cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence against hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression in the antidiabetic action of leptin

Leptin administration restores euglycemia in rodents with severe insulin-deficient diabetes, and recent studies to explain this phenomenon have focused on the ability of leptin to normalize excessive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. Here, we employed a streptozotocin-induced rat model (STZ-DM) of uncontrolled insulin-deficient diabetes mellitus (uDM) to investigate the contribution of HPA axis suppression to leptin-mediated glucose lowering. Specifically, we asked if HPA axis activation is required for diabetic hyperglycemia, whether HPA axis normalization can be achieved using a dose of leptin below that needed to normalize glycemia, and if the ability of leptin to lower plasma glucocorticoid levels is required for its antidiabetic action. In STZ-DM rats, neither adrenalectomy-induced (ADX-induced) glucocorticoid deficiency nor pharmacological glucocorticoid receptor blockade lowered elevated blood glucose levels. Although elevated plasma levels of corticosterone were normalized by i.v. leptin infusion at a dose that raises low plasma levels into the physiological range, diabetic hyperglycemia was not altered. Lastly, the potent glucose-lowering effect of continuous intracerebroventricular leptin infusion was not impacted by systemic administration of corticosterone at a dose that maintained elevated plasma levels characteristic of STZ-DM. We conclude that, although restoring low plasma leptin levels into the physiological range effectively normalizes increased HPA axis activity in rats with uDM, this effect is neither necessary nor sufficient to explain leptin’s antidiabetic action.
Institution-based prospective inception cohort studies in neonatal rare disease research

In rare diseases, wherein the conduct of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) is challenging, cohort studies can offer important, and, in certain instances, high quality (e.g. the prospective inception cohort study) evidence on relationships among risk factors, treatments, and outcomes. The objective of this perspective article is to provide an overview of salient issues in the design and application of institution-based prospective inception cohort studies in neonatal rare disease research, with emphasis on quality assurance measures. Rigorous implementation of the prospective inception cohort study is challenging, and application to neonates renders it even more difficult. However, when performed collaboratively among institutions employing uniform methods and quality assurance mechanisms, institution-based prospective inception cohort studies can provide optimal observational evidence to inform the design and execution of RCTs in this special pediatric population.
Host resistance and the evolution of kin recognition in polyembryonic wasps

Recognition of relatives is considered a key factor in the evolution of sociality as it ensures that the benefits of altruism flow to those who share the altruist's genes. However, theory predicts that genetically based recognition systems will not persist if the only selection maintaining them derives from the recognition system itself. Kin-recognition systems, therefore, are hypothesized to involve genetic variation maintained by other functions. Polyembryonic wasps are parasites of moth larvae that clonally produce large numbers of offspring and two morphologically distinct castes. Some embryos develop into reproductive larvae that mature into adult wasps, whereas others develop into soldier larvae whose function is defence. Soldiers from Copidosoma floridanum distinguish relatives from non-relatives on the basis of relatedness. Here, we report that the recognition cues used by soldiers derive from the extraembryonic membrane, which also protects these parasites from the host's immune response. This suggests that the kin-recognition system used by C. floridanum may be maintained in part by selection for resistance against the host.
The effect of community on the territorial behavior of the threespot damselfish

I examined the hypothesis that animals alter their behavior in response to changes at the community scale of organization, rather than simply reacting to a sequential set of independent interactions with other organisms. The focal species was the threespot damselfish, Stegastes planifrons,a territorial coral reef fish that experiences a high degree of variation in community composition. Field observations of individual threespot damselfish showed a significant increase in the amount of time spent on active territorial defense when the community contained greater proportions of food competitors. Territorial behavior also increased concurrently with higher species diversity in the community. However, no behavioral change was observed in response to the total number of fish entering the defended territory, suggesting that threespot damselfish are responding to more complex environmental cues associated with community structure rather than simple density.
Ferrihydrite Influence on Infiltration, Runoff, and Soil Loss

Soil aggregates low in organic matter and clay contents are generally susceptible to disintegration at low rainfall energies. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of ferrihydrite (Fe 5 HO 8 -4H 2 O) at stabilizing such aggregates, using five soils with a wide range of physical and chemical properties. The soils were amended with ferrihydrite at rates equivalent to 0, 0.34, 3.36, 16.80, and 33.60 Mg ha -1 , packed to a depth of 7.6 cm in plexiglass cylinders, and then exposed to simulated rainfall at an intensity of 64 mm h -1 for 1.5 h. The erodibility data indicated that as ferrihydrite increased from 0 to 16.80 Mg ha -1 on acid soils, infiltration increased an average of 21.5% while runoff and soil loss decreased 20 and 40%, respectively. Conversely, infiltration decreased 37% while runoff and soil loss increased 21 and 34%, respectively for alkaline soils. Further, sediment size distributions measured at these same ferrihydrite rates indicated that the >250-, and 250- to 53-μm fractions increased 24 and 22% for acid soils and decreased 15 and 14%, respectively in alkaline soils. The <53-μm fraction decreased 21% in the acid soils and increased 46% in the alkaline soils. These results suggest ferrihydrite develops a net positive charge in acid soil environments that leads to formation of bonds with negatively charged soil particles and an increase in water stable aggregation. Conversely, in alkaline soils, ferrihydrite becomes negatively charged which results in dispersion and aggregate instability. Thus, ferrihydrite appears to be an effective amendment for reducing runoff and soil loss from acid pH soils at amendment rates between 3.36 and 16.80 Mg ha -1 .
Camus' Vision of Greatness

This study is a concise analysis of Albert Camus' concept of heroism. Attention is drawn to the fact that as a means of depolarking the antipodean forces of both modem Christianity and contemporary Atheism, Camus invoked three Grecian figures - - Sisyphus, Prometheus and Nemesis - - as paradigms from which he declined his own heroes. Seen as prototypes of humanity, these legendary figures embody the absurdity, revolt and moderation which correspond to stages in the development of Camus' own concept of greatness. By cross-referral of Camus' essays with his plays and novels, the heroes are discussed in an attempt to illustrate how they, like their Grecian counterparts, desire to transcend the absurdity of their various predicaments while realizing the impossibility of their quest. Thus from unawareness to consciousness, from consciousness to revolt and from revolt to re-integration with life's absurdities, Camus' vision of greatness is presented as consistently maintaining a sacred respect for life, and for the absurd ways of living which preserve it.
Randomized phase I/II trial of two variants of accelerated fractionated radiotherapy regimens for advanced head and neck cancer: results of RTOG 88-09.

Purpose : To establish the feasibility of performing split-course accelerated hyperfractionation (AHFX-S) and concomitant boost accelerated fractionation radiotherapy (AFX-C) for advanced head and neck cancer in a multi-institutional cooperative trial setting and to evaluate the tumor clearance rate and acute and late toxicity of these fractionation schedules. Methods and Materials : Between February 1989 and January 1990, 75 patients with Stage III or IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were randomized to receive : (a) AHFX-S : 1.6 Gy/fraction, twice daily (6-h interval), 5 days/week, to a total dose of 67.2 Gy/42 fractions/6 weeks, with a 2-week rest after 38.4 Gy ; or (b) AFX-C : 1.8 Gy/fraction/day, 5 daily fractions/week to 54 Gy/30 fractions/6 weeks to a large field and 1.5 Gy/fraction/day to a boost field, 6 h after large field treatment during the last 11 treatment days, to a total dose of 70.5 Gy/41 fractions/6 weeks. Acute and late toxicities were scored according to the RTOG normal tissue reaction scales and tumor clearance was evaluated at completion of therapy and at regular intervals thereafter. Results : Of the 70 analyzable patients, 38 received AHFX-S and 32 received AFX-C. The two arms were balanced with respect to sex, age, T-stage, and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS). However, the AHFX-S arm had a higher proportion of oropharyngeal primaries (63% vs. 44%), and Stage IV disease (82% vs. 50%) and lower proportion of oral cavity lesions (3% vs. 22%) and N0 disease (16% vs. 31%) than the AFX-C arm. The median follow-up was 2 years (range : 0.03-4.87 years). Tolerance of both variants of accelerated fractionated radiotherapy was satisfactory. There was no significant difference in local-regional control, disease-free survival, or survival between the two arms. The 2-year local-regional failure rate, survival, and disease-free survival was 50, 50, and 40%, respectively, for the entire group of patients. Acute radiation mucositis was increased in both arms. There was no significant difference in the incidence of grade 3 acute toxicities (63% vs. 56%) and grade 3 (14% vs. 14%) or grade 4 (6% vs. 17%) late toxicities. Permanent grade 4 late toxicity was observed in 6 and 7% of the patients, respectively. Conclusion : Results of this randomized Phase I/II trial showed that the two accelerated fractionated schedules studied can be successfully given in a multi-institutional cooperative trial. There was no significant difference in acute or late toxicities, local-regional control, disease-free survival, or survival in this small scale study. Therefore, a Phase III trial comparing the relative efficacy of these two accelerated fractionation schedules against standard fractionation and hyperfractionation has been activated.
Selective iron(II) phthalocyanine and ruthenium(II) phthalocyanine shift reagents

Abstract Some of the properties of the iron(II) phthalocyanine NMR shift reagents FePc, FePc(NH 2 C 4 H 9 ) 2 , FePc(ND 2 C 4 D 9 ) 2 , FePc(NH 2 C 6 H 5 ) 6 , and FePc(ND 2 C 6 D 5 ) 6 , and the ruthenium(II) phthalocyanine NMR shift reagents RuPc, RuPc[(CH 3 ) 2 SO] 6 , and RuPc[(CD 3 ) 2 SO] 6 are described and commented on. The results of applying FePc, FePc(NH 2 C 6 H 5 ) 6 , FePc(ND 2 C 6 D 5 ) 6 , RuPc, RuPc[(CH 3 ) 2 SO] 6 , and RuPc[(CD 3 ) 2 SO] 6 to a variety of compounds are given. It is concluded that FePc, FePc(NH 2 C 6 H 5 ) 6 , and FePc(ND 2 C 6 D 5 ) 6 are effective shift reagents for a substantial range of imidazoles, pyridines, and primary aliphatic amines, and a narrow range of secondary aliphatic amines. It is also concluded that RuPc, RuPc[(CH 3 ) 2 SO] 6 , and RuPc[(CD 3 ) 2 SO] 6 are effective shift reagents for a wide range of imidazoles, pyridines, primary aliphatic amines, and primary aromatic amines, a substantial range of secondary aliphatic amines, secondary aromatic amines, and hydrazines, and a narrow range of tertiary aliphatic amines. Factors which influence the applicability of the reagents are discussed.
Differential association with cellular substructures of pseudorabies virus DNA during early and late phases of replication.

Abstract Pseudorabies virus DNA synthesis can be divided into two phases, early and late, which can be distinguished from each other on the basis of the structures of the replicating DNA. The two types of replicating virus DNA can also be distinguished from each other on the basis of the cellular substructures with which each is associated. Analysis by electron microscopic autoradiography showed that during the first round of replication, nascent virus DNA was found in the vicinity of the nuclear membrane; during later rounds of replication the nascent virus DNA was located centrally within the nucleus. The degree of association of virus DNA synthesized at early and late phases with the nuclear matrix fractions also differed; a larger proportion of late than of early nascent virus DNA was associated with this fraction. While nascent cellular DNA only was associated in significant amounts with the nuclear matrix fraction, a large part (up to 40%) of all the virus DNA remained associated with this fraction. However, no retention of specific virus proteins in this fraction was observed. Except for two virus proteins, which were preferentially extracted from the nuclear matrix, approximately 20% of all virus proteins remained in the nuclear matrix fraction. The large proportion of virus DNA associated with the nuclear fraction indicated that virus DNA may be intimately associated with some proteins. Indeed, protease-treated, “purified” DNA preparations contained two proteins (15K and 10K) with histone-like properties which were protected by the DNA from deproteinization, probably by virtue of being at the center of the concatemeric tangles of virus DNA. It is possible that these proteins play a role in anchoring virus DNA to the nuclear matrices.
II–VI semiconductor compounds: New superlattice systems for the future?

Abstract In this paper we present a general survey of growth and characterization of HgTe-CdTe superlattices. From very recent experiments, done by infrared absorption and infrared photoluminescence, we compare the experimental values obtained for the energy gap, E g , with those calculated theoretically and we show that the agreement is fairly good. We report also on the interdiffusion between layers. We comment on the temperature independence of E g from infrared absorption measurements and the very high hole mobilities observed in p-type superlattices, phenomena unpredicted by current theoretical models. From all of these results, it appears that HgTe-CdTe superlattices could be important materials for future device applications.
Quantum confinement and phase transition in PbS nanowire: A first principles study

Abstract We report first principles density functional calculations of the electronic structures and energy bandgaps ( Δ E g ) in PbS nanowires (NW). The Δ E g is tuned by varying the diameter of the NW – revealing the role of quantum confinement . Compressive radial strain (CS) on the NW is shown to be responsible for a semiconducting to metallic phase transition. When compared with the valence band, the conduction band (CB) of the NW, which has a significant contribution from the excited 3 d -orbital of S, is found to be more sensitive to the CS with the CB minimum shifting towards and eventually crossing the Fermi energy as CS increases. The origin of the observed phase transition in a recent experiment is attributed to the CS on the PbS nanowire.
Phosphine and tertiarybutylphosphine adsorption on the indium-rich InP (0 0 1)-(2 × 4) surface

Abstract Phosphine and tertiarybutylphosphine adsorption on the indium-rich InP (0 0 1)-(2 × 4) surface at 25 °C have been studied by internal reflection infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and low energy electron diffraction. Both molecules form a dative bond to the empty dangling bonds on the In–P heterodimers and the second-layer In–In dimers and vibrate symmetrically at 2319 (2315) and 2285 (2281) cm −1 and asymmetrically at 2339 (2339) and 2327 (2323) cm −1 . A fraction of these species dissociate into adsorbed PH 2 with the hydrogen and tertiarybutyl ligands transferring to nearby phosphorus sites. The calculated energy barriers for desorption ( 17 kcal/mol) and explains their low sticking probabilities at elevated temperatures under InP growth conditions.
Consequences of viscous drag beneath a transform fault

[1] A transform fault is modeled as a vertical cut through an elastic layer (schizosphere) of thickness H overlying a viscous substrate (plastosphere). We consider a steady transform motion accommodated in the schizosphere wholly by slip on the fault and in the plastosphere, insofar as possible, by viscous flow. For the case where the viscosity in the plastosphere is strain rate dependent but independent of temperature, the velocity solution in the plastosphere is Vθ/π, where V is the slip rate on the fault in the schizosphere and r and θ are the cylindrical coordinates with the origin at the bottom of the fault. The viscous stress is singular at the bottom of the fault (r = 0) and exceeds the brittle (frictional) strength for r r0. Equating the brittle strength to the viscous stress defines the brittle–ductile boundary r0 in the plastosphere as a function of H and viscosity. The additional condition that r0 must be small allows the viscosity to be estimated from H. For small r, the temperature-independent solution is a valid approximation to the temperature-dependent solution, and the relation between viscosity and H should remain valid. From the temperature-independent model, we estimate that self-heating due to dissipation in the plastosphere for reasonable Earth parameters is less than ∼20°C.
Increased fluidity of Plasmodium berghei-infected mouse red blood cell membranes detected by electron spin resonance spectroscopy.

Abstract The fluidity of Plasmodium berghei-infected mouse red cell membranes is increased over that of uninfected cells at both 24°C and 37°C. This was demonstrated by electron spin resonance spectroscopy using the hydrocarbon spin labels 2-dodecyl-2′,5,5′-trimethyloxazolidine-N-oxyl and 2-heptyl-2′ -hexyl-5,5′-dimethyloxazolidine-N-oxyl to label regions of the bilayer near its surface, and deeper within the hydrocarbon region, respectively. Arrhenius plots of the ‘empirical motion parameter’ (Ri) obtained from 2-heptyl-2′-hexyl-5,5′-dimethyloxazolidine-N-oxyl-labeled cells versus temperature over the range from 0 to 45°C showed an hysteretic behavior of the spin labels in the membranes of both mature and immature uninfected cells. Such hysteretic behavior was consistently lacking in membranes of infected cells. These differences in membrane fluidity and spin label behavior are interpreted to reflect biochemical modifications of the red cell membrane which occur with infection by the malarial parasite.
Isolation and characterization of an 18 kDa hypusine-containing protein from cultured NB-15 mouse neuroblastoma cells.

An 18 kDa protein can be metabolically labeled by [3H]putrescine or [3H]spermidine in various mammalian cells. The labeling is due to a post-translational modification of one lysine residue to hypusine using the aminobutyl moiety derived from spermidine. In view of the lack of knowledge of the function of this spermidine-modified protein, we decided to use the radioactivity associated with the [3H]spermidine-labeled 18 kDa protein as a tracer to develop a simple procedure for purifying this protein from cultured cells. We first screened more than 15 different affinity adsorbents for their ability to bind the labeled 18 kDa protein. This approach enabled us to develop a four-step procedure to purify the labeled 18 kDa protein from NB-15 mouse neuroblastoma cells. The procedure, including a Cibacron Blue column, an ω-aminooctyl-agarose, a Sepharose G-50, and a Mono Q column, resulted in an 800-fold purification of the labeled 18 kDa protein. Two-dimensional gel analysis of fractions enriched in the labeled 18 kDa protein revealed (i) the presence of isoforms of hypusine-containing 18 kDa protein, with p1 values ranging from 4.7 to 5.2, and (ii) the presence of an additional labeled protein with an apparent molecular mass of 22 kDa and a pI value of 5.0. The labeling intensity of the 22 kDa protein, however, was less than 5% of that of the 18 kDa protein. Peptide map analysis, using the V-8 proteinase digestion method, indicated that the 18 kDa hypusine-containing protein obtained from NB-15 cells was similar to eukaryotic initiation factor 4D isolated from rabbit reticulocytes.
Prevention of diabetic neuropathy by regulatable expression of HSV-mediated erythropoietin.

Previous studies have demonstrated that gene transfer of genes coding for neurotrophic factors to the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) using nonreplicating herpes simplex virus (HSV)–based vectors injected subcutaneously can prevent the progression of diabetic neuropathy. Because prolonged expression of neurotrophic factors could potentially have unwanted adverse effects, we constructed a nonreplicating HSV vector, vHrtEPO, to express erythropoietin (EPO) under the control of a tetracycline response element (TRE)-minimal cytomegalovirus (CMV) fusion promoter. Primary DRG neurons in culture infected with vHrtEPO express and release EPO in response to exposure to doxycycline (DOX). Animals infected with vHrtEPO by footpad inoculation demonstrated regulated expression of EPO in DRG under the control of DOX administered by gavage. Mice rendered diabetic by injection of streptozotocin (STZ), inoculated with vHrtEPO, and treated with DOX 4 days out of 7 each week for 4 weeks were protected against the development of diabetic neuropathy as assessed by electrophysiologic and behavioral measures. These studies indicate that intermittent expression of EPO in DRG achieved from a regulatable vector is sufficient to protect against the progression of neuropathy in diabetic animals, and provides proof-of-principle preclinical evidence for the development of such vectors for clinical trial.
Outbreak of Cutaneous Rhizopus arrhizus Infection Associated with Karaya Ostomy Bags

BACKGROUND We investigated an outbreak involving 2 patients hospitalized at hospital A with cutaneous Rhizopus arrhizus (oryzae) infections of surgically created stomas. METHODS A cohort study involving all patients having ileostomy or colostomy surgery during the outbreak period (January-April 2005) was performed. Environmental samples, including samples obtained from nonsterile karaya (a plant-derived adhesive) ostomy bags and from select hospital areas, were collected. A point prevalence survey was conducted at 5 unrelated hospitals to assess stoma care practices and mold contamination of karaya ostomy bags outside of hospital A. Zygomycete isolates were identified by standard methods. RESULTS Infections occurred 7 and 10 days after operations for the 2 patients; 1 patient died. In a 21-patient cohort, receiving the equivalent of > or =0.5 mg/kg per day of prednisone during the week prior to the index date was associated with infection (infection rate, 33% for patients receiving > or =0.5 mg/kg per day of prednisone vs. 0% for patients receiving <0.5 mg/kg per day of prednisone; P=.07). The time to first ostomy bag change was longer for patients with infection (median duration, 8.5 days; range, 7-10 days) than for the 19 patients without infection (median duration, 1.5 days; range, 1-17 days; P=.08). At unrelated hospitals, the median time to first ostomy bag change was 2 days (range, 1-6 days) for 18 patients after ostomy. R. arrhizus was recovered from 10 of 18 karaya ostomy bags from hospital A and from karaya ostomy bags donated from 3 of 5 other hospitals, but it was not recovered from the hospital A environment. CONCLUSIONS The initial karaya ostomy bag was likely to be the source of Rhizopus infection, and prolonged exposure before the first ostomy bag change might have precipitated infection in these susceptible individuals. Karaya might contain opportunistic molds that can pose an infectious risk among susceptible persons.
Aerometric studies in Greater Cincinnati using an integrating nephelometer

Horizontal and vertical scattering profiles are presented for Greater Cincinnati. The ground and upper air profiles were obtained from a nephelometer attached to a station wagon and a Cessna aircraft, respectively. Preliminary results show that under anticyclonic weather the dust dome is well pronounced with scattering coefficients of 8 times 10 ?4 m ?1 (304 ?g/m 3 ) on the ground and 5 times 10 ?4 m ?1 (190 ?g/m 3 ) at 900 m MSL. The most polluted city areas have about 2-2.5 times higher dust loadings than the outskirts. Under cyclonic weather the scattering profiles are flattened with values below 2 times 10 ?4 m ?1 (76 ?g/m 3 ) both for surface and upper air samplings. The vertical profiles seem to indicate that Cincinnati's dust dome does not extend much beyond 1 000–1 500 m above the ground. Horizontal and meridional scattering profiles show that the nephelometer is well suited for monitoring small-scale changes in air pollutant concentrations due to changes in land use. The research has shown that in spite of inaccuracies in the assessment of absolute values, the instrument can provide valuable information on three-dimensional variations of particle concentrations. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1973.tb00634.x
Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Spanish Civil War

(1965). Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Spanish Civil War. The Social Studies: Vol. 56, No. 2, pp. 59-69.
Power optimization of an extra-terrestrial, solar-radiant stirling heat engine

Abstract The power output and thermal efficiency of a finite-time, optimized, extra-terrestrial, solar-radiant Stirling heat engine have been studied. The thermodynamic model adopted is a regenerative gas Stirling cycle coupled to a heat source and heat sink by radiant heat transfer. Both the heat source and sink are assumed to have infinite heat-capacity rates. Expressions are obtained for optimum power and efficiency at optimum power for a cycle based on higher and lower temperature bounds.
In vivo human atherosclerotic plaque recognition by laser-excited fluorescence spectroscopy.

Abstract Arterial wall perforation and chronic restenosis represent important factors limiting the clinical application of laser angioplasty. Discrimination of normal and atherosclerotic vessels by laserexcited fluorescence spectroscopy may offer a means of targeting plaque ablation, thereby reducing the frequency of restenosis and transmural perforation. In this study, with use of a 325 nm low power helium-cadmium laser, in vivo endogenous surface fluorescence was excited through a flexible 200 μm optical fiber within a 0.018 in. (0.046 cm) guide wire in contact with the intima of 268 vascular interrogation sites from 48 patients either during open heart surgery or during percutaneous catheterization procedures. Fluorescence spectra could be recorded in all patients in bloodless and blood-filled arteries. Endogenous surface fluorescence was analyzed measuring peak intensity, peak position and shape index of the spectra. Compared with normal wall, noncalcified and calcified coronary atheroma showed a 42% (p This study demonstrates that in vivo laser-excited fluorescence spectroscopy of remote human arteries with optical fibers, in either a bloodless or a blood-filled environment, is feasible and accurately discriminates, with use of a real-time computercontrolled algorithm, atherosclerotic from normal vascular tissue. Thus, incorporation of fluorescence spectroscopic feedback control in a laser angioplasty system is feasible and may improve clincal results.
Degenerate semiconductor device equations with temperature effect

Abstract In this paper, we establish an existence assertion for the following elliptic system: - div ( a ( v ) ∇ n - a ( v ) n ∇ ψ ) = 0 in Ω , - div ( a ( v ) ∇ p + a ( v ) p ∇ ψ ) = 0 in Ω , - div ( a ( v ) ∇ ψ ) = p - n + f in Ω , - div ( a ( v ) ∇ v ) = a ( v ) | ∇ ψ | 2 in Ω coupled with suitable boundary conditions. This problem arises from the study of semiconductor devices with temperature effect and without recombination. We only assume that a is continuous and positive. This gives rise to the possibility that the system may be degenerate and/or singular. We show that, if a ( s ) does not go to zero too fast as s → ∞ , there exists a bounded weak solution, and therefore neither degeneracy nor singularity really occur. This also immediately implies some additional regularity properties for the weak solution.
Bioavailability of Copper Bound to Dietary Fiber in Mice and Rats

The bioavailability of copper (Cu) was compared in mice or rats fed diets containing wheat bran-bound Cu and adequate Cu (unbound) or deficient Cu with cellulose or wheat bran. Cardiac and hepatic Cu content were comparable in mice fed bran-bound or adequate Cu and greater than mice fed deficient Cu. Cardiac Cu content was comparable in rats fed bran-bound Cu and adequate Cu and greater than rats fed deficient Cu. Hepatic Cu content, however, was less in rats fed bran-bound Cu than adequate Cu and greater in both than deficient Cu. Both rats and mice utilized dietary Cu bound to wheat bran, suggesting that mineral-fiber interactions may not decrease bioavailability when dietary mineral is adequate. Tissue Cu content in Cudeficiency was lower in animals fed wheat bran compared to cellulose, suggesting that the type of fiber may exacerbate effects of mineral deficiency.
Collective motion of planar particles and coupled lasers

We consider the problem of controlling coupled identical, planar particles in the polar coordinate to achieve various collective motions. We first introduce a model that allows amplitude and phase coordination by decomposing particles' positions into the amplitude and phase states. Then we present two control algorithms based on this model. The convergence analysis shows that under different coordination strategies and control parameters, the particles achieve rendezvous, circular formation, or rotation. In particular, we show that a coupled laser system can be treated as a special case of the proposed model. Using this interpretation, analytical explanation of the observed phase locking phenomenon is provided for identical lasers. The various collective motions by our proposed control algorithms are verified using Matlab simulations.
Nanophotonics for integrated information systems

Optical technology plays an increasingly important role in numerous information system applications, including optical communications, storage, signal processing, biology, medicine, and sensing. As optical technology develops, there is a growing need to develop scalable and reliable photonic integration technologies. These include the development of passive and active optical components that can be integrated into functional optical circuits and systems, including filters, electrically or optically controlled switching fabrics, optical sources, detectors, amplifiers, etc. We explore the unique capabilities and advantages of nanotechnology in developing next generation integrated photonic information systems. Our approach includes design, modeling and simulations of selected components and devices, their nanofabrication, followed by validation via characterization and testing of the fabricated devices. The latter exploits our recently constructed near field complex amplitude imaging tool. The understanding of near field interactions in nanophotonic devices and systems is a crucial step as these interactions provide a variety of functionalities useful for optical systems integration. Furthermore, near-field optical devices facilitate miniaturization, and simultaneously enhance multifunctionality, greatly increasing the functional complexity per unit volume of the photonic system. Since the optical properties of near-field materials are controlled by the geometry, there is flexibility in the choice of constituent materials, facilitating the implementation of a wide range of devices using compatible materials for ease of fabrication and integration.
Gelation of Organic Liquids by Some 5α-Cholestan-3β-yl N-(2-Aryl)carbamates and 3β-Cholesteryl 4-(2-Anthrylamino)butanoates. How Important Are H-Bonding Interactions in the Gel and Neat Assemblies of Aza Aromatic-Linker-Steroid Gelators?†

Thermally reversible organogels, comprised of a variety of organic liquids and low concentrations of relatively low molecular mass aza analogues of previously investigated ALS (i.e., aromatic linker steroid) molecules have been investigated. The aza-ALS gelators are derivatives of 3β-cholesteryl 4-(2-anthrylamino)butanoate (CAAB) and 5α-cholestan-3β-yl aryl- or alkylcarbamates. The relationship between gelator structure and efficiency of gelation is explored. The molecular packing arrangements of the gelators in the gel (strands) and other phases are investigated by several physical methods. The results provide insights into the factors that do and do not lead to efficient gelators of this type. For instance, UV−vis absorption and fluorescence spectra of the gel and crystalline phases of 5α-cholestan-3β-yl N-(2-anthryl)-N-methylcarbamate (CAMC) exhibit red-shifted bands that can be associated with J-type aggregates. From comparative infrared spectral investigations, it is concluded that there are no hydro...
Flash Flood Forecasting for Small Urban Watersheds in the Baltimore Metropolitan Region

Abstract The utility of distributed hydrologic models in combination with high-resolution Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) rainfall estimates for flash flood forecasting in urban drainage basins is examined through model simulations of 10 flood events in the 14.3 km2 Dead Run watershed of Baltimore County, Maryland. The hydrologic model consists of a simple infiltration model and a geomorphological instantaneous unit hydrograph–based representation of hillslope and channel response. Analyses are based on high-resolution radar rainfall estimates from the Sterling, Virginia, WSR-88D and observations from a nested network of 6 stream gauges in the Dead Run watershed and a network of 17 rain gauge stations in Dead Run. For the three largest flood peaks in Dead Run, including the record flood on 7 July 2004, hydrologic model forecasts do not capture the pronounced attenuation of flood peaks. Hydraulic controls imposed by valley bottom constrictions associated with bridges and bridge abutments ...
Linearization of Cauchy's problem for quadratic semilinear partial differential equations

The technique of linearization is applied to quadratic semilinear systems of n first-order partial differential equations. By introducing a related linear algebra A, we combine analytic and algebraic arguments to obtain a class of linearizable systems. We relate the coefficients of such systems to the center of A and show that, for hyperbolic systems, the ideals of A decouple the system into disjoint subsystems each having its own single wave number.
Random-field critical behavior of a d=3 Ising system

Optical birefringence studies of the randomly diluted, $d=3$ Ising antiferromagnet ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{0.6}$${\mathrm{Zn}}_{0.4}$${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ reveal that the magnetic specific heat exhibits a symmetric logarithmic singularity, consistent with an effective dimensionality $\overline{d}\ensuremath{\simeq}2$, in small magnetic fields $H$ applied parallel to the unique axis. The nature and the sharpness of the phase transition for $H\ensuremath{\le}20$ kOe and reduced temperature $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}\ensuremath{\le}t\ensuremath{\le}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ suggest that the lower critical dimensionality ${d}_{l}l3$. Both of these results are inconsistent with the predicted mapping $\overline{d}=d\ensuremath{-}2$, for the random-field problem, obtained from perturbation theory. The observed crossover exponent $\ensuremath{\varphi}=1.40\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$ agrees with both the measured and predicted random-exchange susceptibility exponent $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ as is to be expected. The observed amplitude of the shift in ${T}_{c}$ with $H$ agrees with a new theory of random-field effects in diluted antiferromagnets.
Hormonal effects on amino-acid incorporation into lysine-rich histones.

RECENTLY interest in the suggestion that histones have a role in the regulation of genes in differentiated cells has been re-kindled1–3, but it has yet to be established that the histone acts in a specific way. Indeed, the apparent lack of tissue, and even species, specificity among histones when examined for physico-chemical properties4 made their implied role as genetic regulators in vivo difficult to accept, especially if histones were imagined to be analogous to bacterial repressors5. One of the two types of the arginine-rich histone, for example, has essentially identical primary structure in peas and cows6. In the case of lysine-rich histones, however, both species and tissue specificity have been demonstrated recently7,8 with the chromatographic system of Kinkade and Cole9. Here we show that the lysine-rich histone complement of a given tissue responds in a highly specific fashion to changes in physiological state.
A Next Generation X-ray Laser Array at the Berkeley Lab: Science Drivers and Facility Overview

Abstract (35 Word Limit) The Next Generation Light Source is a high-repetition-rate seeded soft X-ray FEL array proposed for the Berkeley Lab. An overview of the energy science drivers and projected technical capabilities of this facility is presented.
Radiation therapy in the treatment of difficult giant cell tumors

Thirteen patients with giant cell tumors of bone have been treated by radiation therapy because surgery was not feasible or unacceptably disfiguring. Seven patients were treated for primary giant cell tumors of the bone, four for recurrent disease, and three for metastasis (one presented with both distant metastasis and local recurrence after primary surgery). The follow-up time ranged from 18 months to 13 years, with a mean of 6.5 years. All patients except one are alive. Local control was achieved in 11 patients (85%). One patient whose tumor was located in the sacrum had no gross response and at 5 months was subjected to a partial sacrectomy. A second patient had local regrowth 1 year after treatment; salvage surgery was successful. There have been no long-term complications of radiation therapy. This study confirms that for patients with giant cell tumor of bone, radiation therapy offers an effective alternative to complex or difficult surgery and constitutes a good treatment method to medically inoperable patients.
Compact Waste Incinerator Based on Vortex Combustion

Abstract Active control of fluid dynamics has been used to enhance mixing in incinerator afterburner experiments in order to increase the DRE of a waste surrogate. Experiments were conducted in two stages: a detailed study of the concept of utilizing vortex combustion for incineration in a small scale flame burning gaseous fuel and an extension to a more practical system using liquid fuel with significantly higher heat release. The open loop active control system is based on the concept of combustion in periodic axisymmetric vortices. Acoustic excitation is used to stabilize coherent vortices in the air flow. Acoustic excitation and automotive fuel injectors, were used to control gaseous or liquid fuel injection, respectively, such that the fuel is introduced into the air vortices at the right time during their formation. It is shown that this control methodology leads lo improved waste destruction. A gaseous fueled actively controlled 4.5 kW incinerator was able to surpass 99.997% DRE (destruction and re...
INDIRECT EVIDENCE OF INTRAGLOMERULAR PLATELET ACTIVATION IN A SUBTYPE OF CHILDHOOD NEPHROTIC SYNDROME, FOCAL SEGMENTAL GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS

The theory that platelets once activated to secrete their granule constituents may continue to circulate in an "exhausted" state has found basis in experimental research, and has led clinical investigators to utilize the measurement of platelet serotonin content as an indirect reflection of in vivo platelet activation. In a patient with clinical and laboratory evidence of glomerulopathy, but without evident disease activity elsewhere, a low level of intraplatelet serotonin indicates that platelet activation is occuring within the glomerulus. To test the hypothesis that intraglomerular platelet activation is integral to the evolution and maintenance of glomerular injury in FSGS we have measured platelet serotonin content in 15 patients with biopsy-proven FSGS, 11 patients with treatment responsive N.S., and 20 normal controls. Expressed as nanograms 5-HT per 109 platelets, the following results were obtained:
Prognostic value of humbug gene overexpression in stage II colon cancer

Summary Overexpression of aspartyl (asparaginyl) β -hydroxylase (AAH) has been demonstrated in hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, and pancreatic carcinoma. AAH has an important role in regulating cell motility and invasiveness. Humbug is a truncated homolog of AAH, with a role in calcium regulation. The present study examines the prognostic use of AAH and humbug gene expression in stage II colon cancer. One hundred thirty cases of TNM stage II colon carcinoma were retrieved from the Rhode Island Hospital pathology archives. Tissue microarrays were immunostained with the FB50 and 15C7 monoclonal antibodies generated to recombinant AAH. However, FB50 also recognizes humbug. In addition, AAH and humbug expression was analyzed in samples of colon cancer and adjacent normal mucosa by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. Humbug (FB50) expression was localized to the tumor cytoplasm, whereas normal colonic epithelium did not exhibit significant immunoreactivity. Humbug staining was detected in 85% of the neoplasms, 23% of which stained strongly. Strong humbug immunoreactivity positively correlated with nuclear grade ( P = .006) and inversely with survival ( P = .027). In contrast to humbug, AAH (15C7) immunoreactivity was seen in normal and neoplastic epithelium. There was no correlation between AAH immunoreactivity and tumor grade, or survival. Correspondingly, reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction studies demonstrated up-regulation of humbug but not AAH in 95% of colon carcinomas relative to adjacent colon cancer-free mucosa ( P
Endoluminal Suturing of an Anastomotic Leak

An anastomotic leak can be one of the most morbid and complex complications after esophagectomy. Typically, management can entail repair, stenting, or diversion. The leak complicates a patient's postoperative course and delays initiation of any adjuvant therapy. Novel minimally invasive tools created to expedite healing of the anastomotic leak may potentially limit additional procedures traditionally used to treat the leak. We present the case of a 49-year-old man who sustained an anastomotic leak 5 days after undergoing esophagectomy for cancer. He was initially managed with drainage, and when this failed, he was transferred to our hospital. An endoscopic suturing device was used to close the leak and pexy a partially covered self-expanding metal stent that was left in place for 2 weeks. At the end of 2 weeks, the leak healed and there was no stent migration.
Thermal stability of ultra-thin InGaAs-on-insulator substrates

Ultra-thin-body on buried oxide (UTBB) InGaAs are promising layers for the next generation of transistors. One way to fabricate InGaAs layer on Si or SiGe substrates is the direct wafer bonding technique with ion implantation and thermal splitting. We have investigated the bonding energy of two possible candidates for the buried oxide (BOX), Al2O3 and SiO2, between room temperature and 450°C. Then we have compared the properties of InAlAs, InP and InGaAs buffers for the implantation and splitting processes.
After the Attempt: Maintaining the Therapeutic Alliance Following a Patient's Suicide Attempt

The risk of a patient's suicide is a prominent occupational hazard for psychotherapists. The precise number of patients who attempt suicide while in treatment and then resume therapy with the same therapist is not known, but this situation is a relatively common occurrence in clinical practice. Such scenarios can pose significant challenges to the reestablishment of the therapeutic trust and a workable treatment alliance. The aim of this paper is to identify the challenges facing a clinician treating a patient who resumes therapy following a serious suicide attempt, and to offer guidelines for maintaining the viability of the therapeutic alliance.
The permanent electric dipole moment of chromium monoxide

The permanent electric dipole moments for the X 5Pi and B 5pi states of gas-phase CrO have been experimentally determined using the sub-Doppler optical technique of intermodulated fluorescence spectroscopy in conjunction with the Stark effect. The measured values are 3.88 + or - 0.13 and 4.1 + or - 1.8 D for the X and B states, respectively. The theoretical values determined for the X state using multireference CI iterative-natural-orbital and finite-field calculations are in excellent agreement with the experimental value.
A self inversive array processing scheme for angle-of-arrival estimation

Abstract This paper proposes an improved high-resolution technique that incorporates the forward (original) array together with its complex conjugated backward version to achieve superior performance. This is in turn realized by averaging the forward covariance matrix and the backward one, and using it in conjunction with the MUSIC technique. This paper also presents the asymptotic analysis in terms of first-order approximations of the mean and variance of the null spectrum estimator. It is shown here that in an uncorrelated scene, the bias corresponding to this scheme is exactly half of that associated with the conventional one while maintaining the same variance. Furthermore, the bias expression in the new scheme is used to obtain a resolution threshold for two uncorrelated, equipowered plane waves in white noise and the result is compared with that obtained by the conventional scheme for the same source scene.
Impact of surfactants on the crystal growth of amorphous celecoxib

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of surfactants on the rate of crystal growth of amorphous celecoxib, both in the presence and absence of a polymer. Celecoxib is a poorly water-soluble non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Such compounds may be formulated as amorphous solid dispersions to improve bioavailability, and solid dispersions can contain both a surfactant and a polymer. While the impact of polymers on crystal growth rates has been studied, the effect of surfactants is largely unexplored. Herein, the effect of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sucrose palmitate and d-α tocopherol polyethylenglycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) at a 10% (w/w) concentration on the crystal growth rate of celecoxib was investigated. Linear crystal growth rates as a function of temperature (70-120 °C) were measured using optical microscopy. The mixtures were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that the surfactants increase the crystal growth rate of amorphous celecoxib. However, addition of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) helped to mitigate the increase in growth rates, although the ternary systems were highly complex. Thus it is clear that the impact of a surfactant on the physical stability of an amorphous solid dispersion should be considered during formulation.