cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deposition and structural characterization of poly-Si thin films on Al-coated glass substrates using hot-wire chemical vapor deposition

Abstract The growth of polycrystalline Si films onto Al-coated Corning 7059 glass substrates using hot-wire chemical vapor deposition (HW-CVD) was investigated. The crystalline fraction, grain structure and average grain size of the films were compared as a function of the growth rate and the Si/Al thickness ratio. Micrometre-size Si grains were achieved with a Si/Al ratio of 2 and Si thickness of 2 μm at a growth rate of 1 μm h −1 . It was found that the films had a bimodal grain size distribution, which included nanocrystalline Si, and that the growth of micrometre-size crystallites does not continue as the thickness of Si film increases. At a growth rate of 5 μm h −1 , films are similar to those grown on glass with an average grain size less than 60 nm and crystalline fraction of ∼75%.
The fate of the uncontrolled ameloblastoma

Abstract 1. 1. After a brief pathologic review, data are presented concerning thirty-eight cases of ameloblastoma seen at Presbyterian Hospital from 1921 through 1966. 2. 2. Case histories are excerpted. Emphasis is placed on the propriety of a block excision in the first operation and long periods of close follow-up. 3. 3. The high probability of recurrence after curettage is due to the pathologic characteristics of the tumor. The uncontrolled tumor may extend into soft tissue as well as into bone, requiring extensive resections that may exceed curative operability.
Limits of principal components analysis for producing a common trait space: implications for inferring selection, contingency, and chance in evolution.

Background Comparing patterns of divergence among separate lineages or groups has posed an especially difficult challenge for biologists. Recently a new, conceptually simple methodology called the “ordered-axis plot” approach was introduced for the purpose of comparing patterns of diversity in a common morphospace. This technique involves a combination of principal components analysis (PCA) and linear regression. Given the common use of these statistics the potential for the widespread use of the ordered axis approach is high. However, there are a number of drawbacks to this approach, most notably that lineages with the greatest amount of variance will largely bias interpretations from analyses involving a common morphospace. Therefore, without meeting a set of a priori requirements regarding data structure the ordered-axis plot approach will likely produce misleading results. Methodology/Principal Findings Morphological data sets from cichlid fishes endemic to Lakes Tanganyika, Malawi, and Victoria were used to statistically demonstrate how separate groups can have differing contributions to a common morphospace produced by a PCA. Through a matrix superimposition of eigenvectors (scale-free trajectories of variation identified by PCA) we show that some groups contribute more to the trajectories of variation identified in a common morphospace. Furthermore, through a set of randomization tests we show that a common morphospace model partitions variation differently than group-specific models. Finally, we demonstrate how these limitations may influence an ordered-axis plot approach by performing a comparison on data sets with known alterations in covariance structure. Using these results we provide a set of criteria that must be met before a common morphospace can be reliably used. Conclusions/Significance Our results suggest that a common morphospace produced by PCA would not be useful for producing biologically meaningful results unless a restrictive set of criteria are met. We therefore suggest biologists be aware of the limitations of the ordered-axis plot approach before employing it on their own data, and possibly consider other, less restrictive methods for addressing the same question.
850 nm Oxide-VCSEL With Low Relative Intensity Noise and 40 Gb/s Error Free Data Transmission

We have designed and fabricated a high speed 850 nm oxide-confined vertical cavity surface emitting laser with an oxide aperture dimension of ~ 4 μm and a threshold current ITH=0.53 mA at room temperature (20 °C). It demonstrates a modulation bandwidth of 21.2 GHz, and achieves a laser relative intensity noise reaching standard quantum limit 2hν/P0=-154.3 dB/Hz at high bias I/ITH=10. Furthermore, error-free data transmission at 40 Gb/s is obtained at I=6.5 mA which corresponds to an energy/data efficiency of 431 fJ/bit.
Focal defect in liver colloid scan due to intrahepatic gallbladder

A 72-year-old man with alcoholism had abnormal liver function tests. His Tc-99m albumin colloid liver-spleen scan revealed a photopenic focal defect in the lateral portion of the right lobe of the liver. A Tc-99m DISIPA scan showed anatomic congruence of the intrahepatic gallbladder and the defect in the liver-spleen scan. The differential diagnosis of a solitary cold lesion presented in the albumin colloid liver-spleen scintigraphy should include intrahepatic gallbladder. A hepatobiliary scintigraphy will establish the diagnosis
Uranium abundance of the oceanic crust

Abstract Uranium contents of 67 oceanic basalts have been measured by fission track analysis. Average value for ridge and intraplate basalts is ~ 78 ppb, for the Easter Hot Line it is ~1600 ppb. Estimates of mantle concentrations derived from the ridge and intraplate samples are insufficient to account for the observed surface heat flow. The whole-Earth concentration of U is > 8 ppb. and
Immunolocalization of the Tumor-Sensitive Calmodulin-Like Protein CALML3 in Normal Human Skin and Hyperproliferative Skin Disorders

Background and Objective Calmodulin-like protein CALML3 is an epithelial-specific protein regulated during keratinocyte differentiation in vitro. CALML3 expression is downregulated in breast cancers and transformed cell lines making it an attractive marker for tumor formation. The objective of this study was to survey CALML3 localization in normal epidermis and in hyperproliferative skin diseases including actinic keratosis, squamous and basal cell carcinoma as well as verruca and psoriasis and to compare CALML3 immunoreactivity with the proliferation marker Ki-67. Methods Paraffin-embedded tissue sections from normal human skin and hyperproliferative skin disorders were examined by immunohistochemistry and analyzed for localization and expression of CALML3 and Ki-67. Results CALML3 was strongly expressed in differentiating layers of normal skin, staining the periphery in suprabasal cells and exhibiting nuclear localization in the stratum granulosum. CALML3 nuclear localization was inversely correlated to Ki-67 staining in each disease, indicating that CALML3 nuclear presence is related to terminal cell differentiation and postmitotic state. Conclusions Increased CALML3 expression in suprabasal layers is characteristic for differentiating keratinocytes in normal epidermis, and nuclear expression of CALML3 inversely correlates with expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67. This suggests that CALML3 is a useful marker for normal and benign hyperplastic epidermal development, whereas the loss of nuclear CALML3 indicates progression to a proliferative and potentially malignant phenotype.
In‐phase operation of high‐power nonplanar periodic laser arrays

The transformation of nonplanar periodic laser array modes from weakly locked out‐of‐phase to locked in‐phase operation is investigated. A comparison study of near‐field and far‐field patterns is made for devices with differing mesa widths and heights. Data are presented which show that the mesa height and width can be adjusted to force in‐phase operation. An array of 19 elements shows an essentially single‐lobed far‐field pattern centered at 0° with full width at half maximum of 1.6°, to output powers of more than 500 mW/uncoated facet.
Theory of the striped superconductor

We define a distinct phase of matter, a pair-density wave (PDW), in which the superconducting order parameter $\ensuremath{\phi}(\stackrel{P\vec}{r},{\stackrel{P\vec}{r}}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ varies periodically as a function of position such that when averaged over the center of mass position, $(\stackrel{P\vec}{r}+{\stackrel{P\vec}{r}}^{\ensuremath{'}})/2$, all components of $\ensuremath{\phi}$ vanish identically. Specifically, we study the simplest unidirectional PDW, the ``striped superconductor,'' which we argue may be at the heart of a number of spectacular experimental anomalies that have been observed in the failed high-temperature superconductor ${\text{La}}_{2\ensuremath{-}x}{\text{Ba}}_{x}{\text{CuO}}_{4}$. We present a solvable microscopic model with strong electron-electron interactions which supports a PDW ground state. We also discuss, at the level of Landau theory, the nature of the coupling between the PDW and other order parameters and the origins and some consequences of the unusual sensitivity of this state to quenched disorder.
Greatest Percentage Involved Core Length and Risk of Clinically Significant Prostate-Specific Antigen Failure After Radical Prostatectomy.

Abstract Background Radical prostatectomy (RP) can cure men with unfavorable intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer (PC). However, some will experience short prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time (PSADT) failure that requires additional treatment with increased toxicity. The present study investigated whether the greatest percentage of involved biopsy core length (GPC) can preoperatively identify men at risk of short PSADT failure. Patients and Methods A total of 503 men with biopsy-proven PC underwent RP at an academic institution from January 2005 to December 2008. Men with incomplete pathologic information, those who had received neoadjuvant or adjuvant hormonal therapy or chemotherapy, and those who had undergone adjuvant radiation therapy were excluded. The median follow-up period was 4.89 years (interquartile range, 1.97-5.68 years). A competing risk regression was used to assess whether an increasing GPC value was associated with an increased PSADT at Results Of the 402 men, 34 (8.46%) developed PSA failure, 17 (50.0%) of whom had a PSADT of 30% (median) versus ≤ 30% and unfavorable intermediate- or high-risk PC (P = .011), but not low or favorable intermediate-risk PC (P = .57), had a significantly greater incidence of PSADT Conclusion Men planning to undergo RP for unfavorable intermediate- or high-risk PC with a GPC of > 30% should be considered for randomized trials evaluating the effect on survival of the neoadjuvant use of treatment that extends survival in those with castrate-resistant metastatic PC.
Short-Term Word-Learning Rate in Children With Normal Hearing and Children With Hearing Loss in Limited and Extended High-Frequency Bandwidths

Purpose This study examined children’s word learning in limited and extended high-frequency bandwidth conditions. These conditions represent typical listening environments for children with hearing...
Potential use of pathogenic fungi in baits to control the Formosan subterranean termite (Isopt., Rhinotermitidae)

A laboratory choice test was developed to assess the efficacy and acceptability of sporulating strains of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokin to foraging Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Filter paper disks were saturated with agar media and inoculated with either B. bassiana strain 787 or 3041, or M. anisopliae strain 346, 472 or 2162. Filter papers containing eight-day-old cultures were rolled into cylinders with the sporulating culture on the inside of the cylinder, and placed in one of two plastic jars, connected by a glass tube. Termites were placed in the other jar (refugia), and allowed to forage throughout both jars. This apparatus simulates the use of a fungal bait for subterranean termite control in the field. Termites did not avoid contact with the fungal baits, and fed upon the agar-treated filter papers. Exposure to M. anisopliae strains 346 and 2162 resulted in rapid termite mortality while exposure to the B. bassiana strains caused slower, but escalating, mortality. Efficacy of the fungi was not affected by the degree of sterility of the termite tunnelling medium. Living cultures of entomopathogenic fungi hold promise for further development as baits for subterranean termite control.
Effects of nosocusis, and industrial and gun noise on hearing of U.S. adults.

Hearing losses estimated for exposure to industrial and gun noise and for ‘‘typical’’ nosocusis are applied to the distributions of the hearing levels of adult males and females of the general population of an industrialized society unscreened for exposure to noise or ear disease. Noise exposure and demographic data applicable to the United States, and procedures for predicting noise‐induced permanent threshold shift (NIPTS) and nosocusis, were used to account for some 8.7 dB of the 13.4 dB average difference between the hearing levels at high frequencies for otologically and noise screened versus unscreened male ears; (this average difference is for the average of the hearing levels at 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz, average for the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles, and ages 20–65 years). According to the present calculations, this difference is due, in order of importance, to (1) nosocusis, (2) exposure to gun noise, and (3) exposure of workers to industrial noise. For these same frequencies and overall average, adjustments for nosocusis accounts for 2 dB of the 5.9‐dB difference between the hearing levels of screened and unscreened female ears. For the average at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz, the overall differences between the screened and unscreened populations is but 3.4 dB for males and 2.9 dB for females. The adjustment procedures reduced these differences to −0.5 and 0.9 dB, respectively.
Actions of clozapine and haloperidol on the extracellular levels of excitatory amino acids in the prefrontal cortex and striatum of conscious rats.

The technique of intracerebral microdialysis was employed to assess the effect of acute clozapine and haloperidol on the extracellular levels of aspartate and glutamate in the striatum and medial prefrontal cortex of conscious rats. Subcutaneous injection of 25 mg/kg clozapine, but not the lower dose of 15 mg/kg, led to a significant increase in both aspartate and glutamate levels over time. The maximum effect was observed two hours after injection. Haloperidol (0.5 and 1 mg/kg s.c.) did not increase the extracellular levels of aspartate and glutamate over time. At all doses tested, both drugs were without a significant effect in the striatum. These data suggest that clozapine may have selective actions on the cortical excitatory amino acid systems.
Electrical activity and precipitation behavior of copper in gallium arsenide

The electrical properties and preferred lattice site of Cu in GaAs were investigated combining electrical and optical measurements with ion beam and structural analysis. From this comprehensive study it was determined that Cu introduces two levels in the band gap, that the concentration of electrically active centers introduced by Cu diffusion is considerably smaller than the total Cu concentration, that this ratio of electrically active to total Cu concentration depends strongly on the cooling speed after diffusion, and that the portion of Cu that remains electrically inactive forms Cu-Ga precipitates.
Elasmobranch pericardial function. 1. Pericardial pressures are not always negative.

Acute studies have led to the generalization that negative pericardial pressure is necessary for optimal cardiac function in elasmobranchs. We chronically instrumented horn sharks with pericardial catheters to test the hypothesis that ejection of pericardial fluid through the pericardioperitoneal canal (PPC) during routine handling could have accounted in part for previous measurements of exclusively negative pressures (−0.3 to −9.1 cm H2O) in elasmobranchs. Maximum and minimum pericardial pressures measured immediately following routine handling (acute pressures) were more negative than those measured in resting horn sharks at intervals from 1 to 27 days following handling (chronic pressures). Chronic pericardial pulse pressure was less than acute. Entirely positive pericardial pressures were observed on occasion. Handling of chronically catheterized horn sharks resulted in ejection of 21 per cent (range=10–26, n=5) of the initial pericardial fluid volume through the PPC and reduced pericardial pressure. Operating pericardial fluid volume of horn sharks averaged 2.0 ml.kg−1 (range=1.6–2.6, n=9). The PPC opened after 4.3±0.2 ml.kg−1 (x±S.E.) of elasmobranch saline had been slowly infused into the pericardium, corresponding to an average pressure of 1.3±0.2 cm H2O (n=10). The presence of the PPC plus a comparatively large pericardial fluid volume allows horn sharks to regulate pericardial pressure. Our analysis of pericardial pulse pressure, which can be an index of cardiac activity, suggests in contrast to previous studies that the elasmobranch heart can have relatively high stroke volumes at pericardial pressures near ambient. Thus, for venous return in resting or even moderately active elasmobranchs, it is more important that pericardial pressure be pulsatile than at a mean level which is negative.
The palatal elevator button

Abstract Some patients have palates of normal length that do not function normally as an integral part of the velopharyngeal sphincter. The mechanical elevation of the palate by means of a plastic button attached to a complete or partial denture can be helpful in the production of proper speech sounds.
A 27μW subcutaneous wireless biosensing platform with optical power and data transfer

We present a batteryless, 27uW barely subcutaneous sensing platform using optical power and data links. We demonstrate an 8.1 mm × 3.2 mm implantable tag powered by an 850nm infrared source through the skin barrier. Measurements using pig skin indicate that optical power transfer through skin achieves a 4.9% efficiency, which is higher than mm scale inductive power links. As a proof-of-concept demo, we sense and transmit temperature to an external body worn reader using a fully optical power and data link.
China's TV program import 1958-1988: Towards the inter nationalization of television?:

This paper illustrates the change in China's TV program import over the past 30 years from 1958 to 1988 - before, during and after the Cultural Revolution. The emphasis is placed on the reform period in the 1980s. The study indicates that, along with the globaliza tion of television, many changes have occurred in China's TV program import channel, import purpose, import criterion, import format and import category. The paper provides descriptions, interpretations and analyses of what has happened in China's TV program importation, why these changes occurred and what these changes meant. The author concludes that the China's reform policies - open-door policy, decentralization policy and pluralism policy - were the fundamental factors for the changes.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Laser

The use of the laser in general surgery is slightly over ten years. Many advances have been made during this time, but many more are needed. In order to understand the poor acceptance of the laser by general surgeons to this period of time, one must first understand the characteristics of the surgeon. Most surgeons are very conservative people, doing surgery only when nothing else will work. Secondly, surgeons are trained to feel the incision or the pressure of the knife and to see the sharp, nice dissection being done and the tissues parting. In addition, he feels a certain amount of insecurity if he is using a device where he's not exactly sure of the depth of the cut. Certainly, new types of lasers will aid the general surgeon to better understand and to use the C02 and other lasers and may eventually give them reason to accept it as a definite modality in surgery.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Multiple-Scattering Expansions for Nonrelativistic Three-Body Collision Problems. VII. Differential Cross Section for Elastic Scattering

The energy and angular dependences of the differential elastic scattering cross section are investigated in the first-order Faddeev-Watson multiple-scattering (FWMS) approximation for a number of three-body atomic systems. The anomalies in the first-order Born approximation are not present in the first-order FWMS approximation. Significant differences are found between the elastic (${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, H) and (${e}^{+}$, H) scattering at energies as high as 10 keV. The elastic (${e}^{+}, {e}^{\ensuremath{-}}{e}^{+}$) and (${p}^{+}, {e}^{\ensuremath{-}}{e}^{+}$) scattering cross sections which are incorrectly predicted to be zero in the first-order Born approximation are calculated. The forward-angle peaking of the elastic scattering cross section is accounted for in the first-order FWMS approximation by allowing the system to participate in the intermediate inelastic scatterings. In general, significant differences are found in the magnitude of the cross sections obtained in the first-order FWMS and Born approximations at energies where the first-order Born approximation has been extensively used for normalizing experimental results. The energy for the first-order Born approximation, to be accurate, can be determined experimentally by locating the energy above which the difference between the (${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, H) and (${e}^{+}$, H) scatterings ceases to be appreciable.
A Psychodynamic Perspective on the Negotiation of Prejudice Among Immigrant Women

The negotiation of prejudice among immigrant women has largely been unaddressed in the psychotherapy literature. In an increasingly pluralistic society, such as the United States, it is especially important to address needs of specific subgroups of women who experience racial and ethnic prejudice. Immigrant women are in a unique position to simultaneously encounter prejudice related to multiple aspects of social identity, such as gender, race, and ethnicity, contributing to feelings of marginalization. This article addresses the role of attachment related conflicts in immigrant women's negotiation of racial and ethnic stereotyping and discrimination, from a psychodynamic perspective. Implications of these conflicts for women's identity development are discussed. A clinical case vignette illustrates the complexity of addressing attachment and prejudice within and outside the therapeutic relationship.
Numerical treatment of a boundary-value problem for a certain singular parabolic partial differential equation

We solve a boundary-value problem for a certain linear singular partial differential equation of parabolic type by a suitable implicit finite-difference scheme. This allows us to obtain precise tabulated values for the mean powers reflected and transmitted by a slab of random medium. This is relevant, e.g., to Plasma Physics. copyright 1988 Academic Press, Inc.
Determining the heritability of ethanol-induced locomotor sensitization in mice using short-term behavioral selection

Rationale Sensitization to the locomotor stimulant effects of alcohol (ethanol) is thought to be a heritable risk factor for the development of alcoholism that reflects progressive increases in the positive motivational effects of this substance. However, very little is known about the degree to which genes influence this complex behavioral phenomenon.
Mycobacterium abscessus Chest Wall and Pulmonary Infection in a Cystic Fibrosis Lung Transplant Recipient

Mycobacterial infections are increasingly recognized in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients before transplant; however, knowledge about the clinical significance or spectrum of infections observed with mycobacterial infections in lung transplant recipients is still evolving. Herein, we report a case of infection with Mycobacterium abscessus in a CF lung transplant recipient. Despite aggressive treatment before and peri-operatively with anti-mycobacterial therapy, the patient developed skin and soft tissue infection of the incision and of bilateral breast implants, eventually leading to disseminated pulmonary infection and death. This report highlights the potential for M abscessus to cause post-transplant disease in CF patients undergoing lung transplant, despite peri-operative anti-mycobacterial therapy. Thus, pre-transplant colonization with M abscessus should be viewed as a strong relative, if not absolute, contraindication to lung transplantation. The combination of the virulent pre-transplant pathogen M abscessus and foreign bodies in the chest likely acted synergistically to contribute to the unfortunate outcome in this patient.
Normal H-V time in a patient with right bundle branch block, left anterior hemiblock and intermittent complete distal his block.

This report presents a patient who demonstrated right bundle branch block, left anterior hemiblock and intermittent complete block distal to the His bundle recording site. The H-V time for conducted beats was 45 msec and indicates that a normal H-V time may be present in a patient with complete block on other occasions.
Integer quantum Hall effect in double-layer systems.

We consider the localization of independent electron orbitals in double-layer two-dimensional electron systems in the strong magnetic-field limit. Our study is based on numerical Thouless number calculations for realistic microscopic models, and on transfer-matrix calculations for phenomenological network models. The microscopic calculations indicate a crossover regime for weak interlayer tunneling in which the correlation-length exponent appears to increase. Comparison of network model calculations with microscopic calculations casts doubt on their generic applicability. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
On the intrinsic relative accuracy of the positions in the vatican zone of the astrographic catalogue

Analytical models for the transformation of measured to standard coordinates in the Vatican Zone of the Astrographic Catalogue and the random error of star positions obtained from measurements published in that zone have been investigated. It turns out that a linear formula is the optimum, and that the mean error of a published pair of coordinates is 0″.39 in x and y.
Elasmobranch oxytocin-like principles: comparisons with synthetic glumitocin.

Abstract The biological properties of the oxytocin-like principle from neurointermediate pituitary lobes of the spiny dogfish ( Squalus acanthias ) and a neurointermediate lobe extract from a skate ( Raia rhina ) have been directly compared with those of synthetic [4-serine, 8-glutamine]-oxytocin (glumitocin). The principle in Raia may be glumitocin while the Squalus principle clearly differs from glumitocin.
Prejudgments of educational television: A study of stereotypes

A FIRST TASK of broadcast educational television is to reach viewers. People who do not tune in live out their lives unaware of the experiences that have passed them by. This may be tragic in the case of people who feel a strong need for what educational television has to offer but whose unfavorable preconceptions of "education" or of "educational television" preclude them from finding out that these needs can be met. Conversely, there may be a problem with people who have exaggeratedly favorable preconceptions of educational television. Such a person, expecting technical achievements or types of programming which are not available, tunes in, and settles back in his chair, filled with faith and hope. The dissatisfaction and disillusionment that may result can make such a viewer an enemy of educational television for life.
Interpreting Segmented Laser Radar Images Using a Knowledge-Based System

This paper presents a knowledge-based system (KBS) for man-made object recognition and image interpretation using laser radar (ladar) images. The objective is to recognize military vehicles in rural scenes. The knowledge-based system is constructed using KEE rules and Lisp functions, and uses results from pre-processing modules for image segmentation and integration of segmentation maps. Low-level attributes of segments are computed and converted to KEE format as part of the data bases. The interpretation modules detect man-made objects from the background using low-level attributes. Segments are grouped into objects and then man-made objects and background segments are classified into pre-defined categories (tanks, ground, etc.) A concurrent server program is used to enhance the performance of the KBS by serving numerical and graphics-oriented tasks for the interpretation modules. Experimental results using real ladar data are presented.
Ratio Factors for Adjusting Monthly Test-Day Data for Age and Season of Calving and Ratio Factors for Extending Part Lactation Records

Summary Monthly Dairy Herd Improvement Association test-day records (177,575) of Holstein cows from five New York counties whose records were available in the central processing laboratory were classified according to age at calving (60 classes), season of calving (three seasons), and month (stage) of lactation (10 mo.). An unweighted squares of means analysis showed all effects and interactions except the three-way interaction to be significantly different for both milk and fat production. Ratio factors constructed from these means (1) to adjust monthly records to a common age and season, (2) to predict total production from a single month, and (3) to estimate total production from cumulative monthly production also were analyzed. Differences between factors for milk and fat as well as between age, season, and month effects were evident. Significant differences between interaction effects indicated the desirability of constructing ratio factors while simultaneously considering age at calving, season of calving, month of lactation, and whether the record is milk or fat.
Newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis.

We can now affect the natural history of RA Although the concept would sound heretical in some quarters, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may now be a treatable disease. The aphorism of 25 years ago that “we don't treat RA, we manage the patient with the disease” may no longer be operative. Emery and colleagues in this issue of the Annals have made a recommendation (called a “clinical guide”) for how and when primary care physicians can identify patients with suspected RA and refer them to a rheumatology specialist.1 They state, unequivocally, that the initiation of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) very early in the course of RA will improve patient outcome and increase long term quality of life. Their paper makes a compelling argument in favour of this recommendation; however, several issues dealt with in the article do raise questions that are in need of additional data and clarification. ### Evaluation of published reports The approach of Emery et al was to perform a literature database search and then to use an accepted classification scheme2 to evaluate published clinical evidence based on the potential for bias to influence the results, giving randomised clinical trials the highest marks and expert opinion the lowest. Well performed observational inception cohort studies appear to have received an intermediate value. The supporting evidence and the proposed clinical recommendation were later circulated among these six wise men for critical evaluation and consensus building. The net result of their efforts is not only a referral recommendation but also a practical clinical tool employed by primary care physicians to identify patients suspected of having RA during the early stages of the disease. The technique for evaluation of early RA, which has recently been validated,3 is based upon a composite compression test of the hand or “squeeze” test, illustrated in the article, …
Microfabricated electrochemical sensors for exhaustive coulometry applications

Abstract The development of microfabricated electrochemical systems suitable for deployment in sensor networks that operate with a minimum of operator intervention are of great interest; therefore, a coulometric sensing system for exhaustive coulometry with the potential for calibration-free operation has been designed, fabricated and evaluated to support such development. The sensor chips were microfabricated onto a silicon substrate and contained a variety of specially designed thin-film gold working electrodes (ranging from one to five per chip) and a Ag/AgCl pseudo-reference electrode. A custom flow cell containing fluidic connections and counter electrode chamber was also constructed to integrate the sensor and to create an electrolysis chamber with a fixed volume. Different chip designs were evaluated as exhaustive coulometric sensors in terms of reproducibility and longevity using Fe(CN) 6 3−/4− as model analytes. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for a chip tested over a period of 42 days was 5.5% whereas the sensor-to-sensor reproducibility was within 6.3%.
Electroform replication of ultrasmooth mirrors for x-ray astronomy

In this paper we describe the fabrication of replica Wolter I optics from gold-coated lacquer- polished mandrels and the effect of plating bath temperature on the surface quality of electroforms produced from lacquer-polished substrates. We also discuss the use of ceramic masters to electroform replicas having high-frequency surface roughness as low as 3 angstroms.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mycobacterium Cheloneae Infection After Breast Augmentation

Augmentation mammaplasty is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures. Infection, still one of the most feared complications of the procedure, usually is caused by skin commensal organisms. A wide variety of other organisms also may be responsible for these postoperative infections, including atypical mycobacteria. A case of a prosthetic breast implant infected with Mycobacterium cheloneae is presented, and the presenting signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options of such an infection are discussed. The importance of promptly isolating the pathogen for potential salvage of the prosthesis also is stressed, as well as the operative intervention necessary when conservative therapy fails.
Shush! Growing Up Jewish under Stalin

by Email Draitser, Berkeley, University of California Press, 2008, 320pp., $24.95 (hardback), ISBN 978‐0‐520‐25446‐6 Emil Draitser’s Shush: Growing up Jewish Under Stalin is a wonderfully evocative...
A middle Carnian to early Norian (~225 Ma) paleopole from sediments of the Newark Basin, Pennsylvania

Paleomagnetic study of the middle Carnian Stockton Formation, upper Carnian Lockatong Formation and the lower part of the Norian Passaic Formation from 24 sites along 3 traverses perpendicular to strike in the Newark Basin of eastern Pennsylvania shows that two hematitic magnetizations can be isolated from these rocks. Thermal demagnetization experiments reveal a distributed unblocking temperature (typically 300 to 680 °C) magnetization with uniformly downward and northerly directions, and a high unblocking temperature (660 °C and above) magnetization with shallow northerly (normal polarity) and southerly (reversed polarity) directions. On the basis of a correlatable magnetic polarity stratigraphy between 3 traverses spanning 40 km along strike, and within-site directional scatter similar to that expected from paleosecular variation, the high temperature magnetization was most probably acquired at or near the time of deposition. The pole calculated from the high unblocking temperature magnetization (53.6°N, 101.6°E, A95 = 4.8°) is consistent with other Late Triassic poles and indicates a paleolatitude of 3.8°N ± 3.0°. The lower unblocking temperature magnetization is an overprint acquired at about the same time as the Jurassic Newark trend igneous N2 pole magnetization.
Cestode calcareous corpuscles: Phosphate relationships, crystallization patterns, and variations in size and shape

Abstract Calcareous corpuscles isolated from larval Echinococcus granulosus yielded similar average phosphate values when worms of Chilean, Argentinian, Australian, and Lebanese provenience were analyzed contraindicating the existence of distinct geographic strains of the parasite. Instead, the observed variations are more likely due to nutritional differences. Considerable variations in phosphate content of calcareous corpuscles were encountered in analyses of both individual larval and adult Taenia taeniaeformis , the variations being somewhat more pronounced in the latter than in the former. In general, corpuscles isolated from laboratory-infected cats contained significantly less phosphate than those taken from stray cats, again presumably indicating the influence of the nutrition of the host on the phosphate content of the calcareous corpuscles. Isolated calcareous corpuscles incorporated variable amounts of phosphate, depending upon the following factors: pH of the medium, isolation procedure, species of tapeworm, and ratio between the amount of corpuscles to the volume of incubation fluid. Crystallographic studies showed that the originally amorphous corpuscles of T. taeniaeformis gave a weak dolomite-like pattern after 180 days of uninterrupted heating to 150 °C. Definite dolomite formation was induced by heating to 180 °C. The dolomite was stable up to 400 °C, but decomposed readily at 450 °C. Hydroxyapatite appeared first upon heating to 400 °C and remained stable up to the highest temperature tested, 900 °C. The heat-induced crystallization patterns of corpuscles from ten additional tapeworms were determined. Especially remarkable was the fact that in two species ( Cysticercus bovis and Cysticercus tenuicollis ) a weak, but definite dolomite pattern was found after ethylenediamine isolation, without the necessity of applying additional heat. Considerable variations in size and shape between corpuscles of various species were found. Echinococcus multilocularis , for example, had giant corpuscles with diameters up to 34 μ, while those of Priapocephalus sp. measured usually between 2 and 4 μ. Some species had predominantly round corpuscles, others oval or irregularly shaped ones. Where comparisons between larval and adult corpuscles were possible no significant differences were found in most cases. The only exception was Taenia saginata where the corpuscles of the adult were definitely smaller than those of the larva.
Nasal Valve Surgery Improves Disease‐Specific Quality of Life

Objectives/Hypothesis: Disease-specific quality-of-life (QOL) assessment of patients with nasal valve compromise and symptomatic nasal obstruction has not been studied previously. The objectives of the study were to determine whether surgical treatment of the nasal valve improves disease-specific QOL and to identify clinical or demographic variables predictive of patients' baseline QOL or change in QOL. Study Design: Prospective, multi-institutional outcomes study of 20 patients with nasal obstruction and a surgically treatable diagnosis of nasal valve compromise. Methods: Disease-specific QOL assessment was performed using the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale preoperatively (n = 20) and at 3 (n = 14) and 6 months (n = 20) after surgery. Clinical and demographic data were collected, along with physician-reported assessments of degree of nasal obstruction. Results: Mean NOSE scores significantly improved from baseline to 3 months after surgery (68.9 vs. 20.7 [P < .0001]), from baseline to 6 months after surgery (68.9 vs. 15.8 [P < .0001]), and from 3 to 6 months after surgery (20.7 vs. 15.8 [P = .0077]). Physician assessment of degree of nasal obstruction using a visual analogue scale was significantly correlated with baseline NOSE scores (P = .013) and change in NOSE scores at 6 months (P = .0015). No other clinical or demographic factors were found to be predictive. Conclusion: In patients with symptomatic nasal obstruction and nasal valve compromise, surgical repair of the nasal valve improves disease-specific QOL. Physician rating of degree of nasal obstruction was found to be significantly correlated with patient-reported QOL.
Megaloencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cyst formation (van der Knaap disease)

A child born at full term developed macrocephaly in infancy with regression of motor skills and cerebellar ataxia starting at age 3 that progressively worsened. Axial T2 weighted (T2-W) MRI (Fig. 1) shows diffuse white matter hyperintensity involving the subcortical fibers as well as sparing of the basal ganglia as thalami. Subcortical cyst formation is seen in the anterior temporal region on the sagittal T2-W image (Fig. 2, arrow). No contrast enhancement was noted. Megaloencephalic leukoencephalopathy (spongiform leukoencephalopathy or van der Knaap disease) is an autosomal-recessive, neurodegenerative disorder with macrocephaly in the first year of life but delayed onset
Proton total reaction cross sections of Beryllium from 16 to 28 MeV

Abstract The proton total reaction cross sections of 9 Be are presented for eight energies between 16.2 and 28.0 MeV. The results are in good agreement with optical-model predictions from analyses of elastic scattering data. The results are also compared to predictions of the opaque-nucleus model which represents the reaction cross sections of medium and heavy weight nuclei rather well. This simple model correctly predicts the observed energy dependence, but requires a larger radius parameter than is needed for the heavier nuclei.
Non-enzymatic template-directed synthesis of RNA copolymers

Cytosine-rich RNA copolymers facilitate the template-directed synthesis of complementary oligomers from mononucleotide 5′-phospho-2-methylimidazolides (Fig. 1). The efficiency of this reaction falls sharply as the ratio of cytosine to non-cytosine in the template is decreased. This is a severe limitation for self-replication because it means that any cytosine-rich polynucleotide that can serve as a good template will produce a cytosine-poor complementary strand that is unable to direct further rounds of synthesis. Studies with low-ratio random copolymer templates have shown that the efficiency can be increased by adjusting initial monomer concentrations and by providing additional activated monomers during later stages of the reaction. The oligomeric reaction products can be studied in detail using high performance liquid chromatography. It is possible to separate oligonucleotides on the basis of chain length and base composition. Thus a wealth of information is available to characterize the distribution of products over the course of the reaction and under a variety of reaction conditions.
A 25-year experience with open primary transthoracic repair of paraesophageal hiatal hernia.

Abstract Objective The optimal surgical treatment of paraesophageal hiatal hernia is in debate. Our experience with a traditional transthoracic approach was reviewed to provide "benchmark" data against which newer surgical techniques can be measured. Methods Between 1977 and 2001, 240 patients had primary transthoracic repair of paraesophageal hiatal hernia. Presenting complaints included reflux (69%), pain (67%), dysphagia (36%), and bleeding or anemia (33%). Preoperative esophageal function testing showed abnormal reflux in 86%. Hernia types were combined (type III) in 92% and type IV in 8%. All patients had reduction of the hernia and a concomitant antireflux procedure. An esophageal lengthening Collis gastroplasty was performed in 96%. Results There were 3 perioperative deaths (1.7%). The median length of hospital stay was 7 days. Early complications requiring reoperation occurred in 12 patients (5%) and included recurrent hernia in 4, leak in 3, and a tight hiatal closure in 3. Mean follow-up in 226 patients was 42 months (median 27.8 months). Satisfactory results were obtained in 86% of patients. Follow-up complaints (moderate or persistent symptoms) included dysphagia (4), reflux (1), dumping (3), and post-thoracotomy pain (1). Routine postoperative barium radiographs showed intact repair in 71% (108/153). Of 19 patients with an anatomic recurrence, 4 (2%) had more than a partial asymptomatic migration of the fundoplication and required reoperation. Postoperative esophageal function testing, obtained in 28% of the patients, showed abnormal gastroesophageal reflux in 2. Conclusion Open transthoracic repair of paraesophageal hiatal hernia provides good to excellent long-term control of both the hernia and gastroesophageal reflux with relatively low early morbidity.
Pesticides and essential minerals modify endogenous antioxidants and cytochrome P450 in tissues of rats.

Two experiments were conducted in male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (175–200 g) to determine changes in the activities of endogenous antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), cytochrome P450 (ethoxyresorufin deethylase; EROD) and concentrations of glutathione (GSH) in the blood, liver, and small intestinal mucosa (IM). In both experiments, six rats/group were fed diets based on the AIN-93M diet (Control) or the same modified to contain either 500 mg calcium (Low Ca), 7 mg Zn (Low Zn): 2 mg copper (Low Cu), 60 mg zinc (High Zn) or 12 mg copper (High Cu) in the following combination: Control, LCa/LZn, LCa/LZn/LCu, or HZn/HCu, with and without a pesticide mixture containing acephate, endosulfan, and thiram at 25% LD50 for four or two weeks. Pesticides decreased feed intake and weight gain in all groups by 28%. Erythrocyte SOD was higher than control in the HZn/HCu group and in the LCa/LZn/LCu and HZn/HCu groups with pesticide (P# 0.05). Plasma GPX declined by more than 55% in all the...
Translational control of protein synthesis by tRNA unrelated to changes in tRNA concentration

The rate of translation of mRNA into protein is controlled, at least in part, by the concentration of tRNA. However, as one tRNA molecule can recognize more than one codon, different codons translated by the same tRNA may be translated at different rates. The difference in response of a tRNA molecule to different codons could also regulate the rate of protein synthesis. Evidence for this theory is presented, and Crick's “wobble” hypothesis is extended to include the relative strengths of different codon-anticodon interactions.
PRESSURE FLOW ANALYSIS MAY AID IN IDENTIFYING WOMEN WITH OUTFLOW OBSTRUCTION

Purpose: We refined recently developed pressure flow cutoff values for female bladder outlet obstruction and applied these values in a consecutive group of women undergoing urodynamic testing for various lower urinary tract symptoms.Materials and Methods: A total of 87 women with clinical obstruction determined by history and presenting complaint were enrolled in our prospective evaluation of pressure flow studies. We identified 3 groups of participants according to the suspected cause of obstruction, including prolapse in 33, previous incontinence surgery in 25, and no likely source of obstruction identified from history and physical examination only in 29. An additional 124 patients presenting for evaluation of stress urinary incontinence served as controls. Optimal cutoff values for determining obstruction were developed using receiver operating characteristic curves. To determine the prevalence of bladder outlet obstruction these values were prospectively applied to 106 women undergoing urodynamics fo...
Neutron source, neutron density and the origin of barium stars

Des spectres haute resolution des profils MgH dans 9 etoiles au baryum sont presentes et les rapports isotopiques du magnesium dans chaque etoile sont determines par des techniques de synthese spectrale. La comparaison avec des calculs recents de nucleosynthese dans la branche asymptotique geante permet d'eliminer l'operation de la reaction 22 Ne(α,n) 25 Mg comme la source a neutrons responsable des renforcements des processus s observes dans ces etoiles au baryum. Les rapports isotopiques du magnesium sont compatibles avec l'operation de la source a neutrons 13 C(α,n) 16 O mais la densite de neutrons associee avec cette source est incompatible avec la faible densite de neutrons determinee a partir des observations de la raie du rubidium dans les 2 etoiles au baryum HD 121447 et 178717