cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Satisfaction and use of prenatal care: their relationship among African-American women in a large managed care organization.

ABSTRACT:Background: Although many more mothers of almost all ethnic groups began prenatal care in the first trimester during the last decade, a significant number of low-income and minority women still fail to obtain adequate care in the United States—a failure that may be related to their dissatisfaction with the prenatal care experience. This study sought to examine the relationship between satisfaction with care and subsequent prenatal care utilization among African-American women using prospective methods. Methods: A sample of 125 Medicaid and 275 non-Medicaid African-American adult women seeking care through a large Midwest managed care organization were interviewed before or at 28 weeks’ gestation at one of two prenatal care sites. Women were interviewed about personal characteristics, prenatal care experience, and ratings of care (satisfaction). Information about subsequent use of prenatal care was obtained through retrospective medical record review after delivery. Univariate and multivariable analyses examining the relationship between women's satisfaction and prenatal care use were conducted using a dichotomous measure of satisfaction and a continuous measure of utilization. Results: Women were highly satisfied with prenatal care, with an overall mean satisfaction score of 80.3. Non-Medicaid women were significantly (p < 0.05) less satisfied with their prenatal care (mean score, 79.1) than Medicaid women (mean score, 82.8), and the latter had significantly fewer visits on average than the former subsequent to the interview. Analyses showed no significant difference in subsequent utilization according to whether a woman had a high versus low level of satisfaction at the prenatal care interview. Conclusions: This study challenges the assumption that improving a woman's satisfaction with care will lead to an increase in the adequacy of her prenatal care utilization. Since this study was limited to African-American women and is the first prospective study of women's satisfaction with care and prenatal care utilization, the negative findings do not yet settle this area of inquiry. Monitoring women's satisfaction with prenatal care in both managed care and fee-for-service settings and working to improve those aspects of care associated with decreased satisfaction is warranted. (BIRTH 30:1 March 2003)
Molecular weights of the ribosomal ribonucleic acid of fungi.

The molecular weights of the 18s and 25s ribosomal RNA components of fungi from all major classes were determined by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels. The molecular weight of the 18s RNA was found to be very similar for all fungi (range 0.71–0.75 million) and about 4–5% larger than the 18s RNA of HeLa cells and soybean. The molecular weight of the 25s RNA ranged between 1.45 million in the Myxomycetes and 1.30–1.31 million in the Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes. The differences in the 25s RNA molecular weights between various classes of fungi were interpreted as being in agreement with a monophyletic origin of the Chytridiomycetes, Zygomycetes, Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes, and independent origins for the Myxomycetes and the Oomycetes. The Hyphochytridiomycete examined could not be placed unequivocally in any group on the basis of its 25s RNA. Fungal RNA extracted with a p-aminosalicylate-triisopropylnaphthalene sulfonate-phenol mixture at 40–60°C contained a high molecular weight aggregate of the 18s and 25s ribosomal RNA; this suggested significant base sequence homology between the two ribosomal RNA species in fungi.
A Mathematical Framework for the Investigation of Testing

Testing has long been in need of mathematical underpinnings to explain its value as well as its limitations. This paper develops and applies a mathematical framework that 1) unifies previous work on the subject, 2) provides a mechanism for comparing the power of methods of testing programs based on the degree to which the methods approximate program verification, and 3) provides a reasonable and useful interpretation of the notion that successful tests increase one's confidence in the program's correctness.
Measuring woodpecker food: a simple method for comparing wood-boring beetle abundance among fire-killed trees

Abstract Measurements of food availability for avian insectivores are desirable, but are complicated by the range of microhabitats insects occupy and the difficulty of comparing non-standard techniques across studies. We describe an efficient method for sampling wood-boring beetle larvae, an important food of many woodpeckers, beneath the bark of fire-killed trees. The method involves taking two 225-cm2 bark samples from each tree, and provides enough information to rank most trees by relative wood-borer abundance. At two sites in the northern Rocky Mountains, we tested the reliability of this method by comparing its results to those of a more intensive sampling scheme. For 65 trees of four species, we collected eight bark samples at two different heights, 1.7 m and 6 m, and compared correlations between the smaller, ground-based sampling scheme (two bark samples) and the larger, eight-sample effort. With one exception, correlations for individual tree species ranged from 0.79 to 0.95, indicating that the...
Sensory-motor factors triggering the suppression of post-rotary vestibular responses in different gravitoinertial force backgrounds.

We studied suppression of oculomotor and perceptual after-responses by post-rotary head movements in high (1.8 G), low (0 G), and normal (1 G) gravitoinertial force backgrounds in parabolic flight. Our aim was to identify what sensory and motor signals are critical for triggering suppression. In a prior experiment (DiZio and Lackner 1988), we found suppression using 40° post-rotary head tilts in 1 G and 1.8 G but not 0 G force backgrounds. However, in free fall even without head tilts there was a significant suppression of nystagmus relative to 1 G and 1.8 G force backgrounds, thus potentially masking an effect of head tilt on suppression in 0 G. We have retested four of the original subjects with 90° head tilts to maximize the likelihood of detecting suppression in 0 G. Although nystagmus and illusory afterrotation were suppressed by post-rotary head tilts in normal and high gravitoinertial force environments, there was still no evidence of suppression in free fall. We present evidence that the lack of suppression in 0 G is not attributable to post-rotary responses already being at a “basement” level, but rather that suppression depends on the registration of a change in head position relative to a significant level of gravitoinertial force.
Feasible alternatives under deteriorating terms of trade

Abstract The paper presents a dynamic general equilibrium model of a small open economy which employs an essential imported input in production. The economy is said to be capable of survival, if, given the technology and the time-path of world prices, there is at least one sequence of feasible decisions on intertemporal resource allocation sustaining a positive stationary level of consumption indefinitely. The principal results of the paper characterize necessary and sufficient conditions on the technology and the rate of decline of the terms of trade that ensure survival.
Proton-induced X-ray and gamma ray emission analysis of biological samples

Abstract A 4.1 MeV external proton beam was employed to simultaneously induce X-ray emission (PIXE) and gamma ray emission (PIGE) in biological samples that included human colostrum, spermatozoa, teeth, tree-rings, and follicular fluids. The analytical method was developed to simultaneously determine the elements lithium (Z = 3) through uranium (Z = 92) in the samples. PIXE-PIGE experimental design is described as well as applications in environmental and medical fields.
Metal detector depth estimation algorithms

This paper looks at depth estimation techniques using electromagnetic induction (EMI) metal detectors. Four algorithms are considered. The first utilizes a vertical gradient sensor configuration. The second is a dual frequency approach. The third makes use of dipole and quadrapole receiver configurations. The fourth looks at coils of different sizes. Each algorithm is described along with its associated sensor. Two figures of merit ultimately define algorithm/sensor performance. The first is the depth of penetration obtainable. (That is, the maximum detection depth obtainable.) This describes the performance of the method to achieve detection of deep targets. The second is the achievable statistical depth resolution. This resolution describes the precision with which depth can be estimated. In this paper depth of penetration and statistical depth resolution are qualitatively determined for each sensor/algorithm. A scientific method is used to make these assessments. A field test was conducted using 2 lanes with emplaced UXO. The first lane contains 155 shells at increasing depths from 0" to 48". The second is more realistic containing objects of varying size. The first lane is used for algorithm training purposes, while the second is used for testing. The metal detectors used in this study are the: Geonics EM61, Geophex GEM5, Minelab STMR II, and the Vallon VMV16.
Transition State Structure of Neisseria meningitides 5′-Methylthioadenosine/S-adenosylhomocysteine Nucleosidase

5′-Methylthioadenosine/S-adenosylhomocysteine nucleosidase (MTAN) is a bacterial enzyme of the N-ribosyl transferase family. It catalyzes the biologically irreversible hydrolytic deadenylaton of 5′-methylthioadenosine (MTA) or S-adenosylhomocysteine to form adenine and methylthioribose (MTR) or S-ribosylhomocysteine, respectively (Figure 1). MTAN is involved in bacterial quorum sensing pathways and thus is a potential target for the design of antibiotics.1-4 There is no MTAN in humans, where 5′-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) catalyzes the reversible phosphorolysis of MTA to adenine and methylthioribose-1-phosphate. MTAP has been targeted in the design of anti-cancer drugs on the basis of its involvement in polyamine biosynthesis and purine salvage pathways.5-6 Probing transition state structures of these enzymatic reactions provides an approach for the design of transition state analogues as powerful inhibitors. This strategy has been successfully applied in the development of inhibitors for E. coli and S. pneumoniae MTANs with dissociation constants to the femtomolar range.7,8 Here we report that Neisseria meningitides MTAN forms a transition state unique from other MTANs. This surprising result adds another example of closely related enzymes with distinct transition state structures.9-12 Transition state analogues of bacterial quorum sensing pathways have potential for blocking virulence gene expression without affecting growth, thus minimizing the probability of generating bacterial strains resistant to quorum sensing antibiotics.
Symmetry analysis of the localized modes associated with substitutional and interstitial defects in a two-dimensional triangular photonic crystal

By using a finite-difference time-domain numerical method based on the numerical simulation of the excitation of an isolated eigenstate at a specific frequency by using an oscillating dipole embedded in a two-dimensional photonic crystal we have calculated both the eigenfrequencies and eigenfunctions of the localized defect modes induced by defect cylinders placed at the center or in interstitial positions within an otherwise perfect two-dimensional photonic crystal consisting of dielectric cylinders arrayed in a triangular lattice. In the case of a substitutional defect cylinder we have imposed boundary conditions appropriate to the irreducible representations of the ${C}_{6v}$ point group, and in addition to fully symmetric localized states of ${A}_{1}$ symmetry we have also found localized modes possessing ${A}_{2},$ ${B}_{1},$ and ${B}_{2}$ symmetry, and doubly degenerate modes of ${E}_{1}$ and ${E}_{2}$ symmetry. For defect rods placed in interstitial positions we have found localized modes that belong to the irreducible representations ${A}_{1},$ ${A}_{2},$ ${B}_{1},$ and ${B}_{2}$ of the ${C}_{2v}$ point group. We have also studied the effects of the geometrical and material parameters on the eigenfrequencies and eigenfunctions of the defect modes by varying the dielectric strength and/or radius of the defect rods. We have shown that the calculated eigenfrequencies obtained for a substitutional defect rod within the triangular lattice with lattice constant a whose radius ${r}_{d}$ is in the interval $0l{r}_{d}l0.5a$ are in good quantitative agreement with both the nondegenerate and degenerate modes obtained by the supercell method by Feng and Arakawa [Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. Part 2 36, 120(1997)].
Gender Differences in Chinese Immigrants: Predictors for Antihypertensive Medication Adherence

The purpose of this study was to describe gender differences in predictors for antihypertensive medication adherence in Chinese immigrants. A cross-sectional design was used with recruitment with a convenience sample of 100 men and 100 women with hypertension. Measurements for demographics, cultural factors, clinical factors, and medication adherence were self-administered by the participants. Blood pressure was checked twice. A multivariate logistic regression was used to establish a parsimonious prediction model for medication adherence. It was found that in men, longer length of stay in the United States was a predictor for nonadherence. The predictor of nonadherence in women was lower perceived benefits of antihypertensive medications. To increase adherence in women, the benefits of antihypertensive medications should be emphasized. For men who have lived in the United States for 12 years or more, their adherence should be closely monitored.
HIGH-TEMPERATURE SPECTRAL EMITTANCE OF OXIDES OF ERBIUM, SAMARIUM, NEODYMIUM, AND YTTERBIUM.

Normal spectral emittance data are reported for solid specimens of the oxides of erbium, samarium, neodymium, and ytterbium. The spectral emittance has been characterized over the spectral range of 0.5-5.0 μ and at sample temperatures from 1540 up to 1870 K.
Synthesis of Amphiphilic Naturally-Derived Oligosaccharide-block-Wax Oligomers and Their Self-Assembly

Self-assembly characteristics of amphiphilic macromolecules into micelles, nanoparticles and vesicles has been of fundamental interest for many applications including designed nanoscale therapeutic delivery systems and enzymatic reactors. In this work, a class of amphiphilic block oligomers was synthesized from naturally occurring oligosaccharides and aliphatic alcohol precursors, which are all currently prominent in the pharmaceutical, food, and supplement industries. These block oligomer materials were synthesized by functionalization of the precursor materials followed by subsequent coupling by azide–alkyne cycloaddition and their bulk self-assembly was investigated after solvent vapor annealing. Self-assembly of the amphiphilic materials into liposomes in aqueous solution was also investigated after preparing solutions using a nanoprecipitation method. Encapsulation of hydrophobic components was demonstrated and verified using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and fluorescenc...
Fiscal Consolidation in Israel: A Global Fiscal Model Perspective

Fiscal consolidation has become an important policy prescription for many emerging market countries (EMCs), particularly for the highly indebted ones. Although prudent fiscal policies tend to reduce vulnerabilities, their implementation is usually postponed. This paper represents, to the best of our knowledge, one of the first attempts in the literature to quantify the costs of delaying fiscal consolidation in an EMC. In particular, using the IMF's Global Fiscal Model (GFM), we find that early consolidation through expenditure cuts would result in a substantial increase in Israel's long-term output growth relative to the case with delayed fiscal adjustment. Using an alternative fiscal instrument, we find that delaying tax cuts would result in cumulative real GDP that is much larger than otherwise.
Concerning the maximum number of stable matchings in the stable marriage problem

The function, f(n), represents the maximum number of stable matchings possible in an instance of size n of the stable marriage problem. It is shown that f(n) is a strictly increasing function of n, and a result of Knuth's concerning the exponential growth of this function is generalized to apply to all positive integers, n. A method for constructing ranking matrices is used to produce instances with many stable matchings. A subproblem of the stable marriage problem developed by Eilers (Irvine Compiler Corporation Technical Report, ICC TR1999-2, 1999), called the pseudo-Latin marriage problem, plays a significant role as a tool and as motivation in the paper.
The initial stages of oxidation of thin iron films as studied by ferromagnetic resonance

A series of polycrystalline iron films (1 < t < 100 nm) was prepared and examined under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. The effect of oxygen on the ferromagnetic resonance response was investigated, and a thickness-dependent, transient increase in the perpendicular mode resonance field was attributed to the formation of Fem+ cations in a reconstructed surface layer. A subsequent decrease in the resonance field was consistent with the loss of ∼1.5 nm of ferromagnetic iron at large oxygen exposures. Information on the structure of the films was obtained from transmission electron microscopy of ultrahigh vacuum deposited films coated in situ with silicon monoxide.
fMRI headtracking using a single camera and a lightweight fiducial

A single CCD/DSP camera based optical system affords six degree of freedom motion tracking for MRI applications with resolutions in the range of <50 microradians and 10–100 microns. The fiducial target is a lightweight compact three dimensional pattern that allows efficient, centroid based algorithms to determine distance translation and angle rotation at rates of 30Hz. In-magnet tests measure the inherent magnet vibration as well as subject signatures such as those for respiration, speech, swallow and nod.
Catalysis of a stereospecific bimolecular amide synthesis by an antibody.

Abstract We report a nonhydrolytic bimolecular aminolysis reaction catalyzed by an antibody. The stereospecific formation of an amide from racemic lactone plus an aromatic amine is described by a random equilibrium bireactant kinetic sequence. The observed turnover rate may be approximated from the measured difference between the binding of reactants and the transition state analog.
Human deafness mutation E385D disrupts the mechanochemical coupling and subcellular targeting of myosin-1a.

Missense mutations in the membrane-binding actin-based motor protein, myosin-1a (Myo1a), have recently been linked to sensorineural deafness in humans. One of these mutations, E385D, impacts a residue in the switch II region of the motor domain that is present in virtually all members of the myosin superfamily. We sought to examine the impact of E385D on the function of Myo1a, both in terms of mechanochemical activity and ability to target to actin-rich microvilli in polarized epithelial cells. While E385D-Myo1a demonstrated actin-activated ATPase activity, the VMAX was reduced threefold relative to wild-type. Despite maintaining an active mechanochemical cycle, E385D-Myo1a was unable to move actin in the sliding filament assay. Intriguingly, when an enhanced-green-fluorescent-protein-tagged form of E385D-Myo1a was stably expressed in polarized epithelial cells, this mutation abolished the microvillar targeting normally demonstrated by wild-type Myo1a. Notably, these data are the first to suggest that mechanical activity is essential for proper localization of Myo1a in microvilli. These studies also provide a unique example of how even the most mild substitution of invariant switch II residues can effectively uncouple enzymatic and mechanical activity of the myosin motor domain.
Cirque du Silence Acrobatics of a Transnational Female Academic

In this performative play without speech, the author demonstrates the various acrobatic negotiations she makes in her everyday life as a transnational feminist educational researcher who was born in India, raised in Canada, and educated and employed in higher education in the U.S. The author uses silence as a space of reflection, resistance, adaptation, retreat, and freedom in order to challenge the duality of silence and voice where silence is seen as the absence of voice. The author presents her negotiations in academia as a set of acrobatic moves in response to her everyday circumstances. She also demonstrates that for her home is always a shifting concept that continues to force her to shuttle between multiple national identities. The author uses the works of Kamala Visweswaran and Inderpal Grewal to theorize nomadic, diasporic, and transnational subject positions and ways in which silence and voice function. Using the form of silence as a performance, the author invites readers to find their own entr...
Inter-substrate warping to predict color from reduced sample sets

ABSTRACT In this paper we present a method to characterize the printer color output with few samples. Color measurements previously obtained on other substrates an d stored in the printer are used to in crease the accuracy of measurements in a new target media, thus reducing the number of samples needed. The method is simple and generic; a geometrical warp is applied to the color space to adapt the differences between the two media. The warping is built with a small set of measurements on the target media and extended to the entire color space with bi-harmonic spline interpolation. We tested the method on a HP T1100 ink-jet printer, at different levels of sampling from 27 to 512 points and with seven different substrate families covering a wide variety of applications. For 125 samples, results show a mean estimation error across media of mean 0.67 dE76 and 95 percentile 1.48 dE76 with respect to the finer sampling of 512 samples. This represents an improvement in color accuracy with respect to linear interpolation of about 60%, a relationship holds at other levels of sampling. In conclu sion, color space warping is proven to be an effective method to reduce the needed color samples by using previously characterized media. Keywords: color measurement, color reproduction, printer co lor characterization, warping, multiple substrates.
Resilience in Old Age: Social Relations as a Protective Factor

Resilience has traditionally been addressed primarily in childhood and adolescence, yet it is a relevant concept across the life span. Because older adults face increased challenges, it is important to examine factors that may promote resilience in old age, particularly social relations. Participants older than age 65 years who had experienced six or more major negative life events during the past 12 years were selected from Wave 2 (2005) of the Social Relations and Health study (N = 99). Network size and spousal relationship quality were assessed as indicators of social relations. Regression analyses indicate that the young-old and Whites exhibited fewer depressive symptoms, but there were no gender differences. Similarly, there were no age or race differences in life satisfaction. However, men were more satisfied with their life than women. Larger network size was associated with fewer depressive symptoms and greater life satisfaction. Those who reported more positive characteristics in their spousal re...
Iontophoretic localization of Ca-sensitive sites controlling activation of ciliary beating in macrocilia of Beroë: the ciliary rete.

Macrocilia are thick compound ciliary organelles found on the lips of the ctenophore Beroe. Each macrocilium contains several hundred axonemes enclosed by a single common membrane around the shaft of the organelle. Macrocilia are activated to beat rapidly and continuously in the normal direction by stimulus-triggered Ca influx through voltage-dependent Ca channels (Tamm, 1988). Heat-dissociated macrociliary cells are spontaneously active without depolarizing stimuli, providing Ca is present (Tamm, 1988). Here we investigate the spatial distribution of macrociliary Ca channels by iontophoretic application of extracellular Ca to different sites along quiescent, "potentially activated" macrocilia of dissociated cells in Ca-free medium. We find that Ca sensitivity for eliciting motility is highest or resides exclusively on the basal portion of the macrociliary surface. This is the first demonstration of local differences in Ca sensitivity along living cilia or flagella. The Ca-sensitive region coincides morphologically with a reticulum of unfused ciliary membranes at the base of the macrocilium. This ciliary rete is in direct communication with the surrounding sea water. It is likely that the ciliary rete provides the necessary Ca influx to trigger beating by virtue of its greater Ca conductance (i.e., density of Ca channels) and/or greater total membrane area.
Microfabrication of Nanoporous Gold Patterns for Cell-material Interaction Studies

Nanostructured materials with feature sizes in tens of nanometers have enhanced the performance of several technologies, including fuel cells, biosensors, biomedical device coatings, and drug delivery tools. Nanoporous gold (np-Au), produced by a nano-scale self-assembly process, is a relatively new material that exhibits large effective surface area, high electrical conductivity, and catalytic activity. These properties have made np-Au an attractive material to scientific community. Most studies on np-Au employ macro-scale specimens and focus on fundamental science of the material and its catalytic and sensor applications. The macro-scale specimens limit np-Au's potential in miniaturized systems, including biomedical devices. In order to address these issues, we initially describe two different methods to micropattern np-Au thin films on rigid substrates. The first method employs manually-produced stencil masks for creating millimeter-scale np-Au patterns, while the second method uses lift-off photolithography to pattern sub-millimeter-scale patterns. As the np-Au thin films are obtained by sputter-deposition process, they are compatible with conventional microfabrication techniques, thereby amenable to facile integration into microsystems. These systems include electrically-addressable biosensor platforms that benefit from high effective surface area, electrical conductivity, and gold-thiol-based surface bioconjugation. We describe cell culture, immunostaining, and image processing techniques to quantify np-Au's interaction with mammalian cells, which is an important performance parameter for some biosensors. We expect that the techniques illustrated here will assist the integration of np-Au in platforms at various length-scales and in numerous applications, including biosensors, energy storage systems, and catalysts.
Low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin may improve in vitro fertilization cycle outcomes in patients with low luteinizing hormone levels after gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist administration

Objective: To evaluate the effect of low levels of endogenous luteinizing hormone (LH) and low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) supplementation on in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle outcomes in a gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Military medical center. Patient(s): General in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF-ET) population. Intervention(s): Addition of low-dose urinary hCG to IVF stimulations using a recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and GnRH antagonist protocol. Main Outcome Measure(s): Implantation and live-birth rates. Result(s): As part of a larger cohort of 239 patients, 42 patients with LH levels %0.5 mIU/mL were evaluated. In the larger cohort, therewere no differences in implantation and pregnancy rates between the recombinant FSH only (n ¼ 113) and the recombinant FSH with low-dose hCG supplementation (n ¼ 126) groups. In the FSH-only group, patients with LH levels %0.5 mIU/mL had decreased implantation rates (19% vs. 42%) and live-birth rates (25% vs. 54%) as compared with patients with LH levels >0.5 mIU/mL. Low LH patients in the recombinant FSH with low-dose urinary hCG group had statistically significantly higher implantation rates (54% vs. 19%) and live-birth rates (64% vs. 25%) as compared with patients with similar low LH levels in the recombinant FSH-only group. Conclusion(s): Endogenous LH levels %0.5 mIU/mL after GnRH antagonist treatment are associated with statistically significantly lower implantation and pregnancy rates in recombinant FSH-only cycles. The addition of lowdose urinary hCGresults in improved implantation and live-birthrates in patients with low LH levels. (Fertil Steril� 2011;96:898‐904. � 2011 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)
New Data on the Clinical Impact of Exercise Training, Fish Oils, and Statins in Heart Failure

Despite major advances in the field of cardiovascular (CV) diseases, heart failure (HF) continues to result in considerable CV morbidity and mortality and accounts for an increasing number of acute hospitalizations in adult patients. Recent major trials have focused on exercise training programs and the widely available nutraceutical omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or fish oil and statins in patients with HF. In this article, we provide insight into the interpretation of the evidence base for these distinct interventions in HF and provide guidance for the clinical incorporation of exercise training and fish oil therapy for additional CV protection in chronic HF.
Ellipsometric study of the glass transition and thermal expansion coefficients of thin polymer films

The glass transition temperature (T g ) of thin polystyrene films (ca. 3000 A) cast on silicon wafers was determined by a new technique. An ellipsometer was used to determine the refractive index and thickness of the polystyrene films. T g was determined by measuring the temperature dependence of the refractive index. The change in thickness with temperature was used to calculate the linear and bulk thermal expansion coefficients of the material. A significant shift in T g , possibly due to strains induced in the cooled films, was observed between heating and cooling for polystyrene films
7-DOF CABLE-DRIVEN HUMANOID ROBOTIC ARM

The purpose of this paper is to study a 7-DOF humanoid cable-driven robotic arm, implement kinematics and dynamics analysis, present different cable-driven designs and evaluate their merits and drawbacks. Since this is a redundant mechanism, kinematics optimization is used to avoid joint limits, singularities and obstacles. Cable kinematics analysis studies the relationships between cable length and the endeffector pose. This is a design modified from the literature. Several new designs are compared in pseudostatics analysis of the arm and a favorable design is suggested in terms of motion range and the cable tensions. Linear programming is used to optimize cable tensions. Dynamics analysis shows that the energy consumption of a cable-driven arm is much less than that of traditional motor-driven arm. Cable-driven robots have potential benefits but also some limitations.
Exciton-mediated one-phonon resonant Raman scattering from one-dimensional systems

We use the Kramers-Heisenberg approach to derive a general expression for the resonant Raman scattering cross section from a one-dimensional (1D) system explicitly accounting for excitonic effects. The result should prove useful for analyzing the Raman resonance excitation profile line shapes for a variety of 1D systems including carbon nanotubes and semiconductor quantum wires. We apply this formalism to a simple 1D model system to illustrate the similarities and differences between the free electron and correlated electron-hole theories.
Interarterial coronary anastomoses in neonatal pigs.

SummaryThe right or left coronary arteries of the hearts of neonatal pigs were injected with a highly viscous barium sulfategelatine mass which quite regularly fills vessels down to a diameter of about 40 μ and which fails to enter capillaries or cross over into veins. No anastomoses were demonstrated in 29 hearts examined. This is in contrast to the findings in hearts of human term neonates which are endowed with collaterals of varying grades in most cases. The differences between the 2 species indicate that interarterial coronary anastomoses in hearts of neonates are not a general characteristic of the mammalian phylum but rather of man. Whether they are unique to the latter requires the study of neonatal hearts in other species.
Role of sympathetic nerves in the vascular effects of local temperature in human forearm skin

The role of adrenergic nerve function in the cutaneous vascular response to changes in local skin temperature in the human forearm was examined using three protocols: 1) blocking release of norepinephrine presynaptically by local iontophoresis of bretylium (BT), 2) altering background adrenergic tone by changing whole body skin temperature, and 3) blocking cutaneous nerves by proximal infiltration of local anesthetic. Forearm skin blood flow was measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated as LDF/blood pressure. In protocol 1, local cooling (29 degrees C) elicited a rapid and sustained fall in CVC at control sites (-43 +/- 8%) in contrast to a biphasic response at BT-treated sites, consisting of an initial vasodilation followed by a vasoconstriction (percent change CVC = 28 +/- 13 and -34 +/- 18, respectively). Local warming (39 degrees C) increased CVC at control and at BT-treated sites by 331 +/- 46 and 139 +/- 31%, respectively. In protocol 2, at a neutral, cool, or warm whole body skin temperature, local cooling (29 degrees C) elicited similar reductions in CVC (-34 +/- 8, -29 +/- 5, and -30 +/- 4%, respectively), and local warming (38 degrees C) produced similar increases in CVC (89 +/- 15, 85 +/- 21, and 74 +/- 22%, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 is present in the alpha-granules of platelets

The lysis of the alpha-granules of platelets has been shown to release insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). One of the major regulators of the activity of IGFs is the IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), but IGFBPs were thought to be absent from platelet alpha-granules. Human platelets were isolated, and the contents of the alpha-granules were released by thrombin digestion. IGFBP-3 was identified in the lysate by RIA and a ligand-binding Western blot; no other IGFBPs were observed. Platelet IGFBP-3 was present as the characteristic glycosylated doublet at 45 and 43 kilodaltons on ligand-binding Western blot, but was not associated with the acid-labile subunit in the alpha-granule. Thus, the IGFs in platelet alpha-granules coexist with IGFBP-3, which can play a major role in regulating and targeting the actions of IGFs when released by lysis.
The Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Self-Management Behaviors in Patients With T2DM and Stage 3 CKD

Purpose This study aimed to assess the relationship of depressive symptoms with self-management by adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease. Design and Methods Using a descriptive correlational design, participants completed Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities measure. Findings Reported were energy loss, sleep change, and fatigue. Performed less were exercise, physical activity, eating vegetables, and blood checks. Significant correlations were BDI-II total score with feet checking, energy loss with feet checking and exercise, and sleep change with feet soaking. Practice Implications Depressive symptoms were associated to self-management behaviors that require physical energy. Assess for advancing symptoms.
Capacity and delay of hybrid wireless broadband access networks

An optical network is too costly to act as a broadband access network. On the other hand, a pure wireless ad hoc network with n nodes and total bandwidth of W bits per second cannot provide satisfactory broadband services since the pernode throughput diminishes as the number of users goes large. In this paper, we propose a hybrid wireless network, which is an integrated wireless and optical network, as the broadband access network. Specifically, we assume a hybrid wireless network consisting of n randomly distributed normal nodes, and m regularly placed base stations connected via an optical network. A source node transmits to its destination only with the help of normal nodes, i.e., in the ad hoc mode, if the destination can be reached within L (L /spl geq/ 1) hops from the source. Otherwise, the transmission will be carried out in the infrastructure mode, i.e., with the help of base stations. Two transmission modes share the same bandwidth of W bits/sec. We first study the throughput capacity of such a hybrid wireless network, and observe that the throughput capacity greatly depends on the maximum hop count L and the number of base stations m. We show that the throughput capacity of a hybrid wireless network can scale linearly with n only if m = Omega(n), and when we assign all the bandwidth to the infrastructure mode traffics. We then investigate the delay in hybrid wireless networks. We find that the average packet delay can be maintained as low as Theta(1) even when the per-node throughput capacity is Theta(W).
The Libelli of the Decian Persecution

Despite the admirable “Licht vom Osten” of Adolf Deissmann and the more recent studies of Cumont, Bousset, Norden, and Reitzenstein, the student of the history of religions can still set his plough to much fruitful soil in the field of the papyri. Even the intensively cultivated domain of church history could be broadened and enriched by studies derived from such data in their application to problems of Christian institutional and constitutional development, of monasticism, and of the sociological aspects of the church's expansion. In another quarter, that of the persecutions, the papyri have helped to an understanding of the genre litteraire of the Acts of the Martyrs, and to a more accurate conception of the relations of Roman state and Christian church. This last we owe particularly to the finds of Libelli from the period of the Decian persecution.
59-Year-old man with pelvic pain and hypergammaglobulinemia

59-year-old man was referred to our institution by his local physician for further evaluation and management of pelvic pain of 3 months’ duration. He had been well until 3 months previously when he developed left testicular pain with fever (temperature, 40°C) and vomiting. Two to 3 days later the fever had subsided, but he experienced severe pelvic pain, described as deep, poorly localized, and worse with weight bearing and hip abduction. Treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and other analgesics provided little benefit. He denied having persistent fever, anorexia, or weight loss. There were no changes in bowel pattern and no hematochezia, hematuria, or worsening of the pain with micturition or bowel movements. Aside from the pelvic pain, findings on review of systems were normal. The patient’s medical history was unremarkable except for hyperlipidemia. Physical examination revealed only tenderness over the symphysis pubis. He had normal passive range of motion of his hips but had tenderness on abduction bilaterally. Slight edema of his left lower extremity was evident. An extensive evaluation before referral showed an elevated sedimentation rate (ESR) of 104/mm in 1 h (reference ranges shown parenthetically) (<10 mm/1 h), elevated IgG of 2680 mg/dL (700-1500 mg/dL), and normal IgM and IgA. Presence of a small monoclonal spike was suspected within a broad polyclonal band. A metastatic bone scan showed no lytic or sclerotic lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of his pelvis, performed to evaluate pelvic pain, showed only a slightly abnormal marrow signal. The possibility of multiple myeloma was raised, and he was referred for further work-up.
A phase noise improvement of 19 GHz VCO with use of feedback coupled-line resonator

A phase noise improvement of VCO using a novel feedback coupled-line (FBCL) resonator is presented. The Q factor of the FBCL resonator we propose is 2 times higher than that of conventional simple micro-strip line (MSL) resonators, because the FBCL resonator accelerates the phase change vs. frequency with less size increase. A 19 GHz-band push-push VCO with the FBCL resonator exhibited a phase noise level of −104 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset, which is 4 dB lower than that of a 10 GHz-band VCO with the MSL resonator. This FBCL topology has a potential to improve the phase noise performance of VCOs by 6 dB.
Inertial Fusion Energy

Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) is the primary fusion approach alternative to the Tokamak in the U.S., with a significant IFE driver development program on heavy-ion accelerators supported by DOE Energy Research, and with a large inertial confinement fusion target physics program supported by DOE Defense Programs, aimed at the goal of fusion ignition and energy gain in the laboratory with the National Ignition Facility (NIF) around 2005.
What Affects Patient (Dis)satisfaction? Analyzing Online Doctor Ratings with a Joint Topic-Sentiment Model

We analyze patient reviews of doctors using a novel probabilistic joint model of topic and sentiment based on factorial LDA (Paul and Dredze 2012). We leverage this model to exploit a small set of previously annotated reviews to automatically analyze the topics and sentiment latent in over 50,000 online reviews of physicians (and we make this dataset publicly available). The proposed model outperforms baseline models for this task with respect to model perplexity and sentiment classification. We report the most representative words with respect to positive and negative sentiment along three clinical aspects, thus complementing existing qualitative work exploring patient reviews of physicians.
Redefining Professionalism? Florida's Code Mandating the Aspirational Raises Challenging Questions

Responding to continued criticism of the legal profession, Florida recently adopted a new Code for Resolving Professionalism Complaints (professionalism code). The new requirements transform the aspiration of professionalism into a mandate, but important questions remain as to the meaning of key terms and the methods of implementation.In its opinion approving the professionalism code, the Florida Supreme Court stated that Florida lawyers had “traditionally followed a more passive, academic approach to enhance and improve professionalism.” In other words, the combination of continuing legal education programs, speeches, contests, and meetings — methods once called “procedural professionalism” in a 2005 Florida Bar Journal article — have been insufficient to reverse the perception problems. But on occasion, The Florida Bar does use existing rules to tackle challenging problems of lawyer behavior that also could be characterized as gross violations of professionalism standards. For example, R. 4-8.4(d) of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar prohibits lawyer misconduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, including conduct “to knowingly, or through callous indifference, disparage, humiliate, or discriminate against litigants, jurors, witnesses, court personnel, or other lawyers on any basis...” Nevertheless, the professionalism code represents another tool to directly regulate individual lawyer conduct, providing new rules for initiating, processing, and resolving professionalism complaints.
Acclimation to elevated emersion temperature has no effect on susceptibility to acute, heat-induced lipid peroxidation in an intertidal mussel (Mytilus californianus)

Organisms inhabiting the rocky intertidal zone must tolerate both aquatic and terrestrial stresses encountered over the tidal cycle, particularly those that occur during emersion such as desiccation, hypoxia, and thermal stress. We tested whether episodic exposure to elevated body temperatures that are possible in future climate scenarios leads to up-regulation of the antioxidant defense system or, alternatively, to accumulation of oxidative damage. We quantified antioxidant capacities against peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals, catalase enzymatic activity, and lipid peroxidation—a form of oxidative damage—in gill, mantle, and adductor muscle from mussels (Mytilus californianus) exposed to three treatments for 4 weeks: immersed continuously in seawater (15 ± 1 °C), exposed to moderate temperature air (21.8 ± 0.1 °C) for 4 h per day, or exposed to warm air (30 ± 0.1 °C) for 4 h per day. We quantified antioxidants and oxidative damage under both baseline conditions and following a common, acute heat stress challenge. Gill tissue accumulated lipid peroxidation damage during the acute thermal challenge independent of acclimation history, and this tissue expressed the lowest baseline levels of defense against peroxyl radicals that promote lipid peroxidation. There was no up-regulation of measured components of the antioxidant system in any tissue following the acclimation regimes. There was also no evidence for chronic accumulation of lipid oxidative damage. Based on these patterns, we hypothesize that the costs of repairing lipid peroxidation are less than the costs of mounting a constitutive, baseline antioxidant defense against extreme events that tend to be rare and relatively unpredictable in nature.
Structural Model of the Extracellular Assembly of the TCR-CD3 Complex

Antigen recognition of peptide-major histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs) by T cells, a key step in initiating adaptive immune responses, is performed by the T cell receptor (TCR) bound to CD3 heterodimers. However, the biophysical basis of the transmission of TCR-CD3 extracellular interaction into a productive intracellular signaling sequence remains incomplete. Here we used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy combined with mutational analysis and computational docking to derive a structural model of the extracellular TCR-CD3 assembly. In the inactivated state, CD3γe interacts with the helix 3 and helix 4-F strand regions of the TCR Cβ subunit, whereas CD3δe interacts with the F and C strand regions of the TCR Cα subunit in this model, placing the CD3 subunits on opposing sides of the TCR. This work identifies the molecular contacts between the TCR and CD3 subunits, identifying a physical basis for transmitting an activating signal through the complex.
Advanced-technology radiation therapy for bone sarcomas

BackgroundBone sarcomas are rare primary tumors. Radiation therapy (RT) can be useful in securing local control in cases where negative surgical margins cannot be obtained or where tumors are not r...