cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synergistic Effects of the 308-nm Excimer Light and Topical Calcipotriol for the Treatment of Chronic Hand Eczema: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Though topical corticosteroid is a standard treatment for chronic hand eczema (CHE), it can cause many adverse effects. Topical calcipotriol and monochromatic 308-nm excimer light (MEL) are new alternative therapies for several dermatoses, including CHE. Objective: This study aims to compare the efficacy of the combination of MEL and topical calcipotriol versus topical calcipotriol alone. Methods: One hand of the participants was randomly assigned to be irradiated with MEL twice weekly and topical calcipotriol applied twice daily while the other hand was assigned to receive only topical calcipotriol twice daily for 8 weeks. Then, only petrolatum ointment was applied during the 4-week follow-up period. Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI) and modified Total Lesion Symptom Score were assessed by a blinded investigator, and a visual analogue scale score of itching symptoms was graded by the participants. Results: In total, 36 hands from 18 subjects completed the protocol. On the combination-treated sides, the mean HECSI score was significantly reduced by 25% ( p = 0.015) from the 4th week. Then, it was gradually decreased to 57 and 65% ( p < 0.001) at the 8th week and at the follow-up visit, respectively. For the monotherapy-treated sides, the mean HECSI score was reduced to 41% ( p = 0.001) and 49% ( p < 0.001) at the 8th and 12th week, accordingly. At the end of the treatment period, itching scores were significantly decreased by around 64% ( p < 0.001) and 51% ( p = 0.002) on the combination-treated and the monotherapy-treated sides. No serious and persistent adverse reactions were found. Conclusion: The combined MEL and topical calcipotriol may be considered as an alternatively effective treatment for CHE.
Examining Race in Jamaica: How Racial Category and Skin Color Structure Social Inequality

Jamaica’s social inequality is primarily held to be class-based due, in part, to the country’s perceived ethno-racial homogeneity and to the particularities of its colonial past. However, whether “race” also systemically shapes inequality in Jamaica remains understudied. To address this empirical lacuna, I examine the effects of two measures of race—categorical race and skin color—on years of schooling and household amenities using data from the 2014 AmericasBarometer social survey. I find that access to household amenities and years of schooling are starkly structured by racial category, and even more robustly by skin color, across all dimensions. The findings challenge long-held assumptions that marginalize race with regards to social inequality in Jamaica. They also suggest the importance of a multidimensional approach to studying the effects of race for understanding stratification dynamics in Jamaica. As an English-speaking, majority Afro-descent society in the Caribbean, the study’s findings add a unique country case for comparison to Latin America and may also speak to other similar contexts in the region.
ALS/FTLD-Linked Mutations in Glycine Residues of FUS Lead to Immiscibility with Wild-Type FUS

The formation of pathogenic inclusions of RNA-binding proteins in neurons is a hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar dementia (FTLD). One prominent protein in these inclusions is Fused in sarcoma (FUS), and over 70 mutations in Fus are linked to ALS/FTLD. In patients, all Fus mutations are heterozygous, indicating that the mutant drives pathology despite the presence of wild-type FUS. Here, we demonstrate that ALS FUS mutations in glycine (G) strikingly drive formation of droplets that are immiscible with wild-type FUS whereas arginine (R) mutants form miscible condensates with wild-type FUS. Remarkably, immiscibility between wild-type and G mutants begins at the earliest stages of FUS nucleation. In contrast to G mutants, the miscible R mutants physically interact with the wild-type FUS such that wild-type FUS rescues the mutant defects by reducing droplet size and recovering dynamic interactions with RNA. This result suggests disparate molecular mechanisms underlying pathogenesis and differing rescue potential depending on the type of mutation.
Ultrasound for the treatment of acute kidney injury and other inflammatory conditions: a promising path toward noninvasive neuroimmune regulation

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important clinical disorder with high prevalence, serious consequences, and limited therapeutic options. Modulation of neuroimmune interaction by nonpharmacological methods is emerging as a novel strategy for treating inflammatory diseases, including AKI. Recently, pulsed ultrasound (US) treatment was shown to protect from AKI by stimulating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Because of the relatively simple, portable, and noninvasive nature of US procedures, US stimulation may be a valuable therapeutic option for treating inflammatory conditions. This review discusses potential impacts of US bioeffects on the nervous system and how this may generate feedback onto the immune system. We also discuss recent evidence supporting the use of US as a means to treat AKI and other inflammatory diseases.
Cherokee Political Thought and the Development of Tribal Citizenship

Citizenship, a fundamental political idea, exists in many forms in the United States. In this study, I apply the analytical strategies of American political development to examine the evolution of Cherokee constitutional citizenship law since 1827. The lack of political development studies on Cherokee governance presents a unique opportunity to identify foundational and second-story ideas underpinning Cherokee political thought. I contribute to the ongoing discussion of indigenous political development by creating a new theoretical framework for interpreting and analyzing durable shifts in Cherokee citizenship law. As America expands and diversifies, alternate, nonliberal views of citizenship increase in political relevance. Understanding why certain laws exist and where they came from is crucial for cultivating political engagement, engaging in productive discourse, and creating humanizing policies.
Extraplexus versus intraplexus ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block for ambulatory arthroscopic shoulder surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Author(s): Harbell, Monica W; Kolodzie, Kerstin; Behrends, Matthias; Ma, C Benjamin; Kinjo, Sakura; Yap, Edward; Braehler, Matthias R; Aleshi, Pedram | Abstract: BackgroundThis randomized study compared the efficacy and safety of extraplexus and intraplexus injection of local anesthetic for interscalene brachial plexus block.Methods208 ASA I-II patients scheduled for elective shoulder arthroscopy under general anesthesia and ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block were randomly allocated to receive an injection of 25mL ropivacaine 0.5% either between C5-C6 nerve roots (intraplexus), or anterior and posterior to the brachial plexus into the plane between the perineural sheath and scalene muscles (extraplexus). The primary outcome was time to loss of shoulder abduction. Secondary outcomes included block duration, perioperative opioid consumption, pain scores, block performance time, number of needle passes, onset of sensory blockade, paresthesia, recovery room length of stay, patient satisfaction, incidence of Horner's syndrome, dyspnea, hoarseness, and post-operative nausea and vomiting.ResultsTime to loss of shoulder abduction was faster in the intraplexus group (log-rank p-valuel0.0005; median [interquartile range]: 4 min [2-6] vs. 6 min [4-10]; p-value l0.0005). Although the intraplexus group required fewer needle passes (2 vs. 3, pl0.0005), it resulted in more transient paresthesia (35.9% vs. 14.5%, p = 0.0004) with no difference in any other secondary outcome.ConclusionThe intraplexus approach to the interscalene brachial plexus block results in a faster onset of motor block, as well as sensory block. Both intraplexus and extraplexus approaches to interscalene brachial plexus block provide effective analgesia. Given the increased incidence of paresthesia with an intraplexus approach, an extraplexus approach to interscalene brachial plexus block is likely a more appropriate choice.
Departure Functions and Sample Problems

The material presented in this lecture is adapted from Chapter 8 in T&M. In this lecture, we will continue discussing pure materials (n = 1). First, we will solve Sample Problem19.1 to calculate the molar volume of n-butane at a given temperature and pressure. For this purpose, we will first use the ideal gas EOS and then can use more realistic EOS. In addition, we will use the Generalized Pitzer Correlation Approach presented in Lecture 18. Second, we will discuss the departure function (DF) approach to calculate changes in thermodynamic properties, including the entropy departure function, DS, and the Helmholtz free energy departure function, DA Third, we will solve Sample Problem 19.2 to calculate the internal energy departure function, DU. Finally, in order to calculate isothermal variations of A or G, we will show that it is simpler to directly integrate the differentials of A or G, instead of using departure functions.
Remembering Colin S. Gray: Scholar of the theory and philosophy of international relations

I first met Colin Gray in 1974 in Los Angeles when he spoke at the University of Southern California at the invitation of Professor William R. Van Cleave, the head of USC’s Defense and Strategic St...
Who Should You Market to in a Crisis? Examining Plog’s Model during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges to destinations. Even those with thoughtful and comprehensive crisis management plans likely have struggled to navigate this difficult period. Th...
The Easterbrook Theorem: An Application to Digital Markets

The rise of large firms in the digital economy, including Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google, has rekindled the debate about monopolization law. There are proposals to make finding liability easier against alleged digital monopolists by relaxing substantive standards; to flip burdens of proof; and to overturn broad swaths of existing Supreme Court precedent, and even to condemn a law review article. Frank Easterbrook’s seminal 1984 article, The Limits of Antitrust, theorizes that Type I error costs are greater than Type II error costs in the antitrust context, a proposition that has been woven deeply into antitrust law by the Supreme Court. We consider the implications of this assumption on the standard of proof. We find that, taking variants of the Easterbrook assumption as given, the optimal standard of proof is stronger than the preponderance of the evidence standard. Our conclusion is robust to how one specifies the preponderance of the evidence standard and stands in stark contrast to contemporary proposals to reduce or eliminate the burden of proof facing antitrust plaintiffs in digital markets.
Adenovirus infection enhances killing of melanoma cells by a mitotoxin

Toxins are effective in cell killing if internalized efficiently. Conjugation of the plant toxin saporin with basic fibroblast growth factor has increased tumor killing due to better internalization, but toxin uptake by cells has remained relatively inefficient. We show here that infection of melanoma cells with a replication-defective adenovirus enhances cell killing by the mitotoxin basic fibroblast growth factor-saporin more than 10-fold, thus allowing tumor cell killing in vivo at nontoxic concentrations. Adenovirus infection leads to increased apoptosis by the mitotoxin due to enhanced internalization of the ligand-receptor complex and release of the active toxin from the endosomes.
Developing detailed kinetic models of syngas production from bio-oil gasification using Reaction Mechanism Generator (RMG)

Abstract Detailed kinetic models for the conversion of bio-oil to syngas through gasification were developed automatically using the open source software package Reaction Mechanism Generator (RMG). The influences of process operating conditions and of RMG parameters on the performance of models were investigated. Both temperature and pressure alter the product yields, although including pressure-dependent (chemically activated and fall-off) kinetics have minimal impact on these predictions. The model size is important, although currently constrained by available RAM, motivating development of improved memory-management algorithms in RMG. To validate the RMG-built mechanisms, simulations performed with Cantera were compared with experimental data from the literature. Agreements and disagreements between RMG-built models and literature show that the automated mechanism generation approach is promising, but reveal some families of reactions involving heteroatomic cycles that require improved estimates for bio-mass derived fuels. Research in this area would be greatly helped by more quantitative experimental data, ideally showing intermediate species profiles. These findings motivate extra studies and guide further RMG development.
Older individuals with HIV infection have greater memory deficits than younger individuals

The prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) remains persistently high in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy. We aimed to characterize the pattern of neurocognitive dysfunction in older subjects with HAND in particular amnestic versus non-amnestic impairment. One hundred six subjects from the Johns Hopkins University NIMH Clinical Outcomes cohort underwent standardized neuropsychological (NP) testing between November 2006 and June 2010. We examined performance in seven cognitive domains (memory, attention, speed of processing, visuospatial, language, motor, and executive). Older subjects were defined as age >50 years at the time of NP testing. Subjects were diagnosed with HAND according to established criteria and dichotomized into amnestic cognitive impairment or non-amnestic cognitive impairment with deficit defined as z scores <−1.5 for the verbal and nonverbal memory domains. There were 32 older subjects with a mean age (SD) of 54.2 (2.8) years and 74 younger subjects, 43.7 (4.3) years. Older age was associated with a 4.8-fold higher odds of memory deficits adjusted for potential confounders (p = 0.035) identified a priori. With age modeled as a continuous covariate, every 1 year increase in age was associated with a 1.11-fold higher odds of memory deficit (p = 0.05). There was a higher proportion of amnestic cognitive impairment among older subjects than younger subjects with HIV infection. Neurodegenerative processes other than those directly due to HIV may be increasingly important as individuals with chronic HIV infection and HAND survive into older age.
At the Precipice: The Story of Mathematics Education in the United States

According to a variety of metrics (NAEP, PISA, TIMMS, college completion, etc.), the mathematics knowledge of U.S. students can be described, at best, as mediocre. In light of the growing importance of mathematics for both individual and national economic competitiveness, this weak performance has rightfully alarmed policymakers and the public. The results of decades of research on improving mathematics curricula, most notably the TIMSS, TEDS, and PROM/SE studies, points convincingly to the possibilities of more rigorous, more focused, and most of all, more coherent mathematics standards. The data clearly demonstrate that, compared with higher performing countries, the United States intended curriculum is highly fragmented and the implemented curriculum exceptionally variable across and even within local education agencies. Although the recently adopted Common Core Standards in Mathematics present a major opportunity for overcoming these defects, the weak preparation of U.S. mathematics teachers, particul...
Structure refinement of triclinic tungsten trioxide

Abstract The thermodynamically stable form of WO 3 at room temperature is triclinic. The structure of this form of WO 3 was for the first time refined from neutron diffraction data. The data were obtained on a new high resolution powder diffractometer. The structure obtained appears to be somewhat more accurate than that obtained from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. Rietveld approach was used to refine the neutron powder diffraction data. Results using the software packages GSAS, Rietan and PROFIL are compared. Using GSAS, an R wp of 7.97 and an R p of 5.87 were obtained. Neutron diffraction data were also collected and analysed on a sample which was a mixture of the monoclinic and triclinic forms of WO 3 ; Rietveld refinements of this data were stable and yielded reasonable results.
Performance analysis of ALOHA and p-persistent ALOHA for multi-hop underwater acoustic sensor networks

The extreme conditions under which multi-hop underwater acoustic sensor networks (UASNs) operate constrain the performance of medium access control (MAC) protocols. The MAC protocol employed significantly impacts the operation of the network supported, and such impacts must be carefully considered when developing protocols for networks constrained by both bandwidth and propagation delay. Time-based coordination, such as TDMA, have limited applicability due to the dynamic nature of the water channel used to propagate the sound signals, as well as the significant effect of relatively small changes in propagation distance on the propagation time. These effects cause inaccurate time synchronization and therefore make time-based access protocols less viable. The large propagation delays also diminish the effectiveness of carrier sense protocols as they do not predict with any certainty the status of the intended recipients at the point when the traffic would arrive. Thus, CSMA protocols do not perform well in UASNs, either. Reservation-based protocols have seldom been successful in commercial products over the past 50 years due to many drawbacks, such as limited scalability, relatively low robustness, etc. In particular, the impact of propagation delays in UASNs and other such constrained networks obfuscate the operation of the reservation protocols and diminish, if not completely negate, the benefit of reservations. The efficacy of the well-known RTS-CTS scheme, as a reservation-based enhancement to the CSMA protocol, is also adversely impacted by long propagation delays. An alternative to these MAC protocols is the much less complex ALOHA protocol, or one of its variants. However, the performance of such protocols within the context of multi-hop networks is not well studied. In this paper we identify the challenges of modeling contention-based MAC protocols and present models for analyzing ALOHA and p-persistent ALOHA variants for a simple string topology. As expected, an application of the model suggests that ALOHA variants are very sensitive to traffic loads. Indeed, when the traffic load is small, utilization becomes insensible to p values. A key finding, though, is the significance of the network size on the protocols' performance, in terms of successful delivery of traffic from outlying nodes, indicating that such protocols are only appropriate for very small networks, as measured by hop count.
Energetic electronic processes and negative resistance in amorphous TaTa2O5Au and AlAl2O3Au diodes

Abstract Voltage-controlled negative resistance (VCNR) can be established in metal-insulator-metal structures by applying a potential to the diode, which is usually in vacuum. Light emission due to electroluminescence (E.L.), and electron emission into vacuum, accompany the formation of conductivity; these energetic electronic phenomena are closely related to the “forming” of VCNR and to the resultant current-voltage characteristics. For Al 2 O 3 diodes with impure oxides, VCNR forms at constant voltage, independent of oxide thickness; for clean oxides, forming depends on field and on the metal counterelectrode. The intensity and energy distribution of light emitted from TaTa 2 O 5 Au diodes have been measured, and are compared to E.L. from AlAl 2 O 3 Au diodes. The voltage threshold for the appearance of E.L. in TaTa 2 O 5 Au diodes is 1.2 V, for AlAl 2 O 3 Au it is 1.4 V. The respective voltages for maximum current, V m , are 1.9 V and 2.8 V. In Al 2 O 3 , the E.L. spectrum covers the visible range with peaks at 1.8 eV, 2.3 eV, and 4.0 eV. For Ta 2 O 5 , the E.L. intensity is constant over most of the visible, but has a maximum between 1.6 eV and 1.8 eV which is also the energy of E.L. of TaTa 2 O 5 Au diodes before the establishment of VCNR. For both Al 2 O 3 and Ta 2 O 5 diodes, electron emission into vacuum is anomalous since emission is detectable at diode voltages of ∼2 V. Electron emission in the two insulators, though qualitatively similar, shows differences that depend on differences in trapping levels and band gaps of the insulators.
Watching Your Posterior: Comment on Seawright

In “Testing for Necessary and/or Sufficient Causation,” Jason Seawright (2002) presents an intriguing new Bayesian technique for testing theories that posit necessary conditions. His technique differs in substantial ways from those presented in separate articles by Dion (1998), Ragin (1987), and ourselves (2000) and constitutes a fundamental critique of those procedures. Having criticized quite a few procedures and theorists in our own article, we can hardly complain; rather, we recognize the constructive spirit of the endeavor and, in that same spirit, would like to offer a rejoinder.
Glycemic Control in Pediatric Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

OBJECTIVES To determine whether glycemic control has an effect on outcomes for pediatric patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy, while controlling for multiple factors. METHODS A single-center retrospective chart review was performed on 82 patients who required ECMO from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2010. All glucose concentrations collected while patients were on ECMO were analyzed; multiple other factors that may have affected mortality were also recorded. Primary outcome was mortality, and secondary outcomes were length of time on ECMO and length of time until death or discharge from the hospital. RESULTS Of 82 patients, 53 patients survived ECMO (64.6%). Glucose control had no effect on survival of patients on ECMO (p=0.56), even when controlling for multiple factors (p=0.48). Similarly, statistical evaluation showed no differences for hospital mortality in relationship to controlled serum glucose (p=0.50). Patients with controlled glucose spent an average of 31.5% more time on ECMO than non-controlled patients (p=0.048). CONCLUSIONS In this study, glycemic control, defined as serum glucose concentration between 60 mg/dL and 250 mg/dL for >95% of the time on ECMO, had no statistically significant effect on mortality for patients on ECMO. Future studies could focus on tighter glucose control or specific dextrose/glucose protocols to evaluate whether improved glucose control would have an effect on morbidity and mortality.
Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay using TaqMan probe for detection and quantification of Infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV)

Abstract Infectious myonecrosis, caused by Infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV), is an important emerging disease of shrimp that has affected the production of cultured Litopenaeus vannamei in Northeast Brazil. In this study we report the development of a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) method using TaqMan probe to detect this virus in shrimp. The real-time RT-PCR showed a strong linear correlation (r2 = 0.986) between threshold cycles (CT) and RNA quantities. The assay gave negative results for other viruses, including Yellow head virus (YHV), Taura syndrome virus (TSV), Infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV), and White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and the necrotizing hepatopancreatic bacterium (NHPB). This real-time RT-PCR assay can detect as few as 10 IMNV copy numbers/μl RNA, while the nested RT-PCR can detect no fewer than 1000 IMNV copy numbers/μl RNA. Specific-pathogen-free L. vannamei were used in the infectivity assay. There were one control group (Group 1) and one viral challenged group (Group 2), from which shrimp were sampled for RT-PCR and histological analysis. The RNA from dead shrimp was extracted and tested for IMNV by nested and real-time RT-PCR. The shrimp in Group 1 showed 100% survival, while those in Group 2 showed a 0% survival. The first mortality in the Group 2 was observed at Day 8 post-inoculation (p.i.); and the mortalities dramatically increased after Day 40 p.i. Histological sections from Group 2 shrimp taken at intervals throughout the study exhibited acute to chronic phase lesions of IMNV infection, and consecutive tissue sections reacted to the IMNV-specific cDNA probes by in situ hybridization. The real-time RT-PCR detected the presence of IMNV in all 30 of the challenged specimens in Group 2. In contrast, the nested RT-PCR detected the presence of IMNV in 23 of the 30 specimens. The real-time RT-PCR revealed that the 7 specimens not detected by nested RT-PCR contained relatively low IMNV copy numbers compared to the other 23 specimens. These results demonstrate that the real-time RT-PCR developed in this study is a sensitive diagnostic method for IMNV.
Neuroimaging in child and adolescent psychiatry.

ABSTRACT Although less well studied in child and adolescent psychiatry than in adult psychiatry, brain imaging has significantly altered psychiatric research and practice. This review focuses on the modalities that are used to image the brain. These include structural imaging techniques of computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as functional imaging techniques of computed electroencephalography (CEEG), positron emission tomography (PET), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The technologies are reviewed, strengths and weaknesses of modalities discussed, and research progress reported.
Thermal-expansion induced cellular flames

Abstract This paper is devoted to a study of the nonlinear evolution of a disturbed plane flame front in a hydrodynamic instability regime induced by thermal expansion of a burned gas. It is shown that, in sufficiently small-scale flames, spontaneous instability appears in the guise of stationary wide-spaced irregular folds. However, in sufficiently large-scale flames, one encounters a completely new type of hydrodynamic instability: the flame front splits into separate cells which are constantly subdividing and merging in a chaotic manner. The average dimension of the cells is approximately five times greater than the wavelength of the disturbance which has the highest amplification rate (according to the linear theory).
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Success in the Transplant Kidney

Purpose: Treatment for symptomatic calculi in the transplanted kidney can be problematic. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy has routinely been used but concerns exist about potential injury to adjacent organs using a percutaneous access technique. We report our experience with percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the transplant kidney.Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review from 1988 to the present was performed of all cases of a renal transplant and subsequent renal calculi treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy.Results: We identified 13 patients with a renal transplant who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Presenting symptoms included renal failure in 46.1% of cases, hematuria in 23.1%, urinary tract infection/pyelonephritis in 23.1%, pain in 15.4%, fever in 7.7% and hydronephrosis in 7.7%. Average calculus size was 1.36 cm (range 0.2 to partial staghorn). A single access tract was used in 12 cases and 2 access tracts were used in 1. Ultrasonic lithotripsy was performed in 10 cases, basket ex...
Nuclear radiation-induced cracking of n-hexadecane

A representative paraffin hydrocarbon in the gas oil range, n-hexadecane, has been irradiated in the Industrial Reactor Laboratories' 5 mw. nuclear research reactor. In the vapor phase radiation-induced cracking proceeded efficiently, and G values for radiation conversion of n-hexadecane were 200 to 1,200 at temperatures near 750°F. Total conversions of n-hexadecane were less than 3 wt. % and were due only in part to the radiation effect. The distributions of products which were obtained were similar to those which result from thermal cracking of n-hexadecane. There were however significant increases in the yields of hydroger., reductions in the yields of very light hydrocarbons and small yields of high molecular weight products. At temperatures above 850°F. extensive thermal cracking obscured the effects of radiation. In liquid phase radiation-induced cracking at 750°F. conversions of n-hexadecane up to 15 wt. % have been obtained at liquid spaces velocities near 4 v./hr./v. In many exposures nearly one-half of this conversion was attributed to the direct utilization of radiation. The corresponding G values were 30 to 60. The products obtained have been accounted for by adding together the products which would be expected from a radiation-induced reaction producing primarily dimer, from radiation-initiated chain propagated cracking, and thermally initiated chain cracking. The product distribution from these reactions can be changed by variation of the cracking temperature and/or radiation dose.
Real-time structural evolution at the interface of an organic transistor during thermal annealing

Polarization multiplexed vibrational sum frequency generation (PM-VSFG) spectroscopy has been used to monitor the interfacial structure of polymer transistor interfaces in situ during thermal annealing treatments. The evolution of the field-effect carrier mobility is tracked simultaneously with the molecular orientation and ordering of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) macromolecules on two different surface types. It is shown that fluorocarbon functionalized silica imparts very different molecular arrangements that avoid kinetic trapping during solution casting. In contrast, bare silica surfaces produce kinetically trapped polymer configurations that can be observed by PM-VSFG to reorient with thermal annealing. The interfacial results are compared to bulk structural changes in P3HT thin films as characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and linear spectroscopies. The electrical performances of these films are more closely correlated with interfacial parameters than the bulk properties of the polymer. In contrast with the bulk measurements, the PM-VSFG studies show that molecules at the organic/dielectric interface are actually less ordered after thermal annealing processes that render them with lower carrier mobilities.
Licking of the Neonate and Duration of Labor in Great Apes and Man

An hypothesis recently advanced by Montagu relates the cutaneous stimulation of prolonged labor in great apes and man to the proper functioning of the newborn. These exceptional primates, according to Montagu, do not therefore stimulate the newborn by licking, as is the case for mammals in which labor is of short duration. Though man is believed to differ from other primates, especially the apes, in duration and difficulty of labor, we present data to show that the case at present rests on unstandardized measures of durations and on incomplete anatomical arguments. Until more objective criteria for charting the progress of labor are developed, there is no way of knowing if the assumption of a significant difference is correct. In any case, there seems to be no valid basis for linking differences in labor among primates with different forms of postpartum care, of which licking is but one example.
MR microscopy of chick embryo vasculature

Six-day-old chick embryos were examined with magnetic resonance microscopy after vascular perfusion fixation and perfusion with gadolinium-doped gelatin to highlight the developing vascular anatomy. Gadolinium gelatin, with its short T1, provided a source of signal contrast within the vessels. The entire embryo was embedded in gelatin to minimize susceptibility artifacts that are prevalent at the high field strength (7.0 T) used. A series of single-section spin-echo images were acquired with various TRs to determine the optimal imaging sequence for a three-dimensional (3D) acquisition. The combination of gadolinium gelatin in the vascular spaces, gelatin embedding of the specimen, and optimal acquisition parameters yielded a 3D stack of high-resolution images that was readily reconstructed and rendered to effectively demonstrate the developing thoracic vessels in the embryo.
Conditioning and simulations for the one-microsecond, one kilojoule per-pulse L-band relativistic klystron

Summary form only given, as follows. The development of a high-current relativistic klystron amplifier (RKA) is continuing at Los Alamos. The goal is to produce 1 kJ per pulse, with a one-microsecond pulsewidth, and a peak power of 1 GW. The three cavity tube has already produced pulses with more than 150 J and over 450 MW peak power: The output power has been limited by breakdown In the output cavity. A novel scheme for ex-situ conditioning of the output cavity gap pieces is being developed. A specialized cavity with a high Q, that holds the gap pieces in the same geometry as in the tube, is used in conjunction with a high power commercial klystron to field condition the surfaces. Results from this work and recent PIC code simulations will be presented.
Isoproterenol-induced selective phosphorylative modification in vivo of rat C6 glioma cell histones.

The phosphorylative modification in vivo of histones after shortterm (0 to 60 min) isoproterenol stimulation of confluent rat C6 glioma cell cultures has been investigated. Analysis of the phosphorylation patterns after the purification and separation of histones by SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed significantly increased phosphorylation of histones H1-1 and H3 and a decrease of the phosphorylation of histones H1-3, H2A, and H2B. There was no apparent effect of isoproterenol on the net phosphorylation of histones H1-2 and H4. The data suggest an effect of isoproterenol on the phosphorylative modification of glioma cell histones via modulation of nuclear phosphorylating and dephosphorylating activities.
Note on some s-shaped bifurcation curves

In this article we consider asymptotic behavior of some bifurcation curves of the two-point boundary value problem -u′ (x) =λf(u(x)) for 0 < x < 1; u(0) = u(1) = 0. Infact we prove that λ grows linearly with respective to p(p = u(1/2)) for p large
Multi-Wavelength Molecular Fluorescence Spectrometry for Quantitative Characterization of Copper(II) and Aluminum(III) Complexation by Dissolved Organic Matter

Conditional stability constants and binding capacities are important parameters with which to estimate the biological availability of metal ions in aqueous solution in the presence of dissolved natural organic matter (fulvic acid, organic matter in natural waters or in aqueous extracts of forest litter). Determination of these parameters depends on analytical methods that can distinguish between free and organically bound metal ions. This speciation is difficult, mainly because natural organic matter typically is a complex mixture. In this paper, multi-wavelength molecular fluorescence spectrometry is evaluated prototypically as a method for the determination of stability constants and binding capacities for Cu(II) and Al(III) complexation by dissolved organic matter in a juniper leaf litter extract. Equilibrium ion exchange quantitation and electron spin resonance spectroscopy served as quantitative and qualitative reference methods, respectively. Three types of binding site for Cu and Al could be differ...
A consistency condition for Reynolds stress closures

A new consistency condition is derived for the Reynolds stress turbulent closures. Recommended values of model constants used with the k‐e model and with various Reynolds stress closures do not satisfy this condition exactly. It is shown that a slight adjustment of certain computer‐optimized constants would make some of these models internally consistent.
Efferent projections of the cat oculomotor reticular omnipause neuron region: An autoradiographic study

Omnipause neurons (OPNs) are midline pontine neurons that are thought to be instrumental in the generation of saccadic eye movements. Inhibition of the tonically active OPNs is postulated to disinhibit the burst neurons that cause the saccadic discharge in motoneurons, leading to a sac-cade. To test whether the anatomical connections of OPNs are consistent with this scheme, we studied the efferent projections of the OPN region by using the technique of anterograde transport of tritiated amino acids. Injections into the OPN region yield a distinct pattern of labeled tracts and terminal fields that is different from the patterns following control injections in the surrounding reticular formation. Caudally, there are terminal fields over the paramedian reticular formation, the caudal part of the medial accessory nucleus of the inferior olivary complex, the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi, and the nucleus reticularis paragigantocellularis dorsalis caudal and ventromedial to the abducens nuclei. Rostrally, terminal label is distributed over parts of the nuclei reticularis pontis caudalis and oralis, the nucleus raphe pontis, the nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis, the mesencephalic reticular nucleus, the central gray, and the nucleus of the H-field. Thus, there are direct projections from the OPN region to all areas known to contain burst neurons. In addition, OPNs also apparently have in-direct access to the spinal cord and cerebellum. Many of the latter connec-tions parallel the efferent projections of the superior colliculus.
Urinary mercury levels in US dentists, 1975–1983: review of Health Assessment Program

Data on practice characteristics and urinary mercury levels from the Health Assessment Program at the ADA annual sessions are examined to estimate the degree and sources of mercury xposure in US dentists. The potential for mercury exposure is always present and is influenced by environment and practice characteristics as shown by…
Ion Implantation for High Performance III–V Jfets and Hfets

Ion implantation has been an enabling technology for realizing many high performance electronic devices in III-V semiconductor materials. We report on advances in ion implantation processing for GaAs JFETs (joint field effect transistors), AlGaAs/GaAs HFETs (heterostructure field effect transistors), and InGaP or InAlP-barrier HFETs. The GaAs JFET has required the development of shallow p-type implants using Zn or Cd with junction depths down to 35 nm after the activation anneal. Implant activation and ionization issues for AlGaAs are reported along with those for InGaP and InAlP. A comprehensive treatment of Si-implant doping of AlGaAs is given based on donor ionization energies and conduction band density-of-states dependence on Al-composition. Si and Si+P implants in InGaP are shown to achieve higher electron concentrations than for similar implants in AlGaAs due to absence of the deep donor level. An optimized P co- implantation scheme in InGaP is shown to increase the implanted donor saturation level by 65%.
Catastrophic flooding and eruption of ash-flow tuff at Medicine Lake volcano, California

Catastrophic flooding has eroded a discontinuous network of oversized anastomosing channels on the northwest flank of the Medicine Lake volcano. Most of these previously unrecognized channels were cut into an andesitic ash-flow tuff; boulders as large as 2 m in intermediate diameter were moved in terrain where little rain falls today and stream erosion is nonexistent or minimal. The flooding was probably triggered by eruption of andesite tuff through a late Pleistocene ice cap on the volcano, about 60,000 to 70,000 or about 130,000 B.P.
Microarray analysis of gene expression in murine skin exposed to sulfur mustard

The chemical warfare agent sulfur mustard [bis-(2-chloroethyl)-sulfide; SM] produces a delayed inflammatory response followed by blister formation in skin of exposed individuals. Studies are underway evaluating the efficacy of pharmacological compounds to protect against SM skin injury. Microarray analysis provides the opportunity to identify multiple transcriptional biomarkers associated with SM exposure. This study examined SM-induced changes in gene expression in skin from mice cutaneously exposed to SM using cDNA microarrays. Ear skin from five mice, paired as SM-exposed right ear and dichloromethane vehicle-exposed left ear at six dose levels (0.005, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, and 0.16 mg; 6 mM to 195 mM range), was harvested at 24 h post-exposure. SM-induced gene expression was analyzed using cDNA microarrays that included 1,176 genes. Genes were selected on the basis of all mice (N = 5) in the same dose group demonstrating a ≥2-fold increase or decrease in gene expression for the SM-exposed tissue compared to the dichloromethane vehicle control ear tissue at all six SM doses. When skin exposed to all six concentrations of SM was compared to controls, a total of 19 genes within apoptosis, transcription factors, cell cycle, inflammation, and oncogenes and tumor suppressors categories were found to be upregulated; no genes were observed to be downregulated. Differences in the number and category of genes that were up- or down-regulated in skin exposed to low (0.005–0.01 mg) and high (0.08–0.16 mg) doses of SM were also observed. The results of this study provide a further understanding of the molecular responses to cutaneous SM exposure, and enable the identification of potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for treating SM injury. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 18:289–299, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20043
Preliminary one-dimensional neutronics scoping study for a Californium-252 cold neutron source moderating device

One-dimensional neutron transport calculations have been performed for a proposed Californium Cold Neutron Source experimental facility. The computations indicate that a peak cold neutron flux (flux below 10 meV) of 1.4 × 1013 neutrons/m2 s can be attained from a 500 mg californium neutron source. The cold neutron exit (leakage) current from the spherical cryostat containing the liquid deuterium is 2.2 × 1012 neutrons/m2 s.
An improved bound for extending partial projective planes

A partial projective plane @S of order n is a collection of subsets (called lines) of an (n^2+n+1)-set (of points) such that every line has size n + 1 and any two lines meet in a unique point. We denote the number of lines by b. In this paper it is shown that if b > n^2-2(n+3)^1^2+6, then @S can be embedded in a projective plane of order n. Also it is shown that if b > n^2-n+1, then there is at most one such embedding. These results improve previous results of the same form by lowering the required size of b.
Role of CSF-1 in progression of epithelial ovarian cancer

Despite the dismal outcome seen in the majority of epithelial ovarian cancer patients, there is ongoing progress in understanding the disease at a molecular level. Elucidation of pathways underlying disease progression and metastasis of ovarian cancer is key to development of targeted therapeutics. It is only in this way that therapeutic potential can be translated to reality. Here, we describe the evidence to date for the role of CSF-1/c-fms signaling in ovarian cancer invasiveness and metastasis, including the recent understanding of how CSF-1/c-fms expression is regulated with identification of significant post-transcriptional regulators.
Nucleon as a topological soliton

A significant progress has recently been made in understanding the structure of the nucleon and I will discuss this new development in as simple a manner as I can. Since many of the features are only incompletely understood, this is not, properly speaking, a lecture. Instead, I will only sketch the arguments, sacrificing rigor. The topic concerns both the nucleon structure proper and its implications in nuclear dynamics.
Overexpression of the lung cancer-prognostic miR-146b microRNAs has a minimal and negative effect on the malignant phenotype of A549 lung cancer cells.

Introduction Expression levels of miR-146b-5p and -3p microRNAs in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are associated with recurrence of the disease after surgery. To understand this, the effect of miR-146b overexpression was studied in A549 human lung cancer cells.
Biological explanations and social responsibility.

Abstract The aim of this paper is to show that critics of biological explanations of human nature may be granting too much to those who propose such explanations when they argue that the truth of genetic determinism implies an end to critical evaluation and reform of our social institutions. This is the case because when we argue that biological determinism exempts us from social critique we are erroneously presupposing that our social values, practices, and institutions have nothing to do with what makes biological explanations troublesome. My argument is that what constitutes a problem for those who are concerned with social justice is not the fact that particular behaviours may be genetically determined, but the fact that our value system and social institutions create the conditions that make such behaviours problematic. Thus, I will argue that even if genetic determinism were correct, the requirement of assessing and transforming our social practices and institutions would be far from superfluous. Biology is rarely destiny for human beings and the institutions they create.
ASSOCIATION OF ORAL SPIROCHETES FROM PERIODONTALLY HEALTHY SITES WITH DEVELOPMENT OF GINGIVITIS

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the presence of selected disease-associated bacteria in health-associated plaque correlated with future gingivitis. Sites of periodontal health were identified in 65 adults. Six months later (recall 1) plaque was collected from sites that remained in periodontal health, and 5 species of specific bacteria and pathogen-related oral spirochetes were detected using monoclonal antibodies in a microscopic assay. Members of the spirochete morphogroup were also identified by phase contrast microscopy. The relationship between site-specific detection of bacteria at recall 1 and development of gingivitis at recall 2 or 3 was evaluated by means of logistic regression using generalized estimating equations, from which odds ratios (OR) were estimated. Significance was conservatively defined as OR > 2.0 and P < 0.05. We found that 488 of 1,424 healthy sites developed gingivitis over the 12-month interval between recall 1 and 3. Only the spirochete morphogroup (...
The EUV chromospheric network in the quiet Sun

Investigations on the structure and intensity of the chromospheric network from quiet solar regions have been carried out with EUV data obtained with a spectroheliometer on the Apollo Telescope Mount of Skylab. The distribution of intensities within supergranulation cell interiors follows a near-normal function, where the standard deviation exceeds the value expected from the counting rate, which indicates fine-scale structure below the 5 arcsec resolution of the data. The intensities from the centers of supergranulation cells appear to be the same in both quiet regions and coronal holes, although the network is significantly different in the two types of regions. The average halfwidth of the network elements was measured as 10 arcsec and was independent of the temperature of formation of the observing line for effective-temperature logarithms (log Te) from 3.8 to 5.8. The contrast between the network and the centers of cells is greatest for lines with log Te about equal to 5.2, where the network contributes approximately 75% of the intensity of quiet solar regions. The contrast and fractional-intensity contributions decrease to higher and lower temperatures characteristic of the corona and chromosphere.