cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-injurious behavior vs. nonsuicidal self-injury: the CNS stimulant pemoline as a model of self-destructive behavior.

Background: Historically, the field of self-injury has distinguished between the behaviors exhibited among individuals with a developmental disability (self-injurious behaviors; SIB) and those present within a normative population (nonsuicidal self-injury; NSSI),which typically result as a response to perceived stress. More recently, however, conclusions about NSSI have been drawn from lines of animal research aimed at examining the neurobiological mechanisms of SIB. Despite some functional similarity between SIB and NSSI, no empirical investigation has provided precedent for the application of SIB-targeted animal research as justification for pharmacological interventions in populations demonstrating NSSI. Aims: The present study examined this question directly, by simulating an animal model of SIB in rodents injected with pemoline and systematically manipulating stress conditions in order to monitor rates of self-injury. Methods: Sham controls and experimental animals injected with pemoline (200 mg/kg) ...
Crowdsourcing for the National Map

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is testing out a new approach to its National Map Corps volunteer program and is launching a project for volunteers in Colorado to map man-made structures and facilities for updates to the National Map. “Even members of the public who can't tell a sandstone from a rhyolite but have Internet access can now help the USGS keep its popular maps up to date through our new experiment in crowdsourcing,” according to USGS director Marcia McNutt.
STATus Report on Tetramers

STAT proteins bind DNA as dimers to regulate gene expression. Cooperative recruitment of pairs of dimers (tetramers) to adjacent DNA sites has also been documented. In this issue, Lin et al. (2012) examined tetramer function in vivo and showed that STAT5 tetramers function primarily as transcriptional activators.
Consensus protocols for networked multi-agent systems with a uniformly continuous quasi-resetting architecture

The consensus problem appears frequently in coordination of multi-agent systems in aerospace science and engineering, and involves the agreement of networked agents upon certain quantities of interest. In this paper, we focus on a new consensus protocol for networked multi-agent systems using a resetting control architecture. Specifically, the control protocol consists of a delayed feedback, quasi-resetting control law such that controller resettings occur when the relative state measurements (i.e., distance) between an agent and its neighbouring agents approach zero. In contrast to standard impulsive resetting controllers, the proposed resetting is uniformly continuous, and hence, our approach does not require any well-posedness assumptions imposed by impulsive resetting controllers. In addition, using a Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional, it is shown that the multi-agent system reaches asymptotic state equipartitioning, where the system steady state is uniformly distributed over the system initial condition...
New Zealand's statutory marketing boards: Recent developments and issues

New Zealand's statutory marketing boards and the agribusiness industries they represent are of significant importance to the country's agribusiness sector and economy. The rapidly changing economic environment in New Zealand provides an opportunity to consider the nature and structure of the agribusiness marketing organizations which might emerge in a deregulated economy. In addition, the structure and statutory powers of these marketing boards are under strict scrutiny and debate. This article attempts to review some of the recent developments and important issues in New Zealand's statutory marketing boards.
Charge and current reservoirs for electric and magnetic field enhancement

Two optical antenna designs incorporating structures termed charge and current reservoirs are proposed to realize localized high electric and magnetic field enhancement, respectively. Simulation results show that the fan-rod electric antenna design combines the advantages of the rod antenna and the bowtie antenna, and has higher field enhancement than either. The performance of a loop shaped magnetic antenna consisting of a pair of metallic strips with offsets is also verified numerically, with high magnetic field enhancement being observed in the simulation. In both of the designs, the concepts of charge and current reservoirs contribute to high electric and magnetic field enhancement.
Vertex Operators in the Quantum Hall Effect

The edge states of the quantum Hall effect carry representations of chiral current algebras and their associated groups. In the simplest case of a single filled Landau level, I demonstrate explicitly how the group action affects the many-body states, and why the Kac-Peterson cocycle appears in the group multiplication law. I show how these representations may be used to construct vertex operators which create localised edge excitations, and indicate how they are related to the bulk quasi-particles.
Role of TRAF3 and -6 in the Activation of the NF-κB and JNK Pathways by X-linked Ectodermal Dysplasia Receptor

X-linked ectodermal dysplasia receptor (XEDAR) is a recently isolated member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family that has been shown to be highly expressed in ectodermal derivatives during embryonic development and binds to ectodysplasin-A2 (EDA-A2). By using a subclone of 293F cells with stable expression of XEDAR, we report that XEDAR activates the NF-kappaB and JNK pathways in an EDA-A2-dependent fashion. Treatment with EDA-A2 leads to the recruitment of TRAF3 and -6 to the aggregated XEDAR complex, suggesting a central role of these adaptors in the proximal aspect of XEDAR signaling. Whereas TRAF3 and -6, IKK1/IKKalpha, IKK2/IKKbeta, and NEMO/IKKgamma are involved in XEDAR-induced NF-kappaB activation, XEDAR-induced JNK activation seems to be mediated via a pathway dependent on TRAF3, TRAF6, and ASK1. Deletion and point mutagenesis studies delineate two distinct regions in the cytoplasmic domain of XEDAR, which are involved in binding to TRAF3 and -6, respectively, and play a major role in the activation of the NF-kappaB and JNK pathways. Taken together, our results establish a major role of TRAF3 and -6 in XEDAR signaling and in the process of ectodermal differentiation.
Schizophrenogenic Parenting in Abnormal Psychology Textbooks

Discussions of parental causation of schizophrenia in nine current abnormal psychology textbooks were examined. Most texts discussed the concept of the schizophrenogenic parent and noted to imply that the concept remains a viable one despite lack of confirming evidence. Implications of these findings for psychologists are noted.
TH‐C‐144‐11: Radiological Physics Center (RPC) Approval of Proton Centers for NCI‐Sponsored Clinical Trials

Purpose: To describe the approval process for enrolling patients on NCI‐funded cooperative group clinical trials with proton therapy and the impact of data obtained from the process. Methods: Institutions interested in participating in clinical trials with proton therapy must first complete five RPC‐coordinated approval steps for each proton delivery Method: a) completion of the proton facility questionnaire; b) annual monitoring of beam output; c) electronic transfer of treatment plans; d) successful completion of baseline anthropomorphic proton phantoms; and e) successful completion of a dosimetry review visit and corresponding site visit report. The RPC implemented a new fee structure for proton therapy site visits on 1/1/2013, establishing a cost‐share between the NCI/MGH Federal Share Funds and the institutions visited. These visits consist of QA review as well as dosimetric measurements with an ion chamber, 2D ion chamber array, and multi‐layer ion chamber to evaluate treatment delivery. Once an institution is approved for clinical trials with protons, there may be additional credentialing for specific trials, such as irradiations of the RPC's protocol‐specific anthropomorphic proton phantoms. Results: To date, the RPC has approved eight proton centers for use of proton therapy in clinical trials. These approvals cover scattered, uniform scanning, and spot scanning proton therapy delivery techniques. The RPC has performed 12 proton therapy site visits and has consensus data to establish acceptance criteria for site visit measurements that will ensure clinical trial consistency. With some institutions going through the approval process for a second or third delivery modality, the RPC anticipates eight proton centers will have 12 new beam delivery systems approved for use of proton therapy in clinical trials by the end of 2013. Conclusion: The RPC's proton therapy approval process and credentialing requirements help ensure consistency across clinical trial participants. Work supported by grants CA10953, CA059267, and CA81647 (NCI, DHHS).
Successful Large-Scale Use of CMOS Devices on Spacecraft Traveling Through Intense Radiation Belts

This paper describes the environmental models of the radiation belts and computational techniques which have been developed for predicting the radiation hazards for spacecraft These data and techniques are then applied to the Atmosphere Explorer 51 spacecraft to explain its successful survival for more than 18 months in a severe environment In particular, the results of the analysis are used to explain the performance of sonm 2400 CMOS devices, and consequently, they demonstrate the reliability of this device technology gy in spacecraft systems.
Effect of wine type on the detection threshold for diacetyl

Abstract Diacetyl, an important wine flavorant synthesized during alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, has been reported to have a sensory threshold of 2–3 mg/l. A comparative study of threshold for diacetyl in wines was undertaken to determine the effect of wine type on that value. Sensory threshold was determined according to the forced-choice ascending concentration series of limits method described by ASTM (E 679-79), using trained panelists. Panel detection thresholds and standard deviation from the geometric mean were found to be 0.2 mg/l and 0.32 in Chardonnay, 0.9 mg/l and 0.21 in Pinot noir, and 2.8 mg/l and 0.38 in Cabernet Sauvignon. These results demonstrate the important effect of wine type on diacetyl threshold, invalidating the use of a single threshold value for all wines.
Compositional effects in the retention of colloids by thermal field-flow fractionation.

The retention of polystyrene and silica colloids that have been chemically modified is measured in several aqueous carrier liquids. Retention levels are governed by particle size and composition bu...
Development of a Human Head Physical Surrogate Model for Investigating Blast Injury

The objective of this effort was to develop a Human Surrogate Head Model (HSHM) and measure its response to pressure loading conditions representative of a blast environment. The HSHM consists of skin, face, skull, and brain fabricated using biosimulant materials and mounted to the neck of a Hybrid III Anthropomorphic Test Device to allow head motion during loading. The HSHM instrumentation includes pressure and displacement sensors embedded in the anterior and posterior areas of the brain along the saggital plane. The displacement sensors are a custom solution developed for this particular application. A series of shock tube tests at three varying load levels were conducted with the HSHM to simulate blast loading conditions. As pressure loading levels increased, the intracranial pressures and brain displacements increased as well. However, the spatial response of the displacement sensors varied with location in the brain. The results of this test series provide the first instance of intracranial pressure and directly measured brain displacements recorded from an anatomically correct head surrogate exposed to conditions representative of blast loading.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Controlled Manipulation of Self-Organized Ni(II)-Octaethylporphyrin Molecules Deposited from Solution on HOPG with a Scanning Tunneling Microscope

The controlled manipulation of a physisorbed self-assembled monolayer is demonstrated at room temperature for the first time. Patterns are drawn in a NiOEP monolayer supported on freshly cleaved highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) under ambient conditions. STM images acquired before and after pattern formation at low gap resistance reveal the creation of molecule-free regions. In these cleared regions, STM images display the two-dimensional HOPG lattice with atomic spacing of 2.5 A and pattern depth of about 1.2 A, typical of the STM apparent height for a monolayer NiOEP film on graphite. These molecule-free regions are created by removal of NiOEP molecules from the surface when the STM is operated at a very high current set point (tunneling resistance of about 120 MΩ or less) as confirmed by the absence of molecular buildup around the patterned areas in the STM images. We show that the removed molecules are not collecting at the boundaries of the s...
Relative joint size and hominoid locomotor adaptations with implications for the evolution of hominid bipedalism

The relationship between relative joint size and locomotor adaptations in living hominoids is examined using a variety of analytical strategies: narrow allometry, a priori geometrical adjustments, and empirical regression (allometric) adjustments. Regardless of method, the observation that emerges conspicuously is that modern humans possess exceptionally large hindlimb and lumbo-sacral joints for their body size. Full-time terrestrial bipedality precludes the sharing of weight support and propulsion with the forelimbs, and this fundamental difference from the other hominoids is reflected in the relative size of human hindlimb joints. Similar analyses including “Lucy” (A.L. 288-1, Australopithecus afarensis) suggest that a modest degree of hindlimb joint enlargement had already taken place at this point in hominid evolution, but that the highly-derived relative joint size characteristic of modern humans had not yet been achieved. This implies that the adaptation to terrestrial bipedalism in early hominids was far from complete and not functionally equivalent to the modern human condition. It is speculated that later enlargement of the hindlimb joints and elongation of the lower extremity represent a major adaptive shift linked to the advent of longer distance travel in human evolution.
Hunter-Gatherer/Farmer Exchange

A survey of reported cases of farmer and hunter-gatherer economic exchange indicates that more studies of such interactions might prove fruitful. Careful comparison of two such cases—the Mbuti-Bantu relationship of Africa (Turnbull 1965) and Agta-Palanan exchange on the northeast coast of the Philippines (J. Peterson 1974)—reveal significant theoretical and methodological implications of such studies. [hunter-gatherers, comparative economics, cultural ecology, Southeast Asia, interethnic relations]
Single-Pulse Solutions for Oscillatory Coupling Functions in Neural Networks

We study the existence and linear stability of stationary pulse solutions of an integro-differential equation modeling the coarse-grained averaged activity of a single layer of interconnected neurons. The neuronal connections considered feature lateral oscillations with an exponential rate of decay and variable period. We identify regions in the parameter space where solutions exhibit areas of excitation with single- and dimpled-pulses. When the gain function reduces to the Heaviside function, we establish existence of single-pulse solutions analytically. For a more general gain function, we include numerical support of the existence of pulse-like solutions. We then study the linear stability behavior of these solutions.
Congress Presidential Address: 5th WAA Congress Therapeutic Artificial Organs, 10 Years After

In 1983, more than 10 years ago, the concept of therapeutic artificial organs was proposed by this author. Currently developments of various types of immunomodulation technologies are well established, and therapeutic artificial organs for the treatment of autoimmunodiseases have become a well-accepted concept. It is this author's opinion that if we utilize apheresis technologies properly we should be able to prevent the aging process of mankind. Physical youth, and perhaps mental youth, can be achieved by apheresis technologies. However, in order to maintain youth and enjoy a high quality of life, it is essential to maintain a strong will to live. In this paper a new type of an artificial organ is proposed. This antiaging artificial organ is named "Juzo," the organ for a longer life, in Japanese, by this author.
Rationale for assessing the effects of manipulative therapy on autonomic tone by analysis of heart rate variability.

Abstract Background: For more than 100 years, chiropractors have asserted that overall health can be improved through the use of spinal manipulative therapy. The autonomic nervous system is known to control and regulate all involuntary physiologic activities by controlling the activities of the internal organs, glands, and circulation. Recent studies document a potential relationship between the vertebral subluxation complex, autonomic tone, and cardiac function. Objective: This discussion reviews how it is possible to use heart rate variability analysis to calculate a quantitative index of autonomic function, which accurately reflects the sympathetic and parasympathetic tone and the sympathovagal balance. Discussion: The technique of heart rate analysis known as heart rate variability could be extremely useful in assessment of treatment outcomes in clinical chiropractic practice. At present, heart rate variability is in widespread use in the fields of neurology, cardiology, psychology, psychophysiology, obstetrics, anesthesiology, and psychiatry. Conclusion: Further studies in this area may lead to a better understanding of the effects of spinal manipulation on (1) the general health of an individual, (2) an individual's susceptibility to lowered immunity and recuperative capacity, and (3) conditions that lie outside the scope of musculoskeletal therapeutics and are more in line with classical chiropractic concepts. This can also contribute to a better-informed interprofessional cooperation between allopathic and chiropractic health care providers. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1999;22:161–5)
The use of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of endocrine orbitopathy

Patients with endocrine orbitopathy (Graves' disease) are often euthyroid when seen, up to half may have normal Werner suppression tests, and frequently have no known history of thyroid disease. Ultrasonography. especially using quantitative A-scan techniques. provides the simplest and most reliable means of diagnosing endocrine orbitopathy. Accurate and reproducible measurements can be made of rectus muscle thicknesses, as well as of the size of the subdural perineural space about the optic nerve. One hundred consecutive patients in whom the diagnosis of endocrine orbitopathy was made by diagnostic ophthalmic ultrasonography are herein considered.While the clinical presentation may be unilateral, ultrasonography will demonstrate bilateral abnormalities (and, in fact. this is a necessary condition for making the diagnosis). These may occasionally be extremely subtle. perhaps consisting of no more than an otherwise inexplicable increase in the subdural perineural space about the retrobulbar optic nerves; w...
1H resonance assignments and secondary structure of the carbon monoxide complex of soybean leghemoglobin determined by homonuclear two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional NMR spectroscopy

Homonuclear two-dimensional and three-dimensional 1H-NMR spectroscopy has been utilized to study the 15.9-kDa protein soybean leghemoglobin. NMR experiments were performed on the diamagnetic carbon monoxide complex at two temperatures and two pH values. Sequence-specific assignments have been made for 94% of the backbone and approximately 70% of the expected side-chain resonances. The secondary structure of leghemoglobin in solution has been determined on the basis of NOE connectivity patterns, hydrogen exchange and chemical-shift analyses. Leghemoglobin consists of seven helices and, unlike mammalian myoglobins, is missing the D helix. Instead an extended loop, the CE loop, is observed which might have importance for ligand entry into and exit from the protein interior. The hydrogen exchange behavior for the F helix and at the beginning of the A helix suggests different dynamic stability compared to other helical regions in leghemoglobin. Population of a second protein conformation, in which there is perturbation at the A-G-H helix interface, is observed at low pH.
The use of the fluorescence properties of indolocarbazole analogs of adenosine triphosphate as probes of the activating conformational change in protein kinase C

The fluorescence properties of the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors staurosporine, a naturally occurring indolocarbazole, and the synthetic compound 12-(2-cyanoethyl)-6,7,12,13-tetrahydro-13-methyl-5-oxo-5H-indolo[2,3-a]pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazole (GO 6976), which share the indolo[2,3-a]pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazole core, were used to probe the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding site of PKCα. Upon binding to PKCα, the fluorescence emission of staurosporine and GO 6976 increased in intensity and the maxima shifted slightly to shorter wavelengths. For staurosporine, while the fluorescence lifetime was relatively insensitive to the PKC activation state, a long rotational correlation time appeared, consistent with a more restricted motion within the ATP-binding site. This effect was obtained only in the presence of the activators of the enzyme diacylglycerol or phorbol ester along with calcium and was obtained in spite of the inhibition of phosphorylation of a peptide substrate by the effective blocking of the ATP-binding site by the probe. This shows that the catalytic domain of PKC, within which the ATP-binding site resides, changes conformation upon enzyme activation. The results demonstrate the usefulness of indolocarbazole-analogs in probing ATP-binding site conformational changes and show that the ATP-binding site within the PKC catalytic domain participates in the activating conformational change in the enzyme.
On designing and reconfiguring k-fault-tolerant tree architectures

A general approach to designing tree structured multiprocessors with optimal or near-optimal fault tolerance properties is developed. A multiprocessor architecture with a static interconnection network is represented by a graph whose nodes are processors and whose edges are interprocessor communication links. The design of k-fault-tolerant (FT) trees for arbitrary k is considered, with the primary goal of minimizing the number of spare nodes and edges. Also presented are strategies for reconfiguring a k-FT supergraph of a tree T around faults to obtain a fault-free tree isomorphic to T. A systematic methodology is presented for designing k-FT nonhomogeneous symmetry d-ary trees based on a concept termed node covering. The designs are shown to be optimal when k >
The metabolism of 4-14C-22,25-bisdeoxyecdysone during larval development in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (L.)

Abstract Hydroxylation and conjugation were the principal routes of metabolism for 4- 14 C-22,25-bisdeoxyecdysone when fed to tobacco hornworms during larval development. The major metabolite of 4- 14 C-22,25-bisdeoxyecdysone isolated from frass and also detected in prepupae was the tetrahydroxy steroid 22-deoxyecdysone. In addition, three 4- 14 C-pentahydroxy analogs — 22-deoxyinokosterone, 22-deoxy-26-hydroxyecdysone, and 22-deoxy-20-hydroxyecdysone — were isolated and identified from frass. A hexahydroxy steroid(s) detected in trace amounts in prepupae was isolated from frass and tentatively identified as 20-hydroxyecdysone. Several other unidentified radiolabeled metabolites were also present in frass and prepupae. The conversion of 4- 14 C-22,25-bisdeoxyecdysone to 4- 14 C- α -ecdysone and 4- 14 C-20-hydroxyecdysone was at most a minor pathway since only minute amounts were found in frass or prepupae. The steroid moieties of the conjugates, in general, represented qualitatively what was found in the unconjugated form. The metabolic pathways for the labeled 22,25-bisdeoxyecdysone during larval development and the previously reported pathways for this ecdysone analog are compared and discussed.
Propofol as a Bridge to Extubation for High-Risk Children With Congenital Cardiac Disease

BackgroundChildren with congenital cardiac defects may have associated chromosomal anomalies, airway compromise, and/or pulmonary hypertension, which can pose challenges to adequate sedation, weaning from mechanical ventilation, and successful extubation. Propofol, with its unique properties, may be used as a bridge to extubation in certain cardiac populations.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed 0–17-year-old patients admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit between January, 2007 and September, 2008, who required mechanical ventilation and received a continuous infusion of propofol as a bridge to extubation. Medical charts were reviewed for demographics, associated comorbidities, as well as additional sedation medications and haemodynamic trends including vital signs and vasopressor support during the peri-infusion period. Successful extubation was defined as no re-intubation required for respiratory failure within 48 hours. Outcomes measured were successful extubation, evidence for propofol infusion syndrome, haemodynamic stability, and fluid and inotropic requirements.ResultsWe included 11 patients for a total of 12 episodes. Propofol dose ranged from 0.4 to 5.6 milligram per kilogram per hour with an average infusion duration of 7 hours. All patients were successfully extubated, and none demonstrated worsening metabolic acidosis suggestive of the propofol infusion syndrome. All patients remained haemodynamically stable during the infusion with average heart rates and blood pressures remaining within age-appropriate ranges. One patient received additional fluid but no increase in vasopressors was needed.ConclusionsThis study suggests that propofol infusions may allow for successful extubation in a certain population of children with congenital cardiac disease. Further studies are required to confirm whether propofol is an efficient and safe alternative in this setting.
A technique for correlating measurable traits with freely observed social behaviors

In much research in social psychology it is impractical to get quantitative measure of the degree of effectiveness of certain social behaviors, yet associates can sense that effectiveness sufficiently well to detect those who manifest the behavior in very high or in very low degree. This paper develops a technique of biserial correlation from wide-spread classes to deal statistically with such situations, develops standard error formulas for it, and points to a wide range of usefulness for this type of technique.
Materials Interactions Test Method to Measure Radionuclide Release from Waste Forms Under Repository-Relevant Conditions

At the request of the Basalt Waste Isolation Project, the Materials Characterization Center has collected and developed a set of procedures for a waste form compliance test method (MCC-14.4). The purpose of the test is to measure the steady-state concentrations of specified radionuclides in solutions contacting a waste form material. The test method uses a crushed waste form and basalt material suspended in a synthetic basalt groundwater and agitated for up to three months at 150°C under anoxic conditions. Elemental and radioisotopic analyses are made on filtered and unfiltered aliquots of the solution. Replicate experiments are performed and simultaneous tests are conducted with an approved test material (ATM) to help ensure precise and reliable data for the actual waste form material. Various features of the test method, equipment, and test conditions are reviewed. Experimental testing using actinide-doped borosilicate glasses are also discussed.
Recruitment of Rpd3 to the Telomere Depends on the Protein Arginine Methyltransferase Hmt1

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the establishment and maintenance of silent chromatin at the telomere requires a delicate balance between opposing activities of histone modifying enzymes. Previously, we demonstrated that the protein arginine methyltransferase Hmt1 plays a role in the formation of yeast silent chromatin. To better understand the nature of the Hmt1 interactions that contribute to this phenomenon, we carried out a systematic reverse genetic screen using a null allele of HMT1 and the synthetic genetic array (SGA) methodology. This screen revealed interactions between HMT1 and genes encoding components of the histone deacetylase complex Rpd3L (large). A double mutant carrying both RPD3 and HMT1 deletions display increased telomeric silencing and Sir2 occupancy at the telomeric boundary regions, when comparing to a single mutant carrying Hmt1-deletion only. However, the dual rpd3/hmt1-null mutant behaves like the rpd3-null single mutant with respect to silencing behavior, indicating that RPD3 is epistatic to HMT1. Mutants lacking either Hmt1 or its catalytic activity display an increase in the recruitment of histone deacetylase Rpd3 to the telomeric boundary regions. Moreover, in such loss-of-function mutants the levels of acetylated H4K5, which is a substrate of Rpd3, are altered at the telomeric boundary regions. In contrast, the level of acetylated H4K16, a target of the histone deacetylase Sir2, was increased in these regions. Interestingly, mutants lacking either Rpd3 or Sir2 display various levels of reduction in dimethylated H4R3 at these telomeric boundary regions. Together, these data provide insight into the mechanism whereby Hmt1 promotes the proper establishment and maintenance of silent chromatin at the telomeres.
Hepatic falciform ligament artery: Angiographic anatomy and clinical importance

The hepatic falciform ligament artery (HFLA) was evaluated by angiography and also by dissections. Based on the findings, the mechanism of the post-chemoembolization skin rash was studied. A total of 340 liver cirrhosis patients who underwent hepatic artery chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma were reviewed in terms of the angiographic incidence of the HFLA, variations in its origin, and the incidence of skin rash. The HFLA was demonstrated in 26 (7.6%) of the 340 patients on angiography. Two HFLAs were observed in one patient. The origin was the middle hepatic artery (A4) in 16 cases, the superior branch of the middle hepatic artery in three, the inferior branch of the middle hepatic artery in two, the inferior branch of the left hepatic artery (A3) in three, and the confluence of A3 and A4 in three cases. There were no patients who developed post-chemoembolization skin rash. Two cadavers were dissected to investigate the anastomosis between the HFLA and the subcutaneous artery. Two different anastomoses were found: (1) direct and (2) via the ensiform branch of the internal thoracic artery. These were located at the lower and upper part of the falciform ligament, respectively. The distribution of a chemotherapeutic agent through these anastomoses is the likely cause of post-chemoembolization skin rash. If prophylactic embolization of the proximal portion of the HFLA using a metallic coil is performed, the skin rash will be prevented.
Shyness mindset: Applying mindset theory to the domain of inhibited social behavior

Abstract This study applies mindset theory to the domain of inhibited social behavior. Incoming college freshmen (N = 93) completed web-based assessments upon beginning college and 7 months later. Time 1 shyness mindset predicted changes in performance anxiety from Time 1 to Time 2; those who viewed inhibited social behavior as fixed showed increases in performance anxiety and those that viewed shyness as malleable showed decreases. The effect was partially mediated through college belongingness. Shyness mindset did not moderate changes in interaction anxiety. More research is warranted to determine if shyness mindset is a useful target for intervention during the transition to a new social environment.
Effect of Solar Concentration on the Thermodynamic Power Conversion Efficiency of Quantum-Dot Solar Cells Exhibiting Multiple Exciton Generation

Thermodynamic calculations show that all solar cells can convert solar photons into electricity or fuel with higher theoretical power conversion efficiencies under concentrated sunlight. For conventional (viz, present day) single-junction solar cells that produce at most one electron–hole pair per absorbed photon, the theoretical increase in efficiency is relatively small (absolute values of 38% at 500× vs 33% at 1×). However, when solar concentration is combined with multiple exciton generation (MEG) in semiconductor quantum dots, the increase in theoretical power conversion efficiency is greatly enhanced. For the ideal MEG case, where the threshold for exciton multiplication is twice the bandgap, Eg, the maximum thermodynamic efficiency increases to 75% at 500×, but the optimum Eg shifts to smaller values. If Eg is fixed at the 1-sun optimal level, then the maximum theoretical efficiency still increases markedly, becoming 62% at 500× for the staircase MEG characteristic (defined as producing N electron–...
Künstliche genetische Systeme bestehend aus vergrößerten Basenpaaren

Wir beschreiben in diesem Kurzaufsatz die Synthese, Eigenschaften und Anwendungen von kunstlichen genetischen Systemen, die aus Basenpaaren bestehen, die langer sind als die Basen der naturlichen Watson-Crick-Architektur. Derartige Systeme werden von mehreren Arbeitsgruppen untersucht, um fundamentale chemische Fragen bezuglich der Funktion der genetischen Speichersysteme und somit des Ursprungs und der Entwicklung des Lebens zu erforschen. Beispielsweise, ist die irdische DNA-Struktur die einzig mogliche oder konnen andere Architekturen genauso funktionieren? Das Arbeiten jenseits der Beschrankungen der Purin-Pyrimidin-Geometrie ermoglicht mehr chemische Flexibilitat im Design, und die zusatzliche Grose erganzt das System um nutzliche Eigenschaften wie hohe Bindungsaffinitat, Helix-Stabilitat sowie Fluoreszenz. Diese Eigenschaften sind nutzlich fur die Untersuchung von fundamentalen biochemischen Fragestellungen sowie fur die Entwicklung neuer biotechnologischer, biomedizinischer und nanostruktureller Werkzeuge und Methoden.
An epidemiological study of childhood leukemia

Abstract 1. 1. An epidemiological study of 112 cases of childhood leukemia employing matched sibling and neighborhood control subjects is described. 2. 2. Maternal age at time of birth of the leukemia patients was, on the average, more than two years greater than maternal age at the time of birth of the neighborhood control children. The excess in maternal age is equally apparent even when the mothers of the leukemia patients with mongolism are excluded. 3. 3. Birth order averaged 0.46 births later in leukemia patients than in neighborhood control children. However, the leukemia case series contained an excess of children of lower birth order than the Minnesota population of live births in the corresponding years. 4. 4. Mongolism was encountered in eight of the studied leukemia cases (nine of the available cases), in no sibling control subjects and in one neighborhood control subject. The frequency of association of leukemia and mongolism in this series is significantly greater than has been reported previously. 5. 5. A verified history of antenatal X-ray exposure was shown to be somewhat more common among the leukemia patients aged 0–4 years than in either control group. This difference was not statistically significant. 6. 6. A verified history of X-ray exposure up to one year before death was shown to be somewhat more common in the leukemia patients aged 0–4 years than in the matched control children. This difference was not statistically significant. 7. 7. Histories of allergies and common communicable diseases were too infrequent to permit analyses of possible disparities in attack rates of these diseases between the leukemia patients and control groups. 8. 8. Data collected on chemical exposures and usage of drugs were not considered sufficiently reliable to warrant detailed analysis. Such information was very difficult to verify, and is thought to reflect considerable parental bias.
On the axiomatic method and its recent applications to game theory and resource allocation

This is a study of the axiomatic method and its recent applications to game theory and resource allocation. It begins with a user's guide. This guide first describes the components of an axiomatic study, discusses the logical and conceptual independence of the axioms in a characterization, exposes mistakes that are often made in the formulation of axioms, and emphasizes the importance of seeing each axiomatic study from the perspective of the axiomatic program. It closes with a schematic presentation of this program. The second part of this study discusses the scope of the axiomatic method and briefly presents a number of models where its use have been particularly successful. It presents alternatives to the axiomatic method and answers criticisms often addressed at the axiomatic method. It delimits the scope of the method and illustrates its relevance to the study of resource allocation and the study of strategic interaction. Finally, it provides extensive illustrations of the considerable recent success that the method has met in the study of a number of new models.
Improved hole mobilities and thermal stability in a strained‐Si∕strained‐Si1−yGey∕strained‐Si heterostructure grown on a relaxed Si1−xGex buffer

A dual channel heterostructure consisting of strained‐Si∕strained‐Si1−yGey on a relaxed Si1−xGex buffer (y>x), provides a platform for fabricating metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors with high hole mobilities. Ge outdiffusion during high temperature processing steps from the strained‐Si1−yGey layer into the relaxed Si1−xGex buffer reduces the hole mobilities in these heterostructures. We present a strained‐Si∕strained‐Si1−yGey∕strained‐Si heterostructure on relaxed Si1−xGex, in which the strained-Si layer between the strained‐Si1−yGey and relaxed Si1−xGex reduces Ge outdiffusion. Improved hole mobilities in this heterostructure are also observed over similar dual channel heterostructures which could be a result of better hole confinement in the strained‐Si1−yGey layer of the proposed heterostructure.
Proactive effects of memory in young and older adults: The role of change recollection

Age-related deficits in episodic memory are sometimes attributed to older adults being more susceptible to proactive interference. These deficits have been explained by impaired abilities to inhibit competing information and to recollect target information. In the present article, I propose that a change recollection deficit also contributes to age differences in proactive interference. Change recollection occurs when individuals can remember how information changed across episodes, and this counteracts proactive interference by preserving the temporal order of information. Three experiments were conducted to determine whether older adults are less likely to counteract proactive interference by recollecting change. Paired-associate learning paradigms with two lists of word pairs included pairs that repeated across lists, pairs that only appeared in List 2 (control items), and pairs with cues that repeated and responses that changed across lists. Young and older adults’ abilities to detect changed pairs in List 2 and to later recollect those changes at test were measured, along with cued recall of the List 2 responses and confidence in recall performance. Change recollection produced proactive facilitation in the recall of changed pairs, whereas the failure to recollect change resulted in proactive interference. Confidence judgments were sensitive to these effects. The critical finding was that older adults recollected change less than did young adults, and this partially explained older adults’ greater susceptibility to proactive interference. These findings have theoretical implications, showing that a change recollection deficit contributes to age-related deficits in episodic memory.
Characterization of diffraction-enhanced imaging contrast in breast cancer

Diffraction-enhanced imaging (DEI) is a new x-ray imaging modality that has been shown to enhance contrast between normal and cancerous breast tissues. In this study, diffraction-enhanced imaging in computed tomography (DEI-CT) mode was used to quantitatively characterize the refraction contrasts of the organized structures associated with invasive human breast cancer. Using a high-sensitivity Si (3 3 3) reflection, the individual features of breast cancer, including masses, calcifications and spiculations, were observed. DEI-CT yields 14, 5 and 7 times higher CT numbers and 10, 9 and 6 times higher signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) for masses, calcifications and spiculations, respectively, as compared to conventional CT of the same specimen performed using the same detector, x-ray energy and dose. Furthermore, DEI-CT at ten times lower dose yields better SNR than conventional CT. In light of the recent development of a compact DEI prototype using an x-ray tube as its source, these results, acquired at a clinically relevant x-ray energy for which a pre-clinical DEI prototype currently exists, suggest the potential of clinical implementation of mammography with DEI-CT to provide high-contrast, high-resolution images of breast cancer (Parham 2006 PhD Dissertation University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill).
The Not So Harmless Axion

Abstract Cosmological aspects of a very weakly interacting axion are discussed. A solution to the problem of domain walls discussed by Sikivie is mentioned. Demanding that axions do not dominate the present energy density of the universe is shown to give an upper bound on the axion decay constant of at most 1012 GeV.
Trapezium implant arthroplasty. Long-term evaluation of 150 cases.

Arthritis of the joints at the base of the thumb can be painful and severely disabling, interfering with normal functional activity. The trapezium implant, which acts as a replacement for the removed patholigic bone, must have certain features if it is to be tolerated by the host tissue and be stable and durable. Implant resection arthroplasty of the trapezium, with careful correction of other associated deformities, has resulted in long-term, excellent functional and cosmetic results in this group of cases.
Interdisciplinary education in adolescent health

To date, evidence suggests that, across disciplines, the educational preparation of health professionals has not kept pace. Those involved in the education of clinicians, researchers, and educators in adolescent health are currently faced with the need to rethink traditional educational strategies. Concurrent with a shift in the primary causes of morbidity and mortality in adolescence, from infectious to social aetiologies, is an emerging clarity about the success of integrated comprehensive service settings in addressing adolescents' health needs. One approach for better preparing health providers to work in multiservice settings is to provide training in interdisciplinary programmes. Various models for interdisciplinary education in adolescent health exist; characteristics common to all are delineated. Whereas obstacles to the creation and implementation of interdisciplinary programmes, including institutional, financial, and educational barriers, are great, the need to overcome them is critical if we are to keep pace with the changing needs of the adolescent population.
Twice-daily dosing of loracarbef 200 mg versus 400 mg in the treatment of patients with acute maxillary sinusitis

Loracarbef is an oral synthetic beta-lactam antibiotic in the new carbacephem class. We conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study to compare the efficacy and safety of loracarbef 200 mg twice daily (BID) and 400 mg BID when given orally for 10 days to patients 12 years of age and older with acute maxillary sinusitis. Because sinus aspirates for culture are not routinely obtained in the management of acute maxillary sinusitis, antimicrobial therapy usually is selected empirically. This study was designed to provide data simulating the usual clinical practice of treatment without sinus aspiration. Two hundred nine patients who met the entry criteria, which included abnormal pretherapy sinus radiographs compatible with acute maxillary sinusitis and symptoms of fewer than 4 weeks' duration, qualified for the clinical analyses. Of the 106 clinically qualified patients assigned to the 200-mg BID group, favorable clinical responses (cure and improvement) were noted in 86 (81.1%) patients. Of the 103 clinically qualified patients assigned to the 400-mg BID group, 84 (81.6%) patients had favorable clinical responses. These results compare favorably with accepted clinical response rates of 70% to 80% for beta-lactams selected on an empiric basis. At the end of the treatment period, favorable radiologic responses (resolved and improved) and favorable clinical responses occurred in 55 (51.9%) of the 106 clinically qualified patients in the 200-mg BID group and in 57 (55.3%) of the 103 clinically qualified patients in the 400-mg BID group. Mean roentgenogram scores for the clinically qualified patients were 2.3 for both groups before therapy and 1.3 and 1.5 after therapy for the 200-mg BID and 400-mg BID groups, respectively. The mean change from pretherapy to posttherapy by patient was 1.0 for the 200-mg BID group and 0.8 for the 400-mg BID group. There were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups in the incidence of specific adverse events reported during therapy. These data suggest that loracarbef 200 mg BID is comparable in efficacy and safety to loracarbef 400 mg BID in the treatment of patients with acute maxillary sinusitis.
Characterization of Atherosclerotic Plaques by Laser Speckle Imaging

Background— A method capable of determining atherosclerotic plaque composition and measuring plaque viscoelasticity can provide valuable insight into intrinsic features associated with plaque rupture and can enable the identification of high-risk lesions. In this article, we describe a new optical technique, laser speckle imaging (LSI), that measures an index of plaque viscoelasticity. We evaluate the potential of LSI for characterizing atherosclerotic plaque. Methods and Results— Time-varying helium-neon laser speckle images were acquired from 118 aortic plaque specimens from 14 human cadavers under static and deforming conditions (0 to 200 μm/s). Temporal fluctuations in the speckle patterns were quantified by exponential fitting of the normalized cross-correlation of sequential frames in each image series of speckle patterns to obtain the exponential decay time constant, τ. The decorrelation time constants of thin-cap fibroatheromas (TCFA) (τ=47.5±19.2 ms) were significantly lower than those of other a...
Expression of the gene for the atrial natriuretic peptide in cardiac myocytes in vitro

Primary cultures of neonatal cardiocytes express the gene for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). In general the levels of expression follow the rank order: atrial greater than ventricular much greater than nonmyocardial cells. Following the initial dispersion cardiocytes require 48 to 72 hours before ANP secretion and ANP mRNA accumulation approach a new steady-state level. In situ hybridization analysis indicates that ANP gene expression is concentrated in a subpopulation of cardiocytes in both the atrial and the ventricular cell cultures. These findings suggest that these primary cultures may be of value in defining the factors governing the expression of the ANP gene in the cardiac cell.