cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Political Communication Faces the 21st Century

The study of political communication has come a long way. If we take Aristotle's Rhetoric and Politics written in 350 B.C. as a starting point, political messages have been noted, dissected, and speculated about for well over 2,000 years. So where are we now, in the 21st century of the Christian era, and where should we be heading?.
Science content as an important consideration in science education research

Science education researchers have, with few exceptions, not used the conceptual content of science as an important variable in their research. Writings of two groups-philosophers of science, “are concerned with the influence of the conceptual knowledge shared by an intellectual community on the activities of that community and the psychologists are concerned with the influence of the conceptual knowledge held by an individual on that individual's behavior”, science, are concerned with the influence of the conceptual knowledge shared by an intellectual community on the activities of that community and the psychologists are concerned with the influence of the conceptual knowledge held by an individual on that individual's behavior. Suggestions are offered as to what kinds of science education research could be done in which the conceptual content of science is important.
Meetings that changed the world: Santa Fe 1986: Human genome baby-steps.

The 1980s saw plenty of discussion on sequencing the human genome. But, according to Charles DeLisi, one conference was crucial for converting an idea to reality.
Measuring Shaken Baby Syndrome awareness: preliminary reliability of a caregiver attitudes and beliefs survey

Recent estimates of Shaken Baby Syndrome awareness suggest that approximately half of all American adults have not heard of the often devastating risks of shaking an infant. Using a sample of 288 undergraduate students, we developed a measure of attitudes around infant care practices. A total of 264 community participants completed a revised survey. Between-group comparisons, exploratory factor analyses, and internal consistency tests were employed to determine the directionality and reliability of any scale structure present in the data. A five factor structure fits the data reliably, and each of these factors seems to represent a unique dimension. Implications for using this measure clinically and preventatively are discussed.
ENZYMATIC REGULATION OF ADENOSINE 3′,5′-MONOPHOSPHATE (CYCLIC AMP) IN THE FREEZING EPILEPTOGENIC LESION OF RAT BRAIN AND IN HOMOLOGOUS CONTRALATERAL CORTEX

Freezing epileptogenic lesions were made unilaterally in rat cerebral cortex. Such lesions were associated with an increase in adenyl cyclase activity and a decrease in the membrane-associated phosphodiesterase activity, with a concomitant increase in the level of cyclic AMP. Similar, though less striking, changes occurred in homologous contralateral cortex (‘mirror focus’). The effects of cyclic AMP on brain membrane systems are discussed, with the suggestion that this substance may play an important role in the genesis of focal seizures.
The age of the urologist affects the postoperative care of prostate carcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND Strategies utilized by urologists in managing prostate carcinoma patients after radical prostatectomy vary appreciably. The reason for this is unclear. The authors investigated the effect of practitioner age on management strategies. METHODS From among the total of 12,500 American Urological Association (AUA) members, 4467 were randomly selected to receive a custom-designed survey about their care of prostate carcinoma patients after radical prostatectomy. Respondents were asked to describe their follow-up practices for patients treated with curative intent, their motivations regarding postoperative surveillance, their methods of evaluating a postoperative increase in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, and their choices of treatment for patients with recurrent prostate carcinoma. RESULTS One thousand fifty responses were analyzed. There was a statistically significant influence of practitioner age on the management of at-risk patients, but it was quite small. The typical workup for an elevated postoperative serum PSA level also varied significantly according to practitioner age; older urologists ordered more serum prostatic acid phosphatase levels and computed tomography scans of the abdomen and pelvis, whereas younger urologists ordered more bone scans. The treatment of recurrent prostate carcinoma did not vary significantly according to urologist age. The opinions of older urologists regarding the survival benefits of postoperative surveillance were considerably different from the opinions of their younger colleagues. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that urologist age accounts for some of the variation in the postoperative management of prostate carcinoma patients. Differences in beliefs regarding the benefits of surveillance may be partially responsible for this. Persuasive clinical research will probably be required to increase the uniformity of practice in this important area. Cancer 1999;86:1314–21. © 1999 American Cancer Society.
A computer model of the renal countercurrent system.

A computer model of the renal countercurrent system. In this model the following anatomical features are represented: a) thin descending limbs of Henle; b) thin and thick ascending limbs of Henle; c) distal convoluted tubule; d) collecting duct; e) descending and f) ascending vasa recta; g) interstitium. Fluids are represented by water with two solutes, urea and ‘electrolytes'. Methods are described for obtaining steady state values of interstitial concentrations and tubular fluid flow rates and concentrations, for any given set of membrane permeabilities and transport properties. The following set of permeabilities is used to model an antidiuretic kidney: water permeability moderate in descending limb of Henle, low in ascending limb, high in distal tubule and collecting duct; urea permeability high in descending and thin ascending limbs of Henle, low in thick ascending limb, distal tubule and cortical collecting duct, and moderate in medullary collecting duct; electrolyte permeability high in descending limb of Henle; active electrolyte reabsorption limited by a concentration gradient of 200 mOsm/kg H 2 O in the entire ascending limb of Henle; fixed absolute and relative electrolyte reabsorption from the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct; high passive permeabilities to water, urea, and electrolytes in descending and ascending vasa recta. These conditions result in substantial interstitial cortico-papillary concentration gradients not only for electrolytes, but also for urea, which everywhere moves passively. Urinary and papillary osmolalities are both 1819 mOsm/kg H 2 O.
Lima bean silage for dairy cattle.

Summary A comparison of the value of lima bean silage and corn silage for lactating cows was made during the winters of 1952-53 and 1953-54. Bach year six registered Holstein cows were fed in a single reversal experimental design. Corn silage was consumed more readily than the lima bean silage, and significantly more hay was consumed by the groups on lima bean silage. The milk production was not significantly different between cows fed the two silages. The apparent digestibility of lima bean silage was determined in a conventional digestion trial with two Holstein bulls weighing approximately 425 lb. The dry matter was 53.3% digestible. The apparent digestibility of crude protein was 41.1%; of ether extract, 43.2%; and of carbohydrates, 60.2%.
An improved 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging technique for the human breast: Preliminary results

The high sensitivity but poor specificity of magnetic resonance imaging for detecting breast cancer has stimulated interest in magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) as a tool to improve specificity and reduce the number of benign biopsies. The challenge of applying 1H MRSI to the diagnosis of cancer in the human breast is the need for robust lipid suppression and a clinically acceptable acquisition time. We present an improved 1H MRSI technique that uses an independently optimized chemical-shift-selective for lipid suppression and weighted elliptical k-space sampling combined with a Hamming filter for improved sampling efficiency.
Vapor deposition of thin films of DPPH and BDPA.

Abstract A technique for vapor deposition of thin films of the stable organic free radicals DPPH and BDPA is described. The magnetic properties and chemical composition of the resultant films were studied by EPR, X-ray and optical absorption methods and found to be similar to those of the bulk materials. Free radical concentrations as high as 80% were obtained in these films.
Primary uterine angiosarcoma.

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to report the first case of primary uterine angiosarcoma described in a Hispanic American woman and to review the literature on uterine angiosarcomas. We review characteristic presenting symptoms, gross and microscopic pathologic findings, and treatment outcomes where available. Methods. A case report is presented with a review of the English language literature via a Medline search. The key phrases used in the search were uterine angiosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, hemangioendothelioma, and primary uterine neoplasm. Results. Since the first report in 1902, there have been 19 reported cases of primary uterine angiosarcoma considered valid. Many early cases are questioned due to the lack of ultrastructural and immunohistochemical evidence available in later cases. Seventy-four percent (14 of 19) of these patients are perimenopausal with a mean age of 55 years (range 17–76 years). The common presenting findings are a pelvic mass, menorrhagia, and weight loss. Varying regimens of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation have been utilized with limited success. Conclusions. Primary uterine angiosarcomas tend to exhibit a highly malignant behavior. The predominant prognostic factor seems to be the size of the tumor at diagnosis and the presence of extrapelvic disease. Recurrence occurs on average at 8.2 months. Of evaluable patients ( n = 14), at 12 months the survival was only 43%. Although radiation and chemotherapy are options being utilized, no consensus exists for optimal therapy given the few cases from which to draw conclusions. Regardless of treatment, outcome is usually poor.
Ergodic capacity maximizing MIMO ARQ precoder design based on channel mean information

In recent years, there has been broad research interest in the development of beamforming and precoding techniques for MIMO wireless communication systems. Most existing works focus on the single transmission session between transceivers. We expand the MIMO precoder design to take into account the significant role that ARQ (Automatic Repeat reQuest) may play in practical systems. We investigate the design of linear precoders for maximizing the ergodic capacity of MIMO-ARQ systems. Without the precise channel knowledge, our low complexity precoder designs are based on MIMO channel statistic information to achieve significant performance gain under ARQ.
Structural origins of redox potentials in Fe-S proteins: electrostatic potentials of crystal structures

Redox potentials often differ dramatically for homologous proteins that have identical redox centers. For two types of iron-sulfur proteins, the rubredoxins and the high-potential iron-sulfur proteins (HiPIPs), no structural explanations for these differences have been found. We calculated the classical electrostatic potential at the redox site using static crystal structures of four rubredoxins and four HiPIPs to identify important structural determinants of their redox potentials. The contributions from just the backbone and polar side chains are shown to explain major features of the experimental redox potentials. For instance, in the rubredoxins, the presence of Val 44 versus Ala 44 causes a backbone shift that explains a approximately 50 mV lower redox potential in one of the four rubredoxins. This result is consistent with experimental redox potentials of five additional rubredoxins with known sequence. Also, we attribute the unusually lower redox potentials of two of the HiPIPs studied to a less positive electrostatic environment around their redox sites. Finally, molecular dynamics simulations of solvent around static rubredoxin crystal structures indicate that water alone is a major factor in dampening the contribution of charged side chains, in accord with experiments showing that mutations of surface charges produce relatively little effect on redox potentials.
Host plant differences in arbuscular mycorrhizae: Extra radical hyphae differences between an invasive forb and a native bunchgrass

Arbuscular mycorrhizae affect grassland plant community composition and host plant nutrient uptake, and can mediate shifts in competitive outcome between plant species. Centaurea maculosa, an invasive forb from Eurasia, dominates more than 4 million hectares in the Rocky Mountain region of North America. We examined the role of AM for phosphorus (P) acquisition from a distant source for C. maculosa and Festuca idahoensis, a native bunchgrass. Plants were grown individually in pots divided by a barrier that either excluded plant roots and AM hyphae, or only plant roots. In the half of the pot without a plant, 1 of 3 P treatments was applied: no P, phosphate rock (PR) or triple superphosphate (TSP), applied at a rate of 144 mg P kg−1 soil. After 14 weeks of growth, C. maculosa was twice as large as F. idahoensis, and neither species’ biomass was affected by barrier type. Phosphorus fertilizer, and especially PR, moved across the barrier to the plant side of the pot. Tissue P concentration for C. maculosa was highest with the PR treatment, and was not affected by the barrier type. In contrast, F. idahoensis tissue P concentration did not vary with barrier or P treatments. There was more AM extra radical hyphae (ERH) associated with C. maculosa than F. idahoensis, suggesting that C. maculosa provides more carbon for the AM fungi, resulting in greater ERH production, ERH soil exploration and potential for soil nutrient pool exploitation. Although not tested in this study, differences between host plants may be the result of different physiological characteristics of the host plant or differences in AM fungal species that colonize the invader, with different fungal species accessing P from different distances.
The sex ratio of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae.

Inbred lines that differed in the ratio of females to males were selected. These tended to breed true and the trait for a high frequency of daughters was semi-dominant and expressed as a control of arrhenotoky by the mother. A small maternal effect altered the sex ratio of genetically similar females. The variability of the sex ratio in nature would appear to be a genetic polymorphism. Resume LE SEX RATIO CHEZ L'AC ARIEN TETRANYCHUS URTICAE Il a eTE possible, a partir de la descendance de femelles isolees, et par croisement de retour entre frere et sœur, d'isoler deux lignees differant par leur sex ratio: l'une presentant une faible proportion de femelles, l'autre une majoriTE de femelles. Des croisements entre ces deux lignees montrent que le caracTEre «majoriTE de femelles» est semi-dominant, mais les croisements reciproques different a cause d'un petit effet maternel. Un croisement de retour entre des femelles de la generation F1 et des mâles de la lignee presentant une faible proportion de femelles, confirme l'hypothese que le sex-ratio des œufs pondus est determine par quelques loci qui controlent la semi-dominance des caracTEres «haute proportion de femelles». Le caracTEre du sex ratio peut etre transmis soit par le mâle, soit par la femelle, mais l'influence maternelle est plus forte. Les differences observees dans la nature quant au sex ratio et a sa variabiliTE dans les familles d'une population paraissent donc etre dues a un polymorphisme genetique.
Leadership competencies and the importance of research methods and statistical analysis in decision making and research and publication: A study of citation patterns

The roles of academic librarians and administrators include the use of statistical analysis and general analytical abilities in their decision-making processes, as well as in their roles as researchers, in developing research collections, and in providing instruction and reference assistance for students and other researchers. The research presented in this article addresses the original research published in frequently cited library and information science (LIS) journals to consider the extent to which academic librarians and administrators conduct and publish original research and to evaluate the range of research methodologies used and the level of collaboration among academic librarians, LIS faculty members, and others. The research results extend the prior self-report research in this area and indicate that academic librarians, administrators, and LIS faculty are authors of most of the published research in highly ranked journals. The level of collaboration among those in different types of roles is limited, however. In addition, most of the research articles have been authored or coauthored by those in research university libraries.
The core of social choice problems with monotone preferences and a feasibility constraint

We consider collective choice with agents possessing strictly monotone, strictly convex and continuous preferences over a compact and convex constraint set contained in +k . If it is non-empty the core will lie on the efficient boundary of the constraint set and any policy not in the core is beaten by some policy on the efficient boundary. It is possible to translate the collective choice problem on this efficient boundary to another social choice problem on a compact and convex subset of +c (c<k) with strictly convex and continuous preferences. In this setting the dimensionality results in Banks (1995) and Saari (1997) apply to the dimensionality of the boundary of the constraint set (which is lower than the dimensionality of the choice space by at least one). If the constraint set is not convex then the translated lower dimensional problem does not necessarily involve strict convexity of preferences but the dimensionality of the problem is still lower. Broadly, the results show that the homogeneity afforded by strict monotonicity of preferences and a compact constraint set makes generic core emptyness slightly less common. One example of the results is that if preferences are strictly monotone and convex on 2 then choice on a compact and convex constraint exhibits a version of the median voter theorem.
Optimal foreign exchange-rate policy for a small open economy

Abstract This paper examines optimal exchange-rate policy for a small open economy which faces temporary and pemanent, real and nominal disturbances. It demonstrates that exchange-rate stabilization is desirable if most diturbances are nominal. If most disturbances are real, then stabilization should be greater: (1) the greater the fraction of exchange-rate variance accounted for by permanent disturbances; (2) the greater the information available to firms in setting the wage; (3) the greater the fraction of exchange-rate variance attributed to domestic productivity shocks compared with foreign relative price shocks; and (4) the more elastic is labor supply.
Inhibition of cytochrome P-450 activity in rat liver microsomes by the naturally occurring flavonoid, quercetin

Abstract The kinetic characteristics and mechanism of flavonoid inhibition of cytochrome P-450-mediated reactions were examined in rat liver microsomes, using the naturally occurring flavonoid, quercetin (3,3′,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone). Quercetin inhibited the O-deethylation of ethoxyresorufin in β-naphthoflavone-induced microsomes by 15–80% at concentrations of 10–250 n m . The pattern of inhibition was dependent on quercetin concentration. Quercetin also inhibited p-nitroanisole demethylation and benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylation, but did not change the proportions of the individual benzo(a)pyrene metabolites in comparison to controls. Specific steps in the P-450 reaction pathway were tested for sensitivity to quercetin inhibition. The Km values of the P-450 substrates tested were increased in the presence of quercetin; competition for and/or alteration of the substrate binding site contributes to the mechanism of inhibition. In experiments under anaerobic, carbon monoxide-saturated conditions, quercetin did not inhibit cytochrome P-450 reduction by NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. The cumene hydroperoxide-supported O-deethylation of ethoxyresorufin was inhibited by quercetin (15–60% inhibition at concentrations of 50–300 n m ), suggesting that quercetin may interfere with the formation or breakdown of the oxygenated heme complex. Stoichiometry experiments established that quercetin is a potent uncoupler of P-450 reactions, elevating the rates of H2O2 formation almost twofold. Structure/activity studies indicated that certain other naturally occurring flavonoids were at least as potent inhibitors of ethoxyresorufin deethylation as quercetin. These findings are of interest in light of the significant dietary exposure of the human population to the flavonoids.
CT manifestation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as a solitary pulmonary nodule in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

We present a case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that manifested as a solitary pleura-based mass lesion. Its differentiation from an infectious process imposed a diagnostic dilemma. The importance of awareness of such an entity for earlier diagnosis is stressed.
Diversifying the Teaching Force: An Examination of Major Arguments

Over the past two decades, the short supply of teachers of color in elementary and secondary public schools has drawn the attention of policymakers and educators alike. To address the widening cultural chasm between teachers and their students, a variety of initiatives that aim to recruit people of color into teaching have been launched. Little attention has been paid, however, to articulating a research-based rationale for increasing the diversity in the ranks of teachers. This gap in the professional literature renders ongoing teacher diversity efforts vulnerable given the emphasis placed these days on research-based evidence in making decisions regarding the proper use of limited public resources, including funding for education. The purpose of this article is to address the noted gap in the literature. From an extensive review of the literature, we identified three major arguments for diversifying the teaching force and assessed the extent to which they are validated by empirical research. The results are reported, and implications of the findings for research and practice are discussed.
DEXAMETHASONE AND CORTICOSTERONE INDUCE SIMILAR, BUT NOT IDENTICAL, MUSCLE WASTING RESPONSES IN CULTURED L6 AND C2C12 MYOTUBES

Dexamethasone-treated L6 (a rat cell line) and C2C12 (a mouse cell line) myotubes are frequently used as in vitro models of muscle wasting. We compared the effects of different concentrations of dexamethasone and corticosterone (the naturally occurring glucocorticoid in rodents) on protein breakdown rates, myotube size, and atrogin-1 and MuRF1 mRNA levels in the two cell lines. In addition, the expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and its role in glucocorticoid-induced metabolic changes were determined. Treatment with dexamethasone or corticosterone resulted in dose-dependent increases in protein degradation rates in both L6 and C2C12 myotubes accompanied by 25-30% reduction of myotube diameter. The same treatments increased atrogin-1 mRNA levels in L6 and C2C12 myotubes but, surprisingly, upregulated the expression of MuRF1 in L6 myotubes only. Both cell types expressed the GR and treatment with dexamethasone or corticosterone downregulated total cellular GR levels while increasing nuclear translocation of the GR in both L6 and C2C12 myotubes. The GR antagonist RU38486 inhibited the dexamethasone- and corticosterone-induced increases in atrogin-1 and MuRF1 expression in L6 myotubes but not in C2C12 myotubes. Interestingly, RU38486 exerted agonist effects in the C2C12, but not in the L6 myotubes. The present results suggest that muscle wasting-related responses to dexamethasone and corticosterone are similar, but not identical, in L6 and C2C12 myotubes. Most notably, the regulation by glucocorticoids of MuRF1 and the role of the GR may be different in the two cell lines. These differences need to be taken into account when cultured myotubes are used in future studies to further explore mechanisms of muscle wasting.
Retention of Preservative Levels of Phenol in Desiccated Biological Products

Preservative levels of phenol retained by desiccated biological samples ranged from 3 to 73%, with highly proteinaceous samples retaining the most phenol.
A review of the impact of pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (7-valent) on pneumococcal meningitis.

Introduction Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis. Young children, the elderly and those who are immunocompromised or who suffer from chronic diseases have the highest risk of developing pneumococcal meningitis. A 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was licensed in 2000 in the US and in 2001 in Europe.
The effect of various dopants on the dielectric properties of barium strontium titanate

Various acceptor and donor dopants were incorporated into Ba0.60Sr0.40MxTi1−xO3 and their effect on dielectric properties for the material's use as a phase shifting device was studied. The best combination of high ϵ, low tan δ, and largest Δϵ with applied bias ΔV, was found in the Fe-doped material. The addition of 1 mol% Ba or Sr to the Fe-doped material was seen to further improve the properties. Other dopants studied included Mn, Bi, Ga, Y, and Nb.
Decreased S-nitrosation of peptide thiols in the membrane interior

Abstract It has been proposed that autoxidation of nitric oxide ( NO) stimulates S-nitrosation of thiols located in the hydrophobic milieu. We tested whether thiols located in hydrophobic membranes undergo enhanced S-nitrosation in the presence of NO/O2. The transmembrane cysteinyl peptides C4 (AcNH-KKACALA(LA)6KK-CONH2) and C8 (AcNH-KKALALACALA(LA)3KK-CONH2) were incorporated into dilauroylphosphatidylcholine bilayers; their location in the membrane was determined by EPR spin labeling. The peptides, C8 and C4, and glutathione (GSH; 300 μM) were treated with a NO donor, DEA-NONOate, and nitrosothiol formation was determined under various O2 levels. Surprisingly, the more hydrophobic cysteinyl peptide, C8, did not yield any S-nitrosated product compared to GSH in the aqueous phase or C4 peptide in the liposomes in the presence of NO/O2. These data suggest that thiols located deeply in the hydrophobic core of the membrane may be less likely to undergo S-nitrosation in the presence of NO/O2.
2007 Special Issue: Environmentally adaptive acoustic transmission loss prediction in turbulent and nonturbulent atmospheres

An environmentally adaptive system for prediction of acoustic transmission loss (TL) in the atmosphere is developed in this paper. This system uses several back propagation neural network predictors, each corresponding to a specific environmental condition. The outputs of the expert predictors are combined using a fuzzy confidence measure and a nonlinear fusion system. Using this prediction methodology the computational intractability of traditional acoustic model-based approaches is eliminated. The proposed TL prediction system is tested on two synthetic acoustic data sets for a wide range of geometrical, source and environmental conditions including both nonturbulent and turbulent atmospheres. Test results of the system showed root mean square (RMS) errors of 1.84 dB for the nonturbulent and 1.36 dB for the turbulent conditions, respectively, which are acceptable levels for near real-time performance. Additionally, the environmentally adaptive system demonstrated improved TL prediction accuracy at high frequencies and large values of horizontal separation between source and receiver.
Range‐Doppler imaging

We review various narrow-band range-Doppler imaging methods that have been proposed for radar and highlight the difficulties in their implementation and their limitations. We also present two new imaging schemes. The first involves the transmission of multiplexed chirps, and the second involves simple frequency division multiplexing. The second approach seems to yield the most promising range-Doppler imaging methods.
Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) Fuselage Structural Design for Weight Reduction

Structural analysis and design of efficient pressurized fuselage configurations for the advanced Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) flight vehicle is a challenging problem. Unlike a conventional cylindrical pressurized fuselage, stress level in a box type BWB fuselage is an order of magnitude higher, because internal pressure primarily results in bending stress instead of skin-membrane stress. In addition, resulting deformation of aerodynamic surface could significantly affect performance advantages provided by lifting body. The pressurized composite conformal multi-lobe tanks of X-33 type space vehicle also suffered from similar problem. In the earlier BWB design studies, Vaulted Ribbed Shell (VLRS), Flat Ribbed Shell (FRS); Vaulted shell Honeycomb Core (VLHC) and Flat sandwich shell Honeycomb Core (FLHC) concepts were studied. The flat and vaulted ribbed shell concepts were found most efficient. In a recent study, a set of composite sandwich panel and cross-ribbed panel were analyzed. Optimal values of rib and skin thickness, rib spacing, and panel depth were obtained for minimal weight under stress and buckling constraints. In addition, a set of efficient multi-bubble fuselage (MBF) configuration concept was developed. The special geometric configuration of this concept allows for balancing internal cabin pressure load efficiently, through membrane stress in inner-stiffened shell and inter-cabin walls, while the outer-ribbed shell prevents buckling due to external resultant compressive loads. The initial results from these approximate finite element analyses indicate progressively lower maximum stresses and deflections compared to the earlier study. However, a relative comparison of the FEM weight per unit floor area of the segment unit indicates that the unit weights are still relatively higher that the conventional B777 type cylindrical or A380 type elliptic fuselage design. Due to the manufacturing concern associated with multi-bubble fuselage, a Y braced box-type fuselage alternative with special resin-film injected (RFI) stitched carbon composite with foam-core was designed by Boeing under a NASA research contract for the 480 passenger version. It is shown that this configuration can be improved to a modified multi-bubble fuselage which has better stress distribution, for same material and dimension.
Emergency department hospitalization volume and mortality in the United States

Study objective Although numerous studies have demonstrated a relationship between higher volume and improved outcomes in the delivery of health services, it has not been extensively explored in the emergency department (ED) setting. Therefore, we seek to examine the association between ED hospitalization volume and mortality for common high-risk conditions. Methods Using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a national sample of hospital discharges, we evaluated mortality overall and for 8 different diagnoses between 2005 and 2009 (total admissions 17.55 million). These conditions were chosen because they are frequent (in the top 25 of all ED hospitalizations) and high risk (>3% observed mortality). EDs were excluded from analysis if they did not have at least 1,000 total annual admissions and 30 disease-specific cases. EDs were then placed into quintiles based on hospitalized volume. Regression techniques were used to describe the relationship between volume (number of hospitalized ED patients per year) and both subsequent early inpatient mortality (within 2 days of admission) and overall mortality, adjusted for patient and hospital characteristics. Results Mortality decreased as volume increased overall and for all diagnoses, but the relative importance of volume varied, depending on the condition. Absolute differences in adjusted mortality rates between very high-volume EDs and very low-volume EDs ranged from –5.6% for sepsis (95% confidence interval [CI] –6.5% to –4.7%) to –0.2% for pneumonia (95% CI –0.6% to 0.1%). Overall, this difference was –0.4% (95% CI –0.6% to –0.3%). A similar pattern was observed when early hospital deaths were evaluated. Conclusion Patients have a lower likelihood of inhospital death if admitted through high-volume EDs.
T-cell large granular lymphocytic (T-LGL) leukemia: Experience in a single institution over 8 years

T-cell large granular lymphocytic (T-LGL) leukemia is characterized by cytopenia and clonal proliferation of large granular lymphocytes. We identified 26 patients with T-LGL leukemia seen at our institution over a period of 8 years. The majority of the patients were asymptomatic at diagnosis. Nine patients were treated with cyclosporine; one achieved a complete remission, and four had a hematological response. Other treatment modalities included single agent alemtuzumab, alemtuzumab combined with pentostatin, fludarabine, and combination of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide. Significant responses were not seen with any of these treatment regimens. We conclude that cyclosporine therapy may be beneficial for T-LGL leukemia patients. New treatment modalities are needed for these patients.
Molecular change due to biomagnetic stimulation and transient magnetic fields: mechanical interference constraints on possible effects by cell membrane pore creation via magnetic particles

Abstract Possible human health hazards due to biomagnetic stimulation and other transient magnetic fields are assessed theoretically by considering magnetic field pulses that might create metastable cell membrane pores via interaction with membrane-attached magnetic particles. Such pores could lead to molecular changes sufficient to alter biochemical processes by admitting extracellular molecules that ordinarily cannot enter the cytosol, and can generate a molecular influx burst which satisfies a molecular shot noise constraint. Sources of competing molecular changes are considered. Possible pore creation due to normally encountered accelerations is usually insignificant. However, mechanical interference arising from membrane openings by tissue strain in naturally moving tissues is expected to lead to more severe competing molecular changes for most cells; only cells of bone-encased tissues (marrow and brain) remain as candidates. Such mechanical interference is also relevant to any other biophysical mechanism that couples molecular change to electric or magnetic fields by cellular deformation.
How does procedural justice shape the desirability of markets

Past studies of markets show that people oppose the use of markets as allocation procedures when they believe that markets produce distributively unfair or immoral outcomes. This study tests the hypothesis that people also make distinct procedural justice judgments about markets which independently shape their rating of the desirability of using markets. The results indicate that people do make distinct procedural justice judgments and that those judgments are important in shaping their evaluations of market desirability. Further, procedural justice judgments are equally influential in shaping evaluations of market and nonmarket allocation procedures. In contrast to findings linking desirability to issues of distributive fairness or morality, which suggest the desirability of identifying spheres of justice within which markets are acceptable, these findings indicate the importance of designing markets so that they have features that people associate with fair procedures.
Innovations in undergraduate medical education and in graduate medical training

To accompany the wave of curriculum reform in medical education, medical educators from Europe and North America have collaborated in the design and validation of new assessment tools. There is a broader definition of evaluation to encompass process assessment and a more intense focus on structured forms of performance assessment. Emerging technology has been used in the creation of patient simulations; standardized patients ensure greater uniformity of presentation and evaluation. Traditional paper and pencil formats have been revised and adapted to assess reasoning as well as cognitive ability. While most of the new tools have been used in undergraduate medical education, there are an increasing number of reports of their incorporation into postgraduate training and continuing medical education (CME) activities. CME planners can look to these models in developing new, flexible evaluation formats.
Activation and inactivation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase: characterization of Ca2+-dependent [125I]Calmodulin binding

Constitutive isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) are activated by transient binding of Ca(2+)/Calmodulin. Here, we characterize the binding of Calmodulin to purified neuronal NOS (nNOS). [125I]Calmodulin bound to a single class of non-interacting and high affinity sites on nNOS. [125I]Calmodulin binding achieved rapid saturation, was linear with nNOS concentration, and exhibited a strict dependence on [Ca(2+)]. Neither affinity nor extent of [125I]Calmodulin binding was affected by L-arginine, NADPH or Tetrahydrobiopterin. Native Calmodulin and engineered Calmodulin homologs [i.e., duplicated N-terminal (CaMNN)] potently displaced [125I]Calmodulin. CaMNN supported nNOS catalysis, but required approximately five-fold more Ca(2+) for comparable activity with native Calmodulin. Taken with results from kinetic analyses of [125I]Calmodulin association and dissociation, our findings suggest four sequential steps in activation of nNOS by Calmodulin: (1) Ca(2+) binds to Calmodulin's C-lobe, (2) the C-lobe of Calmodulin binds NOS, (3) Ca(2+) binds to the N-lobe of Calmodulin, and (4) the N-lobe binds to nNOS. Activation of nNOS only occurs after completion of step (4), with the displacement of nNOS's autoinhibitory insert. Upon intracellular Ca(2+) sequestration, deactivation of nNOS would proceed in reverse order.
Blind phase noise compensation for SC-FDMA with application to LTE-uplink

We propose an iterative joint detection and phase noise compensation scheme for single-carrier frequency-division-multiple-access systems. Our proposed scheme does not require any pilots in tracking the phase noise and assumes no knowledge about the phase noise model to avoid model mismatch problems. Simulation results show the effectiveness of our proposed scheme in compensating phase noise effects with only few iterations.
Diesel exhaust particulates exacerbate asthma-like inflammation by increasing CXC chemokines.

Particulate matter heavily pollutes the urban atmosphere, and several studies show a link between increased ambient particulate air pollution and exacerbation of pre-existing pulmonary diseases, including asthma. We investigated how diesel exhaust particulates (DEPs) aggravate asthma-like pulmonary inflammation in a mouse model of asthma induced by a house dust extract (HDE) containing cockroach allergens and endotoxin. BALB/c mice were exposed to three pulmonary challenges via hypopharyngeal administration of an HDE collected from the home of an asthmatic child. One hour before each pulmonary challenge, mice were exposed to DEP or PBS. Pulmonary inflammation was assessed by histological features, oxidative stress, respiratory physiological features, inflammatory cell recruitment, and local CXC chemokine production. To prove the role of CXC chemokines in the augmented inflammation, CXC chemokine–specific antibodies were delivered to the lungs before DEP exposure. DEP exacerbated HDE-induced airway inflammation, with increased airway mucus production, oxidative stress, inflammatory cell infiltration, bronchoalveolar lavage concentrations of CXC chemokines, and airway hyperreactivity. Neutralization of airway keratinocyte-derived chemokine and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 significantly improves the respiratory function in addition to decreasing the infiltration of neutrophils and eosinophils. Blocking the chemokines also decreased airway mucus production. These results demonstrate that DEP exacerbates airway inflammation induced by allergen through increased pulmonary expression of the CXC chemokines (keratinocyte-derived chemokine and macrophage inflammatory protein-2).
Three popular myths about language development

Important clinical decisions are based in part on the information parents provide about their children's developmental language history. There are several myths about speech and language development, however, that cause parents to provide inaccurate information. Three of these myths are discussed in this paper: the First Word myth, the 'Older Sibling as Inter preter' myth, and the First Sentence myth. Familiarity with the mis conceptions that underlie these myths should help clinicians notice when parents might be providing inaccurate developmental language informa tion. The ability to recognize an inaccurate parental report should eliminate the diagnostic enigmas associated with these myths and thereby lead to more accurate diagnoses and appropriate intervention decisions.
Characterization of Large Amyloid Fibers and Tapes with Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and Raman Spectroscopy

Amyloids are self-assembled protein structures implicated in a host of neurodegenerative diseases. Organisms can also produce "functional amyloids" to perpetuate life, and these materials serve as models for robust biomaterials. Amyloids are typically studied using fluorescent dyes, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), or Raman spectroscopy analysis of the protein amide I region, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) because the self-assembled β-sheet secondary structure of the amyloid can be easily identified with these techniques. Here, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy analyses are described to characterize amyloid structures beyond just identification of the β-sheet structure. It has been shown that peptide mixtures can self-assemble into nanometer-sized amyloid structures that then continue to self-assemble to the micrometer scale. The resulting structures are flat tapes of low rigidity or cylinders of high rigidity depending on the peptides in the mixture. By monitoring the aggregation of peptides in solution using FT-IR spectroscopy, it is possible to identify specific amino acids implicated in β-sheet formation and higher order self-assembly. It is also possible to predict the final tape or cylinder morphology and gain insight into the structure's physical properties based on observed intermolecular interactions during the self-assembly process. Tapes and cylinders are shown to both have a similar core self-assembled β-sheet structure. Soft tapes also have weak hydrophobic interactions between alanine, isoleucine, leucine, and valine that facilitate self-assembly. Rigid cylinders have similar hydrophobic interactions that facilitate self-assembly and also have extensive hydrogen bonding between glutamines. Raman spectroscopy performed on the dried tapes and fibers shows the persistence of these interactions. The spectroscopic analyses described could be generalized to other self-assembling amyloid systems to explain property and morphological differences.
Observations of deuterated molecules with the large millimeter telescope

Abstract The characteristics of a new, very sensitive radio telescope currently under construction for use in the 1– 4 mm wavelength region, the large millimeter telescope (LMT), are described. The LMT with its planned instrumentation will provide an important new tool for studies of deuterated molecules, giving astronomers powerful probes of the linked chemistry and physics of interstellar molecular clouds and comets.
Rotational transitions in hydrogen gas when both collision partners rotate

Abstract Ultrasonic absorption measurements in hydrogen gas at 77°K show that inelastic collision cross sections depent on the rotational state of both colliding molecules. This observation is analyzed, and new information is obtained on the intermolecular potential.
Chitinase activity during Drosophila development

Abstract Before both larval moults in Drosophila melanogaster , the chitin in the cuticle is digested to a significant degree by the moulting fluid. A spurt of chitinase activity appears just before each ecdysis, drops sharply after the first ecdysis, and begins to rise again just about the time that chitin degradation becomes evident. The level of enzyme activity/mg of soluble protein reached just before the second ecdysis is about twice that reached before the first, and this declines gradually after the ecdysis until puparium formation. Chitinase activity is measured with a viscometric assay on a chitosan substrate. The enzyme activity is stable, with no loosely bound cofactor. Data also exist supporting the presence of more than one enzyme fraction in Drosophila with chitinase activity.
Hydrophobic erythrocyte folate binding proteins are converted to hydrophilic forms by trypsin in vitro.

Human erythrocyte membranes contain high-affinity folate-binding proteins (FBPs) which on solubilization with detergents resolve into apparent 160 000 Mr moieties on Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration in Triton X-100. These FBPs share antigenic and ligand binding characteristics with particulate FBPs from other human tissues. During studies to define the vectorial orientation of these FBPs on the erythrocytes, we trypsinized intact cells with 250 μg trypsin per ml packed cells and quantitatively analysed the remaining cell-associated FBPs as well as the products of proteolysed FBPs in the supernatant. Incubation of intact cells with trypsin resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in their capacity to bind125I-labelled pteroyglutamate (histamine derivative); at 250 μg/ml trypsin, folate binding was decreased by 77% compared to nontrypsin-treated control cells. While trypsinized cells contained proportionately lower quantities of apparent 160 000 Mr FBPs than untreated control cells, the supernatant of trypsinized cells (soluble phase) contained a single species of Mr = 40 000 which retained folate binding capacity. The sum of FBPs in trypsin supernatant and trypsin-treated cells was 87% of that found in untreated cells. Analysis of solubilized particulate erythrocyte FBPs and soluble (trypsin product) FBPs by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation in H2O and 2H2O above the critical micellar concentration of Triton X-100 revealed that apparent 160 000 Mr FBPs were detergent-binding (hydrophobic) species (which sedimented at Mr = 40 000 in H2O) while soluble FBPs (also sedimenting at Mr = 40 000) were hydrophilic and did not bind Triton X-100. These are the first data which show that hydrophobic FBPs can be directly converted to hydrophilic FBPs by a trypsin-mediated proteolytic event. The trypsin-sensitive site is likely to be at the junction between the detergent-binding site and the major body of the protein (Mr = 40 000) containing the folate binding site.