cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human fatty acid synthase mRNA: tissue distribution, genetic mapping, and kinetics of decay after glucose deprivation

To better understand the accelerated decay of fatty acid synthase (FAS) message that occurs after glucose deprivation (J. Biol. Chem. 1993. 268: 6961-6970), we characterized the 3‘ terminus of the human message and the kinetics of FAS mRNA decay in HepG2 cells. The FAS gene was localized to human chromosome 17q24-25 and to syntenic distal mouse chromosome 11. Expression of the FAS message in human tissues was ubiquitous with high levels in liver, lung, and intra-abdominal adipose tissue. The 806 nucleotide 3‘ untranslated region of the human mRNA contained two regions with the instability pentamer AUUUA. Unlike short-lived messages containing AUUUA motifs, FAS mRNA decay after glucose deprivation was not first order, and there were no detectable changes in the poly(A) tail. Glucose deprivation transiently caused FAS message to sediment more rapidly than control message in density gradients. In vivo treatment with different translational inhibitors showed that translation per se was not necessary for FAS mRNA decay; association of polysomes with FAS message protected it from decay. In cell-free decay experiments, FAS mRNA decay was more rapid using components from glucose-deprived than glucose-treated cells. These data suggest that glucose regulates cytoplasmic HepG2 FAS mRNA stability by partitioning the message between a translated pool not subject to degradation and a decay compartment, features reminiscent of regulated stability for other diet-responsive messages.
Evaluation of Microchip Electrophoresis as a Molecular Diagnostic Method for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a genetic disease caused by mutations in the X chromosome, is currently diagnosed by Southern blot analysis. Affected males and female carriers are identified by the detection of duplicated or deleted exons in the dystropin gene. Disadvantages of this method include the large number of fragments required for hybridization to determine genomic alterations and the time-consuming, expensive, and tedious nature of the analysis. The deletions/duplications seen in DMD tend to be located at certain “hot spot” regions of the gene, however, allowing easy detection of a great number of cases by interrogating a limited number of PCR-amplified DNA fragments. Chamberlain and coworkers (1)(2) developed primers to amplify nine fragments from known deletion sites in a single multiplex PCR amplification. Beggs et al. (3) defined additional primers that amplify nine fragments in a second multiplex PCR. This total set of 18 fragments allows >97% of the deletions detectable by Southern blot analysis to be detected rapidly and accurately by PCR. Analysis of the PCR fragments is most frequently carried out on slab gels, but both the presence and amount of the correctly sized fragments are important because carriers have both the mutated and wild-type gene. Many clinical laboratories that offer DMD testing do not provide carrier testing because of the technical difficulties associated with quantitative analysis. To speed analysis and automate quantification, several groups have exploited capillary electrophoresis (CE) for the separation of DMD-relevant fragments (4)(5)(6). One of the groups that reported DMD detection by CE transferred their method to an electrophoretic microdevice (6), a very rapid separation technique demonstrated to be an effective tool for use in clinical analyses (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). Although these reports show CE and microchip electrophoresis …
THE EFFECT OF INHIBITORS AND UNCOUPLERS OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC PHOSPHORYLATION ON THE DELAYED LIGHT EMISSION OF CHLOROPLASTS

— Measurements were made of the 3.7 msec delayed light emission of chloroplasts treated with a variety of agents which affect the rate of electron transport (Hill reaction) or photosynthetic phosphorylation. The presence of the electron acceptors ferricyanide or pyocyanine increased delayed light emission. Inhibitors of electron transport (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, -1-dimethylurea or 1,10(ortho)-penanthroline) inhibited delayed light emission. The addition of a phosphate acceptor system inhibited delayed light emission. This inhibition was reversed by inhibitors of the phosphorylation reaction, e.g. Dio-9 or phlorizin. From these results it was concluded that the 3.7 msec delayed light emission probably occurs as a result of back reactions of intermediates in the coupled electron transport and photosynthetic phosphorylation systems.
VM Performance Isolation to Support QoS in Cloud

An increasing number of business workloads are being migrated to the cloud. Recently, cloud providers have been improving the stability and consumability of their systems and offering cost efficiency through utility-like pricing model and dynamic resilience. However, providing performance isolation and quality of services for performance-sensitive enterprise workloads remains a challenge. In this paper, we propose a scheme to achieve performance isolation of collocated VMs through resource bounding, named Fine-grain Virtual Resource Control (FVRC), and introduce a simple yet effective QoS classification built on top of the FVRC framework. Our preliminary experiments with a KVM-based implementation show that CPU and network bandwidth can be accurately controlled and meet consistent QoS requirements while disk bandwidth control still needs improvement.
Hodgkin disease in a child with fetal alcohol-hydantoin syndrome.

haplotypes was detected in the grandchildren with thyroid abnormalities. Because in this family clinical manifestations of the disease appeared relatively late in life, it is too early to conclude whether the last two grandchildren will have thyroid antibodies only or will develop overt thyroidiris. In all patients, thyroid abnormalities were associated with the presence of DR5, as was also show n by Farid 2 and by Weissel? Bliddal et al. 5 reported the association of H L A D W 5 with Hashimoto thyroiditis in patients who had T S H binding inhibiting immunoglobulins in their serum. Dw5 is known to be in linkage disequilibrium with DR5. 6 There is also evidence for genetic heterogeneity of susceptibility to autoimmune disease, with DR3 and DR5 providing different immunogenetic susceptibilities: In this family, susceptibility to the development of thyroid abnormali ty was illustrated clearly to be on chromosome 6. Although the family data are insufficient to allow us to determine whether the susceptibility is dominantly or recessively inherited, dominance with incomplete penetrance is most likely. That incomplete penetrance may well be the result of the action of other genes. This family also provides evidence that the gene or genes for autoimmune thyroid disease are likely to be common in the population, in that both haplotypes containing DR5 seem capable of providing genetic susceptibility. REFERENCES
Prolonged travel time to neonatal intensive care unit does not affect content of parental visiting: A controlled prospective study

Decreased local obstetric care appears to be increasing the rate of premature births to rural populations. With increased numbers of premature and complicated births in rural populations, understanding the impact of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) environment on the development of parent-child relationships becomes critical. NICU infants appear to be at increased risk for failure to thrive, child abuse, and neglect. Some reports suggest that the frequency of parental visits to the NICU can predict infants likely to be at risk. Because rural parents visiting infants hospitalized in urban centers are likely to visit less often, understanding this possible relationship is critical. In this controlled prospective study, three groups of parents were observed visiting their hospitalized infants: (1) those visiting "in house" while the mother was still hospitalized; (2) those whose visits required one hour or less in travel time; and (3) those whose visits required more than one hour in travel time. Results showed that travel time influenced the frequency of visits, with fewer visits from those living furthest from the NICU. However, those visiting from greater distances stayed with their infants longer so that there was no difference in the total visiting time over a two-week period. Direct observations of the visits by both mothers and fathers showed no differences in the content of parent-child interactions among groups. Thus, visit frequency alone must be viewed cautiously as a potential indicator of failure to bond with a hospitalized infant, especially in settings serving rural populations.
A comparison of three continuous and four shuttle anticoccidial programs.

Abstract Continuous programs of a combination of narasin (40 ppm) and nicarbazin (40 ppm) (NaNi), narasin at levels of 60 and 70 ppm, and a 2 by 2 factorial shuttle design (NaNi or nicarbazin at 125 ppm, each for 27 or 28 days, followed by narasin at 60 or 70 ppm to termination), were compared with unmedicated controls for their anticoccidial efficacy and growth performance in nine broiler trials conducted in seven countries outside the United States. Cecal coccidial lesions were reduced only by treatments that incorporated nicarbazin either at the 40-ppm level in NaNi or at 125 ppm, whereas total intestinal lesion scores were reduced by all the anticoccidial programs tested. At Day 28, the three treatments containing NaNi and the treatment containing narasin at 60 ppm significantly improved weight gain and feed efficiencies over the two treatments containing nicarbazin at 125 ppm and the unmedicated controls. At termination all the anticoccidial programs significantly decreased the mortality rate and improved bird weights and feed efficiencies. Birds on the treatments containing NaNi either in the two shuttle programs or in the continuous program were significantly heavier than those on the two treatments containing nicarbazin at 125 ppm in shuttle programs.
Ordering due to disorder in a frustrated vector antiferromagnet.

In many continuous spin systems, competing interactions give nontrivial degeneracies of the classical ground states. Degeneracy-breaking free-energy terms arise from thermal (or quantum) fluctuations, which select for collinear states, and from dilution, which selects for anticollinear (yet long-range ordered) states. They are explicitly computed for an XY square-lattice antiferromagnet dominated by second-neighbor antiferromagnetic exchange. The predicted phase diagram agrees qualitatively with simulations.
Effects of Analgesic or Antidepressant Drugs on Pain- or Stress-Evoked Hippocampal and Spinal Neurokinin-1 Receptor and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene Expression in the Rat

Clinical studies show that people suffering from chronic pain are often also burdened by depression. Antidepressants are used to treat some types of chronic pain; however, little is known about their mechanisms of action. This study addressed the effects of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and a tricyclic antidepressant drug on pain- and stress-evoked gene expression in the rat spinal cord dorsal horn and hippocampus. Rats were pretreated with either indomethacin or imipramine and then challenged with either intraplantar complete Freund's adjuvant or a bout of immobilization stress. Results showed that indomethacin significantly reduced nociception-related peripheral edema, hyperalgesia, and reversed the pain-evoked up-regulation of neurokinin (NK)-1 receptor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expression in the spinal cord to levels not statistically different from controls. However, indomethacin did not protect against significant pain-induced down-regulation of these genes in the hippocampus by approximately 50%, suggesting that although analgesic drug treatment reduces nociceptive sensory activation in the spinal cord, it is insufficient to prevent the impact of pain on the hippocampus. Conversely, although imipramine did not provide significant behavioral analgesia, it significantly blocked both pain- and stress-evoked alterations in hippocampal and spinal NK-1 and BDNF gene expression. Thus, these results show that application of either analgesic or antidepressant drugs alone does not fully protect against both the behavioral and molecular effects of persistent pain on both "sensory" and "affective" processing within the central nervous system.
Droperidol for acute migraine headache.

The use of intramuscular droperidol to treat acute migraine headache has not been previously reported in the emergency medicine literature. It is a promising therapy for migraine. The authors performed a pilot review of all patients receiving droperidol for migraine in our emergency department (ED) to evaluate its efficacy. We used a retrospective case series, in a suburban ED with an annual patient census of 48,000. All patients with a discharge diagnosis of migraine headache who were treated with i.m. droperidol during a consecutive 5-month period in our ED were identified. All patients received droperidol 2.5 mg intramuscular. As per ED protocol, their clinical progress was closely followed and documented at 30 minutes after drug administration (t30). Demographic and clinical variables were recorded on a standardized, closed-question, data collection instrument. The primary outcome measurement was relief of symptoms at t30 to the point that the patient felt well enough to go home without further ED intervention (symptomatic relief). Thirty-seven patients were treated (84% female), with an ED diagnosis of acute migraine with droperidol during the study period. The mean age was 36 +/- 12 years. Analgesics had been used within 24 hours before ED presentation by 62% of patients. At t30, 30 (81%) patients had symptomatic relief, 2 (5%) felt partial relief but required rescue medication, and 5 (14%) had no relief of symptoms. Drowsiness (14%) and mild akathisia (8%) were the only adverse reactions observed following drug administration. Droperidol 2.5 mg intramuscular may be a safe and effective therapy for the ED management of acute migraine headache. Randomized, controlled trials are warranted to further validate the findings of this preliminary study.
Randomized trial of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for insomnia in breast cancer survivors.

Purpose/objectives To determine the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for treating insomnia in breast cancer survivors. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting University and medical center settings. Sample 72 women at least three months after primary treatment for breast cancer with sleep-onset or sleep maintenance insomnia at least three nights per week for at least three months as determined through daily sleep diaries. Methods Random assignment to a multicomponent intervention (stimulus control instructions, sleep restriction, and sleep education and hygiene) or a single-component control group (sleep education and hygiene). Main research variables Sleep-onset latency, wake after sleep onset, total sleep time, time in bed, sleep efficiency, and sleep quality. Findings After the intervention, both groups improved on sleep-onset latency, wake after sleep onset, total sleep time, time in bed, sleep efficiency, and sleep quality based on daily sleep diaries. A between-group difference existed for time in bed. Wrist actigraph data showed significant pre- to postintervention changes for sleep-onset latency, wake after sleep onset, total sleep time, and time in bed. When compared to the control group, the multicomponent intervention group rated overall sleep as more improved. Conclusions A nonpharmacologic intervention is effective in the treatment of insomnia in breast cancer survivors. Implications for nursing Breast cancer survivors can benefit from a cognitive-behavioral intervention for chronic insomnia. Sleep education and hygiene, a less complex treatment than a multicomponent intervention, also is effective in treating insomnia.
Special commentary on the role of government in health care: a societal issue.

p p feel privileged to have been asked to comment on the uperb article by Dr DeBakey. As has been the case since is classic articles on thrombophlebitis and subphrenic abcess written with Dr Alton Ochsner. This is extensively and eautifully documented. The short version would simply be I agree” because I have written several articles with a not oo dissimilar theme but clearly not as well documented as r DeBakey’s. This is a masterful socioeconomic history of medicine, specially as it applies in this country. Beginning with the ntecedents of the social democratic philosophy currently ominant in Europe and how it started in this country, he lso documents where it went wrong and the unfortunate ituation in which our patients currently find themselves. One must admit that the attempts at universal health care ere laudable. However, involved in the best of intentions s not a little bit of social engineering; the quote of Arthur leming’s intentions as far as Medicare being the first step f universal health care must be taken seriously. To a certain xtent, those who have continued with the “reform of medcine” probably for the most part stuck to the same social hilosophy, that of knowing what is good for the public, ood for the profession, and, despite the fact that they have ever even seen a patient, good for the patients. Thanks to his muddle-headed group of people, what we now have is single payer, the destruction of a once-noble profession, nd the commercialization of medicine as a business. Unortunately, in the commercialization of medicine, as has een so well documented, we end up with more patients ctually lacking insurance than we started with, and, as is ointed out, the quality of care that is carried out in “the nsurance commercial commodity age” in which we now ive is lacking. I was a firstor second-year resident before Medicare nd do remember that the elderly were cared for in what
Optimization of a Standard Linear Viscoelastic Material for Use in a Seat Belt

Abstract : It is shown that a properly designed viscoelastic seat-belt material could have a low stiffness at low strain rates while still affording considerable improvement in the maximum safe cruising speed in comparison with a linear elastic belt. (Author)
Secular change: Somatic comparisons of urban and rural black male children and youths living in central South Carolina

Somatic data were collected during 1988-1989 on 260 black males, ages 6, 9, and 15 years, living in Calhoun County in rural central South Carolina. Eight measures of body size, four estimates of body form, two skinfold thicknesses, and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed for central tendency and variability. Comparisons were made with earlier samples of black boys measured in Columbia City, South Carolina, during 1974-1977. At ages 9 and 15 years, the Calhoun County boys exceed Columbia City boys in standing height, sitting height, lower limb height, arm girth, and body weight. Measures of body form were similar for both groups. Among worldwide comparisons, Calhoun County boys exceed all groups in standing height and body weight. Comparisons with earlier means indicate secular gains and estimates of their magnitude. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Assembly of homotrimeric type XXI minicollagen by coexpression of prolyl 4-hydroxylase in stably transfected Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells

We established stably transfected insect cell lines containing cDNAs encoding the α and β subunits of human prolyl 4-hydroxylase in both Trichoplusia ni and Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells. The expression level and enzymatic activity of recombinant prolyl 4-hydroxylase produced in the Drosophila expression system were significantly higher than those produced in the T. ni system. We further characterized the involvement of prolyl 4-hydroxylase in the assembly of the three α chains to form trimeric type XXI minicollagen, which comprises the intact C-terminal non-collagenous (NC1) and collagenous domain (COL1), in the Drosophila system. When minicollagen XXI was stably expressed in Drosophila S2 cells alone, negligible amounts of interchain disulfide-bonded trimers were detected in the culture media. However, minicollagen XXI was secreted as disulfide-bonded homotrimers by coexpression with prolyl 4-hydroxylase in the stably transfected Drosophila S2 cells. Minicollagen XXI coexpressed with prolyl 4-hydroxylase contained sufficient amounts of hydroxyproline to form thermal stable pepsin-resistant triple helices consisting of both interchain and non-interchain disulfide-bonded trimers. These results demonstrate that a sufficient amount of active prolyl 4-hydroxylase is required for the assembly of type XXI collagen triple helices in Drosophila cells and the trimeric assembly is governed by the C-terminal collagenous domain.
STEREOTYPED BEHAVIORS OF CHIMPANZEES: RELATION TO GENERAL AROUSAL AND ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES

Chimpanzees raised without their mothers develop abnormal stereotyped behaviors not found in mother-raised animals. Two studies tested the hypotheses that moment-to-moment fluctuations of stereotyped behaviors are related to the level of general arousal and to the extent to which alternative activities are performed. The first study showed that body rocking or swaying is positively related to white noise level and to food deprivation. In the second experiment, rocking and swaying decreased during habituation to a novel situation and returned to a high level following administration of amphetamine. Activities alternative to stereotyped movements were evoked in a third experiment and produced a decrement in rocking and swaying. In general, the evidence suggests a positive relationship between arousal and rocking and swaying; the relationship of arousal to other stereotyped acts was not as regular. No behavior in the repertoire of mother-raised animals was found to be homologous to Rock-Sway. The relationshi...
Effects of selenium on the growth and phosphorus uptake of Scenedesmus dimorphus and Anabaena cylindrica

Abstract Determinations of 14-day cell number and of log phase growth rate were used to assess the effects of selenite and selenate on Scenedesmus dimorphus and Anabaena cylindrica. Both salts of selenium inhibited growth of the algae when compared to controls. A previous study had suggested that selenium might interfere with mechanisms of phosphate uptake in algae, thereby inhibiting growth. This hypothesis was tested by studying phosphate uptake by P-starved cells grown in the presence of various concentrations of sodium selenate. Selenate significantly reduced phosphate uptake by both species of algae compared to selenium-free controls.
Phytoestrogens: are they really estrogen mimics?

Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women develop symptoms and estrogen-deficiency related disease that estrogen replacement should forestall or treat. Why do we have more than one treatment for menopausal symptoms and menopause-related diseases? It could be because steroidal estrogens do not have uniformly salutary responses in all target tissues and/or because of undesired effects. For example, E2 has definite beneficial effects on bone, on some factors involved in cardiovascular health, and brain function; but E2 also induces proliferation in the uterus and breast. These undesirable effects lessen compliance and consequently diminish opportunities for prevention of disease.
Naturally occurring menopause in cynomolgus monkeys: changes in hormone, lipid, and carbohydrate measures with hormonal status

Naturally occurring post-menopausal (PM) female cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were identified. Their sex hormone profile was characterized and compared with younger pre-menopausal females before and after ovariectomy (OVX). PM females had lower estrogens and increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations. Two PM females had diabetes mellitus and elevated androgens (androstenodione and dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate). Non-diabetic PM females were given parenteral E(2) which normalized FSH, and caused improvements in body weight, plasma lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol. Androgens remained lower with E(2) treatment. OVX induced comparable increases in FSH seen with the PM monkeys, however they had lower body weights, and had higher estrone and androstenodione concentrations. Natural menopause occurs in cynomolgus monkeys and hormone changes with OVX are similar however, differences in sex hormones that can relate to body mass and age may be important. E(2) treatment restored estrogen levels and induced improvements in the lipid profile of PM females.
Evaluation of hematoxylin and eosin and special stains for the detection of acanthamoeba keratitis in penetrating keratoplasties

Abstract Purpose To compare the efficacy of a battery of routine and special histologic stains for the detection of acanthamoeba keratitis. Design Observational study. Methods Nine patients with culture-proven infectious keratitis whose clinical differential diagnosis included acanthamoeba and who had undergone penetrating keratoplasty were identified. Three cases each of culture-proven acanthamoeba, fungal, and herpes simplex keratitis were reviewed. Serial sections of the keratoplasty specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid–Schiff (PAS), Gomori methanamine silver (GMS), giemsa, Gram, calcofluor white, and acridine orange. Sections were reviewed in a random order and a masked fashion and classified as positive or negative for acanthamoeba, fungus, or herpes. Results The correct diagnosis was made by examination of the hematoxylin and eosin stained slides in all cases. Correct diagnoses in decreasing order of frequency were made for slides stained with PAS, GMS, acridine orange, calcofluor white, giemsa, and Gram. There were false-positive diagnoses made only with calcofluor white and acridine orange stained slides because of staining of extracellular debris and other material. Conclusions When sections are examined by an experienced observer, hematoxylin and eosin is useful compared with calcofluor white, acridine orange, GMS, PAS, giemsa, and Gram stains for the detection of acanthamoeba keratitis.
Steroid-responsive cochlear dysfunction in the MRL/lpr autoimmune mouse.

Corticosteroids historically have been used to treat autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss, although little is known of how steroids restore normal inner ear function. Therefore, to identify a potential model for this field of research, this study examined the effects of prednisolone on auditory brain stem response thresholds in the MRL/lpr mouse model of autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss. Mice treated with prednisolone after auditory threshold elevations demonstrated significant improvement and stabilization of thresholds compared with untreated controls. MRL/lpr mice treated with steroids before the onset of autoimmune disease and cochlear dysfunction demonstrated decreased serum immune complexes, higher survival rates, and lower auditory thresholds compared with untreated controls. These positive results suggest the autoimmune mouse may be useful for studies of steroid-responsive mechanisms of the cochlea in autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss, as well as any hearing disorder in which steroid the...
Arsenic-induced malignant transformation of human keratinocytes: Involvement of Nrf2

Arsenic is a well-known human skin carcinogen but the underlying mechanisms of carcinogenesis are unclear. Transcription factor Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response represents a critical cellular defense mechanism, and emerging data suggest that constitutive activation of Nrf2 contributes to malignant phenotype. In the present study when an immortalized, nontumorigenic human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) was continuously exposed to an environmentally relevant level of inorganic arsenite (100 nM) for 28 weeks, malignant transformation occurred as evidenced by the formation of highly aggressive squamous cell carcinoma after inoculation into nude mice. To investigate the mechanisms involved, a broad array of biomarkers for transformation were assessed in these arsenic-transformed cells (termed As-TM). In addition to increased secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a set of markers for squamous differentiation and skin keratinization, including keratin-1, keratin-10, involucrin, and loricrin, were significantly elevated in As-TM cells. Furthermore, As-TM cells showed increased intracellular glutathione and elevated expression of Nrf2 and its target genes, as well as generalized apoptotic resistance. In contrast to increased basal Nrf2 activity in As-TM cells, a diminished Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response induced by acute exposure to high doses of arsenite or tert-butyl hydroxyquinone occurred. The findings that multiple biomarkers for malignant transformation observed in As-TM cells, including MMP-9 and cytokeratins, are potentially regulated by Nrf2 suggest that constitutive Nrf2 activation may be involved in arsenic carcinogenesis of skin. The weakened Nrf2 activation in response to oxidative stressors observed in As-TM cells, coupled with acquired apoptotic resistance, would potentially have increased the likelihood of transmittable oxidative DNA damage and fixation of mutational/DNA damage events.
The influence of inlet design on the aeroacoustic performance of a JT15D turbofan engine as measured in the NASA-Ames 40 x 80 foot wind tunnel

The influence of inlet design on the aeroacoustic performance of a JT15D turbofan engine was investigated in the NASA-Ames 40 x 80 ft wind tunnel. Four inlet designs representative of those found in commercial service were evaluated at a forward velocity of 80 kn. The inlet designs considered were selected to evaluate the importance of circumferential static pressure distortion (SPD) for a diffusing sound suppressing inlet and throat Mach number (Mth) for a hardwall inlet on the acoustic characteristics of the JT15D engine. Several speed points were studied simulating the operating conditions spanning approach to take-off. Results demonstrated that the dependency of the forward radiated noise on inlet aerodynamic design parameters was significant (about 5 dB) for the range of SPD (0.1-3.0%) and Mth (0.3-0.6) tested. The performance of the bulk absorber acoustic treatment used in the diffusing sound suppressing inlet is also discussed.
The relationship between maternal self-esteem and maternal attachment in mothers of hospitalized premature infants.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between maternal self-esteem and maternal attachment in mothers of hospitalized premature infants. The research instruments administered included: a demographic sheet, the Maternal Self-Report Inventory (MSRI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Leifer's How I Feel About My Baby Now Scale. Thirty-two mothers whose premature infants were medically stable and hospitalized in the NICU were studied. Two hypotheses on the positive relationships between maternal self-esteem and maternal attachment, and global self-esteem and maternal attachment could not be tested by correlational analyses due to the inadequate internal consistency of the How I Feel About My Baby Now Scale. A significant correlation was found between maternal self-esteem and global self-esteem. Thus, maternal role influenced general self-concept in mothers. In addition, it was found that there were no significant correlations between the MSRI and demographic variables, such as: maternal age, marital status, income, and educational level. Another result indicated that increased global self-esteem was correlated (p < .05) with maternal age, income, and educational level. The results of this study provide clinical nurses to pay attention not only to caregiving skills but also to the mother's appraisal of herself as a mother and attachment behaviors.
Recycling Policy and Performance Trends in Participation, Diversion, and Costs

This panel study examines trends in recycling participation, diversion, and costs among a national sample of municipal programs in 1989 and 1996 and identifies the recycling policies associated with changes in performance. This study finds that local recycling officials made recycling performance comparisons with other jurisdictions and engaged in a rational process of policy experimentation to fine-tune the performance of their programs during the 1990s. The policies that distinguished higher performing recycling efforts included mandatory recycling, curbside collection and free recycling bins, operating composting programs, and banning disposal of yard wastes. Recycling participation increased about 36% to a mean level of 73% by 1996. Diversion increased by 111% to a mean level of 33% by 1996. The total costs for recycling programs rose an average of 220%, but many cities with curbside collection also improved efficiency to the point where unit recycling costs were competitive with the costs of solid wa...
Molecular dynamics study of particle-particle collisions between hydrogen-passivated silicon nanoparticles

One of the significant challenges in the use of nanoparticles is the control of primary particle size and extent of agglomeration when grown from the gas phase. In this paper we evaluate a possible strategy of surface passivation. Here the particle--particle interaction of hydrogen-surface-terminated silicon nanoparticles has been evaluated using molecular dynamics simulation. Nanoparticles of the size between 200 and 6400 silicon atoms at 300--1800 K were studied with a reparametrized Kohen-Tully-Stillinger empirical interatomic potential. A hydrogen monolayer is shown to prevent coalescence between particles under thermal collision conditions. The critical approach energy for coalescence was found to increase with increasing particle size but decreases with increasing temperature. Both solid and liquid droplets were seen to bounce at thermal energies, and in some cases, ``superelastic'' collisions are observed, where the rebound kinetic energy of the droplet is higher than the approach energy. These results suggest that surface coatings can significantly retard nanoaerosol growth.
The effect of p-h corrections on the proton pairing vibrations at Z=50

Abstract Recent experimental results from Cd( 3 He, n)Sn reactions on a variety of Cd targets indicate that the proton pairing vibration lies at an excitation energy nearly 2 MeV below the value suggested by binding energy systematics. It is shown here that this large discrepancy, which is in contrast to the case of neutron pairing vibrations, may be explained by the effects of particle-hole (p-h) interactions which are large because of the Coulomb contribution. The p-h matrix elements are obtained empirically from observed p-h separations and also calculated theoretically for both Coulomb and nuclear contributions. These average empirical matrix elements from the Cd experiments give excellent agreement to the 2p-1h states in the 115 In( 3 He, n) experiment populated via L =0 transfers. The agreement in the latter case indicates a simple scaling of the interaction with the number of particles and holes.
High-sensitivity, high-frequency extrinsic Fabry–Perot interferometric fiber-tip sensor based on a thin silver diaphragm

We propose and demonstrate a fiber-tip sensor based on an ultra-thin silver diaphragm for highly sensitive and high frequency ultrasonic detection. The diaphragm is prepared by the vacuum thermal deposition method and then transferred to the fiber tip. The sensor demonstrated in this letter has a 300 nm thick diaphragm with an inner diameter of 75 μm, leading to a static pressure sensitivity of 1.6 nm/kPa and a resonant frequency of 1.44 MHz. This sensor has potential applications in many fields such as structural health monitoring and medical ultrasonography.
An addition theorem modulo p

Abstract Let a 1 , …, a s be distinct non-zero residue classes modulo a prime p . In this paper we estimate the number of residue classes represented by e 1 a 1 +…+ e s a s where the e i are restricted to the values 0 and 1. In particular, we verify a conjecture of P. Erdos and H. Heilbronn: every residue class is represented if s>2p 1/2 .
Some observations on random 2–3 trees

Balanced tree structures such as 2-3 trees [ 1,3] are a method of organizing information that allows both fast accessing and fast updating. For example, 2-3 trees may be used to represent arbitrary linear lists of length n such that items can be inserted into and deleted from a list in O(log n) time. A precise analysis of the average-case behavior of 2-3 trees seems to be quite difficult. Yao [S] gives ‘3 method that, in principle, can analyze any fmed number of levels at the bottom of a 2-3 tree, as the tree size tends .o infinity. He actually performs the analysis for the bottom two levels, noting that Ihe calculations become substantially more complicated in the three level case and seemingly impossible for four or more levels. In this note we report the results of a three level analysis of random 2-3 trees, using Yao’s method. We also give the results of simulation experiments that shed some light on the behavior of higher levels in r random 2-3 trees. We assume that the reader is familiar with 2-3 trees and with Yao’s analysis in what follows.
Application of wavelets to image coding in an rf-link communication system

The joint University of Rochester/Rochester Institute of Technology `Center for Electronic Imaging Systems' (CEIS) is designed to focus on research problems of interest to industrial sponsors, especially the Rochester Imaging Consortium. Compression of tactical images for transmission over an rf link is an example of this type of research project which is being worked on in collaboration with one of the CEIS sponsors, Harris Corporation/RF Communications. The Harris digital video imagery transmission system (DVITS) is designed to fulfill the need to transmit secure imagery between unwired locations at real-time rates. DVITS specializes in transmission systems for users who rely on hf equipment operating at the low end of the frequency spectrum. However, the inherently low bandwidth of hf combined with transmission characteristics such as fading and dropout severely restrict the effective throughput. The problem at designing a system such as DVITS is particularly challenging because of bandwidth and signal/noise limitations, and because of the dynamic nature of the operational environment. In this paper, a novel application of wavelets in tactical image coding is proposed to replace the current DCT compression algorithm in the DVITS system. THe effects of channel noise on the received image are determined and various design strategies combining image segmentation, compression, and error correction are described.
Role of Metastin in the Release of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone From the Hypothalamus of the Male Rat

ABSTRACT: Recent genetic analysis has suggested that the expression of the orphan receptor GPR54 is essential for the onset of puberty in both rodents and humans. Indirect evidence has suggested that this action is via gonadotropin-releasing hormone induction of luteinizing hormone release. The experiments described here were intended to provide direct evidence that metastin, the naturally occurring ligand for GPR54, was capable of stimulating GnRH secretion by examining GnRH release from an immortalized hypothalamic cell line (GT1–7) and from male rat hypothalamic explants. GT1–7 cells were treated for 2½ hours and overnight with the biologically active fragment of metastin, metastin(45–54), in amounts ranging from 0.1 nM to 1 μM. Hypothalamic fragments were obtained from infantile male rats and exposed to progressively increasing concentrations of metastin(45–54) (0.1 nM to 1 μM) for 1-hour periods. In both experiments, GnRH release was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The release of metastin from hypothalami obtained from infantile and adult male rats was also determined. Explants were incubated for 6 hours, and the release of metastin into the media was determined by RIA. The results support the hypothesis that metastin stimulates GnRH secretion from the hypothalamus. The data indicate that an increase in the secretion of metastin, rather than the appearance of the receptor, is required for puberty onset. The results also suggest that metastin influences the GnRH-secreting neurons indirectly via an interneuron rather than acting directly on the GnRH-secreting neurons.
PB1-F2 Finder: scanning influenza sequences for PB1-F2 encoding RNA segments

Background PB1-F2 is a major virulence factor of influenza A. This protein is a product of an alternative reading frame in the PB1-encoding RNA segment 2. Its presence of is dictated by the presence or absence of premature stop codons. This virulence factor is present in every influenza pandemic and major epidemic of the 20th century. Absence of PB1-F2 is associated with mild disease, such as the 2009 H1N1 (“swine flu”).
Simulation of Rayleigh-faded mobile-to-mobile communication channels

Mobile-to-mobile channels find increasing applications in futuristic intelligent transport systems, ad hoc mobile wireless networks, and relay-based cellular networks. Their statistical properties are quite different from typical cellular radio channels, thereby requiring new methods for their simulation. This paper proposes a "double-ring" model to simulate the mobile-to-mobile local scattering environment, and develops sum-of-sinusoids (SoS)-based models for simulating such channels. The proposed models produce waveforms having desired statistical properties with good accuracy, and also remove some drawbacks of an existing model derived by using the discrete line spectrum simulation method.
A Multiscale Fabrication Approach to Microfluidic System Development

Abstract Microfluidic systems for analytical, medical, and sensing applications integrate optical or electrical readouts in lowcost, low-volume consumption systems. Embedding chemically functionalized templates with nanoscale topography within these devices links the scale at which molecular recognition/ self-organization occurs and the macroscopic layout of fluid channels, mixing volumes, and detection regions. Although the design of a platform that would meet the needs of all microfluidic experiments is a difficult undertaking, this paper provides a description of a flexure-based platform that may address generic requirements such as low cost, ease of manufacture, and repeatable alignment/sealing performance. Experimental results are provided for master replication in plastics by hot embossing and a microfluidic platform that orients 125 micrometer channels embossed in a poly(vinyl chloride) gasket to an array of high-speed machined channels.
Downlink multiuser MIMO scheduling in LTE Advanced systems

In this paper, we consider the downlink (DL) multiuser (MU) multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) scheduling for the fourth generation LTE Advanced (LTE-A) cellular networks. The DL MU-MIMO scheduling can be posed as an optimization problem to maximize the weighted sum rate subject to several practical constraints, such as a per-user rank constraint. Due to these constraints finding the optimal solution becomes an NP-hard problem. Consequently, we propose an efficient albeit sub-optimal rank balancing approach that enforces the peruser rank constraint and present several rank balancing based scheduling algorithms. We show that the proposed algorithms are guaranteed to yield constant-factor approximations. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed rank balancing based scheduling algorithms outperform other competing schemes over various relevant system scenarios.
Binge eating in obesity: Preliminary findings and guidelines for behavioral analysis and treatment

Abstract Binge eating is a complex behavioral problem that often contributes to obesity and complicates standard behavioral weight reduction treatment. This paper reviews previous investigations of binge eating in overweight populations and presents new data from 280 participants in an intensive weight reduction program. These data corroborate clinical impressions that binge eating is frequently accompanied by interpersonal, self-esteem, and stress management deficits. Related preliminary findings aid in a functional analysis of binge behavior patterns and provide empirical support for diagnostic criteria suggested for bulimia in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual III (DSM-III). Guidelines for a functional analysis of binge eating are presented and suggestions for a comprehensive behavioral and dietary approach to binge eating are outlined. Programmed bingeing is given special attention as one useful therapeutic strategy.
Effect of strain, magnetic field and field angle on the critical current density of Y Ba2Cu3O7−δ coated conductors

A large, magnetic-field-dependent, reversible reduction in critical current density with axial strain in Y Ba2Cu3O7−δ coated conductors at 75.9 K has been measured. This effect may have important implications for the performance of Y Ba2Cu3O7−δ coated conductors in applications where the conductor experiences large stresses in the presence of a magnetic field. Previous studies have been performed only under tensile strain and could provide only a limited understanding of the in-field strain effect. We now have constructed a device for measuring the critical current density as a function of axial compressive and tensile strain and applied magnetic field as well as magnetic field angle, in order to determine the magnitude of this effect and to create a better understanding of its origin. The reversible reduction in critical current density with strain becomes larger with increasing magnetic field at all field angles. At 76 K the critical current density is reduced by about 30% at − 0.5% strain when a magnetic field of 5 T is applied parallel to the c-axis of the conductor or 8 T is applied in the ab-plane, compared to a reduction of only 13% in self-field. Differences in the strain response of the critical current density at various magnetic field angles indicate that the pinning mechanisms in Y Ba2Cu3O7−δ coated conductors are uniquely affected by strain.
Mechanisms of calcium release in sarcoplasmic reticulum

Abstract The involvement of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum (SR) in relaxation of skeletal muscle has been studied extensively since vesicular fragments of SR membrane were found in the microsomal fraction of muscle homogenates (1,2). It was shown that the isolated SR vesicles exhibit ATP dependent calcium transport in vitro, reducing the Ca 2+ concentration in the medium to levels (3) and at rates (4,5) compatible with relaxation of myofibrils in physiological conditions (6). The question of calcium release, however, has been elusive for a long time. In this regard it is known that skeletal muscle SR is able to store an amount of calcium which is sufficient for activation of myofibrils. Therefore, it is simply assumed that upon membrane excitation calcium is released from SR, thereby raising the Ca 2+ concentration in the myoplasm and initiating contraction. Recently various experiments were performed demonstrating that calcium release from SR can occur by different mechanisms of great interest and possibly of physiological relevance. These mechanisms will be discussed here.
Hegel and Critical Social Theory: New Perspectives from the Marcuse Archives

Recently published archival material suggests the need to reexamine Herbert Marcuse's interpretation of Hegel's thought. Social theory generally will benefit from reflections upon Marcuse's histori...