cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment of unscheduled bleeding in women using extended- or continuous-use combined hormonal contraception: a systematic review.

Abstract Background Unscheduled uterine bleeding is common among women who choose extended or continuous combined hormonal contraception and may subsequently lead to method discontinuation. This systematic review evaluates the evidence on treatments for unscheduled bleeding for women using continuous or extended combined hormonal contraception. Study design We searched the PubMed database for peer-reviewed articles that were published in any language from inception of the database through January 2012 and were relevant to therapeutic or prophylactic treatments for unscheduled uterine bleeding during extended or continuous combined hormonal contraception use. We used standard abstract forms and grading systems to summarize and assess the quality of the evidence. Results Four articles met the inclusion criteria. Evidence from two randomized controlled trials, both of fair quality, suggested that a short hormone-free interval of 3 or 4 days improved a current unscheduled bleeding episode. Evidence from one randomized controlled trial of fair quality suggested that oral doxycycline (100 mg twice daily) did not improve a current unscheduled bleeding episode. One good quality randomized controlled trial suggested that prophylactic treatment with a daily low dose of oral doxycycline (40 mg) caused earlier onset of amenorrhea in new extended combined oral contraceptive users. Conclusions Limited evidence suggests that introducing a short hormone-free interval when unscheduled bleeding occurs during continuous or extended hormonal contraceptive use may reduce unscheduled bleeding days; one study suggests that twice-daily oral doxycycline initiated at the time of unscheduled bleeding is an ineffective treatment. Limited data suggest that prophylactic low-dose daily oral doxycycline may induce earlier amenorrhea among new extended combined hormonal contraceptive users.
Central Role of the Plakoglobin-Binding Domain for Desmoglein 3 Incorporation into Desmosomes

The carboxy-termini of classical cadherins and desmocollins have been shown to play an important role in initiating desmosome assembly. In this study we wanted to determine whether the carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic domains of desmoglein 3 are important for targeting it to the desmosome. By generating stably transfected A431 cell lines with chimeric constructs encoding for the extracellular domain of E-cadherin and the transmembrane and intracellular region of human desmoglein 3, we could show that the cytoplasmic tail is sufficient to target the protein to the desmosome. By generating truncations of the carboxy-terminus we investigated the importance of the various intracellular subdomains. Whereas the construct encoding the intracellular cadherin-type segment domain still allowed its incorporation into the desmosome, further truncation, leaving only the intracellular anchor domain, did not. Deletion of the 87 amino acid long plakoglobin-binding site within the intracellular cadherin-type segment domain demonstrated that this region is essential for targeting desmoglein 3 to the desmosome. Absent the plakoglobin-binding site the chimeric molecule colocalizes with β-catenin rather than desmoplakin. We conclude that binding of plakoglobin to desmoglein 3 is an important step in desmosome assembly and leads to the incorporation of desmoglein 3 into the desmosome.
Association of female reproductive factors with body composition: the Framingham Heart Study.

Background: Identifying reproductive risk factors in women offers a life course approach to obesity and cardiovascular disease prevention. The association of female reproductive factors with measures of regional body fat distribution has not been comprehensively studied. Methods: We examined the association of female reproductive factors (age at menarche, parity, age at natural menopause, menopausal status) in association with body composition data from women who participated in the Offspring and the Third Generation Framingham Heart Study cohorts. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and sc adipose tissue (SAT) were measured volumetrically by multidetector computerized tomography. We modeled the relationship between each fat depot and female reproductive factors after adjusting for various factors such as age, smoking status, alcohol intake, physical activity index, hormone replacement therapy, and menopausal status. Results: Earlier age at menarche was associated with increased body mass index (BMI), waist cir...
Increased Incidence of Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis in Esophageal Atresia Patients

Introduction Around half of patients with esophageal atresia (EA) have additional congenital anomalies. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) in these patients is less known, with only 36 cases reported in the past literature. This retrospective study aimed to establish the incidence and clinical presentation of EA patients in combination with HPS in our hospital. Materials and methods A retrospective study was based on the medical histories from all patients with EA who underwent surgical repair in our hospital from 1988 through 2012. Results Of 267 patients with EA, 20 also developed HPS (7.5%). The latter group showed male predominance, 90 versus 60% in the EA without HPS group. The first symptoms of HPS were mostly vomiting and/or feeding intolerance (n = 19). The diagnosis was mostly delayed, with a median of 6 days (range, 1-21 days). Conclusions This is the first report on the high incidence of HPS in a large series of EA patients. The incidence found is 30 times higher than that in the normal population. HPS should be considered when patients show recurrent or persisting vomiting and feeding intolerance after surgery. The reason for the higher incidence should be further investigated.
The Relationship Between Family Structure and Parent-Child Relationship Problems in Single Father Households

This study examines the influence of number, sex distribution, age distribution, and age spacing of children on the severity of parent-child relationship problems in 912 single father households. Fathers with custody of preadolescent girls, compared to those raising both preadolescent and adolescent girls, children of both sexes, or boys exclusively, reported significantly fewer problems with their children. No effects were found for family size or age spacing. The method of obtaining custody, social support, marital conflict, and father involvement in child care during the marriage were also significant predictors of the dependent variable.
Social construction in counselling psychology: A commentary and critique

Abstract This commentary on the special issue of the Counselling Psychology Quarterly devoted to social constructionism and counselling focuses on two critical themes running through the various contributions to the special issue–the Feminist critique and the multicultural critique. A critical appraisal of contemporary social constructionist epistemology is also offered.
An Oxygen Scavenging System for Improvement of Dye Stability in Single-Molecule Fluorescence Experiments

The application of single-molecule fluorescence techniques to complex biological systems places demands on the performance of single fluorophores. We present an enzymatic oxygen scavenging system for improved dye stability in single-molecule experiments. We compared the previously described protocatechuic acid/protocatechuate-3,4-dioxygenase system to the currently employed glucose oxidase/catalase system. Under standardized conditions, we observed lower dissolved oxygen concentrations with the protocatechuic acid/protocatechuate-3,4-dioxygenase system. Furthermore, we observed increased initial lifetimes of single Cy3, Cy5, and Alexa488 fluorophores. We further tested the effects of chemical additives in this system. We found that biological reducing agents increase both the frequency and duration of blinking events of Cy5, an effect that scales with reducing potential. We observed increased stability of Cy3 and Alexa488 in the presence of the antioxidants ascorbic acid and n-propyl gallate. This new O2-scavenging system should have wide application for single-molecule fluorescence experiments.
Aldrin and dieldrin uptake in insecticide-resistant and susceptible mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis).

Insecticide-resistant and susceptible mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) were exposed to14C-aldrin and14C-dieldrin for timed intervals. Whole body and tissue levels of the two organochlorine insecticides were compared between the two populations. At the 10 ppb aldrin and dieldrin treatment levels there were no significant insecticide level differences between resistant and susceptible fish. However, at 80 ppb aldrin and 30 ppb dieldrin there were significant differences. There was 8.5 times as much aldrin in whole body samples of susceptible fish as in whole body samples from resistant fish. There was only 1.24 times as much dieldrin in susceptible as in resistant fish, but it was significant (P<0.05). There were significantly higher amounts of both insecticides in tissues (muscle, liver, and brain) examined from susceptible fish, with the exception of the liver in which dieldrin levels were essentially the same for both populations. Insecticide level comparisons were also made on the basis of whether the fish were exhibiting symptoms of poisoning or not exhibiting symptoms of poisoning. Within the susceptible population there was no difference in the aldrin whole body levels between those fish not exhibiting symptoms and those exhibiting symptoms of poisoning. However, there was a higher level of dieldrin in fish exhibiting symptoms as compared to those not exhibiting symptoms. There were no differences in the insecticide levels in tissues. In comparisons between populations there were significantly higher levels in both whole body and tissue samples of susceptible fish as compared to resistant fish. This was true regardless of whether susceptible fish were exhibiting symptoms or not exhibiting symptoms of poisoning.
Developing Carrier Complexes for “Caged NO”: RuCl3(NO)(H2O)2 Complexes of Dipyridylamine, (dpaH), N,N,N'N'-Tetrakis (2-Pyridyl) Adipamide, (tpada), and (2-Pyridylmethyl) Iminodiacetate, (pida2-)

Delivery agents which can carry the {Ru(NO)}6 chromophore (“caged NO”) are desired for vasodilation and for photodynamic therapy of tumors. Toward these goals, complexes derived from [RuCl3(NO)(H2O)2]= (1) have been prepared using dipyridylamine (dpaH) as mono and bis adducts, [Ru(NO)Cl3(dpaH)] = (2) and [Ru(NO)Cl(dpaH)2]Cl2 = (3). The dpaH ligands coordinate cis to the Ru(NO) axis.The mono derivative is a model for a potential DNA groove-spanning binuclear complex {[RuNO)Cl3]2(tpada)} = (4) which has two DNA-coordinating RuII centers, photo-labile {Ru(NO)}6 sites, and a groove-spanning tether moiety.The binuclear assembly is prepared from the tethered dipyridylamine ligand N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)adipamide (tpada) which has recently been shown to provide a binuclear carrier complex suited to transporting RuII and PdII agents. A related complex, [Ru(NO)Cl(pida)] = (5) with the {Ru(NO)}6 moiety bound to (2-pyridylmethyl) iminodiacetate (pida2-) is also characterized as a potential “caged NO” carrier. Structural information concerning the placement of the pyridyl donor groups relative to the {Ru(NO)}6 unit has been obtained from 1H and 13C NMR and infrared methods, noting that a pyridyl donor trans to NO+ causes “trans strengthening” of this ligand for [Ru(NO)Cl(pida)], whereas placement of pyridyl groups cis to NO+ causes a weakening of the N-O bond and a lower NO stretching frequency in the dpa-based complexes.
Questions About Policy Transparency

Book reviewed: Neal Finkelstein, ed., Transparency in Public Policy: Great Britain and the United States.
Analysis of localized quadratic encoding and reconstruction

Localized quadratic (LQ) encoding is a method of collecting multislice MRI data sets with greatly overlapping excited slices in such a way that the slice overlap can be deconvolved. This results in reconstructed data with resolution equal to the center-to-center slice spacing, regardless of the amount of excited slice overlap. LQ encoding is analyzed using the modulation transfer function of the encoding and reconstruction process. This allows analysis of many aspects of the technique in a well established theoretical framework. Many different characteristics of the method are explored, including excited slice profiles, required RF magnitudes and specific absorption rate, signal to noise ratio, signal dynamic range, reconstruction artifacts, sensitivity to motion, saturation and inflow effects, modulation transfer function shifting, and off-resonance artifacts. It is suggested that this technique is best suited for applications currently using multiple thin-slab three-dimensional encoding.
Mass Casualty Tracking with Air Traffic Control Methodologies

Background An intrahospital casualty throughput system modeled after air traffic control (ATC) tracking procedures was tested in mass casualty exercises. ATC uses a simple tactile process involving informational progress strips representing each aircraft, which are held in bays representing each stage of flight to prioritize and manage aircraft. These strips can be reordered within the bays to indicate a change in priority of aircraft sequence. In this study, a similar system was designed for patient tracking. Study Design We compared the ATC model and traditional casualty tracking methods of paper and clipboard in 18 four-hour casualty scenarios, each with 5 to 30 mock casualties. The experimental and control groups were alternated to maximize exposure and minimize training effects. Results were analyzed with Mann-Whitney statistical analysis with p value Results The ATC method had significantly (p = 0.017) fewer errors in critical patient data (eg, name, social security number, diagnosis). Specifically, the ATC method better tracked the mechanism of injury, working diagnosis, and disposition of patients. The ATC method also performed considerably better with patient accountability during mass casualty scenarios. Data strips were comparable with the control method in terms of ease of use. In addition, participants preferred the ATC method to the control (p = 0.003) and preferred using the ATC method (p = 0.003) to traditional methods in the future. Conclusions The ATC model more effectively tracked patient data with fewer errors when compared with the clipboard method. Application of these principles can enhance trauma management and can have application in civilian and military trauma centers and emergency rooms.
Type II Supernovae

Evidence is briefly reviewed for believing that the core bounce mechanism actually gives rise to Type II supernovae in massive stars. Strongest evidence comes from the historical observation of the Crab Nebula light curve, the existence of pulsars, and from the nucleosynthesis of a few very neutron-rich isotopes such as 48Ca. A new presupernova model for a 25 M⊙ star is presented which has an iron core mass at the time of collapse that is smaller than in our previous studies. The evolution of a Population III (Z = 0) 25 M⊙ star (currently evolved up to the point of silicon shell burning) is also briefly reviewed and implications for nucleosynthesis discussed. It is pointed out that the explosion of relatively compact stars such as the Population III 25 M⊙ model or Wolf-Rayet stars devoid of any hydrogen envelope is not likely to produce either a brilliant optical display or a spectrum similar to common Type II events. Such explosions may have escaped detection.
Aesthetic and functional satisfaction after monsplasty in the massive weight loss population.

Background: The mons region is often affected by massive weight loss (MWL), with descent of the pubic area and residual adiposity. Thinning and resuspension are often performed concomitantly with abdominal contouring procedures. Objectives: Assess patient satisfaction, as well as functional and aesthetic results, after monsplasty in the MWL population. Methods: The authors identified 54 consecutive female MWL patients (≥50 lbs) who had undergone abdominal contouring and completed at least 3 months of follow-up as potential subjects. Subjects were asked to complete a Mons Satisfaction Survey, either by phone or in person. Demographic and procedural data were collected from our prospective registry. Descriptive statistics were calculated with significance set at P value <.05. Results: Thirty-one patients (57.8%) completed the survey. Average patient age was 46 ± 11.3 years. Mean maximum body mass index (BMI) was 52.0 ± 8.81 kg/m2, mean current BMI was 31.0 ± 6.22 kg/m2, and mean delta BMI was 20.7 ± 6.00 kg/m2. Average pannus resection weight was 3.25 ± 2.03 kg. Visualization of the genitalia improved from 25.8% to 100% ( P < .01). Patients rated the appearance of their mons as 3.18 ± 2.11 prior to surgery and 8.58 ± 1.73 after surgery ( P < .001) on a scale of 1 to 10. Hygiene improved in 61.3% of patients, and sex life improved in 51.6%, with 32.3% of patients reporting increased genital sensitivity. Incontinence decreased from 22.6% to 12.9%, and 6 patients reported a change in urinary stream. Conclusions: Monsplasty at the time of abdominal contouring yields significant improvement in patient satisfaction levels and functional scores. With proper incisional design, monsplasty can be performed safely during abdominal contouring with high patient satisfaction to improve both form and function of the pubic region. Level of Evidence: 4 ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
An HSPICE HBT model for InP-based single HBTs

An HBT model for InP-based single HBTs (SHBTs) was developed based on the conventional Gummel-Poon large-signal BJT model available in HSPICE. Several typical characteristics observed from InP-based SHBTs, such as soft breakdown and collector transit-time delay effects, were modeled through a macro modeling approach. Excellent agreement has been achieved between the experimental and calculated results based on the model.
Phylogenetic systematics of Pseudolebinthus, a new genus of Eneopterinae crickets (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Eneopteridae) from south-east Africa

Within a framework of historical analysis of Eneopterinae crickets, the genus Pseudolebinthus Robillard gen.n. and two new species P. africanus Robillard, sp.n. and P. whellani Robillard, sp.n., endemic from south-east Africa, are described. A cladistic analysis using 198 morphological characters and 47 terminals assessed the phylogenetic position of the new taxa within the subfamily. The resultant topologies support the previously proposed phylogeny for the subfamily and contained tribes. The monophyly of Pseudolebinthus is supported strongly as well as its sister relationship with Xenogryllus within the tribe Xenogryllini. A key to Eneopterinae tribes, Xenogryllini genera and Pseudolebin- thus species is given. Taxonomic, evolutionary and acoustic issues raised by the recognition of Pseudolebinthus are discussed.
A human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G-specific receptor expressed on all natural killer cells

Human natural killer (NK) cells express several killer cell immunoglobulin (Ig)-like receptors (KIRs) that inhibit their cytotoxicity upon recognition of human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules on target cells. Additional members of the KIR family, including some that deliver activation signals, have unknown ligand specificity and function. One such KIR, denoted KIR2DL4, is structurally divergent from other KIRs in the configuration of its two extracellular Ig domains and of its transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. Here we show that recombinant soluble KIR2DL4 binds to cells expressing HLA-G but not to cells expressing other HLA class I molecules. Unlike other HLA class I–specific KIRs, which are clonally distributed on NK cells, KIR2DL4 is expressed at the surface of all NK cells. Furthermore, functional transfer of KIR2DL4 into the cell line NK-92 resulted in inhibition of lysis of target cells that express HLA-G, but not target cells that express other class I molecules including HLA-E. Therefore, given that HLA-G expression is restricted to fetal trophoblast cells, KIR2DL4 may provide important signals to maternal NK decidual cells that interact with trophoblast cells at the maternal–fetal interface during pregnancy.
Connexin43 and connexin26 form gap junctions, but not heteromeric channels in co-expressing cells

Many cells contain two (or more) gap junction proteins that are able to oligomerize with each other to form heteromeric gap junction channels and influence the properties of intercellular communication. Cx26 and Cx43 are found together in a number of cell types, but previous data have suggested that they might not form heteromeric connexons. We studied the possible interactions of these connexins by co-expression in three different cell lines. Analysis of N2aCx26/Cx43 cell pairs by double whole-cell patch-clamp methods showed that these cells were coupled, but contained only a small number of sizes of single channels consistent with those formed by homomeric Cx26 or Cx43 channels. Immunofluorescence studies showed that both connexins localized to appositional membranes, but in largely distinct domains. Analysis of Triton X-100-solubilized connexons from co-expressing cells by centrifugation through sucrose gradients or by affinity purification using a Ni-NTA column showed no evidence of mixing of Cx26 and Cx43. These results contrast with our observations in cells co-expressing other connexins with Cx43 and suggest that Cx26 and Cx43 do not form heteromeric hemichannels. Moreover, the incorporation of Cx26 and Cx43 into oligomers and into the membrane were similarly affected by treatment of co-expressing cells with brefeldin A or nocodazole, suggesting that the lack of mixing is due to incompatibility of these connexins, not to differences in biosynthetic trafficking.
On the diameter of random Cayley graphs of the symmetric group

Let σ, π be two permutations selected at random from the uniform distribution on the symmetric group Sn. By a result of Dixon [5], the subgroup G generated by σ, π is almost always (i.e. with probability approaching 1 as n → ∞) either Sn or the alternating group An. We prove that the diameter of the Cayley graph of G defined by {σ, π} is almost always not greater than exp ((½ + o(l)). (In n)2).
C-Escalation and D-Escalation A Theory of the Time-Dynamics of Conflict

Conflict escalates through a series of feedback loops. On the micro level, conflict generates conditions for intense interaction rituals, and internal solidarity fuels external conflict. Perceived atrocities reciprocally increase ideological polarization between opponents, while confrontational tension/fear makes violence incompetent and produces real atrocities. Conflict groups seek allies, drive out neutrals, and mobilize material resources. Both sides in a conflict counter-escalate through the same set of feedbacks. Winning and losing are determined by differences between rates of escalation and by attacks that one-sidedly destroy organizational and material capacity. Conflict de-escalates because both sides fail to find conditions for solidarity, cannot overcome confrontational tension/fear, and exhaust their material resources. Emotional burnout sets in through a time dynamic of explosion, plateau, and dissipation of enthusiasm. Defection of allies opens the way for third-party settlement. When both ...
Verbs and Syntactic Frames in Children’s Elicited Actions: A Comparison of Tamil- and English-Speaking Children

We directly compare children learning argument expressing and argument dropping languages on the use of verb meaning and syntactic cues, by examining enactments of transitive and intransitive verbs given in transitive and intransitive syntactic frames. Our results show similarities in the children’s knowledge: (1) Children were somewhat less likely to perform an action when the core meaning of a verb was in conflict with the frame in which it was presented; (2) Children enacted the core meaning of the verb with considerable accuracy in all conditions; and (3) Children altered their actions to include or not include explicit objects appropriately to the frame. The results suggest that 3-year-olds learning languages that present them with very different structural cues still show similar knowledge about and sensitivity to the core meanings of transitive and intransitive verbs as well as the implications of the frames in which they appear.
The significance of sex-linked chromosomal inversions in the speciation process of the Simulium arcticum complex of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae)

ABSTRACT. This study summarizes cytogenetic variation, particularly sex-linked chromosomal inversions which define taxa of the Simulium arcticum complex (Diptera: Simuliidae) in western Montana and portions of northern Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Variation in polytene chromosomes was determined for nearly 15,000 larvae from 234 collections taken from 58 freshwater sites. The previously described siblings, S. apricarium, S. arcticum sensu stricto, S. brevicercum, and S. saxosum, were most numerous, while all cytotypes, with the exception of IIL-19, were found in low frequency. Additionaly, 6 new cytotypes in low frequency are described. Evidence suggests that the Y chromosome carries the testis-determining gene, and in almost all taxa of S. arcticum, complex paracentric inversions characterize these types. Distributions of (1) S. brevicercum and S. arcticum s. s., (2) S. arcticum s. s. and S. arcticum IIL-18, (3) S. brevicercum and S. arcticum IIL-18, and (4) S. arcticum IIL-9 and S. arcticum IIL-19 hav...
A Curriculum for Personal Sales Training in an Academic Setting

The purpose of this paper is to provide information useful for setting up a pragmatic workshop or laboratory in personal selling skills. Through this laboratory experience students will better unde...
Learning in Compositional Hierarchies: Inducing the Structure of Objects from Data

I propose a learning algorithm for learning hierarchical models for object recognition. The model architecture is a compositional hierarchy that represents part-whole relationships: parts are described in the local context of substructures of the object. The focus of this report is learning hierarchical models from data, i.e. inducing the structure of model prototypes from observed exemplars of an object. At each node in the hierarchy, a probability distribution governing its parameters must be learned. The connections between nodes reflects the structure of the object. The formulation of substructures is encouraged such that their parts become conditionally independent. The resulting model can be interpreted as a Bayesian Belief Network and also is in many respects similar to the stochastic visual grammar described by Mjolsness.
An evaluation of secondary effects on microchannel frictional and convective heat transfer characteristics

The frictional and convective heat transfer characteristics of rarified flows in rectangular microchannels, with either isoflux or isothermal boundary conditions, are evaluated subject to second-order slip boundary conditions, creep flow, viscous dissipation, and axial conduction effects. Numerical results are obtained using a continuum based, three-dimensional, compressible, unsteady computational fluid dynamics algorithm with first- and second-order slip velocity and temperature jump boundary conditions applied to the momentum and energy equations, respectively. The results, reported in the form of Poiseuille and Nusselt numbers, are found to be significant functions of aspect ratio, Knudsen number, slip model parameters, Brinkman number, and Peclet number.
Intensity judgments and physiological response amplitude.

Heart rate and cortical evoked responses to 5 sound intensities were examined in 7 subjects, who were instructed to judge the intensity rank of each stimulus. The cortical potential exhibited a predominantly linear relationship to intensity, with larger responses evoked by the louder tones. However, heart rate showed both a significant linear and a significant quadratic relationship. The latter tendency, for larger responses to occur for high and low tones, increased progressively over trial series. These results were paralleled by a quadratic relationship between stimulus intensity and judgment errors and between intensity and reaction time to stimulus offset (fewer errors and shorter latencies for high and low “anchor” tones). These findings show that both physical intensity and the subject's ability to discriminate stimuli modulate the amplitude of some physiological responses, and the latter factor increases in influence as the subject becomes more familiar with the stimulus set.
A Lagrangian Trajectory View on Transport and Mixing Processes between the Eye, Eyewall, and Environment Using a High-Resolution Simulation of Hurricane Bonnie (1998)

The transport and mixing characteristics of a large sample of air parcels within a mature and vertically sheared hurricane vortex are examined. Data from a high-resolution (2-km horizontal grid spacing) numerical simulation of real-case Hurricane Bonnie (1998) are used to calculate Lagrangian trajectories of air parcels in various subdomains of the hurricane (namely, the eye, eyewall, and near environment) to study the degree of interaction (transport and mixing) between these subdomains. It is found that 1) there is transport and mixing from the low-level eye to the eyewall that carries air possessing relatively high values of equivalent potential temperature (e), which can enhance the efficiency of the hurricane heat engine; 2) a portion of the low-level inflow of the hurricane bypasses the eyewall to enter the eye, and this air both replaces the mass of the low-level eye and lingers for a sufficient time (order 1 h) to acquire enhanced entropy characteristics through interaction with the ocean beneath the eye; 3) air in the mid- to upper-level eye is exchanged with the eyewall such that more than half the air of the eye is exchanged i n5hi nthis case of a sheared hurricane; and 4) that one-fifth of the mass in the eyewall at a height of 5 km has an origin in the mid- to upper-level environment where e is much less than in the eyewall, which ventilates the ensemble average eyewall e by about 1 K. Implications of these findings for the problem of hurricane intensity forecasting are briefly discussed.
On Kueker simple theories

We show that a Kueker simple theory eliminates ∃∞ and densely interprets weakly minimal formulas. As part of the proof we generalize Hrushovski's dichotomy for almost complete formulas to simple theories. We conclude that in a unidimensional simple theory an almost-complete formula is either weakly minimal or trivially-almost-complete. We also observe that a small unidimensional simple theory is supersimple of finite SU-rank.
New Careers: Bridges or ladders?

Gerald S. Berman, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Michigan at Dear born, Dearborn, Michigan. Marie R. Haug, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Sociology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. The collection of data for this study was sup ported in part by the Rehabilitation Services Administration, Grant No. RD-3240-GA-7. The principal investigator of the study was Marvin B. Sussman, Selah P. Chamberlain Professor of Sociology, Case Western Reserve University.
Impedance Analysis as a Tool for Hydraulic Fracture Diagnostics in Unconventional Reservoirs

Production from unconventional reservoirs plays a key role in supplying hydrocarbon to the world's increasing energy demand. Hydraulic fracturing is one of the most advancing technologies in producing hydrocarbon from low-permeability reservoirs, especially in tight and shale formations. The geometric properties of a hydraulic fracture affect significantly the production rate from these stimulated reservoirs. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to characterize the geometric features of hydraulically-induced fractures during stimulation processes. The geometric properties of a hydraulic fracture change with fracture evolution due to stress propagation along the cracks. We have modeled such a system based on the analogy between fluidic and electric circuits. The model takes into account the dynamic alteration of hydrodynamic impedance of the fracture. The hydrodynamic impedance controls the relation between the fracture fluid flow rate and pressure drop during stimulation process. The proposed model incorporates the effects of both hydrodynamic capacitance and resistance of the fracture and the wellbore to compute the fracture impedance. Downhole measurements of pressure and flow rate can explicitly determine the hydrodynamic impedance of the fracture. Fracture impedance can also be implicitly inferred from wellhead pressure and flow rate measurements. The pulsatile nature of hydraulic fracturing treatment makes it sensible to utilize the wellhead data for the purpose of impedance monitoring based on the electromagnetic transmission line theory. We have performed extensive sensitivity analyses on the most important parameters of a single hydraulic fracture for assessing fracture impedance. These parameters include fracture thickness, fracture radial extent, and fracture shape. Through sensitivity analyses results and real-time measurement of fracture impedance, we infer the basic geometric properties of a hydraulic fracture. This research has led to an analytical approach for evaluating hydraulic fractures geometric characteristics. The approach builds an intuition toward better understanding how to design hydraulic fractures in a more efficient fashion.
Comments on "A 64-point Fourier transform chip for video motion compensation using phase correlation"

For the original paper see ibid., vol. 31, no. 11, p. 1751-61 (Nov. 1996). The commenter states that the fast Fourier transform (FFT) processor of the aforementioned paper by C.C. Hui et al., contains many interesting and novel features. However, it is pointed out that bit reversed input/output FFT algorithms, matrix transposers, and bit reversers have been noted in the literature. In addition, lower radix algorithms can be modified to be made computationally equivalent to higher radix algorithms. Many FFT ideas, including those of the above paper, can also be applied to other important algorithms and architectures.
How Dangerous Are Measurement Errors to Homeland Security

Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. government instituted rigorous new rules and procedures for screening incoming cargo, with the aim of averting a future catastrophe delivered via the nation’s global trade infrastructure. While the efficacy of these policies in curbing terrorism is difficult to assess, sophisticated statistical techniques can be used to help gauge the performance of homeland security policies in mitigating risks. Abnormal weight analysis is one such technique. This study examines the weight characteristics of import transactions processed by U.S. Customs before and after the terrorist attacks to identify patterns of abnormalities that could indicate foul play. Abnormalities are calculated by first determining average weights by commodity, and then estimating and analyzing dispersion among reported weights. Our results indicate that while the vast majority of import transactions are being reported more accurately since 9/11, a small percentage of extreme outliers exist, and this should be cause for concern for multinational managers, policymakers, and society at large. Based on these results, conclusions are drawn and recommendations for policy and practice are offered. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structural characterization of the polar lipids of Clostridium novyi NT. Further evidence for a novel anaerobic biosynthetic pathway to plasmalogens

A study of the polar lipids of Clostridium novyi NT has revealed the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and cardiolipin as major phospholipids with smaller amounts of phosphatidylglycerol (PG), lysyl-PG and alanyl-PG. Other minor phospholipids included phosphatidic acid, CDP-diacylglycerol, phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylthreonine (PT). PE, PG and amino acyl PG were present in both the diacyl and alk-1′-enyl acyl (plasmalogen) forms and cardiolipin plasmalogens were found to contain one or two alk-1′-enyl chains. In contrast, the precursor lipids phosphatidic acid, CDP-diacylglycerol and PS were present almost exclusively as diacyl phospholipids. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that plasmalogens are formed from diacylated phospholipids at a late stage of phospholipid formation in Clostridium species. This novel pathway contrasts with the route in animals in which a saturated ether bond is formed at an early stage of plasmalogen biosynthesis and the alk-1-enyl bond is formed by an aerobic mechanism.
Work attitudes in Vietnam

The article explores the effect of employees' attitudes on the competitiveness of companies in Vietnam. In transition economies, the effect of a shift from a planned to market economy on personnel management practices can cripple an organization. Research on employee attitudes in Vietnam is examined as an indicator of effective labor force management policies. Such issues as employees' organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and work values are considered. Some qualifications for regional differences are also stated.
Lactic Dehydrogenase A Comparison of Two Methods

Determination of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity has been shown to have diagnostic value in pathologic states involving tissue necrosis and neoplasia. Necrotizing tissues release this enzyme, which catalyzes the reduction of pyruvate to lactate or the reverse, in an active state. As a result of this release, the enzyme appears in body fluids, notably the blood. Increase of this activity over normal indicates necrosis. The present paper compares the results of the Wroblewski and LaDue and the Wacker et al., methods for measuring LDH activity. Results of the two methods were found to be not comparable. No calculation can be found to relate the results of the two analytical methods. Only 18 of 30 samples gave abnormally high results by both methods. Changes between serial samples drawn on the same patient are not always in the same direction when measured by both methods. Lack of mathematical correlation between the kinetics of the pyruvate-to-lactate reaction and the lactate-to-pyruvate reaction is assumed to explain this.
Initial Evaluation of a Modern Augmented Reality Display for Deployable Embedded Training System

When flight time is not available, flight simulators are an effective task rehearsal tool used by the military to train and maintaining aviator proficiency. Unfortunately, the physical characteristics of traditional simulator architectures prevent their use in most operational environments. Previous research has demonstrated that the embedded training (ET) simulator concept is viable but also has limitations in the display of immersive visuals (Lennerton, 2004). Recent advancements in virtual display devices and aircraft design can overcome challenges of the past and should rapidly advance the realization of ET simulators. However, the ability of technology to provide an ET solution must be supported by user acceptance and confidence that effective training transfer will occur with such a system. This effort explored the feasibility of using a modern, user worn, 3D, projection based Augmented Reality (AR) system as the visual interface for a hypothetical ET system with two fixed wing and one rotary wing aircraft. Eight Naval Aviation Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) were given a preflight questionnaire, participated in a simulated flight using the AR display, and completed a post-flight questionnaire. Results indicated that both the ET concept and the prototype AR system were highly regarded.
Relationship Between Serum Reactions

It has been generally accepted that there is no relation between serum reactions in so far as the numeric values of the titers are concerned; that, in other words, the serologic qualities of an animal are so irregular in their correlationships that no conclusion concerning one serum reaction can be arrived at by knowledge of another. However, in the course of routine work with complement-fixation I often have had the impression that rabbit sera which give high hemolytic titers show also high precipitins (the latter being due to small quantities of serum adhering to the sheep corpuscles), and as the question involved is not only of interest but of great importance, I have found it advisable to make systematic tests. Furthermore, one of our chief problems here is to find an easier method of testing the potency of hog-cholera immune serum, a question intimately connected with the relationship of serum reactions.
The promise of nurse practitioners.

The U.S. health care system is more costly per person, is less accessible, focuses on more intensive levels of care, and has poorer outcomes than any other industrialized country in the world. Several solutions for these problems are suggested and all of these rely on the full use of nurse practitioners.
Activity of Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Against Chlamydia trachomatis in Vitro

With use of a technique for cell culture, the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMZ), alone and in combination at ratios of 1:1, 1:5, and 1:20, were determined against five strains of Chlamydia trachomatis. The drugs were added to idoxuridine-treated McCoy cells aftger inoculation of the cells with the pathogen. Cultures were examined after incubation for 48 hr; the MIC was defined as the highest concentration of drug at which no inclusions were seen. Definite end points were observed only with inocula of 103 inclusion-forming units (IFU)/ml. With larger inocula, inclusions were present for all dilutions tested. The MICs for TMP alone were >64 ig/ml for all strains. The MICs for SMZ alone ranged from 2 to 128 jg/ml. There appeared to be no better than an additive effect for all combinations of TMP and SMZ tested, although the effect at 1:20 was greater than that at 1:1 or 1:5. With increasing concentrations of both drugs, the inclusions became progressively fewer, smaller, and pyknotic. Even though definite end points could not be determined, there was a significant reduction in the number of IFU/ml at relatively low concentrations of both TMP and SMZ. The results of this study suggest that the activity of TMP-SMZ against C. trachomatis is primarily that of SMZ alone.
Sound waves and resonances in electron-hole plasma

Inspired by the recent experimental signatures of relativistic hydrodynamics in graphene, we investigate theoretically the behavior of hydrodynamic sound modes in such quasirelativistic fluids near charge neutrality, within linear response. Locally driving an electron fluid at a resonant frequency to such a sound mode can lead to large increases in the electrical response at the edges of the sample, a signature, which cannot be explained using diffusive models of transport. We discuss the robustness of this signal to various effects, including electron-acoustic phonon coupling, disorder, and long-range Coulomb interactions. These long-range interactions convert the sound mode into a collective plasmonic mode at low frequencies unless the fluid is charge neutral. At the smallest frequencies, the response in a disordered fluid is quantitatively what is predicted by a ``momentum relaxation time'' approximation. However, this approximation fails at higher frequencies (which can be parametrically small), where the classical localization of sound waves cannot be neglected. Experimental observation of such resonances is a clear signature of relativistic hydrodynamics, and provides an upper bound on the viscosity of the electron-hole plasma.
Study on application of new crystallizer in disposal of waste sulphuric acid in Aramid fiber 1414 production

A new crystallizer of speed response was introduced to dispose waste sulfuric acid to solve the problems of difficulty in sedimentation,filtration,dehydration caused by fine gypsum particles in heavy calcium carbonate and Aramid fiber 1414 production and effects of the reaction conditions and crystallizer parameters on gypsum crystallized product were studied.The results show that the application of speed response technology could help successfully neutralize heavy calcium carbonate and waste sulfuric acid and produce gypsum as byproduct.The discharge water after being disposed has pH value of 6.93 and the purity of the byproduct gypsum of no less than 93%,average particle size 0.1mm and the content of adsorbed water in the byproduct gypsum less than 20%.
Analgesics and their antagonists: recent developments.

This chapter is intended to provide an account of developments in narcotic analgesics and their antagonists since 1970 and takes the form, and is an extension of, the author’s previous review that covered literature of the period 1962–9 [1]. Although work on narcotic antagonists has been described in this series as recently as 1976 [2], some reference to analgesic antagonism is included in the present account because ligands which interact with opiate receptors often display a spectrum of agonist-antagonist properties rather than a specific or ‘pure’ pharmacological action, and the full range of effect should be taken into account when assessing the properties of a novel agent.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation of Newborns: Its Application to Transport Medicine

The outcome of sick infants requiring transport to tertiary care centers is critically dependent on the stabilization of these infants at the hospital of delivery and the quality of care during transport. The American Heart Association/American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for neonatal resuscitation emphasize a structured, step-wise approach to resuscitation. This article highlights the application of these guidelines to resuscitation of newborns during transport and reviews the experience of a large perinatal network in this area.
Cytotoxicity of remnants of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins: an atherogenic insult?

One of the more widely accepted hypotheses (1) to explain the develop ment of atherosclerosis is that some form of functional and/or structural injury occurs to endothelial cells that line the lumen of the artery. This injury disrupts the permeability barrier and may lead to an infiltration of plasma components (lipoproteins) into the artery and an adherence of circulating blood cells (monocytes and platelets) to the injured endothelium. The conversion of monocyte-derived macrophages to lipid laden foam cells has been thought to play a central role in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Although the importance of endothelial cell injury in the initiation of the atherogenic process has been demonstrated by the development of atherosclerotic lesions in the artery following mechanical (balloon catheter) injury of the endothelium (2), the factor(s) responsible for the injury of arterial endothelium in vivo is not currently clear. Ross and Harker (3) suggested that hypercholesterolemia might cause endothelial cell damage, and so set off a sequence of reactions, which results in an atherosclerotic lesion (4). Although there is currently no strong evidence that hypercholsterolemia indeed leads to endothelial cell damage in vivo, several investigators have reported a cytotoxic effect of LDL and VLDL on cultured endothelial cells (5–9). The cytotoxic effect of LDL has been indicated to be a result of lipid peroxidation (6–7). Lipid peroxides have been identified in the sera of healthy men, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia subjects, and diabetic patients (10–12), but sera from these subjects were unable to produce cytotoxicity to cultured human endothelial cells (12).