cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Resonance-Guided Interventions: The State of the Art

in ic s. co m This issue of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Clinics of North America brings together a wide range of expert opinions in the field of MR-guided therapy. The specific goal is to reflect the state of the art in the use of MR imaging to guide interventional radiology and surgery, and to allow us an opportunity to demonstrate the extraordinary advances being made in clinical care. The first set of three articles covers the use of MR imaging in guiding highly precise interventions in the brain and spine—focused acoustic energy through the intact-skull to treat tremors, cryotherapy of spinal lesions in very young patients, and nerve blocks and perineural injections in challenging areas. The next set of four articles covers the use of MR imaging in guiding interventions in the thoracic area—the more established use in breast biopsy, and emerging use in surgery planning and therapy monitoring, recent advances in techniques and hardware for tracking of catheters and endovascular devices, as well as the daunting challenges in building MR-compatible supporting devices for cardiac interventions. The third set of three articles covers the use of MR guidance for detection and treatments of cancers of the pelvis—targeted biopsy and focal and whole gland thermal ablative treatments for prostate cancer, and radiation therapy of gynecologic cancers. The last set of four articles covers technological aspects of interventional MR imaging— drug delivery, high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy, and the different demands on MR
Comparative Contribution of CD1 on the Development of CD4+ and CD8+ T Cell Compartments

CD1 molecules are MHC class I-like glycoproteins whose expression is essential for the development of a unique subset of T cells, the NK T cells. To evaluate to what extent CD1 contributes to the development of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, we generated CD1oIIo and CD1oTAPo mice and compared the generation of T cells in these double-mutant mice and IIo or TAPo mice. FACS analysis showed that the number of CD4+ T cells in CD1oIIo mice was reduced significantly compared with the corresponding population in IIo mice. Both CD4+ NK1.1+ and the CD4+ NK1.1- population were reduced in CD1oIIo mice, suggesting that CD1 can select not only CD4+ NK1.1+ T cells but also some NK1.1- CD4+ T cells. Functional analysis showed that the residual CD4+ cells in CD1oIIo can secrete large amounts of IFN-gamma and a significant amount of IL-4 during primary stimulation with anti-CD3, suggesting that this population may be enriched for NK T cells restricted by other class I molecules. In contrast to the CD4+ population, no significant differences in the CD8+ T cell compartment can be detected between TAPo and CD1oTAPo mice in all lymphoid tissues tested, including intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes. Our data suggest that, unlike other MHC class I molecules, CD1 does not contribute in a major way to the development of CD8+ T cells.
Decreasing Assessment to Disposition Time in Labor and Delivery Triage

Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program The purpose of this program was to enhance efficiency in a labor and delivery (L&D) triage managed by registered nurses (RNs). Proposed Change The Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) L&D staff implemented five major changes in triage. These changes started with decreasing registration time to facilitate timeliness in getting the woman to triage. The creation of a patient care technician (PCT) position expedited entry of the woman's information into the Electronic Medical Record. Defining standard work for nurses and creating a standard physician triage order set completed the process and made it more efficient. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation AAMC's L&D nursing team examined the triage process in 2012 when the average time in triage was 166 minutes. In 2013, after staff education and the incorporation of changes into nursing and PCT practices, the average time in triage decreased by 20%. Implications for Nursing Practice Exploring triage patient flow and a willingness to make changes resulted in a decrease in time from assessment to disposition in triage. Decreasing total length of stay in triage improves staff efficiency and patient satisfaction.
Human GRB-IRβ/GRB10 SPLICE VARIANTS OF AN INSULIN AND GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR-BINDING PROTEIN WITH PH AND SH2 DOMAINS

cDNA clones encoding human (h) Grb7 and a previously unknown protein with high homology to hGrb-IR and mGrb10 (where m indicates mouse) were found by screening expressed sequence tag data bases. hGrb7 mRNA expression is greatest in pancreas and restricted to a few other tissues. The second protein termed hGrb-IRβ/Grb10 contains an intact PH domain and lacks the 80-residue mGrb10 insertion. Expression is greatest in pancreas and muscle but occurs in nearly all tissues. hGrb-IRβ/Grb10 and hGrb-IR likely arise as alternative mRNA splicing products of a common gene. Reverse transcriptase-coupled polymerase chain reaction shows both mRNAs in muscle. In cells, Grb-IRβ/Grb10 protein translocates from cytosol to membrane upon insulin stimulation, most likely due to direct interactions with the insulin receptor. These interactions are mediated by the SH2 domain and additional regions of the protein. Studies with mutated receptors and synthetic phosphopeptides show that the hGrb-IRβ/Grb10 SH2 domain binds at least two sites in the insulin receptor: the kinase activation loop > the juxtamembrane site. hGrb-IRβ/Grb10 also binds a 135-kDa phosphoprotein in unstimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes; binding is reduced upon insulin stimulation. In addition, the c-Abl SH3 domain binds Grb-IR/Grb10, whereas Fyn, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p85, and Grb2 SH3 domains do not. The site of c-Abl SH3 domain interaction is highly conserved within the Grb-IR/Grb10/Grb7/Grb14 family. hGrb-IRβ/Grb10 also binds platelet-derived growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptors, suggesting a broader role in the signaling pathways of numerous receptors. We conclude that hGrb-IRβ/Grb10 is a widely expressed, PH and SH2 domain-containing, SH3 domain-binding protein that functions downstream from activated insulin and growth factor receptors.
β Sheet to α helix transition in the binding subunit of cholera toxin

Abstract Circular dichroism spectra have been measured for the binding subunit of cholera toxin in water and in the presence of dodecyl sulfate. In water the protein has an appreciable amount of β structure and almost no α helix. In the presence of dodecyl sulfate the spectrum undergoes drastic change over a time period of approximately four hours, and at equilibrium resembles that expected for a chain with an appreciable amount of α helix but no β structure. The change in helicity is in good agreement with that expected from our formulation of the configuration partition function for the binding subunit. The conformational change may have an important relationship to the means by which the binding subunit permits penetration of the active subunit into the cell.
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor treatment delays recovery from axotomy in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons.

We have previously reported that dorsal root ganglion neurons cultured in the presence of the highly specific, reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor 1,5-bis-(4-allyldimethylammoniumphenyl) pentan-3-one dibromide (BW284c51), showed significantly reduced neurite outgrowth and contained massive perikaryal inclusions of neurofilaments. In the present report we have more closely examined these changes in a time course study over a 21-day culture period using a combined morphological, immunocytochemical and enzymatic approach and additionally, describe, the effects of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor treatment on the state of neurofilament phosphorylation. Finally, we have examined the effects of co-administration of N6,2′-0-dibutyryladenosine 3′∶5′-cyclic monophosphate (dbcAMP) with BW284c51. At 1 day in culture, both control and treated cells displayed eccentrically located nuclei, numerous polysomes and perikaryal accumulations of neurofilaments which were immunoreactive with both phosphorylation- and nonphosphorylation-dependent neurofilament antibodies. These cytological changes, which are common features of the chromatolytic reaction following axotomyin vivo, rapidly resolved in the control neurons, where by 7 days in culture, the neurofilament accumulations had completely disappeared and neurite outgrowth was robust. In contrast, inhibitor-treated neurons retained the post-axotomy features up to 21 days and had significantly reduced neurite outgrowth. In addition, we have investigated a possible role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the recovery process since it has been shown to enhance neuritic outgrowth in cultured neurons. Our results demonstrate that the addition of dbcAMP, a membrane permeable analog of cAMP, significantly enhanced neuritic outgrowth and accelerated the recovery of BW284c51-treated dorsal root ganglion cells, as gauged by the disappearance of the axotomy-related cytological changes. Treatment with dbcAMP also increased acetylcholinesterase activity which has been positively correlated with neurite outgrowth bothin vivo andin vitro. Together, these observations suggest that acetylcholinesterase has a non-cholinolytic, neurotrophic role in neuronal regeneration and development.
The Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Antagonist CORT 108297 Decreases Neuroendocrine Stress Responses and Immobility in the Forced Swim Test

Pre-clinical and clinical studies have employed treatment with glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonists in an attempt to limit the deleterious behavioral and physiological effects of excess glucocorticoids. Here, we examined the effects of GR antagonists on neuroendocrine and behavioral stress responses, using two compounds: mifepristone, a GR antagonist that is also a progesterone receptor antagonist, and CORT 108297, a specific GR antagonist lacking anti-progestin activity. Given its well-documented impact on neuroendocrine and behavioral stress responses, imipramine (tricyclic antidepressant) served as a positive control. Male rats were treated for five days with mifepristone (10mg/kg), CORT 108297 (30mg/kg and 60mg/kg), imipramine (10mg/kg) or vehicle and exposed to forced swim test (FST) or restraint stress. Relative to vehicle, imipramine potently suppressed adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) responses to FST and restraint exposure. Imipramine also decreased immobility in the FST, consistent with antidepressant actions. Both doses of CORT 108297 potently suppressed peak corticosterone responses to FST and restraint stress. However, only the higher dose of CORT 108297 (60mg/kg) significantly decreased immobility in the FST. In contrast, mifepristone induced protracted secretion of corticosterone in response to both stressors, and modestly decreased immobility in the FST. Taken together, the data indicate distinct effects of each compound on neuroendocrine stress responses and also highlight dissociation between corticosterone responses and immobility in the FST. Within the context of the present study, our data suggest that CORT 108297 may be an attractive alternative for mitigating neuroendocrine and behavioral states associated with excess glucocorticoid secretion.
Liquid phase sintering of functionally graded WC-Co composites

Abstract A new approach for manufacturing functionally graded WC–Co composites via liquid phase sintering is presented. These functionally graded WC–Co composites possess a continuous gradient in cobalt content within their microstructure. The new approach involves creating a carbon gradient in the green state prior to liquid phase sintering. During liquid phase sintering continuous cobalt gradient develops while carbon content homogenizes.
Tetrastichus asparagi, Parasitoid of the Asparagus Beetle: Some Aspects of Host-Parasitoid Interaction

Some aspects of the relationship of the predator/egg larval parasitoid, Tetrastichus asparagi Crawford, and its host asparagus beetle, Crioceris asparagi (L.), were examined. Comparative development of parasitoid and host is presented. The parasitized host beetle, although supporting ca. 4.75 developing T. asparagi, exhibits no signs of parasitism until the prepupa has prepared a pupal cell in the soil. T. asparagi feeds on newly deposited beetle eggs and oviposits within eggs containing more advanced embryos.
Failure of nimodipine to improve neurologic outcome after eighteen minutes of cardiac arrest in the cat

The calcium entry blocker nimodipine was administered to cats following resuscitation from 18 min of cardiac arrest to evaluate its effect on neurologic and neuropathologic outcome in a clinically relevant model of complete cerebral ischemia. Cardiac arrest (ventricular fibrillation) was maintained for 18 min and resuscitation was performed by a standardized protocol in 40 cats. Beginning at 5 min post-resuscitation, nimodipine, 10 micrograms/kg over 2 min followed by 1 microgram/kg per min for 10 h, or the same volume of placebo was administered in a randomized, blinded fashion. Neurologic deficits were scored at 2, 4, and 7 days post-resuscitation by observers blinded to the treatment group. Thirty cats were evaluated neurologically at 7 days post-resuscitation and were entered into data analysis (n = 15 per group). Neither neurologic deficit scores nor neuropathologic scores were significantly different between groups. The authors conclude that nimodipine administration in the manner and doses stated does not improve neurologic outcome in cats following resuscitation from cardiac arrest.
Implications of Apathy for Everyday Functioning Outcomes in Persons Living with HIV Infection

Apathy is a relatively common clinical feature of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders, but little is known about its implications for everyday functioning outcomes. In the present study, we examined the associations between apathy and self-reported instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and neurocognitive complaints in 75 participants with HIV infection and 52 demographically comparable seronegative comparison subjects. All volunteers completed the apathy subscale of the Frontal Systems Behavioral Scale as part of a comprehensive neuromedical, psychiatric, and neurocognitive research evaluation. When compared with the seronegative comparison participants, the HIV+ group reported significantly higher current levels of apathy, but did not differ in self-report of prior (i.e., pre-seroconversion) apathy. Higher current apathy self-ratings were associated with greater severity of IADL declines and more numerous cognitive complaints in the HIV+ sample, even after adjusting for potential psychiatric (e.g., depression), medical (e.g., hepatitis C co-infection), and neurocognitive predictors. Cognitive complaints, but not IADLs, were also uniquely associated with ratings of executive dysfunction and disinhibition. All told, these findings suggest that apathy may make a unique contribution to important everyday functioning outcomes among persons living with HIV infection. The clinical detection of apathy may help identify HIV-infected individuals at particular risk for functional impairments who may require additional support to maintain independence.
Hypoxia regulates expression of the endothelin-1 gene through a proximal hypoxia-inducible factor-1 binding site on the antisense strand.

Abstract Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a peptide hormone with potent vasoconstrictor properties that is synthesized and secreted predominantly by vascular endothelial cells. Its production is regulated by numerous stimuli including ischemia and hypoxia, and the enhanced levels that occur during myocardial ischemia may contribute to the progression of heart failure. We previously reported that ET-1 expression was induced by both hypoxia and transition metals in endothelial cells (ECs). Here we define an element in the proximal promoter of the ET-1 gene that is responsible for this induction. By using deletions and site directed mutagenesis of the human ET-1 promoter, in combination with electrophoretic gel mobility shifts and transient expression assays in human ECs, we identified an active hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) binding site starting at position −118 upstream of the transcription start site on the non-coding DNA strand. Mutation of this site eliminated induction by hypoxia without affecting basal (aerobic) expression, and the mutated sequence did not display hypoxia-specific binding of HIF-1.
SOST and DKK: Antagonists of LRP Family Signaling as Targets for Treating Bone Disease

The study of rare human genetic disorders has often led to some of the most significant advances in biomedical research. One such example was the body of work that resulted in the identification of the Low Density Lipoprotein-Related Protein (LRP5) as a key regulator of bone mass. Point mutations were identified that encoded forms of LRP5 associated with very high bone mass (HBM). HBM patients live to a normal age and do not appear to have increased susceptibility to carcinogenesis or other disease. Thus, devising methods to mimic the molecular consequences of this mutation to treat bone diseases associated with low bone mass is a promising avenue to pursue. Two groups of agents related to putative LRP5/6 functions are under development. One group, the focus of this paper, is based on antagonizing the functions of putative inhibitors of Wnt signaling, Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), and Sclerostin (SOST). Another group of reagents under development is based on the observation that LRP5 may function to control bone mass by regulating the secretion of serotonin from the enterrochromaffin cells of the duodenum.
Evaluation of a Flushing Solution Designed to Protect Kidneys From In Situ Ischemia

An in situ flushing solution was evaluated with regard to the following: (1) its ability to protect the kidney during 60, 90, and 120 minutes of normothermic ischemia; (2) the effects of using an intracellular versus extracellular electrolyte composition in the flushing solution; and (3) the ability of the flushing solution to complement in situ hypothermia as a protective measure during long-term ischemia. Rat kidneys were briefly flushed in situ with an isotonic phosphate buffered solution (pH 7.2) containing 50 milliosmole of sucrose. The left renal pedicle was then immediately clamped to render the kidney ischemic and to hold the flushing solution in the kidney. Following removal of the pedicle clamp, a contralateral nephrectomy of the right kidney was performed and daily serum creatinine levels determined to evaluate postischemic renal function. The results indicate the following: (1) the flushing procedure is very effective in preventing postischemic acute renal failure following 60 minutes of normothermic ischemia, but is considerably less effective for ischemic times of 90 minutes or more; (2) an intracellular electrolyte composition in the flushing solution does not improve the protective effects of this solution; and (3) the flushing procedure can significantly improve on the protection otherwise provided by in situ hypothermia.
Trap-assisted recombination in semiconductors: application to group III gallium nitride material and junctions

Abstract An improved model for trap-assisted recombination taking into account Shockley-Read-Hall recombination, trap-assisted Auger (TAA) recombination and tunnelling due to the electric field has been developed. To our knowledge, this is the most general model for trap-assisted recombination reported in the literature. The model describes the weak temperature dependence of the recombination rate for the bulk, but the strong temperature dependence of the recombination rate for the depletion region. The TAA process contributes weakly to the net recombination unless the doping is very heavy. However, it contributes heavily to recombination in the junction depletion region even at relatively lower doping levels. The calculated minority-carrier lifetime and diffusion length closely correspond to the average experimental data.
Direct simulation vs volume-averaged treatment of adiabatic, premixed flame in a porous medium

Abstract For the case of flame thickness being of the order of the pore linear dimension, the flame structure and speed in adiabatic, premixed methane-air combustion in porous media are examined. The local, volume-averaged conservation equations that assume a local thermal equilibrium between the solid and the gas phases (i.e. the single-medium treatment) or allow for a thermal nonequilibrium (i.e. the two-medium treatment) are used along with the direct application of the pointwise conservation equation to a two-dimensional porous medium model (ordered arrangement of discrete or connected square cylinders). The effective properties of the porous medium in the volume-averaged treatments, including the interfacial Nusselt number, are found by applying the local volume-averaging principles. The results show that, although significant variations of the temperature and species concentrations occur over a pore, the flame structure, thickness, speed, and excess temperature (i.e. local gas temperature in excess of the adiabatic temperature) are fairly well predicted by the two-medium model (the single-medium treatment is unable to predict the local excess temperature). However, the volume-averaged treatments are unable to predict the pore-level, local high temperature region in the gas phase (which can be up to 40% above the adiabatic temperature), and the pore-level variation in the flame speed with respect to the flame location in the pore (which can vary by up to 20%). Other shortcomings of the volume-averaged treatments are also revealed through a parametric examination involving the pore-geometry variables, solid to gas conductivity ratio, equivalence ratio, porosity, and flame location within the pore.
Mild hypothermia during isoflurane anesthesia decreases resistance to E. coli dermal infection in guinea pigs

Small changes in core temperature profoundly alter cutaneous blood flow, a major factor influencing resistance to wound infection. Furthermore, when measured in vitro, various immune functions are temperature dependent in the physiological range. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that mild hypothermia impairs and mild hyperthermia improves resistance to dermal infections. Thirty-two guinea pigs were anesthetized for 6 h using 1.5% (1.25 MAC) inspired isoflurane. Their core temperatures were maintained at either 39 degrees C (normal for guinea pigs, n = 11), 36 degrees C (n = 12), or 41 degrees C (n = 9). One h after induction of anesthesia, 2 x 10(8) E. coli were injected intradermally with a 26-g needle at eight sites on each animal's back. Core temperatures were not controlled after recovery from anesthesia, and animals in each group were maintained in the same environment. Twenty-four h after injection, the area of induration surrounding each injection site was measured. This is a standard test of resistance to wound infection. Values were compared using one-way ANOVA and Scheffe's S tests. Results are presented as means +/- standard deviations; differences were considered significant when P < 0.05. Areas of inflammation on the hypothermic animals were significantly larger (48 +/- 10 mm2) than those on normothermic (36 +/- 10 mm2) or hyperthermic (37 +/- 6 mm2) animals. These data suggest that mild hypothermia during anesthesia significantly impairs resistance to dermal infection. In contrast, mild hyperthermia does not appear to be protective.
Comment on temperature variations near a surface in He II

An order-of-magnitude estimate is given of the temperature gradients in superfluid helium near a heated surface.
Fluorescein isothiocyanate-hapten immunoassay for determination of peptide-cell interactions

We have developed a fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-hapten immunoassay, where a FITC-labeled peptide binding to a cell is assayed as the amount of immunoreactive fluorescein present in a cell lysate. An antifluorescein-horseradish peroxidase conjugate binds to either a fluoresceinated peptide in the lysate or a fluorescein attached to the wells of a microtiter plate in a competitive fashion. After washing, solid-phase peroxidase activity is measured and inversely related to the amount of FITC-labeled peptide present. To demonstrate the assay, the interaction of a FITC-labeled bombesin-like peptide with the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor on PC-3 and HT-29 cells was investigated. Using PC-3 cells, we obtained similar displacement curves and numbers of binding sites per cell by both the FITC-hapten immunoassay and a reference radioreceptor assay. The FITC-hapten immunoassay is a sensitive and versatile method, since the same commercially available reagents can be used to assess interactions between any peptide and any receptor. In addition, the FITC-labeled peptide can be used to visualize receptors in fluorescent-activated cell sorting or fluorescent microscopy.
Establishing Effect Size Guidelines for Interpreting the Results of Differential Bundle Functioning Analyses Using SIBTEST

The purpose of this simulation study was to establish general effect size guidelines for interpreting the results of differential bundle functioning (DBF) analyses using simultaneous item bias test (SIBTEST). Three factors were manipulated: number of items in a bundle, test length, and magnitude of uniform differential item functioning (DIF) against the focal group in each item in a bundle. A secondary purpose was to validate the current effect size guidelines for interpreting the results of single-item DIF analyses using SIBTEST. The results of this study clearly demonstrate that ability estimation bias can only be attributed to DIF or DBF when a large number of items in a bundle are functioning differentially against focal examinees in a small way or a small number of items are functioning differentially against focal examinees in a large way. In either of these situations, the presence of DIF or DBF should be a cause for concern because it would lead one to erroneously believe that distinct groups diff...
Parameter identification of nonsteady groundwater flow systems

Abstract This paper presents several methods which are based on multiple data sets to reduce the errors caused by the noise in the measured data. The comparisons show that the accuracy of inverse solution depends both on the noise level and on the number of consecutive observations. For low noise levels, both average and least squares methods perform well. When the noise level is high, integration methods based on the trapezoidal rule yield better accuracy. However, when noise dominates the record, all methods may yield an unacceptable error. To reduce noise levels, a Butterworth filter is used. Using filtered data, the accuracy of the estimated parameters is improved. A computed example shows that the errors in transmissivity and storage coefficient are different because they have different derivatives. Application of the inverse methods are demonstrated in a two-dimensional problem.
Wall Street and Main Street: the macroeconomic consequences of New York bank suspensions, 1866–1914

Before the formation of the Federal Reserve, banking panics were routine events in the United States. During the most severe episodes, banks in cities across the country would often suspend or restrict the par convertibility of their demand deposit liabilities. In diagnosing the causes of the Great Depression, Friedman and Schwartz famously regard these local initiatives as a second best solution, which in the absence of an effective lender of last resort would have prevented the rash of bank failures during the early 1930s and their dire monetary and real impacts. Recent research in macroeconomics though has raised the possibility that banks’ suspension of payments might also have negative real effects albeit through changes in aggregate supply such as the financing of working capital. We would expect to observe these negative shocks during the pre-Fed era, because the decentralized, private interbank payments network was especially vulnerable to systemic disruptions such as suspensions by New York and other money center banks. Reports in national trade periodicals and local newspapers during suspension periods offer many accounts of factories closing because of the inability to obtain currency for weekly payrolls and “domestic exchange” to finance internal trade. We corroborate these observations with more systematic econometric evidence at the national and regional levels. Our results show that controlling for the overall contraction and bank failures, suspension periods were associated with a statistically significant and quantitatively large decline in real activity, on the order of 10–20 %.
Labor Economics Mincer-Style: A Personal Reflection

Between 1957 and 1974 Jacob Mincer pioneered important new approaches to labor economics. In the years since these seminal discoveries, he, as well as generations of his students and colleagues at Columbia University and elsewhere, adopted these innovations to reach important conclusions about human wellbeing. In 1967 I was lucky enough to arrive as a graduate student at Columbia University, just at the peak of this research revolution. In this paper, I detail some of my recollections concerning Jacob Mincer and the hospitable research atmosphere at Columbia University that sparked so much of this path breaking research.
Synchronizing Lasers Over Fiber by Transmitting Continuous Waves

We have developed an interferometric method of delivering optical phase information over kilometers of fiber with sub-10fs long term stability. This enables temporal synchronization of pulsed lasers by transmission of CW signals.
Tungsten Oxidation Kinetic after Wet Cleaning: XPS and ToF-SIMS Characterization

Tungsten importance in semiconductor manufacturing is renewed more and more due to its usage not only as metallization for plugs, but also in metal gates architectures. As the scaling down of the devices is becoming aggressive, the metal interfaces become more critical. Hence, a deeper understanding of the evolution of the W surface after wet cleaning processes is becoming increasingly more important.
Breaking T cell tolerance to beta cell antigens by merocytic dendritic cells

In type 1 diabetes (T1D), a break in central and peripheral tolerance results in antigen-specific T cells destroying insulin-producing, pancreatic beta cells. Herein, we discuss the critical sub-population of dendritic cells responsible for mediating both the cross-presentation of islet antigen to CD8(+) T cells and the direct presentation of beta cell antigen to CD4(+) T cells. These cells, termed merocytic dendritic cells (mcDC), are more numerous in non-obese diabetic (NOD), and antigen-loaded mcDC rescue CD8(+) T cells from peripheral anergy and deletion, and stimulate islet-reactive CD4(+) T cells. When purified from the pancreatic lymph nodes of overtly diabetic NOD mice, mcDC can break peripheral T cell tolerance to beta cell antigens in vivo and induce rapid onset T cell-mediated T1D in young NOD mouse. Thus, the mcDC subset appears to represent the long-sought critical antigen-presenting cell responsible for breaking peripheral tolerance to beta cell antigen in vivo.
Laser dressing of alumina grinding wheels

High-power lasers are being explored as a non-contact-type dressing tool for alumina grinding wheels. The alumina grinding wheel surface underwent melting and/or vaporization on the surface when laser-dressed, forming a modified layer on the surface. Refinement of the grain size took place. The individual particles that formed on the surface had well-defined faceted structures. Microcutting edges were generated on the individual grains and particles, which can act as cutting edges for efficient grinding. The results of x-ray diffraction and pole figure analysis suggested that the formation of these faceted structures was due to the preferential orientation of the grains after dressing.
Impact of an absorbent silver-eluting dressing system on lower extremity revascularization wound complications

Surgical wounds for lower extremity revascularization are prone to infection and dehiscence. Acticoat Absorbent®, an antimicrobial dressing, offers sustained release of ionic silver. We hypothesized that immediate application of Acticoat as a postoperative dressing would reduce wound complications in patients undergoing leg revascularization. All infrainguinal revascularization cases involving leg incisions at a single Veterans Administration Medical Center were identified from July 1, 2002, to September 30, 2005. The control group received conventional dressings, while the treatment group received an Acticoat dressing. Wound complication rates were captured via National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data. Patient characteristics and procedure distributions were similar between groups. The wound complication rate fell 64% with utilization of the Acticoat-based dressing (control 14% [17/118], treatment 5% [7/130]; P = 0.016). An Acticoat-based dressing system offers a potentially useful, cost-effective adjunct to reduce open surgical leg revascularization wound complications.
Factors associated with exposure of transvaginally placed polypropylene mesh for pelvic organ prolapse

This study evaluates potential risk factors for mesh exposure following transvaginal placement of polypropylene mesh for pelvic organ prolapse requiring reoperation. We performed a case-control study. Cases had mesh exposure requiring surgical revision; controls had no mesh exposures and were chosen for similar surgical date and type of mesh. We identified 48 cases and 48 controls. The adjusted odds ratio of having a bleeding complication at the time of mesh implantation was 7.25 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.47–35.66], smokers versus nonsmokers was 3.17 (95% CI 0.59–17.12), and being 1 year older was 0.96 (95% CI 0.92–1.0), among women with mesh exposure. We identified bleeding complications at the time of mesh implantation as a risk factor for mesh exposure requiring reoperation. Despite being one of the largest studies on this topic, our data were inconclusive regarding the impact of other possible factors on mesh exposure.
Soil arching over deeply buried thermoplastic pipe

Soil arching associated with buried thermoplastic pipe is discussed. First, the soil arching phenomenon is described. Then two different approaches are mentioned from the literature to represent the degree of soil arching (or vertical arching factor). The elastic solutions of Burns and Richard are revisited to derive expressions for the vertical soil arching factor for buried pipe. Comparison of the elastic solutions and field soil pressure cell readings reveals the importance of incorporating a bending stiffness parameter. With this finding, the AASHTO method for calculating the load on buried pipe is evaluated against the elastic solutions. The analysis reveals that the AASHTO method is conservative, overestimating the load on thermoplastic pipe by up to 30%. Further evidence to support the finding is found within the strain gauge readings taken on the pipe walls in the field. Therefore, alternative equations derived directly from the elastic solutions are recommended to predict the load on buried therm...
Influence of various agents on corneal permeability.

Adult albino rabbits (2-3 kg) were killed with an overdose of sodium pentobarbital. Eyes were proptosed, the corneas removed and transferred immediately to a Petri dish containing Krebs-bicarbonate Ringer's solu­ tion (pH 7.2) at 23-24° C. Corneas were mounted in chambers described previously, except that no simulated intraocular pressure was used. The inside volume (endothelial solution) of each chamber was 5 ml and corneas were always bathed with Ringer's solution on this surface. Following mounting, the epithelium of a cornea was bathed with one of the following solutions for two minutes: 10~ M histamine; 2% laboratory-prepared pilocarpine ( J H H P ) ; 2% commercially available pilo­ carpine HCl in half-strength Ringer's solu­ tion; 2 mM cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC) ; 0.02%, 0.01% or 0.005% benzalconium chloride (BAC) ; 0.5% proxymeta-
3S,24S,25-Trihydroxytirucall-7-ene from Ailanthus excelsa

Abstract A new triterpene has been isolated from the root bark of Ailanthus excelsa (Simaroubaceae) and identified as 3S,24S,25-trihydroxytirucall-7-ene.
Propagule supply limits grazer richness equally across a resource gradient

Although the independent effects of propagule supply and resource availability on species diversity are widely recognized, there are conflicting predictions of how resource availability affects the strength of propagule supply. To determine how propagule supply and resource availability interact to control species richness, we compared the effects of grazer propagule additions on grazer and algal assemblages across an experimental gradient of algal productivity. Different levels of algal productivity (i.e., replacement rate of grazers' food resource) were maintained by manipulating light. Despite light-driven changes in algal standing biomass and diversity, algal resource availability had no effect on propagule limitation of grazer species richness, nor on grazer community composition. Instead, augmenting grazer propagule supply had equally strong, positive effects on grazer richness at all levels of algal resource availability. Although there was evidence for competition and resource limitation in the high propagule supply/low resource treatment, competition was evidently too weak or the experimental duration was too short to lead to competitive exclusion and changes in species richness, evenness, and composition. Our results highlight potential differences in resource use between sessile producers and mobile grazers. Unlike plants that consume inorganic nutrients and light whose renewal is positive, donor-controlled, and identity-fixed, animals consume dynamic resources that can respond to consumption by increasing growth rates, or going extinct and being replaced by other species, as we observed in the replacement of easily ingested green algae by less preferred red algae. The dual nature of these dynamic resources may consequently weaken the link between resource renewal rates and propagule limitation in animal communities.
Quantification of Photoactivatable Fluorescent Proteins by PALM

We present a single molecule method for counting photoactivatable proteins, mEos2 and Dendra2, within a diffraction limited area when using photo-activated localization microscopy (PALM). The intrinsic blinking of photoactivatable fluorescent proteins (PAFPs) mEos2 and Dendra2, leads to an over-counting error, which constitutes a major obstacle for their use as molecular counting tags. Here, we introduce a kinetic model to describe the photo-blinking of Dendra2 and mEos2 proteins and use the measured blinking parameters to address the over-counting error. Simultaneous photoactivation of multiple molecules is another source of error, but it leads to molecular undercounting, instead. We propose a novel photo-activation scheme that separates uniformly the activation of different molecules, thus helping to decrease the undercounting error. Our method quantifies the total counting error and minimizes it by balancing the over- and undercounting.
Magnetization reversal in ( Ga , Mn ) As ∕ Mn O exchange-biased structures: Investigation by planar Hall effect

The asymmetric planar Hall effect (PHE) has been investigated in a series of $(\mathrm{Ga},\mathrm{Mn})\mathrm{As}∕\mathrm{Mn}\mathrm{O}$ ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic bilayer structures, all of which exhibit exchange bias (EB) up to $140\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Oe}$ as determined by direct magnetization measurements. The reversal of in-plane magnetization in these structures was systematically studied by the angular dependence of PHE with respect to the direction of the applied magnetic field. The behavior of PHE in structures with EB is very different from the PHE results observed on typical (Ga,Mn)As layers with no antiferromagnetic capping. In particular, in field-cooled experiments on $(\mathrm{Ga},\mathrm{Mn})\mathrm{As}∕\mathrm{Mn}\mathrm{O}$ we observe asymmetry in the PHE resistance upon reversal of the applied magnetic field when the field is swept along the direction of the cooling field. Analysis of the experimental results based on the Stoner-Wohlfarth model (including domain nucleation and expansion in the ferromagnetic layer) reveals that in EB systems magnetization reversal can occur via two paths: the magnetization undergoes either a full circle rotation or a half circle rotation as the field is reversed, depending on the direction of the applied field relative to the cooling field. Our model is confirmed by the close agreement of its theoretical prediction with the experimental data.
Maturation of the Na+/H+ antiporter (NHE3) in the proximal tubule of the hypothyroid adrenalectomized rat.

In previous studies examining the role of glucocorticoids and thyroid hormone on the maturation of the Na+/H+ antiporter (NHE3), we found attenuation in the maturational increase in proximal tubule...
An analogue of the Riemann mapping theorem for Lorentz metrics

The classical Riemann mapping theorem essentially says that a simply connected two-dimensional smooth Riemannian manifold is conformal to the standard sphere S 2 , the Euclidean plane E 2 , or the unit disk D 2 . The analogous problems in the Lorentz case are as follows. Let M be a simply connected two-dimensional smooth Lorentz manifold. Note that necessarily M is diffeomorphic to R 2 . (1) Does M admit a conformal embedding in E 1, 1 ,i.e. R 2 with cartesian coordinates { x, y } and the metric d x d y ? (2) What are the conformal types of such M’s ? In this paper these questions are partly answered in terms of an ‘ ideal boundary’ ∂ 0 M which is a conformal invariant of M. A geometric consequence is that among orientable surfaces only R 2 , R x S 1 and S 1 x S 1 admit complete Lorentz metrics of constant curvature. The results of this paper may be regarded as a part of a global study of space-times as well as of the second-order linear hyperbolic operators in dimension 2.
The Power of the Group: Integrative Medicine Group Visits.

I remember that during medical school, we students were constantly stressed by the notion of needing to plan our careers. In the almost 20 years since graduating I have learned that one's career has a way of unfolding in wonderful unforeseen and unplanned ways. Last year, I had the good fortune of moving into a new role as a facilitator of integrative medicine group visits. Following are some notes from the field. They are 14 women and 2 brave men. Fifteen people of color and 1 white person. They carry diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, fibromyalgia, chronic pain of all types, hypertension, and obesity. They have visited specialists, been injected, exercised in physical therapy, and ingested numerous medications to minimal avail. They are survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual abuse, violent crimes, and vicarious trauma and now are pioneers of a new program, Integrative Medicine Group Visits, funded by a Patient-centered Outcomes Research Instit...
In Situ, Vibrationally Resonant Sum Frequency Spectroscopy Study of the Self-Assembly of Dioctadecyl Disulfide on Gold

We report the results of an in situ, vibrationally resonant sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy study of the assembly of perdeuterated dioctadecyl disulfide on gold substrates from ethanol solutions under laminar flow conditions. The coverage evolution of the SFG spectra can be well described by the coexistence of two distinct phases: a low-coverage, disordered phase and the full-coverage crystalline phase. The structure of the adsorbed thiolate fragments in the low-coverage phase is disordered but upright (as opposed to lying completely in the surface plane), characterized by significant gauche defects in the backbone but a near-normal orientation for the terminal methyl group. The crystalline phase is marked by an erect all-trans configuration of the alkane chain. The kinetics of the evolution of these two phases can be quantitatively described by a simple model, consistent with phase coexistence above a critical density of the disordered phase.
Use of a surfactant in the determination of arsenic by flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract The possible benefits of the addition of an anionic surfactant, didodecyldimethylammonium bromide, in the determination of arsenic, by flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry using a flame-heated quartz tube atomizer, were studied in the light of previous reports concerning the effects of surfactants on chemical vapor generation procedures. Concentrations of arsenic between 5 and 30 μg l −1 were used. Calibrations in the presence and absence of the surfactant in the sample solution were not significantly different, either for the case where vesicles were formed in the presence of the analyte or where they were preformed in the surfactant solution and then added to the analyte. The surfactant had no effect on recoveries in the presence of copper, nickel or bismuth. The addition of the surfactant to the acid carrier and/or borohydride streams had no effect. It is proposed that there may be a greater role for surfactants in the improvement of the processes by which the hydride is transferred to the bulk gas phase than has been attributed in previous reports on this subject.
High-pressure laminar flame speeds and kinetic modeling of carbon monoxide/hydrogen combustion

Abstract Laminar flame speeds were accurately measured for CO/H 2 /air and CO/H 2 /O 2 /helium mixtures at different equivalence ratios and mixing ratios by the constant-pressure spherical flame technique for pressures up to 40 atmospheres. A kinetic mechanism based on recently published reaction rate constants is presented to model these measured laminar flame speeds as well as a limited set of other experimental data. The reaction rate constant of CO + HO 2 → CO 2 + OH was determined to be k = 1.15 × 10 5 T 2.278 exp(−17.55 kcal/ RT ) cm 3 mol −1 s −1 at 300–2500 K by ab initio calculations. The kinetic model accurately predicts our measured flame speeds and the non-premixed counterflow ignition temperatures determined in our previous study, as well as homogeneous system data from literature, such as concentration profiles from flow reactor and ignition delay time from shock tube experiments.
Oral, obsessive and hysterical personality patterns

IN A previous study1 factor analysis was used to explore 3 personality patterns derived from psychoanalytic theory : oral, obsessive, and hysterical. The study demonstrated that the personality traits defining these 3 patterns could be reliably measured from items rated by patients; that the traits thus measured formed 3 clusters by factor analysis; and that the 3 clusters corresponded closely to the psychoanalytical descriptions of the oral, obsessive, and hysterical personality patterns. One limitation of the previous study lay in the patient sampling. These patients had been selected by resident psychiatrists as being typical of at least 1 of the 3 personality patterns. The question arose whether the results of the previous study would be replicated in a broader patient sample. The present paper reports a replication of the original study on a new sample. Using consecutive female admissions to a psychiatric hospital rather than preselected ‘typical’ patients, we investigated whether factor analysis would produce patterns with similar results.