cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ex vivo evaluation of human fetal membrane closure.

Background and Objective This study compares stress and leak point pressure of human fetal membranes following closure with suture, laser welding, or a new tissue sealant, SynthaSeal™ Study Design/Materials and Methods Samples of fetal membrane were bisected and repaired with suture, laser welding with albumin solders, or a tissue sealant. Representative tissue samples were assessed by histology. Anastomotic strength was evaluated by tensiometry. Additionally, leak pressure was measured after membrane samples were placed onto an infusion pump/pressure transducer, incised, and repaired as above. Results Membrane stress was strongest (P < 0.001) for the tissue sealant group. Sutured samples were stronger than laser-welded samples. Membrane leak pressure was greatest for the tissue sealant group. The suture group demonstrated a higher leak pressure than the laser-welded group. Conclusions Human fetal membranes were not suited for repair with laser welding under the conditions tested. A new tissue sealant, SynthaSeal™, may provide a simple, effective method for membrane closure following fetoscopy, amniocentesis, and open fetal surgery. Lasers Surg. Med. 30:48–53, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effects of Sequential Proline Substitutions on Amyloid Formation by Human Amylin20-29†

Amylin, also known as islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), is the major protein component of the fibril deposits found in the pancreas of individuals with type II diabetes. The central region of amylin, residues 20−29, has been implicated as a key determinate of amyloid formation. To establish which positions are most important for amyloid formation, the wild-type sequence of the 20−29 fragment and a set of 10 variants have been synthesized in which a proline was placed at each position. Proline is energetically unfavorable in the extended cross-β structure found in amyloid. If a particular position is critical for amyloid formation, then substitution with a proline should inhibit amyloid formation. A proline substitution at any position inhibited aggregation and amyloid formation. Substitution of Asn22, Gly24, and residues 26−28 had the largest effect. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed little secondary structure in these peptides, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed mostly ...
Examining Shared and Unique Aspects of Social Anxiety Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Factor Analysis

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are fairly common psychiatric conditions that impair the functioning of otherwise healthy young adults. Given that the two conditions frequently co-occur, measurement of the characteristics unique to each condition is critical. This study evaluated the structure and construct overlap of two screening measures of SAD and ASD. Results from 623 young adults indicated that separable, though highly correlated, factors can be derived from the two measures related to social anxiety and social difficulties. The ASD screening measure also taps unique factors related to restricted interests and attention to details, theory of mind deficits, and a preference for routine. Recommendations are provided for accurate screening of symptoms of both SAD and ASD.
Birefringence thermal analysis of liquid crystalline monomers and their photopolymers

Birefringence analysis was used to measure thermal transitions in liquid crystal diacrylate monomers and their corresponding polymers. In this technique, linearly polarized light was used to probe the sample as the temperature increased via a linear ramp. Various phase transitions were observed in the liquid crystalline monomers. In addition, the monomers were isothermally photopolymerized in the liquid crystalline state and the resulting polymer networks retained their liquid crystalline order. Glass-to-rubber transitions as well as indications of further thermal polymerization and stress relaxation were detected. Results from birefringence experiments were compared to those of more traditional thermal analysis techniques including DSC and TMA.
Child care and social support modify the association between maternal depressive symptoms and early childhood behaviour problems: a US national study

Objective: To investigate the presence and patterns of modification effects of the sex of the child, social support, and childcare on the relation between maternal depressive symptoms and child behaviour problems at two developmental stages. Design: Analyses are based on prospective longitudinal data from the study of early child care. Participants: A total of 1216 families were drawn from 10 locations across the USA. Mothers were age 18 or older at the time of the study child’s birth and had completed outcome measures for at least one follow up time point (24 months, 36 months). Main outcome measures: Child internalising and externalising behaviour problems assessed at the child’s age of 24 months and 36 months, as reported by the mother. Results: Results from generalised estimating equation analyses showed that the association between child externalising behaviour problems and maternal depressive symptoms varied according to the social support received by the mother (p Conclusions: Health providers who are working with mothers with depressive symptoms may want to examine social support that is available to mothers, especially if mothers are not severely depressed. Furthermore, recommendations to begin, continue, or perhaps increase provision of childcare from other caregivers can provide respite for mothers and opportunities for children to engage in protective interactions with others.
Validity of rectal pressure measurements as indication of intra-abdominal pressure changes during urodynamic evaluation

Abstract A study of 12 women undergoing laparoscopy revealed that measurement of rectal pressure at a depth greater than 10 cm accurately reflects changes in intra-abdominal pressure. Measuring rectal pressure at a depth of less than 10 cm results in overestimation of intra-abdominal pressure changes. The diagnostic implications of this effect are discussed.
A Classification of 148 U.S. Maize Inbreds: I. Cluster Analysis Based on RFLPs

Knowledge of relationships among lines is essential to the maize (Zea mays L.) breeder because it directs the exploitation of germplasm in hybrid production. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) data should be useful for estimating relationships among inbreds because they reflect differences in the DNA sequence. Cluster analysis, based on RFLPs resulting from 46 probe-enzyme combinations, was used to reveal associations among 148 U.S. maize inbreds and assign inbreds to heterotic groups. Estimates of genetic relationship between all pair of inbreds were computed by Gower's Coefficient of Similarity and expressed as Euclidean distances [...]
Skeletal maturity of the hand and wrist in Oaxaca school children.

SummarySkeletal maturity of the hand and wrist (Tanner-Whitehouse II system) was assessed in a sample of 394 school children 5 to 18 years of age, in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico. The socio-economic background of the sample was relatively poor and the group appeared to have a poor nutritional history (via height and weight measurements). At most ages, the mean skeletal ages of Oaxaca school children are below the British means, and about 60 per cent of the children have skeletal ages below their chronological ages.
Accommodative microfluctuations and iris contour

Mechanical interaction between aqueous humor, iris, and intraocular structures can alter the iris profile from its normal curvature. In particular, significant changes to the iris profile occur during accommodation as the anterior lens movement forces the iris into greater posterior bowing. We extended a previous mathematical model of the anterior segment and investigated the response of this coupled fluid-solid system due to accommodative microfluctuations. The results showed that the system response exhibited the same waveform as the stimulus for small-amplitude microfluctuations generally associated with the high-frequency component. Low-frequency microfluctuations with relatively larger amplitudes elicited a response different from the stimulus, indicating that the forces generated by the lens movement significantly affected the aqueous-iris mechanical interaction.
CONVERSION FROM EXPLOSIVE TO GENTLE CHROMOSPHERIC EVAPORATION DURING A SOLAR FLARE

A GOES M1.5 solar flare was observed in NOAA AR 10652 on 2004 July 27 around 20:00 UT with the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft. Images obtained with SOHO's Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Telescope and with the Transition Region And Coronal Explorer satellite show that the CDS slit was positioned within the flare, whose emission extended 1 arcmin along the slit. Rapid cadence (9.8 s) stare spectra obtained with CDS include emission from the upper chromosphere (He I at 584.3 A), transition region (O V at 629.7 A), corona (Si XII at 520.7 A), and hot flare plasma (Fe XIX at 592.2 A), and reveal that (1) the flare brightened in its southern parts before it did so in the north; (2) chromospheric evaporation was explosive during the first rapid intensity increase observed in Fe XIX, but converted to gentle during the second; (3) chromospheric evaporation did not occur in the northern portion of the flare observed by CDS: the brightening observed there was due to flare material moving into that location from elsewhere. We speculate that the initial slow, steady increase of Fe XIX intensity that was observed to start several minutes before its rapid increase was due to direct coronal heating. The change from explosive to gentle evaporation was likely due to either an increased absorption of beam energy during the gentle event because the beam passed through an atmosphere modified by the earlier explosive event, or to a weakening of the coronal magnetic field's ability to accelerate nonthermal particle beams (via reconnection) as the flare progressed, or both.
The Hidden Face of the Vault: Unveiling The Expression of the Avant-Garde Through the Use of the Sphere in Teposcolula’s Open Chapel

Benjamin Ibarra-Sevilla examines the role of the sphere in the Open Chapel built in San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula during sixteenth century. This unique Mexican building contains a complex ribbed vault designed on a hexagonal plan forming a semi-spherical dome. The investigation examines the use of the sphere in this structure in light of the design precepts practiced during the Renaissance in Europe. Furthermore, the study finds the connections of these precepts with a mathematical solution to the sphere based on convex shapes theories. By revealing the intricacies of the underlying geometry applied to design this building, this text aims to demonstrate the scholastic and architectural relevance of this refined Mexican piece of architecture.
SU-GG-T-136: Treatment Plans Comparison with Static-Gantry IMRT and RapidArcTM for Head-And-Neck Cancers Involving Cervical Lymph Nodes

Purpose: To compare the dosimetric results and treatment efficiency of intensity modulated arc therapy using RapidArc™ to static‐gantry IMRT plans for conventional fractionation treatment of head‐and‐neck cancer.Materials and Methods: This study evaluated 10 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (9 oropharynx and 1 piriform sinus) of the head‐and‐neck who had undergone static‐gantry IMRT. The dose prescription was 50Gy to the cervical nodal planning‐target‐volume (PTVP) and an additional 20Gy boost to the primary tumor (PTVB) at 2Gy/fraction. RapidArc plans were retrospectively created to compare with the static gantry plans using the Eclipse treatment planning system (version8.8, Varian Medical Systems). Two plans were generated for each PTV: IMRT(IMRTP and IMRTB) and RapidArc (RAP and RAB). IMRTP used 9‐beams and IMRTB used 5–7 beams. RAP used two arc fields and RAB used one arc field. Results: The dosimetric differences for the organ‐at‐risk between IMRT and RapidArc were statistically insignificant (p>0.05; p=Wilcoxon matched‐pair signed‐rank test) except for the ipsilateral parotid and brainstem. D50% of ipsilateral parotid for IMRT was ∼3Gy less than RapidArc (p=0.039) while V20Gy of brainstem for RapidArc was ∼5% more than IMRT (p=0.016). There was no difference in PTV dose homogeneity between IMRT and RapidArc. Conformity indices for both primary and boost plans from RapidArc were significantly better than IMRT (p=0.002). The integral dose showed marginal difference. No patient case completely favored one technique over the other. The estimated total treatment delivery times were, on average, 5 and 3 minutes shorter with RAP and RAB than IMRTP and IMRTB, respectively. Conclusions: Our preliminary study indicated that RapidArc and IMRT provided comparable sparing of organs‐at‐risk. RapidArc plans provided improved target conformity and reduced treatment delivery times. Our findings might be limited to tumor site specific (mostly oropharynx). This study should be extended to evaluate various primary tumor sites in the head‐and‐neck.
Use of calcium blockers in electromechanical dissociation

Calcium antagonists have been shown to protect the myocardium against the deleterious effects of ischemia and reperfusion in both focal and global models. The mechanism of this protection is probably related to their ability to decrease the rapid and massive cytosolic and mitochondrial calcium overloading that occurs with reperfusion of severely ischemic myocardium. This calcium overloading uncouples oxidative phosphorylation, preventing repletion of ischemia-depleted ATP stores. The mode of action of calcium antagonists in protecting heart muscle is complex, and may ultimately depend on their ability to preserve sufficient energy to maintain intracellular ionic homeostasis. The cellular events that occur with prolonged cardiac ischemia have been well documented in animal studies, and are reflected in the clinical picture of electromechanical dissociation (EMD). ATP production is decreased during ischemia and quickly results in depleted energy stores. The electrical and mechanical activities of the heart are energy-consuming processes that gradually come to a halt in the presence of prolonged ischemia. In excised totally ischemic hearts, electrical activity persists for a time after contractions have ceased, resulting in the clinical picture of EMD. Eventually electrical activity stops as well, causing asystole. Calcium antagonists administered during resuscitation from EMD, as well as other terminal arrhythmias, may protect the myocardium from reperfusion injury and preserve the ATP stores necessary for normal cardiac function.
‘Helping us find our own selves’: exploring father-role construction and early childhood programme engagement

Early childhood programmes (ECPs) serving children from low-income families are becoming increasingly interested in engaging fathers. The purpose of this study was to examine perspectives of diverse fathers with low incomes to more fully understand how their experiences within an ECP influenced father-role construction and facilitated their engagement in the programme and with young children. An exploratory focus group was conducted with fathers of children enrolled in a Head Start/Early Head Start programme. Qualitative data were analysed using descriptive and pattern coding. Findings suggest the ‘fit’ between fathers' existing role beliefs and programme strategies may facilitate or hinder programme engagement. Practitioner interactions that value fathers, promote child learning and enjoyment, and support fathers in developing parenting skills that strengthen positive father–child relationships may change father-role construction to facilitate engagement in the programme and with their young children.
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE COORDINATED CHLOROAMIDOPHOSPHINE COMPLEXES M(CO)5P(NMe2)2 Cl (M = Cr, W) AND W(CO)5P(MeN(CH2)2NMe)Cl, AND THEIR REACTIVITY WITH AlCl3

Abstract The monosubstituted metal carbonyl complexes M(CO3P(NMe2)2Cl (M = Cr, W) and W(CO)5 P(MeN(CH2)2NMe)Cl have been prepared from the reaction of haloamidophosphine ligands with M(CO)5THF precursor complexes. The resulting compounds were characterized by infrared and multinuclear NMR (31P, 13C, 17O) spectroscopic methods. Use of 13C NMR spectral data in conjunction with 17O NMR chemical shift values for these compounds gives an indication of σ donor/π acceptor ability relative to other Group VI monosubstituted phosphine complexes. Attempts to form coordinated phosphenium cation complexes from these compounds by chloride abstraction with AlCl3 yielded the unexpected adducts M(CO)5L · ACl3.
Shanghaied on the streets of Hoboken: Chinese exclusion and maritime regulation at Ellis Island

Although largely overlooked in both maritime and immigration histories, the regulation of sailors has been linked to Chinese exclusion and immigration restriction since these laws were first introduced in the United States in the late nineteenth century. Restrictionists in Congress, immigration officials and maritime union representatives were especially interested in controlling Chinese and other Asian seamen, who were becoming a larger part of the maritime workforce during the same period that exclusion was being expanded. Immigration officials were concerned that customary freedoms, such as shore leave, allowed sailors to enter the United States illegally. Unions were concerned about maritime labour competition and saw Chinese exclusion as a means to limit such competition. Although Chinese seamen did not have a different status under maritime laws, they were barred from US residence by Chinese exclusion laws and were therefore treated more harshly than Europeans working on the same ships. As Chinese e...
Trends in and outcomes from sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) alone vs. SLNB with axillary lymph node dissection for node-positive breast cancer patients: Experience from the SEER database

Background Complete axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) after a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) remains the standard practice. As nodal surgery has long been considered a staging procedure without a clear survival benefit, the need for ALND in all patients is debatable. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in survival for patients undergoing SLNB alone versus SLNB with complete ALND.
Effect of reactant internal energy on spectator stripping: application to ion-molecule dynamics

Abstract The positive value of the translational exoergicity Q at zero energy for exothermic reactions of ions with molecular hydrogen can be explained, in large part, by a spectator stripping model which includes the internal motion of the hydrogen molecules.
A Test of Nova Trigger Theory

The theory of nova eruptions is robust, and its predictions for the expanding shell are well confirmed by observations. However, the aspect of the triggering of novae has not been experimentally tested. One prediction of theory is that the total mass accumulated by the white dwarf between eruptions should be a constant for a particular system. That is, the average accretion rate times the intereruption interval should be constant for successive eruptions by a given system. For systems where the blue light is dominated by the light from the accretion disk, the average accretion rate will be proportional to the blue flux raised to power from 1.5 to 2 (as a bolometric correction). This prediction can be tested for two recurrent novae (T Pyx and U Sco) that have complete eruption records involving three or more eruptions. I have collected archival plates, brightnesses from the literature, and a large collection of my CCD magnitudes since 1987. This provides reasonable coverage for four intereruption intervals for T Pyx and three intereruption intervals for U Sco. My results are that the product of the intereruption time interval times the average bolometrically corrected flux is indeed a constant for both T Pyx and U Sco, despite large variations in the time intervals. I take this as a good confirmation of the theory of nova triggers. This result also provides a physical basis for predicting when the next eruptions will occur, with T Pyx next erupting in the year 2052 ± 3 and U Sco next erupting in the year 2009.3 ± 1.0.
Presence of a small plasmid in clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae

We have detected the presence of a small (2.95 kb) plasmid in a clinical isolate of Streptococcus pneumoniae. A restriction map was constructed for this plasmid and for pDP1 (the only previously reported pneumococcal plasmid); no apparent differences were observed and the two plasmids hybridized strongly to each other. Portions of pDP1 were then cloned into Escherichia coli K-12, using the vector pUC19, and the pneumococcal DNA insert was used as a probe to screen 500 clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae for pDP1 sequences. The plasmid was detected in a total of 8 isolates. These were of various serotypes and no correlation could be found between the presence of the plasmid and the geographical location from which it came, the type of infection, or with resistence to antibacterial drugs. Although no function has yet been assigned to pDP1, it may form the basis of a useful vector for cloning in S. pneumoniae, as it contains at least seven unique restriction sites.
Meeting the Burden of Proof with Case-Study Research

The case-study research method is popular across various disciplines; however, critics of the method argue that results from this form of research are applicable only to the case studied and cannot be generalized further. In the field of construction engineering and management (CEM), the number of papers employing case-study research methods over the past decade has increased substantially. As the method proliferates, the question arises: are CEM case studies being performed with sufficient validity and reliability to meet the burden of proof to generalize from the case-study findings? Meeting the burden of proof is particularly critical in CEM because of the unique, site-based nature of the projects and industry. This paper presents a review of 156 papers employing case studies published in the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, of which the writers identified 33 theory-building case-study-method papers. This subset of theory-building papers was examined to induce a set of requirements a...
A fuzzy neural-network approach for nonlinear process control

Abstract This paper proposes an internal model control (IMC) scheme using a fuzzy neural network for process modeling. A fuzzy neural network is most useful in an environment where first-principles-based descriptions are difficult to obtain, but partial knowledge about the process is known and input-output data is available. However, previously proposed fuzzy neural-network approaches are inadequate for modeling complex chemical process systems, as when the input dimension increases, the number of hidden nodes (rules) increases exponentially. A novel fuzzy neural-network structure using hyper ellipsoids is proposed to avoid this problem. A fuzzy neural network is trained using steady-state as well as transient data by back-propagation. The inverse of the process is obtained by a simple interval halving method. The proposed approach is applied to modeling and control of a continuous stirred tank reactor and a pH neutralization process. The results show significantly better performances in comparison with a PID controller.
A capacitance-compensation technique for improved linearity in CMOS class-AB power amplifiers

A nonlinear capacitance-compensation technique is developed to help improve the linearity of CMOS class-AB power amplifiers. The method involves placing a PMOS device alongside the NMOS device that works as the amplifying unit, such that the overall capacitance seen at the amplifier input is a constant, thus improving linearity. The technique is developed with the help of computer simulations and Volterra analysis. A prototype two-stage amplifier employing the scheme is fabricated using a 0.5-/spl mu/m CMOS process, and the measurements show that an improvement of approximately 8 dB in both two-tone intermodulation distortion (IM3) and adjacent-channel leakage power (ACP1) is obtained for a wide range of output power. The linearized amplifier exhibits an ACP1 of -35 dBc at the designed output power of 24 dBm, with a power-added efficiency of 29% and a gain of 23.9 dB, demonstrating the potential utility of the design approach for 3GPP WCDMA applications.
Characterization of a Cytoplasmic Receptor for 5±–Dihydrotestosterone in the Caput Epididymidis of Intact Rabbits1

We have demonstrated the existence of a highly specific binding component for 17²– hydroxy–5±–androstane–3–one (5±DHT) in cytosol obtained from the caput epididymidis of sexually mature intact rabbits. Using sucrose gradient analysis and charcoal assay methods we were not able to obtain evidence that free receptor activity exists in the corpus or cauda epididymidis. All three epididymal segments contain a component that binds cortisol. The cortisol binding molecule is distinct from the 5±DHT receptor as shown by competition studies and sucrose gradient analysis. Unlabeled testosterone is able to compete with [3H] 5±DHT for sites on the receptor molecule, but is approximately 1/5 as effective as unlabeled 5±DHT. I7²estradiol, 53DHT, cortisol, and progesterone are weak or ineffective competitors. The 5±DHT receptor sediments as a single symmetrical peak with a sedimentation coefficient of approximately 4S on linear 5–20% sucrose gradients. At the concentration of labeled hormone used, only a single high aff...
The Delayed Cost of Treatment

A 78-year-old woman presented with acute decreased vision in both eyes. She had been treated for a pituitary mass with a total of 4,500 centigray of external beam radiation 8 months prior to presentation. She was diagnosed with radiation optic neuropathy. Treatment with hyperbaric oxygen and intravenous steroids were initiated but vision remained poor.
Direct identification of an endogenous peptide recognized by multiple HLA-A2.1-specific cytotoxic T cells

An endogenous peptide recognized by a murine T-cell clone specific for the human class I major histocompatibility complex-encoded molecule HLA-A2.1 was identified through the use of microcapillary high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray-ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The peptide was associated with HLA-A2.1 on both normal cells and the antigen-processing-mutant cell line T2. This observation demonstrates that a processing mechanism other than that involving the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) proteins 1 and 2 can produce peptides that can be recognized by T cells. The peptide was also recognized by four other independently derived murine HLA-A2.1-specific murine T-cell clones. This suggests that xenogeneic responses are directed at a restricted subset of major histocompatibility complex product-associated peptides. Finally, quantitation of this peptide in cell extracts using mass spectrometry showed it to be among the most dominant HLA-A2.1 associated species on human lymphoid cells. The potential relevance of this observation to models of alloreactivity will be discussed. The methodology described should be generally useful for the identification of peptide epitopes recognized by alloreactive, tumor-specific, and autoimmune T cells.
Hybrid-Dynamic Modeling and Characterization of Mechanical Transmissions With Unidirectional Coupling

This paper discusses modeling approaches for mechanical systems which may be driven from more than one source of power and which include unidirectional coupling elements. These systems arise in various settings, including heavy-lift helicopters and hybrid automobiles. In this paper, two kinds of mathematical model are examined for the free-wheeling clutch, a key element in these systems. It is shown that it is not possible to define transition rules between coupled and decoupled states using only relative speed or only torque if idealized models are used. A model involving a mixed torque-velocity transition rule is shown to capture the essential switching behavior. By using the bond graph formalism, the inclusion of realistic continuous effects such as inertia and friction becomes simple by modular cascading. A simplified two-driver hybrid dynamical model is constructed and characterized using the mixed model and the concept of clutch line is introduced to characterize the dynamic behavior. This work serves as a basis for subsequent controllability studies and selection of feedback control strategies.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
EFFICIENCY OF SECONDARY ELECTRON EMISSION MONITORS FOR 70-MeV ELECTRONS

Abstract The secondary electron emission coefficient from several elements in the form of thin foils has been measured using 70 MeV electrons as bombarding particles. Using foils with different atomic numbers, it was found that the secondary emission coefficient per target electron in the metal is noticeably larger for light elements, especially in cases of beryllium and aluminum. This indicates that metal oxide on the foil surface (Malter effect) is playing a dominant role in the secondary emission of these metals. For other metals, the experimental results seem to indicate a relatively small variation in the secondary emission coefficient per target electron, less than that predicted by Vanhuyse and Van de Vijver, but with the same general behavior. The lack of thickness dependence in the case of tantalum foils is in agreement with the extensive experimental work of Planskoy and with the theoretical treatment of the secondary emission by Aggson. The secondary electron emission coefficients will be given for the measured foils and the experimental values will be compared with the existing theories.
Life extending control of a reusable rocket engine

The goal of life extending control in reusable rocket engines is to achieve high performance without overstraining the mechanical structure; and the major benefit is an increase in structural durability with no significant loss of performance. This paper investigates the feasibility of a decision and control system for life extension and performance enhancement of a reusable rocket engine, such as the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). Creep damage in the coolant channel ligament in the main thrust chamber is controlled while engine performance is maximized. For open loop control of up-thrust transients of the rocket engine, an optimal feedforward policy has been synthesized based on an integrated model of plant, structural and damage dynamics. Optimization is based on the integrated model of plant, structural and damage dynamics under creep damage constraints in the critical plant component, the coolant channel ligament in the main thrust chamber. The results demonstrate the potential of life extension of reusable rocket engines via damage mitigating control. The concept of life extending control, as presented in this paper, is not restricted to rocket engines; it can be applied to any system where structural durability is an important issue.
2‘-Deoxy-3-isoadenosine Forms Hoogsteen-Type Base Pairs with Thymidine in the d(CG[iA]TCG)2 Duplex1

Present-day genetic material, DNA and RNA, consists of five major nucleic acid bases (A, G, T, C, and U) and the sugar-phosphate backbone. In addition to the question of their selection from prebiotic matter, there are more subtle issues, including, in the case of purines, the site of attachment of ribose/deoxyribose at N9 versus N3. The reaction of adenine with protected sugar halides gives a mixture containing more or less equal amounts of N9 and N3 derivatives.
Corrosion Resistance of Ceramic Refractories to Simulated Waste Glasses at High Temperatures

In many vitrification processes, refractory materials are used to contain the waste glass melt. The corrosive nature of the high-temperature melt consumes the waste feed materials but also limits refractory life. As vitrification is applied to more diverse waste streams, and particularly in higher-temperature applications, increasingly severe demands are placed on the refractory materials. A variety of potential refractory materials including Fused-cast AZS, Monofrax K3, Monofrax E, and the Corhart refractories ER1195, ER2161, C1215, C1215Z, Rechrome, and T1186, were subjected to corrosion testing at 1,450 C using the ASTM C-621 procedure. A series of simulated waste glasses was used which included F, Cl, S, Cu, Zn, Pb; these minor components were found to cause significant, and in some cases drastic, increases in corrosion rates. The corrosion tests were conducted over a range of time intervals extending to 144 hrs in order to investigate the kinetics of the corrosion processes. The change of the concentrations of constituents in the glass was monitored by compositional analysis of glass samples and correlated to the observed extent of corrosion; typically, components of the material under test increase with time while key minor components, such as Co and Pb, decrease. The rate of corrosion ofmore » high-zirconia refractories was slowed considerably by adding zirconia to the waste glass composition; this has the added benefit of improving the aqueous leach resistance of the waste form that is produced.« less
The roles of light and the nucleus in the regulation of reproductive onset in Acetabularia acetabulum.

At reproductive onset the marine green alga Acetabularia acetabulum (L.) P.C. Silva redirects growth from vertical elongation of the axis of the plant to lateral expansion of a disk-shaped reproductive structure, the "cap." We used amputation to synchronize cap initia tion and to facilitate investigation of the light require ments during amputation-induced cap initiation. Following amputation of a nascent cap, most plants initiate one whorl of vegetative hairs and then a cap. Both hair and cap initiation required photosynthesis, as indicated by studies with 3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-l, 1-dimethylurea, but did not require the nucleus. Ampu tation-induced hair initiation occurred in red light, but 10 min of blue light given in a background of red light significantly increased hair initiation, supporting pre vious studies that hair initiation is a blue-light-triggered photomorphogenic event. Amputation-induced cap ini tiation also occurred in red light, but daily 10-min flashes of blue light given in a background of red light did not significantly enhance cap initiation. We also examined the light requirements of intact plants at each phase of development. In the absence of blue light, juveniles and adults with 13.7 ± 4.3 whorls of hairs initiated caps in the absence of blue light, suggest ing that there is a point in late adult development beyond which cap initiation does not require blue light. Several plausible interpretations of the role of light and the nucleus in the regulation of reproductive onset are discussed to try to reconcile these data with those in the literature.
DNA synthesis in cartilage cells is stimulated by oscillating electric fields

External oscillating electric fields (1166 volts per centimeter, 5 hertz) enhanced the incorporation of [3H] thymidine into the DNA of chondrocytes isolated from the proliferative layer of embryonic (16 days) chick epiphysis. Verapamil or tetrodotoxin at 10(-6)M concentrations completely blocked the electric field effect. Tetracaine reduced the incorporation of [3H] thymidine in both control and electrically stimulated cells. The findings support the hypothesis that Na and Ca2 fluxes generated by the electrical perturbation trigger DNA synthesis in these cells.
The effects of information and state of residence on climate change policy preferences

Discerning the general public's support of climate change policies is a significant part of understanding the political and social dynamics of mitigating climate change. National level surveys are a useful tool for furthering this understanding but present multiple challenges, two of which are addressed in this paper. The first challenge is that the U.S. public's limited knowledge of climate change issues requires that information is provided in the survey, and that the content of this information is thought to be critical in eliciting accurate responses. Second, the use of national surveys may mask regional and state differences that result from the distribution of predicted climate change impacts and varying social contexts. We explore these issues by assessing the impacts of (a) the provision of information on climate change impacts at different scales (national and regional) and (b) the respondent's state of residence (Michigan or Virginia) on climate change policy support. We found a modest relationship between state of residence and policy support, with Michigan residents less likely to support climate change mitigation policies than residents of Virginia. The provision of information on the regional versus national level of predicted impacts of climate change did not influence climate change policy support.
Activation of Na+,K+,Cl- cotransport in squid giant axon by extracellular ions: evidence for ordered binding.

Abstract Activation of the influx mode of the Na+,K+,Cl− cotransporter (NKCC) by extracellular Na+, K+ and Cl− was studied using the internally dialyzed squid giant axon. Cooperative interactions among the three transported ions were assessed using ion activation of NKCC-mediated 36Cl influx under two sets of experimental conditions. The first, or control condition, used high, non-limiting concentrations of two of the cotransported ions (the co-ions) while activating cotransport with the third ion. Under this non-limiting co-ion condition the calculated Vmax of the cotransporter was between 57 and 60 pmol/cm2/s. The apparent activation (KApp, or half-saturation) constants were: K+, 9 mM; Na+, 52 mM; and Cl−, 146 mM. The second condition used limiting co-ion concentration conditions. In this case, activation by each ion was determined when one of the other two co-ions was present at or near its apparent half-saturation concentration as determined above. Under these limiting conditions, the KApp values for all three co-ions were significantly increased regardless of which co-ion was present at a limiting concentration. The effects on the apparent Vmax were more complicated. When K+ was the limiting co-ion, there was little effect on the Vmax for Na+ or Cl− activation. In contrast, limiting concentrations of Na+ or Cl− both resulted in a large reduction of the apparent Vmax when activating with the other two co-ions. These results are consistent with an ordered binding mechanism for the NKCC in which K+ binds before Na+ or Cl−. Physiological implications for these results are discussed.
The Ventricular Assist Device as a Bridge to Cardiac Transplantation

Congestive heart failure is occurring in the United States at an increasing rate. Transplantation remains the treatment of choice for end-stage heart failure. Prolonged waiting time and decreased availability of suitable organs has increased the necessity for a device to act as a bridge to transplantation to keep patients alive during the waiting period. Ventricular assist devices have become an accepted and proven option for patients whose condition deteriorates to the point that waiting for an available donor organ is a mortal risk. With proper patient selection and timely device insertion, these patients can remain stable until a donor organ becomes available.
Extensive Posterior–Inferior Heterotopic Ossification in Chronic Grade V Acromioclavicular Injury Blocking Reduction During Surgical Repair: A Report of Two Cases

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations are among the most common shoulder injuries [7, 14]. Heterotopic ossification (HO) of the structures adjacent to the AC is recognized to occur after injury; however, the incidence and location of the HO is poorly defined [4]. In general, formation of heterotopic bone is associated with immobilization after trauma, severe burn wounds [12], spinal cord injury [5], and head injury [6, 11]. In the setting of AC, joint dislocation ossification is conventionally thought to directly involve damaged coracoclavicular and coracoacromial ligaments [4, 10]. The HO may also be seen after distal clavicle excision [2, 16]. In the two cases reported, heterotopic bone formation was found posterior–inferior to the lateral clavicle and actually blocking reduction of the clavicle during surgical reconstruction. In both cases, excision of the heterotopic bone through significant additional dissection and exposure was required for anatomic reduction of the clavicle and AC joint. These cases highlight the importance of analysis of preoperative imaging when HO is present in chronic high-grade AC injuries. Careful scrutiny of preoperative imaging will best prepare the surgeon for optimizing the opperative approach and help counsel patients to risks of surgery.
Separated skin-friction measurements - Source of error: An assessment and elimination

Potential sources of error in the use of heated surface gages for separated-skin-friction measurement are studied. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation of local skin-friction measurements in two- and three-dimensional separated turbulent-shear flows before they are used to test the validity of current and proposed computer codes.
Unusual cases: melanomatosis and nephroblastomatosis treated with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Abstract Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a well-established therapy for carcinomas, mesotheliomas, and some sarcomas. However, HIPEC has not been reported in melanomatosis or nephroblastomatosis. Here we present 2 unique cases of cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC. Cytoreductive surgery followed by HIPEC was performed in a 4-year old with melanomatosis and a 12-year old with nephroblastomatosis. A 4-year-old girl presented with leptomeningeal melanoma that metastasized from a congenital nevus. She had a ventricular peritoneal shunt placed as an infant. Melanomatosis involving the meninges and peritoneal surfaces was identified by positron emission tomographic scan imaging. Extensive plaques of melanoma were removed at the time of surgery, followed by HIPEC. She had no significant postoperative complications. Her abdomen remained free of disease 7 months after treatment. A 13-year-old girl presented with a Wilms' tumor at age 10 years. She then presented to us at the second local recurrence with multiple intraabdominal tumor implants (ie, nephroblastomatosis). We performed cytoreductive surgery followed by HIPEC. She had no postoperative complications and, at 1 year post-HIPEC, had no abdominal recurrence. We conclude that HIPEC can be performed safely for rare diseases such as melanomatosis and nephroblastomatosis. Although abdominal disease control can be realized, further systemic treatment options are necessary. A review of indications for HIPEC is included.
Asymmetric Septal Hypertrophy: Echocardiographic Identification of the Pathognomonic Anatomic Abnormality of IHSS

Idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS) is characterized by subaortic obstruction to left ventricular (LV) outflow. However, the obstruction is variable and many patients have no resting gradient and no clinical evidence of IHSS. Although a characteristic systolic movement of the anterior mitral valve leaflet can be demonstrated echocardiographically in many patients with IHSS, this may be absent in patients without obstruction under baseline conditions. Several necropsy studies of patients with IHSS have demonstrated that the ventricular septum characteristically is asymmetrically hypertrophied in relation to the posterior left ventricular wall. Since echocardiography can measure the thickness of the ventricular septum and the posterior LV free wall during life, we have evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH) in diagnosing IHSS. The ventricular septum and posterior LV free wall were measured in 15 patients with IHSS documented by catheterization, 11 pati...
A Refractive Index Mapping Operator for Assimilation of Occultation Data

Abstract This paper describes the details of a fast, linear, forward-inverse refractive index mapping operator that can be used for assimilation of occultation data of various kinds into NWP models. Basically, the mapping consists of the integration of the refractive index along finite straight lines, mimicking the observational geometry as well as the subsequent retrieval of a refractive index profile, assuming spherical symmetry. Line integrals are discretized such that the refractivity is evaluated along the horizontal at fixed levels that can be chosen to coincide with the pressure levels of an NWP model. Integration of the hydrostatic equation at a large number of locations is thereby avoided. The mapping operator is tested using an idealized model of a weather front with large horizontal gradients. Mapped refractivity profiles are compared with retrieved refractivity profiles obtained via accurate 3D ray tracing simulations of GPS radio occultation events with ray path tangent points near the weathe...
Public Opinion and Political Change in China

Public Opinion and Political Change in China. By Wenfang Tang. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2005. 237p. $55.00 cloth, $21.95 paper.In this comprehensive book, Wenfang Tang explores the nature and origins of mass opinion in urban China through survey research conducted between 1987 and 2000. The general theme is how some local democratic practices can develop within the People's Republic of China (PRC). However, rather than presenting a single theory or model, Tang examines a series of case studies on public opinion. He draws on a rich data set that consists of 11 large-scale urban surveys conducted by Chinese government and academic institutions, including his own 1999 six-city survey. With this data he examines a wide range of theories and explanations, such as regime legitimacy (Chapter 3), the influence of the media on opinion (Chapter 4), social capital theory (Chapter 5), political participation (Chapters 6 and 7), and the role of intellectuals (Chapter 8). Thus, this book has a broad appeal to those interested in political development as well as contemporary China.
Complexity, chaos and human physiology: the justification for non-linear neural computational analysis

Background is presented to suggest that a great many biologic processes are chaotic. It is well known that chaotic processes can be accurately characterized by non-linear technologies. Evidence is presented that an artificial neural network, which is a known method for the application of non-linear statistics, is able to perform more accurately in identifying patients with and without myocardial infarction than either physicians or other computer paradigms. It is suggested that the improved performance may be due to the network's better ability to characterize what is a chaotic process imbedded in the problem of the clinical diagnosis of this entity.
The influences of knowledge of HIV/AIDS and self-esteem on the sexual practices of college students

Using the Health Belief Model as a theoretical starting point, the present study extends previous research on health protective behavior by exploring the relationship among knowledge, self-esteem and students’ proclivity to engage in risky sexual behavior. To test the Model, data were analyzed from a sample of undergraduate students at a large land-grant university. Results indicate that students with high levels of self-esteem, as well as high levels of knowledge of HIV/AIDS, report engaging in safer behavioral practices, for the non- conventional sexual behaviors, more so than those with low and moderate levels of self-esteem. With respect to those more conventional sexual behavioral practices, such as unprotected vaginal/penile intercourse and unprotected sex with multiple sex partners, those with high self-esteem surprisingly reported more risky sexual behaviors than those with low and moderate self-esteem. These results indicate that both self-esteem and knowledge operate differently depending on the type of sexual behavior involved – conventional or nonconventional. Such differences need to be taken into account when using the Health Belief Model in evaluating HIV/AIDS protective behavior among US college students.