cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sexual function assessment and the role of vasoactive drugs in female sexual dysfunction.

Despite the high prevalence of sexual problems in women, relatively few clinical trials have been conducted to date of either vasoactive drugs (e.g., sildenafil, apomorphine) or hormone replacement therapy or a combination of the two on sexual function problems in women. This article addresses the key conceptual and methodological issues to be addressed in clinical trials, particularly in the area of response outcomes or efficacy assessment. In particular, the use of self-report questionnaires and event-log or diary-based responses as primary outcome variables or endpoints in clinical trials is considered. Physiological measures, such as the vaginal photoplethysmograph probe, are being used in early proof of concept studies. There may be some value in the use of these measures for proof-of-concept and early dose-finding studies. Physiological measures are not used in large-scale, multicenter clinical trials, where patient-based or diary measures are clearly preferable. Clinical trials in this area should also make use of the new consensus classification system for female sexual dysfunction in determining inclusion and exclusion criteria for the trial.
Depth-Average Velocity from Spray Underwater Gliders

AbstractThe depth-average velocity is routinely calculated using data from underwater gliders. The calculation is a dead reckoning, where the difference between the glider’s velocity over ground an...
Psychopharmacology: neuroimmune signaling in psychiatric disease-developing vaccines against abused drugs using toll-like receptor agonists.

Since substance use disorders have few or no effective pharmacotherapies, researchers have developed vaccines as immune-therapies against nicotine, cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids including fentanyl. We focus on enhancing antibody (AB) production through stimulation of toll-like receptor-5 (TLR5) during active vaccination. The stimulating adjuvant is Entolimod, a novel protein derivative of flagellin. We review the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying Entolimod’s actions on TLR5. Entolimod shows excellent efficacy for increasing AB levels to levels well beyond those produced by anti-addiction vaccines alone in animal models and humans. These ABs also significantly block the behavioral effects of the targeted drug of abuse. The TLR5 stimulation involves a wide range of immune cell types such as dendritic, antigen presenting, T and B cells. Entolimod binding to TLR5 initiates an intracellular signaling cascade that stimulates cytokine production of tumor necrosis factor and two interleukins (IL-6 and IL-12). While cytokine release can be catastrophic in cytokine storm, Entolimod produces a modulated release with few side effects even at doses 30 times greater than doses needed in these vaccine studies. Entolimod has markedly increased AB responses to all of our anti-addiction vaccines in rodent models, and in normal humans. Entolimod and TLR5 stimulation has broad application to vaccines and potentially to other psychiatric disorders like depression, which has critical inflammatory contributions that Entolimod could reduce.
EU migration policy and border controls: from chaotic to cohesive differentiation

The EU’s migration policy is comprised of a series of initiatives, agreements, regulations, and common standards in various fields—involving different states that participate to different degrees while attempting to address common issues. The resulting complex multilayered framework is commonly analyzed from two opposing perspectives about the continued differentiated integration of the EU and its member states. The first one focuses on issues raised by the chaotic nature of flexible arrangements or an “a la carte” integration in the field of migration. From this perspective, differentiated integration is symptomatic of an existential crisis fueled by EU states unwilling to move toward an “ever closer union.” The second perspective, in contrast, refers to differentiation in migration policy as the inevitable model of differentiated integration in other policy areas—based on the revival of coalition building as a tool of governance in a multispeed Europe. From this perspective, differentiated integration is legitimized as the most effective remedy to prevent the risk of disintegration. The article provides a critical evaluation of differentiated integration in order to analyze the implications of the still unfolding migration crisis. Its aim is to identify a more feasible—and ideally more ethical—institutional system of “cohesive differentiation.”
Thermal Transport of Viscoelastic Fluids Within Rotating Couette Flows

The remarkable ability of viscoelastic fluids to augment local and global surface heat transfer characteristics is demonstrated by new experimental results, which are provided for a rotating Couett...
Machine learning based tool for identifying errors in CAD to GIS converted data

Recent advances in Geographic Information System (GIS) has made the storage, manipulation, and analysis of spatial data easier than ever. As a result, many public and private agencies have switched from the traditional Computer Aided Design (CAD) format to GIS for storing information about their infrastructure. The existing data stored in CAD therefore needs to be converted to GIS, and this process brings about at least two problems. First, GIS requires geographical coordinates that CAD data do not have, and the accurate projection and alignment of the infrastructure is not straightforward. Second, the original CAD data often possess errors such as overlapping lines, split lines, presence of text, and human errors, in addition to errors introduced during the conversion process. The goal of this study is to develop and apply a tool that can identify these errors and correct them automatically without human intervention. This study focuses specifically on the identification of the errors using decision tree learning. This tool can significantly reduce the time spent identifying errors on the GIS data obtained after the conversion. Finally, as a case study, this tool is applied to the wastewater system of the University of Illinois at Chicago campus.
A systematic literature review of the personal value orientation construct in hospitality and tourism literature

Abstract Although personal value orientation has received the attention of scholars to explain and predict various consumer behaviors, prior research within the hospitality and tourism context has proposed the mismatched fundamental concept and operationalization of personal values and/or has adapted partial aspects of the personal value construct, such as pro-environmental behaviors. Based on the fundamental principles of personal value orientation, this study systematically reviewed studies that focused on personal value orientation by investigating their research context, definitions, theoretical background and measurements, roles and main results. The systematic literature review was conducted with articles published in top-tier hospitality and tourism journals between 2000 and 2018 by identifying research gaps and providing a direction for future research on personal value orientation in those fields.
A simple derivation of the optimal solution for the EOQ model for deteriorating items with planned backorders

Abstract We consider the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) model for exponentially deteriorating items in which the items deteriorate at a rate proportional to the inventory level per unit time, which leads to an exponentially decreasing inventory level function over time. The coexistence of the exponential and polynomial terms in the total cost function makes closed-form exact solutions impossible, so approximations are used. Methods that optimize management science models without derivatives have recently been used to provide insights to managers who may not have a background in calculus. We propose such an approach for the deteriorating items inventory model with and without planned backorders and compare it with an existing one. Our derivation is much simpler and succinct; our closed-form solution is more intuitive than the existing one. We conduct numerical experiments to analyze the accuracy of the closed-form solution.
Becoming a Client: The Socialization of Novice Buyers of Sexual Services

Contributing to the growing body of research on the buyers of commercial sex services, this study explores the socialization of novice clients. Drawing on data from a popular Web-based discussion forum, the article identifies the central questions and concerns of individuals who are on the verge of purchasing sex for the first time. A second dimension of the study examines the ways in which more seasoned clients respond to novices who ask for advice in the forum. We find that the veterans’ responses, taken together, help to socialize new clients and reflect a set of conduct norms and best practices within this online subculture.
Cloud Computing Value Chains: Research from the Operations Management Perspective

Cloud computing has been recognized as a critical driver of Information-Technology (IT) enabled innovations. In this paper, we review recent cloud computing research from an Operations Management (OM) perspective, by focusing on major operations challenges faced by a cloud provider in three problem domains: (1) pricing strategies for the cloud computing marketplaces, (2) deployment and scheduling of cloud computing resources, and (3) capacity planning and supply chain management. We describe relevant business practices, followed by a discussion of current research in OM and related areas in each domain, and point out opportunities for future research. We argue that, although cloud computing operations share many features with classic OM problems (revenue management, scheduling theory, and inventory management), they also bring significant new challenges that are intellectually engaging. Thus, we believe that the cloud computing industry can stimulate much innovative OM research and deserves the attention of our community, which, in turn, has the potential to provide vital insights into cloud management practices.
A genetic basis for friendship? Homophily for membrane-associated PDE11A-cAMP-CREB signaling in CA1 of hippocampus dictates mutual social preference in male and female mice

Although the physical and mental benefits of friendships are clear, the neurobiological mechanisms driving mutual social preferences are not well understood. Studies in humans suggest friends are more genetically similar, particularly for targets within the 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) cascade. Unfortunately, human studies can not provide conclusive evidence for such a biological driver of friendship given that other genetically related factors tend to co-segregate with friendship (e.g., geographical proximity). As such, here we use mice under controlled conditions to test the hypothesis that homophily in the cAMP-degrading enzyme phosphodiesterase 11A4 (PDE11A4) can dictate mutual social preference. Using C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice in two different behavioral assays, we showed that mice with two intact alleles of Pde11a prefer to interact with Pde11 wild-type (WT) mice of the same genetic background over knockout (KO) mice or novel objects; whereas, Pde11 KO mice prefer to interact with Pde11 KO mice over WT mice or novel objects. This mutual social preference was seen in both adult and adolescent mice, and social preference could be eliminated or artificially elicited by strengthening or weakening PDE11A homodimerization, respectively. Stereotactic delivery of an isolated PDE11A GAF-B domain to the mouse hippocampus revealed the membrane-associated pool of PDE11A-cAMP-CREB signaling specifically within the CA1 subfield of hippocampus is most critical for regulating social preference. Our study here not only identifies PDE11A homophily as a key driver of mutual social preference across the lifespan, it offers a paradigm in which other mechanisms can be identified in a controlled fashion.
Magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers for cognitive decline in Down syndrome

Abstract Neuroimaging presents an opportunity to study Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Down syndrome (DS). Structural MRI studies have shown a pattern of neurodegeneration that mimics sporadic AD (e.g., hippocampal volume loss), as well as surprising evidence of cerebrovascular pathology despite limited vascular risk factors in DS. Diffusion MRI studies have also shown in people with DS a pattern of frontal white matter decline similar to sporadic AD, while resting state fMRI has implicated default mode network abnormalities associated with AD in people with DS, again mirroring findings in sporadic AD. Preliminary studies with arterial spin labeling suggest changes in blood flow in people with DS are associated with dementia status. Finally, magnetic resonance spectroscopy yields novel insights into metabolites that may be implicated in AD pathophysiology in DS. We suggest that longitudinal studies evaluating and benchmarking these techniques against more traditional biomarkers are critical to advancing our understanding of AD in DS.
Phylogeny of Immunoglobulin Structure and Function IV. IMMUNOGLOBULINS OF THE GIANT GROUPER, EPINEPHELUS ITAIRA

Giant grouper serum was shown to contain 16 S (∼3 mg per ml of serum) and 6.4 S (∼6 mg per ml of serum) immunoglobulins. The 16 S immunoglobulin had a molecular weight of ∼700,000, a relatively high hexose content, and was composed of approximately equimolar amounts of H and L polypeptide chains. It is suggested that this molecule resembles immunoglobulin M on the basis of polypeptide chain properties but that it is most likely a tetramer instead of the "typical" 19 S pentamer of immunoglobulin M. The 6.4 S immunoglobulin appeared structurally to represent a fragment of the 16 S molecule; the major difference being that the 6.4 S H chain was missing ∼30,000 daltons. In attempting to fit the class Osteichthyes into a scheme of vertebrate immunoglobulin evolution, it was suggested that the "primitive" form of polymeric immunoglobulin M may be a tetramer of subunits held together by both disulfide and noncovalent bonds.
Ischaemic Heart Disease

The clinical spectrum of ischaemic heart disease encompasses a variety of acute and chronic conditions including silent ischaemia, chronic stable angina, myocardial infarction, ischaemic cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death. Its pathogenesis and treatment is the subject of much ongoing research and debate. Keywords: atherosclerosis; myocardial infarction; congestive heart failure; coronary artery disease; thrombolysis
A Mediator for Approximate Consistency: Supporting “GoodEnough” Materialized Views

This paper addresses the needs of application designers who would like to tell an automated assistant the following: “Here is a query that defines a view I want to materialize within my application. I need this view to remain approximately consistent with the state of the data sources from which the view is derived, in accordance with declaratively specified staleness predicates. When the view becomes stale, follow the refresh strategy I specify (e.g., eager, lazy, hybrid). You must do this in heterogeneous environments containing both active and passive data sources”. This paper describes an architecture that realizes this vision. The approach supports materialized, object-based views, called quasi-views , defined over shared databases. Quasi-views are refreshed according to the consistency conditions and refresh strategies specified declaratively by application designers. These conditions allow for the deviation of quasi-views from their database counterparts according to well-defined and monitored approximate consistency predicates. A layer of software called a Mediator\ for\ Approximate\ Consistency automatically generates the database objects necessary to enforce these consistency conditions, shielding the application developer from the implementation details of consistency maintenance. In addition, it does this for both active and passive (e.g., legacy) data sources. This paper formalizes quasi-views, presents a declarative quasi-view specification language, and describes an architecture and implementation of a Mediator for Approximate Consistency.
Strain dependent and invariant features of transgenic mice expressing Alzheimer amyloid precursor proteins.

Publisher Summary Nearly a decade after the identification of the Alzheimer amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene, several groups of investigators have created transgenic mice expressing APP that simulate some of the prominent behavioral and pathological features of Alzheimer's disease. These features that are present to various degrees in different lines of mice include age-related impairment in learning and memory, neuronal loss, gliosis, neuritic changes, amyloid deposition and abnormal tau phosphorylation. No mouse model exhibiting every neuropathological feature of Alzheimer's disease exists. Several strain dependent traits have been identified here in transgenic mice expressing APP. These include survival, neophobia, exploratory, and thigmotaxic behavior and diffuse hypertrophic astrocytic gliosis. Other traits have been observed in some but not all strains, including amyloid plaque deposition, abnormal tau protein phosphorylation, neuron loss, diminished regional glucose utilization, and complex behavioral abnormalities. More experiments are needed to determine the extent to which these traits are modified by background genes. Comparisons of these traits in transgenic mice controlled for promoter, as well as APP type and levels, are needed.
Carboxypeptidase E (enkephalin convertase): mRNA distribution in rat brain by in situ hybridization

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE), also referred to as enkephalin convertase or carboxypeptidase H (EC 3.4.17.10), is present in neurotransmitter secretory granules and can remove C-terminal basic residues following endopeptidase cleavage during peptide processing. Using in situ hybridization with 35S-labeled oligonucleotide probes, we have mapped the localization of CPE mRNA in the rat brain. Specificity for CPE was confirmed by control experiments, which included production of identical patterns hybridization with 3 different antisense oligonucleotide probes, loss of label with RNase pretreatment of sections or co-incubation with excess unlabeled probe, and lack of labeling with sense orientation probes. In addition, the regional distribution of CPE mRNA by Northern blot analysis corresponded with distribution of labeling by in situ hybridization. The highest levels of CPE mRNA were found to be present in the pyramidal cells of the hippocampus, the pituitary anterior and intermediate lobes, the ependymal cells of the lateral ventricle, the endopiriform nucleus, the basolateral amygdala, the supraoptic nucleus, and the paraventricular nucleus. Intermediate levels were present in the thalamus, medial geniculate nucleus, lateral septal nucleus, piriform and entorhinal cortex, nucleus of the tractus solitarius, cerebellar cortex, pontine nuclei, and inferior olive. The lowest levels were found in the hippocampal granule cell layer, lateral hypothalamus, globus pallidus, and brain stem reticular formation. Ibotenic acid lesions of the hippocampus eliminated the majority of the label, which had been present over pyramidal cells, though labeling was increased over areas of reactive gliosis, suggesting that activated astrocytes can also synthesize CPE mRNA. In general, the localization of CPE mRNA in the rat brain corresponded to the distribution of enkephalin and other peptide neurotransmitter-synthesizing neurons, though CPE mRNA was also present in neurons that do not secrete known peptides and in reactive glia. The widespread yet specific localization of CPE mRNA in the rat brain suggests it may be an excellent marker for peptide synthesizing cells in the CNS.
Cellular Therapies in Post-radiation Syndrome

Exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation results in development of acute radiation syndrome (ARS). Hematopoietic ARS is observed in humans following irradiation exposure of two to six Gy and affects nucleated cells at different degree. Increased sensitivity to radiation is characteristic for stem cells, hematopoietic and mesenchymal, present in bone marrow niches. High sensitivity to radiation is attributed to their high proliferation rate and metabolic activity. However, lymphocytes although terminally differentiated and mitotically inactive also show high radiosensitivity. The severity of hematopoietic ARS is dose-dependent. Hematopoietic ARS in combination with cutanous radiation syndrome, gastrointestinal syndrome, and other types of injuries accompanying radiation exposes victims to the life-threatening risk of severe infections (i.e. sepsis) and requires fast action to save the immunocompromized patient life.
Recent increase in mortality from byaline membrane disease

Summary The “incidence” of fatal hyaline membrane disease in the Johns Hopkins Hospital has been compared for two 5 years periods. During the first, 1944–1948, oxygen was widely used in the premature nursery, beginning 30 to 60 minutes after delivery. The second, 1954–1958, was an era when the concentration of oxygen in the incubators was usually restricted to below 40 per cent. A slight increase in the “incidence” of the disease in the later period makes it evident that low oxygen concentrations after the first 30 minutes were not associated with a decrease in the “incidence” of hyaline membrane disease. The proportion of autopsies on premature infants showing hyaline membrane disease increased from 21.9 per cent in 1944–1948 to 26.2 per cent in 1954–1958.
Institutional design and UNEP reform: historical insights on form, function and financing

The global environmental governance architecture is set to undergo major reforms, with the main decisions on reform to be taken at the June 2012 Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development. Discussions on reform have focused on whether the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) should retain its institutional status as a subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly, or be transformed into a specialized agency—a World Environment Organization—of the UN. The choice of institutional form, however, cannot be made without reference to both the needs of global environmental governance, and the factors impeding the effectiveness of the current governance architecture. This article takes a historical perspective, highlighting the similarity between the current debate on institutional form, function and financing; and the choices that the original designers of the governance architecture made 40 years ago. The fundamental global environmental problems and the functions of effective global environmental governance, though evolving, have remained largely unchanged. The historical reasons for creating UNEP as it is currently formed thus remain valid today, and provide useful analytical input to the current debate. This article further argues that the reasons for UNEP's shortcomings have little inherent connection to its institutional form, and cannot be resolved simply by a change in status. Deeper, yet probably easier to accomplish, reforms should focus on enabling UNEP to fulfill its intended role as an effective anchor institution for the global environmental governance architecture.
Research problem: Lipschitz properties of matrix group actions

Let G be a group of n × n matrices acting algebraically on an algebraic subset V of by x⇒ ϕ (A,x). Assume that In fixes every member of V. For a given x ∈ V, let y be in the orbit of x in G. If y is close enough to x (with respect to some chosen norm) when there is an A ∈ G with A suitably close to In such that y = ϕ (A,x)? These Lipschitz properties have been studied by the authors in several papers. If G is in addition a real analytic Lie group, then a relevant question concerns existence of analytic local cross sections. We give a discussion of these questions in this note and state some conjectures and unsolved problems.
The use of surfactants for in situ extraction of organic pollutants from a contaminated aquifer

Many common organic pollutants are characterized by low solubilities and high interfacial tensions; these characteristics combine to render pump-and-treat processes ineffective. Surfactants can dramatically increase the solubility of organic compounds in groundwater and lower their interfacial tensions; both effects theoretically can greatly increase the extraction efficiency of pump-and-treat systems. Lowering of interfacial tensions can result in movement of dense contaminants downward in an aquifer, potentially contaminating underlying layers. Increasing a pollutant's solubility increases the fraction of pollutant present as dissolved phase, increasing the efficiency of extraction using a modified pump-and-treat technique. Thus we propose that a surfactant solution intended for extraction of dense organic liquids should be optimized for solubilization, with a minimal reduction of interfacial tensions. The results of porous media experiments comparing the extraction efficiency of over 100 surfactants indicate that solubilization ability is the most important factor; although both the extent of reduction of interfacial tension and the tendency to form spontaneous emulsions must also be considered. Using a suitable surfactant mixture, a pool of tetrachloroethylene can be extracted from a lab-scale saturated porous media model in 7 to 14 pore volumes, depending upon the geometry of the contamination. Mass balance calculations indicate complete removal of the contaminant and analysis of sand samples at the conclusion of the experiment indicates less than 1 milligram of contaminant remains. In contrast, concentrations of the effluent average only 6 ppm when distilled water is used for flushing, producing no measurable reduction in the volume of the pool in 14 pore volumes. These experiments suggest that utilizing surfactants to increase the solubility of dense organic pollutants can be an effective and relatively inexpensive way of in situ remediation of contaminated aquifers.
Evidence of the terdiurnal, S 3, atmospheric tide in the surface wind field over the ocean

Surface winds were measured from anchored buoys at the corners of a 100-km triangle in the Atlantic ocean for three weeks in September 1972. The measurements were part of the British Royal Society Joint Air-Sea Interaction Project, JASIN-72. Peaks were found at a frequency of 0.125 cph (8-h period) in various wind statistics, indicating the presence of the terdiurnal, S 3, component of the atmospheric tides that had previously been extensively studied because it is a prominent component in surface air-pressure records.
Invertebrates in canopy and ground organic matter in a neotropical montane forest, Costa Rica.

In a neotropical cloud forest of Costa Rica, we compared the density and composition of macro- and mesoinvertebrates in organic matter found within the canopy to that found in the upper soil horizons on the forest floor. We used a Winkler sifting apparatus to extract invertebrates from accumulated litter and humus. The numerically dominant invertebrate groups in both canopy humus and forest floor leaf litter were mites, adult beetles, holometabolous insect larvae, ants, collembola, amphipods, and isopods. Relative abundances of these major taxa were the same in canopy and on the forest floor, indicating that canopy organic matter shares a fundamentally similar invertebrate community with forest floor. All of these groups except ants had significantly higher densities in the canopy, with a mean density 2.6 times greater on the ground than in the canopy. Ant density was similar in both microhabitats.
A novel method for performing multiple wire insertions during endoscopic cyst gastrostomy.

Background Endoscopic cyst gastrostomy is effective in the management of uncomplicated pancreatic pseudocysts. A challenging aspect of the procedure is the insertion and confirmation of at least 2 guidewires into the cyst. Many technical procedures to accomplish the wire insertion have been described but are complicated. Objective We describe the use of a simple commercially available catheter that allows multiple wires to be inserted into a pancreatic pseudocyst as an efficient and simple means of performing a cyst gastrostomy. Design Case series. Setting Academic referral center. Patients Four consecutive patients undergoing EUS-guided cyst gastrostomy. Interventions A Haber ramp was used as the means for the introduction of multiple wires into a pancreatic pseudocyst. Main Outcome Measurements Technical success without loss of wire access during the cyst gastrostomy. Results Four patients underwent successful pancreatic cyst gastrostomy. There was no loss of wire access during the procedure. There were no intraprocedure or postprocedure complications. Limitations Small patient population. Conclusions The use of the Haber ramp provides a simple and efficient means for introducing, ensuring, and maintaining wire access during the creation of an endoscopic cyst gastrostomy.
Naming, Defining, and Classifying the Condition (Formerly?) Known as Mental Retardation

Abstract Key controversies and diverse perspectives are summarized regarding terminology, definition, and classification issues in the field of mental retardation. Six questions are provided to guide consideration of critical issues. Conclusions are drawn and implications for professional practice are discussed.
Gas permeability of poly(bis-trifluoroethoxyphosphazene) and blends with adamantane amino/trifluoroethoxy (50/50) polyphosphazene

Abstract Gas permeability coefficients of poly(bis-trifluoroethoxyphosphazene), (PTFEP) and its blends with adamantane amino/trifluoroethoxy polyphosphazene (PAdATFEP) containing adamantane groups on 50 mol% of the side chains were determined at 35°C. The PTFEP films prepared by both spin casting and solvent casting had the same permeability coefficients, within the precision of the measurements. PTFEP/PAdATFEP blends were phase-separated. Relative to pure PTFEP, gas permeabilities were reduced from 45 to 70% (depending on the penetrant) by blending 18.8 mol% of PAdATFEP with PTFEP. The permeability coefficients of low-sorbing, permanent gases (i.e. H 2 , O 2 , and N 2 ) decreased as penetrant size increased, suggesting that such polymers sieve these permanent gas molecules primarily based on penetrant size rather than penetrant solubility. Gas permeation properties of CO 2 and hydrocarbon vapors did not change monotonically with penetrant size, suggesting an interplay of gas diffusivity and gas solubility on overall gas permeability. Blending PAdATFEP with PTFEP increased gas selectivity. Ideal separation factors of these PTFEP/PAdATFEP blends were significantly below upper bound values.
Two-sensor multiplexing in a split-cavity cross-coupled extrinsic fiber interferometer

A multiplexed configuration of the fiber optic extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer is demonstrated by using two sensor heads on a single directional coupler in a split-cavity cross- coupled extrinsic fiber interferometric (SCEFI) arrangement. The provision of four-beam interference along with a spectrum analysis detection scheme devised for the SCEFI eliminates the need for quadrature phase biasing and leads to independent measurements of the phase shift in the two sensor heads. Good agreement between the experimental results and the model for interference is demonstrated.
Synthetic trehalose glycolipids confer desiccation resistance to supported lipid monolayers.

Lipid-derived desiccation resistance in membranes is a rare, unique ability previously observed only with trehalose dimycolate (TDM), an abundant mycobacterial glycolipid. Here we present the first synthetic trehalose glycolipids capable of providing desiccation protection to membranes of which they are constituents. The synthetic glycolipids consist of a simple trehalose disaccharide headgroup, similar to TDM, with hydrophobic tail groups of two 15- or 18-carbon chains. The synthetic trehalose glycolipids protected supported monolayers of phospholipids against dehydration even as minority components of the overall membrane, down to as little as 20 mol % trehalose glycolipid as assessed by assays of membrane fluidity. The dependence of the desiccation protection on the synthetic trehalose glycolipid fraction is nearly identical to that of TDM. The striking similarity of the desiccation resistance observed with TDM and the synthetic trehalose glycolipids, despite the variety of hydrophobic tail structures ...
Laser-induced synergistic effects around absorbing nanoclusters in live cells

Background and Objective: The application of nanotechnology for laser thermal-based killing of abnormal cells (e.g. cancer cells) targeted with absorbing nanoparticles (e.g. gold solid nanospheres, nanoshells, or rod) is becoming an extensive area of research. We develop an approach to enhance the efficiency of selective nanophotothermolysis of cancer cells through laser-induced synergistic effects around gold nanoparticles aggregated in nanoclusters on cell membrane. Study Design/Materials and Methods: A concept of selective target damages by laser-induced synergistic interaction of optical, thermal, and acoustic fields around clustered nanoparticles is presented with focus on overlapping bubbles from nanoparticles aggregated on cell's membrane. The experimental verification of this concept in vitro was performed by the use a tunable laser pulses (420-570 nm, 8-12 ns, 0.1-300 μJ, laser flux of 0.1-10 J/cm 2 ) for irradiation of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells targeted with primary antibodies to which selecttively 40-nm gold nanoparticles were attached by the means of secondary antibodies. The photothermal, electron and atomic force microscopes in combination with viability test (annexin -V-Propidium iodide) were employed to study the nanoparticle's spatial organization, the dynamics of microbubble formations around the particle's clusters, and cells damage. Results: An aggregation of nanoparticles on cell membrane was observed with simultaneous increase bubble formation phenomena, and red-shifted absorption due to plasmon-plasmon resonances into nanoclusters. It led to a significant enhancement, at least two orders of magnitude, of the efficiency of selectively killing cancer cells with nanosecond laser pulses. Conclusion: Described approach allows using relatively small nanoparticles which would be easier delivery to target site with further creation of nanoclusters with larger sizes which provide more profound thermal and related phenomena leading to more efficient laser killing of cancer cells. This nanocluster model might be promising also for treatment or modification different targets (e.g. bacteria, virus, vascular lesions, fat, etc.) as well as teh use different type energy deposition (focused ultrasound, microwave, magnetic field, etc.).
Lesbianism in China.

Lesbianism in China has a long but usually hidden history. This paper examines the historical and literary sources of the past to illustrate the history of lesbianism and then turns to a survey of lesbianism in the China of today. As in the past, lesbianism remains more or less hidden, and comes to light only occasionally. Data for contemporary China comes from a visit to an institution for delinquent young women, recent police records, and contemporary fiction. It has only been in the past 4 or 5 years that it was possible to talk about lesbianism and most lesbians are fearful of becoming identified.
Spectral-domain differential interference contrast microscopy

We present a fiber-optic low-coherence imaging technique, termed spectral-domain differential interference contrast microscopy (SD-DIC), for quantitative DIC imaging of both reflective surfaces and transparent biological specimens. SD-DIC combines the common-path nature of a Nomarski DIC interferometer with the high sensitivity of spectral-domain low-coherence interferometry to obtain high-resolution, quantitative measurements of optical pathlength gradients from a single point on the sample. Full-field imaging can be achieved by scanning the sample. A reflected-light SD-DIC system was demonstrated using a USAF resolution target as the phase object. Live cardiomyocytes were also imaged, achieving a resolution of 36pm for pathlength gradient measurements. The dynamics of cardiomyocyte contraction were recorded with high sensitivity at selected sites on the cells.
The influence of electrochemical gradients of Na+ and K+ upon the membrane binding and pore forming activity of the terminal complement proteins.

The hemolytic activity of the terminal complement proteins (C5b-9) towards erythrocytes containing high potassium concentration has been reported to be dramatically increased when extracellular Na+ is substituted isotonically by K+ (Dalmasso, A.P., et al., 1975,J. Immunol. 115:63–68). This phenomenon was now further investigated using resealed human erythrocyte ghosts (ghosts), which can be maintained at a nonlytic osmotic steady state subsequent to C5b-9 binding: (1) The functional state of C5b-9-treated ghosts was studied from their ability to retain trapped [14C]-sucrose or [3H]-inulin when suspended either in the presence of Na+ or K+. A dramatic increase in the permeability of the ghost membrane to both nonelectrolytes-in the absence of significant hemoglobin release-was observed for C5b-9 assembly in the presence of external K+. (2) The physical binding of the individual125I-labeled terminal complement proteins to ghost membranes was directly measured as a function of intra- and extracellular K+ and Na+. The uptake of125I-C7,125I-C8, and125I-C9 into membrane C5b-9 was unaltered by substitution of Na+ by K+. (3) The binding of the terminal complement proteins to ghosts subjected to a transient membrane potential generated by the K+-ionophore valinomycin (in the presence of K+ concentration gradients) was measured. No significant change in membrane binding of any of the C5b-9 proteins was detected under the influence of both depolarizing and hyperpolarizing membrane potentials. It can be concluded that the differential effect of Na+ versus K+ upon the erythrocyte membrane isnot due to an effect upon the binding of the complement proteins to the membraneper se, but upon the functional properties of the assembled C5b-9 pore site.
CH4 nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium in the atmospheres of the giant planets

The present consideration of methane's vibrational relaxation in the Giant Planets' upper stratospheres employs a model for the thermalization of solar energy absorbed under non-LTE conditions, at the 1.7, 2.3. and 3.3 micron-centered CH4 band groups. On this basis, a range of model atmospheres was produced, reflecting current uncertainties concerning CH4 collisional excitation rates. At 0.1 mbar, all of the non-LTE models are within 2 K of the LTE reference models; the extreme non-LTE models steadily depart from reference LTE ones, however, and reach about + or - 20 K at 0,1 mbar.
Leakage Flow-Induced Vibration of an Eccentric Tube-in-Tube Slip Joint

The conditions are given for which the more flexible of two cantilevered, telescoping tubes conveying fluid can be self-excited by flow leaking from an un-constricted slip joint. Also, a physical explanation of the excitation mechanism is discussed, and a design rule to avoid the mechanism is presented. In addition, the results for the un-constricted slip joint are shown to be similar to those for slip joints having annulus constrictions at very short engagement lengths.
Automated analysis of perfusion weighted MRI using asymmetry in vascular territories.

Purpose To determine the feasibility of automatic vascular territory region of interest (ROI) construction as a method for standardized quantification of cerebral blood flow (CBF) images.
The comparative clinical effectiveness of tolbutamide and acetohexamide.

Abstract Fifty-nine diabetic patients were selected at random and divided into two groups in order to compare the clinical effectiveness of tolbutamide and acetohexamide. Thirty-four (Group 1) were from a public diabetic clinic and 25 (Group 2) were from a private practice. The patients in Group 1 were older, more obese, and had more associated diseases and more complications of diabetes than those in Group 2. Four patients were removed from the study because of intervening complications, one because of a medical problem, and three because of probable drug sensitivity. The average dose of tolbutamide required for Group 1 was 1 Gm. and for Group 2, 0.452 Gm. When acetohexamide was substituted, it was needed in half the amounts of tolbutamide, i.e., 0.534 Gm. for Group 1 and 0.261 Gm. for Group 2. In 31 per cent of the patients (17 of 55), the degree of control improved with acetohexamide administration. This improvement appeared to be related not only to the effectiveness of the drug per se but to the fact that a single morning dose sufficed, instead of multiple doses required for tolbutamide. The results of the study indicate that acetohexamide effects improved control on smaller dosage and with more reliability and economy than tolbutamide.
Effect of isoproterenol and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on thyroxine type-II 5′-deiodinase and N-acetyltransferase activities in rat pineal organ cultures

The effects of either isoproterenol or dibutyryl cyclic AMP on rat pineal thyroxine type-II 5'-deiodinase (5'-D) and N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activities were studied using an organ culture technique. Moving the animals to light at night dramatically inhibited the NAT with no change in the 5'-D activity. The subsequent incubation of pineal glands with either isoproterenol or dibutyryl cyclic AMP restored the NAT activity and caused a further rise in 5'-D activity. In animals maintained under light conditions during the night, both isoproterenol and dibutyryl cyclic AMP were able to stimulate the 5'-D and NAT activities. The results suggest that the beta-adrenergic activation of the 5'-D activity is mediated by cyclic AMP in the rat pineal gland.
Strategic manufacturing benchmarking

Purpose of this paper – The purpose of the article is to improve the effectiveness of benchmarking by detecting and reconciling possible inconsistencies in manufacturing strategy process and identifying benchmarking areas that are critical to organizational success.Design/methodology/approach – The paper develops the following five propositions and uses survey data to test the propositions: P1, organizational goals and objectives are consistent with core competencies; P2, organizational goals and objectives are consistent with competitive priorities; P3, organizational competitive priorities are consistent with core competencies; P4, manufacturing performance objectives are consistent with organizational competitive priorities; P5, manufacturing action plans are consistent with manufacturing performance objectives.Findings – The article shows evidence of misalignments, inconsistencies and lack of consensus at the organizational level, as well as within the specific manufacturing area.Originality/value – L...
Physicians' perceptions of an electronic health record-based clinical trial alert approach to subject recruitment: A survey

Physician participation in clinical research recruitment efforts is critical to many studies' success, but it is often limited. Use of an Electronic Health Record (EHR)-based, point-of-care Clinical Trial Alert (CTA) approach has led to significant increases in physician-generated recruitment and holds promise for wider benefit. However, little is known about physicians' decision-making regarding recruitment in EHR-equipped settings or the use of such EHR-based approaches. We sought to assess physicians' perceptions about recruitment in general and using the CTA approach in particular. We developed and delivered a Web-based survey consisting of 15 multiple-choice and free-text questions. Participants included the 114 physician subjects (10 endocrinologists and 104 general internists) who were exposed to CTAs during our preceding 4-month intervention study. Response data were descriptively analyzed, and key findings were compared between groups using appropriate statistical tests. Sixty-nine physicians (61%) responded during the 10-week survey period. Respondents and non-respondents did not differ significantly. Twenty-seven percent of respondents felt very comfortable recruiting patients to trials in general, and 77% appreciated being reminded about a trial via a CTA. Only 11% percent felt the CTA was difficult to use, and 27% felt it was more than somewhat intrusive. Among those who ignored all CTAs, 37% cited a lack of time, 28% knowledge of the patient's ineligibility, and 13% limited knowledge about the trial as their most common reason. Thirty-eight percent wanted more information about the trial presented in the CTA, and 73% were interested in seeing CTAs for future trials. Comments and suggestions were submitted by 33% of respondents and included suggestions for improvement of the CTA approach. Most physicians were comfortable recruiting patients for clinical trials at the point-of-care, found the EHR-based CTA approach useful and would like to see it used in the future. These findings provide insight into the perceived utility of this EHR-based approach to subject recruitment, suggest ways it might be improved, and add to the limited body of knowledge regarding physicians' attitudes toward clinical trial recruitment in EHR-equipped settings.
The Relationship Between Gait, Gross Motor Function, and Parental Perceived Outcome in Children With Clubfeet.

Background:Assessment of children treated nonoperatively for idiopathic clubfoot, has primarily focused on the kinematic and kinetic results measured with gait analysis (GA). Excellent results in ankle motion and push-off power during gait have been reported at age 5; however, the assessment of gros
Developing Attitudes of Acceptance toward Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Peers: Enlightenment, Contact, and the College Experience.

ABSTRACT This study proposes an empirically based model with a strong theoretical foundation in higher education and social psychology to better understand how the college experience influences the development of attitudes of acceptance towards lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons. Our results demonstrated that students develop more accepting attitudes toward LGB persons when they enroll in diversity courses, interact across race, or interact with LGB peers. In addition, we found that students' thoughts about their identity in college as well as their comfort around LGB persons are important influences on LGB attitude development.
Mixed logit analysis of safety-belt use in single- and multi-occupant vehicles

In this paper we demonstrate a modeling approach that can be used to better understand the use of safety belts in single- and multi-occupant vehicles, and the effect that vehicle, roadway and occupant characteristics have on usage rates. Using data from a roadside observational survey of safety-belt use in Indiana, a mixed (random parameters) logit model is estimated. Potentially interrelated choices of safety-belt use by drivers and front-seat passengers are examined. The approach we use also allows for the possibility that estimated model parameters can vary randomly across vehicle occupants to account for unobserved effects potentially relating to roadway characteristics, vehicle attributes, and driver behavior. Estimation findings indicate that the choices of safety-belt use involve a complex interaction of factors and that the effect of these factors can vary significantly across the population. Our results show that the mixed logit model can provide a much fuller understanding of the interaction of the numerous variables which correlate with safety-belt use than traditional discrete-outcome modeling approaches.