cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk/benefit ratio of perioperative OKT3 in cardiac transplantation

To evaluate the risk/benefit ratio of perioperative OKT3 in cardiac transplant patients receiving triple-drug immunosuppression, patients who underwent cardiac transplantation between July 1, 1988 and December 31, 1989 (n = 33) and who received perioperative OKT3 were retrospectively compared with patients who underwent transplantation between January 1, 1990 and June 30, 1991 (n = 46), and who received no perioperative anti-T cell therapy. To allow similar follow-up, data were analyzed through June 30, 1990 for the OKT3 group and through December 31, 1991 for the no anti-T cell therapy group. Patients in the no anti-T cell therapy group waited longer for a donor organ; other pretransplant characteristics did not differ. The azathioprine dose 1 month after transplant was higher in the no anti-T cell therapy group (144 +/- 63 mg vs 109 +/- 55 mg, p = 0.016); other post-transplant immunosuppression was similar. The incidence of total and treated rejection and the time to the first rejection did not differ between the groups. The OKT3 group had a higher number of infections (0.8 +/- 0.9 vs 0.3 +/- 0.3, p = 0.006) and intravenously treated infections (0.5 +/- 0.6 vs 0.1 +/- 0.2, p = 0.004) per patient per month. Cytomegalovirus infection developed in 46% of the OKT3 group versus 22% of the no anti-T cell therapy group (p = 0.025). Patient survival did not differ between the groups. Thus, an immunosuppressive regimen that includes perioperative OKT3 increases infections, especially cytomegalovirus infections, without decreasing or delaying rejection or increasing survival.
Tropical storm Sandy was a 1-in-700-year event

On 29 October 2012 tropical storm Sandy slammed into the New Jersey shoreline, bringing wind and water that killed more than 100 people and caused tens of billions of dollars in damage. Though its wind speeds were only equivalent to those of a low-level hurricane, Sandy caused record-breaking flooding in New Jersey, New York, and elsewhere. In lower Manhattan, water levels hit 4.28 meters above the mean low water level—the highest flood waters in the region since sensors were installed in 1920.
Crystal structure of RENiSn and REPdsn (RE rare earth) equiatomic compounds

Abstract The crystal structures of 19 ternary compounds were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction. The alloys were of (RE, Y)NiSn and REPdSn (RE  rare earth) equiatomic composition. The TiNiSi-type structure (oP12) was found.
Relaxin causes proliferation of human amniotic epithelium by stimulation of insulin-like growth factor-II

Abstract Objective: The study was conducted to determine whether relaxin has a proliferative effect on amniotic epithelial cells and to show that this effect is caused by its stimulation of the insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) gene. Study Design: Immunolocalization and Northern analysis were used to confirm the expression of IGF-II by the fetal cells in the membranes. Human amniotic epithelial (WISH) cells were treated with doses of IGF-II or human relaxin and their proliferative effects measured. The mechanism of the effect of relaxin on cellular proliferation was studied with the use of an IGF-II-blocking antibody and Northern analysis for IGF-II gene expression after treatment with relaxin. An in vivo correlate was sought by quantitation of relaxin gene expression in 10 fetal membranes from women with normally grown and large for gestational age infants. Results: The amniotic epithelial and cytotrophoblast cells of the fetal membranes expressed IGF-II, as did the amniotic epithelial-like (WISH) cell line. Treatment of WISH cells with IGF-II or relaxin caused a significant ( P P P P r = 0.76) and was significantly greater ( P Conclusion: IGF-II and relaxin both caused the proliferation of WISH cells. Concurrent treatment with an IGF-II-blocking antibody abrogated the proliferative effects of both hormones. Relaxin increased the transcription of IGF-II, and its expression levels in the fetal membranes correlated with the membrane surface area as well as neonatal birth weight. These data suggest that relaxin is a growth factor for the fetal membranes. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;188:234-41.
Crinophagic inclusions in gastric chief cells of mice with Chediak-Higashi syndrome.

Abstract Immunostaining for pepsinogen with an immunoglobulin-peroxidase bridge procedure has been undertaken in conjunction with cytochemical staining for complex carbohydrate to investigate the composition and nature of large inclusions in gastric chief cells of beige mice with an analog of the human Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS). By these methods to stain chief cells and immunostaining for carbonic anhydrase to distinguish parietal cells, stomachs of the beige mouse were compared with those of normal black mice from which the genetic defect arose. The staining has confirmed that the chief cells are involved in CHS and has affirmed that one type of megabody in CHS chief cells contains both group I and group II pepsinogens and apparently arises in a process akin to crinophagy.
The direct histogram method for quasiclassical collision dynamics: application to collinear atom-diatom scattering

Abstract A method is presented for directly propagating ensembles of collision trajectories, such the histogram-type final state distributions are obtained. A substantial savings over standard quasiclassical methods is possible since only a few trajectory ensembles need to be propagated.
An analysis of the performance of thermoelectric devices made from long-lifetime semiconductors

Abstract The performance of an ohmic- n-p -ohmic junction rectifier made from a long-lifetime semiconductor is analyzed as a thermoelectric generator and as a refrigerator. An upper limit to the efficiency of this device is shown to be inferior to that of a conventional (zero-lifetime) thermoelement. Arguments are presented to show that any semiconductor device, in which non-equilibrium concentrations of minority carriers play a part in determining the electrical characteristics, will have a poor thermoelectric efficiency. It seems safe to make the generalization that lifetime is not an important material property for semiconductor thermoelements.
Scheduling and separating departures crossing arrival flows in shared airspace

Flight efficiency and reduction of flight delays are among the primary goals of NextGen. In this paper, we propose a concept of shared airspace where departures fly across arrival flows, provided gaps are available in these flows. We have explored solutions to separate departures temporally from arrival traffic and pre-arranged procedures to support controllers' decisions. A Human-in-the-Loop simulation assessed the efficiency and safety of 96 departures from the San Jose airport (SJC) climbing across the arrival airspace of the Oakland and San Francisco arrival flows. In the simulation, the SJC tower had a tool to identify departures that could fly through predicted gaps in the arrival flow. When the timing of departures did not align with gaps in the arrival flows and separation could not be ensured, a safe but less efficient route was provided to the departures to fly underneath the arrival flows. Coordination using a point-out procedure allowed the arrival controller to control the SJC departures right after take-off. The simulation manipulated the accuracy of departure time (accurate vs. inaccurate) as well as which sector took control of the departures after takeoff (departure vs. arrival sector) in a 2×2 full factorial design. Results show that coordination time decreased and climb efficiency increased when the arrival sector controlled the aircraft right after takeoff. Also, climb efficiency increased when the departure times were more accurate. Coordination was shown to be a critical component of tactical operations in shared airspace. Although workload, coordination, and safety were judged by controllers as acceptable in the simulation, it appears that in the field, controllers would need improved tools and coordination procedures to support this procedure.
Teaching microprocessor design and testing

This paper describes the motivation for and experience in developing a senior design course which focuses on the implementation aspects of computer architecture. This course is specifically designed for undergraduate computer engineering curricula. The course objective is to place a RISC CPU design in the context of currently available components and modern design methodologies. The course description and lab assignments that lead to the design of a RISC CPU as the final project are presented. The difficulties, the authors encountered and the laboratory experience are reported.
Hybrid procedures for peripheral vascular disease: insights from the ACS-NSQIP on the outcomes of complex lower extremity revascularizations

RESULTS: From 2003 through 2009, there were 178,809 aortic aneurysm repairs amongMedicare beneficiaries, 72,963 open repairs and 105,846 EVARs. Interestingly, 2005 was the year that EVAR surpassed open AAA repairs in prevalence (14,844 vs 13,047). But since that time, EVAR has eclipsed open repairs (18,013 vs 6,157) with 74% being EVAR in the most recent year. Finally, the number of centers performing these operations has changed with more providers performing EVARs in 2009 than in 2003. With the increase in EVAR providers, the number of centers performing open repairing in 2009 decreased from the 2003. During the study period the total number of repairs remained stable.
Parameter space depiction of operation for dc-dc boost converter

This paper presents a deterministic analysis of dc-dc converter stability under the influence of varying system parameters. A boost converter with voltage and current feedback control is focused on. The region of operation is obtained and quantified based on the occurrence of bifurcations of operating points.
A comprehensive programmatic approach to recruitment and retention in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Ensuring a diverse engineering workforce has never bean more important than now as technology impacts every aspect of both global businesses and our personal lives. At the same time general interest in engineering is at a twenty year low. The ability to attract students into technical fields begins very early with collaboration of teachers, counselors, parents, business partners, university faculty and community. Since engineering is not a part of a normal junior high or high school curriculum, special creative efforts need to be made to motivate potential students about the multiple career options they have in technical fields. Students very early on need to see the relationships between the things that interest them and how an engineering career is a vehicle to impact and to improve the future of that interest. The author describes how the Office of Student Affairs for the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) at Arizona State University (USA) has a three pronged collaborative, sustained program for the recruitment and retention of engineering students that addresses these concerns.
Leafhopper Damage to Silage Corn in California

Dalbulus maidis (Delong and Wolcott) damages late-planted silage corn in California by feeding extensively on the foliage rather than by transmitting the causal organism of corn stunt. Adults were sampled with a DVac® machine and nymphs with a pea aphid separator. Control of the leaf-hopper nymphs with insecticides allowed some yield recovery. The large amounts of honeydew deposited were suitable for extensive growth of sooty mold fungi. Single crop silage corn planted early in the season has never been reported to be damaged by this leafhopper.
Contribution of dppA to urease activity in Helicobacter pylori 26695.

Background. The gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori produces urease in amounts up to 10% of its cell protein. This enzyme, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide, protects the bacterium from gastric acid. Urease, a nickel metalloenzyme, requires active uptake of nickel ions from the environment to maintain its activity. NixA is a nickel transport protein that resides in the cytoplasmic membrane. Mutation of nixA significantly reduces but does not abolish urease activity, strongly suggesting the presence of a second transporter. We postulated that the dipeptide permease (dpp) genes that are homologous to the nik operon of Escherichia coli could be a second nickel transporter. The predicted Dpp polypeptides DppA, DppC, and DppD of H. pylori share approximately 40%, 53%, and 56% amino acid sequence identity with their respective E. coli homologs. Methods. A mutation in dppA, constructed by insertional inactivation with a chloramphenicol resistance cassette, was introduced by allelic exchange into H. pylori strain 26695. Results. When compared to the parental strain, urease activity was not decreased in a dppA mutant. Conclusions. DppA does not contribute to the synthesis of catalytically active urease in H. pylori 26695 and is likely not a nickel importer in H. pylori
Vapor Phase Synthesis of II-IV Semiconductor Nanoparticles in a Counterflow Jet Reactor

The vapor-phase synthesis of polycrystalline ZnSe nanoparticles is reported. The particles were grown at room temperature and at a pressure of 125 torr in a counterflow jet reactor and were collected by impact on a Si watler. The precursors used in this study were vapors of (CH 3 ) 2 Zn:[N(C 2 H 5 )3)]2 and H 2 Se gas diluted in hydrogen. These precursors have been used in the past for Metalorganic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE) of ZnSe thin films. The particles were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). electron diffraction. and Raman spectroscopy. The reactor was operated in a continuous, steady-state mode using a gas delivery system that is typical flor MOVPII systems.
Privacy/Analysis Tradeoffs in Sharing Anonymized Packet Traces: Single-Field Case

Network data needs to be shared for distributed security analysis. Anonymization of network data for sharing sets up a fundamental tradeoff between privacy protection versus security analysis capability. This privacy/analysis tradeoff has been acknowledged by many researchers but this is the first paper to provide empirical measurements to characterize the privacy/analysis tradeoff for an enterprise dataset. Specifically we perform anonymization options on single-fields within network packet traces and then make measurements using intrusion detection system alarms as a proxy for security analysis capability. Our results show: (1) two fields have a zero sum tradeoff (more privacy lessens security analysis and vice versa) and (2) eight fields have a more complex tradeoff (that is not zero sum) in which both privacy and analysis can both be simultaneously accomplished.
Selective Propagation of Retinal Pericytes in Mixed Microvascular Cell Cultures Using L-Leucine-Methyl Ester

Endothelial cell (EC) propagation ha s been simplified by developing cell-specifi c selection criteria. Methods commonly used for selectively isolating EC include: (i )di f ferential sieving of disaggregated tissue ,(ii ) differential plating of cells on extracellula r matrices, (iii )lectin affinity isolation of cel l populations and (iv )fluorescence-activated cell sorting of cells labeled with a carbo cyanine dye of acetylated low-densit y lipoprotein (DiI-Ac-LDL). Few criteria fo r selectively propagating pericytes (PC) ar e currently available. Nonspecific esterase s exhibit a high degree of multiplicity when compared with other mammalian isozyme s and may be suitable for the identification and selective propagation of cells of the m i crovasculature. Evaluation of esterase iso type expression in PC and EC by zymogra phy indicates PC contain α -naphthy l acetate and α -naphthyl butyrate hydroly z ing esterases as well as dipeptidyl peptidas e I, while EC only contain α -naphthyl acetat e esterase. The cytotoxic response of PC and EC to various amino acid esters is assessed by monitoring vital dye uptake and by ligh t microscopy. Several amino acid esters ar e cytotoxic to both cell types, whereas 50 mM L-leucine methyl ester (L-Leu OMe) is toxi c to EC but not to PC. This amino acid este r is also toxic to mesothelial and retinal pig mented epithelial cells, other common con t aminants of PC cultures. Analysis of protein composition by two-dimension al gel ele c trophoresis indicates that L-Leu OMe doe s not stimulate expression of stress respons e proteins in PC. Thus, L-Leu OMe can b e utilized to cultivate PC selectively from mixed cell populations .
Superconducting gap excitations in MgB/sub 2/ revealed via time-domain thz spectroscopy

Summary form only given. We present the first measurements of the far-infrared conductivity of MgB/sub 2/ that encompass a frequency range spanning excitations across the fundamental superconducting energy gap. MgB/sub 2/ films of different thicknesses are grown on Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ substrates using e-beam evaporation and ex-situ annealing, with T/sub c/ of 30-34 K. We utilize terahertz time-domain spectroscopy to directly obtain the complex conductivity /spl sigma/(/spl omega/) in the spectral range of interest, without the need for Kramers-Kronig transformations. Picosecond far-IR pulses are generated and detected via optical rectification and electro-optic sampling in ZnTe using near-IR pulses from a 250 kHz Ti:sapphire amplifier. The THz conductivity of MgB/sub 2/ in the vicinity of its superconducting energy gap 2/spl utri//sub 0/ exhibits a BCS-like shape but an unusually small gap ratio 2/spl utri//sub 0//k/sub B/T/sub c/ /spl ap/ 1.9 pointing to complex behavior of this novel superconductor.
A Practical Emergence Chamber for Collecting Coleoptera from Rotting Wood, with a Review of Emergence Chamber Designs to Collect Saproxylic Insects

ABSTRACT A detailed and accurate survey of the insect fauna of rotting wood can be difficult due to the physical and mechanical properties of the habitat. Quarantining pieces or parts of dead wood in emergence chambers and collecting the insects that emerge is an effective survey method. Here we describe an inexpensive emergence chamber made from an 18-gallon (ca. 68-L) Sterilite® plastic tote box that was modified by adding a removable bottom collection jar and ventilation to the top and side. Ninety of these emergence chambers were three-fourths filled with dead wood (2.5–20 cm diameter) of various decay classes, and run for 24 months in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A total of 5,692 adult Coleoptera specimens representing 50 families, 226 genera, and 275+ species were collected. Selected results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the design. Five fundamental axes of emergence chamber design are identified and discussed. We also compare this design to other published emergence chamb...
Characterization of a higher plant herbicide-resistant phytoene desaturase and its use as a selectable marker

Summary Three natural somatic mutations at codon 304 of the phytoene desaturase gene ( pds ) of Hydrilla verticillata (L. f. Royle) have been reported to provide resistance to the herbicide fluridone. We substituted the arginine 304 present in the wild-type H. verticillata phytoene desaturase (PDS) with all 19 other natural amino acids and tested PDS against fluridone. In in vitro assays, the threonine (Thr), cysteine (Cys), alanine (Ala) and glutamine (Gln) mutations imparted the highest resistance to fluridone. Thr, the three natural mutations [Cys, serine (Ser), histidine (His)] and the wild-type PDS protein were tested in vitro against seven inhibitors of PDS representing several classes of herbicides. These mutations conferred cross-resistance to norflurazon and overall negative cross-resistance to beflubutamid, picolinafen and diflufenican. The T3 generation of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants harbouring the four selected mutations and wild-type pds had similar patterns of crossresistance to the herbicides as observed in the in vitro assays. The Thr304 Hydrilla pds mutant proved to be an excellent marker for the selection of transgenic plants. Seedlings harbouring Thr304 pds had a maximum resistance to sensitivity (R/S) ratio of 57 and 14 times higher than that of the wild-type for treatments with norflurazon and fluridone, respectively. These plants exhibited normal growth and development, even after long-term exposure to herbicide. As Thr304 pds is of plant origin, it could become more acceptable than other selectable markers for use in genetically modified food.
Protein kinase Cε induces systolic cardiac failure marked by exhausted inotropic reserve and intact Frank-Starling mechanism

Myofilament dysfunction is a common point of convergence for many forms of heart failure. Recently, we showed that cardiac overexpression of PKCe initially depresses myofilament activity and then l...
Embryonic stem differentiation into functional hepatocytes: assessment of maturity

The large quantities of hepatocytes necessary for the support of artificial liver assist devices and drug discovery studies drives the need for the identification of a sustainable source of mature hepatocytes. Embryoid body (EB) mediated differentiation of stem cells in the presence of growth factor (GF) and extracellular matrix (ECM) supplementation has been shown to produce populations of hepatocyte lineage cells expressing mature hepatocyte markers such as albumin (ALB) and glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P). In the present study we have identified a controlled tissue culture platform which was then used to study the effects of GF's alone, collagen alone, both GF's and collagen and spontaneous differentiation on protein and gene expression levels of differentiated ES cells. In-situ immunofluorescence techniques and cDNA microarrays were used to give an indication of maturity. The data suggests that spontaneous and collagen mediated differentiation produce cells with the highest levels of in-situ ALB expression but upregulated liver specific genes where only found in the spontaneous condition.
Policy and enforcement in virtual organizations

Arguably, the main goal of grid computing is to facilitate the creation of virtual organizations (VOs); however, to date, not enough attention has been placed on the policies and mechanisms by which these VOs will operate. The core of the VO-roughly, the responsibility of each physical organization (PO) in the VO to contribute and not unjustly consume resources in achieving the overall goal of the VO - is at best service-level agreements (SLAs) that lack a concrete connection to the underlying grid software and at worst an implicit "in-spirit" agreement. Unfulfilled expectations and obligations on the part of each PO can have dire consequences and can ultimately lead to the demise of the VO itself. We identify three general policies regarding resource utilization by which VOs might operate and present the ramifications of each policy on the VO's day-to-day operations and the VO's ability to actually enforce the policy. A prototype implementation of a VO with the "you-get-what-you-give" policy is the basis of a concrete cost/benefit analysis of policy enforcement for this type of VO.
Social Preferences and Political Participation

Models of political participation have begun to incorporate actors who possess "social preferences". However, these models have failed to take into account the potentially incongruent political goals of different social preference types. These goals are likely to play an important role in shaping political behavior. To examine the effect of distinct social preferences on political activity we conducted an experiment in which participants played five rounds of a modified dictator game (Andreoni and Miller 2002). We used the decisions in these games to determine their preference type and mapped these types to reported political activity. Our results show that subjects who were most interested in increasing total welfare in the dictator game were more likely to participate in politics than subjects with selfish preferences, whereas subjects most interested in reducing the difference between their own well-being and the well-being of others were no more likely to.
Understanding evolutionary potential in virtual CPU instruction set architectures

We investigate fundamental decisions in the design of instruction set architectures for linear genetic programs that are used as both model systems in evolutionary biology and underlying solution representations in evolutionary computation. We subjected digital organisms with each tested architecture to seven different computational environments designed to present a range of evolutionary challenges. Our goal was to engineer a general purpose architecture that would be effective under a broad range of evolutionary conditions. We evaluated six different types of architectural features for the virtual CPUs: (1) genetic flexibility: we allowed digital organisms to more precisely modify the function of genetic instructions, (2) memory: we provided an increased number of registers in the virtual CPUs, (3) decoupled sensors and actuators: we separated input and output operations to enable greater control over data flow. We also tested a variety of methods to regulate expression: (4) explicit labels that allow programs to dynamically refer to specific genome positions, (5) position-relative search instructions, and (6) multiple new flow control instructions, including conditionals and jumps. Each of these features also adds complication to the instruction set and risks slowing evolution due to epistatic interactions. Two features (multiple argument specification and separated I/O) demonstrated substantial improvements in the majority of test environments, along with versions of each of the remaining architecture modifications that show significant improvements in multiple environments. However, some tested modifications were detrimental, though most exhibit no systematic effects on evolutionary potential, highlighting the robustness of digital evolution. Combined, these observations enhance our understanding of how instruction architecture impacts evolutionary potential, enabling the creation of architectures that support more rapid evolution of complex solutions to a broad range of challenges.
Metabolic Sensors Mediate Hypoglycemic Detection at the Portal Vein

The current study sought to ascertain whether portal vein glucose sensing is mediated by a metabolic fuel sensor analogous to other metabolic sensors presumed to mediate hypoglycemic detection (e.g., hypothalamic metabosensors). We examined the impact of selectively elevating portal vein concentrations of lactate, pyruvate, or beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) on the sympathoadrenal response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Male Wistar rats (n = 36), chronically cannulated in the carotid artery (sampling), jugular vein (infusion), and portal vein (infusion), underwent hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic ( approximately 2.5 mmol/l) clamps with either portal or jugular vein infusions of lactate, pyruvate, or BHB. By design, arterial concentrations of glucose and the selected metabolite were matched between portal and jugular (NS). Portal vein concentrations were significantly elevated in portal versus jugular (P < 0.0001) for lactate (5.03 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.84 +/- 0.08 mmol/l), pyruvate (1.81 +/- 0.21 vs. 0.42 +/- 0.03 mmol/l), or BHB (2.02 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.16 +/- 0.03 mmol/l). Elevating portal lactate or pyruvate suppressed both the epinephrine (64% decrease; P < 0.01) and norepinephrine (75% decrease; P < 0.05) responses to hypoglycemia. In contrast, elevating portal BHB levels failed to impact epinephrine (P = 0.51) or norepinephrine (P = 0.47) levels during hypoglycemia. These findings indicate that hypoglycemic detection at the portal vein is mediated by a sensor responding to some metabolic event(s) subsequent to the uptake and oxidation of glucose.
The potential role of mitochondria in pediatric traumatic brain injury

Mitochondria play a central role in cerebral energy metabolism, intracellular calcium homeostasis and reactive oxygen species generation and detoxification. Following traumatic brain injury (TBI), the degree of mitochondrial injury or dysfunction can be an important determinant of cell survival or death. Literature would suggest that brain mitochondria from the developing brain are very different from those from mature animals. Therefore, aspects of developmental differences in the mitochondrial response to TBI can make the immature brain more vulnerable to traumatic injury. This review will focus on four main areas of secondary injury after pediatric TBI, including excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, alterations in energy metabolism and cell death pathways. Specifically, we will describe what is known about developmental differences in mitochondrial function in these areas, in both the normal, physiologic state and the pathologic state after pediatric TBI. The ability to identify and target aspects of mitochondrial dysfunction could lead to novel neuroprotective therapies for infants and children after severe TBI.
Leg-like motion with an under-actuated two DOF linkage using differential flatness

Biped walking is an application where following a predefined trajectory is entirely not critical as long as the trajectory allows the foot to clear the ground. Since a biped need not follow a trajectory exactly, instead of using a fully actuated leg an underactuated leg might also serve the purpose. The ability of a particular underactuated system to generate leglike motion is investigated in this paper. The system studied is a two DOF gravity balanced linkage. Each of the two joints has a torque spring attached to it. The spring at the knee joint ensures controllability of the system and the equilibrium position of the hip spring is taken as the input. The energy consumption of this underactuated system is compared with the energy consumption in a fully actuated case. Planning is done using the differential flatness property of the system with numerical optimization as a tool to generate flat output trajectories.
"Autoregulation" of human neutrophil activation in vitro: regulation of phorbol myristate acetate-induced neutrophil activation by cell density.

Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, 10(-7) M) activation of adherent neutrophils (PMNs) led to a markedly attenuated release of superoxide anion (O2-) per cell when PMNs were activated at high density (2.85 fmol O2-/PMN at 2 million in 0.1 ml) in comparison with cells activated at low cell density (12.0 fmol O2-/PMN at 250,000 in 0.1 ml). This "autoregulatory" phenomenon was not due to a defect in the superoxide anion assay employed, to a differential adherence of neutrophils at high vs. low density, or to substrate (cytochrome c) or cell stimulus (PMA) limitation. It was associated with an inhibition of apparent NADPH oxidase activity and a leftward shift (toward a lower level of activation) in the activation profile of PMNs (as determined by FACS analysis using PMNs preloaded with 2'7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate in which H2O2 production results in the production of the fluorescent product 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein intracellularly). Other aspects of the neutrophil activation response including arachidonic acid mobilization, phospholipid metabolism, and perhaps phosphatidylinositol turnover were also attenuated when PMNs were activated at high cell density. Studies with cells in solution, cells treated with cycloheximide, and cells treated with 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid suggest that PMN contact with a surface, neutrophil protein synthesis, and an increased surface expression of the heterodimer CD11b/CD18 on PMNs all were not required for autoregulation. Finally, morphometric and morphologic examination of PMNs activated at low vs. high density revealed histologic and structural correlates associated with the attenuated PMN activation response of cells triggered at high cell density. We conclude that multiple structural and functional aspects of the PMN activation response are modulated by cell density and suggest that this property is important both in the physiologic control of neutrophil activation and in the design of in vitro assays of the neutrophil activation response.
Second and Third Generation Cholinesterase Inhibitors: Clinical Aspects

Loss of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain occurs early in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This loss and the memory deficit generated by administration of cholinergic antagonists, e.g. scopolamine, suggest a potential for the development of cholinergic therapy for AD. Unfortunately, studies of physostigmine and tacrine (THA) have shown encouraging, but only transient improvement in memory and other cognitive measures in AD patients (Becker and Giacobini, 1991). One of the major limitations to use of these cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) is the appearance of adverse effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. We reviewed the status of early cholinergic studies and determined that the appearance of adverse effects and toxicity were not related to the level of cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition or the concentration of acetylcholine (ACh) in brain tissue (Becker and Giacobini, 1988). Rather, the appearance of toxicity seemed to be related to the individual compounds, which suggested to us the possibility that ChEIs could be identified which would be free of interfering adverse events. Other characteristics that we selected as important for the successful use of ChEIs were the ability to achieve a full range of ChE inhibition and a long duration of action. After animal studies, we selected metrifonate (MTF), an organophosphate ChEI, that spontaneously hydrolyses to the active ChEI dichlorvos (DDVP). In initial open studies in 20 AD patients, we found we could achieve up to 88% inhibition of red blood cell (RBC) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) without interfering side effects. Using the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS), we found an inverted “U” shaped dose-response curve comparing dose of MTF to percent of individuals responding (Becker et al., 1990). By plotting the dose-response relationship level of RBC AChE inhibition and ADAS response for 14 responders, we calculated an estimated optimal level of inhibition of 45%. This relationship was consistent with the report of Thal et al. (1986) who found ChE inhibition in the CSF of five patients had a “U” shaped relationship to improvement in memory. Based on these initial findings, we hypothesized that using MTF, a 40–60% level of RBC AChE inhibition was required to achieve an optimal cognitive response. This range of inhibition places each patient about three standard deviations from the mean level of AChE activity prior to the administration of MTF. To prepare for a double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of MTF, with ChE inhibition within the 40–60% range, we developed a dosing model to administer MTF.
On Tiger Mothers and Music Moms

The almost instantaneous uproar elicited by Amy Chua's Wall Street Journal op-ed “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior” and her memoir Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother was, in many ways, unsurprising. With her brash and unapologetic claims about the reasons for Chinese success, Chua touched upon several interlocking anxieties: waning U.S. hegemony, growing Chinese dominance, and proper forms of parenting in an era of global competition. As the symbolic embodiment of these fears, Chua evoked a tiger on the loose—the threat of danger and difference run amok without proper management, domestication, and punishment. Parenting blogs reviled her mothering style as child abuse, pathologized the (narrowly defined) success achieved by Asian American kids as the product of excessive discipline and rote practice, and extolled the virtue of balance, sleepovers, and play. In the thousands of comments generated in response to Chua's op-ed, a panoply of responses emerged: critiques of the author's reliance on tired cultural ...
A study of women requesting interval contraceptive sterilization who do and do not return for surgery

With the use of initial records of 1128 women who presented for interval tubal ligation, characteristics of those who were sterilized were juxtaposed with characteristics of those who did not return for surgery. Follow-up telephone interviews were conducted to explore regret after sterilization among 268 sterilized women. The subsequent histories of 144 women who did not return for surgery were examined, to determine whether failure to return might have screened, selectively, the women at greatest risk of regret. High levels of subsequent unwanted conception and pregnancy wastage were found in the nonreturn group. Institutional factors were often implicated in failure to return. Variables available at initial presentation are proposed to identify women who risk adverse consequences of postponed sterilization, to facilitate return without increasing regret.
State-of-the-Art Gas Chromatography: Instrumental Design

Description de quelques applications de la technique de «heart-cutting», utilisant une valve mecanique de microvolume
Performance of the Wing Integrated Heat Exchanger of the Theseus UAV

Experimental data for the heat transfer, pressure distributions, lift and drag coefficients, and flow visualization have been obtained for a 30% scale model of the integrated wing-radiator-cowlflap geometry as designed for the Theseus high altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Most results have been obtained at a nozzle-to-radiator area ratio of An/Aro = 0.2, for two different nondimensional radiator pressure drop values. Lift and drag coefficients for the case with heat transfer agree well with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results due to Drela, the original designer of the heat exchanger and airfoil geometry. The lift coefficient is reduced for the heated case relative to the unheated case. The drag coefficient is low for angles of attack between zero and six degrees, but increases for angles of attack above this range, due to the onset of trailing edge stall on the airfoil. Unheated results also show a drag increase for angles of attack below this range, due to flow separation on the cowl and cowl flap mounted beneath the radiator.
Explorer, Nobel Laureate, Astrobiologist: Things You Never Knew about Barry Blumberg

Baruch S. “Barry” Blumberg, winner of the 1976 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and founding director of the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI), passed away suddenly of a heart attack at age 85 on April 5, 2011, during a conference at Ames Research Center. That Barry spent his last day conceptualizing an International Research Park on the Moon befits the unflagging curiosity that characterized his life in general and his scientific career in particular. In this paper I trace Barry's scientific career, including his early formative years and the unexpected path that led to the Nobel Prize. I also show that Barry's perspective and approach to science in general made astrobiology a natural area to attract his attention after he had retired from medical research. Indeed, his priorities as NAI director reflect directly things that were important to him throughout his career.
Dermacarus Reticulosus, N. Sp. (Acari: Labidophorinae: Glycyphagidae) from Spermophilus Tridecemlineatus from Indiana, U.S.A.

A new species of labidophorine hypopus, Dermacarus reticulosus , n. sp., is described from Spermophilus t. tridecemlineatus from Indiana, U.S.A.
Primary care physicians' role in counseling about gun safety.

News stories of gun violence have ignited the debate about what public health measures are appropriate for reducing the epidemic of gun injury and death. With the shooting rate climbing, primary care physicians may reasonably ask what role they can play in reducing injuries.
Molecular epidemiological studies on Coxiella burnetii from Northwestern China

Objective To investigate Coxiella burnetii infection in ticks and local residents from Northwestern China.Methods Ticks were collected by dragging a cloth over vegetation.After species identification,DNA of Coxiella burnetii was isolated from ticks and detected by nested PCR targeting 23S rRNA of Coxiella burnetii.An indirect immunofluorescent assay(IFA) was carried out to test antibodies(IgG) against Coxiella burnetii.Results A total of 2 460 ticks were captured and 11 species were identified.Two hundred and thirty-nine ticks from 8 species tested positive,indicating an overall prevalence of Coxiella burnetii of 9.72%.Positivity differed significantly among tick species(χ2=16.59,P0.01)and in different provinces(χ2=13.28,P0.01);positivity was greatest with Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis and in Qinghai Province.A total of 725 serum samples were tested,and 51 of these tested positive.Positivity differed significantly among different occupations(χ2=4.03,P0.05).Livestock breeding,livestock with miscarriages due to an unknown cause,and methods used to protect livestock were significantly associated with positivity for Coxiella burnetii,with OR of 5.13,6.05,and 0.39,respectively.Livestock breeding and livestock with miscarriages were both risk factors while methods of protection were a protective factor.Conclusion Infection with Coxiella burnetii is present in local residents and ticks from Northwestern China.
Energy-based pulldown analysis for assessing the progressive collapse potential of steel frame buildings

Abstract This paper presents a new nonlinear static analysis procedure for predicting the peak structural responses of a building frame upon the sudden removal of a column. Based on the pulldown analysis technique that was originally developed using the empirical dynamic increase factors, the present procedure is derived by checking the condition of energy balance between the external work done by the unbalanced gravity loads and the internal energy stored in or dissipated by the deformed frame following the column removal. In contrast to the existing energy-based pushdown analysis that needs to incrementally apply the distributed gravity loads over all directly affected bays at every floor level above the removed column, the new energy-based pulldown analysis only requires the incremental application of a single downward force at the column removal location. As a result, only a single force–displacement response curve is needed in the energy-based pulldown analysis, compared to a large number of force–displacement curves for multiple nodes along all directly affected beams above the removed column, as required in the energy-based pushdown analysis. Hence, the computational complexity and expense is significantly reduced. Taken a steel frame structure as an example, the accuracies of energy-based pulldown analysis and energy-based pushdown analysis in assessing the building potential for progressive collapse after the notional column removal are systematically compared, using the nonlinear time history analysis results as a baseline. Numerical study shows that values of key structural responses (e.g., peak vertical displacement, maximum plastic hinge rotation, peak axial forces and moments) predicted by the energy-based pulldown analysis agree generally well with those by the time history analysis and are at least as accurate as those by the energy-based pushdown analysis. Therefore, the energy-based pulldown analysis holds great promise for fast, reliable assessment of building progressive collapse potential.
The use of an amniotic membrane graft to prevent postoperative adhesions

Grafts of trypsin-treated, gamma-irradiated human amniotic membranes were used to cover injured uterine horns of nulliparous female rabbits to prevent adhesions. In this study, the gradual integration of the membranes into the serosal layer of the uterus, together with marked neovascularization, was observed. By the 30th postoperative day, the grafts had been completely integrated, with little evidence of rejection and no evidence of infection at the graft sites. Of 30 uterine horns treated with membrane grafts, only 4 (13.4%) showed any adhesion formation at or among the graft sites. All of the 24 untreated controls showed adhesion formation at the site of injury. Furthermore, whatever adhesions were found in membrane-treated horns could be graded as thin and filmy, accounting for
Needed: A Rational American Maritime Policy for Trade and for Defense

The U.S. maritime system can promote American growth if it supplements strong international trade practices. What is needed first is a clearly delineated national maritime policy. This paper reviews current maritime policy, and proposes a specific approach that might satisfy both business and national security objectives.
Management of Unintended and Abnormal Pregnancy: Comprehensive Abortion Care

This book was written as an authoritative update to the previous textbook produced in 1999 by the National Abortion Federation (NAF). The previous text, A Clinician’s Guide to Medical and Surgical Abortion, addressed rapidly changing issues of the time in the provision of excellent abortion care. This new text further updates the ongoing evolution of the field, in an area of medical care with a fairly scanty literature. The important context of such work is the immense political and religious turmoil in the United States, and the world, on the subject of abortion, despite the fact that it is one of the most common procedures performed in medicine. Abortion has been a common, if often hidden, fact of life in all cultures, in all periods of history. Unsafe abortion leads, all too often, to death or permanent injury; safe abortion is much medically safer than continuing a pregnancy. The intent of this book is to improve the provision of safe abortion. The book addresses a broad range of abortion-related issues, from the sociopolitical and global health challenges, to technical aspects of specialized areas of abortion care such as late pregnancy terminations and selective reduction of multiple gestations, as well as practical aspects of counseling, contraception, and requirements for establishing safe services. There is a comprehensive appendix of resources for abortion providers. The book is consistently readable. The organization is sound, and the progression of chapters and topics flows quite smoothly. What I particularly appreciated was the flexibility of recommendations. Many clinicians will have strong preferences for the “right” way to do things. This text strives to offer appropriate options for individual practice, without insisting on a specific method. The panel of editors includes some of the most highly regarded experts in the field and draws on a distinguished group of authors, including some from England, Sweden, and the World Health Organization in Switzerland. I was disappointed by the absence of family physicians in the authorial collection. Family physicians are an increasingly active group within the abortion community, and increasing access to abortion training in family medicine residencies is an area of ongoing activism within our field. Physicians from several disciplines other than OB-GYN, particularly family medicine and pediatrics, have produced significant research in the abortion field and have contributed considerably to the provision of abortion services, particularly in communities where there would otherwise be little to no access to such care. This book will be most useful for clinicians providing abortion care, at every level of training and experience, from medical students to senior practitioners. It will, however, also prove useful for those interested in the social, psychological, and public health aspects of abortion. Many readers will learn from a single reading; abortion clinicians will want this book on their reference shelf.