brady- or tachyarrhythmias was compared with a control group of patients having bilateral superior vena cavae. Results: Eight patients having a single left and 55 patients having bilateral superior vena cava(e) were identified. The existence of this anomaly tended to be associated with a lower age-corrected sinus rate percentile (17.5% vs 75%, P = 0.09), and was associated with a higher prevalence of arrhythmias (50% vs 7%, P = 0.014) compared with the control group. In the study group, one patient each had clinically relevant sinus node dysfunction, third-degree AV block, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and atrial fibrillation, and AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. Conclusion: Even in the absence of symptoms, patients found to have a single left superior vena cava should be monitored long-term for clinically important arrhythmias.
Analysis of CYP27B1, Encoding 25-Hydroxyvitamin D-1α-Hydroxylase, as a Candidate Tumor Suppressor Gene in Primary and Severe Secondary/Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism

CYP27B1, encoding 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1α-hydroxylase, converts 25-hydroxyvitamin D to its active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and is expressed primarily in the kidney but also in nontraditional sites including the parathyroid glands. Whereas the role of locally produced 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is not yet clear, it is possible that it contributes importantly to vitamin D–mediated inhibition of parathyroid cell growth, so CYP27B1 can be considered a candidate parathyroid tumor suppressor gene in that its acquired inactivation in a parathyroid cell could confer a tumorigenic growth advantage. Expression of CYP27B1 has also been reported to be altered in parathyroid neoplasms. Because detection of inactivating mutations is the central criterion for validating a candidate tumor suppressor, we directly sequenced the coding region and all splice sites of CYP27B1 in 31 sporadic parathyroid adenomas and 31 parathyroid tumors from patients with refractory secondary/tertiary hyperparathyroidism. No nonsense, frameshift, or other inactivating mutations were found, and there was no sign of homozygous deletion. Our findings indicate that CYP27B1 does not commonly serve as a classical tumor suppressor gene in the development of sporadic parathyroid adenomas or of refractory secondary/tertiary hyperparathyroidism.
GaN and ZnO epitaxial films and channel waveguides for integrated optoelectronics

We have grown epitaxial GaN and ZnO films on sapphire and silicon substrates, and investigated the possibility of forming channel waveguides utilizing the effect of thin- film-induced index change. 2D confinement of light was clearly observed in the channel region of GaN defined by a SiN cladding layer of a stripe window pattern. The lateral confinement of light in the window region indicates that the effective guide index in the window region of GaN is higher than that in the SiN-loaded outer region. We carried out numerical analyses on the various possible effects that might contribute to the overcompensation of the negative loading effect of a SiN cladding window. This includes the photoelastic, piezoelectric, and electro-optic effects in GaN induced by a SiN window layer. The analysis result suggests that the observed phenomenon can be ascribed to a combination of both the photoelastic and electro-optic effects, and especially that the spontaneous polarization field in GaN might play an important role in forming a channel waveguide in the window region.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The effect of actinomycin D on mitosis in regenerating mouse liver

Abstract Liver regeneration in mice was initiated by a subcutaneous injection of CCl 4 and 47 hr later, a time just preceding the peak of mitotic activity, 0.45 mg/kg body weight of actinomycin D was administered intrasplenically. A mitotic index was obtained which was double that occurring in normal regeneration. A heightened mitotic index was also obtained with the same dose of actinomycin given intraperitoneally, or with a higher dose of 1.0 mg/kg of body weight, administered via the spleen. Intrasplenically injected 5-fluorouracil also increased the mitotic index but riboflavin and puromycin failed to do so. Statistical analyses of differential counts showed that the doubled mitotic index was not caused by an increase in number of cells entering mitosis but rather by a prophase lag. It is suggested that the increased duration of prophase is the result of the inhibition of DNA-dependent RNA which codes for a protein required for cells to proceed from prophase into metaphase.
Thrombin-binding DNA aptamer forms a unimolecular quadruplex structure in solution.

We have used two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy to study the conformation of the thrombin-binding aptamer d(GGTTGGTGTGGTTGG) in solution. This is one of a series of thrombin-binding DNA aptamers with a consensus 15-base sequence that was recently isolated and shown to inhibit thrombin-catalyzed fibrin clot formation in vitro [Bock, L. C., Griffin, L. C., Latham, J. A., Vermaas, E. H. & Toole, J. J. (1992) Nature (London) 355, 564-566]. The oligonucleotide forms a unimolecular DNA quadruplex consisting of two G-quartets connected by two TT loops and one TGT loop. A potential T.T bp is formed between the two TT loops across the diagonal of the top G-quartet. Thus, all of the invariant bases in the consensus sequence are base-paired. This aptamer structure was determined by NMR and illustrates that this molecule forms a specific folded structure. Knowledge of this structure may be used in the further development of oligonucleotide-based thrombin inhibitors.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in liver transplantation

Mycobacterium tuberculosis can cause significant infections in liver transplant candidates and recipients. Its nonspecific clinical features and prolonged growth time in culture make the diagnosis difficult, and treating tuberculosis (TB) remains challenging because of significant toxicities and drug-drug interactions. The diagnosis of a latent TB infection may be accomplished with tuberculin skin testing and with the newer interferon-γ release assays, although this infection may be underrecognized because of host factors. Latent TB should be treated, but the degree of liver failure and the likelihood of progression to active TB will dictate whether this should occur before or after transplantation. Patients who have a history of TB, have used muromonab-CD3 or anti-T lymphocyte antibodies, or have experienced allograft rejection or coinfection with cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis jiroveci, or Nocardia are at the greatest risk of developing active TB. Active TB in transplant patients is difficult to treat because of drug-induced hepatotoxicity and the significant interaction between rifampin and calcineurin inhibitors. In this article, we review the epidemiology, clinical features, and evaluation of transplant candidates and recipients. In addition, we offer recommendations on the appropriate diagnostic and treatment regimens for patients with latent and active TB infections.
Influence of Layer Thickness on the Performance of Stacked Thick-Film Copper Air-Core Power Inductors

This paper presents the fabrication and characterization of air-core power inductors that leverage vertically-stacked, thick copper spiral windings to deliver high inductance densities >; 100 nH/mm2 and quality factors >; 10 on silicon substrates. The inductors are designed for on-chip or in-package integration with high-frequency power converter circuits to enable chip-scale power management in size-constrained applications. A process for realizing the inductors through multilevel, three-dimensional molding of electroplated copper structures has been enhanced with capabilities for four independent copper layers in thicknesses of up to 30 μm each. The impact of increasing the thickness of the stacked copper traces is specifically explored and compared to similar inductors with 10-μm-thick stacked windings. Impedance characterization revealed a drastic decrease in the series resistance in the thicker inductors as desired but also revealed undesired eddy current and magnetic coupling effects.
Employees' communication attitudes and dislike for working in a group.

Summary This study examined 128 working adults' attitudes of tolerance for disagreement, tolerance for ambiguity, and argumentativeness in relation to their dislike for working in a group. They completed the Revised Tolerance for Disagreement Scale, the Multiple Stimulus Types Ambiguity Tolerance Scale, the Argumentativeness Scale, and the Grouphate Scale. Dislike for working in a group correlated negatively with Tolerance for Disagreement (r = -.28, p<.01, r2 = .08), Tolerance for Ambiguity (r = -.21, p<.05, r2 = .04), and Argumentativeness (r = -.21, p<.05, r2 = .04). Although these correlations are in the expected directions, magnitudes are very weak; unaccounted for variance should be examined.
Psychiatrist attitudes toward self-treatment of their own depression.

Background: Self-treatment and treatments of friends or relatives is a controversial issue, tolerated by some and discouraged by others, including professionals. The author studied
Gas-source molecular beam epitaxy of III–V nitrides

Abstract Amorphous, hexagonal and cubic phases of BN were grown via ion beam assisted deposition on Si(1 0 0) substrates. Gas-source molecular beam epitaxy of the III–V nitrides is reviewed. Sapphire(0 0 0 1) is the most commonly employed substrate with 6H-SiC(0 0 0 1), ZnO(1 1 1) and Si(1 1 1) also being used primarily for the growth of wurtzite GaN(0 0 0 1) in tandem with previously deposited GaN(0 0 0 1) or AlN(0 0 0 1) buffer layers. Silicon(0 0 1), GaAs(0 0 1), GaP(0 0 1) and 3C-SiC(0 0 1) have been employed for growth of cubic (zincblende) β-GaN(0 0 1). The precursor materials are evaporated metals and reactive N species produced either via ECR or RF plasma decomposition of N2 or from ammonia. However, point defect damage from the plasma-derived species has resulted in a steady increase in the number of investigators now using ammonia. The growth temperatures for wurtzite GaN have increased from 650 ± 50°C to 800 ± 50°C to enhance the surface mobility of the reactants and, in turn, the efficiency of decomposition of ammonia and the microstructure and the growth rate of the films. Doping has been achieved primarily with Si (donor) and Mg (acceptor); the latter has been activated without post-growth annealing. Simple heterostructures, a p-n junction LED and a modulation-doped field-effect transistor have been achieved using GSMBE-grown material.
Artificial intelligence-Bayesian analysis system for cardiac catheterization laboratory

Clinical decision-support systems for the cardiologist emphasize Bayesian analysis but provide no record-keeping capability or retrospective patient analysis. This study was begun to investigate and develop an efficient method of combining artificial intelligence (AI) techniques with conventional Bayesian analysis, to design and implement an AI expert system for medical record-keeping and consultation in the cardiac catheterization laboratory that provides the capability for retrospective analysis of a patient's clinical course, and to evaluate the system with actual patient records. A normalized point-score system to predict the probability of coronary artery disease based on noninvasive indices was developed. An expert system, including a natural-language interface and an information-management database, was implemented using the point-score system. Fifteen patients who had received cardiac catheterization were studied with the system. It was found that the expert system was much more 'conservative' with its recommendations for clinical treatment than human clinical experts. Analysis of the results indicates that it would have been more cost-effective to follow the expert system's clinical recommendations for 26% of the patients studied. >
Sparse Imaging for Fast Electron Microscopy.

Scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) are used in neuroscience and materials science to image centimeters of sample area at nanometer scales. Since imaging rates are in large part SNR-limited, large collections can lead to weeks of around-the-clock imaging time. To increase data collection speed, we propose and demonstrate on an operational SEM a fast method to sparsely sample and reconstruct smooth images. To accurately localize the electron probe position at fast scan rates, we model the dynamics of the scan coils, and use the model to rapidly and accurately visit a randomly selected subset of pixel locations. Images are reconstructed from the undersampled data by compressed sensing inversion using image smoothness as a prior. We report image fidelity as a function of acquisition speed by comparing traditional raster to sparse imaging modes. Our approach is equally applicable to other domains of nanometer microscopy in which the time to position a probe is a limiting factor (e.g., atomic force microscopy), or in which excessive electron doses might otherwise alter the sample being observed (e.g., scanning transmission electron microscopy).
Signals Transduced by Ca2+/Calcineurin and NFATc3/c4 Pattern the Developing Vasculature

Abstract Vascular development requires an orderly exchange of signals between growing vessels and their supporting tissues, but little is known of the intracellular signaling pathways underlying this communication. We find that mice with disruptions of both NFATc4 and the related NFATc3 genes die around E11 with generalized defects in vessel assembly as well as excessive and disorganized growth of vessels into the neural tube and somites. Since calcineurin is thought to control nuclear localization of NFATc proteins, we introduced a mutation into the calcineurin B gene that prevents phosphatase activation by Ca 2+ signals. These CnB mutant mice exhibit vascular developmental abnormalities similar to the NFATc3/c4 null mice. We show that calcineurin function is transiently required between E7.5 and E8.5. Hence, early calcineurin/NFAT signaling initiates the later cross-talk between vessels and surrounding tissues that pattern the vasculature.
Design of 4-electrode optical device for application of vector electric fields to self-assembled quantum dot complexes

Self-assembled InAs quantum dots (QDs) are of great interest as components of optoelectronic devices that can operate at the quantum limit. The charge configuration, interdot coupling, and symmetry of complexes containing multiple QDs can all be tuned with applied electric fields, but the magnitude and angle of the electric field required to control each of these parameters depend on the orientation of the QD complex. We present a 4-electrode device compatible with optical excitation and emission that allows application of electric fields with arbitrary magnitudes and angles relative to isolated QD complexes. We demonstrate the electric field tunability of this device with numerical simulations.
Piezoelectricity in hydrated frozen bone and tendon

THE piezoelectric property of connective tissue may play a role in regulating the patterns of tissue growth1. Most piezoelectric measurements, however, deal with dried tissue2–4. Observations of stress-generated voltages from hydrated connective tissue are generally insufficient to establish that the voltages are of piezoelectric origin, because of complications resulting from streaming potentials and electrode effects5–7. A report of the non-existence of piezoelectricity in hydrated collagen at room temperature8 has been criticised9. Use of the converse effect is most desirable in studying biological piezoelectricity9, but for hydrated tissue the high electrical conductivity of water interferes with the establishment of an electric field inside the sample2,4. We therefore hydrated and then froze our connective tissue samples taking advantage of the reduced conductivity of ice compared with that of water. Our results establish the existence of the piezoelectric effect in bone and tendon under physiological conditions of moisture, but at a non-physiological temperature (−25° C).
Effect of Structure and Composition on Epoxidation of HexeneCatalyzed by Microporous and Mesoporous Ti–Si Mixed Oxides

A series of microporous titania-silica mixed oxides were characterized and tested as catalysts for the liquid-phase epoxidation of 1-hexene with t-butyl hydroperoxide. Results from {sup 29}Si MAS NMR spectroscopy verified results from earlier characterization studies that indicated cohydrolysis of alkoxide precursors produced well-mixed oxide samples. The catalytic activity of the samples for hexene epoxidation at 353 K increased with increasing silica content. Since the fraction of tetrahedral Ti atoms in the samples also increased with silica content, the active site for the reaction is proposed to be a tetrahedrally coordinated Ti atom in a silica matrix. Polar solvents like water, acetone, and methanol inhibited the epoxidation reaction. To investigate the effect of pore size on activity, mesoporous Ti-Si mixed oxides analogous to MCM-41 were synthesized. The mesoporous samples were the most active and selective catalysts for epoxidation with TBHP, presumably due to the ease of access of the reactants to the active Ti sites. Results from EXAFS and UV reflectance spectroscopy indicated that Ti atoms in the mesoporous mixed oxides are tetrahedrally coordinated to oxygen atoms with the same Ti-O bond distance as TS-1. However, the activities of mesoporous samples are orders of magnitude lower than that of TS-1 formore » hexene epoxidation with aqueous hydrogen peroxide. Lower hydrophobicity of a silica mesopore (2-4 nm) compared to a TS-1 micropore (0.6 nm) may account for the difference in activity observed in reactions with aqueous hydrogen peroxide. 26 refs., 5 figs., 5 tabs.« less
Optical measurements of long-range protein vibrations.

Many biological processes rely on fluctuations in protein structure, but the characterization of extended structural motions is challenging. Here the authors use orientation-sensitive terahertz near-field microscopy to report the optical observation of long-range protein vibrational modes.
Familial 16q24.3 microdeletion involving ANKRD11 causes a KBG-like syndrome

Haploinsufficiency of ANKRD11 encoding ankyrin repeat domain-containing protein 11 was recently reported as the cause of a syndrome due to microdeletion, characterized by intellectual disability with minor facial anomalies and short stature. Most recently, intragenic mutations of ANKRD11 were found in a cohort of patients with KBG syndrome. KBG is an autosomal dominant intellectual disability syndrome characterized by short stature, characteristic facial appearance, macrodontia, and skeletal anomalies. It remains unknown if deletion of the entire ANKRD11 causes KBG syndrome. We present a mother and child with a heterozygous 365 Kb deletion at 16q24.3 containing ANKRD11, ZNF778, and SPG7 genes. The child presented with developmental delay, facial anomalies, hand anomalies, and a congenital heart defect. The mother has short stature, facial anomalies, macrodontia, hand anomalies, and learning disability. Both individuals had many findings reported in KBG syndrome and the family met the suggested diagnostic criteria. However, typical macrodontia with fused incisors, costovertebral anomalies, and delayed bone age were not present. We conclude that microdeletions involving ANKRD11 result in a phenotype similar to that of KBG syndrome. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Application of homometric sets for beam manipulation

By convolving simple binary distributions together new patterns can be created. These patterns have a Fourier transform that can be represented by a product of complex factors. The introduction of a suitable phase filter in the Fourier plane can cause complex conjugation of a set of these factors, which corresponds to switching from one pattern to another on inverse Fourier transformation.
Food classifications and the diets of young children in rural Egypt

This paper examines the underlying principles of the traditional food classification system as they influence toddlers' diets. Anthropological research in three Egyptian villages indicates that 'light' foods are given to rural toddlers and 'heavy' foods are withheld by mothers for fear of their negative impact on the digestive system. Here it is argued that understanding the culturally perceived values of food provides us with an insight into the overall context of the problem of toddlers' malnutrition in rural Egypt.