cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental study of pitching and plunging airfoils at low Reynolds numbers

Measurements of the unsteady flow structure and force time history of pitching and plunging SD7003 and flat plate airfoils at low Reynolds numbers are presented. The airfoils were pitched and plunged in the effective angle of attack range of 2.4°–13.6° (shallow-stall kinematics) and −6° to 22° (deep-stall kinematics). The shallow-stall kinematics results for the SD7003 airfoil show attached flow and laminar-to-turbulent transition at low effective angle of attack during the down stroke motion, while the flat plate model exhibits leading edge separation. Strong Re-number effects were found for the SD7003 airfoil which produced approximately 25 % increase in the peak lift coefficient at Re = 10,000 compared to higher Re flows. The flat plate airfoil showed reduced Re effects due to leading edge separation at the sharper leading edge, and the measured peak lift coefficient was higher than that predicted by unsteady potential flow theory. The deep-stall kinematics resulted in leading edge separation that led to formation of a large leading edge vortex (LEV) and a small trailing edge vortex (TEV) for both airfoils. The measured peak lift coefficient was significantly higher (~50 %) than that for the shallow-stall kinematics. The effect of airfoil shape on lift force was greater than the Re effect. Turbulence statistics were measured as a function of phase using ensemble averages. The results show anisotropic turbulence for the LEV and isotropic turbulence for the TEV. Comparison of unsteady potential flow theory with the experimental data showed better agreement by using the quasi-steady approximation, or setting C(k) = 1 in Theodorsen theory, for leading edge–separated flows.
Superoxide reaction with nitroxide spin-adducts

Abstract The reactions of superoxide radical with persistent nitroxide spin-adducts or with stable spin-labels were studied using ESR spectrometry. Superoxide radicals were produced enzymatically using xanthine - xanthine oxidase or chemically by dissolving potassium superoxide in DMSO. Hydroxyl and methyl spin-adducts of the spin-trap DMPO were preformed by sonolysis and subsequently reacted with superoxide radical. Superoxide-induced depletion of DMPO—OH obeyed second order kinetics. Contrary to previously published mechanisms, the reaction requires neither transition metal ions nor thiols. The depleted spin-adducts could not be restored by reoxidation with ferricyanide or copper +H 2 O 2 ; thus, the superoxide-mediated destruction does not result in a mere one-electron reduction product. Superoxide also depletes other DMPO spin-adducts including DMPO—CH 3 and DMPO—H, but not PBN—CH 3 . In addition, some 5-membered ring stable nitroxides are depleted by superoxide in a pseudo-zero order reaction. In studying systems which generate O 2 − and OH, the superoxide-induced destruction of DMPO—OH may well lead to erroneous conclusions regarding the primary radicals produced. In particular this reaction might be operative under circumstances where elevated rates of superoxide production take place, such as during oxygen consumption “burst” in phagocytosis, degranulation, or paraquat intoxication.
Cardiac output and regional myocardial contraction in anorexia nervosa

Abstract The study measured cardiac output and assessed regional myocardial contraction in 14 patients with anorexia nervosa, some of whom also had bulimia, and in 15 controls. The experimental and control groups were not significantly different in age or body surface area ( p = > 0.05). To evaluate regional myocardial contraction, 12 of 14 anorexia nervosa-bulimia (ANB) patients were studied in the acute phase and once serially at a mean interval of 1.5 years by assessing the movement of each left ventricular wall segment toward the center of the ventricle as imaged in the precordial short axis. Cardiac output was measured in the ascending aorta by pulsed Doppler for control subjects and for 13 ANB patients. Regional myocardial contraction was normal for all controls, but eight of 14 ANB patients showed regional myocardial contraction abnormalities. Between studies, four of these eight demonstrated improved regional myocardial contraction, three remained unchanged, and one was worse. Mean cardiac output was markedly reduced in ANB patients (2.6 L/min) compared to controls (4.5 L/min) ( p = p = p =
The Use of Cinefluorography in Acquired Heart Disease

The additional important information obtained through cinefluorography warrants the use of this method in acquired heart disease. It is superior to all other methods for recording cardiac pulsations and calcifications. Its unique advantage for recording fat lines about the heart is extremely important. As the equipment improves, biplaned cinecardioangiography will be part of the armamentarium of all cardiac laboratories.
A Survivor Hits the Breaks

Bcl2 is the founding member of a family of proteins that regulates apoptosis by controlling mitochondrial outer membrane integrity. In this issue of Molecular Cell, Wang et al. (2008) propose another function for Bcl2: the inhibition of DNA repair by nonhomologous end-joining.
Measurement results from flight measurements with the hyperspectral imaging polarimeter

The Space Dynamics Laboratory at Utah State University has built and flown an airborne infrared Hyperspectral Imaging Polarimeter (HIP) as a proof-of-principle sensor for a satellite-based polarimeter. This paper briefly reviews the instrument design that was presented in previous SPIE papers1,2, details the changes and improvements made between the 1998 and 1999 measurements, and presents measurement data from the flights. Measurement data from a series of flights in 1998 indicated the need for wider-band measurements than could be made with our ferroelectric liquid crystal polarimeter design. For this reason, the existing sensor was modified to use a rotating wire-grid polarization filter. The reasons for this choice, equipment design, and measurement equations will be given. A short description of the 1999 flights aboard FISTA3 (Flying Infrared Signatures Technology Aircraft), an Air Force KC-135 based at Edwards Air Force Base will be given, as well as a small sample of the four-dimensional data set will be presented.
Factors that affect the stimulation of the microsomal drug enzymes induced by foreign compounds

Abstract These studies provide evidence that the administration of foreign compounds enhances the activity of the drug metabolizing enzymes through at least three different mechanisms: One evoked by anabolic steroids, another by polycyclic hydrocarbons, and a third by phenobarbital. It seems likely that further studies will reveal still other mechanisms through which foreign compounds alter the activity of liver microsomal enzymes that metabolize foreign compounds.
Variation in di-nitrogen fixation among Andean bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes grown at low and high levels of phosphorus supply

Abstract An initial screening of 51 genotypes of Phaseolus vulgaris identified bean accessions with good growth and nodule development at low levels of soil phosphorus (P). Seeds of these accessions were inoculated with Rhizobium , and grown in a peat-based medium to which rock phosphate was added so as to supply 5 or 140 μM P in the soil solution. Harvests were made 17–45 days after planting and nodulation, N 2 fixation, dry matter production, N and P concentration, and soluble carbohydrate and starch levels determined. Seed yields were also obtained. There was a strong correlation between nodule fresh weight, acetylene reduction activity (ARA), and plant DW among the eight genotypes examined. Stem starch concentration and milligram N per plant and nodule P concentration and ARA were also correlated. A strong correlation between the amount of N accumulated per milligram P and plant growth was shown. This supports an earlier suggestion that plant N concentration per plant P concentration may be a good indicator for N 2 fixing ability at low P. E295 and ANT22 were the best, and G19833 the worst, of the genotypes in dry weight accumulation when P and N supply was limited. E295 had higher dry matter production early in the growth cycle; ANT22 produced more dry matter later in the growth cycle, and translocated a higher percentage of P and N to the seeds. ANT22 and E295 accumulated more total P than G19833 when grown under low-P conditions, and had greater P- and N-use efficiency, total N content (indicating higher N 2 fixation), nodule P concentration, and nodule mass than G19833. G19833 contained less soluble carbohydrates in the stem than ANT22 and E295, but had a higher concentration in the roots. ANT22 and E295 appear more efficient than G19833 in taking up P from rock phosphate and/or organic sources when the plant is reliant on BNF. A large root/shoot ratio does not explain this difference.
Inflatable composite habitat structures for lunar and mars exploration

Abstract Recent advances in materials technology have improved the performance capabilities of inflatable, flexible composite structures, which have increased their potential for use in numerous space applications. Space suits, which are comprised of flexible composite components, are a good example of the successful use of inflatable composite structures in space. Space suits employ inflatables technology to provide a stand alone spacecraft for astronauts during extra-vehicular activity. A natural extension of this application of inflatables technology is in orbital or planetary habitat structures. NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) is currently investigating flexible composite structures deployed via inflation for use as habitats, transfer vehicles and depots for continued exploration of the Moon and Mars. Inflatable composite structures are being investigated because they offer significant benefits over conventional structures for aerospace applications. Inflatable structures are flexible and can be packaged in smaller and more complex shaped volumes, which result in the selection of smaller launch vehicles which dramatically reduce launch costs. Inflatable composite structures are typically manufactured from materials that have higher strength to weight ratios than conventional systems and are therefore lower in mass. Mass reductions are further realized because of the tailorability of inflatable composite structures, which allow the strength of the system to be concentrated where needed. Flexible composite structures also tend to be more damage tolerant due to their “forgiveness” as compared to rigid mechanical systems. In addition, inflatables have consistently proven to be lower in both development and manufacturing costs. Several inflatable habitat development programs are discussed with their increasing maturation toward use on a flight mission. Selected development programs being discussed include several NASA Langley Research Center habitat programs that were conducted in the 1960s, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory inflatable space station study, the NASA JSC deployable inflatable Lunar habitat study, and the inflatable Mars TransHab study and test program currently ongoing at NASA JSC. Relevant technology developments made by ILC Dover are also presented.
Telerehabilitation: State-of-the-Art from an Informatics Perspective

Rehabilitation service providers in rural or underserved areas are often challenged in meeting the needs of their complex patients due to limited resources in their geographical area. Recruitment and retention of the rural clinical workforce are beset by the ongoing problems associated with limited continuing education opportunities, professional isolation, and the challenges inherent to coordinating rural community healthcare. People with disabilities who live in rural communities also face challenges accessing healthcare. Traveling long distances to a specialty clinic for necessary expertise is troublesome due to inadequate or unavailable transportation, disability specific limitations, and financial limitations. Distance and lack of access are just two threats to quality of care that now being addressed by the use of videoconferencing, information exchange, and other telecommunication technologies that facilitate telerehabilitation. This white paper illustrates and summarizes clinical and vocational applications of telerehabilitation. We provide definitions related to the fields of telemedicine, telehealth, and telerehabilitation, and consider the impetus for telerehabilitation. We review the telerehabilitation literature for assistive technology applications, pressure ulcer prevention, virtual reality applications, speech-language pathology applications, seating and wheeled mobility applications, vocational rehabilitation applications, and cost-effectiveness. We then discuss external telerehabilitation influencers, such as the positions of professional organizations. Finally, we summarize clinical and policy issues in a limited context appropriate to the scope of this paper.
THE FAIRBANKS HALO OF APRIL 27, 1966

Abstract A description of a magnificent display of solar haloes visible over Fairbanks, Alaska, is presented and a photographic record of the anthelic arcs is used to compare these arcs with the two principal theories of Wegener and Hastings. The temperature range and interval of possible crystal formation is inferred from the halo forms and compared with aerological data at the time of the display.
Using Freirean empowerment for health education with adolescents in primary, secondary, and tertiary psychiatric settings.

TOPIC Engaging adolescents in health education through the application of Paulo Freire's three-stage empowerment model in primary, secondary, and tertiary psychiatric settings. PURPOSE To demonstrate how nurses can support adolescent autonomy and facilitate adolescent self and collective learning through group process, peer teaching, and development of critical thinking skills. SOURCES A synthesis of nursing, medical, and health education literature resulted in identification of Freire's empowerment model and its application with adolescents in primary prevention settings. CONCLUSIONS Adolescents in primary, secondary, and tertiary psychiatric settings can identify their health needs, make health choices, and take action to achieve them by using Freire's model.
A behavioral approach to sex education

In line with the current trend toward normalization of developmentally disabled individuals, various institutions are implementing training programs for effective living skills—sex education being one such program. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a modified PSI training program on the sexual knowledge and behavior of three developmentally disabled females. Results indicted significant increases in the acquisition of sexual information, and follow-up data illustrated effective retention. Procedures used to control for potential weaknesses of the design are discussed. The possibilities for and implications of peer teaching of the program are also discussed.
A Critique of the Bayesian Information Criterion for Model Selection

The Bayesian information criterion (BIC) has become a popular criterion for model selection in recent years. The BIC is intended to provide a measure of the weight of evidence favoring one model ov...
Determinants of nonprincipal submatrices of normal matrices

Abstract Let A be an n × n normal matrix, and let 1 ⪕ m . Let α,β ϵ Q m,n , the set of increasing integer sequences of length m chosen from 1, 2,…, n . Suppose α and β have exactly k common entries, denoted by ∥ α ∩ β ∥ = k , and suppose k ⪕ m − 1 . Marcus and Filippenko obtained an upper bound for ∥det A [ α ∥ β ]∥, which depends on k and the moduli of the eigenvalues of A . Using a different approach, we improve their bound. It is also proved that if A is semidefinite hermitian matrix, then max ∥ det U ∗ AU[α∥β]∥ , as U ranges over all n × n unitary matrices and α,β range over all sequences in Q m,n such that ∥ α ∩ β ∥ = k , is a monotonic nondecreasing function of k , confirming a conjecture of Marcus and Moore.
Analysis of necking in high‐speed spinning

A peculiar deformation in the threadline region resembling the “necking” associated with cold drawing of some metals and many polymeric fibers is observed when polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and other semicrystalline polymers are melt-spun at high speeds. This phenomenon is often referred to as the “neck”-like deformation. Perez and Lecluse were the first to report the “neck”-like deformation in the high-speed spinning of PET. Thus far, it has been observed that necking is seen only for polymers which crystallize in the threadline. It is generally believed that the occurrence of necking is in some way associated with the crystallization process. It is still not known whether crystallization initiates necking or vice versa. In our work, we have conducted an analysis of the necking phenomenon based on a geometric description of the neck and applied it to the basic melt-spinning equations to understand what situations can lead to neck formation in the high-speed spinning of fibers. In our analysis, a decrease in viscosity has been proven as a necessary condition for neck formation. A negative viscosity gradient implies that just before the neck region, the viscosity suddenly decreases. In a typical fiber spinning process, normally the reverse process happens: the polymer viscosity increases exponentially along the spinning threadline as the extrudate is transformed from a melt to a solid filament. Our analysis provides a mechanism for rationalizing the observed “neck”-like phenomenon in high-speed spinning by invoking the importance of radial position and availability of released heat of crystallization from crystallization occurring in the skin region, to reduce the viscosity of the fiber core. It is not speed alone which affects threadline crystallization. Of equivalent importance is the existence of favorable thermal conditions in the threadline. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 1565–1573, 1999
AVIAN NESTING HABITS AND VEGETATION STRUCTURE

Discriminant analysis is used to identify relationships between vegetation structure and nesting behavior in 78 breeding bird communities in North America. Results indicated that bird communities associated with structurally similar vegetation exhibited similar arrays of nesting habits despite their geographical separation. Tree-cavity, intermediate-cup, and high-cup nesters dominated forests and woodlands; ground-cup and ground-scrape nesters dominated grasslands; and low-cup nesters dominated desert, scrub, and some woodland sites. These functional relationships are distinct from previously reported continental scale relationships between avian feeding habits and gross vegetation structure. Links between nesting behavior and vegetation structure provide us, as geographers, with a means for placing birds into a physical landscape perspective.
Quantitative absorption spectroscopy of No2 in a supersonically cooled jet by intracavity laser techniques

Rotationally resolved absorption spectra of supersonically cooled NO2 in a jet expansion have been observed by intracavity laser spectroscopy. Experimental parameters characterizing the jet expansion and the intracavity dye laser were varied to demonstrate the general applicability of quantitative measurements involving wavelength positions and relative intensities of absorption lines for supersonically cooled molecules.
Hydrogen abstraction from a diamond(111) surface in a uniform electric field

Bond breaking in a strong electric field is shown to arise from a crossing of the ionic and covalent asymptotes. The specific example of hydrogen abstraction from a diamond(111) surface is studied using a cluster model. The addition of nearby atoms in both the parallel and perpendicular direction to the electric field are found to have an effect. It is also shown that the barrier is not only related to the position of the ionic and covalent asymptotes.
Ocular toxocariasis. A review

This review is an update on the subject of ocular toxocariasis. An introductory section is designed to familiarize the clinician with the epidemiology, characteristics of the organism, the life cycle in dogs and the systemic human disease known as visceral larval migrans ( VLM ). The more comprehensive second section considers the historical aspects of the ocular involvement, the clinical variations of ocular toxocariasis, pathology, differential diagnosis, diagnostic approaches, and treatment. Emphasis is placed upon new diagnostic techniques such as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and cytologic diagnosis of intraocular aspirates. Newer therapeutic techniques such as vitrectomy are also considered. The review includes 200 references on systemic and ocular toxocariasis.
A filter paper assay for transamidating enzymes using radioactive amine substrates

Abstract A filter paper assay was developed for measuring the activity of transamidating enzymes by the incorporation of radioactive amine substrates into proteins. The method is analogous to those generally employed for monitoring the enzymic coupling of isotopic groups to proteins, such as in the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of casein or histone. Use of minimal quantities of reagents, as well as simplicity of handling a large number of test samples, are distinct advantages of this technique. The guinea pig liver transglutaminase-catalyzed incorporation of C14-histamine and C14-putrescine into β-lactoglobulin and casein were studied. The apparent Michaelis kinetics of the reactions permitted evaluation of Km,app's for both isotopic substrates and competitive inhibition constants for nonradioactive amines were also obtained. In contrast to transglutaminase, the fibrinoligase—generated in human plasma from Factor XIII by the addition of thrombin—could not utilize β-lactoglobulin to an appreciable extent. Hence experiments had to be restricted to casein as acceptor protein. Apparent Michaelis constants for the isotopic substrates and inhibition constants for nonradioactive amines could be readily measured also in the complex plasma system. Finally, details of a rapid filter paper assay are described for measuring Factor XIII levels in human plasma by measuring the incorporation of C14-putrescine, at close to saturating concentrations, into casein.
Low amplitude entrainment of mice and the impact of circadian phase on behavior tests

A tremendous increase in the use of genetically engineered mice as experimental animals has led to increased scrutiny of mouse models generally and mouse behavioral paradigms specifically. Although mice are nocturnal, for practical reasons, most experimental procedures, including behavioral studies, are conducted during their inactive, sleep phase. Accumulating evidence indicates that myriad behavioral, cellular and biochemical processes fluctuate with circadian rhythmicity; however, time of day at which experiments are conducted is rarely controlled. The impact of circadian phase on the reliability of experimental results has received little attention and the present data are conflicting. This study addressed two questions. First, will laboratory mice in a typical animal care facility entrain to a low amplitude light cycle using bright/dim rather than light/dark cycles? A positive answer will make reversing photocycle easy to implement in any facility as dim light suitable for animal husbandry and behavioral testing can substitute for darkness during work hours. By monitoring home cage wheel running, we examined the effectiveness of a dim/bright photocycle as a zeitgeiber. We found that mice subjected to dim/bright photocycles effectively entrained such that their subjective night and activity onset coincided with the beginning of the dim light period, suggesting a potential strategy for standardization and management of circadian phase in nocturnal animals. In a second experiment, we asked what effect circadian phase has on behavioral performance in commonly used mouse behavioral tests. We found no main effect of circadian phase on outcome in open field activity, elevated plus maze emotionality, water maze spatial memory, novel object exploration and hyperactivity in response to amphetamine; however, we observed occasional interactions between circadian phase and both strain and sex that were neither consistent nor systematic. These data suggest that the tests examined here are relatively impervious to circadian phase. In general, testing mice during their active phase is more suitable for behavioral studies; a reversed dim/bright photocycle potentially offers one practical strategy for managing rodents' circadian cycles.
Biomarkers of inflammation and development of rheumatoid arthritis in women from two prospective cohort studies

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common autoimmune inflammatory arthritis, affecting approximately 1% of the population. Its etiology is unknown but it is presumed to be an immunologic disease with contributing genetic1–5 and environmental factors, such as cigarette smoking 6–15 and reproductive factors in women.16–18 A growing body of evidence suggests that there are three phases to the development of RA, an asymptomatic period of genetic risk, a preclinical phase in which RA-related autoantibodies can be detected 19, 20, and a clinical phase with acute signs and symptoms of inflammatory arthritis.21 Similar phases of development have been proposed in other autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus.22, 23 In acute and chronic inflammation, cytokines are instrumental in regulating the magnitude and duration of the inflammatory response. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are pleiotropic cytokines produced predominantly by macrophages, that initiate the T cell and synovial proliferation, and are responsible for joint destruction in RA24; and levels are elevated in the serum and the joints during active RA.25–28 Since TNFα degrades rapidly in stored samples29, we studied soluble TNF Receptor 2 (sTNFR2) levels. Soluble TNFR2 expression parallels TNFα levels and is a surrogate marker for inflammation. 25, 26. We aimed to study biomarkers of inflammatory and immune activity, including high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (sTNFR2) during the pre-clinical phase of RA among three large female cohorts of US nurses, followed prospectively for up to 12 years after blood collection, with extensive epidemiologic data on risk factors for RA. We hypothesized that women who developed RA would have evidence of immune activation prior to the first symptoms of RA, compared to women who did not develop signs and symptoms of RA.
A study of the niacin requirement of the laying hen.

Abstract BRIGGS et al. (1946) first demonstrated a niacin deficiency in laying hens by feeding a bone-ossein-casein-gelatin diet. The hens lost weight and egg production and hatchability were reduced. Many of the eggs were soft shelled. Adding niacin to the diet corrected all of these problems. Ringrose et al. (1965) fed a cornstarch-casein-gelatin diet and a corn meal-cornstarch-casein-gelatin diet for twelve weeks in studying the laying hen’s requirement for niacin. With both diets, the niacin requirement for egg production appeared to be approximately 800 μg. per 100 grams of diet. With the diet not containing corn meal, the niacin requirement for hatchability appeared to be 1,000 μg. per 100 grams of diet. This diet resulted in reduced feed consumption as compared to a practical type diet which was being used as a positive control. The corn meal diet also resulted in reduced feed consumption but not to the same degree as …
Experimental Study and Numerical Analysis of Water Single-Phase Pressure Drop Across an Array of Circular Micro-Pin-Fins

This study investigates pressure drop associated with water liquid single-phase flow across an array of staggered micro-pin-fins having circular cross-section. The micro-pin-fins are micro-end milled out of oxygen free copper and have the following dimensions: 180 micron diameter and 683 micron height. The longitudinal pitch and transverse pitch are equal to 400 microns. Seven water inlet temperatures from 22 to 80 °C, and seventeen maximum mass velocities for each inlet temperature, ranging from 159 to 1475 kg/m2 s, were tested. The test module was well insulated to maintain adiabatic conditions. The experimental results were compared to those from a micro-pin-fin array having similar size and geometrical arrangement but a square cross-section. The circular micro-pin-fins were seen to yield a significantly lower pressure drop than the square micro-pin-fins. The present experimental results were also compared with the predictions of several friction factor correlations as well as the results from a three-dimensional numerical analysis. Neither was able to accurately predict the experimental data.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
The negligible role of intermediate water circulation in stadial-interstadial oxygenation variations along the southern California margin: Evidence from Nd isotopes

Changes in the source of intermediate waters to the southern California margin may have caused variations in seafloor oxygen levels on stadialeinterstadial time scales. We test this hypothesis using the Nd isotopic composition of benthic foraminifera and fossil fish debris from ODP Sites 893 and 1017 to track the composition of intermediate waters across interstadials 8-14 (~37-52 ka) during Marine Isotope Stage 3. The eNd values of waters bathing the seafloor at Site 893 were typically ~ -9 and those bathing Site 1017 were ~ -7, both of which are significantly less radiogenic than waters that had originated in either the North Pacific or Southern Ocean (by the time such waters reached the southern California margin). Detrital silicate eNd values of nearly -12 suggest that this offset toward lower eNd values was likely caused by boundary scavenging that partially overprinted the water mass composition with local/regional fluvial Nd inputs. In spite of the evidence for boundary scavenging, the lack of systematic seawater Nd isotope changes on a stadial-interstadial basis suggests that the provenance of the intermediate waters did not change, and that the waters were derived from the Southern Ocean. Instead, changes in local/regional sea surface productivity may have caused the recorded changes in seafloor oxygenation.
The effect of progesterone on the accumulation of leukocytes in the human endometrium

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the role of progesterone on the number and type of leukocytes found in human endometrium STUDY DESIGN: Endometrial tissue was obtained from normally cycling women and from women receiving hormone replacement therapy for premature ovarian failure. All tissues were formalin fixed, sectioned, and stained with specific antibodies to leukocytes, T cells, B cells, and macrophages. Each tissue was also dated by means of published techniques. Quantitation was performed by counting all immunopositive cells in five high-powered fields. Data were compared by analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Leukocytes increased from 31.1 to 99.1 per high-powered field ( p = 0.0001), and T cells increased from 10.9 to 20.4 per high-powered field ( p = 0.001) after 12 days of progesterone treatment of women with ovarian failure. Normally menstruating women in the late luteal phase had similar concentrations. Neither B cells nor macrophages were found to increase with progesterone treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that progesterone results in an increased leukocyte and T-cell concentration in human endometrium.
A clustering of Crohn's disease in Mankato, Minnesota

Infrequently, clusterings of Crohn's disease (CD) occur that suggest it is transmissible. We studied such a clustering. Graduates of the Mankato West High School Class of 1980 were contacted by mail and asked to respond, by self-addressed postcard, to a six-item questionnaire about inflammatory bowel disease and CD. Responses were followed-up by telephone contact and additional mailings. Two visits were made to Mankato, Minnesota, to interview individuals with CD, to obtain medical records, radiographs, and sera, and to study environmental risk factors. Of the 320 graduates of the class of 1980, 285 were contacted. Seven cases of CD were identified, the equivalent of a prevalence of 2,400/100,000. Concerns were discovered that CD may have emanated from recreational swimming. Fecal coliform counts in excess of 200/dL, the standard above which water is regarded as unsafe for recreational use, had been recorded year after year for the Blue Earth River at Mankato and for the Minnesota River. Recent fecal coliform counts (1993-1995) of Lake Washington, Lake German/Jefferson, and Lake Shetek were greater than 200/dL in 57%, 65%, and 62% of water samples. This clustering, in unrelated individuals, argues against a genetic cause for CD and suggests that environmental transmission occurred.
Mitochondrial DNA replication and disease: insights from DNA polymerase γ mutations

DNA polymerase γ (pol γ), encoded by POLG, is responsible for replicating human mitochondrial DNA. About 150 mutations in the human POLG have been identified in patients with mitochondrial diseases such as Alpers syndrome, progressive external ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia-neuropathy syndromes. Because many of the mutations are described in single citations with no genotypic family history, it is important to ascertain which mutations cause or contribute to mitochondrial disease. The vast majority of data about POLG mutations has been generated from biochemical characterizations of recombinant pol γ. However, recently, the study of mitochondrial dysfunction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mouse models provides important in vivo evidence for the role of POLG mutations in disease. Also, the published 3D-structure of the human pol γ assists in explaining some of the biochemical and genetic properties of the mutants. This review summarizes the current evidence that identifies and explains disease-causing POLG mutations.
Barthelme's "Paraguay," the Postmodern, and Neocolonialism

In his article "Barthelme's 'Paraguay,' the Postmodern, and Neocolonialism," Daniel Chaskes explores the analytic opportunities afforded by conjoining globalizing critical approaches with a story by an author who has often been circumscribed by the postmodern rubric. Donald Barthelme's "Paraguay," written the summer after Nelson Rockefeller's fact-finding mission to South America in 1969, provides a chance to consider modes of anti-colonial critique in Barthelme's work. It also offers examples of a more self-reflective criticism aimed at the U.S. counterculture and, less consciously, the indeterminacies of postmodernism. Chaskes reads "Paraguay" with the aim of understanding Barthelme's hemispheric interest and he investigates the multiple cultural touchstones Barthelme draws on in a text that suggests troubling parallels between the New Left, the avant-garde, and the neocolonial political project. "Paraguay" offers a uniquely postmodern take on social commentary in which the text's form enacts the very tendencies being scrutinized: habits of seeing non-U.S. peoples as subjectless and placeless. Daniel Chaskes, "Barthelme's 'Paraguay,' the Postmodern, and Neocolonialism" page 2 of 10 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 14.4 (2012):
Stepwise Canonical Analysis in Categorical Data

Assignment of optimum scores to the categories of a multidimensional contingency table by use of a stepwise method of canonical correlations for more than two vector variables is proposed and illustrated for the well-known blood serological data of Taylor, first analyzed by Fisher. This stepwise method provides a technique for eliminating categories that do not contribute significantly to the relationship.
A hybrid neural network analysis of subtle brain volume differences in children surviving brain tumors

In the treatment of children with brain tumors, balancing the efficacy of treatment against commonly observed side effects is difficult because of a lack of quantitative measures of brain damage that can be correlated with the intensity of treatment. We quantitatively assessed volumes of brain parenchyma on magnetic resonance (MR) images using a hybrid combination of the Kohonen self-organizing map for segmentation and a multilayer backpropagation neural network for tissue classification. Initially, we analyzed the relationship between volumetric differences and radiologists' grading of atrophy in 80 subjects. This investigation revealed that brain parenchyma and white matter volumes significantly decreased as atrophy increased, whereas gray matter volumes had no relationship with atrophy. Next, we compared 37 medulloblastoma patients treated with surgery, irradiation, and chemotherapy to 19 patients treated with surgery and irradiation alone. This study demonstrated that, in these patients, chemotherapy had no significant effect on brain parenchyma, white matter, or gray matter volumes. We then investigated volumetric differences due to cranial irradiation in 15 medulloblastoma patients treated with surgery and radiation therapy, and compared these with a group of 15 age-matched patients with low-grade astrocytoma treated with surgery alone. With a minimum follow-up of one year after irradiation, all radiation-treated patients demonstrated significantly reduced white matter volumes, whereas gray matter volumes were relatively unchanged compared with those of age-matched patients treated with surgery alone. These results indicate that reductions in cerebral white matter: 1) are correlated significantly with atrophy; 2) are not related to chemotherapy; and 3) are correlated significantly with irradiation. This hybrid neural network analysis of subtle brain volume differences with magnetic resonance may constitute a direct measure of treatment-induced brain damage.
Survey of college students' MP3 listening: Habits, safety issues, attitudes, and education.

Purpose To survey listening habits and attitudes of typical college students who use MP3 players and to investigate possible safety issues related to MP3 player listening. Method College students who were frequent MP3 player users (N = 428) filled out a 30-item online survey. Specific areas probed by the present survey included frequency and duration of MP3 player use, MP3 player volume levels used, types of earphones used, typical environments in which MP3 player was worn, specific activities related to safety while listening to MP3 players, and attitudes toward MP3 player use. Results The majority of listeners wore MP3 players for less than 2 hr daily at safe volume levels. About one third of respondents reported being distracted while wearing an MP3 player, and more than one third of listeners experienced soreness in their ears after a listening session. About one third of respondents reported occasionally using their MP3 players at maximum volume levels. Listeners indicated willingness to (a) reduce v...
Structure of active phases during the course of electrocatalytic reactions

Structures of ordered adsorbates have been determined during the course of the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen by using synchrotron surface X-ray scattering techniques. The origin of the catalytic action of Tl adlayers on O{sub 2} reduction on Au has been determined, and a possibility of measuring the adsorption configuration-specific activity in O{sub 2} reduction has been demonstrated in the reaction on Ag(100) with Br adlayer. On the Au(111) electrode surface, the oxidation/redeposition of Tl in catalyzing the four-electron oxygen reduction is revealed from the analysis of X-ray diffraction intensity as a function of the O{sub 2} reduction current for the (3 x {radical}3)-2TlBr adlayer. This indicates that the redox property of the metal adsorbates is responsible for the catalytic effect. On Ag(100) with the c(2 x 2)Br adlayer, the O{sub 2} reduction current resulting solely from adsorption in the end-on configuration through the 3-fold symmetry holes in the c(2 x 2) Br lattice is observed, showing the bridge adsorption may not be necessary for the four-electron O{sub 2} reduction on Ag at large overpotentials.
Bidirecctional crossover and late outcome after coronary angioplasty and bypass surgery: 8 to 11 year follow-up

Abstract Between March 1978 and July 1981, 217 symptomatic patients underwent coronary angioplasty as an alternative to coronary bypass surgery. Angioplasty was successful in 143 patients (66%), unsuccessful bet uncomplicated in 65 (30%) and complicated in 9 (4%) by one or more of the following criteria: Q wave myocardial infarction (2%), emergency surgery (4%) or death (0.5%). Late follow-up evaluation was obtained in 213 patients at a mean of 9 ± 1 years. Of patients in whom angioplasty was successful, 59 (42%) of 140 required another revascularization procedure (repeat angioplasty in 26% and bypass surgery in 16%). The actuarial survival rate at 5, 9 and 10 years after successful angioplasty was 98%, 93% and 92%, respectively. Of the 65 patients with unsuccessful and uncomplicated angioplasty (usually as a result of technical factors), 58 underwent elective bypass surgery within 2 months and 56 survived. These 56 surgical patients were compared with the 140 patients with successful angioplasty. Univariate analysis of prognostic factors did not reveal significant differences between these two groups. At late follow-up study, the successful angioplasty and the successful surgical groups had similar rates of survival (93% versus 95%, p = NS) and of death or infarction, or both (11% versus 12.5%, p = NS). p]Repeat revascularization was required more frequently after successful angioplasty than after surgery (42% versus 18%, p
VENTING OF FISSION PRODUCTS AND SHIELDING IN THERMIONIC NUCLEAR REACTOR SYSTEMS.

Most thermionic reactors are designed to allow the fission gases to escape out of the emitter. A scheme to allow the fission gases to escape is proposed. Because of the low activity of the fission products, this method should pose no radiation hazards.
Clinical differentiation of primary from secondary hyperhidrosis.

Background Hyperhidrosis (HH) is excessive sweating that may be primary (idiopathic) or secondary to medication or disease. Clinical features supporting primary or secondary etiology have not been well documented. Objective To identify clinical and demographic features predictive of a diagnosis of primary versus secondary HH. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted over a 13-year period (1993-2005) of all patients (children and adults) seen at a university-based outpatient dermatology department with an International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision diagnosis code for HH (N = 415). Results Three hundred eighty-seven patients (93.3%) had primary HH (PHH); 28 patients (6.7%) had secondary HH (SHH). SHH patients were older (39.0 ± 18.6 years vs 27.3 ± 12.3 years) with more frequent onset at age older than 25 years (55% for SHH vs12.1% for PHH; odds ratio [OR] 8.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.5-21.4; P P P = .0002). Limitations Results were obtained from a single, university-based population. Conclusions On the basis of these data, the diagnostic criteria for PHH were assessed statistically. Criteria include: excessive sweating of 6 months or more in duration, with 4 or more of the following: primarily involving eccrine-dense (axillae/palms/soles/craniofacial) sites; bilateral and symmetric; absent nocturnally; episodes at least weekly; onset at 25 years of age or younger; positive family history; and impairing daily activities. These criteria discriminate well between PHH and SHH (sensitivity: 0.99; specificity: 0.82; positive predictive value: 0.99; negative predictive value: 0.852) and may facilitate optimal clinical management.
A photoemission microscope with a hemispherical capacitor energy filter

Abstract A purely electrostatic photoemission electron microscope with a bandpass energy filter is described. The electron optics are of a hybrid design, incorporating a high-voltage and high-magnification objective and intermediate lens, coupled to a low-voltage hemispherical capacitor configured as an achromatic imaging bandpass filter. The electron optical system design is described, along with initial performance tests. The instrument is used for both imaging X-ray absorption spectroscopy and photoemission spectroscopy.
Effect of the Pauli principle on the representation of nucleon pair operators by means of bosons

Abstract It is shown for a single j -shell how to determine boson expansions of fermion operators, which both satisfy the Pauli principle and converge as j → ∞; for finite j natural limitations emerge concerning the degrees of freedom which can exhibit vibrational behavior.
Prodromal clinical manifestations of neuropathologically confirmed Lewy body disease

The mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage of dementia with Lewy bodies (MCI-DLB) has not yet been defined, but is likely to differ in the MCI stage of Alzheimer’s disease (MCI-AD). To determine whether clinical features distinguish MCI-DLB and MCI-AD, 9 cases of neuropathologically confirmed MCI-DLB and 12 cases of MCI-AD were compared. No significant differences were found between MCI-DLB and MCI-AD cases in age at death, gender, ApoE status, education, time followed while clinically normal, or duration of MCI. MCI-DLB and MCI-AD cases differed clinically in the expression of Parkinsonism (P = 0.012), provoked hallucinations or delirium (P = 0.042), or the presence of any of these noncognitive symptoms of DLB (P < 0.0001). Letter fluency (P = 0.007) was significantly lower and Wechsler Logical Memory I (P = 0.019) was significantly higher in MCI-DLB compared to MCI-AD cases. These data demonstrate the feasibility of differentiating underlying pathologic processes responsible for cognitive decline in the preclinical disease state and suggest that further refinement in diagnostic criteria may allow more accurate early detection of prodromal DLB and AD.
Have Your Cake and Eat It Too: The Old Principal Principle Reconciled with the New*

David Lewis (1980) proposed the Principal Principle (PP) and a “reformulation” which later on he called ‘OP’(Old Principle). Reacting to his belief that these principles run into trouble, Lewis (1994) concluded that they should be replaced with the New Principle (NP). This conclusion left Lewis uneasy, because he thought that an inverse form of NP is “quite messy”, whereas an inverse form of OP, namely the simple and intuitive PP, is “the key to our concept of chance”. I argue that, even if OP should be discarded, PP need not be. Moreover, far from being messy, an inverse form of NP is a simple and intuitive Conditional Principle (CP). Finally, both PP and CP are special cases of a General Principle (GP); it follows that so are PP and NP, which are thus compatible rather than competing.