cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using Thermocouple, Thermistor, and Digital Sensors to Characterize the Thermal Wake Below Ascending Weather Balloons

In this paper we present additional results from our on-going research effort to characterize the thermal wake that trails below ascending latex weather balloons on flights into the stratosphere; a wake which interferes with the ability of temperature sensors in payload boxes hanging from the balloon (and hence enveloped by the wake) to correctly measure the ambient temperature of the atmosphere through which the balloon is ascending. A “wake boom” is used to measure temperature variations up to 1.5m horizontally from varying distance directly below the neck of the balloon. Results to date agree with the literature that especially above the tropopause the thermal wake is warmer than the ambient air during daytime ascents, due to solar radiation warming the balloon skin, but colder than ambient air during night-time ascents, due to adiabatic cooling of the gas inside the balloon (which also occurs in the daytime, but is smaller than the daytime warming effect). In particular, we report on thermal wake characterization using (Neulog) thermocouple sensors, as compared to (HOBO) thermistors and (Arduino-logged) DS18B20 digital temperature sensors. We also present additional results from X-shaped 2-dimensional wake booms or “X-Booms” which allow us to compare wake temperatures on the sun side versus the shade side of the balloon, looking for asymmetries in the horizontal temperature profile.
Punishment: Social and Legal Aspects

While punitive sentiments come as close as any human motivations to being universally observed, the major finding from the history of punishment is one of change and variation. The scholarly study of punishment as social and humanistic inquiry has sought to make sense of the major shifts in punishment and society through historical and comparative research drawing on insights and inquiries from five theoretical ‘toolkits.’
Intraocular distribution of 70-kDa dextran after subconjunctival injection in mice.

The right eye of 15 mice received a single subcon-junctival injection of a 1.5- L solution of 0.25% 70-kDa tetra-methylrhodamine-dextran (TMR-D). The distribution of ﬂuores-cent labeling in eye sections was examined by ﬂuorescencemicroscopy at 0.25, 1, 4, 24, or 72 hours after the injection.The brightness and homogeneity of ﬂuorescence in the sclera,choroid, and retina were scored near the injection site, on theside of the globe opposite the injection site, and adjacent to theoptic nerve head. Fluorescence intensity within the sclera andchoroid adjacent to the optic nerve was assessed quantitativelyby imaging densitometry.
Factors Which Influence Sexual Decisions

AbstractThis study reports on the development of a questionnaire for determining factors which influence sexual decisions. Based on the six stage model of sexual decision-making, six non-parallel factors emerged which account for 48.55% of the total variation. These factors can be used as subscales in determining profiles for specific individuals or groups. The procedure used in shortening the original scale to a more useful instrument was described. High reliability, content and construct validity are reported. Concurrent and predictive validity will necessitate more experienced subjects and/or longitudinal study. It is concluded that significant research could be stimulated utilizing this questionnaire.
Field Utilization of the Cleveland Clinic Concussion iPad Assessment Tool (P5.317)

OBJECTIVES: This project aimed to to determine the feasibility and clinical utility of using the Cleveland Clinic Concussion (C3) iPad Application as a concussion management tool for Certified Athletic Trainers and physicians within the Cleveland Clinic. BACKGROUND: A fundamental gap in the assessment and management of concussion has been the lack of a comprehensive, objective and quantitative assessment of the multiple symptoms, cognitive dysfunction, postural instability and dynamic visual acuity, associated with concussion. The C3 App uses the built in sensors and touch screen of the iPad to quantify aspects of cognitive function (information processing, attention, working memory); postural stability through sampling of the accelerometer and gyroscope native to the iPad; and dynamic visual acuity through presentation of letters with the simultaneous cuing of head movements. DESIGN/METHODS: 4,921 high school and college athletes (14-24 year; 3834 male, 1087 female) participating in contact sports completed preseason baseline testing. Each baseline required 15 minutes. In athletes sustaining a concussion, post-injury assessments were completed. RESULTS: At Baseline, Symptom severity was 2.0; simple and choice reaction time were 286 and 445 ms respectively. The Trails A and B times were 31.4 and 57.8 seconds respectively while processing speed test performance was 56.2 correct responses, total BESS errors were 13 while dynamic visual acuity was 20.4 out of 25. Post-concussion data from approximately 450 athletes indicate significant differences in domain of function compromised, however, there general declines in processing and balance were present. CONCLUSIONS: The App provided baseline data on cognitive and motor function that are similar to normative data for this population. This approach is feasible and clinically useful as it standardizes the assessment and management of athletes across multiple schools. The multi-dimensional assessment of concussed athletes using this system aids in continuity of care across a large healthcare system. Disclosure: Dr. Alberts has received personal compensation for activities with Boston Scientific Corporation. Dr. Hirsch has nothing to disclose. Dr. Linder has received research support from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Schindler has nothing to disclose.
Light-scattering sensor for real-time identification of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio cholerae colonies on solid agar plate.

The three most common pathogenic species of Vibrio, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus, are of major concerns due to increased incidence of water- and seafood-related outbreaks and illness worldwide. Current methods are lengthy and require biochemical and molecular confirmation. A novel label-free forward light-scattering sensor was developed to detect and identify colonies of these three pathogens in real time in the presence of other vibrios in food or water samples. Vibrio colonies grown on agar plates were illuminated by a 635 nm laser beam and scatter-image signatures were acquired using a CCD (charge-coupled device) camera in an automated BARDOT (BActerial Rapid Detection using Optical light-scattering Technology) system. Although a limited number of Vibrio species was tested, each produced a unique light-scattering signature that is consistent from colony to colony. Subsequently a pattern recognition system analysing the collected light-scatter information provided classification in 1-2 min with an accuracy of 99%. The light-scattering signatures were unaffected by subjecting the bacteria to physiological stressors: osmotic imbalance, acid, heat and recovery from a viable but non-culturable state. Furthermore, employing a standard sample enrichment in alkaline peptone water for 6 h followed by plating on selective thiosulphate citrate bile salts sucrose agar at 30°C for ∼ 12 h, the light-scattering sensor successfully detected V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus present in oyster or water samples in 18 h even in the presence of other vibrios or other bacteria, indicating the suitability of the sensor as a powerful screening tool for pathogens on agar plates.
Integrative approaches to determining Csl function

While there is an ever-increasing amount of information regarding cellulose synthase catalytic subunits (CesA) and their role in the formation of the cell wall, the remainder of the enzymes that synthesize structural cell wall polysaccharides are unknown. The completion of the Arabidopsis genome and the wealth of the sequence information from other plant genome projects provide a rich resource for determining the identity of these enzymes. Arabidopsis contains six families of genes related to cellulose synthase, the cellulose synthase-like (CsI) genes. Our laboratory is taking a multidisciplinary approach to determine the function of the CsI genes, incorporating genomic, genetic and biochemical data. Information from expressed sequence tag (EST) projects has revealed the presence of CsI genes in all plant species with a significant number of ESTs. Certain CsI families appear to be missing from some species. For example, no examples of CsIG ESTs have been found in rice or maize. Microarray data and reporter constructs are being used to determine the expression pattern of the CesA and CsI genes in Arabidopsis. Mutations and insertion events have been identified in a majority of the genes in the Arabidopsis CesA superfamily and are being characterized by phenotypic and biochemical analysis. While we cannot yet link the function of any of the CsI genes to their respective products, the expression and localization of these genes is consistent with the expected expression pattern of polysaccharide synthases that contribute to the primary cell wall.
Overview of Fat and Calories in Tumorigenesis

The promoting effect of dietary fat in experimental carcinogenesis was first shown by Watson and Mellanby in 1930 (1). They found that raising the usual 3% fat content of their diet to 12.5–25.0% by addition of butter increased the incidence of skin tumors in coal tar-treated mice by 68%. Several years later Baumann et al. (2) demonstrated that increasing dietary fat (Crisco) from 5 to 25% increased the incidence of skin tumors initiated in mice by ultraviolet irradiation or benzo (a) pyrene (BP) painting. In order to ascertain which fraction of fat was responsible for the increase in tumor formation Lavik and Baumann (3) treated mice topically with methylcholanthrene (MC) and fed 15% hydrogenated vegetable oil, 15% ethyl laurate, 5% glycerol or the unsaponifiable matter obtained from vegetable oil. After 4.5 months tumor yields were 60%, 63%, 47% and 35%, respectively. In the same system heated fat was considerably more tumorigenic (70% incidence at 6 months) then oxidized fat (38%) or irradeated fat (40%). The intact fat (hydrogenated vegetable oil) led to 31% incidence of skin tumors. Their work led Miller et al. (4) to compare the effects of different fats on the carcinogenicity of p-dimethylaminobenzene (DAB) using diets containing 5% fat they compared the effects of corn oil (CO), coconut oil (CNO), hydrogenated coconut oil (HCNO), trilaurin, CO-HCNO 4:1 and CO-HCNO 1:4. The greatest incidence of hepatomas was seen in rats fed CO or CO-HCNO 4:1. A later study (5) compared the effects on DAB-induced hepatomas of 5% corn or olive oil and 20% corn oil, Crisco or lard. Incidence of induced hepatomas at 4 months was: 5% corn oil, 73%; 5% olive oil, 13%; 20% corn oil, 100%; 20% Crisco, 47%; and 20% lard, 60%.
Planetary science. Climate change on Venus.

Earth's climate has changed significantly over the past several million years. New theoretical work suggests that the climate of our nearest neighbour, Venus, may have also changed on similar timescales.
Plasma Observations in the Magnetotail

Through the analysis of data returned from the three Rice Suprathermal Ion Detectors we have obtained information on the particle regimes present in the geomagnetic tail at lunar distances. We are able to distinguish the existence of two distinct particle populations and to quantify many of their spatial and plasma characteristics.
Differential expression of ACAT1 and ACAT2 among cells within liver, intestine, kidney, and adrenal of nonhuman primates

Two closely related enzymes with more than 50% sequence identity have been identified that catalyze the esterification of cholesterol using acyl-CoA substrates, namely acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) and ACAT2. Both are membrane-spanning proteins believed to reside in the endoplasmic reticulum of cells. ACAT2 has been hypothesized to be associated with lipoprotein particle secretion whereas ACAT1 is ubiquitous and may serve a more general role in cellular cholesterol homeostasis. We have prepared and affinity purified rabbit polyclonal antibodies unique to either ACAT enzyme to identify their cellular localization in liver and intestine, the two main lipoprotein-secreting tissues of the body, and for comparison, kidney and adrenal. In the liver, ACAT2 was identified in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of essentially all hepatocytes whereas ACAT1 was confined to cells lining the intercellular spaces among hepatocytes in a pattern typical of Kupffer cells. In the intestine, ACAT2 signal was strongly present in the apical third of the mucosal cells, whereas ACAT1 staining was diffuse throughout the mucosal cell, but with strong signal in goblet cells, Paneth cells, and villus macrophages. In the kidney, ACAT1 immunostaining was specific for the distal tubules and podocytes within the glomerulus. In the adrenal, ACAT1 signal was strongly present in the cells of the cortex, and absent from other adrenal cell types. No ACAT2 signal was identified in the kidney or adrenal. We conclude that only the cells of the liver and intestine that secrete apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins contain ACAT2, whereas ACAT1 is present in numerous other cell types. The data clearly suggest separate functions for these two closely related enzymes, with ACAT2 being most closely associated with plasma cholesterol levels.
Emotional symptomatology in obese patients treated with fenfluramine and dextroamphetamine

Emotional sympomatology data on 78 obese females treated for 3 weeks with fenfluramine, dextroamphetamine, or placebo were evaluated. These obese females were shown to be considerably less emotionally disturbed than neurotic females, and similar in emotional symptomatology to other females seeing physicians for nonpsychiatric complaints. Even within these marginally sympatomatic patients, fenfluramine and dextroamphetamine were significantly more effective than placebo in reducing anxious, depressive, and anxious-depressive symptomatology. Fenfluramine was particularly effective in alleviating anxiety in patients who were initially higher in anxiety. Most important, fenfluramine produced significantly greater weight loss than dextroamphetamine in patients with higher levels of anxiety and depression, while dextroamphetamine was an especially effective anorexic in low anxious patients. Differences in initial anxiety and depression, even within relatively normal patients, may well affect results obtained with fenfluramine and dextroamphetamine in the short-term treatment of obesity.
Discrete sine-Gordon equations

Various discretizations of the sine-Gordon equation are studied. Hirota's discretization scheme is extended and two alternative discretization schemes are constructed. The associated soliton solutions, B\"acklund transformations, conservation laws, and the inverse scattering equations are obtained.
Resistivity of nearly ferromagnetic amorphous alloys

Abstract An approximate calculation of the electrical resistivity for nearly ferromagnetic amorphous alloys due to electron-magnon interaction gives a ln T term. When combined with the unanomalous T 2 term, the present result gives a resistivity minimum if J sd is negative.
Gender and Age Differences in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Among Buffalo Police Officers

Because of the stressful nature of police work, officers may be at increased risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. The Impact of Event Scale (IES) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression (CES-D) survey were administered to 100 officers. Mean IES and CES-D scores and prevalence of PTSD and depression were compared across gender and age. Female officers had higher mean IES and CES-D scores than male officers. Mean CES-D scores tended to increase with age, whereas mean IES scores varied little across age. Prevalence of depression was greater among women (22.0%) than men (12.1%), yet differences were less evident for PTSD (36.6% women, 34.5% men). Depression and PTSD tended to increase with age and were not explained by gender, marital status, or education.
Knowledge-based approach to improving detailing plan in multiple product situations using PDE weights

Any pharmaceutical company relying heavily on its sales force to detail multiple products knows the importance of optimizing a short time window to detail its products to physicians effectively, in the right sequence. With the trend toward decreasing detailing time that is now averaging less than a minute, the optimization of this period is critical to success, especially in today's challenging selling environment. This paper develops a knowledge-based approach that integrates domain experts' knowledge of the definition of promotional responsiveness with a hybrid model of neural networks and a nonlinear program to accurately determine the physician detail equivalent (PDE) weights that reflect the weighted sequence of detail and portfolio size while identifying the physicians who are responsive to details. The output from this approach drives physician detailing planning, as well as planning for market share of detailing volume, which is known as share of voice (SOV) planning. Results based on six months of implementation indicate that the knowledge-based approach performs significantly better than the traditional approach by more than 12% in profit.
The impact of urea on viscosity of hydroxethyl cellulose and observed mobility of deoxyribonucleic acids.

The influence of urea on the viscosity of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), and the state and separation of double-stranded DNA, was studied by viscometry, fluorometry, and capillary electrophoresis. The results show that double logarithm plots of specific viscosity against the volume fraction of HEC in very dilute polymer solutions are linear, the slopes of which decrease from 0.96 in 0M to 0.29 in 7M urea. The linear regression plots converge at 0.0029 g/mL, the entanglement threshold of HEC. The inclusion of urea in HEC solution thus provides an accurate method of determining its entanglement threshold from such plots. Above the entanglement threshold of HEC, urea has no effect on the specific viscosity of HEC. Results also show that urea has no effect on double-stranded DNA. No change in fluorescence was observed when increasing amounts of urea were added to a fixed concentration of DNA. To examine the influence of urea on the migration of DNA in HEC, the separation of DNA was carried out by polymer-solution capillary electrophoresis in HEC solutions containing 0 or 7M urea using unmodified capillary. Observed mobilities were used in data reduction. It was found that a parallel relationship exists between the observed mobilities and the true mobilities. In buffers containing no urea, the pseudo-free solution mobility appears to be independent of the DNA size. It was also observed to be independent of the electric field below 300 V/cm, but relates exponentially to it in 7M urea. The pseudo-retardation constants obtained by Ferguson-like plots were observed to be positive for smaller DNA molecules below 300 V/cm and increasing linearly with electric field in 0M urea, but nearly constant in 7M urea.
Diagnosis and treatment of pediatric vallecular cysts and pseudocysts.

Abstract Objective To review the experience at a children's hospital diagnosing and treating vallecular cysts. Secondary objectives To determine if cyst type, operative mode, or ages are risk factor(s) for recurrence. Methods Chart review of eleven children with vallecular cysts and pseudocysts from 1997 to 2009. Results The most common presenting symptoms were stridor (8/12, 67%), respiratory distress (7/12, 58%), and feeding difficulties (4/12, 33%). Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease were present in 67% of patients and 17% carried a concurrent diagnosis of laryngomalacia. Eleven of twelve patients required operative intervention, the majority of which were transoral endoscopic procedures. Three patients (3/11, 27%) had recurrences. Two of these patients required only a second procedure, but one patient required multiple procedures. Fifty percent (2/4) of the patients 2 years or older experienced a recurrence, whereas only 14% (1/7) of the patients less than 2 years old had a recurrence, a difference which was not statistically significant (p = 0.49). Pseudocysts tended to recur more frequently than vallecular cysts. (p = 0.13). Surgical approach (marsupialization versus total excision) did not affect recurrence rate. One patient with a small, asymptomatic cyst was observed and continues to be symptom-free. There were no surgical complications. Conclusions Vallecular cysts and pseudocysts are rare congenital lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract. Vallecular pseudocysts tended to recur more than vallecular cysts in our series. Surgery is the treatment of choice for symptomatic patients; smaller cysts may be followed closely.
Climatological Characteristics of Arctic and Antarctic Surface-Based Inversions*

AbstractSurface-based inversions (SBIs) are frequent features of the Arctic and Antarctic atmospheric boundary layer. They influence vertical mixing of energy, moisture and pollutants, cloud formation, and surface ozone destruction. Their climatic variability is related to that of sea ice and planetary albedo, important factors in climate feedback mechanisms. However, climatological polar SBI properties have not been fully characterized nor have climate model simulations of SBIs been compared comprehensively to observations. Using 20 years of twice-daily observations from 39 Arctic and 6 Antarctic radiosonde stations, this study examines the spatial and temporal variability of three SBI characteristic—frequency of occurrence, depth (from the surface to the inversion top), and intensity (temperature difference over the SBI depth)—and relationships among them. In both polar regions, SBIs are more frequent, deeper, and stronger in winter and autumn than in summer and spring. In the Arctic, these tendencies i...
RESULTS OF A BUCCAL SMEAR SURVEY IN NONINSTITUTIONALIZED ADULT MALES.

Two chromatin-positive males were found in a buccal smear survey of 977 noninstitutionalized adult males. One presented with typical features of Klinefelter's syndrome. The other chromatin-positive male presented with a normal-sized left testis and an atrophic right testis. The latter finding was presumably due to mumps orchitis at age 30. Tissue culture studies of his skin, peripheral blood and testis revealed a sex chromosomal configuration of XY/XXY, XY and XY/XXY, respectively.
Retail diversification in the USA: Are there performance benefits?

Abstract More research has been called for to explore the relative benefits of retail diversification. The current paper isolates two groups of US retailers: firms that became less diversified during a five-year period, and firms that maintained a level of diversification during the same five years. Using improved methodologies, analysis shows that most firms benefit from a strategy of less diversification, while (concurrently and counter-intuitively) many firms that stayed diversified outperformed industry average operating profits-to-sales ratios.
Rationale for using pathologic tumor dimensions and nodal status to subclassify surgically treated stage IB cervical cancer patients.

Abstract Between 1969 and 1988, 401 patients were treated by radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for Stage IB cervical carcinoma at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In multivariate analysis, pathological tumor diameter ( P P = 0.0005) proved to be the dominant two histopathologic features that significantly correlated with overall survival. Although 5-year survival for the overall group was 85%, 5-year survival in patients with lesions >3.0 cm in diameter and with regional nodal metastasis was less than 30%. This discrepancy in survival in surgically treated early-stage cervical cancer patients supports a need for subcategorization by risk factors such as pathologic tumor dimensions and nodal status and for further investigation of alternative neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies in those early-stage cervical cancer patients deemed at high risk for poor overall survival.
Soy Fiber Delays Disease Onset and Prolongs Survival in Experimental Clostridium difficile Ileocecitis

Clostridium difficile colitis is a disabling complication in critically ill patients who commonly receive broad-spectrum antibiotics and liquid diets. To date, there is no experimental model specifically designed to investigate the effects of liquid diets on this type of colitis. The addition of fiber to liquid diets normalizes gut structure and improves absorptive function in selected conditions of intestinal dysfunction. The purposes of this study were the following: (1) to develop a reproducible model to examine the interaction of acute C difficile-induced colitis and liquid diets, (2) to determine whether the addition of soy fiber to a liquid diet improves disease, and (3) to investigate possible mechanisms of fiber-mediated disease improvement. Syrian hamsters were pair-fed with either a polymeric liquid diet or the same diet with 1.4% soy fiber for 10 days. Animals were given either clindamycin and C difficile (to produce ileocecitis), or equivalent volumes of saline. Mean survival time and systematic stool examinations for C difficile toxin positivity, liquidity, and percent water were performed to determine the effect of soy fiber on disease. Survival time was prolonged by 34% (p < .05), and C difficile toxin positivity and stool liquidity were significantly reduced (p < .05) with fiber. Additional animals were studied to determine possible mechanisms for improved survival in fiber-supplemented animals. Cecal histology, colonic water absorption, cecal microflora, and gastric to anus transit time were measured in these animals. Colonic water absorption and gastric to anus transit time were significantly increased (p < .05) and decreased (p < .05) with fiber, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Human mdm2 Mediates Multiple Mono-ubiquitination of p53 by a Mechanism Requiring Enzyme Isomerization *

The mdm2 gene product is an important regulator of p53 function and stability. mdm2 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase for p53 and the RING finger domain of mdm2 is critical for ligase activity. Ubiquitin (Ub) conjugation is a general targeting modification and poly-ubiquitin chains specifically target proteins to the proteasome for degradation. In this report, we show that the multistep cascade of mdm2-mediated p53 ubiquitination can be reduced to three purified recombinant proteins: ubiquitin-conjugated E2, mdm2, and p53. This simplification allows enzymatic analysis of the isolated ligase reaction. The simplified reaction recapitulates the ubiquitination of p53 observed with individual components and the p53-Ub((n)) is qualitatively similar to p53-Ub((n)) detected in lactacystin-treated cells. Surprisingly, we find that p53 is modified with multiple mono-ubiquitin moieties as opposed to a poly-ubiquitin chain. Finally, kinetic analysis indicates the transfer reaction proceeds either through a modified Ping Pong mechanism involving requisite enzyme isomerization steps, or through a Rapid Equilibrium Random Bi Bi mechanism involving very large anti-cooperative interactions between the two substrate binding pockets on the enzyme, mediated through allosteric changes in enzyme structure.
Characterization versus Narration: Drama's Role in Multimedia Instructional Software

As part of an ongoing research program, the authors investigated the use of single-voiced narration and multi-voiced characterizations/monologues in a formative evaluation study of an instructional lesson on information processing. That lesson employed a design based on the use of contentrelated metaphors and a metaphorical graphical user interface. The results suggest that single-voiced narration is at least as effective as multi-voiced characterizations/monologues, and may in some ways be superior. Analysis of the findings is linked to Laurel’s dramatic model with proposed enhancements to the lesson’s design to increase its conformance to that model.
Catching up with the Americans

Abstract This paper develops an international version of the consumption-based capital asset pricing (CCAPM), which we refer to as “catching up with the Americans.” Previous CCAPM research develops the concept of “catching up with the Joneses,” where a representative economic agent exhibits higher marginal utility of consumption as a result of higher past per capita consumption in his own country. Catching up with the Americans, on the other hand, is an international habit-preference hypothesis. It extends the idea of catching up with the Joneses by stating that consumers of non-U.S. countries gain higher marginal utility of consumption as a result of higher past American consumption growth. Contrary to much of the CCAPM literature, we test this version of the model using long bond rates rather than equity returns. However, like most of the previous research on the CCAPM, the catching up with the Americans model fails to explain the relationship between consumption and asset returns.
Seeking life balance: the perceptions of health of Cambodian women in resettlement.

This grounded theory study in California, United States was an inquiry into the perceptions of health of Cambodian women in resettlement. The sequelae of significant life trauma on the health of wo...
Developmental Changes in Laryngeal and Respiratory Function With Variations in Sound Pressure Level

The development of the speech production system was investigated using a cross-sectional design that included children aged 4-14 years and adults. Given that the size and internal structure of the laryngeal and respiratory systems differ between children and adults, it was predicted that children would show functional distinctions from adults during speech. Aerodynamic, acoustic, and respiratory kinematic techniques were used to assess laryngeal and respiratory function while participants varied their sound pressure level. In general, the aerodynamic and acoustic results show that men and 14-year-old boys function differently than women and all other groups of children. For the respiratory function data, children's values are similar to adults' by the time they are 12-14 years of age. These changes correspond closely to developmental laryngeal and respiratory anatomic data. All participants used a combination of laryngeal and respiratory mechanisms to increase sound pressure level, but the combination of mechanisms differed across age groups. These data emphasize that the laryngeal and respiratory behavior of children is not easily predicted from an adult model.
RTVP-1, A NOVEL HUMAN GENE WITH SEQUENCE SIMILARITY TO GENES OF DIVERSE SPECIES, IS EXPRESSED IN TUMOR CELL LINES OF GLIAL BUT NOT NEURONAL ORIGIN

A novel gene, RTVP-1, which shows significant sequence identity to the mammalian testis-specific proteins, a family of plant pathogenesis-related proteins and the vespid venom allergen, antigen-5, has been isolated from a cDNA library of the human glioblastoma brain tumor cell line, U-251 MG. The highest degree of sequence identity was with the human testis-specific protein, TPX1 (38.7% over 119 amino acids). Northern hybridization analysis revealed that in fetal tissue RTVP-1 RNA was detected only in the kidney, but its expression was ubiquitous in adult tissues including brain. Multiple mRNAs encoded by RTVP-1 were highly expressed in a panel of cell lines from nervous system tumors arising from glia, although expression was low or absent in nonglial-derived nervous system tumor cell lines.
The Price of Peace: A Predictive Model of UN Peacekeeping Fiscal Costs

This study devised a predictive model of peacekeeping fiscal costs based on an analysis of all United Nations peacekeeping operations since 1945. Our results indicate that the costs of a peacekeeping operation were significantly influenced by the length of that mission and the size of the force deployed. Beyond these factors, the historical development from observer to second generation missions has produced more costly operation.
Experimental studies on hydrogenation of anthraquinone derivative in a microreactor

Abstract Microreactors provide a novel means for chemical synthesis in a highly controlled way to obtain better yield and selectivity. In the present work hydrogenation of ethylanthraquinone, which is the first step in the commercial production of hydrogen peroxide by Reidl–Pfleiderer process, is carried out in a microreactor packed with supported palladium catalyst. The effects of reaction temperature, hydrogen to liquid reactant flow rate ratio, reactor pressure, ethylanthraquinone concentration and fluid velocity on conversion and reactor space-time yield were studied. The performance data obtained from this microreactor study were compared with the data from conventional reactors reported in the literature. The data show that the reactor space-time yield is much higher in the microreactor than in conventional reactors.
Hot-Carrier Thermalization in Amorphous Silicon

Thermalization of photoinduced carriers in $a$-Si and $a$-Si: H was studied with use of subpicosecond-pump and probe techniques with parallel and perpendicular polarizations. The underlying process was identified as hot-carrier absorption whose cross section increases with the carrier excess energy. The energy dissipation rate in $a$-Si is \ensuremath{\simeq}0.5 eV/ps ($\ensuremath{\simeq}\ensuremath{\hbar}{{\ensuremath{\nu}}^{2}}_{\mathrm{phonon}}$) and is less than 0.1 eV/ps in $a$-Si: H; Fr\"ohlich interaction with polar phonons can explain this smaller rate. A photoinduced dichroism associated with polarization memory was observed.
The effect of feedback regarding coping strategies and illness behavior on hand surgery patient satisfaction and communication: a randomized controlled trial.

Background Patients and surgeons can feel uncomfortable discussing coping strategies, psychological distress, and stressful circumstances. It has been suggested that patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) facilitate the discussion of factors associated with increased symptoms and disability. This study assessed the effect of providing feedback to patients regarding their coping strategy and illness behavior on patient satisfaction and patient-physician communication in orthopedic surgery.
Outcomes of systemic to pulmonary artery shunts in patients weighing less than 3 kg: Analysis of shunt type, size, and surgical approach

Objective To evaluate outcomes of systemic to pulmonary artery shunts (SPS) in patients weighing less than 3 kg with regard to shunt type, shunt size, and surgical approach. Methods Patients weighing less than 3 kg who underwent modified Blalock-Taussig or central shunts with polytetrafluoroethylene grafts at our institution from January 1, 2000, to May 31, 2011, were reviewed. Patients who had undergone other major concomitant procedures were excluded from the analysis. Primary outcomes included mortality (discharge mortality and mortality before next planned palliative procedure or definitive repair), cardiac arrest and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and shunt reintervention. Results In this cohort of 80 patients, discharge survival was 96% (77/80). Postoperative cardiac arrest or ECMO occurred in 6/80 (7.5%), and shunt reintervention was required in 14/80 (17%). On univariate analysis, shunt reintervention was more common in patients with 3-mm shunts (11/30, 37%) compared with 3.5-mm (2/36, 6%) or 4-mm shunts (1/14, 7%) ( P P = .019) and extracardiac anomaly ( P = .047) were associated with shunt reintervention, whereas no variable was associated with cardiac arrest/ECMO or mortality. Conclusions In this high-risk group of neonates weighing less than 3 kg at the time of SPS, survival to discharge and the next planned surgical procedure was high. Outcomes were good with the 3.5- and 4-mm shunts; however, shunt reintervention was common with 3-mm shunts.
JTE-607, a novel inflammatory cytokine synthesis inhibitor without immunosuppression, protects from endotoxin shock in mice.

Objective and Design: We investigated the effect of a novel N-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine derivative compound (JTE-607) on production of various cytokines and other immune responses in vitro and on endotoxin shock in vivo.¶Materials and Methods: Human, monkey, rabbit, mouse and rat peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and human fibroblasts, umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), mesangial cells and T cells were used in vitro. Endotoxin shock was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Corynebacterium parvum (C. parvum) sensitized male C57BL/6 mice in vivo.¶Results: JTE-607 inhibited inflammatory cytokine production, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10, from LPS-stimulated human PBMCs, with IC50 values of 11, 5.9, 8.8, 7.3 and 9.1 nM, respectively. The inhibitory effects of JTE-607 were also seen in mRNA expression of those cytokines. The potency of JTE-607 on cytokine production from PBMCs of other species, and from other human cells were much lower than that on human PBMCs. JTE-607 did not affect either LPS-stimulated microbead phagocytosis or reactive oxygen species production at 1 μM in human PBMCs but slightly suppressed expression of major histocompatibility complex class II antigen at 1 μM, although it was 100-fold less active than it was as a cytokine inhibitor. JTE-607 (0.3-10 mg/kg, i.v.) showed dose dependent inhibition of mortality after LPS challenge in C. parvum sensitized mice in accordance with a decrease of plasma TNF-α.¶Conclusions: These results suggest that JTE-607 is a multiple cytokine inhibitor specific for human PBMCs. This compound may be useful for the treatment of various cytokine mediated diseases such as septic shock without causing immunosuppression.
Antimycobacterial Activity of Some Quinolyl Aryl Sulfides, Sulfones, and Ethers, In Vitro

A series of 61 compounds of six different categories (nitrosulfides, nitrosulfones, aminosulfides, aminosulfones, nitroethers, and aminoethers), all heterocyclic analogues of diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DADS), were synthesized by replacing one of the benzene rings of DADS by a 5-nitro-quinoline ring and the other benzene ring by various heterocyclic nuclei. Among these compounds, 51 were found to inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis at a concentration of 40 μg or less per ml; 8 compounds were effective at a concentration of 1 μg/ml and 9 were effective at a concentration of 0.1 μg/ml. 5-Amino-8-quinolyl-2,4-dichlorophenyl sulfide was found to be 20 times more effective than isonicotinic acid hydrazide and 80 times more effective than streptomycin.
Effect of variations to a simulated system of straw phonation therapy on aerodynamic parameters using excised canine larynges.

Summary Objectives/Hypothesis Resonance tubes are commonly used in voice therapy. These devices modify supraglottal impedance, potentially decreasing the aerodynamic power necessary for phonation. We modeled phonation with resonance tubes in excised larynges and evaluated the effects of varying tube width, tube length, and flow input on phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and phonation threshold flow (PTF). We hypothesized that the increased vocal economy observed in human subjects and several other models would be observed in excised larynges. Study Design Repeated measures excised canine larynx bench experiment with each larynx serving as own control. Methods Nine conditions were evaluated, namely control, two tube diameters (17.5 and 6.5 mm), three tube lengths (7.8, 15.0, and 30.0 cm), and three levels of flow input (80, 114, and 200 mL/s). Aerodynamic data were collected for 11 excised canine larynges attached to an artificial vocal tract, and results from each experimental configuration were compared with control. Results A significant decrease in average PTP occurred compared with control for the 114- and 200-mL/s flow inputs, 30-cm extension, and 17.5- and 6.5-mm constrictions. Average PTF decreased compared with control for every configuration, although statistically significant changes were only observed for 200-mL/s flow and 6.5-mm constriction. Conclusions Knowledge regarding the effect of vocal tract alterations could be clinically useful in determining the optimal “straw” configuration for voice therapy. Further exploration of the relationships among width, length, and flow input could provide theoretical support for the development of new therapies and resonance tube devices.
Cdc25M2 activation of cyclin-dependent kinases by dephosphorylation of threonine-14 and tyrosine-15.

Abstract Recent evidence has suggested that human cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) is an essential regulator of cell cycle progression through S phase. CDK2 is known to complex with at least two distinct human cyclins, E and A. The kinase activity of these complexes peaks in G1 and S phase, respectively. The vertebrate CDC2/cyclin B1 complex is an essential regulator of the onset of mitosis and is inhibited by phosphorylation of CDC2 on Thr-14 and Tyr-15. In vitro, CDC2/cyclin B1 is activated by treatment with the members of the Cdc25 family of phosphatases. We found that, like CDC2, CDK2 is also phosphorylated on Thr-14 and Tyr-15 and that treatment of cyclin A or cyclin E immunoprecipitates with bacterially expressed Cdc25M2 (the mouse homolog of human CDC25B) increased the histone H1 kinase activity of these immune complexes 5- to 10-fold. Tryptic peptide mapping demonstrated that Cdc25M2 treatment of cyclin A or cyclin B1 immune complexes resulted in the specific dephosphorylation of Thr-14 and Tyr-15 on CDK2 or CDC2, respectively. Thus, we have confirmed that Cdc25 family members comprise a class of dual-specificity phosphatases. Furthermore, our data suggest that the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of CDKs on Thr-14 and Tyr-15 may regulate not only the G2/M transition but also other transitions in the cell cycle and that individual cdc25 family members may regulate distinct cell cycle checkpoints.
Tunable Diode Laser Quantification of Isomeric Partially Deuterated Cyclobutanes and Ethenes

A specially designed tunable diode laser (TDL) absorption spectrometer which operates near 900 and 1300 cm−1 has been constructed in order to identify and measure very low concentrations of product gases extracted from a single-pulse shock-tube experiment. The ultra-high-frequency resolution of the TDL spectrometer (5 to 10 MHz) shows the rotational fine structure in an absorption spectrum, clearly distinguishing between isomers of the same compound. The spectrometer features dual-beam detection in order to simultaneously acquire source and reference gas spectra for unambiguous labeling of the product gases, and rapid sweep averaging, which minimizes the effects of low-frequency mechanical vibrations and achieves very high signal-to-noise ratio. Cis and trans isomers of 1,2-d2-cyclobutane were detected and measured in quantities of shock-tube products as small as 75 cm3-Torr. Several conformations of deuterated ethenes were also detected in samples smaller than 1 cm3-Torr.
Development of techniques for welding V-Cr-Ti alloys

Welding vanadium alloys is complicated by interstitial impurity introduction and redistribution at elevated temperatures. Gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding, which will probably be required for the fabrication of large tokamak structures, must be done in a glove box environment. Welds were evaluated by Charpy testing. GTA welds could be made with a ductile to brittle transition temperature (DBTT) of 50°C with a post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) or by using a heated Ti getter system on the glove box to reduce interstitial contamination. Titanium-O,N,C precipitates in the fusion zone were found to transform to a more oxygen-rich phase during a PWHT of 950°C/2 h. Hydrogen was found to promote cleavage cracking following welding in cases where the atmosphere was contaminated. Grain size and microstructure also affected weld embrittlement.
Chirosorb as an invisible medium

Using electromagnetic chirality, we propose a novel material, Chirosorb™, which is invisible to incident electromagnetic energy by virtue of its zero reflectance. To achieve zero reflectivity, certain conditions on constitutive parameters must be met that are difficult to obtain for conventional radarabsorbing materials. Chirosorb™ has the potential to overcome this difficulty.
Interpretation of High-temperature creep of SiC by deformation mapping techniques

Abstract Deformation mapping indicates that polycrystalline silicon carbide undergoes Coble grain-boundary diffusion creep over the range 1573 – 1673 K and at stress levels from 34.47 to 86.19 MPa (5 000 – 12 500 psi). The creep activation energy and diffusion constant suggest that silicon grain-boundary diffusion, rather than the previously reported carbon diffusion, may be rate controlling. The product of the boundary diffusion coefficient, Dgb, and the boundary width, W, calculated from the creep data is: D gb W = 3.3 × 10 −9 × exp − 146.51 ± 25.14 kjoules RT cm 3 / s .
Comparison of PGF2α-induced luteolysis in early pregnant and estrogen-treated ‘pseudopregnant’ gilts

Conceptus estrogen clearly plays a major role in luteal maintenance in the pig; however, other conceptus-derived substances or conceptus-induced uterine secretory products appear to have a local luteotrophic/anti-luteolytic effect on the corpora lutea (CL) and likely may play a key role in maternal recognition of pregnancy in the pig. The objective of these studies was to compare PGF2α-induced luteolysis in estrogen-treated ‘pseudopregnant’ gilts versus pregnant gilts during the period of maternal recognition of pregnancy. In Experiment 1, doses of PGF2α ranging from 1 to 100 μg were administered via intraluteal silastic implants to pseudopregnant gilts to determine the dose necessary to cause functional (progesterone) and structural (weight) luteal regression similar to that observed during the natural estrous cycle. Luteal sensitivity to this minimally effective luteolytic dose of PGF2α was then determined for both pseudopregnant and pregnant gilts in Experiment 2. Experiment 3 investigated whether Day 13 porcine conceptus tissue could directly prevent PGF2α-induced luteolysis at the level of the CL. The minimally effective luteolytic dose of PGF2α (100 μg) determined in the pseudopregnant pig caused a similar decline in progesterone concentration and weight of CL in pregnant gilts, suggesting that the susceptibility of CL of pregnant and pseudopregnant pigs to PGF2α is similar. However, luteal weight was greater (P<0.05) for the pregnant gilts than for pseudopregnant gilts, suggesting that estrogen treatment alone cannot mimic the conceptus effects on CL growth and development. Experiment 3 demonstrated that lyophilized Day 13 conceptus tissue implanted directly into individual CL could partially inhibit PGF2α-induced luteolysis, providing for the first time direct evidence that porcine conceptuses as early as Day 13 contain factors which can directly (i. e. at the level of the CL) prevent luteal regression.