cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-band mass enhancement towards critical doping in a pnictide superconductor

Near critical doping, high-temperature superconductors exhibit multiple anomalies associated with enhanced electronic correlations and quantum criticality. Quasiparticle mass enhancement approaching optimal doping has been reported in quantum oscillation measurements in both cuprate and pnictide superconductors. Although the data are suggestive of enhanced interactions, the microscopic theory of quantum oscillation measurements near a quantum critical point is not yet firmly established. It is therefore desirable to have a direct thermodynamic measurement of quasiparticle mass. Here we report high-magnetic field measurements of heat capacity in the doped pnictide superconductor BaFe2(As1−xPx)2. We observe saturation of the specific heat at high magnetic field in a broad doping range above optimal doping which enables a direct determination of the electronic density of states recovered when superconductivity is suppressed. Our measurements find a strong total mass enhancement in the Fermi pockets that superconduct. This mass enhancement extrapolates to a mass divergence at a critical doping of x = 0.28. In an Fe-based superconductor, the variation of quasiparticle masses across a broad doping range is found to culminate in a mass divergence at critical doping — the doping corresponding to the highest superconducting critical temperature. Such a quasiparticle mass divergence hints to a quantum critical origin of the phase diagram of high-temperature superconductors. A microscopic theory explaining this behavior still has to be established, and a direct measurement of quasiparticle masses can give input to theory. Camilla Moir at Florida State University and colleagues used high magnetic fields to suppress superconductivity in BaFe2(As1-xPx)2 and measure the density of states in the normal state, which allows to determine the quasiparticle masses from all Fermi pockets, finding a mass divergence near critical doping. These results will guide theoretical investigations of quantum criticality in high-temperature superconductors.
The Beginning of a Post-colonial Foreign Policy in Africa

This chapter sets the scene for the formation of states in Africa, as a result of independence, beginning late in the 1950s, particularly in the Sub-Saharan region. As World War II concluded and a new world order emerged, pitting the US-led, democratic capitalist western world against the USSR-led communist-socialist world, European countries, war ravaged and desperately holding onto increasingly assertive and soon-to-be independent colonies in Asia and Africa, found themselves increasingly on the periphery of global order debates, but also provided ammunition to the USSR and its allies, given continuing colonialism. Pressure also came from within the colonies in the form of independence movements, from the more receptive Soviet orbit, from the US itself given the pointed contradictions, from regional organizations, such as the Arab League and afield, Asian countries and their collective action (e.g. the Bandung Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement), and the liberated African countries such as Ghana and former French West Africa. The chapter outlines the most important issues addressed in the monograph—read foreign policy—that would confront the countries, individually, and together, as they struggled to rid the continent of the yoke of colonialism especially in the southern African region.
The Ability of Upper Extremity Surgeons to Assess Patient's Functional Status.

Purpose To compare surgeon and patient assessment of upper extremity functional status at the time of initial consultation. We hypothesized that surgeons and patients demonstrate low levels of agreement with respect to assessing pain scores, functional status, and self-efficacy. Methods One hundred forty-three consecutive new patients were evaluated by 1 of 5 fellowship-trained upper extremity surgeons. Patients completed a Numeric Pain Rating Scale as well as the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Upper Extremity (UE), Pain Interference (PI), and Self-Efficacy (SE) instruments. Surgeons provided their own estimates of patient function on each questionnaire at the conclusion of the visit and were blinded to the results of the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for the duration of the study. Estimation errors, which represent the absolute value of the difference between the patient’s actual score and the surgeon’s estimated score on each questionnaire, were calculated for each questionnaire. Results As a group, surgeons assumed that the PROMIS UE and SE scores were higher than the patients’ actual scores and assumed that patients had lower PROMIS PI scores than were actually reported. Mean estimation errors for all PROMIS instruments were greater than 10 points and larger than the SD for these instruments in the general population. Conclusions Upper extremity surgeons demonstrate difficulty assessing their patient’s self-reported functional status, pain interference, and level of self-efficacy during initial consultations. Clinical relevance Although formalized PROMs are infrequently administered in orthopedic clinics, increased utilization of these questionnaires would allow for a more accurate baseline functional assessment. When evaluating new patients in the outpatient clinic, surgeons should recognize the potential limitations of their assessments of patient-reported function.
An Adaptive Large-Scale Trajectory Index for Cloud-Based Moving Object Applications

The cutting-edge cloud-based computing platforms are a typical solution for the tremendous volumes of the moving object trajectories and the vast trajectory-driven applications. However, many challenges have been raised by the adopted distributed platforms, the nature of the trajectories, the diversity in query types, the enormous options of computing resources, etc. We propose a Dynamic Moving Object Index that is able to adapt to the changes in a dynamic environment while maximizing the benefits out of the available resources without any fine-tuning. It balances the index structure between the spatial and object localities in order to control the parallelism capacity, the communication overhead, and the computation distribution. The proposed index has innovative global and local indexes that implement several optimization approaches in order to contain the impact of balancing the locality pivot in a dynamic environment. We also conduct extensive experiments on two datasets and various queries including space-based, time-based, and object-based query types. The experiment study shows a significant performance improvement compared to existing indexing schemes.
Credit rating changes and debt structure

Abstract Through examination of the relationship between rating levels and subsequent annual net debt changes, Kisgen (2006) provides support for the Credit Rationing – Capital Structure (CR-CS) hypothesis which maintains that “+” or “−” notch firms are more likely than non-notch firms to reduce net debt levels to increase the likelihood of a beneficial rating change. We add to the credit rating literature by focusing on quarterly net debt changes over the two years before and after rating changes to provide evidence that notch firms are generally not associated with lower net debt levels, greater net debt reductions, or higher probability of upgrades than non-notch firms before rating changes. Instead, notch firms with CW announcements are associated with relatively greater net debt level increases beginning three quarters before rating changes and these increases continue for firms both without and with CW announcements after the rating change. Further, in analysis of the strength of upgrades (UP) relative to downgrades (DOWN) at the time of rating change, we show that the UP/DOWN ratio is more a function of the presence of prior CreditWatch (CR) announcements than notch status. Firms without and with CW announcements exhibit UP/DOWN ratios of 0.8455 and 0.3628, respectively, with no significant differences in these ratios between notch and non-notch firms.
Two-Stage Trajectory Optimization for Flapping Flight with Data-Driven Models

Underactuated robots often require involved routines for trajectory planning due to their complex dynamics. Flapping-wing aerial vehicles have unsteady aerodynamics and periodic gaits that complicate the planning procedure. In this paper, we improve upon existing methods for flight planning by introducing a two-stage optimization routine to plan flapping flight trajectories. The first stage solves a trajectory optimization problem with a data-driven fixed-wing approximation model trained with experimental flight data. The solution to this is used as the initial guess for a second stage optimization using a flapping-wing model trained with the same flight data. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach with a bat robot in both simulation and experimental flight results. The speed of convergence, the dependency on the initial guess, and the quality of the solution are improved, and the robot is able to track the optimized trajectory of a dive maneuver.
Effects of cholinergic drugs on pilot performance

The cholinergic system of the CNS plays an essential role in attention, learning, and memory. For example, pharmacologic agents have been developed to increase cholinergic function in the brain to treat patients with Alzheimer's disease. There are currently two common pharmacologic mechanisms used to increase activation of cholinergic receptors: 1) directly through administration of cholinergic agonists, and 2) indirectly through administration of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. To evaluate the kind and size of the effects of direct and indirect cholinergic drugs on performance, we compared the effects of nicotine (a direct cholinomimetic) and donepezil (an indirect cholinomimetic) on performance in older, normal subjects, using pilot performance as our model. Compared to placebo, both, nicotine and donepezil significantly improved overall pilot performance. Both cholinergic drugs showed the largest effects on flight tasks requiring sustained visual attention. We observed that although the two tested cholinergic drugs have different pharmacologic mechanisms, their effects on flight performance were similar in kind and size. from International Society on Brain and Behaviour: 1st International Congress on Brain and Behaviour Hyatt Regency Hotel, Thessaloniki, Greece, 20–23 November, 2003
Nucleotide Sequence of Escherichia Coli asnB and Deduced Amino Acid Sequence of Asparagine Synthetase B

The Escherichia coli asparagine synthetase B gene (asnB) has been cloned into a temperature-sensitive, low copy plasmid, pOU71, as shown by the complementation of an E. coli asparagine auxotroph, E. coli JE6279. The nucleotide sequence of asnB and the flanking sequences were determined. The proposed coding region for the gene is 1662 nucleotides in length, and the deduced amino acid sequence of the coding region results in a protein that has a molecular weight of 62,666 and contains 554 amino acids. A promoter region is identified based on the transcription start site that was determined by primer extension experiments. Homology studies of the asnB protein sequence with the human asparagine synthetase and E. coli asparagine synthetase A protein show that there is a high degree of homology with only the human asparagine synthetase. A purF type glutamine amide transfer domain was identified upon inspection of the amino-terminal amino acid sequence of the asparagine synthetase B protein.
Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition

Introduction 1. Believing in Magic 2. The Superstitious Person 3. Superstition and Coincidence 4. Superstitious Thinking 5. Growing Up Superstitious 6. Is Superstition Abnormal, Irrational, or Neither? 7. A Magical View of the World
Multimodal Wearable Sensing for Fine-Grained Activity Recognition in Healthcare

State-of-the-art in-home activity recognition schemes with wearable devices are mostly capable of detecting coarse-grained activities (sitting, standing, walking, or lying down), but can't distinguish complex activities (sitting on the floor versus the sofa or bed). Such schemes often aren't effective for emerging critical healthcare applications -- for example, in remote monitoring of patients with Alzheimer's disease, bulimia, or anorexia -- because they require a more comprehensive, contextual, and fine-grained recognition of complex daily user activities. Here, a novel approach for in-home, fine-grained activity recognition uses multimodal wearable sensors on multiple body positions, along with lightly deployed Bluetooth beacons in the environment. In particular, this solution exploits measuring user's ambient environment and location context with wearable sensing and Bluetooth beacons, along with user movement captured with accelerometer and gyroscope sensors. The proposed algorithm is a two-level supervised classifier with both levels running on a server. In the first level, multisensor data from wearables on each body position are collected and analyzed using the proposed modified conditional random field (CRF)-based supervised activity classifier. The classified activity state from each of the wearables data are then fused for deciding the user's final activity state. Preliminary experimental results are presented on the classification of 19 complex daily activities of a user at home.
Membrane and Synaptic Actions of Halothane on Rat Hippocampal Pyramidal Neurons and Inhibitory Interneurons

A relatively small number of inhibitory interneurons can control the excitability and synchronization of large numbers of pyramidal neurons in hippocampus and other cortical regions. Thus, anesthetic modulation of interneurons could play an important role during anesthesia. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of a general anesthetic, halothane, on membrane and synaptic properties of rat hippocampal interneurons. GABA receptor-mediated IPSCs were recorded with whole-cell patch-clamp techniques in visually identified CA1 pyramidal cells and interneurons located at the border of stratum lacunosum-moleculare and stratum radiatum. Halothane (0.35 mm congruent with 1.2 vol%) depressed evoked IPSC amplitudes recorded from both pyramidal cells and inhibitory interneurons. Also, halothane considerably prolonged the decay time constant of evoked IPSCs in pyramidal cells and interneurons. The frequencies of miniature IPSCs were increased by halothane (two- to threefold) in both types of neuron. On the other hand, halothane effects on resting membrane potentials were variable but minimal in both types of neurons. In current-clamp recordings, halothane depressed EPSP amplitudes and increased IPSP amplitudes recorded from both types of neurons. In addition, halothane increased the failure rate of synaptically evoked action potentials. Taken together, these data provide evidence that halothane increases GABA(A) receptor-mediated synaptic inhibition between synaptically connected interneurons and depresses excitatory transmission, similar to effects observed in pyramidal neurons.
IONCAP program available for PCs

The IONCAP (Ionospheric Communications Analysis and Prediction) program is now available for the IBM Personal Computer AT™. The computer resources required to run this program are 512 Kbytes of memory with a hard disk or high-density floppy disk. A math coprocessor, while not necessary, makes the execution time more reasonable. The program resides on disk as a single run module and does not require overlays. It is possible to run the IONCAP program on an IBM PC XT™. However, the XT must have a hard disk and the program must be linked on the XT, because the floppy disk on this model does not have sufficient storage capacity to hold the run module.
The Passio Andreae and The Dream of the Rood

For nearly a century now, scholars have raised the question of the influence of the apocryphal Passio Andreae on The Dream of the Rood, but this suggestion has been discussed in terms of broad similarities. One striking specific parallel concerns the history of the Cross. In the accounts of the passion of Jesus in the gospels, Jesus is forced to bear the Cross from Jerusalem to Golgotha. In The Dream of the Rood, however, Jesus goes willingly to the place where the Cross (which has been used before) has already been set up. This account of the sequence of the passion corresponds exactly to the passion of Andrew in which Andrew goes willingly and of his own volition to a Cross which has been used as a gallows before. This correspondence, together with other points of similarity, suggest that The Dream of the Rood poet used some form of the Passio Andreae as a model for his narrative.
Radiocarbon Activity of Shells from Living Clams and Snails.

Measurements were made of the natural C/sup 14/ activity of shells from living clams and snails collected from a variety of environments. Three samples were measured, representing growth in lime-poor, fairly soft, and lime-rich waters. The tracer study indicated that a snail can incorporate 10 to 12% inorganic C in making its shell and the remainder of the C in the shell carbonate must come from food or the atmosphere, and the resulting C/sup 14//C/sup 12/ ratio will be essentially the same as in those sources. The control laboratory snails ate modern food (lettuce), whereas the natural snails ate food with a C/ sup 14/ /C/sup 12/ ratio similar to their environment and so showed the greater deficiency in C/sup 14/. The limiting value of a system in contact with the atmosphere is 50% dead C, theoretically possible, but not yet measured anywhere. Even such a great deficiency in C /sup 14/ as this produces a constant error in the dating of unknown nonmarine carbonate samples of one C/sup 14/ half life (5568 or 5730 years). Of greater significance is the postdepositional alteration and replacement of the original shell composition, which can add or subtract material. Neither visual nor mineralogicmore » criteria can be used to predict the degree of this alteration. This can be determined only by mass spectrometric isotopic studies. (auth)« less
Optical anisotropy in single-walled carbon nanotube thin films: implications for transparent and conducting electrodes in organic photovoltaics.

Optical anisotropy in single-walled carbon nanotube thin film networks is reported. We obtain the real and imaginary parts of the in- (∥) and out-of-plane (⊥) complex dielectric functions of the si...
Prevention of Sports Injuries

There are ∼3 million annual injuries incurred during sports participation among children and adolescents in the United States, with injury defined as one that causes time lost from sports participation. Pediatricians need to have the skills to diagnose, manage, and/or triage these injuries. Training in management of musculoskeletal injuries is not integrated into the pediatric curriculum as systematically as it should be, according to surveys of recent pediatric graduates. Injury rates have been reduced because of changes in the sport environment through increased safety regulation. The preseason examination is an opportunity to diagnose and rehabilitate old injuries and thereby prevent reinjury. However, effective prevention occurs only when the patient history is accurate and appropriate diagnoses and rehabilitation programs are initiated by the physician performing the preseason examination. For the individual patient with a musculoskeletal injury, there are four phases of rehabilitation: 1) limiting additional injury and controlling pain and swelling; 2) improving strength and flexibility of the injured structures; 3) progressive improvement in strength, flexibility, proprioception, and endurance of the injured structures until near-normal function is achieved; and 4) returning to the sport gradually through functional rehabilitation. Finally, injury in sports also includes psychological injury. Young athletes should play sports for enjoyment, to improve self-esteem, and to improve athletic skills. If these are not priorities in youth sports, then participation in sports potentially is harmful by decreasing self-esteem, diminishing athletic skills, and discouraging additional participation in sports. Pediatricians should be aware of potential psychological issues and provide guidance to address them. Pediatricians should be involved in providing medical care for children and adolescents when these patients are injured in sports participation. The overall goal of this article is to increase the competency of pediatricians in sports medicine care, specifically prevention of sports-related injuries. A framework for approaching sports injury prevention …
Relative Efficacy of Several Materials for Control of Poultry Ectoparasites

Nine recently developed chemicals were compared as potential control agents for poultry ectoparasites. Field tests, upon which the summary of results is based, were preceded by preliminary laboratory tests of toxicity of the materials to baby chicks and to poultry ectoparasites. Atgas persicus (Oken) was effectively controlled by a 1% emulsion of Sevin® (1-naphthyl- N -methyl carbamate) applied as a premise spray in conjunction with a 0.5% emulsion spray applied to the birds at the rate of 1 gallon per 100 birds. Promising but inconclusive results were obtained with Dibrom® ( 0,0 -dimethyl- 0 -(1,2-dibromo-2,2-dichloroethyl) phosphate) and Korlan® ( 0,0 -dimethyl 0-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) phosphorothioate) sprays. A 1% Dylox® ( 0,0 -dimethyl 2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethylphosphonate) spray applied to premises and birds gave unsatisfactory control of the fowl tick. Menacanthus stramineus (Nitz.) was effectively controlled with the following formulations: Dylox solution, 0.5%, spray, 1 gallon per 100 birds; Korlan emulsion, 0.1%, spray, 1 gallon per 100 birds, in conjunction with nest and litter spray; Sevin emulsion, 0.5% spray, 1 gallon per 100 birds; Sevin dust, 0.5%, 4 ounces per 100 birds. Promising but inconclusive results were obtained with 0.25% Korlan suspension spray. Ornithonyssus sylviarum (C. & F.) was effectively controlled with the following sprays applied at the rate of 1 gallon per 100 birds: Co-Ral® ( 0 -(3-chloro-4-methylumbelliferone) 0,0 -diethyl phosphorthioate) suspension, 0.1%; Dibrom emulsion, 0.25%; Korlan emulsion, 0.25%; Sevin emulsion, 0.25%; Sevin suspension, 0.5%. A 5% Sevin dust applied by puff duster at the rate of 4 ounces per 100 birds was also effective. Unsatisfactory control followed use of the following formulations: Tedion® (2,4,4',5-tetrachlorodiphenyl sulfone, 80% technical) suspension spray, 0.1%, 1 gallon per 100 birds; 3.6 to 4 ounces per 100 birds of 15%. Delphene® (N,N-diethyl- m -toluamide) dust, 4% Dibrom dust, or 3% Tedion dust; 0.3 ounces of Santocel (a powdery silica aerogel) dust per 100 birds; 1% suspension of Dowco 109 ( 0 -(4- tert butyl-2 chlorophenyl) 0 -methyl methyl phosphoramidothioate).
Traversing the fungal terpenome

Covering: 1965–2014 Fungi (Ascomycota and Basidiomycota) are prolific producers of structurally diverse terpenoid compounds. Classes of terpenoids identified in fungi include the sesqui-, di- and triterpenoids. Biosynthetic pathways and enzymes to terpenoids from each of these classes have been described. These typically involve the scaffold generating terpene synthases and cyclases, and scaffold tailoring enzymes such as e.g. cytochrome P450 monoxygenases, NAD(P)+ and flavin dependent oxidoreductases, and various group transferases that generate the final bioactive structures. The biosynthesis of several sesquiterpenoid mycotoxins and bioactive diterpenoids has been well-studied in Ascomycota (e.g. filamentous fungi). Little is known about the terpenoid biosynthetic pathways in Basidiomycota (e.g. mushroom forming fungi), although they produce a huge diversity of terpenoid natural products. Specifically, many trans-humulyl cation derived sesquiterpenoid natural products with potent bioactivities have been isolated. Biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for the production of trans-humulyl cation derived protoilludanes, and other sesquiterpenoids, can be rapidly identified by genome sequencing and bioinformatic methods. Genome mining combined with heterologous biosynthetic pathway refactoring has the potential to facilitate discovery and production of pharmaceutically relevant fungal terpenoids.
An Evaluat Ion of the Performance of the Nitrate-Selective Electrode

Abstract The performance of the Orion nitrate-selective electrode has been evaluated with respect to its working range, accuracy, precision, response time, and memory. The effects of temperature, type of reference electrode, and mode of operation have also been considered. The device makes possible the measurement of free nitrate activity with about the same accuracy as standard colorimetric methods, but with about the same ease as a pH measurement.
927-36 Atrial Defibrillation Using a Unipolar, Single Lead Right Ventricular to Pectoral Can System

Background The active can, unipolar right ventricular (RV)single lead system has been shown to be very effective for ventricular defibrillation using an RV + → CAN – biphasic pulsing configuration. If this same RV + → CAN – unipolar system could perform double-duty, providing atrial as well as ventricular defibrillation, it would broaden the role of current implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). It would provide an atrial ICD without multiple shock electrodes, simultaneously providing backup protection for inadvertent induction of ventricular fibrillation (VF) following atrial defibrillation. Methods and Results The purpose of this study was to determine the RV + → CAN – atrial defibrillation threshold at the time of ICD surgery for 10 VTNF patients using the Medtronic 7219C ICD shell with a biphasic 65% tilt, 60 μF capacitance pulse delivered one minute following induction of AF. Initial pulse strength was 100 V and was incremented in 100 V steps every minute if atrial fibrillation persisted. The atrial defibrillation threshold data with the RV + → CAN – system were 8.3 ± 4.1 joules, 511 ± 128 volts, and 58 ± 8 ohms. Conclusions Although the RV + → CAN – lead system does not provide atrial defibrillation at energies likely to be painless (e.g., l0.2 J), the safety and simplicity of this system has advantages that must be considered when compared to more complicated two and three lead elegtrode systems. If detection algorithms for AF, using near and far field electrogram analysis prove accurate, such a simple lead system may prove clinicallyviable.
Experimental and Digital Simulation Studies of the Electrochemical Oxidation of the Metal Anion [CpW(CO)2(IMes)]− and the 17-Electron Metal Radical CpW(CO)2(IMes)•. Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Capture and Release of MeCN by a Metal Radical and a Metal Cation

The electrochemistry of [CpW(CO)2(IMes)]−[K(18-crown-6)]+ (Cp = η5-C5H5, IMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene), CpW(CO)2(IMes)•, and [CpW(CO)2(IMes)(MeCN)]+PF6– were studied by cyclic voltammetry in MeCN (0.2 M nBu4N+PF6–). The tungsten anion [CpW(CO)2(IMes)]− showed a fully reversible one-electron oxidation with E1/2 = −1.65 V vs Cp2Fe+/0. Oxidation of the resultant 17-electron radical CpW(CO)2(IMes)•was irreversible at all scan rates, affording the 18-electron solvent adduct [CpW(CO)2(IMes)(MeCN)]+. Reduction of [CpW(CO)2(IMes)(MeCN)]+ proceeded with loss of coordinated MeCN and was followed by a second reduction to generate [CpW(CO)2(IMes)]−. Simultaneous digital simulation of voltammograms of [CpW(CO)2(IMes)]− and CpW(CO)2(IMes)• over a range of scan rates and concentrations gave estimates for E° of −0.49 V for the [CpW(CO)2(IMes)]+/• couple and −1.92 V for the [CpW(CO)2(IMes)(MeCN)]+/• couple. The neutral 19-electron radical complex CpW(CO)2(IMes)(MeCN)• is a stronger reducing agen...
Relationships among client-therapist personality congruence, working alliance, and therapeutic outcome

Despite the importance of the working alliance in therapeutic outcome, little is known about the factors associated with its formation. We advance that personality similarity between client and therapist is one such factor pertinent to the working alliance. In this study, personality similarity in 32 client-therapist dyads was examined for its relations to the bond, task, and goal elements of the working alliance (Bordin, 1979, Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, and Practice, 16, 252-260) and therapeutic outcome. Personality similarity was conceptualized using Holland's (1997, Making vocational choices [3rd ed.]) congruence construct. Therapists completed the Self-Directed Search pretreatment and clients completed the Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised and Self-Directed Search after the third session. Results indicated that (a) client-therapist personality congruence was associated with the bond, (b) bond was associated with task and goal, and (c) task and goal were associated with therapeutic outcome. Congruence was not associated with task, goal, or therapeutic outcome. Holland's theory provides a framework for adapting to clients of varying personality types. By understanding how client-therapist personalities relate to each other in therapy, client-therapist bonds may be more efficiently realized.
Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus presenting as periorbital edema and erythema

We report two unusual cases of cutaneous lupus erythematosus presenting as dramatic eyelid edema and erythema. Neither patient had evidence of systemic or other significant cutaneous involvement. The eyelid edema and erythema were unilateral in one case and bilateral in the other. Both cases responded to therapy with antimalarial drugs.
Organometallics in organic synthesis. Applications of a new diorganozinc reaction to the synthesis of C-glycosyl compounds with evidence for an oxonium-ion mechanism.

Abstract The mechanistic and stereochemical features of a new organozinc-based substitution process [heteroatom-C-(R1,R2)-SPh + R32Zn → heteroatom-C-(R1,R2,R3)], first discovered during a total synthesis of the alkaloid mycotoxin α-cyclopiazonic acid, are described. Phenyl thioglycosides were valuable substrates in studying the nature of this reaction process. Since these sulfur compounds are converted into C-glycosyl compounds with some degree of stereoselectivity, the organozinc chemistry does provide a new entry to these biologically active substances.
Silicate-carbonate liquid immiscibility in upper-mantle eclogites: Implications for natrosilicic and carbonatitic conjugate melts

Abstract Two eclogites from the Jagersfontein kimberlite, South Africa, contain silicate-carbonate immiscible liquids, a very rare feature in upper-mantle xenoliths. The two eclogites have unusual chemistries relative to other eclogites from Jagersfontein; JEC 90-2 contains 5.7 wt% Na2O and JEC 91-11 contains 1.2 wt% BaO, and both eclogites belong to a group of four Jagersfontein eclogites which all contain natrocarbonatitic mineral assemblages (NMA) defined by carbonate, hydrous Na-Al silicate (natrolite), barite and pectolite. Immiscible liquid-bearing eclogites display veined metasomatism, whereas the two other eclogites (JEC 91-15 and 91-17) are pervasively metasomatized. Garnets in these four eclogites average Py50Alm38Gr12; however, “mantled” garnets in JEC 90-2 have rims ranging from Py61 to Py65. Pyroxenes average Di58Jd42 in composition. Amphiboles in these eclogites range in composition from pargasite to kaersutite. Pectolite occurs in patches of calcite or as minute needle inclusions in Na-Al silicate ocelli. Calcite and natrolite occur in patches or as ocelli in Na-rich (~13 wt%) or K-rich (~6 wt%) devitrified glasses. Textural evidence for liquid immiscibility includes sharp ocelli boundaries, kidney-and teardrop-shaped ocelli, and ocelli trapped in the process of pinching off. Silicate and carbonate immiscible liquids in the two eclogites demonstrate good correlation with experimental and other natural silicate-carbonate conjugate liquids, and calculated bulk liquid compositions for these eclogite-hosted immiscible liquids fall within the two-liquid field as determined by Kjarsgaard and Hamilton (1989). The silicate liquid in JEC 91-11 is similar in composition to a melilitite or melanephelinite, whereas the silicate liquid from JEC 90-2 is comparable to a phonolite. Strongly zoned garnets imply a multi-stage history for these eclogites: equilibration in the upper mantle, followed by a higher temperature melting episode and reprecipitation in the uppermost mantle or lower crust. A model is presented for the generation of these immiscible liquids that involves partial melting of omphacitic pyroxene (±phlogopite), the release of Na and K; and injection of a CO2-H2O rich “fluid” or melt. The unmixed carbonate liquid is immiscible in the alkaline silicate fraction, and two melts are produced. Occurrence on a large scale could generate conjugate silicate (melilititic to phonolitic) and carbonate magmas (sovites) typical of natural carbonatite complexes.
Increases in HLA-DQ, DP, DR, and transferrin receptors on alveolar macrophages in sarcoidosis and allergic alveolitis compared with fibrosing alveolitis.

We have used flow cytometric methods to detect and quantify HLA-DR, DQ, and DP antigens and transferrin receptors on alveolar macrophages in lavage samples from 36 patients with granulomatous lung diseases (extrinsic allergic alveolitis [EAA], n = 13; sarcoidosis, n = 23), and 12 patients having fibrosing alveolitis (FA) (cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis, n = 3; FA and scleroderma, n = 8; FA and primary biliary cirrhosis, n = l). HLA-DR, DQ, and DP antigens were expressed on the majority of alveolar macrophages in all the patients, and the percentages of positive cells were similar to those in control subjects without lung disease. However, the amounts expressed were higher in those with EAA and sarcoidosis than in the FA group or control subjects, the most significant differences being in HLA-DQ and HLA-DP expression. Transferrin receptor expression was also higher in the granulomatous lung diseases. In sarcoidosis, higher levels of HLA-DQ ***correlated with lower lung function measurements (Dco p 1 p
Legal Perspective: Licensing and Liability Issues Regarding the Use of Oral Appliances in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

A health-care practitioner, such as a physician or dentist, who exceeds the scope of his or her professional license risks civil and criminal liability. Similarly, a health-care practitioner who practices within the scope of his or her professional license but does not satisfy the standard of care applicable to a given procedure, risks liability. In the diagnosis of OSA and treatment of the disorder using an OA, these licensing and liability issues tend to favor a team approach for two general reasons. First, most jurisdictions prohibit anyone other than a licensed dentist from prescribing or ordering the manufacture of an OA. Second, because diagnosing and treating OSA are complex tasks, not all health-care practitioners are equipped to provide services meeting the appropriate standard of care. Such a team could include (1) a primary patient contact, such as a primary care physician or a dentist, to whom a patient discloses general indicia of OSA, such as snoring or chronic sleepiness; (2) a professional who has received special training in the diagnosis and treatment of OSA; (3) a licensed dentist who has the proper training and experience to take the necessary dental impression and fit the OA to the patient’s mouth, if an OA is prescribed; and (4) such other health care professionals as may be required to perform associated testing and treatment. If each health-care professional performs those tasks that fall within his or her scope of licensure, and performs such tasks within the bounds of the appropriate standard of care, the patient will be more likely to receive the appropriate treatment, and the practitioners will be less likely to be subjected to unnecessary liability.
Comparative immunocytochemical localization of lysyl oxidase (LOX) and the lysyl oxidase-like (LOXL) proteins: changes in the expression of LOXL during development and growth of mouse tissues

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) and lysyl oxidase-like (LOXL) are extracellular enzymes that deaminate peptidyl lysyl residues involved in the cross-linking of fibrillar collagens and elastin. While LOX is required for the survival of newborn mice, the role of LOXL during development remains unclear. Studies have shown that the same cell types express LOX and LOXL in the same tissues, but no functional differences have been established. We have compared the immunohistochemical localization of LOX and LOXL in various tissues from normal, young adult mice. LOX and LOXL were co-localized in the skin, aorta, heart, lung, liver and cartilage, but were localized to different areas in the kidney, stomach, small intestine, colon, retina, ovary, testis and brain. LOXL expression was further examined in tissues from different developmental stages. In embryonic mice (10.5-14.5 dpc), LOXL immunostaining was abundant in the heart, liver, intestine, and neural tube. LOXL was present in most major organs in late fetal (16.5 dpc) and newborn mice, but generally diminished as animals aged. Immunoreactivity was significantly reduced in the heart, lung, kidney and liver of 2 year-old mice, but remained prevalent in the skin and tongue. LOX and LOXL were also found in the nuclei of cells in a number of tissues. These results indicate that LOXL has a role during mouse development and in the maintenance of adult tissues.
Regional study of the anomalous change in apparent resistivity before the Tangshan earthquake ( M =7.8, 1976) in China

Electrical resistivity measurements have been conducted as a possible means for obtaining precursory earthquake information. Before five great earthquakes (M > 7, h < 25 km) in China, the apparent resistivity ρ a showed systematic variations within a region 200 km from the epicenters. In particular, 9 stations in the Tangshan-Tianjin-Beijing region prior to the Tangshan earthquake (M = 7.8, h= 11 km, 27 July 1976) showed a consistent decrease of apparent resistivity around the epicenter, with a maximum resistivity change of 6% and a period of variation of 2–3 years. Simultaneous water table observations in this region showed a declining water table, and ground surface observations indicated a slight (5 mm) uplift in the epicenter region relative to its surroundings.
Pathological tremor prediction using surface electromyogram and acceleration: potential use in 'ON-OFF' demand driven deep brain stimulator design.

Objective. We present a proof of concept for a novel method of predicting the onset of pathological tremor using non-invasively measured surface electromyogram (sEMG) and acceleration from tremor-affected extremities of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET). Approach. The tremor prediction algorithm uses a set of spectral (Fourier and wavelet) and nonlinear time series (entropy and recurrence rate) parameters extracted from the non-invasively recorded sEMG and acceleration signals. Main results. The resulting algorithm is shown to successfully predict tremor onset for all 91 trials recorded in 4 PD patients and for all 91 trials recorded in 4 ET patients. The predictor achieves a 100% sensitivity for all trials considered, along with an overall accuracy of 85.7% for all ET trials and 80.2% for all PD trials. By using a Pearson's chi-square test, the prediction results are shown to significantly differ from a random prediction outcome. Significance. The tremor prediction algorithm can be potentially used for designing the next generation of non-invasive closed-loop predictive ON–OFF controllers for deep brain stimulation (DBS), used for suppressing pathological tremor in such patients. Such a system is based on alternating ON and OFF DBS periods, an incoming tremor being predicted during the time intervals when DBS is OFF, so as to turn DBS back ON. The prediction should be a few seconds before tremor re-appears so that the patient is tremor-free for the entire DBS ON–OFF cycle and the tremor-free DBS OFF interval should be maximized in order to minimize the current injected in the brain and battery usage.
Cloud Top Mixing in Small Cumuli

Abstract On 28 August 1978 a series of flights was made into small cumuli using the Desert Research Institutes B-26 research aircraft. The low values for the liquid water mixing ratio obtained in cloud indicate considerable entrainment of clear air. A comparison was made of the total water mixing ratio and wet equivalent potential temperature at various levels in cloudy air with the values for these parameters from a nearby clear air sounding. The results indicate that entrainment of clear air at cloud top is the dominant mechanism for diluting the liquid water content of the small cumuli studied. The requirements imposed on models for small clouds are discussed.
The Evaluation of Several Cyclone Prediction Techniques

Abstract A comparison is made of several schemes for making predictions of the location and intensity of cyclones. One scheme (due to K. W. Veigas and F. P. Ostby) is based on a linear model developed by a stepwise regression technique; another (due to J. J. George and P. M. Wolff) is based on an empirical study of linear and non-linear relations between selected meteorological variables. A third scheme, making use of climatological averages, was developed to use as a basis for determination of skill. The prediction methods are compared on the basis of operationally meaningful criteria. The climatological procedure gave consistent, reasonably accurate results over the entire Northern Hemisphere. The procedure of George and Wolff was superior to climatology throughout the hemisphere. No significant difference in accuracy was detected between the Wolff-George and the Veigas-Ostby procedures in the region for which Veigas-Ostby was developed (United States East Coast).
Development of a field-space corresponding-states method for fluids and fluid mixtures☆

Abstract A field-space corresponding-states transformation is one in which the properties of a fluid, or fluid mixture, are related to the properties of a reference fluid, or fluid mixture, by equations which are analytic in the field variables (i.e., the pressure, temperature and chemical potentials). Such transformations are radically different from traditional corresponding states methods. The most useful of these differences is that the presence of phase coexistence in the target system is a direct reflection of phase coexistence in the reference system and never the result of the transformation itself. An immediate consequence of technical interest is that, if the phase transitions of the reference system are tabulated or known analytically, transforming these states maps all of the phase transitions of the target system directly. We introduce the underlying concepts of field-space transformations by implementing the simplest useful forms of the theory and illustrating their utility through application to the van der Waals equation of state for pure fluids. For mixtures we introduce a one-fluid type of system by reinterpreting and then transforming the same pure fluid van der Waals equation.
Fatty acid composition of lung, macrophage and surfactant phospholipids after short-term enteral feeding with n-3 lipids.

Utilization of enteral feeding modalities may prove clinically relevant for rapid modulation of lung phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) that serve as substrates for the formation of vasoactive dienoic eicosanoids. We compared the effects of short-term enteral feeding with formulations enriched with either fish (n−3) or corn (n−6) oil PUFA on the fatty acid composition of rat lung, alveolar macrophage and surfactant phospholipids. The diets were infused continuously for 72 h through a surgically placed gastroduodenal feeding catheter by a syringe pump. The n−3 PUFA derived from the fish oil enriched diet were readily incorporated into the phospholipid membranes of the alveolar macrophages, lung tissue and pulmonary surfactant. The relative percentages of the n−3 PUFA were significantly higher and individual and total n−6 PUFA significantly lower in the macrophage, lung and surfactant phospholipids from the n−3-supplemented rats in comparison with those present in the rats infused enterally with the n−6 diet or untreated, chow-fed rats (baseline). In contrast, there was a significant increase in linoleic acid (18∶2n−6) without modification of arachidonic acid (20∶4n−6) in the alveolar macrophages, lung tissue and surfactant from rats enterally receiving the n−6 diet relative to levels measured in the rats at baseline. The results suggest that short-term continuous delivery of n−3-enriched enteral preparations can foster rapid modification of membrane phospholipid PUFA composition of lung tissue, alveolar macrophages and lung surfactant. Utilization of similar infusion modalities to deliver n−3-enriched enteral formulations may prove beneficial to critically ill or postoperative patients with persistent lung inflammation secondary to uncontrolled formation of vasoactive eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid.
Symmetry considerations in closed first-order kinetic systems

Abstract The analysis of a highly symmetric type of exactly lumpable, closed system of coupled, first-order rate equations shows that complete information about the equilibrium solution and all modes of relaxation is calculable from matrices with dimensions less than the number of states in the system.
Regulation of satellite cell function in sarcopenia

The mechanisms contributing to sarcopenia include reduced satellite cell (myogenic stem cell) function that is impacted by the environment (niche) of these cells. Satellite cell function is affected by oxidative stress, which is elevated in aged muscles, and this along with changes in largely unknown systemic factors, likely contribute to the manner in which satellite cells respond to stressors such as exercise, disuse, or rehabilitation in sarcopenic muscles. Nutritional intervention provides one therapeutic strategy to improve the satellite cell niche and systemic factors, with the goal of improving satellite cell function in aging muscles. Although many elderly persons consume various nutraceuticals with the hope of improving health, most of these compounds have not been thoroughly tested, and the impacts that they might have on sarcopenia and satellite cell function are not clear. This review discusses data pertaining to the satellite cell responses and function in aging skeletal muscle, and the impact that three compounds: resveratrol, green tea catechins, and β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate have on regulating satellite cell function and therefore contributing to reducing sarcopenia or improving muscle mass after disuse in aging. The data suggest that these nutraceutical compounds improve satellite cell function during rehabilitative loading in animal models of aging after disuse (i.e., muscle regeneration). While these compounds have not been rigorously tested in humans, the data from animal models of aging provide a strong basis for conducting additional focused work to determine if these or other nutraceuticals can offset the muscle losses, or improve regeneration in sarcopenic muscles of older humans via improving satellite cell function.
A Sub-Millimicroampere Current Amplifier Utilizing an Unusual Transistor Effect

Due to a very unusual-effect that occurred when certain transistors were operated at low current levels, a direct coupled, transistorized, current amplifier has been developed with sensitivity extending below the millimicroampere region of input currents. This amplifier was necessary for the measurement of certain characteristics of the experimental controlled fusion machine, DCX (Direct Current Experiment). Characteristics of the high-gain transistors are presented along with a description of the design and resulting characteristics of a current amplifier with sensitivities of l/10-8, 1/10-9, and 1/10-10 volt/amp. A possible explanation of the high-gain effect involving the existence of an N-type inversion layer on the P-type base of the silicon transistors of interest suggests the need for more basic experiments on the effects of inversion layers on transistor action.