cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Hostile Media Effect, Biased Assimilation, and Perceptions of a Presidential Debate

This study examined the relation between 2 seemingly inconsistent phenomena: hostile media effect and biased assimilation. Participants (N = 156) reported their preference for George W. Bush or John Kerry and then viewed a live broadcast of the first Bush–Kerry Presidential debate. Consistent with biased assimilation, candidate preference influenced participants on both sides to perceive their candidate won the debate. Nevertheless, candidate preference modestly induced participants to perceive hostile bias from the debate moderator, Jim Lehrer. The influence of anticipated third-person effects was also examined. Overall, the results suggest biased assimilation and the hostile media effect are not inconsistent. In some situations, they occur simultaneously. Moreover, the hostile media effect appears to extend beyond news reports to other forms of mediation.
A remark on partial-state feedback stabilization of cascade systems using small gain theorem

This paper points out that input-to-state stability of zero dynamics having a continuously differentiable (instead of locally Lipschitz continuous) gain function suffices to guarantee the existence of globally stabilizing, smooth partial-state feedback control laws for cascade systems, without imposing any extra condition. This conclusion is proved via the small gain theorem and a novel variable separation technique combined with feedback domination design.
Recent results from the IOTA interferometer

The IOTA interferometer has been in scheduled operation since 1995 with two 0.45 m telescopes, and baselines of up to 38 m; a third telescope will be installed in 1998 and three-beam combination will be implemented in 1999. We currently have three major detection systems, built around a CCD, a NICMOS3, and the FLUOR fiber beam combiner. A piezo- driven rapid scan delay is also available. Our experience in using these systems is reviewed here, and the corresponding magnitude limits of fringe measurements in the V, R, I, J, H, K bands are discussed. Recent result from these new detector systems include measurements of stellar diameters and temperatures, stellar surface features, and circumstellar dust emission.
Extensions of error exponent analysis in hypothesis testing

The classical characterization of achievable error exponents in binary hypothesis testing is generalized in two different directions. First, in M-ary hypothesis testing, the tradeoff of all M(M - 1) types of error exponents and corresponding optimal decision schemes are explored. Then, motivated by a power-constrained distributed detection scenario, binary hypothesis testing is revisited, and the tradeoff of power consumption versus error exponents is fully characterized. In the latter scenario, sensors are allowed to make random decisions as to whether they should remain silent and save power, or transmit and improve detection quality. It is then shown by an example that optimal sensor decisions may indeed be random
Extremely simple constant-gm technique for low voltage rail-to-rail amplifier input stage

In this paper we present a novel, extremely simple constant transconductance (gm) technique for a rail-to-rail CMOS amplifier input stage. While the level shifting technique is one of the most popular conventional methods to achieve constant-gm ([1], [6]), in [1], two PMOS source followers, totalling 4 PMOS transistors, are used for level shifting. But in this paper, only one diode connected NMOS transistor is used and similar results to the conventional level shifting method have been achieved. Rail-to-rail input stage with 1.6V supply voltage is proposed and simulated by Cadence SPECTRE with TSMC 0.25-μm CMOS technology.
Application of a dynamic programming algorithm for trajectory planning of finger-like manipulators

Dextrous hand designs require planning and coordination of multijointed fingers. This communication presents a dynamic programming algorithm to optimize the trajectory of a finger or a fingerlike manipulator. The algorithm generates a minimum cost trajectory for a specified cost function (such as accuracy or time of travel) and a set of constraints (such as obstacles along the trajectory). We present simulations demonstrating the trajectory planning for simplified fingerlike manipulator configurations. This approach is potentially applicable to several additional situations faced by multijointed fingers employed in dextrous hand designs, such as complex trajectory planning, obstacle avoidance, and fault tolerance. We illustrate some results obtained by computer simulations of these problems.
Finite and infinite boson expansions

A comparison between the finite Dyson-type and the infinite Holstein-Primakoff-type boson expansion is presented, considering both particle-hole and pairing type excitations. The significance of truncating to the truly collective branches is emphasized, and the convergence of the Holstein-Primakoff expansion is discussed. It is shown that in both expansions there is no need to construct physical basis states. Complete equivalence between the two types of expansion is exhibited by treating these excitations within models which are schematic but not totally unrealistic.
Enterprise Service Bus with USB-like Universal Ports

Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) is an important and critical component of the Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) infrastructure. An ESB is used to connect applications to each other, which employ disparate forms of services to expose some or all of their functionalities. In the currently available ESBs, each application must connect to the ESB through a port of one specific type. This port type is determined by the communication protocol and message type used by an application. An example of protocol and message type is SOAP over HTTP, which is called a Web Service. In this paper, we describe a new, USB-like Universal Port type, which can be employed by an ESB. The Universal Port type will allow any application to connect to an ESB using any one of the Universal Ports, irrespective of the communication protocol or message format type used by the application. The simplification introduced by the Universal Ports in an ESB will allow scalability, ease of maintenance and updates, ease of extendibility to new communication protocols, use of multiple protocols by an application, and convenience of protocol switch any time by an application.
EVIDENCE SUGGESTING A ROLE OF THE LACTOGENIC HORMONE IN THE ESTROUS CYCLE OF THE ALBINO RAT

RECENT experimental studies of “persistent-estrous” rats (Everett, 1940, a, b; 1943) have shown that progesterone induces these animals to experience essentially normal estrous cycles. The evidence presented (1943) indicated that in bringing about corpus luteum formation this agent was most effective if its administration was timed to coincide with proestrus. This finding was regarded as indirect confirmation of evidence from other sources (Dempsey, et al., 1936; Astwood, 1939; Boling and Blandau, 1939; Boling, Barton and Burr, 1940) that progesterone is secreted in the normal animal for a short time before ovulation takes place. The view was advanced that in the persistent-estrous rat it fails to be secreted and that in the normal rat during proestrus the corpus luteum hormone serves as a safety factor tending to assist, but not necessarily essential for, ovulation. It was suggested that at certain stages of the pituitary-cycle in the rat, progesterone facilitates the release of luteinizing hormone.
Utility of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay for diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis.

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is characterized by copious cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inflammation and yet few Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This combination creates ad isease that is notoriously difficult to definitively diagnose. In this week’s issue of PLOS Medicine ,P atel and colleagues report the diagnostic performance of the GeneXpert system’s Xpert MTB/RIF assay for the diagnosis of TBM in a cohort of 204 South African, predominantly HIV-infected, adults presenting with suspected meningitis of whom 59 had definitive TBM [1]. The Xpert MTB/RIF assay’s overall sensitivity was 62%, and specificity was 95%. The performance was better using larger volumes of centrifuged CSF among HIVinfected persons with sensitivity of approximately 80% and excellent specificity for microbiologically confirmed TBM. Xpert MTB/RIF performance was less impressive using uncentrifuged CSF with a sensitivity of #50%, and Xpert MTB/RIF performance was negligible in HIV-uninfected persons. What Is GeneXpert?
PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY IN CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA. 537

To evaluate growth and pubertal development in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), data were collected retrospectively from the charts of 40 patients, 22 girls and 18 boys, 14 patients (10 males, 4 females) had entered true precocious puberty. Only 2 male patients were diagnosed with CAH during the newborn period while 12 were diagnosed between 2 yrs 3 mos and 6 yrs 6 mos. Premature central sexual maturation regressed in 2 boys after initiation of steroid replacement therapy. Girls and boys developed early true central puberty at a mean age of 6 yrs 10 mos and 5 yrs 7 mos respectively. Final height Z scores for patients with precocious puberty and patients with normal puberty were -2.17 ± 0.75 and -1.20 ± 0.13, respectively(p = 0.055). The exclusion of a single male patient with tall stature and a very atypical course makes the results statistically different: final height Z scores in patients with precocious puberty were -2.56 ± 0.74 compared with -1.20 ± 0.13 in patients with normal puberty (p < 0.05). We conclude that there is a tendency for children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and precocious puberty to have more limited growth potential than do patients with CAH and normal puberty. Careful monitoring of pubertal status is needed to optimize growth in CAH patients.
Time-Resolved Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography of the Head and Neck at 3.0 Tesla: Initial Results

Objectives:We sought to implement and evaluate a high-performance, extended field of view protocol for time-resolved contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRA) of the carotid circulation by using a dedicated neurovascular (NV) array coil.Materials and Methods:A total of 16 adult volunteers
Involved field radiation therapy following high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant benefits local control and survival in refractory or recurrent Hodgkin lymphoma.

Abstract Background and purpose Patients with recurrent or primary refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) treated with high dose chemotherapy (HDT) and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) commonly relapse post-ASCT in previous disease sites. We sought to evaluate involved field radiation therapy (IFRT) following ASCT and patterns of recurrence, overall survival (OS), and disease specific survival (DSS). Methods and materials Between May 1993 and October 2003, 62 ( n =66) evaluable patients with refractory/relapsed HL underwent HDT followed by ASCT. Thirty-two (52%) patients received IFRT following transplant. Survival was calculated from the day of hematopoietic stem cell infusion. Results Median follow-up was 2.3years (range 0.03–11.56). Estimated 3-year OS ( p =0.05) and DSS ( p =0.08) were 69.6% and 82.1% with IFRT and 40% and 57.6% without IFRT on univariate analysis. B-symptoms were adverse on univariate ( p =0.007) and multivariate ( p =0.01) analysis. HL patients who received IFRT following ASCT had improved local control in areas of previously recurrent disease ( p =0.03). Conclusion OS and DSS showed marginal benefit at 3years. Given the retrospective nature of our study and attendant selection bias that can be both positive and negative, a future prospective study is warranted to better understand the value of IFRT in the transplant setting.
Lucy's lower limbs: long enough for Lucy to be fully bipedal?

The recent attempt to show that the Hadar australopithecine female ‘Lucy’ (AL 288-1) had hindlimbs too short to allow a modern pattern of striding bipedal gait1 has important implications for understanding the origin of bipedalism, if not for the more general problem of hominid origins. Combined with previous claims that Lucy had a forelimb unusually long in proportion2 and ape-like in morphology3, the additional contention of a relatively short hindlimb would suggest a very different pattern of gait from the norm of today because the effectiveness of the pendulum action of the lower limb during stride is a function of the amount of mass in the limb4, and because a short hindlimb would necessitate a short stride length1. Yet, these contentions seem contradicted by the analyses of Lucy's pelvis (and the innomminates of other australopithecines)4,5 that indicate a similar pattern of muscle use and imply a lack of significant gait differences. Are Lucy's legs too short to allow an effective stride, or is there a different solution to this contra diction? I propose here that there is.
Assessing the extra-commercial food needs of low-income countries

Abstract The principal US government report on the food needs of low-income countries which cannot be met through commercial trade, is World Food Needs and Availabilities , prepared by the Economic Research Service, USDA. 1 This article presents the genesis of the report, the methodology (through a case study), the 1985 findings and some implications of food needs analysis for food aid programming.
The glucocorticoid receptor represses cyclin D1 by targeting the Tcf-β-Catenin complex

The ability of glucocorticoids (GCs) to regulate cell proliferation plays an important role in their therapeutic use. The canonical Wnt pathway, which promotes the proliferation of many cancers and differentiated tissues, is an emerging target for the actions of GCs, albeit existing links between these signaling pathways are indirect. By screening known Wnt target genes for their ability to respond differently to GCs in cells whose proliferation is either positively or negatively regulated by GCs, we identified c-myc, c-jun, and cyclin D1, which encode rate-limiting factors for G(1) progression of the cell cycle. Here we show that in U2OS/GR cells, which are growth-arrested by GCs, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) represses cyclin D1 via Tcf-beta-catenin, the transcriptional effector of the canonical Wnt pathway. We demonstrate that GR can bind beta-catenin in vitro, suggesting that GC and Wnt signaling pathways are linked directly through their effectors. Down-regulation of beta-catenin by RNA interference impeded the expression of cyclin D1 but not of c-myc or c-jun and had no significant effect on the proliferation of U2OS/GR cells. Although these results revealed that beta-catenin and cyclin D1 are not essential for the regulation of U2OS/GR cell proliferation, considering the importance of the Wnt pathway for proliferation and differentiation of other cells, the repression of Tcf-beta-catenin activity by GR could open new possibilities for tissue-selective GC therapies.
Survival and Home Range in the Nelson Antelope Ground Squirrel

As a part of a life history study on the Nelson antelope ground squirrel, Ammospermophilus nelsoni , observations on age, home range and dispersal were started in 1947 and continued until approximately June, 1956. The area live-trapped is 65 miles west of Fresno, California, the home base, and located where rainy weather makes the road impassable. Most time was available during the summer when heat made live-trapping hazardous for the squirrels. During most of the other nine months only week ends were available for work. This resulted in gaps in the data, but sufficient material is available to cover the points discussed. The field work, which includes this study, was supported in its later stages by U.S. Public Health Service Grant E-723. Plants have been identified by Dr. C. H. Quibell of Fresno State College; the drawings are the work of Mr. George C. Jensen of San Francisco, California. Area description .—The area trapped (Fig. 1, Plate I) is located 6 miles east of Panoche, San Benito County, California (Panoche Quadrangle, edition of 1913, reprinted 1924, U.S.G.S.) at an elevation of approximately 1200 feet. This would fall within the “Valley Grassland” vegetation type of Munz and Keck (1949), but more exactly is a variant of this, containing such plants as joint-fir ( Ephedra calif ornica ), California juniper ( Juniperus californiens ) and snakeweed ( Gutierrezia calif ornica ). Perennial poa ( Poa scahrella ) and the annuals red brome ( Bromus ruhens ) and red-stemmed filaree ( Erodium cicutarium ) make up the bulk of the herbaceous vegetation. Fig. 1 Map of study area. Numbers correspond to those on succeeding figures. Plate.1 The study area. Picture taken looking west from Point 3, Fig. 1. Rainfall averages around 5 inches, but may run up to 10 inches. The area is a desert in character, both in plant constituents and animal species. A …
Obstacles to graphically solving equations and inequalities

ABSTRACT Graphical problem-solving techniques have recently become a more important part of undergraduate mathematics education. In particular, graphically solving equations and inequalities using technology is a growing practice today. Many instructors take it for granted that students can easily acquire these skills. But our experience suggests this may not be the case. Students face many obstacles, including a narrow understanding of functions and equations. This paper addresses difficulties students have in acquiring graphical problem-solving skills, and presents some techniques and concepts intended to help students overcome them.
Political Preference Functions and Public Policy Reforms: Comment

Rausser and Foster (1990) rightly note the importance for policy analysis of the link between a government's choice of economic policies and the welfare possibilities those policies generate. The authors envision a world where national-welfare-enhancing agricultural policies (PERTs) and national-welfarereducing agricultural transfer policies (PESTs) operate in tandem. "PEST policies, while typically thought of as welfare transferring and efficiency decreasing, can be welfare increasing when combined with PERT policies which, by themselves, may be impossible to implement" (p. 642). The theme unifying the Rausser and Foster paper, and the example that they revisit repeatedly, sees PEST commodity programs, and the transfers to agricultural producers that they bring about, as compensation for losses to producers from PERT investments in science and technology. However, we contend that this trade-off does not occur, and for two reasons. First, and primarily, extant evidence indicates that publicly funded agricultural research has been beneficial, not detrimental, to agriculture in general and to farmers in particular. Second, if the PERT-PEST dichotomy is to inform policy debate in anything but a parochial sense, then it should be transportable to settings other then the United States policy arena. We provide evidence that in general it is not.
Role of altered cyclooxygenase metabolism in impaired cerebrovasodilation to nociceptin/orphanin FQ following brain injury.

Abstract This study was designed to determine the role of altered cyclooxygenase metabolism in impaired pial artery dilation to the newly described opioid, nociceptin orphanin FQ (NOC/oFQ), following fluid percussion brain injury (FPI) in newborn pigs equipped with a closed cranial window. Recent studies show that NOC/oFQ contributes to oxygen free radical generation observed post FPI in a cyclooxygenase dependent manner. FPI was produced by using a pendulum to strike a piston on a saline filled cylinder that was fluid coupled to the brain via a hollow screw inserted through the cranium. NOC/oFQ (10 −8 , 10 −6 M) modestly increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 6-keto-PGF 1α , and thromboxane B 2 (TXB 2 ), the stable breakdown products of PGI 2 and TXA 2 , in sham animals (1148 ± 83 to 1681 ± 114 and 308 ± 16 to 424 ± 21 pg/ml for control and 10 −6 M NOC/oFQ 6-keto-PGF 1α , and TXB 2 , respectively). In 1-h post FPI animals, basal levels of 6-keto-PGF 1α , and TXB 2 were elevated. NOC/oFQ stimulated release of 6-keto-PGF 1α , was blocked while such release of TXB 2 was enhanced (720 ± 63 to 1446 ± 117 pg/ml for control and 10 −6 M NOC/oFQ CSF TXB 2 ). NOC/oFQ (10 −8 , 10 −6 M) induced pial artery dilation that was reversed to vasoconstriction by FPI while the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (5 mg/kg, intravenous) partially restored such vascular responses (8 ± 1 and 15 ± 1 vs. −7 ± 1 and −12 ± 1 vs. 7 ± 1 and 12 ± 1% for 10 −8 , 10 −6 M NOC/oFQ in sham, FPI and FPI-Indo pretreated animals). Similar observations were made in FPI animals pretreated with the thromboxane receptor antagonist SQ 29,548 or the free radical scavenger polyethylene glycol superoxide dismutase and catalase. These data indicate that altered NOC/oFQ induced cyclooxygenase metabolism contributes to impairment of dilation to this opioid following FPI.
Atomic structure of FKBP-FK506, an immunophilin-immunosuppressant complex

The structure of the human FK506 binding protein (FKBP), complexed with the immunosuppressant FK506, has been determined to 1.7 angstroms resolution by x-ray crystallography. The conformation of the protein changes little upon complexation, but the conformation of FK506 is markedly different in the bound and unbound forms. The drug's association with the protein involves five hydrogen bonds, a hydrophobic binding pocket lined with conserved aromatic residues, and an unusual carbonyl binding pocket. The nature of this complex has implications for the mechanism of rotamase catalysis and for the biological actions of FK506 and rapamycin.
Growth following solid organ transplantation in childhood

One of the ultimate goals of successful transplantation in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients is the attainment of optimal final adult height. This manuscript will discuss the attainment of height following solid organ transplantation in pediatric recipients of kidney, liver, heart, lung, and small bowel transplantation. Age is a primary factor with younger recipients exhibiting the greatest immediate catch up growth. Graft function is a significant contributory factor with a reduction in glomerular filtration rate correlating with poor growth in kidney recipients and the need for re-transplantation with impaired growth in liver recipients. The known adverse impact of steroids on growth has led to modification of steroid dosage and even to steroid withdrawal and steroid avoidance. In kidney and liver recipients, this has been associated with the development on occasion of acute rejection episodes. In infant heart transplantation, avoidance of maintenance corticosteroid immunosuppression is associated with normal growth velocity in the majority of patients. With marked improvement in patient and graft survival rates in pediatric organ graft recipients, it is timely that the quality of life issues, such as normal adult height, receive paramount attention. In general, normal growth post-transplantation should be an achievable goal that results in normal adult height for many solid organ transplantation recipients.
Otolith chemistry analyses indicate that water Sr:Ca is the primary factor influencing otolith Sr:Ca for freshwater and diadromous fish but not for marine fish

Water chemistry is thought to be the primary factor influencing fish otolith chemistry. Experimental results with freshwater and diadromous fish have been consistent with this paradigm, but with marine fish, they have often been ambiguous or contradictory. A review of water chemistry data indicated that Sr:Ca (mmol:mol) levels were higher in marine water than in most freshwater systems and that Sr:Ca variability was lower in marine water than in most freshwater systems. We therefore hypothesized that lifetime otolith Sr:Ca profiles of freshwater fish would exhibit low levels of Sr:Ca with moderate variability, of diadromous fish would exhibit highly variable Sr:Ca levels, and of marine fish would exhibit high levels of Sr:Ca with low variability. Otolith Sr:Ca profiles from 81 species of freshwater, diadromous, and marine fish revealed that freshwater fish had low levels of Sr:Ca and lower variability than expected relative to marine fish, diadromous fish had Sr:Ca levels and variability that were consist...
Theoretical analysis of acceleration measurements in a model of an operating wind turbine

Wind loading from turbulence and gusts can cause damage in horizontal axis wind turbines. These unsteady loads and the resulting damage initiation and propagation are difficult to predict. Unsteady loads enter at the rotor and are transmitted to the drivetrain. The current generation of wind turbine has drivetrain-mounted vibration and bearing temperature sensors, a nacelle-mounted inertial measurement unit, and a nacelle-mounted anemometer and wind vane. Some advanced wind turbines are also equipped with strain measurements at the root of the rotor. This paper analyzes additional measurements in a rotor blade to investigate the complexity of these unsteady loads. By identifying the spatial distribution, amplitude, and frequency bandwidth of these loads, design improvements could be facilitated to reduce uncertainties in reliability predictions. In addition, dynamic load estimates could be used in the future to control high-bandwidth aerodynamic actuators distributed along the rotor blade to reduce the saturation of slower pitch actuators currently used for wind turbine blades. Local acceleration measurements are made along a rotor blade to infer operational rotor states including deflection and dynamic modal contributions. Previous work has demonstrated that acceleration measurements can be experimentally acquired on an operating wind turbine. Simulations on simplified rotor blades have also been used to demonstrate that mean blade loading can be estimated based on deflection estimates. To successfully apply accelerometers in wind turbine applications for load identification, the spectral and spatial characteristics of each excitation source must be understood so that the total acceleration measurement can be decomposed into contributions from each source. To demonstrate the decomposition of acceleration measurements in conjunction with load estimation methods, a flexible body model has been created with MSC.ADAMS© The benefit of using a simulation model as opposed to a physical experiment to examine the merits of acceleration-based load identification methods is that models of the structural dynamics and aerodynamics enable one to compare estimates of the deflection and loading with actual values. Realistic wind conditions are applied to the wind turbine and used to estimate the operational displacement and acceleration of the rotor. The per-revolution harmonics dominate the displacement and acceleration response. Turbulent wind produces broadband excitation that includes both the harmonics and modal vibrations, such as the tower modes. Power Spectral Density estimates of the acceleration along the span of the rotor blades indicate that the edge modes may be coupled to the second harmonic.
3D Modelling of the electromagnetic response of geophysical targets using the FDTD method1

A publicly available and maintained electromagnetic finite-difference time domain (FDTD) code has been applied to the forward modelling of the response of 1D, 2D and 3D geophysical targets to a vertical magnetic dipole excitation. The FDTD method is used to analyze target responses in the 1 MHz to 100 MHz range, where either conduction or displacement currents may have the controlling role. The response of the geophysical target to the excitation is presented as changes in the magnetic field ellipticity. The results of the FDTD code compare favorably with previously published integral equation solutions of the response of 1D targets, and FDTD models calculated with different finite-difference cell sizes are compared to find the effect of model discretization on the solution. The discretization errors, calculated as absolute error in ellipticity, are presented for the different ground geometry models considered, and are, for the most part, below 10% of the integral equation solutions. Finally, the FDTD code is used to calculate the magnetic ellipticity response of a 2D survey and a 3D sounding of complicated geophysical targets. The response of these 2D and 3D targets are too complicated to be verified with integral equation solutions, but show the proper low- andmore » high-frequency responses.« less
Transfer of Carbon Monoxide and Nitrous Oxide in the Artificially Perfused Sheep Placenta

1. The sheep placenta was perfused in situ through the umbilical circulation with a dextran solution containing carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide. 2. The concentration of carbon monoxide in the perfusion fluid after passage through the umbilical circulation was found to be 19±3% of its concentration in the entering perfusion fluid. This represents "shunted umbilical flow," the percentage of the perfusion fluid (and presumably of the fetal blood) which does not exchange substances with the maternal blood. 3. The concentration of nitrous oxide in the perfusion fluid after passing the placental membrane and before admixture of shunted perfusion fluid was found to be 14±4% of its original concentration in the perfusion fluid when the maternal arterial concentration was zero. This leads us to the conclusion that the perfusion fluid did not at any time reach the maternal arterial concentration and that no functionally effective countercurrent flow pattern exists in the sheep placenta. 4. Reversal of the flow direction in the fetal umbilical vessels resulted in a slight increase of the N 2 O concentration in the perfusion fluid after passing the placental membrane and before admixture of the shunted perfusion fluid. 5. We suggest that the placenta contains a mixture of countercurrent and concurrent flow units. Diffusion of gases along the capillaries within the comparatively thick placental membrane of the sheep is also presented as a possibility.
NEAR STALL FLOW ANALYSIS IN THE TRANSONIC FAN OF THE RTA PROPULSION SYSTEM

Turbine-based propulsion systems for access to space have been investigated at NASA Glenn Research center. A ground demonstrator engine for validation testing has been developed as a part of the program. The demonstrator, the Revolutionary Turbine Accelerator (RTA-1), is a variable cycle turbofan ramjet designed to transition from an augmented turbofan to a ramjet that produces the thrust required to accelerate the vehicle to Mach 4. The RTA-1 is designed to accommodate a large variation in bypass ratio from sea level static to Mach 4 flight condition. A key component of this engine is a new fan stage that accommodates these large variations in bypass ratio and flow ranges. In the present study, unsteady flow behavior in the fan of the RTA-1 is studied in detail with large eddy simulation (LES) and the numerical results are compared with measured data. During the experimental study of the fan stage, humming sound was detected at 100 % speed near stall operation. The main purpose of the study is to investigate details of the unsteady flow behavior at near stall operation and to identify a possible cause of the hum. The large eddy simulation of the current flow field reproduces main features of the measured flow very well. The LES simulation indicates that non-synchronous flow instability develops as the fan operates toward the stall limit. The FFT analysis of the calculated wall pressure shows that the rotating flow instability has the characteristic frequency that is about 50% of the blade passing frequency.
Males Are Overrepresented among Life Science Researchers Committing Scientific Misconduct

ABSTRACT A review of the United States Office of Research Integrity annual reports identified 228 individuals who have committed misconduct, of which 94% involved fraud. Analysis of the data by career stage and gender revealed that misconduct occurred across the entire career spectrum from trainee to senior scientist and that two-thirds of the individuals found to have committed misconduct were male. This exceeds the overall proportion of males among life science trainees and faculty. These observations underscore the need for additional efforts to understand scientific misconduct and to ensure the responsible conduct of research. IMPORTANCE As many of humanity’s greatest problems require scientific solutions, it is critical for the scientific enterprise to function optimally. Misconduct threatens the scientific enterprise by undermining trust in the validity of scientific findings. We have examined specific demographic characteristics of individuals found to have committed research misconduct in the life sciences. Our finding that misconduct occurs across all stages of career development suggests that attention to ethical aspects of the conduct of science should not be limited to those in training. The observation that males are overrepresented among those who commit misconduct implies a gender difference that needs to be better understood in any effort to promote research integrity.
The Role for Prospective Surgical Trials in Neonates

Despite agreement that prospective randomized controlled trials offer the best available evidence to guide our practice, there is a remarkable lack of prospective trials in neonatal surgical literature. We, the treating physicians, are responsible for conducting the research that will allow for evidence upon which better care may be based. We have an ethical obligation to provide the highest level of care based on the greatest level of evidence possible. This will only be possible with further prospective trials in fetal and neonatal surgery.
In vitro neoplastic transformation of plant callus tissue by γ-radiation

Abstract Tumors have been induced by γ-radiation in callus tissue derived from a monocotyledonous flowering plant, Haworthia mirabilis Haw. The transformed tissue exhibited compact texture, excessive cell proliferation and loss of capacity for organogenesis. Tumors were characterized by their ability to undergo continuous autonomous growth on minimal media in the subsequent 4 generations of subculture. In contrast, the nonirradiated control tissue grew with friable texture, required inositol or growth hormones and showed prolific differentiation of vegetative buds.
Minimally Invasive Urogynecology

Laparoscopic and other forms of minimally invasive pelvic floor defect repair represent alternative approaches to performing established procedures; laparoscopy can offer benefits to the surgeon (improved visualization, access for multiple procedures) and patient (decreased pain, scar formation, recuperation, and improved cosmesis). Many practitioners prefer the term “minimal access surgery” to the more prevalent “minimally invasive surgery,” as, ideally, only the route of access, not the procedure itself, is changed. Similarly, dialogue and debate about the merits and concerns of trocar-based mesh prolapse repair kits continue. While gynecology will benefit from further investigations of outcomes of minimally invasive pelvic reconstruction,there is evidence already that these techniques are feasible and offer options and advantages in the treatment of patients with pelvic floor disorders.
Syndrome of anomalous left coronary artery.

Summary A case of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is presented. This is the second reported case of this anomaly complicated by rupture of the heart wall with hemopericardium. The reporting of additional cases will serve to crystallize the characteristic features of this condition in the minds of clinicians. This, in turn, will undoubtedly result in more accurate antemortem diagnoses, and will increase the challenge to develop a more satisfactory therapeutic regime.
1863 THE EFFECT OF UPPER AIRWAY NEGATIVE PRESSURE IN INSPIRATION (EARLY VS LATE) ON THE BREATHING PATTERN

During normal inspiration the upper airway is subjected to negative pressure variations. For negative pressure to play a role in the control of breathing on a breath to breath basis it should be most effective in early inspiration. We tested this hypothesis by applying negative pressure to the upper airway in early ( 200 msec) inspiration. Multiple trials were conducted in 8 spontaneously breathing anesthetized tracheostomized adult rabbits while recording the diaphragm electromyogram. The values for the breath in which the negative pressure was applied were expressed as % of control (mean of 3 preceding breaths). When negative pressure was applied in early inspiration, the inspiratory duration (Ti) became prolonged (mean 111.4 ± 4.4 S.D.), the peak diaphragm activity (PDi) remained unchanged (97.8 ± 3.3), and the mean slope (PDi/Ti) decreased (85.8 ± 4.2). In contrast, when negative pressure was applied in late inspiration, the changes were minimal (Ti 95.03 ± 5.2; PDi 99.6 ± 4.9; PDi/Ti 102.6 ± 6.7). These results suggest that the influence of laryngeal afferents on the breathing pattern depends on the central sensitivity which appears to be changing during the respiratory cycle. The effect of negative pressure is maximal during early inspiration and decreases subsequently. Supported by grants from NIH (HL-01156) and (HL-32921-01).
Mitochondrial protein acetylation regulates metabolism

Changes in cellular nutrient availability or energy status induce global changes in mitochondrial protein acetylation. Over one-third of all proteins in the mitochondria are acetylated, of which the majority are involved in some aspect of energy metabolism. Mitochondrial protein acetylation is regulated by SIRT3 (sirtuin 3), a member of the sirtuin family of NAD+-dependent protein deacetylases that has recently been identified as a key modulator of energy homoeostasis. In the absence of SIRT3, mitochondrial proteins become hyperacetylated, have altered function, and contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction. This chapter presents a review of the functional impact of mitochondrial protein acetylation, and its regulation by SIRT3.
Determinants of Employment Status Among a Community-Based Sample of People with Epilepsy: Implications for Rehabilitation Interventions

People with epilepsy may face a number of complex and interacting problems and barriers related to employment. Understanding these barriers is an important step toward implementing effective rehabilitation interventions. This article explores the factors that predicted employment status among a community-based sample of adults with epilepsy. Data for the analysis were collected from 146 adults with epilepsy through Epilepsy Foundation chapters in Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Ohio. Several demographic and epilepsy-related variables were analyzed to explore the determinants of employment status. Results of a binary logistic regression analysis suggest that gender, number of antiepilepsy medications used, seizure frequency, and reported interference in daily functioning created by seizures were the best predictors of employment. Additional analyses suggested that the possession of a driver's license was also associated with employment status. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for rehabilit...
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and squamous cell carcinoma cell line growth

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) promotes tissue healing by increasing oxygenation. Therefore, HBO therapy is clinically useful for some patients who have undergone major cancer resection and/or radiotherapy to the head and neck. For individual patients, however, there might be undetected viable tumor present at the time of therapy. This study was performed to determine if increased tissue oxygen had a measurable effect on the growth of squamous carcinoma xenotransplants which had been derived from head and neck cancers. After the successful growth of two well-established human squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (183 and 1483), each tumor was transplanted into 20 mice. Every mouse received four transplants of 10(6) cells. Ten mice with 40 xenotransplants in each group were treated with HBO daily for 90 minutes at a pressure of 2 atm, whereas the other 10 formed the control group. The mice transplanted with cell line 1483 were treated for 21 days; mice transplanted with cell line 183 were treated for 28 days. The tumor weight, volume, and histology were evaluated. No significant difference was found between experimental groups. This study suggests that increased tissue oxygen neither significantly increases nor decreases the growth of squamous cell carcinoma.
The Hybrid III Upper and Lower Neck Response in Compressive Loading Scenarios With Known Human Injury Outcomes

Objective: Physical biomechanical surrogates are critical for testing the efficacy of injury-mitigating safety strategies. The interpretation of measured Hybrid III neck loads in test scenarios resulting in compressive loading modes would be aided by a further understanding of the correlation between the mechanical responses in the Hybrid III neck and the probability of injury in the human cervical spine. The anthropomorphic test device (ATD) peak upper and lower neck responses were measured during dynamic compressive loading conditions comparable to those of postmortem human subject (PMHS) experiments. The peak ATD response could then be compared to the PMHS injury outcomes.Methods: A Hybrid III 50th percentile ATD head and neck assembly was tested under conditions matching those of male PMHS tests conducted on an inverted drop track. This includes variation in impact plate orientation (4 sagittal plane and 2 frontal plane orientations), impact plate surface friction, and ATD initial head/neck orientatio...
What does fetal movement predict about behavior during the first two years of life

This study evaluated whether motor activity prior to birth is predictive of motor behavior and temperament in neonates, infants, and toddlers. Three measures of fetal motor activity (activity level, amplitude, and number of movements) were collected at 24, 30, and 36 weeks of gestation in 52 healthy fetuses using Doppler-based actography. Postnatal data collection included a neurobehavioral assessment at 2-weeks postpartum (n = 41), and laboratory-based behavioral observations at 1 and 2 years of age (ns = 35). Individual stability in motor activity was present during gestation. Predictive relations between fetal movement and neonatal behavior were inconsistent; significant but small positive associations were detected between motor behavior at 36 weeks and neonatal irritability and motor development. Fetal activity level at 36 weeks was positively associated with observed 1-year activity level for boys (but inversely related for girls) and maternal report of activity level at 2 years. Fetal movement was consistently and negatively predictive of distress to limitations at 1 year and behavioral inhibition at 2 years, accounting for 21 to 43% of the variance in these measures. Intrafetal variability in motor behavior makes this a relatively unstable metric for prediction to neonatal maturational outcomes, which are relatively constrained, but fetal motor activity appears to predict temperament attributes related to regulatory behaviors in early childhood.
Psychosocial Factors in Older Patients 'Medical Encounters:

This article reviews the literature and presents some new preliminary findings on physician-older patient communication about psychosocial issues in primary care medical visits. The authors examine...
Polystyrene nanoparticle exposure induces ion-selective pores in lipid bilayers

Abstract A diverse range of molecular interactions can occur between engineered nanomaterials (ENM) and biomembranes, some of which could lead to toxic outcomes following human exposure to ENM. In this study, we adapted electrophysiology methods to investigate the ability of 20 nm polystyrene nanoparticles (PNP) to induce pores in model bilayer lipid membranes (BLM) that mimic biomembranes. PNP charge was varied using PNP decorated with either positive (amidine) groups or negative (carboxyl) groups, and BLM charge was varied using dioleoyl phospholipids having cationic (ethylphosphocholine), zwitterionic (phosphocholine), or anionic (phosphatidic acid) headgroups. Both positive and negative PNP induced BLM pores for all lipid compositions studied, as evidenced by current spikes and integral conductance. Stable PNP-induced pores exhibited ion selectivity, with the highest selectivity for K + (P K /P Cl ~ 8.3) observed when both the PNP and lipids were negatively charged, and the highest selectivity for Cl − (P K /P Cl ~ 0.2) observed when both the PNP and lipids were positively charged. This trend is consistent with the finding that selectivity for an ion in channel proteins is imparted by oppositely charged functional groups within the channel's filter region. The P K /P Cl value was unaffected by the voltage-ramp method, the pore conductance, or the side of the BLM to which the PNP were applied. These results demonstrate for the first time that PNP can induce ion-selective pores in BLM, and that the degree of ion selectivity is influenced synergistically by the charges of both the lipid headgroups and functional groups on the PNP.
Signaling Pathways that Regulate Cell Division

Cell division requires careful orchestration of three major events: entry into mitosis, chromosomal segregation, and cytokinesis. Signaling within and between the molecules that control these events allows for their coordination via checkpoints, a specific class of signaling pathways that ensure the dependency of cell-cycle events on the successful completion of preceding events. Multiple positive- and negative-feedback loops ensure that a cell is fully committed to division and that the events occur in the proper order. Unlike other signaling pathways, which integrate external inputs to decide whether to execute a given process, signaling at cell division is largely dedicated to completing a decision made in G1 phase-to initiate and complete a round of mitotic cell division. Instead of deciding if the events of cell division will take place, these signaling pathways entrain these events to the activation of the cell-cycle kinase cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) and provide the opportunity for checkpoint proteins to arrest cell division if things go wrong.
Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia in Patients Referred for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Response to Ablation That Incorporates Slow-Pathway Modification

Background— Although the most common sites of atrial ectopy that trigger atrial fibrillation (AF) are in or around the pulmonary veins (PVs), atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) can also cause or coexist with AF. We sought to characterize patients with AF and AVNRT and assess clinical outcomes after ablation. Methods and Results— To determine the prevalence of concomitant AVNRT and AF, 629 consecutive patients referred for catheter ablation between November 1998 and March 2005 were studied. Electrophysiological studies with programmed stimulation during isoproterenol infusion identified atrial ectopy that initiated AF and the presence of inducible AVNRT. AF ablation consisted of proximal isolation of PVs and elimination of any non-PV trigger of AF, including AVNRT. There were 27 patients (4.3%) who had inducible AVNRT at the time of AF ablation. Of these, 13 underwent AVNRT ablation without PV isolation. Compared with the rest of the cohort, patients with AVNRT and AF were younger at the ...