cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abnormal Placentation, Angiogenic Factors, and the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a common complication of pregnancy with potentially devastating consequences to both the mother and the baby.It is the leading cause of maternal deaths in developing countries. In developed countries it is the major cause of iatrogenic premature delivery and contributes significantly to increasing health care cost associated with prematurity. There is currently no known treatment for preeclampsia; ultimate treatment involves delivery of the placenta. Although there are several risk factors (such as multiple gestation or chronic hypertension), most patients present with no obvious risk factors. The molecular pathogenesis of preeclampsia is just now being elucidated. It has been proposed that abnormal placentation and an imbalance in angiogenic factors lead to the clinical findings and complications seen in preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is characterized by high levels of circulating antiangiogenic factors such as soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and soluble endoglin, which induce maternal endothelial dysfunction. These soluble factors are altered not only at the time of clinical disease but also several weeks before the onset of clinical signs and symptoms. Many methods of prediction and surveillance have been proposed to identify women who will develop preeclampsia, but studies have been inconclusive. With the recent discovery of the role of angiogenic factors in preeclampsia, novel methods of prediction and diagnosis are being developed to aid obstetricians and midwives in clinical practice. This article discusses the role of angiogenic factors in the pathogenesis, prediction, diagnosis, and possible treatment of preeclampsia.
A comparison of tympanometry with 226 Hz and 1000 Hz probe tones in children with Down syndrome

Abstract Background For children with Down syndrome, the incidence of hearing loss may be as high as 78% [1] , therefore the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends regular screening for the presence of hearing abnormalities. Tympanometry is used as an indication of middle ear pathology. In our experience, Down's patients’ tympanograms do not always correlate with otoscopic findings. Down's patients have joint laxity, small ear canals, anterior tympanic membrane orientation and softer tissue composition, all factors thought to affect tympanogram results in infants. Because the use of the 1000 Hz tympanometry is widely recognized as standard procedure in the evaluation of infants aged 0–6 months, we propose it may have greater reliability in testing patients with Down syndrome. Objective Compare the results of visual inspection of the tympanic membrane by a Pediatric Otolaryngologist to the results of tympanometry at traditional probe tone (226 Hz) and at the infant probe tone (1000 Hz). Methods Institutional Review Board – approved prospective study of 26 subject-ears in patients with Down syndrome aged 6 months–18 years but recent stable middle ear/Eustachian tube function using physical examination and tympanometric probe tones at 226 Hz and 1000 Hz. Subject-ears were examined with record of “clear of effusion,” showed the presence of “fluid,” or were to be “excluded.” Blinded to ear exam results, tympanometry was then completed with record of which Jerger classification tympanogram was found at each frequency. Results Although the sensitivity of each test was 1, the specificity of the 1000 Hz tympanometry (100%) in this study was markedly improved compared to the specificity of the 226 Hz tympanometry (71%) ( p = 0.016). Conclusions This pilot study demonstrated evidence that tympanometry in children with Down syndrome may be more reliable at 1000 Hz than at 226 Hz in detecting the presence of middle ear effusion beyond infancy. Use of the 1000 Hz probe tone yielded fewer false positives for disease (type B tympanograms in the setting of absent middle ear disease). Further studies of a larger patient population are needed to corroborate these results.
Pears and persimmons: A comparison of temperate forests in Europe and eastern North America*

Major dimensions of ecological segregation of tree species in cool temperate Europe and E North America appear related to (a) soil pH, (b) large scale ‘succession’ including topographic sequences of changing moisture stress, and (c) intolerance versus tolerance of canopy competition as involved in ‘gap-phase’ dynamics. Genera tend to have similar average positions along these dimensions in the two subcontinents.
Methods and prevalence of ADL limitations in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white subjects in rural Colorado: the San Luis Valley Health and Aging Study.

Abstract PURPOSE: The Hispanic population in the United States is the fastest growing minority group, yet there is little understanding of the disability patterns that occur as this population ages. We conducted a cross-sectional study to define the prevalence of limitations of activities of daily living (ADL) and measures of observed function. METHODS: We censussed two rural counties in southern Colorado and selected a stratified sample of both Hispanic and non-Hispanic white (NHW) residents; 81.6% completed the protocol. RESULTS: Among the 1250 subjects aged 65 years and older, Hispanic elderly living in the community had greater ADL disability than NHW subjects, both for any difficulty ( p = 0.006), and for needing assistance ( p = 0.002). Hispanic persons were less likely to reside in nursing homes (3.4%) compared with NHW persons (9.3%). Hispanic elderly had excess prevalence of dependent ADL tasks (needs assistance or unable to do), (age, gender-adjusted odds ratio = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.01–1.92) in community dwelling and nursing home residents combined. There was no Hispanic excess of less severe difficulty compared with NHW persons, and there was a similar prevalence of limitation on observed functional tasks (timed walk, stooping, rising from a chair) in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: There was a modest Hispanic excess of reported dependent ADL limitation, and no excess of observed functional difficulties. Hispanics enter older age with much less income and education, yet they do not have a marked excess prevalence of limitations in activities of daily living when compared with NHW persons living in the same area.
Phase-field modeling of diffusional phase behaviors of solid surfaces: A case study of phase-separating LiXFePO4 electrode particles

Abstract We present a comprehensive phase-field model for simulating diffusion-mediated kinetic phase behaviors near the surface of a solid particle. The model incorporates elastic inhomogeneity and anisotropy, diffusion mobility anisotropy, interfacial energy anisotropy, and Cahn–Hilliard diffusion kinetics. The free energy density function is formulated based on the regular solution model taking into account the possible solute-surface interaction near the surface. The coherency strain energy is computed using the Fourier-spectral iterative-perturbation method due to the strong elastic inhomogeneity with a zero surface traction boundary condition. Employing a phase-separating LiXFePO4 electrode particle for Li-ion batteries as a model system, we perform parametric three-dimensional computer simulations. The model permits the observation of surface phase behaviors that are different from the bulk counterpart. For instance, it reproduces the theoretically well-established surface modes of spinodal decomposition of an unstable solid solution: the surface mode of coherent spinodal decomposition and the surface-directed spinodal decomposition mode. We systematically investigate the influences of major factors on the kinetic surface phase behaviors during the diffusional process. Our simulation study provides insights for tailoring the internal phase microstructure of a particle by controlling the surface phase morphology.
The influence of fast waves and fluctuations on the evolution of the dynamics on the slow manifold

The effect of non-slow (typically fast) components of a rotating stratified Boussinesq flow on the dynamics of the slow manifold is quantified using a decomposition that isolates the part of the flow living on the slow manifold. In this system, there are three distinct asymptotic limits with corresponding reduced equations, each defining a slow manifold. All three of these distinct limits, namely rapid rotation, strong stratification, and simultaneous strong stratification and rapid rotation (quasi-geostrophy), are considered. Numerical simulations indicate that, for the geometry considered (triply periodic) and the type of forcing applied, the fluctuations act as a conduit, moving energy onto the slow manifold. This decomposition clarifies how the energy is exchanged when either the stratification or the rotation is weak. In the quasi-geostrophic limit, most of the energy transfer is between slow potential energy and slow kinetic energy, but the energetics due to the fluctuations are less clear. It is observed that the energy off the slow manifold in each case equilibrates to a quasi-steady value.
Remembering the Initial Realization of One's Own Mortality

Research shows many effects of reminding people of their mortality; however, little is known about whether people recall the moment they first realized they will die, or what factors are associated with whether they do. Data from 1,552 undergraduates and a community sample of 149 adults found that about one third of participants reported remembering the moment. Individuals who recall the moment have slightly lower self-esteem, are more likely to believe in a soul, and are more prone to dissociation than those who do not. Further research into how recollection of the moment relates to psychological well-being is recommended.
Intimate partner physical and mental health after sudden cardiac arrest and receipt of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

The purpose of this study was to describe the physical and mental health of the intimate partners of persons receiving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). A prospective longitudinal repeated measures design was used, with data collected at hospital discharge, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after implantation. Intimate partners' physical health, symptoms, and depression significantly declined over the first year. Although anxiety was significantly reduced over time, it remained elevated in partners after 1 year. The impact of implantation of the ICD on the intimate relationship and care demands was most dramatic at hospital discharge. Health care use was low throughout the year. Intimate partners could benefit from an intervention that would assist in their psychological adjustment and provide strategies for dealing with caregiving demands at home. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 32: 432–442, 2009
Preparation and photocatalytic activity of B, Ce Co-doped TiO 2 hollow fibers photocatalyst

A series of B, Ce co-doped TiO2 (B, Ce-TiO2) photocatalytic materials with a hollow fiber structure were successfully prepared by template method using boric acid, ammonium ceric nitrate and tetrabutyltitanate as precursors and cotton fibers as template, followed by calcination at 500°C in an N2 atmosphere for 2 h. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements, and UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) were employed to characterize the morphology, crystal structure, surface structure, and optical absorption properties of the samples. The photocatalytic performance of the samples was studied by photodegradation phenol in water under UV light irradiation. The results showed that the TiO2 fiber materials have hollow structures, and the fiber structure materials showed better photocatalytic properties for the degradation of phenol than pure TiO2 under UV light. In the experiment condition, the photocatalytic activity of B, Ce co-doped TiO2 fibers was optimal of all the prepared samples. In addition, the possibility of cyclic usage of B, Ce co-doped TiO2 fiber photocatalyst was also confirmed, the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 fibers remained above 90% of that of the fresh sample after being used four times. The material was easily removed by centrifugal separation from the medium. It can therefore be potentially applied for the treatment of water contaminated by organic pollutants.
Analysis of low transformation temperature welding (LTTW) consumables – distortion control and evolution of stresses

Low transformation temperature welding (LTTW) consumables have been reported to reduce the tensile residual stresses in weldments. Martensitic transformation induces compressive residual stresses and improves the fatigue resistance of welded joints. Several of these LTTW consumables have been developed at the Colorado School of Mines. This research work presents the comparisons of the experimentally and Sysweld calculated measurements for distortions and residual stresses for different plate thicknesses. In addition, residual stress evolution with time graphs were plotted to determine the amount of martensite required to promote compressive residual stresses and to calculate the time required to induce compressive residual stresses. The main aspect of this research is to analyse the behaviour of LTTW consumables in terms of distortion and residual stresses on various plate thicknesses.
Responses of Halobacterium halobium and Sulfolobus solfataricus to hydrogen peroxide and N-methyl-N-nitrosoguanidine exposure

Abstract We have examined the capacity of Halobacterium halobium and Sulfolobus solfataricus to withstand the lethal effects of hydrogen peroxide and N-methyl-N-nitrosoguanidine. We tested a variety of pretreatment regimens with both mutagens and all failed to elicit an inducible response to the lethal effects of those compounds in either organism. We have observed AP endonuclease activity in protein extracts from both organisms. In addition, S. solfataricus extracts contain activities that remove 3-methyl-adenine and O 6 -methyl-guanine from methylated DNA. This is the first report of these DNA repair activities in any member of the Archaea.
Responsibilities of the Program Director

The program director assumes responsibility for the entire residency training experience. The American Medical Association publishes an annually updated guide to graduate medical education (the “green book”) that includes the requirements of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for accredited programs and that outlines the responsibilities of the program director (1). The program requirements for diagnostic radiology and the institutional requirements also are reproduced in the appendices to the present manual (2). Program directors are expected to be familiar with these requirements. Selected responsibilities of program directors, such as resident selection and evaluation, are discussed elsewhere in this manual. This article provides an overview of the educational program for which the program director is responsible and discusses the organization of administrative functions into a yearly cycle.
Flow About a Slotted Cylinder-Airfoil Combination in a Wind Tunnel

The flowfield around a gust generator device, an airfoil/rotat ing slotted cylinder (RSC) system, is numerically simulated using the general-purpose finite element program FIDAP. The flow is assumed to be quasisteady, turbulent, incompressible, and two dimensional. The turbulence is modeled far from the walls by a high Reynolds number k-e model. In the near-wall region, which includes the viscous sublayer, the mixing length concept is used to model turbulence. The numerical analysis treats the time-varying flow around the gust generator device as quasisteady and solves the flow position-by-position as the RSC rotates. The variation of lift and drag as a function of the rotation angle and as a function of the gap between the airfoil and the rotating slotted cylinder is calculated. CD CL
Franchisee leadership traits vs. manager leadership traits an exploratory study comparing hope, leadership, commitment and service quality delivery

In order to add to the understanding of the role of franchising in entrepreneurship and to help franchise systems improve efficiency, the constructs of organizational leadership, hope, organizational commitment, and service quality perceptions of franchised managers and franchisees are differentiated in the current study. For scholars and practitioners, the dynamic relationship between entrepreneurship, franchisees, and management is an important triangle which merits further investigation. While the results offered only that managers and franchisees differed statistically in service empathy, differences were noted across all areas which approached significance but was limited due to the small sample size. Implications for future research are discussed.
Fano resonance enhanced infrared absorption for infrared photodetectors

We report spectrally selective IR absorption enhancement in the defect-free photonic crystal cavities, via Fano resonances. For a symmetric slab structure (air-slab-air membrane) with an absorptive layer in the center of the slab, enhanced absorption can be observed with enhancement factor ~180 for certain range of r/a values at wavelength of 4 µm. Similar results can also be achieved in an asymmetric slab structure (air-slab-semiconductor substrate), where higher index substrate is feasible for the proposed IR detectors, with optimized design. This important feature ensures flexible design for infrared photodetectors incorporating photonic crystal cavities. Detailed simulations were carried out to understand the design trade-offs on the key parameters, such as the substrate index, the absorption layer thickness, and the air hole radius.
Tachyphylaxis of the intrinsic cardiac nerves to nicotine: effects on A‐V nodal conduction

1. The possibility that responses of the intrinsic cardiac nerves (ICN) of the dog to nicotinic stimulation are influenced by tachyphylaxis to repeated administration of nicotine (NIC) was evaluated in an anaesthetized preparation. Prolongation of A-V conduction was used as an index of ICN responsiveness. 2. Twenty dogs were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass and an electrode was sutured over the His bundle. Both vagi were sectioned, beta-adrenoceptor blockade instituted, and the hearts were paced. Nicotine (2-100 micrograms) was administered directly into the coronary circulation via an aortic catheter. Tachyphylaxis was estimated from the rate of deterioration of negative dromotropic effect of NIC in response to various protocols of repeated doses. 3. Tachyphylaxis was not observed in response to repeated doses of acetylcholine. 4. Tachyphylaxis to nicotine was found to be both time- and dose-dependent; i.e. increasing the dose or decreasing the time between doses to less than 3 min augmented its development. 5. Tachyphylaxis was pronounced after 5 x 100 micrograms doses of NIC, even if the test doses were greater than 3 min apart and 20 min was allowed to elapse between the two series of test doses. 6. These data are descriptive in nature and no mechanism for the tachyphylaxis could be deduced. Pharmacokinetic data of this nature have not been previously reported for nicotinic stimulation of the intrinsic parasympathetic ganglia of the canine heart. Tachyphylaxis can be avoided when testing the intrinsic innervation of the canine heart if the doses used are less than 100 micrograms and are administered at least 3 min apart.
Optical testing of the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer primary mirrors and predicted on-orbit performance

ABSTRACT The Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) is an astrophysics satellite designed to provide high resolution spectra (A/zA =24,00030,000) with large effective area ('2O7O cm2) over the interval 90.5118.7 nm. The FUSEinstrument consists of four co-aligned, normal incidence, off-axis parabolic primary mirrors which illuminate separateRowland circle spectrograph channels equipped with holographic gratings and delay line microchannel plate detectors. We describe primary mirror surface metrology and compare experimental and theoretical vacuum ultraviolet(184.9 nm) imaging characteristics of the FUSE flight spare mirror, which has surface error characteristics similarto the actual flight units. The imaging performance of the flight spare was assessed in an autocollimation setupinvolving several flat mirrors and a tomographic imaging detector at the return beam focus. The Optical Surface Analysis Code (OSAC) software package was used to model image size from the double-pass test configuration based
Escape from dexamethasone suppression: possible role of an impaired inhibitory opioid mechanism.

Abstract 1. 1. Several lines of evidence indicate that the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in depression is disinhibited. 2. 2. Escape from dexamethasone suppression, although not limited to is more frequent in patients with endogenous depression compared to normals or patients with other psychiatric diagnoses. 3. 3. Norepinephrine, serotonin and acetylcholine have been implicated in the pathophysiology of this neuroendocrine abnormality. 4. 4. Morphine, 5 mg intravenously, suppressed Cortisol secretion in healthy volunteers (n = 4) and the majority of 32 psychiatric inpatients. 5. 5. However, patients with endogenous depression and abnormal dexamethasone suppression test results show early resumption (escape) of cortisol secretion following the initial suppression induced by morphine. 6. 6. It is concluded that the pathophysiology of this neuroendocrine abnormality is not limited to classical neurotransmitter-HPA axis interaction but that it also involves opioid inhibitory mechanisms.
Mechanisms and impact of fiber–matrix compatibilization techniques on the material characterization of PHBV/oak wood flour engineered biobased composites

Abstract Fully biobased composite materials were fabricated using a natural, lignocellulosic filler, namely oak wood flour (OWF), as particle reinforcement in a biosynthesized microbial polyester matrix derived from poly(β-hydroxybutyrate)- co -poly(β-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) via an extrusion injection molding process. The mechanisms and effects of processing, filler volume percent (vol%), a silane coupling agent, and a maleic anhydride (MA) grafting technique on polymer and composite morphologies and tensile mechanical properties were investigated and substantiated through calorimetry testing, scanning electron microscopy, and micromechanical modeling of initial composite stiffness. The addition of 46 vol% silane-treated OWF improved the tensile modulus of neat PHBV by 165%. Similarly, the tensile modulus of MA-grafted PHBV increased 170% over that of neat PHBV with a 28 vol% addition of untreated OWF. Incorporation of OWF reduced the overall degree of crystallinity of the matrix phase and induced embrittlement in the composites, which led to reductions in ultimate tensile stress and strain for both treated and untreated specimens. Deviations from the Halpin–Tsai/Tsai–Pagano micromechanical model for composite stiffness in the silane and MA compatibilized specimens are attributed to the inability of the model both to incorporate improved dispersion and wettability due to fiber–matrix modifications and to account for changes in neat PHBV and MA-grafted PHBV polymer morphology induced by the OWF.
Family Stress, Mothers' Social Support, Depression, and Sons' Behavior Problems: Modeling Nursing Interventions for Low-Income Inner-City Families

Studies have identified the low-income, African American, single mother as being at high riskforfamily stress and maternal depression. Both have been associated with child behavior problems. Within the family stress and adaptation framework, this study of inner-city single mothers of boys with behavior problems examined the relationships of family stress, mothers' depression, and social support to their sons' behavior and, by means of statistical analyses, located intervention points in the model for effective nursing intervention. The results indicated that study mothers reported more depression and intrafamily stress and less social support than did normative dominant culture groups. Multivariate analysis of covariance identifiedfamily stress, rather than depression, as the best intervention site for sons' behavior problems. The information can assist family nurses to formulate clinical interventions for this high-risk population.
Nonlinear functions of weak processes. I

Abstract It is well-known that powers of a (Schwartz) distribution generally fail to exist in nontrivial cases; the same is true of stochastic and operational distributions (i.e. linear mappings into random variables or operators in Hilbert space). However, in these latter cases a notion of “renormalization” is applicable to the powers, which in a number of interesting cases leads again to a distribution. Section 1 of this paper gives a general theory of renormalization; an intrinsic characterization of renormalized products; their existence in finite-dimensional situations; and a specialization to a certain quantum process underlying all “free Bose-Einstein quantum fields.” In the latter case the present renormalized product may be identified with the “Wick product” heuristically treated in connection with quantum field computations by means of a common recursion relation, and the “theorem of Wick” given a simple abstract formulation and treatment. Section 2 treats the renormalized powers in the case of a process constituting a mathematical formulation of the heuristic notion of “free neutral scalar field in a two-dimensional space-time.” An intrinsic characterization for the renormalized powers, as a self-adjoint operator-valued distribution in space, at a fixed time, is developed in terms of simple and natural transformation properties of the distributions, under certain unitary transformations. The existence of the distributions thus characterized is shown by an explicit limiting procedure which yields the commutativity as well as the self-adjointness of all the renormalized powers of the “field” at a fixed time, and provides their simultaneous spectral resolution. These results subsume Theorem 1 of [ 16 ].
The Coming of the Corporate-Fascist University?

There is a well-respected classical tradition of radical critiques of the American university that includes the works of James McKeen Cattell, Thorstein Veblen, Upton Sinclair, Earl J. McGrath, and...
The Current Status of Theory and Research in Interpersonal Communication

This paper details four alternative perspectives for conceptualizing the interpersonal communication process, emphasizing their implications for the theorist and researcher of interpersonal communication. The four perspectives discussed are the situational approach, the developmental approach, the law-governed approach, and the rule-governed approach. The strengths and limitations of each perspective are examined, and some suggested priorities for future research are offered.
Brain tumor pathway identification by integrating transcriptome and interactome data

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM: grade IV astrocytoma) is the most common and lethal form of brain cancer. Median survival time of GBM patients is only 15 months. Few predictive markers were reported until now for prognosis and treatment.This study integrates gene expression and protein-protein interaction data to search for pathways that are differentially regulated between long-term and short-term survivors of GBM patients. Novel objective function for greedy search was introduced to search for 47 significantly and differentially expressed sub-networks (SDES) or pathways in greedy fashion. The resultant putative pathways were tested for the enrichment of known GBM cancer genes as well as GO terms related to biological process. Integration of gene expression profile of GBM patients with PPI data improves the recall rate of known GBM driver genes and shows the better GO enrichment with comparison to the conventional gene set approach.
Gender-specific disease modification by NOS3.

Recent evidence suggests that the pulmonary phenotypes of both sickle cell disease (SCD) and cystic fibrosis (CF) are modified by genetic variants of constitutive nitric oxide synthases (NOS). Initial studies have shown associations of repeat polymorphisms in NOS1 with the fraction of exhaled NO in both conditions and additionally with acute chest syndrome (ACS) in SCD (Sullivan et al, 2001), as well as the rate of airway colonization with certain pathogens (Grasemann et al, 2000) and the decline in pulmonary function (Texereau et al, 2004) in CF patients. Sharan et al (2004) extended the view of the role of NOS genetics in SCD by showing that the T-786C polymorphism in the NOS3 gene, which, similar to NOS1, also encodes for a NOS isoform that is constitutively expressed in the airways, was also associated with ACS in patients with SCD. Of interest, this association was only seen in female but not male SCD patients (Sharan et al, 2004). Therefore, as the authors conclude, NOS3 T-786C may be the first polymorphism identified to function as a gender-specific modifier in SCD. We find this observation is interesting, as it parallels recent findings from our group in patients with CF. In this investigation, we studied the E298D variant in NOS3 in CF and found a significant association of this genetic marker with both exhaled NO and colonization of airways with Pseudomonas aeruginosa but, similar to the findings of Sharan et al (2004) in SCD, this association was only seen in female but not male patients (Grasemann et al, 2003). These differences between sexes could possibly be explained by modulation of NOS3 activity through circulating oestrogen, resulting in differences of NO formation in pulmonary vascular endothelium between females and males. Exhaled NO is significantly lower in healthy females compared with males, and in the case of relative NO deficiency, such as in SCD and CF, NOS3 variants associated with altered response to female hormones may then be relevant for the pathophysiology of the disease. Therefore, it is of interest to know, whether Dr Sharan and colleagues had the opportunity to perform an analysis of the frequency of ACS in prepubertal SCD females in relation to NOS3 genotype. If the relative risk for females carrying the C-786 allele is only increased after the onset of puberty, this may give rise to the underlying biological mechanisms of the genetic association found.
Wiener-Hopf analysis of the EM diffraction by an impedance discontinuity in a planar surface and by an impedance half-plane

The Wiener-Hopf technique is used to solve two canonical problems. The first problem considered is the electromagnetic (EM) diffraction, by a planar surface with an impedance discontinuity (two-part surface), of an arbitrarily polarized plane wave obliquely incident to the axis of the two-dimensional objects. The second problem considers the EM diffraction by a half-plane with equal impedances on both sides. The solutions obtained are cast in a matrix notation which is useful for diffraction problems. The exact formal solutions are expressed in terms of integrals which can be asymptotically evaluated. Uniform asymptotic expressions are obtained where the presence of the geometrical optics (GO) poles as well as the surface-wave poles near the saddle point are fully taken into account. Several numerical examples are presented and it is shown that the solutions are continuous across the shadow boundaries of the GO and surface-wave fields. >
Encapsulation of hemoglobin in a bicontinuous cubic phase lipid.

Abstract The effects of encapsulating bovine hemoglobin (BHb) in the bicontinuous cubic phase formed by monooleoylglycerol and water was investigated with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Cubic phase was formed in the presence of 1–10 wt% BHb. Studies using X-ray diffraction reveal that at 0.5–2.5 wt% BHb, the cubic phase structure is characterized by the double diamond lattice ( Pn3m ). At 2.5–5 wt% BHb, coexistence of two cubic phase structures, Pn3m and the gyroid lattice ( la3d ), was observed while at BHb concentrations higher than 5 wt% the gyroid structure persists. FTIR shows there is an increase in intensity of the free νC = O (1745 cm −1 ) and a corresponding decrease in the intensity of the hydrogen bonded νC = O (1720 cm −1 ) cs the BHb concentration is increased. The νC-O-CO peak shifts from 1183 cm −1 to 1181 cm −1 as the concentration of BHb is raised from 2.5 to 10 wt% indicating BHb may induce subtle changes in the interfacial region of cubic phase monoolein. The bandwidth of the ν as CH 2 stretch (2926 cm −1 ) increased in the presence of 5 wt% BHb compared to samples with 2.5 or 10 wt% BHb. The increase in frequency of the ν s CH 2 stretch (2854 cm −1 ) induced by increasing temperature 20 to 60°C was dampened when BHb was present compared to samples heated in isotonic buffer. Analysis of the amide I band at 1650 cm −1 showed that the secondary structure of BHb is not affected by encapsulation in monoolein. In vitro release studies showed that 45% of the entrapped BHb was released after 144 h at 37°C. The porous nature of bulk cubic phase was further demonstrated by diffusion of K 2 Fe(CN) 6 and conversion of 73% of the oxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin after 1 h. These results suggest that the cubic phase may be useful for encapsulation of Hb as a red cell substitute and for the encapsulation and delivery of other bioactive agents.
Theories of Craniofacial Growth in the Postgenomic Era

The controversies surrounding the use of dentofacial orthopedics to correct a developing maxillomandibular discrepancy—ie, growth modification—have been based to a large extent on evolving concepts concerning the biological mechanisms of craniofacial development and growth. At the start, these concepts were based on naive assumptions about the perceived competing roles of heredity and the environment, often framed within the context of the age-old "nature-nurture" controversy. Moreover, orthodontists and craniofacial biologists alike tended to believe that there was a single, overriding mechanism governing the growth of the craniofacial skeleton. As a result, much of the orthodontic research on the growth of the face and jaws tended to focus on a search for what might be called the "Holy Grail of Craniofacial Biology": a single theory of craniofacial growth that is both biologically accurate and clinically effective. This article traces the development of competing concepts and theories of craniofacial development and growth and relates those theories to concomitant developments in the field of genetics. The overall conclusion is that orthodontics is well-positioned to enter a new era through the incorporation of the principles of developmental-molecular genetics into the treatment of developing malocclusion and growth-related jaw discrepancies.
Solid Vapor Pressure and Enthalpy of Sublimation for Perfluorooctanoic Acid

A modified gas saturation method was used to determine the solid vapor pressure of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) at ambient temperatures. Measurements were made over the temperature range from (25 to 45) °C. Pressures ranged from (5.2 to 40.7) Pa. The enthalpy of sublimation was calculated as 88.9 kJ·mol−1.
Differential localization of ribosomal proteins S14 and 7/8 in egg chambers of D. melanogaster

The localization of Drosophila melanogaster ribosomal proteins S14, and 7/8 during oogenesis was studied by indirect immune fluorescence microscopy. The acidic proteins S141 and 7/81 were isolated from D. melanogaster embryonic ribosomal proteins by carboxymethylcellulose chromatography (Chooi 1980). Antibodies raised against each of these proteins were applied to ovariole squashes, and the position of each antibody was localized by fluorescein labeled sheep antirabbit IgGs. Anti-S14 was found predominantly in nurse cell nuclei, follicle cell nuclei, oocytes and, to a much lesser degree, in nurse cell and follicle cell cytoplasm. In contrast, anti-7/8 was found in major quantities in nurse cell and follicle cell cytoplasm, and oocytes. Anti-7/8 in the nurse cell and follicle cell nuclei was either not detectable or at a strikingly lower level than that found in the corresponding cytoplasm. The ‘egg chamber’ patterns of localization of these two proteins were also found in salivary gland cells. However, in Drosophila tissue culture cells, these patterns were altered; both anti-S14 and anti-7/8 were detected only in the cytoplasm.
The Production and Application of High Voltages in the Laboratory

THE importance of the application of high voltages to vacuum tubes is self-evident. Its possibilities in connexion with radioactivity have been emphasised lately by Sir Ernest Rutherford1. For the last two years we have been occupied in developing a laboratory method for the production of high voltages in a form suitable for application to vacuum tubes. Our problem divided itself into two parts: (a) The production of high voltages; (b) their application to vacuum tubes.
Ethical Challenges Within Veterans Administration Healthcare Facilities: Perspectives of Managers, Clinicians, Patients, and Ethics Committee Chairpersons

To promote ethical practices, healthcare managers must understand the ethical challenges encountered by key stakeholders. To characterize ethical challenges in Veterans Administration (VA) facilities from the perspectives of managers, clinicians, patients, and ethics consultants. We conducted focus groups with patients (n = 32) and managers (n = 38); semi-structured interviews with managers (n = 31), clinicians (n = 55), and ethics committee chairpersons (n = 21). Data were analyzed using content analysis. Managers reported that the greatest ethical challenge was fairly distributing resources across programs and services, whereas clinicians identified the effect of resource constraints on patient care. Ethics committee chairpersons identified end-of-life care as the greatest ethical challenge, whereas patients identified obtaining fair, respectful, and caring treatment. Perspectives on ethical challenges varied depending on the respondent's role. Understanding these differences can help managers take practical steps to address these challenges. Further, ethics committees seemingly, are not addressing the range of ethical challenges within their institutions.
Comment: Semiparametric estimates of the marginal price of floorspace

Theory indicates that the marginal price of floorspace must decline with increasing floorspace in the context of a hedonic model. The industry offer curves, their lower envelope, and the hedonic function must be concave because some elements of structure, notably exterior walls, increase at a slower rate than does floorspace. Coulson's finding to the contrary is probably attributable to an omitted variable problem.
Domain-independent data cleaning via analysis of entity-relationship graph

In this article, we address the problem of reference disambiguation. Specifically, we consider a situation where entities in the database are referred to using descriptions (e.g., a set of instantiated attributes). The objective of reference disambiguation is to identify the unique entity to which each description corresponds. The key difference between the approach we propose (called RelDC) and the traditional techniques is that RelDC analyzes not only object features but also inter-object relationships to improve the disambiguation quality. Our extensive experiments over two real data sets and over synthetic datasets show that analysis of relationships significantly improves quality of the result.
Basic Protein in Brain Myelin Is Phosphorylated by Endogenous Phospholipid‐Sensitive Ca2+‐Dependent Protein Kinase

Phosphorylation of myelin basic protein (MBP) in rat or rabbit brain myelin was markedly stimulated by Ca2+, and this reaction was not essentially augmented by exogenous phosphatidylserine or calmodulin or both. Solubilization of myelin with 0.4% Triton X-100 plus 4 mM EGTA, with or without further fractionation, showed that Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation of MBP required phosphatidylserine, but not calmodulin. DEAE-cellulose chromatography of solubilized myelin revealed a pronounced peak of protein kinase activity stimulated by a combination of Ca2+ and phosphatidylserine; a protein kinase stimulated by Ca2+ plus calmodulin was not detected. These findings clearly indicate an involvement of phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase in phosphorylation of brain MBP, although a possible role for the calmodulin-sensitive species of Ca2+-dependent protein kinase in this reaction could not be excluded or established. Phosphorylation of MBP in solubilized rat myelin catalyzed by the phospholipid-sensitive enzyme was inhibited by adriamycin, palmitoylcarnitine, trifluoperazine, melittin, polymyxin B, and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7).
Vero cell platform in vaccine production: moving towards cell culture-based viral vaccines

The development of cell culture systems for virus propagation has led to major advances in virus vaccine development. Primary and diploid cell culture systems are now being replaced by the use of continuous cell lines (CCLs). These substrates are gaining increasing acceptance from regulatory authorities as improved screening technologies remove fears regarding their potential oncogenic properties. The Vero cell line is the most widely accepted CCL by regulatory authorities and has been used for over 30 years for the production of polio and rabies virus vaccines. The recent licensure of a Vero cell-derived live virus vaccine (ACAM2000, smallpox vaccine) has coincided with an explosion in the development of a range of new viral vaccines, ranging from live-attenuated pediatric vaccines against rotavirus infections to inactivated whole-virus vaccines against H5N1 pandemic influenza. These developments have illustrated the value of this cell culture platform in the rapid development of vaccines against a range of virus diseases.
Fluctuations in red cell flux in tumor microvessels can lead to transient hypoxia and reoxygenation in tumor parenchyma.

Hypoxia occurs in two forms in tumors. Chronic or diffusion-limited hypoxia is relatively well characterized. In contrast, intermittent or perfusion-limited hypoxia is not well characterized, and it is not known how common it is in tumors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether spontaneous fluctuations in tumor microvessel flow rate can modify vessel oxygen tension (pO2) sufficiently to cause intermittent hypoxia (IH; tissue pO2 < 3 mmHg) in the tumor parenchyma supplied by such vessels. Microvessel red cell flux (RCF) and perivascular pO2 were measured simultaneously and continuously in dorsal flap window chambers of Fischer-344 rats with implanted R3230Ac tumors. In all vessels, RCF was unstable, with apex/nadir ratios ranging from 1.5 to 10. RCF and pO2 were temporally coordinated, and there were linear relationships between the two parameters. Vascular pO2 was less sensitive to changes in RCF in well-vascularized tumor regions compared with poorly vascularized regions. Simulations of oxygen transport in a well-vascularized region of a tumor demonstrated that two-fold variations in RCF can produce IH in 30% of the tissue in that region. In poorly vascularized regions, such fluctuations would lead to an even greater percentage of tissue involved in transient hypoxia. These results suggest that IH is a relatively common phenomenon. It could affect binding of hypoxic cytotoxins to tumor cells, in addition to being an important source of treatment resistance. Intermittent hypoxia also could contribute to tumor progression by providing repeated exposure of tumor cells to hypoxiareoxygenation injury.
The Respiratory Epithelium

The respiratory epithelium forms a continuous layer of cells that separates air from liquid throughout the lung. The integrity and function of the epithelium are a critical requirement for effective gas exchange, the uptake of O2 from the environment and elimination of CO2 from the organism. Transfer of gases between the air and the blood requires two anatomical structures: the conducting airways, which distribute the inspired air within the lungs, and the alveoli, which are the site of O2 and CO2 diffusion between the gas phase and the pulmonary capillary blood. The epithelia in both regions serve as passive barriers between gas and fluid phases and perform active ion transport functions. In the airways, the epithelium can actively secrete Cl- or absorb Na+; ion transport is an important determinant of the quantity and composition of the respiratory tract fluid, an essential component of mucociliary clearance. In the alveoli, the epithelium actively absorbs Na+; Na+ absorption is a major factor that maintains a fluid–free alveolus. In the fetal lung, the epithelium actively secretes Cl-; fluid secretion is a major requirement for normal pulmonary growth and development.
Language representation of restaurants: Implications for developing online recommender systems

Abstract As a marketing tool recommender systems have the potential to provide relevant and highly personalized information to consumers. However, developing effective recommender systems requires a substantive understanding of consumers’ preferences as well as meaningful ways to represent hospitality and travel products. This paper argues that language holds the key to understanding consumer preferences and therefore developing effective online recommender systems. Specifically, it explores the nature of the language used by consumers to describe their dining experiences in contrast to the language used by restaurant websites. The findings indicate that consumers use substantially different vocabularies from restaurant websites to describe dining experiences. This study provides implications for developing online recommender systems for restaurants as well as general hospitality and travel products.
Maternal Parenting Stress in Physicians' Families

The families of 16 male staff physicians and 26 male residents were studied. All spouses completed the Abidin Parenting Stress Index (PSI) prior to a well-child visit. Home interviews were conducted to identify factors contributing to stress. PSI scores were similar in both groups. The interviews suggested that physician fathers had limited time and energy for parenting. Resident fathers were twice as likely as staff fathers to participate in child care when home. Parenting stress tended to stay the same in 25% of families or increased in 50% of families after residency training.
Unbound immunoglobulins are a major source of error in the quantitation of platelet surface‐bound immunoglobulin levels

Analysis of assays for the determination of platelet-associated immunoglobulins (PAIgs) has led to disagreement over the amount of surface-bound Igs in both normal controls and patients with elevated platelet Ig levels. By the use of radiolabeled platelets and platelet counts, it was demonstrated that more than 10(8) platelets are disrupted after each centrifugation during platelet isolation procedures, releasing intraplatelet contents into the fluid phase of resuspended platelets in buffer. It was shown that suspensions of whole washed platelets contain a significant, but generally overlooked, amount of unbound Igs that have been liberated from platelets disrupted during processing. When platelet suspensions are evaluated for Igs with assays that fail to incorporate a final separation of whole platelets from the suspension fluid, unbound Igs as well as those bound to the platelet surface are measured, which yields a logarithmic overestimation of surface-bound Igs. It has been further demonstrated that patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 can have elevations of PAIgG, PAIgA, and PAIgM in both the thrombocytopenic and nonthrombocytopenic states. These elevations are due to increased internal platelet pools of Igs and not to increased surface-bound Igs.