cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of Processing on the High Strain Rate Behavior of Refractory Metals - A Review

The high strain rate behavior of structural refractory metals such as tungsten, tantalum, hafnium and their alloys is reviewed. Tungsten, tantalum and their alloys exhibit significant rate sensitivity where as hafnium exhibits little or no rate sensitivity. Single crystal and textured tungsten in orientation are found to exhibit excellent ductility whereas in orientation they fail in a typically brittle manner. Tungsten heavy alloys (WHA) show moderate ductility and are also found to exhibit strain localization at high strain rates. Tantalum and their alloys exhibit moderate to excellent ductility but their deformation is highly dependent on initial processing texture. Hafnium exhibits excellent ductility and is prone to localization in a wide range of strain rates. The macroscopic high strain rate behavior of refractory metals is explained in terms of the processing conditions to which they are subjected and the resulting microstructure.
Hispanic versus Anglo male dominance in purchase decisions

Purpose – Aims to determine whether the level of acculturation experienced by Hispanics influences purchase decisions (brand, location, paint color) of household paint.Design/methodology/approach – A telephone survey was conducted to determine the extent to which husbands influenced the purchase of household paint. Hispanic and Anglo responses were compared. Additional data were collected to determine the level of acculturation of the consumer.Findings – The findings indicate no difference between Hispanic and Anglo patterns. There was also no difference between Hispanics high in acculturation (HHIA) and Hispanics low in acculturation (HLIA) in male dominance of purchase decisions.Research limitations/implications – One of the limitations of the study deals with the newest immigrants. Those Hispanics who have recently immigrated may not have an established address or telephone number, so this group may not be adequately represented.Practical implications – In determining influence for paint‐related produc...
Measurement And Interpretation Of Optical Properties At High Temperatures

The use of the pseudo-Brewster and other reflection-transmissicn techniques in the characterization and interpretation of high temperature optical properties has been reported. In the pseudo-Brewster method one measures the ratio between the parallel and perpendicular to plane of incidence reflectance intensities at its minimum value, and the angle of incidence at that minimum to determine the optical coefficients n and κ. At high temperatures, where a surface oxide may build up during the measurement, operation under non-oxidizing conditions was required. A vacuum reflectometer, capable of operation at 500°C, is described. The variation in thickness of the surface oxide is small enough so as to be ignored in the pseudo-Brewster analysis, but would have introduced a larger error if an ellipsometric technique was employed. Results for n and κ of single crystal and amorphous germanium at temperatures up to 400°C are discussed in terms of the corresponding room temperature spectra. Extension of this point-by-point technique to a large spectral range has been suggested recently and is described. Conventional thin film transmission and reflection measurements have been utilized as complementary techniques to determine respectively the absorption edge and the subgap dispersion in the refractive index at high temperatures. The former results join smoothly with the pseudo-Brewster results. The temperature dependence of the refractive index dispersion and of the absorption edge, which are related by the Kramers-Kronig integrals, were compared via calculation of the moments of e2, yielding good agreement between both kinds of measurements.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Hydrologic and climatic implications of stable isotope and minor element analyses of authigenic calcite silts and gastropod shells from a mid-Pleistocene pluvial lake, Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract Authigenic calcite silts at Wadi Midauwara in Kharga Oasis, Egypt, indicate the prolonged presence of surface water during the Marine Isotope Stage 5e pluvial phase recognized across North Africa. Exposed over an area of ∼ 4.25 km 2 , these silts record the ponding of water derived from springs along the Libyan Plateau escarpment and from surface drainage. The δ 18 O values of these lacustrine carbonates (− 11.3‰ to − 8.0‰ PDB), are too high to reflect equilibrium precipitation with Nubian aquifer water or water of an exclusively Atlantic origin. Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca of the silts have a modest negative covariance with silt δ 18 O values, suggesting that the water may have experienced the shortest residence time in local aquifers when the water δ 18 O values were highest. Furthermore, intra-shell δ 18 O, Sr/Ca, and Ba/Ca analyses of the freshwater gastropod Melanoides tuberculata are consistent with a perennially fresh water source, suggesting that strong evaporative effects expected in a monsoonal climate did not occur, or that dry season spring flow was of sufficient magnitude to mute the effects of evaporation. The input of a second, isotopically heavier water source to aquifers, possibly Indian Ocean monsoonal rain, could explain the observed trends in δ 18 O and minor element ratios.
Measurement of immunoglobulin binding to synovial fibroblast monolayers: Comparison of staphylococcal protein a binding to cytotoxic assay methods☆

We have studied the binding of rabbit antibody to cultured synovial fibroblasts by 3 methods: complement mediated cell lysis, 125I-labeled staphylococcal protein A ([125I]PrA) and antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). The relative sensitivities of these 3 methods is 1 : 33 : 3300 respectively. The [125I]PrA binding method is shown to quantitatively detect cell bound IgG with a molar stoichiometry of approximately 1 : 1, protein A (PrA) to IgG if PrA is present in excess.
Performance measurement: test the water before you dive in

Performance measurement and reporting are promoted in various publications as a management concept that can help administrators and elected officials address the issues of productivity and accountability. This article challenges this general assertion for two reasons. First, because the cost of performance score cards is always significant while the benefits, in many instances, may be only tentative. Second, because of possible problems that result when measuring performance is used for two different and potentially competing functions: accountability versus productivity. The article concludes that while performance measurement has a potential, its use should be encouraged but not mandated by external bodies. The article asserts that a more prudent introduction and use of performance score cards may result from better understanding of two things: first, what can go wrong when compiling performance reports; and, second, that there might be a need for other corresponding changes, within and outside governme...
Synthesis of 3‐amino‐1‐methyl‐5H‐pyrido[4,3‐b]indole‐1‐14C (TRP‐P‐2)

A practical 2-step synthesis of 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-1-14C is described, starting from 2-cyanomethyl indole and carbonyl-labeled acetyl chloride.
Masculine or feminine gender identity in boys: Developmental differences between two diverse family groups

Early developmental experiences of 66 boys, ages 4–11, who preferred the clothes, toys, and companionship of girls, preferentially role-played as females, and stated their wish to be girls, were compared with those of 56 conventionally masculine boys, selected on the basis of matched demographic features of their families. The “feminine” boys were more often described as having been “beautiful” infants, and were hospitalized more often during their early years. Mothers reported less physical contact with the “feminine” sons in the first years and less time spent with these sons. Fathers also reported spending less time with “feminine” sons during the first years. There was no difference between groups of parents regarding their wish for a girl or a boy during the pregnancy with this son. There were no major distinctions between the two groups of parents on marital role division or marital satisfaction.
Photoperiod modifies daily maps of light and dark sensitivity for N-acetyltransferase activity in pineal glands of 3-week oldGallus domesticus

N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity in pineal glands exhibits a circadian rhythm with peak activity occurring in the dark-time. We previously showed that inGallus domesticus chicks pretreated with LD12:12, NAT activity was increased by dark exposure (peak dark sensitivity occurred during the expected dark-time) or decreased by light at night (peak light sensitivity occurred early in the night during the time of dark sensitivity). In this study we mapped dark sensitivity vs time (for NAT activity increase in response to 2 h dark pulses), and light sensitivity vs time (for NAT activity decrease in response to 10 min or 30 min light pulses) over a cycle for 3-week old chicks,Gallus domesticus, pretreated with long (LD16:8) or short photoperiod (LD8:16). Sensitivity to light was increased in the second 8 h after L/D by LD8:16. Sensitivity to dark was increased in the first 8 h after L/D by LD16:8.
13C relaxation and anisotropic molecular reorientation in liquid dibromomethane

Although dibromomethane is a simple molecule, little work has been directed toward the analysis of its reorientational motion. This is surprising, since two components of its inertia tensor are nearly degenerate and may, in principle, be treated as a quasi-symmetric top. The 13 C spin-lattice relaxation times and nuclear Overhauser enhancements were measured at various temperatures in the liquid phase. Field-dependent measurements indicated the presence of the scalar relaxation mechanism. Calculated rotational diffusion constants were found to be in reasonable agreement with values predicted by the J-diffusion model of inertially controlled reorientation. The results show that scalar coupling of the second kind is an important mechanism for 13 C spin-lattice relaxation in this molecule. The data further indicates that dibromomethane may indeed be exhibiting quasi-symmetric top behavior of this phase
The interaction of norepinephrine and prostaglandin E1 on the adenyl cyclase system of human and rabbit blood platelets

Prostaglandin E1 markedly increased the formation of cyclic [3H]AMP from labeled adenine in human and rabbit blood platelets. Norepinephrine alone had no stimulatory effect, but it reduced cyclic AMP levels elevated by prostaglandin E1. Phentolamine overcame the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine, whereas propranolol did not. Homogenization of platelets reduced, but did not abolish, the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on adenyl cyclase activity induced by prostaglandin E1.
Hybrid fiber MOPA -bulk amplifier system for frequency conversion

ABSTRACT We report on a hybrid fiber MOPA + solid-state amplifier for frequency conversion and compare a hybrid scheme versus all- fiber MOPA. Using a thoroughly designed master oscillator and optimized fiber amplifiers we were able to achieve 15-30ns long pulses at average powers above 20 W with a good spectral quality and suppressed SBS. Bulk Vanadate amplifiers boosted the 1064nm output power to greater 65W at pulse repetition rates of 300-500 kHz. More than 35 W in green and 20 W of UV light has been obtained at pulse repetition rates above 300 kHz and pulse energies of 30-100 µJ. Keywords : Fiber amplifiers, nanosecond pulse, stimulated Raman scattering, four-wave mixing, harmonic generation, Vanadate amplifier 1. INTRODUCTION In material processing a general trend is to increase the processing speed by implementing systems with higher pulse repetition rates while maintaining constant pulse energies. Modern solid-state Q-switched lasers have continuously expanded their operation range offering puls e repetition rates (PRR) above 100 kHz with average powers at 355nm of over 20 W. At present typical PRR for Q-switched lasers are in the range of 10-250 kHz, but even higher repetition rates of up to 500 kHz have been demonstrated. However, there are some drawbacks in using solid state-lasers at higher repetition rates due to the decrease in available gain. The low gain results in lower harmonic conversion efficiencies and increased rms noise. Figure1 shows a typical behavior of Avia-355-23 W solid-state laser MOPA with external third harmonic generation. Once the pulse repetition ra te increases the optical power in the harmonics reduces. While the pulse length at repetition rates of ~ 25-70 kHz is in the range of 15-30 ns, it becomes longer ~ 50-60 ns at PRR of greater 100 kHz.
Outcomes of custom laser in situ keratomileusis: dilated wavescans versus undilated wavescans.

Purpose To evaluate refractive outcomes of custom laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) based on undilated and pharmacologically dilated wavefront aberrometry with the Visx laser system. Setting Clinical refractive practice, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Design Comparative case series. Methods Eyes that had LASIK using dilated wavescans (study group) were evaluated for the reason for use of dilated scans; age; preoperative refractive error; preoperative root mean square (RMS), coma, trefoil, and spherical aberration values; postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA); postoperative refractive error; percentage of iris-registration capture; and enhancement rate. The study group was compared with a control group that had LASIK using undilated wavescans. Results The study group comprised 52 eyes (31 patients) and the control group, 104 eyes (55 patients). At 1 month, the mean postoperative UDVA was 20/21 in the study group and 20/22 in the control group and at 3 months, 20/22 and 20/20, respectively. At 1 month, the mean postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) was +0.07 diopter (D) ± 0.49 (SD) in the study group and +0.14 ± 0.30 D in the control group and at 3 months, −0.01 ± 0.44 D and +0.02 ± 0.23 D, respectively; there was no statistically significant difference between groups at either timepoint. There was no statistically significant difference in preoperative RMS or postoperative coma, trefoil, or spherical aberration between the groups. Although the study group had a slightly higher enhancement rate, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion Compared with custom LASIK based on undilated wavescans, use of dilated wavescans for custom LASIK resulted in comparable postoperative outcomes. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
On the relationship between clear-sky planetary and surface albedos: a parameterization for simple energy balance climate models

Abstract In simple energy balance climate models all physical and dynamical processes are parameterized in terms of the single unknown variable: the surface temperature. To simulate the ice-albedo feedback, the surface albedo is usually assumed to be a function of surface temperature. But to compute the absorbed solar radiation in such models one requires the top-of-the atmosphere albedo: the planetary albedo. In the present study, a simple linear relationship is derived between planetary albedo and surface albedo for the case of clear skies. The relationship is based upon a regression equation derived from simulations and has a standard error of estimate of 0.028. The estimation of planetary albedo from surface albedo is checked by comparing zonally averaged clear-sky planetary albedos, estimated from zonally averaged surface albedos, to satellite determinations of zonally averaged minimum albedos for monthly mean conditions. The minimum albedos are assumed to be representative of the clear-sky planetary albedos. The results show root-mean square differences of 0.05 between the estimated clear-sky planetary albedos and the minimum albedos. More accurate relationships can be obtained if one uses an additional parameter - the solar zenith angle. In this case, the standard errors of estimate are reduced to 0.017 for a zenith angle of 0°, 0.018 for a zenith angle of 60° and 0.021 for a zenith angle of 85°.
Limbic system white matter microstructure and long-term treatment outcome in major depressive disorder: A diffusion tensor imaging study using legacy data

AbstractObjectives. Treatment-resistant depression is a common clinical occurrence among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), but its neurobiology is poorly understood. We used data collected as part of routine clinical care to study white matter integrity of the brain's limbic system and its association to treatment response. Methods. Electronic medical records of multiple large New England hospitals were screened for patients with an MDD billing diagnosis, and natural language processing was subsequently applied to find those with concurrent diffusion-weighted images, but without any diagnosed brain pathology. Treatment outcome was determined by review of clinical charts. MDD patients (n = 29 non-remitters, n = 26 partial-remitters, and n = 37 full-remitters), and healthy control subjects (n = 58) were analyzed for fractional anisotropy (FA) of the fornix and cingulum bundle. Results. Failure to achieve remission was associated with lower FA among MDD patients, statistically significant for th...
Immunoglobulins in tears.

Previous studies have suggested the exis­ tence of such a wide range of immunoglobu­ lin levels in normal human tears that it has been difficult to assess the immunoglobulins' role in clinical situations. Levels of IgG re­ ported, for example, have been as low as trace amounts and as high as 79 mg%. For IgA, levels have ranged from 7 to 85 mg% (Table 1). The present study reports measurements of immunoglobulin concentrations in the tears of a large series of individuals with both normal and diseased eyes. The series was sufficiently large to permit not only characterization of immunoglobulin levels but also statistical analyses to clarify the as­ sociations between the prominent immuno­ globulins in normal tears. Immunoglobulins are of course found in body secretions besides those of the eye. Ex­ ternal secretions—that is, those bathing sur­ faces in direct contact with the external en­ vironment—include tears, saliva, nasal and bronchial fluids, colostrum, breast milk, per­ spiration, and secretions of the gastrointesti­ nal tract. Among external secretions, IgA is the dominant immunoglobulin but smaller amounts of IgG and IgM may be present. Internal secretions also contain immuno­ globulins, but the content is different, as noted by Tomasi and Bienenstock. In fact, IgG is the most prominent. The ratio of IgG to IgA is similar to that found in serum,, ap­ proximately 5:1, with a smaller proportion of
Incorporation of bioactive materials into integrated systems

Sandia is exploring two classes of integrated systems involving bioactive materials: 1) microfluidic systems that can be used to manipulate biomolecules for applications ranging from counter-terrorism to drug delivery systems, and 2) fluidic systems in which active biomolecules such as motor proteins provide specific functions such as active transport. An example of the first class involves the development of a reversible protein trap based on the integration of the thermally-switchable polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)(PNIPAM) into a micro-hotplate device. To exemplify the second class, we describe the technical challenges associated with integrating microtubules and motor proteins into microfluidic systems for: 1) the active transport of nanoparticle cargo, or 2) templated growth of high-aspect ratio nanowires. These examples illustrate the functions of bioactive materials, synthesis and fabrication issues, mechanisms for switching surface chemistry and active transport, and new techniques such as the interfacial force microscope (IFM) that can be used to characterize bioactive surfaces.
An editing-based characterization of the design space of collaborative applications

The design space of collaborative applications is characterized using the notion of generalized multiuser editing. Generalized multiuser editing allows users to view interactive applications as editors of data structures. It offers several collaboration functions, which allow users to collaboratively edit application data structures. These functions include coupling, concurrency control, access control, and multiuser undo. Coupling allows the users to share editing changes, access control and concurrency control prevent them from making unauthorized and inconsistent changes, respectively, and multiuser undo allows them collaboratively to undo or redo changes. These functions must be performed flexibly to accommodate different applications, users, phases of collaboration, and bandwidths of the communication links. In this paper, we define and motivate the notion of generalized multiuser editing and describe some of the issues, approaches, tradeoffs, principles, and requirements related to the design of the...
PRODUCTION AND ELIMINATION OF EXCESS DNA IN ULTRAVIOLET-IRRADIATED TETRAHYMENA.

1. 1. Individual cells of the ciliate protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis W were irradiated with ultraviolet light (wavelength 254 mμ). Immediately following the next three divisions, cells were fixed and stained by the Feulgen procedure. DNA content was determined by microspectrophotometry, and incorporation of tritiated thymidine into DNA was assayed by autoradiography. 2. 2. The amount of DNA synthesized prior to the first postirradiation division was three times normal, whether the cells were irradiated during or following the DNA-synthetic period. 3. 3. A normal amount of DNA was synthesized between the delayed divisions following the first. 4. 4. The excess DNA in irradiated cells was eliminated during several generations in unusually large extrusion bodies, resulting in the return to a normal DNA content after the third division. 5. 5. Macronuclear DNA content appears to be controlled by variation in the size and frequency of the extrusion bodies.
Fragmentation of alkoxychlorocarbenes in the gas phase

Abstract In contrast to photolysis or thermal decomposition in solution, which is dominated by ionic reactions, flash vacuum pyrolysis of alkylchlorodiazirines in the gas phase generates radicals. The cyclopropylcarbinyl system is re-examined and the 1-norbornylcarbinyl system is studied for the first time.
Fecal Incontinence: Does Age Matter? Characteristics of Older vs. Younger Women Presenting for Treatment of Fecal Incontinence

The etiology of fecal incontinence is multifactorial. We hypothesize that women who seek treatment at different ages differ. We sought to determine which characteristics of women with fecal incontinence patients are associated with younger age at presentation. We reviewed a database of 399 women with complete fecal incontinence evaluations from 2001 to 2006, selecting patients who were aged 49 and younger or aged 65 years and older, for a total of 246 patients. Data were obtained from self-report questionnaires on fecal incontinence frequency and associated symptoms, medical history, and results of anorectal physiology tests. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The median ages of the two groups were 42 (range, 23–49) years and 72 (range, 65–89) years. Sphincter defects > 90 degrees and previous sphincteroplasty were associated with the younger age group. Previous hemorrhoid surgery and bilateral pudendal neuropathy were associated with the older age group. Younger women had more frequent incontinence to gas, mucus, and liquid stool. In our cohort, fecal incontinence-related symptoms and medical conditions differed in older and younger women presenting with this condition. Younger women may be more likely to seek treatment for any degree of symptoms. The differing characteristics of fecal incontinence by age should be considered when developing a treatment strategy.
Susceptibility of pathogenic actinomycetes to antimicrobial compounds.

Current interest in antimicrobial susceptibility testing of anaerobic pathogens and recent recognition that actinomycetes other than Actinomyces israelii may cause actinomycosis in man prompted this in vitro survey of 74 strains of actinomycetes, representing seven species. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for 24 antimicrobials were determined by inhibition of gross colonial enlargement in semisolid antibiotic agar after incubation at 37 C for 48 h under anaerobic conditions. Erythromycin and rifampin were the most active drugs in vitro (MICs of 0.008 to 0.25 μg/ml), although a small number of non-israelii strains were conspicuously more resistant to the latter (MICs >0.5 μg/ml). Penicillin G, cephaloridine, minocycline, and clindamycin were also very active in vitro (MICs of 0.03 to 1.0 μg/ml); for a few non-israelii strains the MICs of clindamycin were 2.0 to 8.0 μg/ml. MICs of cephalothin, ampicillin, lincomycin, tetracycline, doxycycline, and chloramphenicol were well within a therapeutic range for all strains of A. israelii and most other species, although the MIC of lincomycin against a few non-israelii strains and of tetracycline and doxycycline against the majority of these strains was 2.0 to 8.0 μg/ml. Oxacillin, dicloxacillin, and cephalexin were less active in vitro, particularly against strains other than A. israelii . Most non-israelii species were not suppressed by 125 μg of metronidazole per ml, which concentration inhibited all strains of A. israelii; otherwise, there were no antimicrobial susceptibility differences among the species tested. Aminoglycoside activity was negligible.
Outcomes research and the quality of health care: the beacon of an ethics of evidence.

Beyond the dazzling achievements of high-technology medicine, the spiraling cost of health care and lack of access for many have long been the subject of national debate. Driven by the interaction ...
In search of relationships between the acute adrenocortical response and fitness

The assumption that the acute response to stress is adaptive is pervasive in the literature, but there is little direct evidence regarding potential positive fitness consequences of an acute stress response. If acute glucocorticoid (GC) elevation increases lifetime reproductive success (fitness), in what contexts does this occur, and through what combination of effects on annual reproductive output and interannual survival? Here we examine the framework under which most comparative acute GC studies fall, evaluate the commonalities of those studies in the light of expected fitness effects, and suggest methods to better examine the potentially beneficial effects of the acute GC response for free living animals. An overwhelming majority of papers from this area examine environmental–physiological–social effects on GC reactivity. Fewer evaluate intermediate performance measures (fitness proxies). We could only find 11 that directly examine GC effects on reproductive output and survival. The environment-GC-performance papers suggest that greater GC reactivity favors self-maintenance behavior (survival) at the expense of current reproduction. However, the two studies that directly address GC reactivity and fitness (2 of the 11) find the opposite effect (greater GC reactivity predicts lower annual survival). We suggest that it is time to move past simple evaluation of factors regulating GC secretion. These studies will be much richer and informative if researchers include performance and fitness measures. We especially support incorporating and testing ideas of context dependency, coping strategies, and possible fluctuating selection pressures when considering the fitness benefits of the acute GC response.
Effect of applied magnetic field on the estimation of spin polarization from point contacts

A generalized BTK model for charge transport in ferromagnet/superconductor point contacts can be used to estimate spin polarization in a ferromagnet. We demonstrate the effect that an applied magnetic field or the spontaneous magnetization field has on the reliability of the model parameters as fitted from conductance experiments.
Making the jump: new insights into the mechanism of trans-translation

The transfer-messenger ribonucleoprotein (tmRNP), which is composed of RNA and a small protein, small protein B (SmpB), recycles ribosomes that are stalled on broken mRNAs lacking stop codons and tags the partially translated proteins for degradation. Although it is not yet understood how the ribosome gets from the 3' end of the truncated message onto the messenger portion of the tmRNA to add the tag, a recent study in BMC Biology has shed some light on this astonishing feat.
The enhancement of riboflavin-mediated photo-oxidation of doxorubicin by histidine and urocanic acid

Purpose: Previously we have shown that doxorubicin (Adriamycin, ADR) can be inactivated by light-excited riboflavin. The inactivation of the drug results from its direct oxidation by the excited triplet riboflavin in a type I photosensitization reaction, and 3-methoxysalicylic acid is an ADR breakdown product. In the present study, we investigated the enhancement of this process by histidine and some other imidazole analogs. Methods: ADR solutions containing various concentrations of riboflavin and other agents were exposed to 365 nm light for various time periods and then the absorbance spectrum of ADR was measured by a double beam spectrophotometer. These measurement were used to calculate the half-time of the ADR degradation process. The degraded ADR solutions were analyzed by HPLC. Results: The rate of bleaching of ADR by light-excited riboflavin was enhanced in the presence of histidine in a concentration-dependent manner. This enhancement was more pronounced at higher riboflavin concentrations. Histidine also enhanced the riboflavin-mediated photobleaching of N,N-dimethyl-4-nitrosoaniline (RNO), a compound known to be resistant to oxidation by singlet oxygen but sensitive to oxidation by the trans-annular peroxide of histidine. RNO was found to block the histidine enhancement of the riboflavin-mediated photobleaching of ADR in a competitive manner. Among the imidazole analogs of histidine tested, urocanic acid was found to be the most efficient enhancer of the riboflavin-mediated photobleaching of ADR. Superoxide anion radicals which retard the oxidation of ADR were quenched by urocanic acid but not by histidine. It was shown that the oxidation of ADR by the trans-annular peroxide of histidine resulted in the formation of 3-methoxysalicylic acid. Conclusions: In contrast to singlet oxygen, the trans-annular peroxide, formed by the interaction of histidine and the singlet oxygen produced by photoexcited riboflavin, is an efficient oxidizer of ADR. The enhancement of the riboflavin-mediated photobleaching of ADR by histidine analogs depends on the rate of their conversion to a trans-annular peroxide and on the efficiency of these products in oxidizing ADR. However, for some analogs of histidine, as shown for urocanic acid, other mechanisms could also be involved. The presence of urocanic acid in the skin suggests that significant degradation of ADR could occur in the presence of biologically relevant concentrations of riboflavin if patients treated with ADR are exposed to sunlight. The finding that histidine also enhanced the degradation of ADR to 3-methoxysalicylic acid, suggests that the process of ADR oxidation by the trans-annular peroxides is similar to the direct oxidation of ADR by excited triplet riboflavin.
EQUALITY AND EXPRESSION: THE RADICAL PARADOX

The modern liberal state arose as part of a rebellion against the entrenched hierarchies of rank, power, and privilege that had characterized the feudal order of European society. Under that order, a person's prospects in life were determined almost entirely by his status at birth. The individual lacked the liberty to change his social and economic ranking and was rendered dependent on the will of those in higher-ranking positions. It was against this inclusive, closed, and ascriptive system of inequality and dependence that the proponents of the liberal state fought.
Biochemotherapy for melanoma

Systemic therapy for advanced melanoma includes chemotherapy, either with dacarbazine (DTIC) alone or a multiagent combination chemotherapy, and biologic therapy with recombinant interferon-alpha and/or interleukin-2. However, none of these treatment options has produced long-term control of the disease except on rare occasions. Combined chemo-immunotherapy (biochemotherapy) has shown high objective response rates (approximately 50%) and a significant though small proportion of long-term complete responders in metastatic melanoma. It has, however, been associated with greater toxicity. Overall results of sequential versus concurrent biochemotherapy are similar, but the toxicity appears to be less severe in patients treated with the concurrent regimen. At this time, biochemotherapy is under evaluation in a well-designed prospective, randomized trial to identify whether there is benefit to this strategy, compared with chemotherapy alone.
Rivaroxaban (BAY 59-7939)--an oral, direct Factor Xa inhibitor--has no clinically relevant interaction with naproxen.

What is already known about this subject • Rivaroxaban is a novel anticoagulant with predictable, dose-proportional pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in healthy subjects. • It is in clinical development for the prevention of thromboembolic disorders in patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgery. • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen, are widely used for pain relief and treatment of inflammation, particularly in patients who have undergone orthopaedic surgery. As it is likely that patients receiving rivaroxaban after orthopaedic surgery will also receive NSAIDs, this study was performed to determine whether there was any mechanistic interaction between rivaroxaban and naproxen. What this study adds • This study demonstrated that there was no mechanistic interaction between rivaroxaban and naproxen in healthy subjects. • This finding was used to design large-scale clinical trials of rivaroxaban, in which patients were also allowed to use NSAIDs. • These ongoing trials will provide definitive data regarding the interaction between rivaroxaban and NSAIDs. Aims Rivaroxaban (BAY 59-7939) is in advanced clinical development for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders. Frequent co-medications in the patient populations likely to receive rivaroxaban include NSAIDs. This randomized, two-way crossover study, with a naproxen run-in period, was performed to determine whether naproxen influences the tolerability, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of rivaroxaban. Methods Eleven healthy, young males received naproxen 500 mg on two consecutive days, a single dose of rivaroxaban 15 mg, or both. Results Treatments were well tolerated: adverse events (eight in total), reported by three subjects, were mild and not drug related. Rivaroxaban inhibited Factor Xa activity by 35% and prolonged prothrombin time [by 1.4 times baseline (tb)], activated partial thromboplastin time (1.3 tb) and the HepTest (1.9 tb). Naproxen had no influence on these measures and the combination of rivaroxaban and naproxen did not affect platelet aggregation. Rivaroxaban and naproxen given together significantly increased bleeding time compared with rivaroxaban alone (P = 0.017). However, this difference was small compared with the effect of naproxen given alone, except in one subject. Least squares-means ratios for the AUC and Cmax of rivaroxaban after administration alone and with naproxen were 1.125 [90% confidence interval (CI) 0.995, 1.271] and 1.095 (90% CI 0.905, 1.325), respectively. Conclusions There appeared to be no clinically relevant interaction between rivaroxaban and naproxen in healthy subjects, although some individuals may be more sensitive to the combination. Large-scale Phase III clinical studies will be required to confirm whether there is an increased risk of bleeding during treatment with rivaroxaban and concomitant NSAIDs.
On-body RFID tag design for human monitoring applications

The technological advancement of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems over the last decade has made them attractive for various applications including logistics and inventory tracking. In particular, RFID devices can make a significant contribution in the health care sector. An RFID system can provide an efficient approach for patient management in hospitals including identification, patient monitoring and drug delivery units tracking. One of the most popular ways for patient identification in hospitals is the use of a bar code printed wrist band. Due to the non line-of sight operation, larger read range and ability to store more information, RFID tags serve as a possible replacement to bar codes [1]. Body matched tags (suspended patch-type) have been proposed for realtime bio-monitoring and localization of patients [2]. Tooth-attached RFID tags [3] and implantable RFID chips [4] have been reported for storing patient information and tracking location.
Solid-state bonding of silicon chips to silver layer plated on copper substrate

In this project, a novel solid-state bonding technique was developed to bond silicon (Si) chips to silver (Ag) layer plated on copper (Cu) substrates at temperature (260°C) far below Ag melting temperature of 961°C. This is possible because the gold (Au) layer coated on Si chip is made to contact the Ag atoms in atomic scale, thus allowing the Au atoms and Ag atoms to see each other and share electrons. This is our fundamental belief behind this technology. Ag is ductile and has low yield strength. It can deform to accommodate shear strain caused by large mismatch in coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between Si (2.7×10−6/°C) and Cu (17×10−6/°C). Ag has the highest electrical and thermal conductivities among all metals. It is the dream bonding medium. The question is how to bond Ag to other materials at temperature compatible to electronic packaging processes used in industries. In experiments, Si chips were coated with thin chromium (Cr) and Au layers and bonded to Ag layer plated on Cu substrates. The bonding was performed at 260°C with 1000psi static pressure in 90 mtorr vacuum environment to suppress oxidation. There is no molten phase involved during the bonding process. The resulting Ag joints are nearly perfect. The joints are strong and no voids are observed on Ag/Cu and Si/Ag bonding interfaces. This new solid-state bonding technology should be valuable in improving the thermal performance and reliability of high power devices.
The Role of 30-Day Readmission as a Measure of Quality

Hospital readmissions among dialysis patients are a significant burden for patients and the healthcare system. In 2010, patients receiving hemodialysis were admitted to the hospital an average of nearly two times per year, 36% of whom were rehospitalized within 30 days ([1][1]). As Springel et al.
Genome Analysis of Elysia chlorotica Egg DNA Provides No Evidence for Horizontal Gene Transfer into the Germ Line of This Kleptoplastic Mollusc

The sea slug Elysia chlorotica offers a unique opportunity to study the evolution of a novel function (photosynthesis) in a complex multicellular host. Elysia chlorotica harvests plastids (absent of nuclei) from its heterokont algal prey, Vaucheria litorea. The “stolen” plastids are maintained for several months in cells of the digestive tract and are essential for animal development. The basis of long-term maintenance of photosynthesis in this sea slug was thought to be explained by extensive horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from the nucleus of the alga to the animal nucleus, followed by expression of algal genes in the gut to provide essential plastid-destined proteins. Early studies of target genes and proteins supported the HGT hypothesis, but more recent genome-wide data provide conflicting results. Here, we generated significant genome data from the E. chlorotica germ line (egg DNA) and from V. litorea to test the HGT hypothesis. Our comprehensive analyses fail to provide evidence for alga-derived HGT into the germ line of the sea slug. Polymerase chain reaction analyses of genomic DNA and cDNA from different individual E. chlorotica suggest, however, that algal nuclear genes (or gene fragments) are present in the adult slug. We suggest that these nucleic acids may derive from and/or reside in extrachromosomal DNAs that are made available to the animal through contact with the alga. These data resolve a long-standing issue and suggest that HGT is not the primary reason underlying long-term maintenance of photosynthesis in E. chlorotica. Therefore, sea slug photosynthesis is sustained in as yet unexplained ways that do not appear to endanger the animal germ line through the introduction of dozens of foreign genes.
Activation and block of the adult muscle-type nicotinic receptor by physostigmine: single-channel studies.

The plant-derived acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine has previously been shown to act on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) causing either direct activation or potentiation of currents elicited by low concentrations of nicotinic agonists, or, at higher concentrations, channel block. We examined mouse adult-type muscle nAChR activation by physostigmine and found that channel activation by physostigmine exhibits many characteristics common with channel activity elicited by nicotinic agonists. Single-channel conductance was indistinguishable, and mutants known to slow channel closing in the presence of nicotinic agonists had a similar effect in the presence of physostigmine. However, physostigmine is a very inefficacious agonist. The presence of physostigmine did not alter the effective opening rate for a subsaturating dosage of carbachol, suggesting that physostigmine does not interact with the nicotinic agonist binding site. Mutations to a residue (αLys125) previously identified as part of the putative binding site for physostigmine reduced the duration of openings elicited by physostigmine, but the effects were generally small and, in most cases, nonsignificant. At higher concentrations, physostigmine blocked channel activity. Block manifested as a reduction in the mean open time and the emergence of a closed state, with a mean duration of 3 to 7 ms. The properties of block were consistent with two equivalent blocking sites per receptor with microscopic binding and unbinding rate constants for physostigmine of 20 μM-1 s-1 and 450 s-1 ( K D = 23 μM). These observations indicate that physostigmine is able to activate muscle nAChR by interacting with a site other than the nicotinic ligand binding site.
Improving on analyses of self-reported data in a large-scale health survey by using information from an examination-based survey

Common data sources for assessing the health of a population of interest include large-scale surveys based on interviews that often pose questions requiring a self-report, such as, 'Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you havehealth condition of interest� ?' or 'What is yourheight/weight� ?' Answers to such questions might not always reflect the true prevalences of health conditions (for example, if a respondent misreports height/weight or does not have access to a doctor or other health professional). Such 'measurement error' in health data could affect inferences about measures of health and health disparities. Drawing on two surveys conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, this paper describes an imputation-based strategy for using clinical information from an examination-based health survey to improve on analyses of self-reported data in a larger interview-based health survey. Models predicting clinical values from self-reported values and covariates are fitted to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which asks self-report questions during an interview component and also obtains clinical measurements during a physical examination component. The fitted models are used to multiply impute clinical values for the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a larger survey that obtains data solely via interviews. Illustrations involving hypertension, diabetes, and obesity suggest that estimates of health measures based on the multiply imputed clinical values are different from those based on the NHIS self-reported data alone and have smaller estimated standard errors than those based solely on the NHANES clinical data. The paper discusses the relationship of the methods used in the study to two-phase/two-stage/validation sampling and estimation, along with limitations, practical considerations, and areas for future research. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Harnessing the Immune System for the Treatment of Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Over the last several years, new therapeutic targets have emerged in immunotherapy, particularly the immune checkpoint pathways. Blocking inhibitory pathways via monoclonal antibodies, such as the anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 antibody (ipilimumab), anti-programmed cell death-1 antibody (BMS-936558), and anti-programmed cell death-1 ligand antibody (BMS-936559), has the ability to break down the shield that tumors co-opt for their defense. Vaccines are able to help the immune system develop immune memory that can have long-lasting, tumor-specific effects. Newer vaccines, particularly the tumor cell vaccine, belagenpumatucel-L, and the antigen-specific vaccines, melanoma-associated antigen-A3, liposomal BLP-25, TG4010, and recombinant human epidermal growth factor, are being evaluated in some of the largest trials ever attempted in lung cancer therapy. These therapies alone or in combination may hold the key to making immunotherapy a reality in the treatment of lung cancer.
Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder after orthopaedic trauma

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder among patients seen following an orthopaedic traumatic injury and to identify whether injury-related or demographic variables are associated with the disorder. Methods: Five hundred and eighty patients who had sustained orthopaedic trauma completed a Revised Civilian Mississippi Scale for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder questionnaire. Demographic and injury data were collected to analyze potential variables associated with posttraumatic stress disorder. Results: Two hundred and ninety-five respondents (51%) met the criteria for the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder. Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder had significantly higher Injury Severity Scores (p = 0.04), a higher sum of Extremity Abbreviated Injury Scores (p = 0.05), and a longer duration since the injury than those without posttraumatic stress disorder (p < 0.01). However, none of these three variables demonstrated a good or excellent ability to discriminate between patients who had posttraumatic stress disorder and those who did not. The response to the item, “The emotional problems caused by the injury have been more difficult than the physical problems,” was significantly associated with the presence of posttraumatic stress disorder (p < 0.0001) and showed a fair ability to identify patients with the disorder. Conclusions: Posttraumatic stress disorder is common after orthopaedic trauma. Patients who respond positively to the item, “The emotional problems caused by the injury have been more difficult than the physical problems,” may meet diagnostic criteria for this disorder and should be evaluated further. Level of Evidence: Prognostic study, Level I-1 (prospective study). See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.