The infectivity defects were correlated to the degree of INI1 interaction of the IID-IN mutants. Highly defective IID-IN mutants were blocked at early and late reverse transcription, whereas partially defective IID-IN mutants proceeded through reverse transcription and nuclear localization, but were partially impaired for integration. Electron microscopic analysis of mutant particles indicated that highly interaction-defective

IID-IN mutants produced morphologically aberrant virions, whereas the partially defective mutants produced normal virions. All of the IID-IN mutant particles exhibited normal capsid stability and reverse transcriptase activity in vitro.\n\nConclusions: Our results demonstrate that a severe defect in IN-INI1 interaction is associated with production

of defective particles and a subsequent defect in post-entry events. A partial defect APR-246 in vitro in IN-INI1 interaction leads to production of normal virions that are partially impaired for early events including integration. MAPK inhibitor Our studies suggest that proper interaction of INI1 with IN within Gag-Pol is necessary for proper HIV-1 morphogenesis and integration.”
“2,4,6-Trinitrophenyl (TNP) hapten-labeled peritoneal macrophages (Mf) given intravenously (iv) to recipients are poor inducers of contact sensitivity (CS) reactions unless Mf donors are pretreated with low doses of cyclophosphamide (CY), In vivo CY is converted into learn more active alkylating metabolites, phosphoramide mustard (PM) and acrolein (ACR).\n\nOur experiments aimed to test how in vitro treatment of non-immunogenic Mf with different concentrations (10(-5) to 10(-7) M) of CY metabolites will influence their immunogenicity and other biological functions. Instead of chemically unstable PM, we used structurally and functionally similar nitrogen

mustard (NM).\n\nOur experiments show that treatment of Mf with ACR or NM stimulates the in vitro production of pro-inflammatory IL-6 and IL-12 and down-regulates anti-inflammatory IL-10 and TGF-beta cytokines. In vivo non-immunogenic TNP-Mf become capable of inducing CS reactions in two situations: first, after treatment with NM or ACR and second, when cell recipients are received iv before Mf transfer of monoclonal antibodies against IL-10 and/or TGF-beta (500 mu g per animal). Treatment with NM, but not with ACR, was also an efficient stimulus for production by Mf of significantly increased levels of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs).\n\nIn summary, our experiments show that CY metabolites can significantly increase the specific immune response as well as nonspecific innate reaction (ROIs production) and support the notion that CY and its metabolites can be a promising accessory tool when upregulation of the immune response is desired.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key morphogenetic process that is implicated in the acquisition of stemcell-like properties in different adult tissues, and it is activated in the epicardium after ischemic injury to the heart. We investigated whether EMT is involved in the formation and differentiation of human CSps, revealing that an up-regulation of the expression of EMT-related genes accompanies CSps formation that is relative to primary explant-derived CBLC137 HCl cells and CSp-derived cells grown in a monolayer. EMT and CSps formation is enhanced in the presence of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1) and

drastically blocked by the type I TGF beta-receptor inhibitor SB431452, indicating that TGF beta-dependent EMT is essential for the formation of these niche-like 3D-multicellular clusters. Since TGF beta is activated in the myocardium in response to injury, our data suggest that CSps formation mimics an adaptive mechanism that could potentially be enhanced to increase in vivo or ex vivo regenerative potential

of adult CPCs.”
“Repolarization EX 527 manufacturer Alternans and Atrial Remodeling\n\nIntroduction\n\nParoxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) may be triggered by intermittent atrial tachycardia, and ultimately lead to persistent AF. However, the mechanisms by which intermittent atrial tachycardia promotes sustained AF are not well understood.\n\nMethods and Results\n\nEight sheep were chronically implanted with 2 pacemakers for the recording of broadband right atrial unipolar electrograms, and for the delivery of electrophysiological stimulation protocols and intermittent right atrial tachycardia. Right atrial kinetics of activation recovery interval (ARI) as a surrogate for action potential duration, of conduction time and velocity, and of repolarization alternans were analyzed at incremental pacing rates during the remodeling process induced by weeks of intermittent atrial tachycardia until the development of sustained AF.\n\nIntermittent atrial tachycardia decreased ARI and blunted its rate adaptation, facilitated atrial capture, and slowed

conduction at high rates, and increased susceptibility Luminespib manufacturer to pacing-induced AF. In spite of blunted ARI rate adaptation, right atrial repolarization alternans was maintained during remodeling, and further increased in magnitude just before rapid pacing-induced AF.\n\nConclusion\n\nThis study suggests that weeks of intermittent right atrial tachycardia result in a gradual electrical remodeling favorable for wavebreaks and reentry that may facilitate fibrillation.”
“This study investigated the linkage between performance of two full-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems treating thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) wastewater and the population dynamics of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)/dimethylsulfide (DMS) degrading bacteria.

\n\nConclusions: Relevance of different potential benefits was based on objective and subjective indicators of need. Perceived

Panobinostat Epigenetics inhibitor efficacy of the inhaled insulin described in this study for avoiding postprandial hyperglycemia and discomfort/ inconvenience were the benefits most strongly related to the evaluation of and interest in this medication.”
“Background: Acoustic signals are part of the courtship of many insects and they often act as species-specific signals that are important in the reproductive isolation of closely related species. Here we report the courtship songs of the sand fly Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) intermedia, one of the main vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil.\n\nFindings: Recordings were performed using insects from three localities from Eastern Brazil: Posse and Jacarepagua in Rio de Janeiro State and Corte de Pedra in Bahia State. The three areas have remnants of the Brazilian Atlantic forest, they are endemic for cutaneous leishmaniasis and L. intermedia is the predominant sand fly species. We observed that during courtship L. intermedia males from all populations produced pulse songs consisting of short trains. No significant differences in song parameters were observed between the males of the three localities.\n\nConclusions: L. intermedia males produce acoustic signals as reported

for some other sand flies DMXAA mouse such as the sibling species of the Lutzomyia longipalpis complex. The lack of differences between the males from the three localities is consistent with previous molecular studies of the period gene carried out in the same populations, reinforcing the idea that L. intermedia

is not a species complex in the studied areas and that the three populations are likely to have similar vectorial capacities.”
“The effects of vision development and light intensity on schooling behaviour during growth in juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis were investigated using both behavioural and histological approaches. The schooling behaviour of three age groups [25, 40 and 55 days post hatching (dph)] of Quisinostat juvenile T. orinetalis were examined under various light intensities. Subsequently, schooling variables, such as the nearest neighbour distance (D(NN)) and the separation swimming index (I(SS)), were also measured under different light intensities. Furthermore, retinal indices of light adaptation in juvenile fish at each experimental light intensity and visual acuities in six stages (25-55 dph) of juveniles were examined histologically. During growth, the light intensity thresholds of I(SS) decreased from 5 to 0.05 lx, and D(NN) under light conditions (> 300 lx) also decreased from 9.2 times the standard length (L(S)) to 12 times L(S). The thresholds of light intensities for the light adaptation of retinas in juveniles (25-55 dph) similarly decreased from 5 to 0.05 lx with growth. In addition, the visual acuities of juveniles developed from 0.04 to 0.17 with decreasing D(NN).

They were treated with the reference compounds beta-naphthoflavone (BNF), phenobarbital (PB), pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile (PCN), and clofibric acid (CLO) and analyzed for mRNA levels of Cyp1a1, Cyp2b1, Cyp3a1, Cyp4a1, Ugt1a6, and Ugt2b1. In addition, for PB and PCN, the results were compared with

those obtained in rat liver in vivo. For each inducer, the gene induction profiles obtained with the Liverbeads in vitro model were time- and dose-dependent. The in vitro gene expression profiles confirmed the corresponding known P450 and UGT induction by each reference compound. In particular, the most strongly induced genes were Cyp1a1 by BNF, Cyp2b1 by PB, Cyp3a1 and Ugt2b1 by PCN, and Cyp4a1 and Cyp2b1 by CLO. Other genes investigated were also induced by the reference Selleckchem Screening Library compounds, but the expression levels were lower, and increases BMS-777607 mouse were seen only after prolonged treatment. In particular, Ugt1a6 and Cyp2b1 were increased by BNF, Cyp1a1, Cyp3a1, and Ugt2b1 by PB, and Cyp3a1 and Ugt2b1 by CLO. All of these results correlated well with published in vitro data and our in vivo data. In conclusion,

our results suggest that Liverbeads is a relevant and useful in vitro screening tool for determining gene induction profiles of new molecules. In addition, because Liverbeads from different species are available, this tool offers the possibility to conduct interspecies comparisons.”
“The aim of the study was to retrospectively determine the impact of comparing current mammograms with prior mammograms on risk of misclassification especially for hormone users. Data on mammography screening were retrieved for 1993-2005 from Fyn, Denmark. At first screen, two projections were made; at subsequent screens. one projection for fatty and two projections for mixed/dense breasts. Until June

3, 2002, 2-year-old mammograins were used for comparison, and later 4-year-old mammograms. Prescription drug data were used to identify hormone, hormone therapy, (HT), use. False positive risk and interval cancer proportion dependency on age, hormone use, screen number, projection and prior mammogram were tested with logistic regression. Con trolled for breast density, current HT-users had a lower risk of a false positive test 0.69 (95% CI 0.55-0.86) and Stattic a lower interval cancer proportion 0.66 (95% CI 0.454).99) when 4-year-old instead of 2-year-old mammograms were used for comparison. The use of 4-year-old instead of 2-year-old mammograms for comparison lowered the risk of false positive test in never users, but otherwise age of comparison mammogram had no impact on classification of never and past users of HT. The study indicated that misclassification at screening mammography in current users of HT can be reduced considerably, when the screening mammograms are viewed with the mammograms taken 4 years earlier.

Rhinocerebral zygomycosis was the most common form. The mean time elapsed for diagnosis was 14.26 +/- 13.96 (range: 2-52) days. Antifungal therapy was given to 15 patients (94%). In see more addition to antifungal therapy, 12 patients underwent surgical intervention 1 to 4 times. The mean duration of receiving antifungal therapy was 61.4 +/- 58.02 (range: 1-180) days. The median duration of treatment was 62.5 (range: 42-180) days in survivors. Conclusion: Zygomycosis is an infectious disease with high mortality despite antifungal therapy and surgical interventions.”
“In many species, interval timing

behavior is accurate-appropriate estimated durations-and scalar-errors vary linearly with estimated durations. Whereas accuracy has been previously examined, scalar timing has not been clearly demonstrated in house mice (Mus musculus), raising concerns about mouse models of human disease. The authors estimated timing accuracy and precision in C57BL/6

mice, the most used background strain for genetic models of human disease, in a peak-interval procedure with multiple intervals. Both when timing 2 intervals (Experiment 1) or 3 intervals (Experiment 2), C57BL/6 mice demonstrated varying degrees of timing accuracy. An important finding was AC220 Angiogenesis inhibitor that, both at the individual and group levels, their precision varied linearly with the subjective estimated duration. Further evidence for scalar timing was obtained using an intraclass correlation statistic. This is the first report of consistent, reliable scalar timing in a sizable sample of house mice, thus validating the peak-interval procedure as a valuable technique, the intraclass correlation statistic as a powerful test of the scalar property, and the C57BL/6 strain as a suitable background for behavioral investigations

of genetically engineered mice modeling disorders of interval timing.”
“FAS and FASLG genes are closely linked to the apoptosis mechanism of the immune system and several polymorphisms in these genes have been associated with susceptibility MAPK inhibitor to diseases. The present study investigated the polymorphisms at positions -670 in the FAS gene, and 169 and 124 in the FASLG gene, among HTLV-1 infected subjects. Blood samples from HTLV infected subjects and seronegative individuals were collected, and polymorphisms were analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by RFLP analysis using restriction endonucleases. The genotype frequencies of the FAS -670 polymorphism was the only one that showed a higher and significant prevalence of genotype -670GG among HTLV-1 infected subjects as compared to the control group (p = 0.0160), but the genotype -670AA was more frequent among TSP/HAM patients as compared to the asymptomatic individuals (p = 0.0005).

0 in these fishes respectively. The prevalence was highest in February which dropped towards April. The abdomen and the base of pectoral, pelvic and anal fin of these fishes seem the most common site of attachment of Lernaea than any other area of the body of the fish. As 52.05 to 57.80% parasites were attached here. Lernaea diversity and infection in carps reared in earthen ponds under semi-intensive culture conditions are discussed.”
“In order to evaluate the risk represented by the wild reservoir as a possible source of ‘flavescence

doree’ outbreaks in Hungary, diverse wild perennial plants growing in vineyard areas were tested for the presence of 16SrV-C and D subgroup phytoplasmas. 16SrV phytoplasmas were detected by IGF-1R inhibitor nested PCR-RFLP on the 16SrDNA in alders (86% infected) and in clematis (71% infected). Further characterisation by sequencing of the map gene revealed in both plants strains having the same map gene sequence as ‘flavescence doree’ strains.”
“The reasons for the differences in emphasis

on striatonigral or olivopontocerebellar involvement Napabucasin solubility dmso in multiple system atrophy (MSA) remain to be determined. Semi-quantitative pathological analyses carried out in the United Kingdom and Japan demonstrated that olivopontocerebellar-predominant pathology was more frequent in Japanese MSA than British MSA. This observation provides evidence for a difference in phenotype distribution between British and Japanese patients with definite MSA. Studies of the natural history and epidemiology of MSA carried out in various

populations have revealed that the relative prevalences of clinical subtypes of MSA probably differ among populations; ERK inhibitor the majority of MSA patients diagnosed in Europe have predominant parkinsonism (MSA-P), while the majority of MSA patients diagnosed in Asia have predominant cerebellar ataxia (MSA-C). Although potential drawbacks to the published frequencies of clinical subtypes and pathological subtypes should be considered because of selection biases, the difference demonstrated in pathological subtype is also consistent with the differences in clinical subtype of MSA demonstrated between Europe and Asia. Modest alterations in susceptibility factors may contribute to the difference in MSA phenotype distribution between populations. Synergistic interactions between genetic risk variants and environmental toxins responsible for parkinsonism or cerebellar dysfunction should therefore be explored. Further investigations are needed to determine the environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors that account for the differences in clinicopathological phenotype of MSA among different populations.”
“Native collagen is arranged in bundles of aligned fibrils to withstand in vivo mechanical loads. Reproducing such a process under in vitro conditions has not met with major success. Our approach has been to induce nanolinks, during the self-assembly process, leading to delayed rather than inhibited fibrillogenesis.

Models have shown, first, that for long-lasting effects, drug administration programmes should be linked with vector control, and second, that if elimination is the aim, programmes are likely to be more successful Histone Methyltransf inhibitor when applied to smaller populations of a few thousand or less. In order to sustain the gains following the scaling up of vector control and use of artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs), strategies that use antimalarials effectively need to be devised and evidence generated for the most cost-efficient way forward.”
“Background: Bone marrow-derived circulating progenitor cells

possess tissue repair potential, improving perfusion, left ventricular remodeling, and contractility in experimental models. We quantified and investigated the kinetics of 4 circulating progenitor cell sub-populations on the basis of CD34, CD133, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) antigen expression.\n\nMethods: CD34+, CD34+/CD133+/VEGFR-2-, learn more CD34+/CD133+/VEGFR-2+, and CD34+/CD133-/VEGFR-2+ cells were counted in 10 male patients with end-stage congestive

heart failure. Five underwent left ventricular/biventricular assist device (LVAD/BiVAD) implantation (VAD group), and 5 were ineligible for VAD implantation (no-VAD group). Peripheral blood was collected at 3 time points for each patient: before, 15, and 60 days after VAD placement in the VAD group and at the same time points in the no-VAD group. Purified CD34+ cells were stained with anti-CD34, anti-CD133, and anti-VEGFR-2 monoclonal antibodies and analyzed by flow cytometry. Serum levels of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin-8, vascular endothelial growth factor-alpha (VEGF-alpha), and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were also measured.\n\nResults: In the VAD group the number of CD34+ cells/ml of blood tended to increase, from 159.6 +/- 137.0 at baseline to 428.9 +/- 224.3 at 15 days, and decreased to 343.8 +/- 165.7 at 60 days (p = 0.05 vs no-VAD see more group). In the other 3 cell populations, no significant differences occurred over time

or between groups. A significant interaction between BNP levels and VAD status was observed (p = 0.005): BNP levels decreased over time in VAD patients vs no-VAD patients. G-CSF levels tended to decrease over time in both groups, but without a significant difference (p = 0.3). Serum levels of interleukin-8 and VEGF-alpha over time or between VAD and no-VAD patients were not significantly different.\n\nConclusions: After VAD implantation, a transient increase occurs in the number of circulating CD34+ cells, in parallel to a reduction in BNP levels. Release of these cells from the bone marrow may contribute to the improvement of tissue perfusion and cardiac recovery occasionally seen after VAD placement. J Heart Lung Transplant 2009;28:710-7. Copyright (C) 2009 by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation.

“
“Quadruple synchronous primary neoplasms are exceedingly rare with only one case reported in the English literature. We herein report a case of synchronous quadruple primary neoplasms in a 70-year-old Arabic male with a history of prostate cancer who presented to our hospital for work-up of a brain mass found at an outside hospital. Subsequent (18)Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography

demonstrated a 5.9-cm temporoparietal mass and three additional lesions, each with increased maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). Histologic examination, immunohistochemistry and cytogenetic analyses of the lesional tissue revealed four primary neoplastic lesions: primary glioblastoma, inguinal schwannoma, well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor of the terminal ileum and an appendiceal sessile serrated adenoma/polyp. This case is unique among previous reports as our patient presented PLX4032 with four primary neoplasms synchronously. To the best of our knowledge, this combination of synchronous multiple primary neoplasms has not been reported in the English literature.”
“P>Sedation is an essential part of the management of the critically ill child, and its monitoring must be CP-868596 mouse individualised and continuous in order to adjust drug doses according to the clinical state. There is no ideal method

for evaluating sedation in the critically ill child. Haemodynamic variables have not been found to be useful. SB203580 supplier Clinical scales are useful when sedation is moderate, but are limited by their subjective nature, the use of stimuli, and the impossibility of evaluating profoundly sedated patients or those receiving neuromuscular blocking drugs; in addition, many of these scales have not been evaluated in children. The COMFORT scale is the most appropriate,

as it was designed and validated for critically ill children requiring mechanical ventilation. Electroencephalography-derived methods permit continuous monitoring, provide an early indication of changes in the level of sedation, and facilitate a rapid adjustment of medication. However, these methods were designed and validated for patients under anaesthesia and their results cannot be fully extrapolated to the critically ill patient; in addition, some of them have not been validated in small children and there is still little experience in critically ill children. The main indications for the use of these methods are in patients with deep sedation and/or neuromuscular blockade. The bispectral index is the most widely used method at the present time. Analysis and comparison of the efficacy of the different methods for evaluating sedation in the critically ill child is required.”
“In biomedical studies, statistical approaches based on the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis have been extensively used in the evaluation of classification performance of markers and construction of classifiers. In this article, we investigate time-dependent ROC approaches for censored survival data.

3%, n = 203/213) and the internet (72.8%, n = 155/213). Most women had certain knowledge (85.2%) and positive attitude towards osteoporosis (53.3%). Nevertheless, 80% of the studied population did not have appropriate osteoporosis behaviors. We found significant correlation between the level of attitudes and osteoporosis behaviors (adjusted odd ratio = 3.3 with 95% confidence interval of 1.9-5.7); attitude and educational level (adjusted odd ratio = 2.2 with 95% confidence interval of 1.4-3.4); and attitude and knowledge (adjusted odd ratio = 3.5 with 95% confidence interval of 1.8-6.8).\n\nConclusion: Despite having certain knowledge about osteoporosis, the young women did not seem to

GNS-1480 nmr have appropriate osteoporosis preventive behaviors. Developing a right attitude towards osteoporosis may be a key determinant to improving health practices in order to prevent osteoporosis.”
“Overall mortality due to stroke has decreased in the last three decades probable due to a better control of vascular risk factors. In-hospital mortality of stroke patients has been estimated to be between 6 and 14% in most of the series reported. However, data from recent clinical trials suggest that these figures may selleck inhibitor be substantially lower. Data from FLENI Stroke Data Bank and institutional mortality records between 2000 and 2010 were reviewed. Ischemic stroke subtypes were classified according to TOAST criteria and hemorrhagic stroke

subtypes were classified as intraparenchymal hematoma, aneurismatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, arterio-venous

malformation, and other intraparenchymal hematomas. A total of 1514 patients were studied. Of these, 1079 (71%) were ischemic strokes,39% large vessels, 27% cardioembolic, 9% lacunar, 14% unknown etiology, PCI-34051 supplier and 11% others etiologies. There were 435 (29%) hemorrhagic strokes, 27% intraparenchymal hematomas, 30% aneurismatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, 25% arterio-venous malformation, and 18% other intraparenchymal hematomas. Moreover, 38 in-hospital deaths were recorded (17 ischemic strokes and 21 hemorrhagic strokes), accounting for 2.5% overall mortality (1.7% in ischemic strokes and 4.8% in hemorrhagic strokes). No deaths occurred associated with the use of intravenous fibrinolytics occurred. In our Centre in-hospital mortality in patients with stroke was low. Management of these patients in a Centre dedicated to neurological diseases along with a multidisciplinary approach from medical and non-medical staff trained in the care of cerebrovascular diseases could, at least in part, account for these results.”
“Two new C-2 symmetric bis-cellobiose and bis-glucose azacrown derivatives were prepared according to the one-step procedure using azacrown ethers and azidosaccharides. Their complexes with aspirin and paracetamol were studied with the use of proton NMR spectroscopy. It was found that these pseudo-cryptands bind aspirin and paracetamol but each one in a different manner. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

Pathology review led to changes in surgical excision margins in 12% of patients (52 of 420 patients; 95% CI, 9% to 16%) and in the decision about whether to perform a sentinel lymph node biopsy in 16% of patients (67 of 420 patients; 95% CI, 13% to 20%). Key pathologic factors, particularly mitotic rate, were find more frequently missing from outside pathology reports.\n\nConclusion\n\nOur data suggest that review of thin melanoma or MIS by an expert dermatopathologist results in frequent, clinically meaningful alterations in diagnosis, staging, prognosis, and surgical treatment. Referral of these patients to a multidisciplinary melanoma

clinic is appropriate, and management of such patients should include review of the biopsy whenever feasible.”
“D-Amino acids exist in living organisms as specialized components of many different machineries. Biosynthesis of D-amino

acids from racemization of predominant L-enantiomers is catalyzed by a single enzyme. Here, we report the finding of a novel 2-component amino acid racemase for D-to-L inversion in D-arginine metabolism of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. From DNA microarray analysis, the putative dauBAR operon (for D-arginine utilization) of unknown functions was found to be highly induced by D-arginine. The importance of the dau operon in D-arginine metabolism was demonstrated by the findings CCI-779 that strains with a lesion at dauA or dauB failed to use D-arginine as sole carbon source. Two lines of evidence suggest that DauA and DauB are required for D-to-L racemization of arginine. First, growth complementation of an L-arginine auxotroph by D-arginine was abolished AZD8055 by a lesion at dauA or dauB. Second, D-arginine induced L-arginine-specific genes in the parental strain PAO1 but not in its dauA or dauB mutants. This hypothesis was further supported by activity measurements of the purified enzymes: DauA

catalyzes oxidative deamination of D-arginine into 2-ketoarginine and ammonia, and DauB is able to use 2-ketoarginine and ammonia as substrates and convert them into L-arginine in the presence of NADPH or NADH. Thus, we propose that DauA and DauB are coupled catabolic and anabolic dehydrogenases to perform D-to-L racemization of arginine, which serves as prerequisite of D-arginine utilization through L-arginine catabolic pathways.”
“If growing cells in plants are considered to be composed of increments (ICs) an extended version of the law of mass action can be formulated. It evidences that growth of plants runs optimal if the reaction-entropy term (entropy times the absolute temperature) matches the contact energy of ICs. Since these energies are small, thermal molecular movements facilitate via relaxation the removal of structure disturbances. Stem diameter distributions exhibit extra fluctuations likely to be caused by permanent constraints.