cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Addendum to ``History, current status, and trends of radiation protection standards'' by William R. Hendee [Med. Phys. 20, 1303-1314 (1993)]

Tables II, III, and IV in this article should be updated with information recently published in Report No. 116: Limitation of Exposure to Ionizing Radiation, National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, MD (1993). Updated Tables II, III, and IV were provided to Medical Physics in the early fall, but were not included in the printed review. The updated tables are presented here.
Caloric requirements of human populations: A model

Currently available models used for predicting human caloric requirements do not reflect the great variability in activity patterns observed among populations, and are insensitive to important anthropometric, demographic, and environmental variables. They are thus inadequate for application to many populations and problems of anthropological interest. We present a model for determining caloric requirements which more accurately accommodates the effects of variation in activity and in anthropometries on individual needs, and which predicts population requirements based on individual needs and demographic parameters. The model is tested on four populations (the Andean community of Nunoa, Peru, the Dobe !Kung of Botswana, and two New Guinean villages) and is found to provide consistently better estimates of caloric requirements than are generated by the Food and Agriculture/World Health Organization's model. This model should be useful to anthropologists and human ecologists concerned with problems involving human energy consumption, such as the efficiency of subsistence strategies, optimum family composition, or certain consequences of increased labor migration or technological change.
The Transition Assessment Process and IDEIA 2004.

This article will first provide an overview of the transition assessment process in terms of the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 and the basic te...
Sonographic assessment of the epiglottis.

OBJECTIVES The ideal diagnostic test for the diagnosis of epiglottitis would be simple, rapid, noninvasive, and highly accurate, performed at the bedside, and would not use ionizing radiation. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of ultrasound to image the epiglottis and to determine the range of normal epiglottis diameter for men and women. METHODS This was a prospective study of a convenience sample of 100 subjects between the ages of 18 and 50 years who had no known acute or chronic laryngeal diseases or surgeries. The anterior neck of each subject was scanned in both the long and short axis with a 5-10 MHz linear transducer. Sonographically, the epiglottis appeared as a curvilinear, hypoechoic structure with an echogenic pre-epiglottic space. The sonographic appearance of the epiglottis and the pre-epiglottic space were recorded and anteroposterior measurements of the epiglottis just distal to the hyoid bone were made. Comparisons between men and women were performed with use of a Student's t-test. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between subject height and epiglottic size. RESULTS The epiglottis was visualized in all 100 subjects including 62 women and 38 men. The average patient age was 35.2 +/- 8.1 years. The epiglottic thickness was 2.39 +/- 0.15 mm. This was greater in men (2.49 +/- 0.13 mm) than in women (2.34 +/- 0.13 mm) (p < 0.001). There was moderate correlation between height and epiglottic thickness (R = 0.48). However, when this was analyzed separately for men and women, there was no significant correlation between epiglottic thickness and height. CONCLUSIONS Bedside ultrasonography is easy to perform and can accurately evaluate the epiglottis. Further analysis should include patients with known epiglottic disease to assess the utility of this technique to detect pathologic enlargement.
τ Binds and Organizes Escherichia coli Replication Proteins through Distinct Domains DOMAIN III, SHARED BY γ AND τ, BINDS δδ′ AND χψ

Abstract The DnaX complex of the DNA polymerase holoenzyme assembles the β2 processivity factor onto the primed template enabling highly processive replication. The key ATPases within this complex are τ and γ, alternative frameshift products of the dnaX gene. Of the five domains of τ, I–III are shared with γ In vivo, γ binds the auxiliary subunits δδ′ and χψ (Glover, B. P., and McHenry, C. S. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 3017–3020). To localize δδ′ and χψ binding domains within γ domains I–III, we measured the binding of purified biotin-tagged DnaX proteins lacking specific domains to δδ′ and χψ by surface plasmon resonance. Fusion proteins containing either DnaX domains I–III or domains III–V bound δδ′ and χψ subunits. A DnaX protein only containing domains I and II did not bind δδ′ or χψ. The binding affinity of χψ for DnaX domains I–III and domains III–V was the same as that of χψ for full-length τ, indicating that domain III contained all structural elements required for χψ binding. Domain III of τ also contained δδ′ binding sites, although the interaction between δδ′ and domains III–V of τ was 10-fold weaker than the interaction between δδ′ and full length τ. The presence of both δ and χψ strengthened the δ′-C(0)τ interaction by at least 15-fold. Domain III was the only domain common to all of τ fusion proteins whose interaction with δ′ was enhanced in the presence of δ and χψ. Thus, domain III of the DnaX proteins not only contains the δδ′ and χψ binding sites but also contains the elements required for the positive cooperative assembly of the DnaX complex.
High sodium chloride intake decreases betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase expression in guinea pig liver and kidney

Betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (BHMT) is the only enzyme known to catabolize betaine. In addition to being a substrate for BHMT, betaine also functions as an osmoprotectant that accumulat...
A Study of Cardiac Effects of Thyroid Hormones: Evidence for Amelioration of the Effects of Thyroxine by Sodium Ipodate*

We studied the effects of daily ip administration of T4 (200 micrograms/100 g BW) or T3 (50 micrograms/100 g) to the rat (six per group) for 3 days with or without sodium ipodate (6 mg/100 g), propylthiouracil (PTU; 2 mg/100 g), propranolol (0.5 mg/100 g), or amiodarone (2.5 mg/100 g) on cardiac weight, 3',5'-diiodothyronine (3',5'-T2) to 3'-monoiodothyronine monodeiodinating activity (MA), mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (alpha GPD), and/or cytosolic ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). T4 treatment caused a 28% increase in cardiac weight, about an 11-fold increase in 3',5'-T2 MA, about a 27% increase in alpha GPD activity, and about a 129% increase in ODC activity. Administration of ipodate with T4 abolished all effects of T4 on the heart. PTU abolished the effect of T4 on alpha GPD and markedly reduced its effect on 3',5'-T2 MA and ODC activity; it had little effect on cardiac hypertrophy caused by T4 treatment. Propranolol reduced the increase in cardiac weight following T4 administration from 28% to 11%, but had a modest or no effect on T4-induced changes in other metabolic variables studied. Amiodarone also reduced the effect of T4 on heart weight, but had little or no influence on 3',5'-T2 MA, the only metabolic variable studied. T3 treatment of the rat caused a 35% increase in heart weight, about a 15-fold increase in 3',5'-T2 MA, about a 35% increase in alpha GPD, and about a 100% increase in ODC activity. Ipodate and PTU reduced the increase in 3',5'-T2 MA following T3 administration, but had no appreciable influence on heart weight, alpha GPD, and/or ODC activity. Propranolol and amiodarone had no significant effect on any of the changes studied after T3 administration. It was concluded that: 1) ipodate markedly lessens or abolishes the effects of T4 on the heart; 2) propranolol and amiodarone decrease cardiac hypertrophy in response to T4 administration, but have little or no effect on metabolic changes due to T4; 3) PTU curtails the metabolic effects of T4 on the heart but has little effect on cardiac hypertrophy; 4) none of the drugs studied affects cardiac changes occurring after T3 administration. The changes observed in 3',5'-T2 MA after ipodate and PTU treatment may have been a result of direct interaction of the drugs with the deiodinase.
Effect of hot and cold deformation on the P {011}〈455〉 recrystallization texture in a continuous cast Al–Mn–Mg aluminum alloy

Abstract The effect of different relative amounts of hot and cold deformation on the P {0 1 1}〈4 5 5〉 recrystallization texture in a continuous cast Al–Mn–Mg aluminum alloy was investigated by X-ray diffraction. The results show that at a given total rolling strain the sheet with a high hot rolling strain exhibits a significantly stronger P texture than the sheet with a low hot rolling strain. Hot deformation strongly promotes the formation of the P texture during recrystallization annealing.
New uses for molecular-size exclusion chromatography

Abstract The discovery of new packing materials for high-speed molecular-size exclusion has brought this mof of liquid chromatography to a level of importance equal to that of the other three modes. Substantial reductions in the time of analysis, column lengths and column diameters, coupled with improved analytical results, yield considerable improvements when applied to proven methods and make possible many new applications using molecular-size exclusion chromatography as a generalanalytical technique. New applications are demonstrated by actual chromatograms and include analyses such as: (1) molecular-weight distributions on 2 m × 2.6 mm I.D. columns using 10–20 ml of solvent, giving results in 20 min with ± 5% reproducibility; (2) fractionation of blood plasma; (3) analysis of drugs in blood plasma without the need for sample clean-up; (4) analysis of alcohol in beverages; and (5) analysis of decomposition products of drugs. Other important applications are also included. All of these applications are carried out on 0.5–2 m × 2.6 mm I.D. columns using either aqueous or organic solvents. The analyses are completed in 10–20 min using 10–20 ml of solvent and all applications are quantitative. Plate counts of 1000 plates/m are normal. The above work demonstrates that with the advent of new high-speed molecular-size ecxlusion packings, molecular-size exclusion takes on a new importance as a general analytical technique and should be given equal consideration when choosing the mode of operation for solving a particular separation problem.
Becoming a peroxidase: cardiolipin-induced unfolding of cytochrome c.

Interactions of cytochrome c (cyt c) with a unique mitochondrial glycerophospholipid cardiolipin (CL) are relevant for the protein’s function in oxidative phosphorylation and apoptosis. Binding to CL-containing membranes promotes cyt c unfolding and dramatically enhances the protein’s peroxidase activity, which is critical in early stages of apoptosis. We have employed a collection of seven dansyl variants of horse heart cyt c to probe the sequence of steps in this functional transformation. Kinetic measurements have unraveled four distinct processes during CL-induced cyt c unfolding: rapid protein binding to CL liposomes; rearrangements of protein substructures with small unfolding energies; partial insertion of the protein into the lipid bilayer; and extensive protein restructuring leading to “open” extended structures. While early rearrangements depend on a hierarchy of foldons in the native structure, the later process of large-scale unfolding is influenced by protein interactions with the membrane surface. The opening of the cyt c structure exposes the heme group, which enhances the protein’s peroxidase activity and also frees the C-terminal helix to aid in the translocation of the protein through CL membranes.
Functional segregation of color and motion perception examined in motion nulling

Abstract We examine two hypotheses about the functional segregation of color and motion perception, using a motion nulling task. The most common interpretation of functional segregation, that motion perception depends only on one of the three dimensions of color, is rejected. We propose and test an alternative formulation of functional segregation: that motion perception depends on a univariate motion signal driven by all three color dimensions, and that the motion signal is determined by the product of the stimulus contrast and a term that depends only on the relative cone excitations. Two predictions of this model are confirmed. First, motion muling is transitive: when two stimuli null a third they also null another. Second, motion nulling is homogeneous: if two stimuli null one another, they continue to null one another when their contrasts are scaled equally. We describe how to apply our formulation of functional segregation to other behavioral and physiological measurements.
Too little, too early: California’s transient advantage in the photovoltaic solar industry

Throughout its brief history, California has established itself as a national or international leader in key industries—such as aerospace, computing and entertainment—through early mover pre-emption and strong clustering effects. California firms were the initial world leaders in producing photovoltaic (PV) solar cells and dominated the initial aerospace niche market. However, these early efforts failed to create a durable cluster, and when the U.S. market lost interest in renewable energy during the 1990s, California firms were largely surpassed by Japanese, German and Chinese producers that focused on the mass market of using PV to displace fossil fuels for electricity generation. This paper reviews the history of the California PV producers in three phases: aerospace niche markets of the 1950s and 1960s, a brief policy-induced effort at electricity generation in the 1980s, and a twenty first century resurgence fueled by Silicon Valley venture capital. It then discusses why the early entry of the California firms failed to translate to sustained advantage for the firms or the region.
Validation of organ procurement and transplant network (OPTN)/united network for organ sharing (UNOS) criteria for imaging diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Imaging diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents an important pathway for transplant exception points and priority for cirrhotic patients. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the validity of the new Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN) classification system on patients undergoing transplantation for HCC. METHODS One hundred twenty-nine patients underwent transplantation for HCC from April 14, 2006 to April 18, 2011; a total of 263 lesions were reported as suspicious for HCC on pretransplantation magnetic resonance imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging examinations were reviewed independently by two experienced radiologists, blinded to final pathology. Reviewers identified major imaging features and an OPTN classification was assigned to each lesion. Final proof of diagnosis was pathology on explant or necrosis along with imaging findings of ablation after transarterial chemoembolization. RESULTS Application of OPTN imaging criteria in our population resulted in high specificity for the diagnosis of HCC. Sensitivity in diagnosis of small lesions (≥1 and <2 cm) was low (range, 26%-34%). Use of the OPTN system would have resulted in different management in 17% of our population who had received automatic exception points for HCC based on preoperative imaging but would not have met criteria under the new system. Eleven percent of the patients not meeting OPTN criteria were found to have T2 stage tumor burden on pathology. CONCLUSIONS The OPTN imaging policy introduces a high level of specificity for HCC but may decrease sensitivity for small lesions. Management may be impacted in a number of patients, potentially requiring longer surveillance periods or biopsy to confirm diagnosis.
Fiber-Optic Multisensor Networks

Multisensor networks can be used in a variety of application areas where a number of measurand fields need to be monitored, or where profiling of the measurand is of interest. This paper gives an overview of current developments in the area of distributed and multiplexed fiber optic sensor systems.
Constrained controllability of discrete-time systems with additive disturbances

The constrained controllability of a discrete-time system with additive disturbances is considered where the control and the disturbance are termed admissible if they satisfy specified magnitude constraints. Constrained controllability is concerned with the existence of an admissible control which steers the state of the system to a given target set from a specified initial state for every admissible disturbance. It is shown that the disturbed system is constrained controllable if, and only if, an associated disturbance-free system is constrained controllable. Thus, existing results from the literature concerning the constrained controllability of disturbance-free systems can be used to check the constrained controllability of disturbed systems.
Resident and Police Perceptions of the Neighborhood: Implications for Community Policing

The successful implementation of community policing programs is dependent on police and residents understanding the needs of their communities. Differences between resident and police perceptions c...
An unusual case of acute hyperkalemia during pregnancy

We report a rare case of acute hyperkalemia in a patient with chronic kidney disease and intrauterine fetal demise. We propose that the hyperkalemia was due to a potassium load introduced into the maternal circulation as a result of intrauterine fetal demise and uterine rupture.
Release of eosinophil chemotactic factor from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils by calcium ionophore A23187 and phagocytosis.

THE number of mediators assumed to be important in the pathogenesis of acute allergic reactions has increased considerably recently. At the outset, Dale1 suggested that histamine was the critical feature of such responses; then a role for the slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) was suggested by Brocklehurst2, one for the eosinophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis (ECF-A) by Kay and Austen3,4 and more recently a kallikrein-like molecule has been described5. Whether preformed, like histamine, or synthesised after the immune event, like SRS-A, each of these mediators had two features in common. (1) It could be released (in primates) only after an IgE antibody–antigen interaction and (2) the cell of origin was the mast cell or the basophil. These generalisations can no longer be accepted. We have described the generation and release of SRS-A from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) by the calcium ionophore A23187 (ref. 6), and we report here ionophore-induced release of eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) from that cell type. More importantly, we have been able to demonstrate that this mediator can be released by normal human PMN during phagocytosis. (We prefer to call the leukocyte-derived factor described here and in our previous publications ECF for two reasons : first, ECF is not associated only with anaphylaxis, and second, complete biochemical identity with the previously described ECF-A has not been proved.)
EXAMINATION OF THE INTRON IN THE MEIOSIS-SPECIFIC RECOMBINATION GENE REC114 IN SACCHAROMYCES

REC114 is one of 10 genes known to be required for the initiation of meiotic recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is transcribed only in meiosis, and our previous sequence analysis suggested the presence of an intron in the 3′ end of the gene. Hypotheses in the literature have suggested, because of its unusual location, either that the putative intron in REC114 is likely to be necessary for expression, or that there may actually be no intron present. This work demonstrates that REC114 does have an intron and is one of only three genes in yeast with introns located in the 3′ end. Furthermore, the 3′ splice site utilized in REC114 is a very rare AAG sequence; only three other genes in yeast use this nonconsensus sequence. The splicing of REC114 does not require MER1, a gene known to be involved in meiosis-specific RNA processing. In fact, an intronless copy of REC114 can complement a null rec114 mutation. Thus, it does not appear that the intron is essential for expression of REC114. Although the intron is not absolutely required for meiotic function, it is conserved in evolution; two other species of yeast contain an intron at the same location in their REC114 genes.
31 The 'Impotent Neutrophil' Syndrome

Leukocyte function was studied in a 2–2,5-year-old Negro male with the history of repeated abscesses, cervical and inguinal adenitis, recurrent pneumonia, seborrheic eczema of the scalp, hepatosplenomegaly and anemia. An appropriate leukocytosis with neutrophilia occurred with each infection, absolute neutrophil counts ranging from 3,900 to 24,500/mm3. IgG, IgA and IgM globulins were present in increased amounts. Lymph node biopsy contained caseating granuloma. Skin tests and cultures for all types of acid fast bacilli and fungi were repeatedly negative. These findings are characteristic of the syndrome of chronic granulomatous disease of childhood. There was a normal flux of leukocytes into Rebuck skin windows and exudate fluid. Leukocytes appeared normal with alkaline phosphatase, peroxidase and Wright's stain and were normally vacuolated after bacterial phagocytosis. Normal leukocyte motility and phagocytosis followed by degranulation were seen with phase microscopy. Decreased bactericidal activity of the patient's leukocytes during in vitro incubation with Staphylococcus aureus and Aerobacter aerogenes was repeatedly demonstrated in the presence of the patient's serum or normal serum. To determine the nature of this defect a citric acid extract of the patient's leukocyte granules was compared with control specimens and decreased bactericidal activity was found. The deficient or abnormal phagocytin activity of the patient's leukocytes, demonstrated by this study, could account for his clinical syndrome. (SPR)
The decoupling of damped linear systems in configuration and state spaces

Abstract It has recently been reported that any viscously damped linear system can be decoupled in the configuration space by a real, nonlinear, time-dependent transformation. The purpose of this rapid communication is to provide a few clarifying remarks about the decoupling operation. It is shown that, for homogeneous systems, the time-dependent configuration-space decoupling transformation is real, linear and time-invariant when cast in state space. In addition, the configuration–space transformation generates a diagonalizing structure-preserving transformation. In non-homogeneous systems, both the configuration and associated state transformations are nonlinear and depend continuously on the excitation. An example is given of a linear system that can be decoupled in configuration but not in state space.
Species-specific differences in the Pro-Ala rich region of cardiac myosin binding protein-C.

Cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) is an accessory protein found in the A-bands of vertebrate sarcomeres and mutations in the cMyBP-C gene are a leading cause of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The regulatory functions of cMyBP-C have been attributed to the N-terminus of the protein, which is composed of tandem immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains (C0, C1, and C2), a region rich in proline and alanine residues (the Pro-Ala rich region) that links C0 and C1, and a unique sequence referred to as the MyBP-C motif, or M-domain, that links C1 and C2. Recombinant proteins that contain various combinations of the N-terminal domains of cMyBP-C can activate actomyosin interactions in the absence of Ca2+, but the specific sequences required for these effects differ between species; the Pro-Ala region has been implicated in human cMyBP-C whereas the C1 and M-domains appear important in mouse cMyBP-C. To investigate whether species-specific differences in sequence can account for the observed differences in function, we compared sequences of the Pro-Ala rich region in cMyBP-C isoforms from different species. Here we report that the number of proline and alanine residues in the Pro-Ala rich region varies significantly between different species and that the number correlates directly with mammalian body size and inversely with heart rate. Thus, systematic sequence differences in the Pro-Ala rich region of cMyBP-C may contribute to observed functional differences in human versus mouse cMyBP-C isoforms and suggest that the Pro-Ala region may be important in matching contractile speed to cardiac function across species.
Helically coiled micro-organism from caecum contents of the rat.

IN the course of investigations on the intestinal flora of white rats an unusual helically coiled organism was observed on several occasions in gram-stained smears of the caecum contents (Fig. 1). The organism remained viable when 10 per cent w/v suspensions of caecum contents in Todd–Hewitt broth were heated at 80° C for 5 min in sealed ampoules and afterwards sub-cultured anaerobically under alkaline pyrogallol seals in Todd–Hewitt broth containing 25 µg per ml. of neomycin sulphate. The resulting culture, which contained a number of other micro-organisms in addition to the coiled form, was inoculated into germ-free rats of the Swedish strain and the coiled form was again observed in stained smears of both faeces and caecum contents.
Comment on “radiative properties of snow for clear sky solar radiation”

Abstract Choudhury's (1981) addition of a special “surface reflection” term to a theoretical model for snow albedo is both unnecessary and incorrectly formulated.
Recurrence of Seismic Migrations along the Central California Segment of the San Andreas Fault System

VERIFICATIONS of tectonic concepts1 concerning seafloor spreading are emerging in a manner that has direct bearing on earthquake prediction. Although the gross pattern of worldwide seismicity contributed to the formulation of the plate tectonic hypothesis, it is the space-time characteristics of this seismicity that may contribute more toward understanding the kinematics and dynamics of the driving mechanism long speculated to originate in the mantle. If the lithosphere is composed of plates that move essentially as rigid bodies, then there should be seismic edge effects associated with this movement. It is these interplate effects, especially seismic migration patterns, that we discuss here. The unidirectional propagation at constant velocity (80 km yr−1 east to west) for earthquakes (M≥7.2) on the Antblian fault for the period 1939 to 1956 (ref. 2) is one of the earliest observations of such a phenomenon. Similar studies3,4 of the Alaska Aleutian seismic zone and certain regions of the west coast of South America suggest unidirectional and recurring migrations of earthquakes (M≥7.7) occur in these areas. Between these two regions along the great transform faults of the west coast of North America, there is some evidence5 for unidirectional, constant velocity and recurrent migration of great earthquakes. The small population of earthquakes (M>7.2) in Savage's investigation5 indicates a large spatial gap along the San Andreas system in central California from 1830 to 1970. Previous work on the seismicity of this gap in central California indicates that the recurrence curves remain relatively constant, independent of large earthquakes, for periods up to a century6. Recurrence intervals for earthquakes along the San Andreas Fault have been calculated empirically by Wallace7 on the basis of geological evidence, surface measurements and assumptions restricted to the surficial seismic layer. Here we examine the evidence for recurrence of seismic migrations along the San Andreas fault system of central California for earthquakes of magnitude M≥5.
Class II Malocclusions: Diagnostic and Clinical Considerations With and Without Treatment

Class II malocclusions are of interest to the practicing orthodontists since they constitute a significant percentage of the cases they treat. In individuals with normal occlusion and skeletal relationship, the amount of maxillary and mandibular growth is synchronized and the result is a well-balanced and esthetically pleasing profile. In individuals with Class II malocclusions, there is an anteroposterior discrepancy between the maxillary and mandibular dentitions, which may or may not be accompanied with a skeletal discrepancy. In growing individuals, the success of treatment is dependent, to a great extent, on the ability of the clinician to influence the relative growth changes in the maxilla and mandible. The purpose of this article is to provide a perspective on the characteristics, development, etiology, and broad treatment considerations in Class II malocclusions.
Increasing obstacle height and decreasing toe-obstacle distance affect the joint moments of the stance limb differently when stepping over an obstacle

Abstract Foot placement during gait is important in regulating the dynamics of the joints of the supporting limb and in maintaining balance of the whole body. We hypothesized that increasing obstacle height and decreasing toe-obstacle distance (distance between the trailing foot and the obstacle during stance of the trailing foot just prior to stepping over the obstacle) would affect the joint moments of the stance limb differently when stepping over an obstacle. A total of 14 healthy young adults stepped over an obstacle 51, 102, 153, and 204 mm in height in a self-selected manner (i.e. toe-obstacle distance was not controlled) and for toe-obstacle distance targets of 10, 20, 30, and 40% of their step lengths measured during unobstructed gait. The adduction and internal rotation moments at the ankle joint increased as toe-obstacle distance decreased. The adduction and internal rotation moments at the hip joint during early stance, the internal rotation moment at the knee joint during late stance, and the dorsiflexion moment at the ankle joint during late stance increased with obstacle height. Reductions in toe-obstacle distance had greater effects on the moments of the ankle joint, and increases in obstacle height had greater effects on the moments of the hip joint. These greater demands on joint moments may affect the abilities of those elderly having decreased muscle strengths to safely step over obstacles.
Oblique-incidence liquid-crystal-tunable étalon

The experimental properties and a detailed model of a nematic liquid-crystal-tunable Fabry–Perot etalon with obliquely incident light are reported. As a single-wavelength switch, the etalon has an extinction ratio of 20.3 dB, an insertion loss of −1.7 dB, and a millisecond switching speed. As a filter, the etalon has a finesse of 15.1, a free spectral range of 20.4 nm, and a continuous tuning range of over 40 nm with less than 5 V.
Improved calculation method of damage parameter in viscoelastic continuum damage model

Modelling the performance of asphalt concrete using continuum damage theories is an approach that has gained international attention in recent years. These types of models are advantageous because they ignore many of the complicated physical interactions at the microscale level and instead characterise a material using macroscale observations. One such model, the viscoelastic continuum damage model, is used in this study to examine the fatigue performance of asphalt concrete mixtures. A mathematically rigorous exploration is undertaken to specialise the model for easy prediction and characterisation using cyclic fatigue tests on cylindrical specimens. This process reveals that certain theoretical shortcomings are evident in other similar models and corrects them with a newly developed model. The resulting model is capable of capturing the underlying material property, i.e. the damage characteristic curve, which is responsible for the performance of controlled stress, controlled crosshead strain and consta...
Adolescent Anemia Screening During Ambulatory Pediatric Visits in the United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends anemia screening for reproductive age women every 5-10 years and annually for those with risk factors. Due to the lower risk of anemia among males, screening for men is recommended only if risk factors exist. The study objective was to examine health care professionals' current anemia screening patterns for male and female adolescents. Data are from the 2001 -2004 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a nationally representative sample of ambulatory visits to primary care practices. The frequency of anemia screening during preventive care visits by 12-21-year-olds was estimated by sex using a reported hemoglobin/hematocrit or complete blood count as an indicator of screening. Multivariable logistic regression identified patient, provider and practice-level factors associated with screening. During the study period, 1,263 preventive care visits occurred for 12-21 year-olds. In bivariate analysis, higher odds of anemia screening were observed for both younger females (OR 1.85; 95 % CI 1.09-3.14) and older males [1.83 (1.02-3.26)] compared to older females (≥ 16 years). In the multivariable model, odds of screening increased with non-white race [3.29 (1.84-5.88)], tobacco use [3.57 (1.94-6.58)], longer visit length [1.03 (1.01-1.06)], and practice site acceptance of managed care plans [2.08 (1.04-4.14)]. Patient sex and age were not statistically significant predictors of screening. Although anemia is more prevalent among older adolescent females, they were not more likely to be screened. This suggests providers are not targeting groups at highest risk of anemia for screening.
CoCam: Real-time photo sharing based on opportunistic P2P networking

We describe a mobile application for sharing user-authored photo content in realtime called CoCam. CoCam is a collaborative content sharing framework based on opportunistic P2P proximal networking. CoCam users who are located in the same physical space can automatically share the photos they create as well as receive photos from other users around them. Since CoCam is based on an opportunistic P2P network middleware, users are not required to know each other in advance. It is also not necessary for them to agree on the same service provider nor coordinate the network configuration, infrastructure and security settings. This middleware automatically discovers other peers and handles the organization of ad-hoc network connections. With CoCam, we demonstrate that users are able to share and enjoy shared photos and video streams without the effort of manual setup and cost associated with the 3G/4G network.
DNA Mismanagement Leads to Immune System Oversight

Trex1, a major 3' DNA exonuclease in mammalian cells, has been thought to act primarily in DNA replication or repair. Surprisingly, the major phenotype resulting from Trex1 deficiency in humans and mice is a chronic inflammatory disease. In this issue, Yang et al. (2007) report that Trex1 deficiency causes chronic activation of the ATM-dependent DNA-damage checkpoint and accumulation of a discrete single-stranded DNA species in the cytoplasm, either of which could contribute to chronic inflammation.
Assessment of dysmenorrhea using the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire: factor structure and validity.

Abstract Painful menstruation has been estimated to affect up to 75% of women between the ages of 17 and 25 yr, yet relatively little research has been conducted on its assessment. The present study examined the factor structure and validity of the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ), one of the few instruments available for the assessment of dysmenorrhea. Results supported previous studies which suggested that a dichotomous classification of menstrual experience into spasmodic and congestive types was an oversimplified conceptualization of an apparently much more complex problem. A factor analysis of the MSQ resulted in three factors, premenstrual symptoms, psychophysiological discomfort and menstrual pain. The results of the present research suggest that the factor structure of the MSQ may be reactive to the population on which it is used, in a way that reflects the developmental course of dysmenorrhea.
The Death Penalty and the Peculiarity of American Political Institutions

This article examines distinctive American political institutions that contribute to explaining the continued use of the death penalty. In the light of wide popular support for capital punishment, strong political leadership is considered to be a principal channel for the abolition of capital punishment. The dilemma of the US death penalty, however, lies in populist features of political structures that greatly limit the political leverage and possibilities available to leaders. The institutional arrangements in the United States allow public support for the death penalty to influence political decision making more directly than it can in the European counterpart. A strong receptiveness of US political leaders to the public also implies that once public opinion changes, political leaders are likely to respond to the public’s new attitude. Unlike most countries, which abolished the death penalty through political initiatives that were counter-majoritarian, the United States may abolish it only after a change in public opinion.
Effect of some benzylhydrazines and benzyloxyamines on dopa and 5-hydroxy-tryptophan decarboxylasein vivo

Abstract A number of benzylhydrazines and benzyloxyamines have been compared for their ability to inhibit the decarboxylation of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) and 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylalanine (dopa) in mice. Three different methods have been employed: 1. Inhibition of the decarboxylation of injected C 14 -carboxyl-labeled dopa and 5HTP as measured by respiratory C 14 O 2 . 2. Inhibition of 5HTP-induced tremors. 3. Inhibition of formation of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the brain after injection of 5HTP in mice pretreated with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. The most active hydrazines were dl -α-hydrazino-α-methyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid, N′-(3-hydroxybenzyl)-N′-methylhydrazine; N′-(4-bromo-3-hydroxybenzyl)-N′-methylhydrazine and N-( dl -seryl)-N′-(2, 3, 4-trihydroxybenzyl)hydrazine. Of the oxyamines, the 3, 4-dihydroxybenzyloxyamine and 3-hydroxybenzyloxyamine were the most potent.
Effects of Supervisor Power on Preparers' Responses to Audit Review: A Field Study

This study investigates the role of audit review as feedback to workpaper preparers. Specifically, we examine whether review affects preparers' attempts to improve their performance, manage their reviewers' impressions of their work, and seek additional feedback from their reviewers. We also examine the effects of preparers' perceptions of their reviewers' power. Power has previously been shown to be a critical construct affecting feedback. Our findings suggest that perceptions of reviewer power affect preparers' responses to review. Specifically, referent power appears to have the most positive effect on preparer's responses, while perceptions of coercive power have detrimental effects.
Urban Field Education: An Opportunity Structure for Enhancing Students' Personal and Social Efficacy

Undergraduates' transitions to adult working roles can befacilitated by off-campus field education programs. An evaluation study of one such program, a work internship program in Philadelphia, indicated that student participants had experienced significant positive changes in feelings of per-sonal and social efficacy. Participation in the program had apparently in-creased their self-confidence and willingness to enter novel social situations as well as decreased their tendencies to be self-abasing.
Limitations of looped-line scheme for overcoming wired-or glitch effects

The letter makes some general observations on the occurrence of glitches on wired-OR lines, and points out the limitations of a recently proposed scheme for avoiding their ill-effects. Possible alternatives are discussed, one being an extension of the proposal in question.
Investigating human cancer etiology by DNA lesion footprinting and mutagenicity analysis

Many genotoxic carcinogens are known to leave unique signatures on cancer-related genes. The signature of carcinogens is manifested by the induction of characteristic mutations at distinctive nucleotide positions along oncogenes and/or tumor suppressor genes. Often, the nucleotide positions, wherein mutations occur, co-localize with the sites of initial DNA damage induced by the respective carcinogens. Thus, DNA damage-targeted mutation can be a predictor of carcinogenicity of genotoxins. Today, genomic sequencing technologies for investigating human cancer etiology are based on DNA-lesion footprinting in conjunction with mutagenicity analysis of genotoxic carcinogens. In this review article, we discuss the ligation-mediated PCR and terminal transferase-dependent-PCR, two versatile DNA-lesion footprinting techniques. We highlight the in vitro shuttle vector-based mutation systems for investigating site-specific mutagenicity of carcinogens and the in vivo transgenic rodent mutation systems for exploring DNA damaging and mutagenic properties of carcinogens. We present examples of application of each of these methodologies to human cancer etiology, and provide prospective views on investigations using these technologies for carcinogenicity testing.
Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir and Dasabuvir Tablets for Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1 Infection

Objective: To review the data with ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection. Data Sources: Phase I, II, and III trials and review articles were identified through MEDLINE (1996-January 2015) and PubMed (1996-January 2015), conference abstracts, and US national clinical trials registry, using the keywords NS3/4A protease inhibitor, NS5A inhibitor, NS5B polymerase inhibitor, ABT-450, ABT-267, ABT-333, paritaprevir, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Preclinical, phase I, II, and III studies describing pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, and tolerability were identified. Data Synthesis: Noncirrhotic patients with HCV genotype 1b experienced sustained virological response 12 weeks after completion of therapy (SVR12) rates of 96% to 100% when ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir were administered for 12 weeks, regardless of inclusion of ribavirin. SVR12 rates of 95% to 97% were...
Effects of isometric muscle tension on vasomotor activity and heart rate.

Twenty-four adults each performed two isometric exercises at three levels of exertion while finger pulse amplitude, skin temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate and amplitude were monitored. Due to exercise, pulse amplitude and skin temperature were significantly reduced while heart rate was significantly increased. The magnitude of cardiovascular (CV) effect varied in proportion to the magnitude of exercise. Further evidence for the close association between exercise and CV effects was implied by the rapid recovery of pulse amplitude and heart rate at the termination of exercise. This evidence in addition to a detailed analysis of respiration data led to the conclusion that CV reactions to isometric exercise were not mediated by respiratory variations. The implications of these, findings for studies of operant conditioning of CV and other autonomic responses are discussed.
A reliable and cost-effective assembly process for quick prototyping with GaN FETs and other flip-chip packages

As transistors rapidly move to smaller packages, reliable prototyping becomes increasingly difficult. Ideally, high accuracy placement machines are preferred for device placement but are not practical for low-volume production. Here, a novel manual assembly process is applied to the 400 μm pitch EPC GaN FETs that has resulted in near 100% yield and exceptional reliability. The process requires a soldering iron and a reflow oven. An X-Ray image is preferred to verify alignment, but a successful alternate method is also presented. This assembly process, which can be applied to other flip chip and chip-scale packaging, will save time and resources in the development of new products employing wide bandgap power devices like EPC GaN FETs, and it has delivered significantly greater yield than alternative published methods.
Recognizing targets: Wittgenstein's exploration of a new kind of foundationalism in on certainty

Bringing the views of Grayling, Moyal-Sharrock and Stroll together, I argue that in On Certainty, Wittgenstein explores the possibility of a new kind of foundationalism. Distinguishing propositional language-games from non-propositional, actional certainty, Wittgenstein investigates a foundationalism sui generis. Although he does not forthrightly state, defend, or endorse what I am characterizing as a “new kind of foundationalism,” we must bear in mind that On Certainty was a collection of first draft notes written at the end of Wittgenstein's life. The work was unprogrammatic, sometimes cryptic. Yet, his exploration into areas of knowledge, certitude and doubt suggest an identifiable direction to his thoughts.
Emotional stress as a trigger of myasthenic crisis and concomitant takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a case report

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular junction post-synaptic autoimmune disorder. Myasthenic crisis is characterized by respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare clinical syndrome defined as a profound but reversible left ventricular dysfunction in the absence of coronary artery disease. We report a unique case of a 60-year-old Hispanic woman with myasthenia gravis who developed takotsubo cardiomyopathy and concomitant myasthenic crisis that appear to have been triggered by a stressful life event. On admission, she presented with severe mid-sternal chest pain and shortness of breath shortly after a personally significant stressful life event. A pertinent neurological examination showed bilateral facial weakness and right ptosis. The left ventriculogram showed apical ballooning with hyperdynamic proximal segments with sparing of the apex. Her troponin I level was elevated, while cardiac catheterization revealed no significant coronary artery disease. The findings were consistent with takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Shortly after cardiac catheterization, she developed bilateral ophthalmoparesis and significant bulbar and respiratory muscle weakness. Forced vital capacity values were persistently less than 1 L. The patient developed respiratory failure and required endotracheal intubation. After plasmapheresis and corticosteroid treatment, her clinical course improved with successful extubation. A normal left ventricle chamber size and a normal ejection fraction were noted by an echocardiogram repeated 10 months later. This is the first reported case of the simultaneous triggering of both takotsubo cardiomyopathy and myasthenic crisis by the physiologic consequences of a state of severe emotional stress. We hypothesize that the mechanism underlying the rare association of takotsubo cardiomyopathy with myasthenic crisis involves excessive endogenous glucocorticoid release, a high-catecholamine state, or a combination of both. We advocate careful cardiac monitoring of myasthenia gravis patients during acute emotional or physical stress, as there is potential risk of developing takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
High temperature-gradient refractive index liquid crystals

We have analyzed the physical origins of the temperature gradient of the ordinary refractive index ( dn(o) /dT) of liquid crystals. To achieve a large dn(o) /dT , high birefringence and low clearing temperature play crucial roles. Based on these simple guidelines, we formulated two exemplary liquid crystal mixtures, designated as UCF-1 and UCF-2, and compared their physical properties with a commonly used commercial liquid crystal compound 5CB. The dn(o) /dT of UCF-1 is ~4X higher than that of 5CB at room temperature.