cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct Foreign Investment: A Migration Push-Factor?:

Policymakers and analysts now recognize that US military activities abroad contribute to the creation of refugee flows into the US. Previously immigration into the US was viewed as a result of inept and failed domestic policies in the countries of origin. Results show that recent immigrants to the US come from countries with neither the poorest nor the largest population growth rate in the less developed world. However the sending countries received US direct foreign investment (DFI) in the 1970s particularly labor intensive investment in export manufacturing. Significant levels and concentrations of DFI promote emigration through: 1) the incorporation of new segments of the population into wage labor and the associated disruption of traditional work structures 2) the feminization of the new industrial work force and its impact on the work opportunities of men and 3) the consolidation of objective and ideological links with the highly industrialized countries where most foreign capital originates. The data suggest an examination of the causes of emigration on a much more specific level than that of underdevelopment poverty and population growth. These facts carry immediate policy implications for US immigration organizations: 1) if US firms in export processing zones recruited workers from the pool of unemployed--mostly prime-age males--rather than expanding the labor supply by recruiting young women thereby disrupting unwaged work structures and 2) if these firms would desist from having high turnover rates among workers then the migration impact of this type of development would be minimized.
Fundamental Issues in Manufacturing Photovoltaic Modules Beyond the Current Generation of Materials

Many methods to improve the solar cell’s efficiency beyond current generation of bulk and thin film of photovoltaic (PV) devices have been reported during the last five decades. Concepts such as multiple exciton generations (MEG), carrier multiplication (CM), hot carrier extraction, and intermediate band solar cells have fundamental flaws, and there is no experimental evidence of fabricating practical higher efficiency solar cells based on the proposed concepts. To take advantages of quantum features of nanostructures for higher performance PV devices, self-assembly-based bottom-up processing techniques are not suitable for manufacturing due to inherent problems of variability, defects, reliability, and yield. For processing nanostructures, new techniques need to be invented with the features of critical dimensional control, structural homogeneity, and lower cost of ownership as compared to the processing tools used in current generations of bulk and thin-film solar cells.
Convective Transport Phenomena and Macrosegregation During Solidification of a Binary Metal Alloy: II—Experiments and Comparisons With Numerical Predictions

Experiments involving the solidification of a Pb-19 percent Sn alloy in an axisymmetric, annular mold of stainless steel are performed, and results are compared with numerical predictions. Agreement between measured and predicted cooling curves is reasonable, although undercooling and recalescence, which occur in the experiments, are not predicted by the model. Measured temperatures also indicate that dendrite fragments are transported throughout the mold cavity during early stages of solidification, and convection patterns similar to those predicted by numerical simulation can be inferred from the measurements. While there is general agreement between measured and predicted trends for macrosegregation, the numerical simulation, which assumes axial symmetry, cannot predict the inherently three-dimensional nature of solute redistribution. Conclusions drawn from temperature and composition measurements are supported by metallographic examinations of experimental ingot specimens. 22 refs., 11 figs., 1 tab.
Nuclear quadrupole resonance of boron in borate glasses

Abstract A continuous wave nuclear quadrupole resonance spectrometer that has a high sensitivity even at low frequencies has been built. Boron and aluminum NQR has been detected in the region 200 kHz to 1.4 MHz. For the first time, boron NQR has been detected in a glass. The NQR spectrum of pure B 2 0 3 glass is consistent with 85 ± 2% of the boron atoms belonging to boroxol rings. In sodium borate glasses, the number of borons in boroxol rings decreases with increasing sodium content, until when sodium oxide comprises 20 mol% of the glass less than 2% of the borons are in boroxol rings.
Particle size distribution of cocaine hydrochloride

A principal method for the detection of concealed shipments of cocaine hydrochloride relies upon the intake of an air sample taken near a surface onto an analytical instrument, and the detection of the narcotic present in the air or surface materials collected. The low vapor pressure of cocaine at normal temperatures indicates that particulate material present on the surfaces of target packages affords a higher probability of collection of detectable mass than does a vapor sample. An accurate representation of the particles in question is required, both for theoretical sampler design and for the performance of meaningful tests of instrument capabilities. Existing test methods for target particle preparation call for use of sand particles ranging in size from 20 to 100 micrometers in diameter, coated with a solution of cocaine hydrochloride. In this study, three seized samples and pharmaceutical cocaine hydrochloride were analyzed using an Aerosizer to measure the size distribution of the air-dispersed particles. The results obtained during these tests indicate that the actual size range of the particles is significantly smaller than the test particles cited. Results obtained in instrument evaluations using the larger target particles may therefore be misleading.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A framework of enroute air traffic conflict detection and resolution through complex network analysis

The scalability of increasingly complex air transportation requires better automation support to prevent accidents and assure safety. Collaborative control mechanisms for error and conflict detection and prevention are an essential part of this support. Analysis of the network structure of proposed design for automated conflict detection and resolution for the next generation air transportation system was conducted. This analysis provides insight into the tradeoffs of alternative concepts of collaborative operations, including tradeoffs between expected conflicts, communications requirements, and vulnerability to targeted attack. The resulting design framework provides a structure for the application of network architecture methods to these, and other, techniques for air traffic control, enabling in-depth analysis and evaluation of the resulting system.
Posttransfusion survival (24‐hour) and hemolysis of previously frozen, deglycerolized RBCs after storage at 4°C for up to 14 days in sodium chloride alone or sodium chloride supplemented with additive solutions

BACKGROUND Previously frozen human RBCs currently are glycerolized and deglycerolized by the use of open systems that limit storage of the deglycerolized RBCs at 4 degrees C to only 24 hours. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Healthy male volunteers who met AABB requirements for blood donors (n = 38) were studied. A volume of 450 mL of blood was collected into CPDA-1. The RBC concentrates were stored at 4 degrees C for 3 to 6 days before being frozen with 40-percent (wt/vol) glycerol and stored at -80 degrees C. The RBCs were deglycerolized, resuspended in 0.9-percent sodium chloride and 0.2-percent glucose (SG) solution or SG solution supplemented with AS-1, AS-3, or AS-5, and stored in the resuspension medium at 4 degrees C for 14 days. RESULTS The mean +/- SD freeze-thaw-wash process recovery was 90.0 +/- 4.0 percent for all 38 units. The mean 24-hour posttransfusion survival value was 79 percent for deglycerolized RBC stored at 4 degrees C for 7 days in SG alone, SG plus AS-3, or SG plus AS-5. Deglycerolized RBC that were stored at 4 C for 14 days in SG supplemented with AS-1, AS-3, or AS-5 had a mean 24-hour posttransfusion survival of 74 percent. After 7 days of storage of deglycerolized RBCs in SG alone, the mean hemolysis was 3. 7 percent. After 14 days of storage of deglycerolized RBCs in SG supplemented with AS-1, AS-3, or AS-5, the mean hemolysis was 2.5 percent. CONCLUSIONS The levels of hemolysis did not correlate with the 24-hour posttransfusion survival values.
Determination of Forecast Errors Arising from Different Components of Model Physics and Dynamics

This paper addresses a procedure to extract error estimates for the physical and dynamical components of a forecast model. This is a two-step process in which contributions to the forecast tendencies from individual terms of the model equations are first determined using an elaborate bookkeeping of the forecast. The second step regresses these estimates of tendencies from individual terms of the model equations against the observed total tendencies. This process is executed separately for the entire horizontal and vertical transform grid points of a global model. The summary of results based on the corrections to the physics and dynamics provided by the regression coefficients highlights the component errors of the model arising from its formulation. This study provides information on geographical and vertical distribution of forecast errors contributed by features such as nonlinear advective dynamics, the rest of the dynamics, deep cumulus convection, large-scale condensation physics, radiative processes, and the rest of physics. Several future possibilities from this work are also discussed in this paper.
Dislocation waves in a two-dimensional Coulomb lattice.

We calculate the properties of dislocation waves in a two-dimensional Coulomb lattice. Hybridization of states with core location at different points in the lattice leads to a substantial lowering of the dislocation energy. At ${\mathit{r}}_{\mathit{s}}$=37, this lowering is comparable to the elastic core energy. The mass of the dislocation waves for motion in the direction of the Burgers vector is about 1/10 the effective mass of the electrons. Motion in the other direction is mostly confined to within two rows of particles. Its scattering by static impurities is discussed.
Narrowband UVB phototherapy for early-stage mycosis fungoides

Abstract Background: Narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy has been shown to be effective for the treatment of various dermatoses. Objective: We evaluated the effect of NB-UVB in the treatment of early stage mycosis fungoides (MF). Methods: The response of 24 patients (12 stage IA, 12 stage IB) with patch stage MF to thrice weekly NB-UVB was assessed. Twelve patients had skin phototypes I-III, and 12 had types IV-VI. Seven patients had hypopigmented MF. Mean follow-up period was 29.0 weeks. Results: Thirteen patients (54.2%) had a complete response (CR), 7 (29.2%) had partial response (PR), and 4 (16.7%) had no response. Specimens from a repeat biopsy in 10 patients with CR showed histologic clearing in 9 of them. Upon discontinuation of treatment, 4 patients with CR relapsed, with a mean time to relapse of 12.5 weeks. Conclusion: NB-UVB is a viable, comparably safe, and easily administered alternative in the management of early stage MF. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2002;47:191-7).
Radiographic Investigation of the Effects of Ply Modification on Damage Development in Laminates Containing Circular Holes

The goal of this research was to evaluate possible damage suppression in multi-directional notched laminates through the use of slightly off-axis longitudinal plies. These `non-traditional' laminat...
Hypnosis in Experimental Psychology

Abstract A brief history and survey of the scope and variety of current research involving hypnosis in experimental psychology is presented.
Uncertainty Quantification of CO2 Plume Migration Using Static Connectivity of Geologic Features

Abstract During the operation of a geological carbon storage project, a critical question is whether injected CO 2 remains within the permitted zone. However, because a large suite of subsurface models are possible given very sparse static data, simulating flow in the entire suite to quantify the uncertainty in CO 2 plume migration is impractical. We propose a fast alternative that scans the suite of geologic models and groups them on the basis of static connectivity. Grouping is achieved simply by measuring the shape dissimilarity of permeable zones in the prior models using path skeletons. By selecting a specific group of models that reflect the performance observed in the field, it is possible to quantify the uncertainty in CO 2 plume migration. Our approach is compared against results obtained by flow simulation and subsequent model classification using principal component analysis (PCA) in characteristics of connectivity.
Everyday Strivings in War Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Suffering From a Hyper-Focus on Avoidance and Emotion Regulation

This research investigated whether combat veterans' daily strivings are related to the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and well-being. Veterans created a list of their most important strivings, which were content-analyzed for emotion regulation and approach or avoidance themes. It was hypothesized that veterans pursuing strivings with themes of emotion regulation or avoidance experience deleterious consequences compared with other veterans. For all veterans, devoting finite time and energy in daily life to regulating emotions was associated with less purpose, meaning, and joy compared with other strivings. Veterans with PTSD endorsed more strivings related to emotion regulation and devoted considerable effort to emotion regulation and avoidance strivings. Yet, these efforts failed to translate into any discernible benefits; veterans without PTSD derived greater joy and meaning from strivings focusing on approac- oriented behavior and themes other than emotion regulation. The presence of PTSD and a high rate of emotion regulation strivings led to the lowest global well-being and daily self-esteem during a 14-day assessment period. The presence of PTSD and a high rate of avoidance strivings also led to lower emotional well-being. Results indicate that strivings devoted to regulating emotions or avoidance efforts influence the mental health of veterans with and without PTSD. Studying personality at different levels of analysis—traits, strivings, and life narratives—allows for a fine-grained understanding of emotional disorders.
Regulatory changes following kainic acid-induced striatal lesions.

Abstract Kainic acid-induced lesions (KAL) of the striatum produce body weight and regulatory deficits in the rat. Unlike lateral hypothalamic rats, KAL rats drink more during food deprivation and eat more afterwards as compared to both baseline conditions and control rats. The present study investigated these effects further. As in previous studies, food deprivation was found to cause polydipsia and increased postdeprivational food intake in the KAL animal. Urination and defecation, often used as an index of emotionality, were also found to increase under these conditions. When the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin was injected, all of these differences remained with the exception of postdeprivational feeding — KAL rats no longer ate more than controls. These findings suggest that psychogenic factors — but not hormonal influences — may play a primary role in the regulatory peculiarities seen in the KAL rat.
Alkyl-linked diglycerides inhibit protein kinase C activation by diacylglycerols

Abstract Alkylacylglycerols are synthesized when choline-phospholipids are degraded by a phospholipase C. This class of compounds has been shown to have biological activities; however, the mechanism of action is unknown. A series of alkyl-linked diglycerides were synthesized and tested for activity in an in vitro assay for protein kinase C. When protein kinase C activity was stimulated with the synthetic diacylglyceride analog 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl- sn -glycerol, the addition of alkyl glycerides caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of protein kinase C activity. Comparison of the protein kinase C inhibition by this series of 1- 0 -alkyl-2-acyl analogs revealed that both saturated and unsaturated long-chain groups in position 1 were effective and that dietherglycerols with short-chain moities in position 2 were also effective. It is concluded from these studies that the biological activity of alkyl-linked glycerides may be expressed through protein kinase C inhibition.
A PIP Gets the Plasmodium Protein Export Pathway Going

Survival of blood stage malaria parasites requires extensive host cell remodeling, which is facilitated by secretion of parasite proteins via a dedicated protein export pathway. In a recent Cell paper, Bhattacharjee et al., (2012) describe PI(3)P binding as one of the first steps in targeting parasite proteins to the host cell.
Magnetic and quadrupole-moment ratios of the first-excited states in 186W and 182W☆

Abstract The following ratios of moments in 186 W and 182 W have been measured in Mossbauer transmission experiments: 186 μ (2 + )/ 182 μ (2 + ) = 1.16 ± 0.02, 186 Q 22 / 182 Q 22 = 0.86 ± 0.01. A comparison with the corresponding ratio of the transition moments, 186 Q 02 / 182 Q 02 = 0.94 ± 0.03, shows a disagreement with the simple rotational model.
Superlatives, NPIs and Most

The ability of English determiner most to license negative polarity items (NPIs) has long stood as a puzzle for theories that follow Ladusaw (1979) in claiming that NPIs must appear in the scope of downward entailing (DE) operators. Most licenses NPIs such as any and ever in its restrictor but is not downward, or upward, entailing with respect to its restrictor. In this paper, I argue that despite appearances to the contrary, NPIs in the restrictor of most are in the scope of a DE operator. I make crucial use of a recent proposal by Hackl (2009) to compositionally analyze determiner most as a superlative expression. When the semantics of the superlative morpheme is spelled out correctly, this derives the result that most licenses NPIs in its restrictor. In addition, I show that this approach correctly predicts the NPI-licensing properties of relative most, as in English the most students. Finally, I discuss some consequences of this approach for the proper integration of contextual restriction into the semantics of the superlative morpheme.
STATs: signal transducers and activators of transcription.

One might anticipate exciting new information regarding the STATs in several areas. First, several intriguing questions remain regarding STAT structure. Given the nature of the proposed intermolecular SH2–phosphotyrosine interactions and the requirement for the interaction of the DNA-binding domains (try making models), the molecular structures of the STAT will be of considerable interest. The function of the conserved amino-terminal domain, which is so critical to activation, will be of interest, particularly its potential contribution to STAT dimer stabilization. In addition, studies of nuclear translocation may reveal novel mechanisms for protein transport. Finally, additional studies of the highly variable, carboxy-terminal domain and possible posttranslocation modifications may address fundamental questions in transcriptional activation or, although yet to be shown, transcriptional repression.Ironically, one of the initial paradigms of IFN signaling, the complex containing STAT1, STAT2, and p48 seems to be unique rather than a paradigm. Specifically, p48 is a family of DNA-binding proteins that includes IRF-1, IRF-2, and ICSBP. The functions of most family members are unclear, although knockouts of IRF-1 would suggest a role in innate immunity. As yet, no additional complexes have been identified containing STATs and p48 family members.Regarding biological functions, it can be anticipated that in the very near future the phenotypes of mice deficient in the remaining STATs will be described and will thus eliminate further speculation. However, are there additional members of the STAT family to be identified, or will the STAT family be one of the smallest transcription factor families? Considerable effort has been expended in homology screening, PCR approaches, and searching databases of expressed sequences without the identification of additional members. Thus, it would seem less likely as time goes on that additional family members will emerge. Similarly, are there additional STATs in flies?
Properties of the momentum space analytic function

Using only the fundamental assumptions of Lorentz covariance, locality, and mass spectrum we derive certain results concerning the analytic function in momentum space. The boundary values of this function are closely related to the scattering amplitudes.
Presidential address. The role of neuronal golgi apparatus in a centripetal membrane vesicular traffic.

The adsorptive endocytosis of conjugates of the marker enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) with lectins and cholera toxin was studied in cultured neurons, neuroblastoma cells, and, in vivo , in the rat, by electron microscopic cytochemical (HRP), quantitative autoradiographic, morphometric, and biochemical techniques. The uptake of ricin-HRP by cultured neuroblastoma cells is 100 to 200 times greater than free HRP; furthermore, ricin does not stimulate the fluid phase endocytosis of HRP. Conjugates of wheat germ agglutinin and cholera toxin with HRP are 10 to 40 times more sensitive than free HRP in tracing retrograde connections in the rat central and peripheral nervous system. Conjugates of various ligands with HRP undergo endocytosis into the cisternae of the Golgi apparatus (or Golgi-Endoplasmic-Reticulum-Lysosome-GERL) and in residual bodies of cultured neurons and in vivo , while free HRP is found only in residual bodies. We conclude that: 1) various ligands with affinities to plasma membrane moieties are more sensitive, and probably more reliable, markers of “membrane” flow than free HRP, and 2) the pathway involved in the adsorptive endocytosis of ligands is different from the pathway of fluid phase uptake of HRP. These findings are consistent with the view that, in addition to its established role in the centrifugal traffic of various moieties, the neuronal Golgi apparatus is also involved in a centripetal vesicular membrane traffic. We spectulate that the neuronal Golgi apparatus, and probably the Golgi apparatus of other cells, is at the “crossroads” of a vesicular membrane traffic, and may thus exert significant controls on biologic membrane equilibria.
Compensatory ovarian hypertrophy occurs by a mechanism distinct from compensatory growth in the regenerating liver.

The mechanism by which compensatory ovarian growth occurs is complex and not completely understood. To compare the molecular events in compensatory ovarian growth with those known to occur in other compensatory growth processes such as the regenerating liver, the temporal pattern of proto-oncogene expression and dexoyribonucleic acid synthesis was investigated in rat ovarian tissue after unilateral castration. One hundred fifty female rats were subjected to either a left hemioophorectomy or a sham oophorectomy. Twenty-four rats from each group were put to death at 3 and 14 days after the initial procedure and the ovaries were weighed. There was a mean compensatory weight increase in the right ovaries of the hemioophorectomy group of 7.9% at 3 days and 22.5% at 14 days. The temporal pattern of proto-oncogene expression was determined by removing the right ovary from six rats in each group at 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours after the initial procedure. The ovaries were paired into three samples in each group for each time point and the ribonucleic acid was extracted. Dot blot hybridization was performed on each ribonucleic acid sample with radiolabeled complementary dexoyribonucleic acid probes for the proto-oncogenes c- myc , c-HA- ras , and c- fos . There was no significant increase in proto-oncogene expression in the right ovaries of the hemioophorectomy group when compared with the right ovaries of the sham oophorectomy group. The temporal pattern of dexoyribonucleic acid synthesis was determined by removing the right ovary from three rats in each group at 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours after the initial procedure. Each rat had been injected intraperitoneally with [ 3 H]thymidine 2 hours before the right oophorectomy. The specific activity of dexoyribonucleic acid extracted from each ovarian sample did not demonstrate a significant increase in ovarian dexoyribonucleic acid synthesis after hemioophorectomy or any significant difference in dexoyribonucleic acid synthesis between the hemioophorectomy and the sham oophorectomy groups. This report concludes that compensatory ovarian growth occurs by a mechanism distinct from compensatory growth in the regenerating liver.
Solute Binding to Polymers Containing Macroheterocyclic Rings

Abstract Interactions of macroheterocycles and polymers endowed with such cation binding ligands as pendant groups, with ions or ion pairs are discussed, emphasis being placed on the binding properties of the macrocyclic polyethers or crown ethers. The use of fluorenyl and picrate salts permitted a spectrophotometric investigation of ligand interactions with ion pairs and a determination of ion pair-crown ether structures, which is of importance in the study of ion transport through low polarity media. Conductometric and spectrophotometric studies were carried out to obtain the complex formation constants of bis(crown ethers) (e.g. crown compounds with two crown moieties at opposite ends of a short aliphatic chain) to cations and their picrate tight ion pairs, as a function of the length and structure of the bis(crown ether) chain. Studies of cation binding to homopolymers and styrene copolymers of vinylbenzo-15-crown-5 and of vinylbenzo-18-crown-6 using extraction equilibria, ion transport, conductance and viscosity, demonstrated the formation of 1:1 and 2:1 crown-cation complexes, selectivity of cation binding, the dependence of the complexation constant on the number of cations bound to the chain, and the possibility of intermolecular 2:1 crown-cation complex formation and crosslinking in copolymers with a low crown content. The polymer poly(vinylbenzo-18-crown-6) exhibits unusually strong binding of organic neutral and anionic solutes in aqueous media. Binding of picrate salts, methyl orange, phenolphtaleine and other solutes were studied spectrophotometrically. The hydrophobic adsorption of organic solutes also causes this polymer to catalyze the decarboxylation of 6-nitrobenzisoxazole-3-carboxylate by dehydrating the anion. The reaction is accelerated in the presence of complexable cations, which are bound to the polycrown ether, thereby further enhancing the adsorption of organic anions by electrostatic interactions. The same polymer was found to precipitate polynucleotides in water in the presence of complexable cations such as K + . It also exerts a strong inhibitory effect on the polyriboadenylate templated elongation of oligodeoxythymidine catalyzed by murine leukemia virions.
Speech in digital communication systems

The advent of integrated digital communication systems will initiate a new period in speech communications research and development. The new and still adaptable systems environment together with the cost performance advantages of modern digital technologies will open up the way to practical utilization for many speech technology concepts and services that are not feasible within the framework of the present "classical" telephone networks.
Extending the OBJECTIVE Benchmark for Evaluation of Active Rules in a Distributed Component Integration Environment

This research presents a benchmark for the evaluation of active rules within a distributed component integration environment. The benchmark is based on the OBJECTIVE active database benchmark. Our work was specifically performed in the context of the Integration Rules (IRules) project that uses active rules for the integration of distributed software components, which are based on the Enterprise JavaBeans component model. In addition to mapping the test rules of the OBJECTIVE benchmark to the integration rules of the IRules system, we have extended the OBJECTIVE benchmark to test additional features of a component-based active rule system, such as the event detection time, the rule execution time related to the invocation of methods on components, asynchronous coupling modes, and the rule processor execution time under a heavy event load. Although the research presents specific performance evaluation results for the IRules project, the approach more generally demonstrates the manner in which an existing rule processing benchmark for a centralized environment can be adapted and extended for use in a rule-based approach to distributed component integration.
The Process and Consequences of Institutionalizing an Elder

This qualitative study was conducted to examine the decision-making process and its immediate consequences forfamily members who placed an elderly loved one in a long-term care facility. To explore issues related to the placement process, in-depth interviews were conducted with 7 individuals who had recently (6 weeks or less) placed an older relative. Content analyses of the interviews were conducted, and several common themes related to the decision-making process and outcomes emerged. Most of the subjects hadprovided personal care for their elderly relative, so placing their loved one in a nursing home often conflicted with their view of themselves as an ideal caregiver During the process of making the decision, althoughfamily members were given advice and suggestions by health care professionals, this input was viewed as inadequate or even detrimental. Ultimately, subjects described making the decision to place an elderly relative in a long-term care facility as a singular process involving "I" rather ...
Homocyst(E)Ine and Heart Disease: Pathophysiology of Extracellular Matrix

Occlusive coronary artery disease is an important factor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The rupture of the thin fibrous cap of the atheroma may be one of the causes of acute coronary syndrome, however, the mechanism of formation of fibrous plaque are poorly understood. Elevation of plasma homocysteine, hyperhomocystinemia, H(e), has emerged as an independent risk factor for hypertension and fibrotic heart disease. The extracellular matrix (ECM) components, particularly fibrillar collagen, are elevated in the atherosclerotic lesions and are the essential integral element in holding the oxidized low density lipoproteins (LDL), homocystine, macrophage and foam cells in milieu, constituting the primary atherosclerotic and secondary restenotic lesions. In vivo and in vitro physiological, morphological, cellular, biochemical and molecular experiments have suggested the role of tissue homocystine in cardiovascular fibrosis and adverse ECM remodeling following H(e). The tissue homocystine induces cardiovascular fibrosis and may lead to heart failure via the redox-receptor pathway. The underlying cause and mechanism of cardiovascular fibrosis associated with arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, hypertension and coronary heart disease, involve changes in the levels of tissue redox state.
Biomechanical interaction between the transverse carpal ligament and the thenar muscles

The transverse carpal ligament (TCL) serves as the origin of the thenar muscles and is integral to thenar muscle contraction anatomically and biomechanically. TCL hypertrophy has been observed in p...
Time-Accurate Numerical Prediction of Free Flight Aerodynamics of Projectiles

This paper describes a new multidisciplinary computational study undertaken to model the flight trajectories and the free flight aerodynamics of both finned projectile at supersonic velocities and a spinning projectile at subsonic speeds with and without aerodynamic flow control. Actual flight trajectories are computed using an advanced coupled computational fluid dynamics (CFD)/rigid body dynamics (RBD) technique. An advanced time-accurate Navier-Stokes computational technique has been used in CFD to compute the unsteady aerodynamics associated with the free flight of the finned projectile at supersonic speeds and the spinning projectile at subsonic speeds. Computed positions and orientations of the projectile have been compared with actual data measured from free flight tests and are found to be generally in good agreement. Predicted aerodynamics forces and moments also compare well with the forces and moments used in the six degree freedom fits of the results of the same tests. Unsteady numerical results obtained from the coupled method show the flow field, the aerodynamic forces and moments, and the flight trajectories of the projectile
Immunity to polyomavirus infection: the polyomavirus-mouse model.

A ubiquitous clinically silent murine pathogen, polyomavirus has enjoyed long-term co-evolution with the mouse, a highly tractable and genetically and immunologically informative small animal model. Thus, polyomavirus has provided a valuable experimental construct to decipher the host immune mechanisms that come into play to control systemic low-level persistent viral infections. Impaired immunosurveillance for infected cells puts the murine host at risk both to injury resulting from excessive direct virus cytolysis and development of virus-induced tumors. In this review, we present our current understanding of the multifaceted immune response invoked by the mouse to maintain detente with this potentially deleterious persistent natural pathogen, and discuss implications of these studies for therapeutic interventions for human polyomavirus infection.
New Classes of Quasi-helically Symmetric Stellarators

New classes of quasi-helically symmetric stellarators with aspect ratios ≤10 have been found which are stable to the perturbation of magnetohydrodynamic modes at plasma pressures of practical interest. These configurations have large rotational transform and good quality of flux surfaces. Characteristics of some selected examples are discussed in detail. The feasibility of using modular coils for these stellarators has been investigated. It is shown that practical designs for modular coils can be achieved.
Sex differences in suicide incident characteristics and circumstances among older adults: surveillance data from the National Violent Death Reporting System--17 U.S. states, 2007-2009.

Each year in the U.S. more than 7,000 adults aged 60 years and older die of suicide and as the population ages, these numbers are expected to increase. While sex is an important predictor of older adult suicide, differences between males and females are often overlooked due to low occurrence, particularly among women. The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) bridges this gap by providing detailed information on older adult suicide by sex in 17 US states (covering approximately 26% of the U.S. population). NVDRS data for 2007–2009 were used to characterize male (n = 5,004) and female (n = 1,123) suicide decedents aged 60 years and older, including incident characteristics and circumstances precipitating suicide. Stratification of NVDRS data by sex shows significant differences with regard to the presence of antidepressants (19% and 45% respectively), opiates (18%, 37%), and 14 precipitating circumstances concerning mental health, interpersonal problems, life stressors and a history of suicide attempts. No differences were found for alcohol problems, suicide/other death of family or friends, non-criminal legal problems, financial problems, or disclosure of intent to take their own life. The findings of this study demonstrate the value of using comprehensive surveillance data to understand sex-specific suicide circumstances so that opportunities for targeted prevention strategies may be considered.
The Use of Eye Pads After Cataract Surgery

vol. 13, pt. 2. St. Louis, C. V. Mosby, 1974, pp. 738-758. 2. Ni, c.. D'Amico, D. J., Fan, C. Q., and Kuo, P. K.: Tumors of the lacrimal sac. A clinicopathological analysis of 82 cases. Int. Ophthalmol. Clin. 22:121, 1982. 3. Harry, J., and Ashton, N.: The pathology of tumours of the lacrimal sac. Trans. Ophthalmol. Soc. U.K. 88:19, 1968. 4. Jamieson, I. W.: Haemangioma in lacrimal sac region. A case report. Trans. OphthalmoI. Soc. N.Z. 27:71,1975. 5. Carnevali, L., Trimarchi, F., Rosso, R., and Stringa, M.: Haemangiopericytoma of the lacrimal sac. A case report. Br. J. OphthalmoI. 72:782, 1988.
In vitro and in vivo evidence for stimulation of bone resorption by an EP4 receptor agonist and basic fibroblast growth factor: Implications for their efficacy as bone anabolic agents

Prostaglandin E2 receptor subtype 4 agonists (EP4A) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) stimulate bone formation, but their effects on bone resorption are controversial. To provide additional insight into the skeletal effects of EP4A and FGF2, their regulation of expression of genes associated with bone formation and resorption in aged ovariectomized (OVX) rats and in cultured mouse bone marrow cells was determined. RNA was isolated from lumbar vertebrae of OVX rats (16 months of age) treated daily for 3 weeks with FGF2 or EP4A and processed for quantitative real time-PCR analyses. mRNA expression for the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and cathepsin K (CTSK), but not osteoprotegerin (OPG), were upregulated by both FGF2 and EP4A. Addition of FGF2 and EP4A to the medium of cultured mouse bone marrow cells increased the formation of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive cells, upregulated the expression of RANKL and CTSK, and downregulated expression for OPG. EP4A also increased the formation of actin rings, an indicator of osteoclast activation, in a dose dependent manner in osteoclasts cultured on bone slices and triggered the formation of pits as revealed by a pitting assay. Gene expression for osterix (OSX) and IGF-2, genes associated with bone formation, was significantly greater in FGF2-treated OVX rats compared with EP4A-treated OVX rats. These findings at the molecular level are consistent with previous tissue-level histomorphometric findings, and at the doses tested, support the contention that FGF2 has a stronger bone anabolic effect than EP4A. The results of these in vivo and in vitro analyses clarify the effects of FGF2 and EP4A on bone formation and resorption, and provide insight into differences in the efficacy of two potential bone anabolic agents for restoration of lost bone mass in the osteopenic, estrogen-deplete skeleton.
A Neural Model for the Perception of Surface Transparency

A converging body of psychophysical evidence indicates early visual processing mechanisms as the origins of transparency perception. Past efforts to examine qualitative aspects of this phenomenon could not easily incorporate knowledge about anatomical structure nor underlying physiological mechanisms, and did not consider the multidimensionality of the underlying phenomenon. A computational model is presented here that detects and integrates local cues of surface transparency using anatomically plausible networks of cells found in the early stages of the visual cortex. The model is demonstrated through simulation results.
Divine countenance or witches' brew?

Imagine a long and challenging ascent of a mountain peak towards the end of the day with the sun nearly set. Emerging above the clouds to reach the summit, the climber looks down to see on the clouds below, a colossal figure crowned with a wreath of glorious colour, even with multiple rings. This figure seems to be related to the climber’s shadow, but can also shift on its own as if in a cauldron. This could be interpreted as rapturous, divine, or satanic. Those who first witnessed this phenomenon in the Harz Mountains in Germany called it the “Brocken Spectre” (cover image), and it was viewed with a sense of malevolence and foreboding. It was often believed to be present as part of a witch’s brew. Yet, others would view it with divine significance, believing they had been touched with a crown by God. Surely such a complex subtle meteorological event would have been beyond the understanding of people hundreds or thousands of years ago. We know that Olympiodorus, one of the chief Aristotelian commentators, who taught at Alexandria in the 6th century and was one of the …
Effects of Low‐Dose Morphine on Gastric Emptying in Healthy Volunteers

Appropriate preoperative pain therapy for patients undergoing surgery may be withheld due to the fear that opioids will inhibit gastric emptying and increase the risk of aspiration. Previously, doses of 5 to 10 mg of morphine have been shown to delay gastric emptying time. However, the effect of lower doses of morphine on gastric emptying in humans has not been reported. In this study, the effects of intravenous morphine 0.05 mg/kg-3.5 mg for 70-kg body weight, a dose that can cause analgesia--on gastric emptying were evaluated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study in 15 healthy human volunteers using the acetaminophen test. Our data indicated that this low dose of morphine significantly prolonged the gastric emptying time. Thus, even small doses of morphine inhibit gastric emptying. This effect may be important in patients undergoing surgery, in patients receiving other oral medications after surgery in ambulatory settings, and in instances of patient-controlled analgesia.
Relationship between Neural, Vascular, and BOLD Signals in Isoflurane-Anesthetized Rat Somatosensory Cortex

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in anesthetized rodents has been commonly performed with a-chloralose, which can be used only for terminal experiments. To develop a survival fMRI protocol, an isoflurane (ISO) -anesthetized rat model was systematically evaluated by simultaneous measurements of field potential (FP) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the somatosensory cortex. A conventional forepaw stimulation paradigm with 0.3 ms pulse width, 1.2 mA current, and 3 Hz frequency induced 54% less evoked FP and 84% less CBF response under ISO than a-chloralose. To improve stimulation-induced responses under ISO, 10-pulse stimulations were performed with variations of width, current, and frequency. For widths of 0.1--5.0 ms and currents of 0.4--2.0 mA, evoked FP and CBF increased similarly and reached a plateau. The evoked FP increased monotonically for intervals from 50 to 500 ms, but the CBF peaked at an interval of 83 ms (~12 Hz frequency). These data suggest that different anesthetics profoundly affect FP and CBF responses in different ways, which requires optimizing stimulation parameters for each anesthetic. With the refined stimulation parameters, fMRI consistently detected a well-localized activation focus at the primary somatosensory cortex in ISOanesthetized rats. Thus, the ISO-anesthetized rat model can be used for cerebrovascular activation studies, allowing repeated noninvasive survival experiments.
The life history of the amphipod, Corophium volutator: the effects of temperature and shorebird predation

Abstract The life cycle of the amphipod, Corophium volutator (Pallas), is described from an intertidal mudflat in Maine, near the southern limit of the species' range in the western Atlantic Ocean. This population has two generations per year, with one generation born in May to mid–June and growing to reproduce and give rise to a second generation in August. The individuals born in August form the over-wintering generation. Comparison to sites in the Bay of Fundy, where different populations of C. volutator display one and two generations per year, rejects the hypothesis that episodic predation by shorebirds selects for the life history with two generations per year. Water temperatures during the summer may control the number of generations per year for C. volutator in the western Atlantic.
Overcoming the barriers to HPV vaccination in high-risk populations in the US ☆

Abstract Objectives To review populations of women in the United States at high risk for cervical cancer, assess known reasons for existing outcome disparities, and discuss potential strategies to reduce barriers to HPV vaccination and current strategies for cervical cancer prevention. Methods An expert forum conducted September 12–13, 2008, by the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists including 56 experts in cervical cancer and titled "Future strategies of cervical cancer prevention: what do we need to do now to prepare?" Results Although epidemiological data is useful and necessary to identify populations at high risk for cervical cancer, an understanding of the knowledge and attitudes regarding HPV and cervical cancer prevention of racial/ethnic groups and sub-groups within racial/ethnic categories is critical for the implementation of effective targeted and effective educational efforts. Inequities in cervical cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment and HPV vaccination may arise from a number of barriers including access to healthcare, cultural beliefs, and limited awareness of options. Conclusions Initiatives to promote uptake of prophylactic HPV vaccination that target high-risk women need to be implemented before existing disparities widen. Although acceptability of HPV vaccination is promising, uptake is still low among low-income populations and specific racial/ethnic minorities. To address limited vaccine uptake it may be beneficial to establish national/state guidelines as well as culturally relevant interventions at the individual and community levels. The successful implementation of multiple integrated initiatives on HPV awareness, knowledge, and vaccination will diminish existing disparities in cervical cancer incidence and mortality.
Covariant field theory of the compactified closed bosonic string

We covariantly first-quantize, via the BRST approach, the closed bosonic string compactified on a torus — in particular the 18-dimensional theory with E8 × E8 gauge bosons. Further, we give the corresponding free field theory. Thus the model is ready for the introduction of string interactions, and may be very useful for the study of gauge interactions in string theories.
Partial Purification and Characterization of Dihydrodipicolinic Acid Synthetase from Sporulating Bacillus megaterium

Sporulation of Bacillus megaterium Km (ATCC 13632) was synchronized by a technique employing three 10% transfers. The culture was harvested when 60% of the cells contained spore forms. Dihydrodipicolinic acid synthetase was purified 150-fold by ammonium sulfate fractionation at pH 6.5, heating for 15 min at 45 C at pH 6.0, ammonium sulfate fractionation at pH 6.0, and subsequent chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose. During the final stage of the purification procedure, the enzyme exhibited sensitivity to refrigeration temperatures. The enzyme had a pH optimum of 7.65 in imidazole buffer. The apparent Km values were 4.6 × 10−4 and 5.0 × 10−4m for β-aspartyl semialdehyde and pyruvate, respectively. All attempts to demonstrate cofactor requirements were unsuccessful. Sulfhydryl inhibiting reagents and lysine did not inhibit the enzymatic reaction. The enzyme exhibited maximal thermal resistance at pH 10.5. The thermal stability of the enzyme at 75 C was increased more than 1,800-fold by the addition of 0.3 m pyruvate. The Ea was 67,300 cal/mole for the thermal denaturation of the enzyme. At 60 C, the ΔF, ΔH, and ΔS values for the thermal denaturation of the enzyme were 22,250, 66,700, and 133 cal per mole per degree, respectively.