cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preorgasmic group treatment

Abstract An analysis of 17 women participating in a group treatment program for preorgasmic women showed 100 percent success in attainment of orgasm through masturbation within the five-week treatment program. Over 87 percent of the women were capable of orgasm in partner-related activities within eight months posttreatment. In addition, the women showed increased enjoyment of coitus and sexual satisfaction and reported improvement of life in general, sex, communication with their partner, and overall level of happiness and relaxation. Some attitudes toward traditional roles, interest in politics, and a number of body acceptance scale items changed significantly. Increased happiness in the relationship correlated with increased importance of sex, enjoyment of sex, and sexual responsivity.
The Early American Journals of Interiors: Reflections of an Emerging Profession

The turn of the century saw a surge in the number of publications offering interior design advice to the American public. Concurrently, the first specialized journals of interiors began publication as trade journals before the title interior designer was applied to those practicing in the field. This paper describes the evolution of the early professional journals of interior design. The three journals examined, the Decorator and Furnisher, the Upholsterer, and Good Furniture, leaders in the field, survived for more than a decade at a time when a great number of periodicals were started but most perished in less than four years. Changes in content, advertisements, and titles provide a historical perspective about the changing role of the interior decorator and circumstances that prompted the formation of the first professional societies. It is concluded that the long-term success of a journal depended upon its ability to evolve from a broad-based trade journal into a professional journal, the voice of the emerging interiors profession.
Inhibition of contact activation by a kininogen peptide (HKH20) derived from domain 5.

Abstract Contact activation can be initiated by interaction of Factor XII, prekallikrein (PK) and high molecular weight kininogen (HK) with inorganic negatively charged biologic macromolecules, or upon cell surfaces, or interaction with membrane protein derivatives such as aggregated β amyloid. The latter two examples are zinc-dependent. The interaction with cells is dependent on peptides derived from HK domains 3 and 5 termed LDC27 and HKH20, respectively. We have tested the ability of each of these peptides to inhibit HK-dependent contact activation. HKH20 inhibited activation of prekallikrein when a mixture containing HK, prekallikrein and Factor XII was incubated with dextran sulfate, gC1qR, amyloid β or endothelial cells. Comparable quantities of LDC27 had no effect. The binding of biotinylated HK or biotinylated Factor XII was inhibited in a dose response fashion by increasing concentrations of HKH20 while LDC27, again had no effect. The N-terminal region of HKH20 (amino acids 475–485) is of particular importance for binding and histidine 485 prominently enhances the reaction as assessed employing overlapping and deleted peptides. Since there is a role for HK heavy chain in binding to endothelial cells and LDC27 can be employed as an affinity ligand to isolate the binding proteins, we increased the LDC27 concentration from 10-fold to 250-fold to determine whether it is functional. Inhibition of endothelial cell-dependent prekallikrein activation required 100-fold greater concentration of LDC27 when compared to HKH20 to achieve significant inhibition. We conclude that the interactions of the light chain of HK via HKH20 is of particular importance for activation of the bradykinin forming cascade in zinc-dependent or independent reactions and is true for all “surface” initiators tested thus far.
Texting and Driving: Can it be Explained by the General Theory of Crime?

There has been quite a bit of media attention devoted recently to the topic of distracted driving generally, and texting and driving specifically. Recent studies by scholars, as well as the Department of Transportation, have continued to demonstrate the dangers of texting while driving. Previous studies have found that texting while driving reduces reaction and control times even more than drinking and driving. At least one study found that drivers who text are 23 times more likely to crash relative to non-distracted drivers. Tougher laws may be alluring as a deterrent to this behavior, but according to the data in this study, 96 % of respondents knew it was against the law but continued to text and drive anyway. This finding casts doubt on the effectiveness of any new distracted driving laws. The general theory of crime (Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990) posits that levels of self-control are tied to deviant behaviors such as texting while driving. Other studies have also found that levels of self-control were significantly tied to other dangerous driving behaviors such as driving while drinking and driving without using a seatbelt. The findings in this study add support to the general theory of crime by demonstrating that, among college students in this sample, higher self-control significantly reduces the amount of texting while driving.
A Measure of English Acculturation Stress and Its Relationships with Psychological and Physical Health Status in a Sample of Elderly Russian Immigrants

ABSTRACT This study aims to evaluate the factor structure and criterion validity of the English Language Acculturation Stress (ELAS) scale in a community-based sample of elderly Russian immigrants. The sample consists of 300 Russian immigrants with an equal number of females and males, from 59 to 93 years of age (Mean = 73.26, SD = 7.271). The majority of the respondents were married (72%) at the time the interviews were conducted. On average, the respondents have lived in the U.S. for about 7 years (SD = 3.00). We performed both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to ascertain the factor structure or conceptual dimensions of the 11-item ELAS scale. The findings revealed that this 11-item scale encompasses three dimensions: Basic English skills, survival English skills, and social involvement English skills. Correlation analyses of the scale with depression, physical health status, and length of residence suggest that the ELAS has good criterion validity and potential as a screening instrument of...
Are all the parts there everywhere? Facet job satisfaction in the United States and the Philippines

The relationship of satisfaction with the “parts” or facets of the job to the “whole” of global job satisfaction and to intention to quit differed between samples of employees from financial firms in the United States of America (USA) and the Philippines. In contrast with research using commonly accepted sets of facet satisfactions developed in the USA, our results showed that additional extrinsic facets improved the explanation of outcomes in the Philippines, but not in the USA. In addition, extending past research, satisfaction with intrinsic job facets explained outcomes better in the USA than in the Philippines, and job dissatisfaction had a stronger relationship with turnover intentions in the USA than in the Philippines. Implications for the measurement of facet satisfactions, and for international management research and practice in the Philippines are discussed.
Post-reduction stress urinary incontinence rates in posterior versus anterior pelvic organ prolapse: a secondary analysis

Introduction/hypothesis Stress incontinence with vaginal prolapse reduction is less common in women with posterior-predominant prolapse (rectocele) compared with those with anterior-predominant prolapse (cystocele).
An expert system using an exchange heuristic for the resource-constrained scheduling problem

Abstract In this paper, we discuss the development and implementation of an expert system for the resource-constrained scheduling problem. The objective of the system is to minimize the makespan (or duration of a project). This approach can accommodate up to 400 operations (activities) and 50 different resources. The knowledge contained in the expert system is based upon an exchange heuristic algorithm that has been applied succesfully to various resource-constrained scheduling problems and has been shown to be a very general and efficient search method for large-sized problems. The exchange heuristic takes an initial schedule and improves upon it via exchanging and rearranging operations, while continually maintaining feasibility. In this system, a forward chaining strategy is used as the inference process. These production system language OPS83 with external C-language links is utilized as the system development tool. In order to evaluate the performance of the expert system, we compared it with an earlier heuristic programming version and found that superior computation performance and enhanced software maintenance were achieved. A number of large-sized problems have been tested on this system, and the results have shown that the makespans were reduced by 10–16 percent compared to initial schedules. Advanced programming techniques were utilized to reduce computer memory requirements and to increase the search speed. Therefore, the system can deal with large-sized problems on PC-compatible machines (with 640KB RAM or more), running MS-DOS, with short CPU execution times.
Bubble transport in three-dimensional laminar gravity-driven flow - mathematical formulation

This paper presents a complete set of coupled equations that govern the bubble transport in three-dimensional gravity driven flow. The model accounts for bubbles growth or shrinkage due to pressure and temperature changes as well as for multiple gas diffusion in and out of the bubbles but neglects bubble coalescence, break-up, and nucleation. The model applies to glass melting furnaces but it could be extended to other two-phase flow applications such as metal and polymer processings, passive cooling systems, and two-phase flow around naval surface ship. Governing equations are given for the key variables which are, in the present case, (1) the refining agent concentration, (2) the gas species dissolved in the liquid phase, and (3) the bubble radius, gas molar fraction, and density function. The method of solution is discussed and based on the modified method of characteristics.
A cofacial binuclear copper(II) complex with a bridging 1,4-dithiane ligand

The molecule of (μ-1,4-dithiane-κ2S:S′)bis­{μ-3,3′-[naphthal­ene-2,7-diyl­bis(methyl­ene)]bis­(pentane-2,4-dionato)-κ4O,O′:O′′,O′′′}­dicopper(II), [Cu2(C22H22O4)(C4H8S2)], lies on an inversion center, with a Cu⋯Cu distance of 8.130 (1) A. The CuII centers have square-pyramidal coordination geometry, with Cu—O distances in the range 1.905 (2)–1.925 (2) A and a Cu—S distance of 2.8088 (10) A. The host binuclear complex is distorted from a recta­ngular shape. The inversion symmetry of the mol­ecule requires that the two coordination planes be parallel. However, they are `slipped': the normals to the two coordination planes at the Cu atoms are 1.865 (1) A apart. Another measure of this `slipping' is provided by the four CH2 groups, whose C atoms form a parallelogram with inter­ior angles of 87.2 (3) and 92.8 (3)°. The two chelate rings tilt differently from the coordination plane, with one Cu atom lying only 0.0131 (5) A out of one C3O2 mean plane, but 0.4416 (5) A out of the other. Those two chelate planes form a dihedral angle of 11.2 (4)°. This relatively large deviation is believed to be due to the large size of the 1,4-dithiane guest.
Response of river otters to experimental exposure of weathered crude oil: fecal porphyrin profiles.

Profiles of porphyrins were characterized in fecal samples from river otters (Lontra canadensis) experimentally exposed to weathered crude oil to determine effects on heme synthesis. Fifteen male river otters were randomly assigned to three groups of five individuals each representing a control group, a low-dosage group that received 5 mg/kg body mass of oil per day, and a high-dosage group that received 50 mg/kg body mass of oil per day. Mean levels of coproporphyrin III (CoproIII) and protoporphyrin IX (ProtoIX) in fecal samples collected from all experimental river otters were higher throughout the experimental period than levels of CoproIII and ProtoIX in fecal samples collected previously at two field sites. No statistically significant differences in levels of CoproIII and ProtoIX were observed between treatment groups, although a trend of reduction in variability in CoproIII was observed in the low- and high-dose groups. We found no relation between levels of CoproIII and ProtoIX, suggesting that t...
Influence of Time of Sampling Onset on Parameters Used for Activation Time Determination in Computerized Intraoperative Mapping

The purpose of this work is to determine the sensitivity of the estimated time of peaks and maximum slopes, commonly used in activation time computations, to the instant at which sampling is initiated. Based on complex and quickly changing waveforms, 471 monopolar (MP) and bipolar (BP) epicardial responses in man were selected. These were decimated from 10 kHz to simulate sampling at frequencies ranging from 200 Hz to 2,000 Hz. The peak and maximum absolute slope for BP and the minimum slope for MP were computed repeatedly starting at successive 100 microseconds intervals extending throughout the sampling period and compared with these parameters computed from the waveform sampled at 10 kHz. Slopes were estimated using each of four different algorithms. The average greatest shift (AGS) due to variations in sampling onset ranged from 11.2 +/- 3.5 (200 Hz) to 0.3 +/- 0.2 msec (2,000 Hz). For bipolar algorithms, the peak performed better than the slope algorithms (AGS: 5.9 +/- 3.3 to 0.3 +/- 1.0 msec). For MP algorithms, 2 point linear, and 3 and 5 point Lagrange slope estimates performed similarly (AGS: 5.6 +/- 3.3 to 0.3 +/- 0.2 msec); a 5 point least square fit algorithm performed poorly. Sampling MP and BP electrograms below 500 and 400, respectively, often caused maximum shifts greater than 4 msec. Thus, the resolution of the peak and estimated slope is not limited to the sampling period, variations in initiation of sampling can cause significant outliers especially at low sampling rates, and MP electrograms should be sampled faster than BP electrograms for comparable accuracy.
Semi-automated processing and routing within indoor structures for emergency response applications

In this work, we propose new automation tools to process 2D building geometry data for effective communication and timely response to critical events in commercial buildings. Given the scale and complexity of commercial buildings, robust and visually rich tools are needed during an emergency. Our data processing pipeline consists of three major components, (1) adjacency graph construction, representing spatial relationships within a building (between hallways, offices, stairways, elevators), (2) identification of elements involved in evacuation routes (hallways, stairways), (3) 3D building network construction, by connecting the oor elements via stairways and elevators. We have used these tools to process a cluster of five academic buildings. Our automation tools (despite some needed manual processing) show a significant advantage over manual processing (a few minutes vs. 2-4 hours). Designed as a client-server model, our system supports analytical capabilities to determine dynamic routing within a building under constraints(parts of the building blocked during emergencies, for instance). Visualization capabilities are provided for easy interaction with the system, on both desktop (command post) stations as well as mobile hand-held devices, simulating a command post-responder scenario.
Strategic behavior and the persistence of discrimination in professional baseball

Abstract This paper examines labor-market discrimination in major-league baseball using a game-theoretic model. We find that strategic interaction may have played a pivotal role in the history of discrimination in the major leagues. Our results offer insight into the collapse of the color barrier and the league's subsequent evolution. We also show that changes in institutional features such as draft procedures, parity, and the number of competing teams can influence discriminatory behavior in ways that would go undetected without formal game-theoretic analysis.
Inhibition of the anaerobic glycolysis in pigeon hemolysates by multivalent anions.

Abstract 1. 1. Multivalent anions inhibit acid formation from glucose in the complete and cytoplasmic hemolysate of pigeon red cells. 2. 2. Ca, Ba and La either do not inhibit or even accelerate the glycolysis of glucose. 3. 3. The inhibition of anions is due to the inhibition of at least three different constituents of the glycolytic system, of which the most pronounced is the inhibition of hexokinase. 4. 4. The possible mechanism of this inhibition is discussed.
Dehydration of alcohols over zeolite catalysts

Abstract In order to determine the influence of pore geometry on reaction rate and selectivity in dehydration, the dehydration of ethanol and n -butanol to olefins and ethers over various zeolite catalysts was studied. The commercial zeolites, Linde-X, Linde-A, and Norton Zeolon in sodium form were base-exchanged with lithium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, barium and, in one case, hydrogen. Both reaction rate and selectivity were found to be strongly influenced by sieve type and by the size and charge of the exchanged cation. Selectivity between the formation of alcohol and ether was also strongly dependent on the length of the alcohol chain, and, for some sieves, on temperature.
Isolated Gastrocnemius Recession for Treatment of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy A Pilot Study

Introduction. Many surgeries exist for treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Another surgical option to consider is an isolated gastrocnemius recession. Recent studies have demonstrated t...
Real Time Health Estimation and Automated Fault Accommodation for Propulsion Systems

This paper presents the development of innovative realtime health estimation and automated fault accommodation techniques for advanced propulsion systems within a Dynamic Decision Support (D2 S) framework. The proposed approach uses dynamic models in a real-time computing environment to not only diagnose system degradation and faults, but also to determine “on the fly” how to accommodate for them. The realtime health estimation modules enhance on-board PHM (Prognosis & Health Management) capabilities with a dynamic system identification algorithm that is capable of detecting faults with a continuously updated dynamic model. In addition, a real-time, self-tuning Kalman filter and fault classification algorithm are combined to provide accurate health estimation. Based on the inferred health condition, mission requirements and flight regime information, the automated fault accommodation module automatically makes decisions regarding control reconfiguration and change of control strategies. The presented techniques have been applied to a generic turbofan engine model with simulated engine component faults and degradation and simulation results are presented. To further raise the technological readiness level, select algorithms have been implemented and evaluated on a PC104 embedded platform. The dynamic modeling capabilities, techniques and tools sets will not only improve the reliability of the propulsion systems, but also greatly enhance maintenance decision support and contingency planning concepts.© 2007 ASME
Acute pulmonary oedema due to laryngeal spasm

Summary Postoperative laryngeal spasm is an emergency which generally responds to ventilation of the lungs without further complication. In the life-threatening case presented here, severe laryngeal spasm was associated with the development of acute pulmonary oedema.
On the reoccurrence of site specific response

Abstract The period and amplitude variations of local peaks in the Fourier amplitude spectra of free-field strong ground motion recorded at five stations in San Fernando Valley of metropolitan Los Angeles, California, are described, searching for peaks that reoccur during different earthquakes. The data suggest that some local peaks reoccur (about 50% of the time), during shaking by small local earthquakes (peak ground velocities, v max cm/s ). During large strong motion amplitudes (v max >20 cm/s ), these peaks are shifted towards longer periods (by nonlinear response of soils) or disappear. The data also suggest that densification and settlement of soil, minutes and hours following the strong shaking may contribute towards fluctuations in the effective stiffness of the shallow surface layers.
Radiation-blocking shields to localize periarticular radiation precisely for prevention of heterotopic bone formation around uncemented total hip arthroplasties

Sixteen patients (18 hips) were treated with localized radiation therapy limited to periarticular regions surrounding the femoral neck by shielding the prosthesis and the adjacent regions to prevent heterotopic bone formation around the uncemented prosthesis. All hips received 1500 rads. Eight of these hips were irradiated after excising severe heterotopic bone, five because they developed extensive heterotopic ossification in the opposite hip, and five others because they were considered to be at high risk for developing heterotopic ossification. Only two of the 18 hips developed a small amount of heterotopic bone after localized periarticular radiation. All wounds healed primarily. No progressive radiolucencies developed at the bone-prosthesis interface. There was only one trochanteric nonunion of six trochanteric osteotomies. Localized periarticular radiation therapy with precision shielding of the prosthetic components and adjacent skeletal structures is an effective means to prevent heterotopic bone formation around cementless total hip arthroplasties. It also has the advantage of not adversely affecting the healing of the trochanteric osteotomy.
Seasonal and interannual variability of plankton carbon isotope ratios in a subarctic lake

1. Carbon isotope ratios (δ13CD) of a herbivorous zooplankter, Daphnia middendorfiana and several environmental variables were investigated during four annual production cycles (1988–92) in Smith Lake, Alaska to determine factors that affect the seasonal and interannual variability of δ13CD. 2. δ13CD varied from −44.7 to −31.5 ppt and was significantly correlated with Chl a (r = 0.66, P = 0.0001), weakly correlated with CO2(aq) (r = 0.31, P = 0.07) and uncorrelated with δ13CDIC (r = 0.10, P = 0.70). Carbon isotope fractionation was minimal when Chl a appeared to be optimal. The largest 13C fractionation was associated with the lowest Chl a during early and mid winter periods. 3. δ13CD was also significantly correlated with water temperature (r = 0.480, P = 0.0001) and photoperiod (r = 0.62, P = 0.0001), probably suggesting a critical role of physical forcing, particularly solar energy input, in affecting algal photosynthesis and δ13CD in this subarctic lake. 4. There was a large interannual variability of δ13CD among ice-cover periods which was partly explained by interwinter differences in the amount of snowfall that affected the flux of solar irradiance to the ice-covered lake. 5. Other explanations for δ13CD variability such as species succession, changes in algal cell size and differential use of CO2(aq) and HCO3– were also considered, but cannot account for the observations reported here.
Mutations that Affect Separate Functions of OmpR the Phosphorylated Regulator of Porin Transcription in Escherichia coli

OmpR is a member of a family of bacterial transcriptional regulators whose activity is controlled by phosphorylation. It regulates the transcription of two genes, serving as an activator of ompC, and as both an activator and a repressor of ompF. A previously isolated collection of ompR mutations was analyzed for the effect of each on the expression of both genes simultaneously. The results of this analysis indicate that the activation, repression, and DNA binding functions of OmpR can be disrupted independently, and that mutations interfering with each of these functions cluster within the sequence of the OmpR protein. The nature of these mutations is discussed in terms of the mechanisms by which OmpR regulates transcription, and potentially similar mechanisms operating within closely related response regulators.
The German police: issues in the unification process

Investigates how effective the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) has been in reaching the goal to inculcate the police in the territory of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany) with the West’s value system of policing, that is, “citizen friendly” police. Research methods utilized in this examination included a review of the literature, both interviews and correspondence with officials of the FRG(federal and state), and the content analysis of the German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel. The scope of this study was limited to civilian policing, federal and state within the territory of the former GDR. Suggests that it will probably take a considerable amount of time to achieve the goal of citizen‐friendly police in the East, given the turbulence (economic, political, social, etc.) of the past several years. This goal can only be achieved when both police practice and citizen perception are in sync.
Ascites from epithelial ovarian cancer contain high levels of functional decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) and is associated with platinum resistance

Abstract Objective Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3), a soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor is a known binding partner of multiple apoptotic ligands inhibiting apoptosis. The expression of DcR3 by cancers has been reported in gastrointestinal cancers yet it has not been described in ovarian cancer. Abnormalities in apoptosis pathways are seen in ovarian cancer and we theorized that the presence of DcR3 is a component of the dysregulation. Methods Ascites samples from 44 women with advanced ovarian cancer were tested for DcR3 by ELISA. The ability of ascites to inhibit Fas-ligand mediated apoptosis was determined by chromium release assays using cell surface or soluble Fas-ligand. Clinical parameters including, response to platinum and progression free and overall survival were compared between patients with high or low levels of DcR3. Results DcR3 was found in all 44 cases by ELISA. Ascites fluid significantly inhibited Fas-ligand mediate apoptosis using both surface Fas-ligand (KFL-9 cells) and soluble Fas-ligand. Blocking DcR3 with antibodies restores the cytolytic effects in both assays. HIGH DcR3 level was associated with stage IV disease and more than double the incidence of platinum resistant disease. In this modest sample size Low DcR3 cases had longer PFI and overall survival however neither difference was statistically significant. Conclusions DcR3 is expressed by epithelial ovarian cancers, concentrated in ascites and inhibits Fas-ligand mediated apoptosis. Together with a trend toward poor patient outcome these results indicate that expression of DcR3 by ovarian cancers is worthy of further investigation in a larger population to allow multivariate analysis.
Microspore development in the anther culture of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

A cultivar (Chris) of hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and a one-step haploid generation medium were used to study microspore development and callus formation by using an anther culture technique. Cytological observations on microspore development were made 7, 10, 13 and 16 days after the anther was placed on the medium. The first mitotic division of the uninucleate microspore formed two nuclei, which were similar or different in size. Further divisions of the vegetative nucleus produced multicellular pollen grains that continued to grow and then were released from the exine. This extensive division of the vegetative nucleus could be the source of embryoid or callus generation.
Increased Left Atrial Volume Index: Potent Biomarker for First-Ever Ischemic Stroke

OBJECTIVE To establish the incidence and correlation of increased left atrial volume index (LAVI) in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS Using our institution's epidemiological database, we defined a cohort of 432 patients (cases) who underwent transthoracic echocardiography within 60 days of first ischemic stroke between January 1, 1985, and December 31, 1994. Left atrial volume was measured with the biplane area-length method, indexed to body surface area (LAVI, expressed as mL/m 2 ). The control group consisted of 416 community residents who underwent transthoracic echocardiography as participants in a stroke risk factor study. Increased LAVI was defined as 28 mL/m 2 or higher. Survival in patients was compared with expected survival among white Minnesotans and was further modeled as a function of age, sex, LAVI, and clinical risk factors. RESULTS Among the included 306 patients, 230 (75%) had increased LAVI (mean ± SD, 49±21 mL/m 2 ). Patients with increased LAVI were older than those with normal LAVI (mean ± SD age, 76±11 vs 71±13 years; P =.003) and had more cardiovascular risk factors (mean ± SD number, 1.8±0.07 vs 1.3±0.89; P P P =.001). After variables were adjusted for age, sex, and clinical risk factors, LAVI was independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSION A useful index for prediction of adverse cardiovascular events, LAVI might also predict first ischemic stroke and subsequent mortality.
Dental care experience of HIV-positive patients

Are persons with the human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) denied dental care? Past surveys found that dentists don’t want to treat these patients. Yet, the results discussed in this article of three studies—conducted in Los Angeles; San Francisco; Seattle; and Tacoma, Wash—assessing the experience of persons with AIDS or risk factors for the disease in seeking dental care found that denial of care is not as widespread as expected. Three studies were conducted to assess the experiences of persons with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or risk factors for the disease in seeking dental care in Los Angeles; San Francisco; Seattle; and Tacoma, WA. Given previous reports from surveys of dentists that they would be reluctant to provide care to people from these groups, widespread denial of care was expected. Our two surveys conducted in San Francisco, however, showed that only 1.3% and 10.8% had been denied care by a dentist. These data suggest that dentist reactions to people with AIDS are more favorable than has previously been suggested, although denial of care is still a problem to some extent.
Statistical Study of Two Years of Solar Flare Radio Spectra Obtained with the Owens Valley Solar Array

We present results of analysis of 412 flares during 2001-2002 as detected by the Owens Valley Solar Array (OVSA). This is an in-depth study to investigate some results suggested by a previous study of solar bursts (Nita et al. 2002), which was limited to the peak time of the bursts at a few frequency bands. The new study includes the temporal dependence, at 4 s time resolution, of parameters measured at 40 frequencies in the range 1-18 GHz. We investigate distributions of burst parameters such as maximum flux density in the spectra, peak frequency, spectral slopes below and above the peak frequency (optically thick and thin slopes, respectively), and burst durations. We classify the microwave bursts according to their spectral properties and provide tables of averaged spectral parameters for each spectral type and for different frequency and intensity ranges.
Effects of valproate and other antiepileptic drugs on brain glutamate, glutamine, and GABA in patients with refractory complex partial seizures.

Preclinical studies suggested valproate increased brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) with no major effects on brain glutamate or glutamine. Valproate increased human cerebrospinal fluid GABA and glutamine in some studies; others reported no effect. In vivo measurements of glutamate, glutamine, and GABA were made of a 14 cm3volume in the occipital cortex using a1H spectroscopy with a 2.1 Tesla magnetic resonance spectrometer and an 8 cm surface coil. Ten control subjects and 14 patients with refractory complex partial seizures were examined. Brain glutamine concentrations were above normal in three of five patients taking valproate and two of nine taking carbamazepine or phenytoin. Mean glutamine levels of patients taking valproate were higher than control subjects and patients taking carbamazepine or phenytoin. Brain glutamate concentrations were above normal in four of nine patients taking phenytoin or carbamazepine and two of five taking valproate. Brain GABA levels were below normal in four of nine patients taking carbamazepine or phenytoin and one of five taking valproate. Above normal glutamate or below normal GABA was present in nine of 14 patients and may contribute to their refractory epilepsy. Increased brain glutamine associated with valproate therapy may reflect mild hyperammonemia.
Where Is the Epidemic in Kidney Disease

There has been much discussion lately regarding the epidemic of kidney disease, mostly focusing on chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD).1,2 Much less attention has been paid to acute renal failure (ARF)/acute kidney injury (AKI). But this imbalance may not be justified on the basis of careful review of the epidemiologic evidence. According to the latest U.S. Renal Data System (USRDS) Annual Report, the annual incidence of ESRD in the United States is 354 per million person-years in 2007 (adjusted for age, gender, and race),3 representing a slight drop from the prior year. This secular trend is quite different from that observed in the 1980s and 1990s when the incidence of ESRD increased at a rapid rate. In fact, the adjusted incidence of ESRD has more or less reached a plateau in the 7 prior years (Figure 1).3 The corresponding unadjusted incidence rates are 334.2, 338.2, 342.8, 347.1, 353.8, 364.7, and 361.0 per million person-years in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively,4 which represents an increase of about 1% per year. Figure 1. Trend over time in the United States in adjusted rates of incidence ESRD. This rate (adjusted for age, gender, and race) had been relatively stable from 2000 through 2007. Adapted from reference 3, p 206, Figure hp.2.ii. It is notable that this slow growth in ESRD incidence is observed despite the fact that mean serum creatinine at the start of renal replacement therapy has dropped substantially in the past decade (Figure 2). This secular trend is almost certainly due to changes in practice pattern and more liberal initiation of dialysis, and hence would increase the number of ESRD patients even if there were no change in the underlying burden of kidney disease in the population. …
Chelating Agent Induction of Multiphase Coexistence in Lipid Multilayers

Previous work on lipid interactions has shown that zwitterionic buffers affect the attractive and repulsive forces between bilayers. The equilibrium spacing between lipid multilayers as measured by small angle x-ray scattering is determined by the balance of van der Waals (vdW), electrostatic and fluctuation forces. We will present a series of small angle x-ray scattering experiments that explores how chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) modify the interactions between membrane. EDTA was shown to induce a phase coexistence in multilamellar systems of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) [1]. In this study we show that the effect of EDTA depends on other mobile ions in solution and lipid type. These data require a reevaluation of theoretical models of lipid bilayer interactions. [1] Johnson et al, Langmuir 2014.
On conservation laws of continuum mechanics

Abstract A unified variational formulation is advanced, leading to field equations and conservation laws in general mechanical continua. The formulation is applicable to dynamic processes in any medium which admits a Lagrangian. As a result of the procedure employed, physical (or canonical) momenta emerge on the same level as material momenta. The simplicity and transparency of the relations derived is a consequence of strict separation of descriptions in physical and material space which precludes the use of displacement as a field variable. One of the results shows that a distinction between field equations (or equations of motion) and conservation laws is no longer essential and all basic relations are, in fact, balance laws.
SVOP Is a Nucleotide Binding Protein

Background: Synaptic Vesicle Protein 2 (SV2) and SV2-related protein (SVOP) are transporter-like proteins that localize to neurotransmitter-containing vesicles. Both proteins share structural similarity with the major facilitator (MF) family of small molecule transporters. We recently reported that SV2 binds nucleotides, a feature that has also been reported for another MF family member, the human glucose transporter 1 (Glut1). In the case of Glut1, nucleotide binding affects transport activity. In this study, we determined if SVOP also binds nucleotides and assessed its nucleotide binding properties. Methodology/Principal Findings: We performed in vitro photoaffinity labeling experiments with the photoreactive ATP analogue, 8-azido-ATP[c] biotin and purified recombinant SVOP-FLAG fusion protein. We found that SVOP is a nucleotidebinding protein, although both its substrate specificity and binding site differ from that of SV2. Within the nucleotides tested, ATP, GTP and NAD show same level of inhibition on SVOP-FLAG labeling. Dose dependent studies indicated that SVOP demonstrates the highest affinity for NAD, in contrast to SV2, which binds both NAD and ATP with equal affinity. Mapping of the binding site revealed a single region spanning transmembrane domains 9–12, which contrasts to the two binding sites in the large cytoplasmic domains in SV2A. Conclusions/Significance: SVOP is the third MF family member to be found to bind nucleotides. Given that the binding sites are unique in SVOP, SV2 and Glut1, this feature appears to have arisen separately.
Direct observation of a narrow band near the gap edge of FeSi.

We report a high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission investigation of FeSi. The high angle and energy resolutions enable us to identify a band with spectacularly sharp features near the valence-band edge. This band shows very small dispersion but remarkable temperature dependence. The small dispersion constitutes a direct observation of a narrow band in FeSi. This finding supports a theoretical picture involving two narrow bands at the edges of a narrow gap, to account for the unusual temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility that makes FeSi a fascinating material.
Plastic anisotropy and slip systems in ringwoodite deformed to high shear strain in the Rotational Drickamer Apparatus

Abstract High shear strain deformation experiments up to equivalent strains of 180% were performed on ringwoodite at conditions of 23 GPa and 1800 K. At very large shear strains, deviation in the strengths of the (3 1 1) and (4 0 0) lattice planes is observed, indicating plastic anisotropy. Lattice strain theory was applied to calculate effective viscosities of the available slip systems from the observed plastic anisotropy. We find that the effective viscosities (unitless) are proportional to 0.43, 0.46, and 1.54 for the {1 1 1} 〈 1 1 ¯ 0 〉 , { 1 1 ¯ 0 } 〈1 1 0〉 and {0 0 1} 〈 1 1 ¯ 0 〉 slip systems respectively. This indicates that {1 1 1} 〈 1 1 ¯ 0 〉 slip is slightly softer than { 1 1 ¯ 0 } 〈 1 1 ¯ 0 〉 at these conditions. Additionally the {1 1 1} 〈 1 1 ¯ 0 〉 slip system has significantly more symmetric variants than the slip systems involving other lattice planes, thus it is expected to dominate deformation. This is confirmed by polycrystal plasticity modeling using the viscoplastic self-consistent code (VPSC) which indicates that simulations with dominant {1 1 1} 〈 1 1 ¯ 0 〉 slip provide the best match to experimental textures.
Interprofessional education in the USA: Current activities and future directions

Interprofessional education (IPE) has been flourishing in the USA over the past 5 years. Renewed interest by practitioners, students, patients, policy-makers and regulatory bodies has ensured that ...
The mechanism and kinetics of the niobium-carbon reaction under self-propagating high-temperature synthesis-like conditions

The mechanism and kinetics of the chemical reaction between Nb(s) and C(s) under self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS)-like (or combustion synthesis-like) conditions have been studied. Experiments were designed and conducted in order to produce a transport-resistance-free reaction between Nb and C under time-temperature conditions that are characteristic of the combustion synthesis process. To do so, a reaction couple, consisting of carbon and either a thin niobium foil or a fine niobium wire, was used. The effects of the temperature history and the formation of a liquid phase on the reaction were studied. In addition, theoretical experiments of the reaction were also conducted. The results showed that at high temperatures, layered niobium carbide phases formed in a direction that was parallel to the original carbon-niobium interface. As might be expected, local melting played a very significant role in the reactions. The mechanism and kinetics of these reactions provide a fundamental understanding of the manner and rate by which a powder-based Nb/C SHS process takes place, and, by extension, to a large, general class of solid-solid material synthesis processes that are based on the SHS (or combustion synthesis) process.
Deamidation of Human βB1 Alters the Elongated Structure of the Dimer

The purpose of these experiments was to determine if truncation and deamidation alter the structure of a human lens protein, beta B1-crystallin. Recombinant wild type and a deamidated form of recombinant beta B1 were expressed in Escherichia coli. Wild type beta B1 was also enzymatically cleaved to generate a physiologically-relevant truncated beta B1. Purity and size of the expressed proteins were confirmed by SDS-PAGE and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Size exclusion chromatography and light scattering were used to determine aggregation states of beta B1. Protein conformations were predicted from sedimentation velocity analysis. Molecular weights of 49,000 and 54,000 Da were obtained for wild type beta B1 by sedimentation equilibrium and light scattering, respectively. A sedimentation coefficient of 2.7 S was determined for wild type beta B1. Molecular weights of 54,000 and 60,000 Da were determined for deamidated beta B1 by sedimentation equilibrium and light scattering, respectively. However, deamidated beta B1 eluted earlier than wild type beta B1 on size exclusion chromatography, with an estimated molecular weight between 78,000 and 116,000 Da. Loss of the extensions of beta B1 caused abnormal association of the protein with the stationary phase during size exclusion chromatography. Wild type beta B1 was predicted to form a dimer with an elongated structure. The earlier elution of the deamidated beta B1 dimer on size exclusion chromatography suggested the dimer was less compact. Truncation caused abnormal column interactions suggesting an altered conformation. These changes are important because truncation and deamidation occur extensively in aging human lenses and may be important for senile cataract formation.
Determination of 6-Demethylgriseofulvin in Urine

A simple UV assay is reported that is capable of measuring 1 mcg. 6-demethylgriseofulvin/ml. urine. The method utilizes the difference in the absorbance of the ionized and unionized forms of this molecule at 327 nm.
1822 ALPHA 1 ANTITRYPSIN IN THE PREDICTION OF BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA (BPD)

BPD may be due to lung connective tissue damage caused by oxidants and proteolytic enzymes in prematures with RDS who are treated with ventilators and oxygen. Antiproteases, such as AAT, may protect the lungs against this destruction. To study its potential role we measured plasma trypsin inhibitory capacity (TIC) (Erlanger method) in 27 prematures who required ventilator therapy for treatment of RDS. Day 1 TIC values were significant ly lower (p<0.0001) in the 13 patients who developed BPD when compared to the 14 who did not, other significant variables included birthweight (p<.0.005), severity of RDS (p<0.03) and gestational age (p<0.05). One way analysis of variance demonstrated day 1 TIC to be the most significant variable (p<0.00001) followed by birth weight (p<0.0175), severity of RDS (p<0.058) and gestational age (p<0.0739). A composite of these 4 variables (TIC, birth weight, severity RDS and gestational age), were 100% sensitive and 86% specific in the prediction of BPD. Decreased TIC on day 1 may be of pathogenetic and prognostic significance in the development of BPD.
Steroid dependent changes in human visual evoked potentials.

Abstract Carbohydrate-active steroid treatment of six patients with untreated adrenal cortical insufficiency decreased the latency of visual evoked responses. These changes were most pronounced in the secondary, non-specific portion of the evoked response. This decrease in latency was not observed after treatment with Na-K active steroids.
Controlled decomposition and reformation of the 2223 phase in Ag-clad (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox tapes and its influence on the microstructure and critical current density

The decomposition of almost fully reacted (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox (BSCCO-2223) tapes caused by heating in 1 atm of pure O2 at 825 °C has been studied. It was found that partially decomposing 2223 tapes to a mixture of Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2Oy, (Ca, Sr)2PbO4, and other secondary phases reduced the critical current density (77 K, 0 T) from ∼20 kA/cm2 to nearly zero. Reheating the tapes in 7.5% O2 restored the 2223 phase and, while there was some degradation of the 2223 grain alignment due to residual secondary phase growth, the critical current density was also restored to nearly its original value. We hypothesize that such a decomposition/reformation process can be useful in increasing the connectivity and relative density of polycrystalline 2223, by encouraging the formation of a liquid phase which heals residual cracks in the BSCCO core.
Adaptive suboptimal filtering of bilinear systems

The optimal filter (minimum mean square error) of discrete bilinear stochastic systems with output feedback is studied here. The sequential filter of bilinear systems is derived for suboptimal adaptive estimation of the unknown a priori state and observation-noise statistics simultaneously with the bilinear system state. The unbiased estimations of state-noise variance Q and observation-noise variance R are obtained under some usual conditions. For on-line operation, this paper gives the recursive form of this adaptive suboptimal filter (ASF). Computer simulations show that ASF approximates the minimum mean square error (MSE) filter very well, and ASF provides improved state estimates at little computing expense