cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Loss of desmin triggers mechanosensitivity and up-regulation of Ankrd1 expression through Akt-NF-κB signaling pathway in smooth muscle cells

Muscle cells, including human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) express ankyrin repeat protein 1 (Ankrd1), a member of ankyrin repeat protein family. Ankrd1 efficiently interacts with the type III intermediate filament desmin. Our earlier study showed that desmin is an intracellular load-bearing protein that influences airway compliance, lung recoil, and airway contractile responsiveness. These results suggest that Ankrd1 and desmin may play important roles on ASMC homeostasis. Here we show that small interfering (si)RNA-mediated knockdown of the desmin gene in HASMCs, recombinant HASMCs (reHASMCs), up-regulates Ankrd1 expression. Moreover, loss of desmin in HASMCs increases the phosphorylation of Akt, inhibitor of κB kinase (IKK)-α, and inhibitor of κB (IκB)-α proteins, leading to NF-κB activation. Treatment of reHASMCs with Akt, IKKα, IκBα, or NF-κB inhibitor inhibits the loss of desmin-induced Ankrd1 up-regulation, suggesting Akt/NF-κB-mediated Ankrd1 regulation. Transfection of reHASMCs with siRNA specific for p50 or p65 corroborates the NF-κB-mediated Ankrd1 regulation. Luciferase reporter assays show that NF-κB directly binds on Ankrd1 promoter and up-regulates Ankrd1 levels. Overall, our data provide a new link between desmin and Ankrd1 regulation, which may be important for ASMC homeostasis.
Use of Educational and Psychological Tests Internationally

Les aspects internationaux du developpement et de l’usage des tests sont traites ici, en particulier pour situer les articles de cette edition speciale. On presente succinctement l’utilisation internationale des tests ainsi que l’histoire, l’impact des conditions externes et internes, les normes et les lignes directrices du developpement et de l’usage des tests. On parle aussi des organisations regionales et internationales actives dans le domaine du developpement et de l’usage des tests, sans oublier les initiatives de structures comme la Commission Internationale des Tests. International aspects of test development and use are described, in part, to provide a context for other articles in this special issue. The history of test development and use, external and internal conditions that impact test development and use, test use internationally, together with standards and guidelines for test development and use are summarised. Regional and international organisations providing leadership in test development and use as well as leadership efforts by the International Test Commission and others are discussed.
The static potential in quantum chromodynamics

Abstract The static potential between a heavy quark and antiquark in quantum chromodynamics is analyzed in the weak coupling expansion. At the one loop level, a physical explanation of asymptotic freedom is offered. In higher orders, the problem of separating an effectively instantaneous two body potential from iterations of the potential and from multiparticle (⩾3) configurations is discussed. Scaling properties of the potential are studied and some phenomenological observations are made.
Toward RNAi therapy for the polyglutamine disease Machado-Joseph disease.

Machado–Joseph disease (MJD) is a dominantly inherited ataxia caused by a polyglutamine-coding expansion in the ATXN3 gene. Suppressing expression of the toxic gene product represents a promising approach to therapy for MJD and other polyglutamine diseases. We performed an extended therapeutic trial of RNA interference (RNAi) targeting ATXN3 in a mouse model expressing the full human disease gene and recapitulating key disease features. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) encoding a microRNA (miRNA)-like molecule, miRATXN3, was delivered bilaterally into the cerebellum of 6- to 8-week-old MJD mice, which were then followed up to end-stage disease to assess the safety and efficacy of anti-ATXN3 RNAi. Despite effective, lifelong suppression of ATXN3 in the cerebellum and the apparent safety of miRATXN3, motor impairment was not ameliorated in treated MJD mice and survival was not prolonged. These results with an otherwise effective RNAi agent suggest that targeting a large extent of the cerebellum alone may not be sufficient for effective human therapy. Artificial miRNAs or other nucleotide-based suppression strategies targeting ATXN3 more widely in the brain should be considered in future preclinical tests.
Coordination-Chemistry Control of Proton Conductivity in the Iconic Metal−Organic Framework Material HKUST-1

HKUST-1, a metal–organic framework (MOF) material containing CuII-paddlewheel-type nodes and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate struts, features accessible CuII sites to which solvent or other desired molecules can be intentionally coordinated. As part of a broader investigation of ionic conductivity in MOFs, we unexpectedly observed substantial proton conductivity with the “as synthesized” version of this material following sorption of methanol. Although HKUST-1 is neutral, coordinated water molecules are rendered sufficiently acidic by CuII to contribute protons to pore-filling methanol molecules and thereby enhance the alternating-current conductivity. At ambient temperature, the chemical identities of the node-coordinated and pore-filling molecules can be independently varied, thus enabling the proton conductivity to be reversibly modulated. The proton conductivity of HKUST-1 was observed to increase by ∼75-fold, for example, when node-coordinated acetonitrile molecules were replaced by water molecules. In c...
Functional synapses are established between ciliary ganglion neurones in dissociated cell culture.

Functional synapses are established between ciliary ganglion neurones in dissociated cell culture
“This mine has become our farmland": Critical perspectives on the coevolution of artisanal mining and conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract The debate on conflict minerals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been widely documented by the international media, government and non-governmental agencies and academics. In recent years, a variety of international initiatives have been launched to curb the flow of funding from conflict minerals to armed groups. Many of these initiatives, however, have led to the loss of livelihoods for millions of small-scale miners. Drawing on interviews with key informants and focus group discussions in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) communities in South Kivu Province of the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), this paper examines the ways in which the national army, as well as an array of armed groups, have exerted control of mining towns. Findings reveal a number of ways that mining has shown itself to be “better adapted” to an unstable context than traditional agricultural models, resulting in the continued development of this sector even during conflict. Constant displacement, the fear of violence, inability to travel safely, and the disintegration of agricultural markets have all contributed to the decline of previous forms of income generation. With its promise of cash-in-hand, low start-up costs, and low demand for specialized knowledge, ASM provides a more viable employment opportunity to youth than farming. Finally, findings from this work suggest that, with components of both “distress-push” as well as “rush-type” motivations, the system could be characterized as third hybrid model: a “distress-rush” process. In this system, exploitation of minerals became increasingly entrenched as a primary source of income, and along the way shaped social, economic, and political structures. A better understanding of the political economies of ASM communities and the challenges miners face on a daily basis would increase the impact and effectiveness of initiatives aimed at curbing conflict and bolstering economic growth in the region.
Nonlinear Analysis of Oscillatory Flow, With a Nonzero Mean, in an Elastic Tube (Artery)

Oscillatory flow of a Newtonian fluid in an elastic tube, which is a model of blood flow in arteries, is analyzed in this paper. For a rigid tube, the steady flow field can be described by Poiseuille's law and the unsteady flow field by Womersley's solution. These are the linearized solutions for flow in elastic tubes. To evaluate the importance of nonlinear effects, a perturbation solution is developed realizing that the amplitude of arterial wall movement is small (typically 5-10 percent of the diameter). The nonlinear effects on the amplitude of the wall shear rate, on the amplitude of the pressure gradient, and on the mean velocity profile have been considered. Nonlinear effects on the oscillatory components depend on Womersley's unsteadiness parameter (alpha), the ratio between the mean and amplitude of the flow rate, the diameter variation, and the phase difference between the diameter variation and the flow rate (phi) which is indicative of the degree of wave reflection. On the other hand, the mean velocity profile is found to be dependent on the steady-streaming Reynolds number, Rs. When Rs is small, the mean velocity profile is parabolic (1-xi 2); however, when Rs is large, the velocity profile is distorted by the nonlinear effect and can be described by sin (pi xi 2). The increase of the amplitude and reduction of the mean of wall shear rate as phi changes from 0 to -90 deg suggests an indirect mechanism for the role of hypertension in arterial disease: hypertension-->increased wave reflection-->wall shear stress is reduced and more oscillatory.
Purulent pericarditis and cardiac tamponade due to Hemophilus influenzae, type b

Pericarditis due to Hemophilus influenzae, type b is an unusual disease, particularly when it is not associated with infection of the respiratory tract. A case of influenzal pericarditis is reported in a young child who presented with signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade. The purulent pericarditis was treated with penicillin and chloramphenicol, and pericardicentesis was carried out on 2 occasions for relief of tamponade. There was no evidence of constrictive pericarditis at follow-up. Demonstration of the pathogen in the laboratory was remarkably difficult, but H. influenzae, type b was finally identified in cultures of pericardial fluid.
Cytochrome c oxidase biogenesis: new levels of regulation.

Eukaryotic cytochrome c oxidase (COX), the last enzyme of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, is a multimeric enzyme of dual genetic origin, whose assembly is a complicated and highly regulated process. COX displays a concerted accumulation of its constitutive subunits. Data obtained from studies performed with yeast mutants indicate that most catalytic core unassembled subunits are post-translationally degraded. Recent data obtained in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have revealed another contribution to the stoichiometric accumulation of subunits during COX biogenesis targeting subunit 1 or Cox1p. Cox1p is a mitochondrially encoded catalytic subunit of COX which acts as a seed around which the full complex is assembled. A regulatory mechanism exists by which Cox1p synthesis is controlled by the availability of its assembly partners. The unique properties of this regulatory mechanism offer a means to catalyze multiple-subunit assembly. New levels of COX biogenesis regulation have been recently proposed. For example, COX assembly and stability of the fully assembled enzyme depend on the presence in the mitochondrial compartments of two partners of the oxidative phosphorylation system, the mobile electron carrier cytochrome c and the mitochondrial ATPase. The different mechanisms of regulation of COX assembly are reviewed and discussed.
Placental villous vascular endothelial growth factor expression and vascularization after estrogen suppression during the last two-thirds of baboon pregnancy.

We have recently shown that placental cytotrophoblast vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and vessel density were increased by elevating estrogen and decreased by suppressing estrogen in early baboon pregnancy. The present study determined whether the elevation in estrogen which occurs in the last two-thirds of baboon pregnancy also has a role in the regulation of placental villous VEGF expression and angiogenesis. Placentas were obtained on day 170 of gestation (term, 184 days) from baboons untreated or treated with the aromatase inhibitor CGS 20267 or CGS 20267 plus estradiol daily on days 30–169. Serum estradiol levels in CGS 20267-treated baboons were decreased (P < 0.001) by 95%, however, placental cytotrophoblast VEGF mRNA levels (means ± SE, attomoles/μg RNA) were similar in untreated (25,807 ± 5,873), CGS 20267-treated (23,900 ± 1,940) and CGS 20267 plus estradiol-treated (26,885 ± 2,569) baboons. VEGF mRNA levels in the syncytiotrophoblast (2,008 ± 405) and inner villous stromal cell (1,724 ± 287) fractions of untreated baboons also were not altered by CGS 20267. However, whole villous VEGF mRNA levels in CGS 20267-treated baboons (18,590 ± 2,315) were 4-fold greater (P < 0.001) than in untreated animals and restored to normal by estradiol. Percent vascularized area (15.88 ± 0.88%) and vessel density (1,375 ± 71/mm2) of the villous placenta in untreated animals were not altered by estrogen deprivation. We propose that villous cytotrophoblasts lose their responsivity to estrogen and that placental villous cytotrophoblast VEGF expression and angiogenesis are regulated by estrogen in a cell- and gestational age-specific manner, and that factors other than estrogen maintain VEGF expression in the last two-thirds of pregnancy.
Is growth hormone deficiency a beneficial adaptation to aging? Evidence from experimental animals.

Abstract The relationship between GH and aging is poorly understood and controversial. The release of GH normally declines with age and GH replacement therapy in the elderly has been advocated as an ‘anti-aging' treatment. However, in experimental animals, reduced GH signaling is associated with delayed aging and increased longevity. Here, we consider the question of whether the decline in GH release during adulthood could be adaptive. Possible benefits of reduced levels of GH and insulin-like growth factor I, the main mediator of its actions, included reduced risk of cancer and of insulin resistance. It is unclear to what extent the documented beneficial effects of GH replacement in GH-deficient adults might apply to normal elderly subjects and what the risks of prolonged GH therapy are.
Enhancement of In-Plane Thermal Conductivity of Thin Films via Surface Phonon-Polaritons

We predict theoretically that the effective in-plane thermal conductivity of crystalline and amorphous thin films can be increased by surface phonon-polaritons significantly beyond their intrinsic bulk values. We show that the thermal conductivity due to surface phonon-polaritons increases with decreasing film thickness. In particular, for a 40 nm thick film of amorphous silicon dioxide, we calculate a total thermal conductivity of 4 W m−1 K−1 at 500 K, which is an increase of ~100% over the intrinsic phonon thermal conductivity.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Increased Elastase Inhibitory Capacity of Lung Lavage Fluid Following Acute Ozone Exposure: Role of Serum Transudation

AbstractThe elastase inhibitory capacity of lung lavage fluid has been reported to increase significantly following acute exposure to ozone (O3) (Nadziejko et al., 1992). In the present study, we determined whether this increase was due to transudation of serum proteins into the lung by measuring the protein content and elastase inhibitory capacity (EIC) of lavage fluid and serum following acute exposure of rats to 0.6 ppm O3. These data indicated that the magnitude of the observed increase in lavage fluid EIC was very similar to the increase in EIC that would be expected to occur if serum transudation were the only cause of increased protein content in the lavage fluid of O3-exposed rats. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of lavage fluid and serum showed that almost all of the lavage fluid proteins that were increased in amount 18 h after O3 exposure were the same molecular weight as serum proteins and had the same relative intensities as protein bands from serum. The possibility that the increas...
Calculation of auroral emission rates and heating effects.

Abstract The primary electron energy spectrum in an aurora has been determined by fitting the altitude profile of the 3914 A emission. This spectrum has been degraded through the atmosphere and the secondary electron energy spectra have been calculated at various altitudes. From these spectra the excitation and emission rate profiles of many important lines have been calculated. These include the oxygen 5577 A and 6300 A lines and the N2 1st and 2nd positive and Vegard-Kaplan bands. The heat input to the ambient electrons and the resultant electron temperature have also been calculated.
Role of DNA Methylation in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndromes

The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of hematologic disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and increased risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Even though mutations have been shown to occur in MDS, a notable proportion of these affect genes involved in epigenetic maintenance, suggesting a dominant role of epigenomic dysregulation in the pathogenesis of MDS. Aberrant DNA methylation is the dominant and most well-studied epigenetic alteration in MDS. Various genes, including cell cycle regulators, apoptotic genes, and DNA repair genes, are epigenetically silenced and have roles in pathogenesis and transformation to leukemia. The involvement of these genes in MDS pathophysiology and prognosis is reviewed and reveals distinct methylation patterns between high- and low-risk subsets of this disease. Furthermore, DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors azacitdine and decitabine are approved for treatment even though the optimal dosing strategies are still being developed. We have reviewed the mechanisms of action of these agents in MDS and show that demethylation may not correlate well with their efficacy, thus suggesting alternative modes of action. We also show that DNMT inhibitors may have potent anti-leukemic stem cell effects at lower doses and also review the mechanisms of resistance to these agents. Altogether, these studies show that even though DNA methylation has been studied extensively in MDS, its role in prognosis and response to therapy is still unclear. The use of deep sequencing and genome-wide methylome analysis will potentially uncover prognostic signatures and reveal the complexity of epigenetic dysregulation in this disease.
Charaterization of Calcium Current and Exocytosis in Zebrafish Lateral Line Hair Cells During Development

Zebrafish offer a genetically manipulable system for studying hair cell signal transduction and exocytosis, but little is known about the physiological properties of hair cells in the developing zebrafish. To study these properties, we have developed an in vivo voltage clamp preparation that allows one to record from hair cells in the lateral line organs of living zebrafish. Here, we report the physiological properties of the hair cells of the zebrafish lateral line at 4 to 12 days post-fertilization (dpf). Hair cells were voltage clamped using a two-sine wave technique to characterize the calcium current and membrane capacitance change during exocytosis. In response to step depolarizations, hair cells exhibited maxima calcium current (8.6 +/-0.97pA) at −10mV beginning at 4-8 dpf, which were accompanied by near-linear increases in capacitance (117.4+/-32fF/s). At approximately 9-12 dpf, a shift in the I-V relationship of the calcium current occurs and hair cells begin to exhibit dramatically larger calcium current (18.3+/- 2.9 pA)) with peak current exhibited at 0-20 mV .The exocytosis (169+/-21 fF/s) also increased at −10mV. These results indicate a dramatic developmental switch in hair cell properties in the second week of life for zebrafish.
Apprehending the City The View from above, below, and behind

A number of key insights about American cities are synthesized in this article, and a sorely neglected feature of them, their territorial sovereignty, is emphasized. The author argues first that cities must be seen as sovereign territorial systems. As such, cities engage in continuing struggles with other sovereign powers in America, including suburbs, states, and the federal government. The directions of many such systems derive from a dominant system of meaning - growth. Growth shapes the city, and once it impinges on the lives of citizens, it fosters their dissent. The author urges greater empirical attention to "thick histories" to refine the argument.
Developmental biology: Germ-cell attraction

Cells must often travel long distances to carry out their assigned tasks in the body. New work reveals how the precursors of eggs and sperm are guided during their epic journey to the gonads.
Attention and Memory in Children with Brain Tumors

The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test was utilized to examine attention, learning, and memory abilities in 42 children with cerebellar (N = 18) and third ventricle tumors (N = 24). Children with cerebellar tumors exhibited significant auditory attentional impairments and displayed adequate encoding and retrieval across subsequent learning and memory trials. In contrast, children with third ventricle tumors exhibited average auditory attentional abilities, but they displayed mild encoding deficits across trials 2–5. Furthermore, the third ventricle group's compromised performance on the delayed recall trial and average performance on the delayed recognition trial is suggestive of underlying retrieval deficits.
Inhibition of the Detrimental Effects of Water Impurities in Lithium-Ion Batteries

The effect of dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) on the stability of LiPF 6 based electrolytes contaminated with water impurities has been investigated. Addition of 1% DMAc to 1 M LiPF 6 in 1:1:1 ethylene carbonate/diethyl carbonate/dimethyl carbonate (EC/DEC/ DMC) with 0.5% water impurity was found to inhibit the generation of HF and other decomposition products. The presence of water results in a decrease in the first cycle efficiency and an increase in the capacity fade in following cycles. The addition of DMAc to water containing electrolytes has little effect on the first cycle efficiency, but it reduces the capacity fade of the batteries containing water impurities by 72%.
Capitalizing on a Sport's Association with an International Destination: The Illustrative Example of Tae Kwon Do

Destination marketers seek to capitalize on sport by appealing to the sport's subculture and by bundling sport with other tourism opportunities. The potential contributions of specially constructed sport opportunities are examined by exploring the contributions that a park devoted to the heritage and practice of tae kwon do can make to American tae kwon do practitioners' interests and intent for travel to Korea. Nine elements were studied using conjoint analysis: price, three park features (tae kwon do competition, tae kwon do cultural heritage and tae kwon do master classes), three typical tours (a tour of Seoul, a modern history tour, and a tour to experience traditional Korean culture), and two physical activities (a local sports package and participation in another traditional Korean martial art). Together, the three opportunities at Tae Kwon Do Park accounted for almost one-third of the aggregate sample's utility for a trip to Korea. Cluster analysis identified four segments: Heritage Seekers, Compet...
Computation and Interpretation of Miscible Displacement Performance in Heterogeneous Porous Media

Considerations of the interpretation of effluent concentration data obtained in flow through heterogeneous cores. Three models are used: Coats-Smith, porous sphere, and transverse matrix diffusion. A general analytical solution is developed by Laplace transformation, and the solutions are inverted by numerical methods. This result in a unique set of parameters for a given heterogeneous model. Criteria for design of laboratory experiments based on these results are suggested
Transperineal percutaneous iridium-192 interstitial template implant of the prostate: Results and complications in 321 patients

A total of 321 patients with localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate treated by modified pelvic lymphadenectomy, Iridium-192 implant, and external beam iridium radiation were retrospectively reviewed. Analysis covered 8 years between 1981 and 1989 with a median population age of 72 (range 42 through 82 years). Disease-free survival for the entire group is 69% at 5 years with a median follow-up of 34 months (range 1.5 months to 98.5 months). As expected, both bulkier disease and positive nodal status adversely affected 5-year disease-free survival (p = 0.0001 for both). For tumors stage T1b (A2), T2a (B1), T2b (B2), T3 (C) the disease-free survival is 89.5%, 89.9%, 64.7%, and 48.8%, respectively; for NO disease 5-year disease-free survival is 76.5% versus N1/N2 disease with 5-year disease-free survival of 33.2%. Local control was excellent except for bulkier disease (p = 0.009). Tumors T1b, T2a, T2b, and T3 have 60-month local control rates of 95%, 93%, 83.6%, and 73.1%, respectively. Histologic grade also affected disease-free survival and local control with grade 1, grade 2, grade 3 showing 81.2%, 65.7%, and 45.1% disease-free survival at 5 years; and 93.6%, 82.2%, and 72.4% local control at 5 years. Estimates obtained using Kaplan-Meier method. Radiation induced morbidity was analyzed separately for all patients, there were 41 patients (13% of total) with 54 documented complications. There were no Grade 4 or 5 complications as per RTOG categories. Only 3 cases showed grade 3 complications (1%) and 51 cases showed grade 2 complications (15.9%). Grade 1 complications were not recorded. Of the grade 2 and grade 3 complications 30 were GU and 22 were rectal. The morbidity associated with combined interstitial implantation by transperineal percutaneous template and external beam iridium radiation for the localized prostate cancer is minimal with excellent local control and disease-free survival.
Relationship between documentation status and survival for medically underserved Hispanic breast cancer patients

Abstract Background Undocumented immigrants have been shown to be predisposed to worse clinical outcomes than the general population. This study examines survival in socioeconomically disadvantaged Hispanic documented and undocumented breast cancer patients. Methods Analysis of a prospective breast cancer database of patients treated in a safety-net hospital system. Overall survival was the primary outcome, and advanced stage at diagnosis (regional and metastatic) was a secondary outcome. Survival analysis and multivariate regression modeling were performed. Results Seven hundred fifty-one breast cancer patients were identified. Undocumented patients presented at an earlier age and were likely to present with advanced stage. After adjusting for covariates, undocumented status was not associated with increased mortality. The diagnosis-to-treatment interval was significantly longer in undocumented patients. Conclusions Despite undocumented patients presenting at a younger age, they have similar mortality compared with documented patients. This finding is partly explained by the local treatment afforded by undocumented patients, further studies are necessary to detail the reasons for these differences in presentation and outcome.
WE‐E‐224C‐05: Uncertainty Analysis of Risk of Secondary Fatal Malignancies From Radiotherapy Treatments Including IMRT

Purpose: Radiation away from the treatment field may induce secondary cancers in long‐term survivors. Risk estimates have received increased attention with the increase in out‐of‐field dose associated with IMRT. However, uncertainty in these risk estimates were not previously established, which has left unresolved the significance of these risk estimates. This work examines the uncertainty in the absolute risk estimates, as well as uncertainties in the ratio of risks between treatment modalities. Method and Materials: Effective dose equivalents and estimated risks were taken from the literature for several treatment modalities including IMRT at 6, 10, 15, and 18 MV and conventional therapy. The most recent risk estimates (5.75%/Sv) along with uncertainties in this risk estimate and uncertainties in the dose‐response model were considered in generating 90% confidence intervals for the absolute risk estimates and ratio of the risk estimates. Results: The absolute risks of fatal secondary malignancy were associated with very large uncertainties, which precluded distinguishing between the risks for the different treatment modalities considered. However, a much smaller confidence interval existed for the ratio of the risk. Because of the confidence intervals generated, an effective dose equivalent difference of 50% resulted in a statistically different ratio of the risks. Such differences were observed between some of the treatment modalities considered including 6MV as compared to 18MV IMRT.Conclusion: While no statistically significant difference existed in the absolute risk estimates of the treatment options examined in this study, the ratio of the risks was found to yield statistically significant differences between some treatment modalities considered.
Atom-probe FIM analysis of the interaction of the imaging gas with the surface☆

Abstract The properly calibrated atom-probe FIM can achieve a resolution Δ M M = 1 250 . This allows the identification of molecular ion compounds of the tip metal with the imaging gas in the field evaporation products. Ions of hydrogen, helium, neon and argon, the latter two also with double charges and combined with hydrogen, are seen. Identification of molecular ions is most reliable using single atomic mass tip metals such as Rh, Nb, Ta and Au, but noble gas-metal ions are also reported for W and Ir. Some molecular ions such as TaH +++ and TaNe +++ dissociate after a measurable life time. Field adsorption of the noble gases as well as the resulting reduction of the evaporation field of the metals is explained as dipole attraction due to electronic rearrangement in the surface.
Effect of an herbal compound for treatment of burning mouth syndrome: randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial.

Objective This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study aimed at evaluating the effect of the systemic use of an herbal compound (Catuama) on the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Study Design Seventy-two patients with BMS were randomly allocated into test (n = 38) and control (n = 34) groups. Patients were instructed to take 2 capsules each day for 8 weeks. They were reassessed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment onset using a faces scale (FS) and a visual numeric scale (VNS). Results Although both groups demonstrated a reduction in symptoms, the improvement observed in the test group was significantly greater than in the control group after 4 (FS: P = .010) and 8 (VNS: P = .03; FS: P Conclusions The systemic administration of Catuama reduces the symptoms of BMS and may be a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of this disease.
Preferential susceptibility of brain tumors to the antiangiogenic effects of an alpha(v) integrin antagonist.

OBJECTIVE: Brain tumors are highly angiogenic, and their growth and spread depend on the generation of new blood vessels. We examined the effect of the cyclic peptide antagonist pentapeptide EMD 121974, an antiangiogenic agent, on orthotopic and heterotopic brain tumor growth. METHODS: The human brain tumor cell lines DAOY (medulloblastoma) and U87 MG (glioblastoma) were injected into either the forebrain (orthotopic) or the subcutis (heterotopic) of nude mice, and daily systemic treatment with the active peptide was initiated after tumors were established. RESULTS: All control animals with orthotopic brain tumors and that received the inactive peptide EMD 135981 daily died as a result of tumor progression within 4 to 6 weeks; tumors measured 3 to 5 mm in diameter. In contrast, mice with orthotopic tumors that were treated daily with the active peptide survived for more than 16 weeks, and histological examination of the brains after 4, 8, and 12 weeks showed either no tumors or microscopic residual tumors. The growth of these brain tumor cells injected simultaneously or separately into the subcutis of nude mice (heterotopic model) was not affected by the active peptide, suggesting that the brain environment is a critical determinant of brain tumor susceptibility to growth inhibition by this pentapeptide. CONCLUSION: The cyclic pentapeptide EMD 121974 may become a treatment option specific to brain tumors. Because of its antiangiogenic effect, its use may be especially indicated after tumors are removed surgically.
Dynamic linkages among equity markets: local versus basket currencies

This article compares the stability of interrelationships among nine national equity markets by employing basket currencies versus individual base currencies to measure rates of return. We show that the average correlations of equity indexes based on basket currencies are much lower than the average correlations of equity indexes based on individual home base currencies. Additionally, empirical directed graph results from using basket currencies are more consistent with each other than the results from using different individual currencies. We conclude that basket currencies provide more robust results for studying equity market comovements than individual currencies. By implication, studies on equity market interrelationships, including studies on potential financial contagion between equity markets, should use basket currencies to avoid currency dependent results.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Lactate Dehydrogenase in Neonatal Intracranial Hemorrhage

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was measured in 54 neonates with intracranial hemorrhage and compared with 82 control, 27 traumatic lumbar puncture, seven meningitis, and 30 asphyxiated newborns. Hospital data, neonatal outcomes, and long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up results were reviewed. CSF LDH was not significantly affected by traumatic lumbar puncture but was elevated in proportion to the severity of CNS hemorrhage as scored by computerized tomography. LDH was also significantly associated with subsequent seizures and hydrocephalus and abnormal long-term developmental outcome.
CROPS: A GASP IV BASED CROP SIMULATION LANGUAGE.

CROPS is a GASP IV based simulation language which emphasizes the development of the equations which model crop physiology. The CROPS philosophy of physiology is to first divide the crop into constituents (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and water) and then partition the crop into compartments (leaves, grain, stems, and roots). Flows of constituents between compartments are illustrated by system dynamics diagrams. A crop model consists of the equations which describe these constituent flows and which are totally user–specified in separate FORTRAN functions. The CROPS coding (which is a specially written set of GASP IV user routines) accomplishes all other tasks normally required in a crop simulation. CROPS automatically processes weather data, collects and reports statistics on crop growth rates and relative growth rates, and prints status reports on simulated crop conditions. In addition, all GASP IV support routines (plots, histograms, etc.) are available to the CROPS user. A reference manual, which provides complete documentation, and a mini–tutorial, which introduces the reader to using CROPS, are also available.
Steel bar corrosion monitoring with long-period fiber grating sensors coated with nano iron/silica particles and polyurethane:

In this article, a recently proposed long-period fiber grating sensor coated with a thin layer of polyurethane and nano iron/silica particles is further developed and applied to monitor the corrosi...
Arm-manipulator coordination for load sharing using compliant control

Arm-manipulator coordination is a new coordination problem in robotics. Human arm-manipulator coordination is superior to both arm-arm coordination and manipulator-manipulator coordination. Likewise, it is expected to have powerful impacts on many applications in the manufacturing, service, and construction industries. This paper introduces this problem and investigates the coordination using a compliant control method. There are several problems in this scheme. First, the stability problem is studied using the Routh-Hurwitz criterion. Then, a very important aspect of the arm-manipulator coordination problem, load sharing, is investigated. Experimental analysis proves the effectiveness of the proposed schemes.
Comparing Decision Rules for Siting Interconnected Wind Farms

The variability and non-dispatchability of wind power creates many challenges for the operators of electric transmission systems. Current U.S. wind energy policies are focused on encouraging quantities of wind power without much attention paid to quality of the power produced. Using detailed meteorological data from 113 different weather stations in Oklahoma, we simulate power production from a large number of interconnected wind farms and devise a variance-minimizing rule for successively adding farms over a wide geographic area. Our variance-minimizing rule reduces the standard deviation of five-minute averaged wind power output decreases by 27% after grouping of 8 stations. We compare our variance-minimizing decision rule with two other decision rules for incremental wind investment: a nearest-neighbor rule that has been suggested in previous literature and a profit-maximization rule that reflects decentralized decision-makers. All interconnection decision rules reduce the aggregate variance of wind power output, particularly after several stations are interconnected. We find that the nearest-neighbor rule reduces variance by less than half that of the variance-minimization rule. The profit-maximization rule achieves 75% of the variance reduction attained through the variance-minimization rule. We also evaluate and compare wind power variability over hourly and daily time scales and analyze the sensitivity of variance-minimizing wind energy investment patterns to wind-speed measurement frequency. This work is a first step in a larger project, in which we plan to compare the intermittency costs of wind power that arise from different siting policies or decision rules.
Quantitative detection of left ventricular dyssynchrony from cardiac computed tomography angiography

Heart failure represents both an enormous disease and economic burden in the United States, affecting more than 5.7 million people nationally at an annual cost of more than 35 billion dollars. Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a rapidly advancing, non-invasive imaging technique that has the potential to both dramatically reduce the cost and simplify the gathering of diagnostic information needed for the evaluation and treatment of patients with newly diagnosed LV systolic dysfunction. In this paper, we present a parametric model based approach for the detection and classification of dyssynchronous LV using CCTA data. First, the LV endocardial border is traced and then fitted in a prolate spheroidal coordinate system. A new metric, time to minimum λ (t min λ), is then derived from this parametric model and tested on six LVs (3 synchronous, 3 dyssynchronous). The preliminary results of the classifier using only the means and standard deviations of t min λ are extremely encouraging. We then further show how t min λ can be used to quantitatively study the degree and location of dysfunction in a dyssynchronous LV.
Ring oscillators fabricated in laser-annealed silicon-on-insulator

Both seven and eleven stage n-MOS ring oscillators with 6 µm channel length have been successfully fabricated in scanning. CW argon laser-annealed polycrystalline silicon islands, which are defined prior to the laser annealing step, on oxide substrates. The ring oscillators, which have a fan-out of three, have a switching delay per stage of 58 nsec and a power-delay product of about 7 pJ operating at a supply voltage (V DD ) of 5 volts and switching between V DD and ground. The most serious difficulty encountered during circuit fabrication was the deformation of the silicon islands resulting from laser annealing with extensive laser power density.
Crystal growth and scintillation properties of Cs 3 CeX 6 and CsCe 2 X 7 (X = Cl, Br)

A new family of Ce-containing scintillator materials is introduced. Single crystals of Cs 3 CeCl 6 , Cs 3 CeBr 6 , CsCe 2 Cl 7 and CsCe 2 Br 7 were grown in quartz ampoules by the Bridgman method. The crystals have been evaluated for application in gamma ray detection. The scintillation properties of these crystals such as emission, decay time, light output and energy resolution are presented. Radioluminescence spectra showed Ce3+ characteristic emission bands centered in the blue region. Principal scintillation decay time was approximately 50 ns plus a slow component of around 200–300 ns. Scintillation light yield was ∼19,000 ph/MeV for Cs 3 CeCl 6 , 26,000 ph/MeV for CsCe 2 Cl 7 , 28,000 ph/Mev for Cs 3 CeBr 6 , and 40,000 ph/MeV for CsCe 2 Br 7
Bernstein–Walsh inequalities and the exponential curve in ℂ²

It is shown that for the pluripolar set K = {(z, e z ): |z| < 1} in C 2 there is a global Bernstein-Walsh inequality: If P is a polynomial of degree n on C 2 and |P| < 1 on K, this inequality gives an upper bound for |P(z, w)| which grows like exp(1/2n 2 log n). The result is used to obtain sharp estimates for |P(z, e 2 )|.
New Developments in Insulin Delivery

A vigorous research effort has been undertaken worldwide to replace injectable insulin by a more comfortable and painless delivery method. Several routes have been explored for their suitability with respect to insulin degradation in the human body. Considerable progress has been made in achieving the common goal for a convenient and equally effective insulin delivery. This article reviews the different routes available for insulin administration and the many successful developments that have been made in recent years for improving that particular route for a much better insulin delivery.
International Accounting Standards for Line‐of‐Business Reporting and Oligopoly Competition*

. This article presents a model in which the impact of international accounting standards on product market competition can be assessed. Formulating the choice of disclosure rules as the first stage in a multistage game between countries and representative incumbent and entrant firms, we establish conditions under which an enforceable international standard to require line-of-business (LOB) reporting could lead to strict improvement in the expected national welfare of participating countries over the equilibrium that would otherwise be attained. Additional results consider the effects of changes in certain model assumptions and the addition of tariffs as further trade policy instruments. Resume. Les auteurs proposent un modele permettant d'evaluer l'incidence des normes comptables internationales sur la concurrence, sur les marches de produits. Ils posent d'abord le choix des regles de presentation de l'information comme etant la premiere etape d'un jeu a multiples episodes entre les pays et entre les societes en place representatives du secteur et les nouvelles venues. Ils etablissent ensuite les conditions dans lesquelles l'application possible d'une norme internationale exigeant la publication d'information sectorielle pourrait mener a une stricte amelioration de la prosperite nationale attendue des pays participants, au-dela du niveau d'equilibre qui serait autrement atteint. Les auteurs s'interessent entre autres, dans leurs travaux, aux repercussions de la modification de certaines hypotheses du modele et de l'introduction des tarifs douaniers a titre d'instruments de la politique d'echange.
Social Network Privacy: Trusting Friends

Early social networks were generally open with minimal privacy controls. Some anecdotal evidence suggests that people might want more control over privacy on social networks. As an example of one response to this desire, the network Google+ was introduced as a major change by offering circles or groups to make it easier for users to share specific items with selected individuals. Building on earlier research that focuses primarily on trust in the web provider, this research model uses a social network as a function of privacy concerns and trust in contacts and tests the model using several groups of people. The model examines a personal need or desire for privacy, trust in friends, and attitudes towards social networks, and evaluates the impact of these variables on the usage of social networks. The results show that the demand for privacy and trust in friends does have direct impacts on the attitudes towards social networks. In addition, this network attitude in turn affects the rate of an individual’s u...
Yield Learning Methodology in Early Technology Development

Yield learning during early technology development is critical to ensuring successful integration of new process technologies, meeting development schedules, and transitioning smoothly into manufacturing. However, yield learning in early technology development is very different from yield learning in manufacturing. This paper will discuss the unique challenges of yield learning in early technology development. To meet these challenges, innovative systematic and parametric yield models were developed to address many new issues that arose in early 45 nm development at IBM. Furthermore, to understand and characterize new yield loss mechanisms, innovative characterization methods were developed. This paper will illustrate the unified yield learning methodology in early technology development which combines these various yield models and methods to establish a grand pareto and a yield step-up plan to prioritize the whole technology development efforts.
Antibody to S-100 protein aids the separation of pagetoid melanoma from mammary and extramammary Paget's disease.

We evaluated the usefulness of immunohistological staining for S-100 protein in differentiating mammary and extramammary Paget's disease from primary malignant melanoma of superficial spreading (pagetoid) type. This technique was compared to both the mucicarmine and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) methods. The tumor cells of 10 melanomas contained abundant cytoplasmic S- 100 protein. In tissues from mammary and extramammary Paget's disease, S-100 protein was detected in myoepithelial cells, Langerhans cells, and Schwann cells of cutaneous nerves, but was not present in tumor cells. The mucicarmine stain was most useful for vulvar Paget's disease, mucicarminophilic material being present in 9/10 cases. In mammary Paget's disease, only 2/8 cases stained by the mucicarmine technique. Cytoplasmic PAS-positive material was present in the tumor cells of 9/10 cases of vulvar Paget's disease, but was noted in only 1/9 cases of mammary Paget's disease. Melanoma cells from two cases stained weakly with both mucicarmine and PAS indicating that these stains are not specific for Paget's disease in this comparison. The PAS and mucicarmine stains are helpful in differentiating anogenital Paget's disease from pagetoid melanoma, but are less useful in mammary Paget's disease. Immunohistological demonstration of S-100 protein provides an additional diagnostic tool to aid the separation of Paget's disease from pagetoid melanoma.
Crest factor reduction for dual-band systems

As wideband power amplifiers (PAs) become more power and cost efficient, supporting widely separated frequency bands with a common PA and transmit chain is becoming more practical. Dual band digital pre-distortion (DPD) techniques have been proposed as efficient alternatives to traditional wideband solutions for such applications. In this paper, we propose a novel dual band crest factor reduction technique that works together with a dual band DPD solution. Theoretical analysis is performed to compare the dual band solution with the traditional wideband solution. Performance of the proposed technique was demonstrated with a dual-band signal that has two 10 MHz LTE bands with edge to edge separation of 200MHz.