cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teaching Political Inequality Through Political Campaign Content Analysis

Scholars have shown that in general, undergraduate students are often minimally aware of and or/ apathetic towards current political issues (Wilkins 1999; Bloch-Schulman and Jovanovic 2011). In the field of sociology, while students are often exposed to issues of gender, race/ethnicity and class inequalities, they often fail to understand the political structures and politics that reinforce these inequalities on a daily basis. Because of their assumed ignorance, politicians are increasingly generating barrier-creating policies that make it difficult for students to vote. Recently, William O’Brien, House Speak from New Hampshire said of student voters, “They don’t have life experience, and they just vote their feelings” (Shultheis, 2011).This assumes that college students are ill-prepared to take part in civic engagement. To improve student awareness of current political debates and issues facing US politics, I have developed a classroom activity that highlights persistent inequalities in politics today; familiarized students with an important social science methodology - content analysis; and has a secondary yet very important outcome of familiarizing students with current candidates and their various platforms. The strength of this exercise is that it allows the instructor to emphasize any of the above areas depending on the goals of the course. This exercise has been tested with positive outcomes in research methods courses, courses on political sociology as well as social stratification courses.
Contributions of Direct and Indirect T Cell Alloreactivity During Allograft Rejection in Mice

The immune response to transplanted allogeneic tissues is mediated by T cells that recognize donor histocompatibility Ags either via direct (donor MHC and peptides) or indirect (recipient MHC and donor-derived peptides) allorecognition pathways. The relative contribution of each of these pathways to allograft rejection remains largely unknown. To address this, we used an enzyme-linked immunospot assay to define the frequency and cytokine phenotype of T cells responding via direct and indirect pathways to alloantigens at various time points following placement of allogeneic B10.A skin grafts on BALB/c recipient mice. During acute graft rejection >90% of the anti-B10.A T cell repertoire was directed toward intact donor MHC molecules, while T cells recognizing indirectly presented, donor-derived peptides accounted for <10%. This indirect response was comprised of reactivity toward both MHC-derived and, to a lesser extent, minor Ag-derived determinants. The direct and indirect alloresponses were predominantly detected in recipient lymph nodes and were mediated by T cells displaying a mixed type 1/type 2 cytokine phenotype. Six weeks following rejection, however, the memory allospecific T cell response became predominant in the recipient spleen, with only minimal activity detectable in the draining lymph nodes. This work provides a new approach for analysis of the immunophysiology of allograft rejection and should be useful for monitoring immune responses to graft Ags in human transplant recipients.
Non-POU Domain-Containing Octamer-Binding Protein Negatively Regulates HIV-1 Infection in CD4(+) T Cells

Abstract HIV-1 interacts with numerous cellular proteins during viral replication. Identifying such host proteins and characterizing their roles in HIV-1 infection can deepen our understanding of the dynamic interplay between host and pathogen. We previously identified non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding protein (NonO or p54nrb) as one of host factors associated with catalytically active preintegration complexes (PIC) of HIV-1 in infected CD4+ T cells. NonO is involved in nuclear processes including transcriptional regulation and RNA splicing. Although NonO has been identified as an HIV-1 interactant in several recent studies, its role in HIV-1 replication has not been characterized. We investigated the effect of NonO on the HIV-1 life cycle in CD4+ T cell lines and primary CD4+ T cells using single-cycle and replication-competent HIV-1 infection assays. We observed that short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated stable NonO knockdown in a CD4+ Jurkat T cell line and primary CD4+ T cells did not affect cell...
Actors and factors in policy decisions on foreign direct investment

Abstract Governmental policies toward foreign investment are made complex by the variety of actors involved in or affected by the establishment of companies abroad and by the differences in decision factors employed by each. Governments of advanced and developing countries see the companies differently; as do various interests groups in each, and as do international organizations. These differences are further complicated by differences among sub-units in government and among types of international companies. Consequently, it is highly unlikely that governments will agree on the means of guiding or controlling international companies.
Medulloblastoma in children: Birmingham experience

A retrospective review of 41 children diagnosed with medulloblastoma in Birmingham (United Kingdom) between 1992-2002 presented. The age of the patients ranged from 2 weeks to 14.1 years (mean 5.89 years) and the mean follow-up was 3.8 years. Children less than 3 years of age fared worse than those over 3 years. The 5-year survival with total and subtotal tumor excision was 61.3 and 40% respectively. Those children who received radiotherapy following surgery had an improved survival of 68% at 5 years as compared to 18% in those who did not receive irradiation. With regards to chemotherapy, the 5-year survival rates were 57% in those who received it and 52% in those who did not. The overall survival was 62% at 5 years for those patients who had postoperative combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy and only 48% for the rest, who received no adjuvant therapy. Age of the patient has a definite influence on overall survival. We found significant statistical difference in survival between patients with total tumor resection and those with subtotal resection. The 5-year survival rate was not directly affected by tumor location, hydrocephalus or ventriculo-peritoneal shunting. Postoperative irradiation and chemotherapy are clearly associated with improved survival.
The use of circular fine wire frames for the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures

Background The treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures is still controversial.
Minimal Persistence of Native Bunchgrasses Seven Years after Seeding following Mastication and Prescribed Fire in Southwestern Oregon, USA

Seeding of native grasses is widely used to restore plant communities and prevent establishment of introduced species following wildfire and prescribed burns. However, there is a lack of long-term data to evaluate the success of native grass seeding. Here, in the interior valley shrublands of southwestern Oregon, we resurveyed plots that had been masticated and burned, and then seeded with bunchgrasses seven years previously. The prescribed fires had resulted in bare ground that increased opportunities for bunchgrass germination as well as for invasion by introduced plants. After two years, native grass seeding was successful, with increased bunchgrass cover that correlated with decreased cover of introduced species. However, five years later, bunchgrass cover had declined by 80%, and the frequency of plots with bunchgrasses had declined by 60%. Cover of surviving bunchgrasses in year 7 correlated positively with bunch-grass cover in year 2 (R2 = 0.34; P = 0.003). Seven years after prescribed fire and seeding, native cover, introduced cover, and species richness were unchanged, and bunchgrass persistence was minimal. Basically, seeding following mastication and prescribed burning had a minimal effect. This study highlights the importance of longer-term monitoring to determine the efficacy of seeding treatments.
The effects of dopaminergic agents on the locomotor activity of rats after high doses of methylamphetamine

Treatment of rats with 100 mg/kg/day of methylamphetamine for four days produced long lasting (16 week) depletions of central nervous system levels of dopamine but not of norepinephrine. This methylamphetamine treatment also attenuated the ability of methylamphetamine and apomorphine to produce increases in locomotor activity without shifting the dose-response curve to the right or left. These rats underwent significant decreases in activity after lower doses of haloperidol while the response to L-Dopa was virtually unchanged.
Aspects of theoretical plasticity at finite deformation and large pressure

A broad theoretical investigation of plasticity in crystalline solids at finite deformation is presented, with primary attention focused upon single crystals and aggregates at large pressure. Nonlinear elastic and nonlinear plastic constitutive relations for cubic crystals undergoing quasistatic deformation processes are studied. An aggregate model is introduced which enables transition to macroscopic behavior, including a prediction of pressure-dependence of yield surfaces in macro-stress space.
Moderate-aspect-ratio elliptical cylinders in simple shear with inertia

The effects of fluid inertia, geometry and flow confinement upon the dynamics of neutrally buoyant elliptical and non-elliptical cylinders over a wide range of aspect ratios in simple shear are studied experimentally for moderate shear-based Reynolds numbers Re. Unlike circular cylinders, elliptical cylinders of moderate aspect ratio cease to rotate, coming to rest at a nearly horizontal equilibrium orientation above a critical Reynolds number Recr (‘stationary behaviour’). Simple dynamics arguments are proposed to explain the effects of aspect ratio and flow confinement upon critical Reynolds number and particle dynamics. Experiments confirm results from previous numerical simulations that the normalized rotation period for Re < Recr (‘periodic behaviour’) is proportional to (Recr − Re)−0.5 for small Recr − Re. For periodic behaviour, maximum and minimum angular cylinder speeds both decrease, and period increases, as Recr − Re decreases. For stationary behaviour, the cylinder rotates until it achieves a nearly horizontal equilibrium orientation, which increases as the Reynolds number approaches the critical value. The experimental results are in good agreement with previous lattice-Boltzmann simulations for a 0.5 aspect ratio cylinder.Variation in angular speed over a rotation period decreases as aspect ratio increases, while Recr increases as flow confinement and aspect ratio increase. A non-elliptical cylinder of 0.33 aspect ratio also ceases to rotate above a certain Reynolds number. Although Recr is different from the corresponding elliptical case, the scaling of the normalized rotation period for this body as Recr → Re is identical to that for the elliptical cylinder, suggesting that this scaling is independent of particle shape (i.e. ‘universal’, as conjectured in previous numerical studies). The results also demonstrate that a variety of centrosymmetric bodies with aspect ratios below unity transition from periodic to stationary behaviour.
Site-Selective N-Methyl-d-Aspartate and α-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4-Isoxazolepropionate Antagonists Produce Distinct Effects in Rats Performing Complex Discriminations

Abstract Glutamate receptor-dependent neural plasticity is thought to be implicated in memory processes. Ionotropic N -methyl- d -aspartate- (NMDA) sensitive and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate- (AMPA) sensitive glutamate receptors have been particularly studied for their role in synaptic plasticity. Drugs can alter AMPA and NMDA receptor neurotransmission by competing for the glutamate site or other sites on these receptor proteins. Variants of the protein subunits forming AMPA and NMDA heteromers contribute to the complexity of pharmacological activity at these receptors. The NMDA receptor has numerous modulatory centers, including the glycine binding site, NR2B protein specific binding site, and an intrachannel (PCP) binding site. In this study, the accuracy and rate of rats performing under a Fixed Consecutive Number (FCN) operant task were measured after administrations of site-selective AMPA and NMDA receptor modulators. Test compounds included two glycine site NMDA agonists [(+)HA 966 and d -cycloserine], two NR2-B site NMDA antagonists (eliprodil and ifenprodil), an NMDA channel blocking antagonist (MK 801), and a competitively acting AMPA receptor antagonist (NBQX). The accuracy of FCN performance was not affected by response-rate-altering doses of (+) HA 966, d -cycloserine, eliprodil, ifenprodil, or NBQX. MK 801, on the other hand, reduced performance accuracy at several doses. These results are consistent with earlier studies suggesting that AMPA antagonists minimally affect working memory and that glycine and NR2B protein-specific modulatory sites may have advantages as targets for the development of medications intended to alter NMDA receptor-mediated transmission.
Minimum Bactericidal Concentration of Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim for Haemophilus influenzae: Correlation with Prophylaxis

The inability of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SXT) to eradicate Haemophilus influenzae nasopharyngeal carriage in all asymptomatic patients in closed populations was examined in vitro. A broth medium was adapted for susceptibility testing of H. influenzae which permitted us to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs). The minimum inhibitory concentrations were all low, but the MBCs were bimodally distributed. Trimethoprim alone or the combination SXT either was bactericidal for H. influenzae isolates at low concentrations (i.e., low MBCs) similar to minimum inhibitory concentrations or showed no bactericidal activity (i.e., high MBCs). If trimethoprim was bactericidal when tested alone against H. influenzae, then the combination SXT was also bactericidal. H. influenzae carriage could not be eradicated from asymptomatic patients with SXT therapy when that combination was not bactericidal for these isolates in vitro. H. influenzae carriage was eradicated from patients when the activity of SXT was bactericidal in vitro. H. influenzae strains that are not killed by trimethoprim or SXT seem to occur at random.
Purification of the human complement protein C1s̄ by affinity chromatography

Abstract Highly purified preparations of C1s, the first component of completment, can be macromolecular complex comprising C1, the first component of complement, can be obtained using the technique of affinity chromatrography. The resin used was Sepharose coupled to meta-aminobenzamide with cyanogen bromide. About 25 mg of c1s is obtained from 200 ml of human serum. The enzyme obtained by this procedure has been characterized using immunochemical and enzymatic techniques. The protein reacts with anti-C1s antiserum, causes formation of E * from EAC4, and is inhibitable by C1 inactivator, the naturally occurring serum inhibitor.
Worker Protection Policies in the New Century

Federal workplace regulations describe a set of baseline requirements which must apply in every employment relationship. The purpose of such policies is to help improve the standard of living and assure a satisfactory quality of worklife for the workforce. As the new century begins, it is useful to consider the challenge for worker protection policies in the years ahead. Clearly, the challenge will be framed by the demographic and economic changes that are influencing the American workforce.
Near-infrared cavity ringdown spectroscopy of water vapor in an atmospheric flame

We have used cavity ringdown spectroscopy CRDS to measure near-infrared overtone transitions of water in . atmospheric flames propane premixed jet and laminar methane-air flat flame burner . The strong signal output with a well-defined laser beam direction and the insensitivity to strong background emission present in hostile environments make CRDS ideal for the study of combustion environments. We have obtained spectra of water vapor from within a flame and extracted a profile of the rotational temperature and concentration of water vapor as a function of distance from the plane burner surface. q 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.
A journey to uncharted territory: new technical frontiers in studying tumor–stromal cell interactions

The crosstalk between tumor cells and cells of the tumor stroma dictate malignant progression and represent an intriguing and viable anticancer therapeutic target. The successful development of therapeutics targeting tumor–stroma interactions is tied to the insight provided by basic research on such crosstalk. Tumor–stroma interactions can be transient and dynamic, and they occur within defined spatiotemporal contexts among genetically and compositionally heterogeneous populations of cells, yet methods currently applied to study the said crosstalk do not sufficiently address these features. Emerging imaging and genetic methods, however, can overcome limitations of traditional approaches and provide unprecedented insight into tumor–stroma crosstalk with unparalleled accuracy. The comprehensive data obtained by applying emerging methods will require processing and analysis by multidisciplinary teams, but the efforts will ultimately rejuvenate hope in developing novel therapies against pro-tumorigenic tumor–stroma crosstalk.
Mitotic response to various dietary conditions in the normal and regenerating rat liver

SummaryRats were subjected to diets high in carbohydrate, protein, or fat for 7 days or to a 24-hr fast. Some of these rats were partially hepatectomized and the mitotic activity of the regenerating liver was measured either 20 or 24 hr postoperatively. The level of mitotic activity of the intact liver from the unoperated rats were also determined. The unoperated rats fed the high protein diet showed an increase in the resting mitotic activity, while those fed the high fat diet showed a decrease when these rats were compared to control rats fed a normal diet. Caloric restriction and food deprivation (24-hr fast) also caused a decrease in the resting mitotic activity. The partially hepatectomized rats fed the high protein and high fat diets or fasted for 24 hr showed a reduced mitotic activity during the periods studied, whereas caloric restriction had no effect. The high carbohydrate diet had no effect on the mitotic activity of either the intact or regenerating liver.
Carotid sinus nerve terminals which are tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive are found in the commissural nucleus of the tractus solitarius.

Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive sensory neurons in the petrosal ganglion selectively innervate the carotid body via the carotid sinus nerve. Central projections of the carotid sinus nerve were traced with horseradish peroxidase. The commissural nucleus of the tractus solitarius was examined by dual labelling light and electron microscopy. Dense bilateral labelling with horseradish peroxidase was found in the tractus solitarius and commissural nucleus of the tractus solitarius. Horseradish peroxidase was found in unmyelinated axons, myelinated axons, and nerve terminals. About 88% of horseradish peroxidaselabelled carotid sinus nerve axons were unmyelinated. Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity was identified in unmyelinated axons, myelinated axons, dendrites, perikarya, and nerve terminals. Most tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive axons (93%) in the commissural nucleus of the tractus solitarius were unmyelinated. Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity was simultaneously identified in carotid sinus nerve unmyelinated axons, myelinated axons, and nerve terminals. These double-labelled terminals comprised 28% of the number of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive terminals in the commissural nucleus of the tractus solitarius, and 55% of transganglionically-labelled terminals. Therefore, there are both central and peripheral sources of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive nerve terminals in the commissural nucleus of the tractus solitarius. These data support the hypothesis that peripheral tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive neurons are involved in the origination of the chemoreceptor reflex. Axo-axonic synapses between peripheral carotid sinus nerve afferent terminals and central terminals containing tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity were observed in 22% of the axo-axonic synapses observed. Thus, central tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity neurons are involved in the modulation of the chemo- and/or baroreceptor reflexes. Synaptic contacts were not observed between carotid sinus nerve afferents and tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive perikarya of dendrites. Catecholaminergic neurons are thus unlikely to be the second order neurons of either the chemo- or baroreceptor reflex in the commissural nucleus of the tractus solitarius.
Fluorescence Studies of Pyrene Maleimide-Labeled Translin: Excimer Fluorescence Indicates Subunits Associate in a Tail-to-Tail Configuration to Form Octamer

Translin is an octameric single-stranded DNA binding protein consisting of 228 amino acid residues per monomer. This protein contains two cysteine residues per monomer. Studies of reactions with DTNB show that both cysteines are reactive and exhibit biphasic reaction kinetics. Further studies with two site-directed mutants, C58S and C225S, confirm that Cys-58 reacts slowly while Cys-225 reacts quickly. Pyrene excimer emission was observed for pyrene maleimide-labeled C58S mutant. This was not observed, however, with the pyrene maleimide-labeled C225S mutant. DAS (decay associated spectra) revealed that all excited pyrene labels on C225 residues can form excimers with pyrenes of adjacent subunits within a few nanoseconds. Time-resolved emission anisotropy detects a rotational correlation time appropriate for octameric but not dimeric species. These results indicate proximity for the Cys-225 residues on adjacent monomers and that the subunits must interact in a tail-to-tail orientation. Moreover, disulfide bonds are not required for the formation of an octamer.
DC resistances in electrolytic crystallization from molten salts

Abstract The analogy between crystal growth from solution and the flow of current in a circuit is used to interpret data on the resistance measured during electrocrystallization from molten salts. Volume diffusion and interface kinetics are found to be the rate-determining processes in the growth of sodium tungsten bronze crystals, and a complex charge transfer reaction and the interface kinetic stage control the growth rate of lanthanum hexaboride.
Identification of differentially expressed proteins in human glioblastoma cell lines and tumors

An in-frame deletion of 801 bp in exons 2-7 (type III mutation) of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is detected at high incidence in primary glioblastoma tumors. A proteomic approach was used to generate differential protein expression maps of fetal human astrocytes (FHA), human glioblastoma cell lines U87MG and U87MG expressing type III EGFR deletion (U87MGdeltaEGFR) that confers high malignancy to tumor cells. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by in-gel digestion of separated spots and protein identification by LC-MS-MS and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) identified 23 proteins expressed at higher levels or exclusively in FHA and 29 proteins expressed at higher levels or exclusively in U87MG cells. Three proteins, ubiquitin, cystatin B, and tissue transglutaminase (TTG), were upregulated in U87MGdeltaEGFR relative to U87MG. Four proteins highly expressed by U87MG cells, Hsp27, major vault protein, TTG, and cystatin B, were analyzed by Western blot, ELISA, or RT-PCR in cell extracts and in tissue samples of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM; grade IV), low-grade astrocytomas (grades I and II), and nonmalignant brain lesions. All four proteins were highly expressed in GBM tissues compared to nonmalignant brain. These proteins may be used as diagnostic or functional (e.g., multiple drug resistance, invasiveness) markers for glioblastoma tumors.
Thermal convection in a sparcely packed porous layer saturated with suspended particles

This analytical study has considered the incipient convection of a sparcely packed porous medium saturated with suspended particles. A linear stability analysis is performed to determine the effects of the permeability of the medium and suspended components on the conditions for incipient instability under a range of thermal boundary conditions. The flow in the medium is modeled by using the Brinkman-extended Darcy model. The analysis reveals that the stability of the system is affected significantly by the presence of the porous medium, state of particles and the thermal boundary conditions. Moreover, the results of this study bridge the gap between thermal convection in a porous medium and in a classical fluid with suspended particles.
UNICOM: a universal communication and control system for the non-verbal motor impaired

The UNICOM is a communicator for the non-vocal severely motor impaired which is based upon a microprocessor-controlled video display and printer. Its fundamental concept is that it is a single device which can be adapted by simple plugin man/machine interfaces to operate in any of several control strategies: scanning, encoding, or direct selection. Input interface devices, ranging from a single switch to a full keyboard, are selected according to the residual motor capabilities of the user. The input device determines the control strategy.
Recycling of the Pulmonary Valve: An Elegant Solution for Secondary Pulmonary Regurgitation in Patients With Tetralogy of Fallot

Background The purpose of this study was to review our experience with recycling of the pulmonary valve in cases of chronic pulmonary insufficiency after a transannular patch procedure as part of a repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Methods Eight patients in whom the technique was used were reviewed. Technically, the valve was reapproximated at the anterior commissure if the valve leaflet was sufficiently developed and of good tissue quality. Additional corrections were performed in 5 patients (resection of an infundibular aneurysm [5 patients], repair of the tricuspid valve [1 patient]). Results The valve was competent with no or trivial regurgitation in 5 patients and a small regurgitation in 3 patients. There was no significant transvalvular gradient in 5 patients with tricuspid valves and a small gradient in 3 patients with a bicuspid valves ( Conclusions Recycling of the pulmonary valve is an interesting concept that could avoid the necessary reoperations linked with valves or valved prostheses. The repair must be carefully followed in bicuspid valves because of a reduction in the opening area. Valve leaflets of good quality should be preserved during the primary repair of tetralogy of Fallot and the transannular incision should be made across the anterior commissure if possible. These steps should allow a few patients to profit from a recycling of their valves in the future.
Dynamic effects in liquid crystal anchoring

Abstract An inverted-pendulum model is employed to study effects of the thermal motion of a substrate on the orientation of liquid crystal molecules. It is shown that the thermal vibration of the substrate can stabilize and destabilize the hemeotropic alignment of the liquid crystal molecules and be a driving force for anchoring transitions.
Kinetic study of N2(B3Πg, υ) quenching by laser-induced fluorescence☆

Abstract The quenching kinetics of N 2 (B 3 Π g , υ) have been determined in a low-pressure flow system in the absence of N atoms. Individual vibrational levels of the B state were populated by laser pumping (first-positive bands) of N 2 (A 3 Σ u + ) molecules. The latter were created upstream by energy transfer from Ar metastable atoms.
A Simplified Equation for Paulson’s Ψm(Z/L) Formulation for Overwater Applications

Abstract The mathematical formulation of Paulson’s Ψm(Z/L) that applies to the unstable atmospheric boundary layer has been simplified. The authors propose that Ψm(Z/L) = a(−Z/L)b, where the coefficients a and b have been determined. Based on data provided in Panofsky and Dutton, a = 1.0496 and b = 0.4591. The correlation coefficient between Ψm(Z/L) and (−Z/L) is 0.99, so this equation can directly account for (0.99)2 = 98% of the variation in Ψm(Z/L). Comparisons between Paulson’s and this proposed formula show that the difference between the two is negligible for overwater applications.
Delayed Complete Bilateral Ptosis Associated With Massive Infarction of the Right Hemisphere

Objective To characterize the phenomenon of complete bilateral ptosis associated with massive infarction of the right cerebral hemisphere, particularly with respect to its time course and relationship to herniation syndromes. Patients and Methods In May through July 2002, consecutive patients admitted to the neurology/neurosurgery intensive care unit at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, with massive infarction of the right cerebral hemisphere, and later, complete bilateral ptosis, underwent serial neurologic examinations and neuroimaging. Results Six patients with massive infarction of the right cerebral hemisphere developed complete bilateral ptosis. All had normal eyelid opening at initial examination and later developed ptosis, which clearly preceded signs of herniation. Three patients died after herniation syndromes developed. In the 3 survivors, improvement in ptosis closely followed resolution of midbrain distortion seen on computed tomographic scans. Conclusion The precise anatomical explanation for complete bilateral ptosis is unclear, but upper brainstem involvement seems most likely. Complete bilateral ptosis is a valuable clinical sign in patients with a massive hemispheric infarction that precedes herniation and could provide an opportunity for early intervention.
Oxygen isotopic fractionation between oxygen of different sites in hydroxyl-bearing silicate minerals

A method has been developed for extraction of hydroxyl oxygen from hydroxyl-bearing silicate minerals for oxygen isotopic analysis. The δO^(18) of oxygen of the OH groups is significantly different from that in the rest of the mineral structure. The isotopic fractionation between the two types of sites has the potential to be a sensitive geothermometer. Several δO^(18) values were obtained for oxygen of the OH attached to different silicate structures as well as for two muscovite samples with quantitatively estimated different temperatures of formation. The 1000 In α (mineral-OH) values ranged from 5.2‰ for muscovite to about 12.6‰ for kaolinite and chlorite.
A comparative review of cutaneous pH

This review describes the role of pH in cutaneous structure and function. We first describe the molecules that contribute to the acidity or alkalinity of the skin. Next, differences in cutaneous pH among species, among individuals of the same species and within individuals are described. The potential functions of cutaneous pH in normal and diseased skin are analysed. For example, cutaneous pH has a role in the selection and maintenance of the normal cutaneous microbiota. In addition, cutaneous acidity may protect the skin against infection by microbes. Finally, there is evidence that a cutaneous pH gradient activates pH-dependent enzymes involved in the process of keratinization.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Other Risk Factors for Cervical Dysplasia Among Southwestern Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Women

Objective. —To assess risk factors for high-grade cervical dysplasia among southwestern Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women. Design. —Clinic-based case-control study. Setting. —University-affiliated gynecology clinics. Subjects. —Cases were Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women with biopsy-proven high-grade cervical dysplasia (n=201). Controls were Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women from the same clinics with normal cervical epithelium (n=337). Methods. —Study design included interviews focused on histories of sexually transmitted diseases, sexual behavior, reproductive histories, hygienic practices, contraceptive use, cigarette smoking, and diet. Laboratory studies included bacterial and protozoal cultures of the cervix; hybridization tests to identify human papillomavirus (HPV) genome with commercial (ViraPap and ViraType) and polymerase chain reaction—based assays; and serum antibody tests for herpes simplex virus,Chlamydia trachomatis, syphilis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Results. —For both ethnic groups combined, after adjustment for ethnicity, age, and sexual behavior, the strongest risks for cervical dysplasia were associated with cervical HPV infection as identified by ViraPap (odds ratio [OR], 12.8; 95% confidence interval [Cl], 8.2 to 20.0) or with polymerase chain reaction (OR, 20.8; 95% Cl, 10.8 to 40.2). Other factors associated with dysplasia included cigarette smoking at the time of diagnosis (OR, 1.8; 95% Cl, 1.2 to 2.8); low income (OR, 2.2; 95% Cl, 1.2 to 4.0); low educational level (OR, 6.2; 95% Cl, 3.4 to 11.1); history of any sexually transmitted disease (OR, 1.9; 95% Cl, 1.3 to 2.7); and seroprevalence of antibodies to hepatitis B (OR, 1.8; 95% Cl, 0.9 to 3.5). For Hispanic women, HPV 16/18 identified by ViraType was strongly associated with cervical dysplasia (OR, 171.0; 95% Cl, 22.8 to 1280.5). Antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 2 were not associated with dysplasia in Hispanic women but were significantly associated with dysplasia among non-Hispanic whites. Risks associated with cigarette smoking also varied by ethnic group. Conclusions. —The strongest risk factor associated with high-grade cervical dysplasia among clinic attendees was HPV infection. Although most of the risk factors we examined showed similar associations for dysplasia for both ethnic groups, our data suggest that several different risk factors may be relevant to the development of cervical dysplasia in Hispanics compared with non-Hispanic whites who attend the same clinics. (JAMA. 1994;271:1181-1188)
Shedding Dialectical Tiers: A Social-Epistemic View

Is there a duty to respond to objections in order to present a good argument? Ralph Johnson argues that there is such a duty, which he refers to as the ‘dialectical tier’ of an argument. I deny the (alleged) duty primarily on grounds that it would exert too great a demand on arguers, harming argumentation practices. The valuable aim of responding to objections, which Johnson’s dialectical tier is meant to satisfy, can be achieved in better ways, as argumentation is a social-epistemic activity.
ASIAN IMPORTERS' PERCEPTIONS OF AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS

Twenty‐eight importers from the five “dragons” in Asia (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong) were interviewed about their problems in doing business with American manufacturers, and their suggestions for increasing future imports from the United States. Findings are presented in a marketing framework: product, price, distribution, promotion, regulations and interactions. Overall, American firms were perceived to apply the selling concept, to use short‐term planning, and to provide little support to their Asian agents. By contrast, Japanese and European firms used the marketing concept, did long‐range planning, and provided substantially more promotional assistance.
Laboratory simulation of Venusian lightning

Evidence of lightning activity in the Venusian atmosphere has been obtained from the Venera 9, 11, and 12 spacecraft, and from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO). However, a search for optical pulses expected from Venusian lightning using the star sensor on the PVO did not detect any signals. It has been suggested that the star sensor did not detect lightning because Venusian lightning does not radiate in the 500- to 900-nm spectral region detected by the star sensor. In this paper, spectra obtained from a laboratory simulation of Venusian lightning are discussed. Both the laboratory spectrum and the results of a theoretical calculation of line intensities show that Venusian lightning can be expected to radiate strongly in the 600- to 900-nm spectral region. Hence, the failure of the star sensor to detect lightning must be caused by the low flashing rate or by the low intensity of Venusian lightning.
Effect of Haptic Feedback in Laparoscopic Surgery Skill Acquisition

The benefits of haptic feedback in laparoscopic surgery training simulators is a topic of debate in the literature. It is hypothesized that novice surgeons may not benefit from the haptic information, especially during the initial phase of learning a new task. Therefore, provision of haptic feedback to novice trainees in the early stage of training may be distracting and detrimental to learning. A controlled experiment was conducted to examine the effect of haptic feedback on the learning curve of a complex laparoscopic suturing and knot-tying task. The ProMIS and the MIST-VR surgical simulators were used to represent conditions with and without haptic feedback, respectively. A total of 20 novice subjects (10 per simulator) were trained to perform suturing and knot-tying and practiced the tasks in 18 sessions of 1 h each. At the end of the 3-week training period, the subjects performed equally fast but more consistently with haptics (ProMIS) than without haptics (MIST-VR). The subjects showed a slightly higher learning rate and reached the first plateau of the learning curve earlier with haptic feedback. In general, learning with haptic feedback was significantly better than learning without it for a laparoscopic suturing and knot-tying task, but only during the first 5 h of training. Haptic feedback may not be warranted in laparoscopic surgical trainers. The benefits of a shorter time to the first performance plateau and more consistent initial performance should be balanced with the cost of implementing haptic feedback in surgical simulators.
Provision of and Request for Agricultural Extension Services

Provision of and request for extension services are simultaneously determined by economic, social, and policy variables. This paper examines the allocation of extension services provided to settlements in terms of a demand-supply model using data from Israel. Results suggest that the amount of extension provided affects the request for extension and vice versa. Other variables influencing the amount of extension services provided and requested are structure, scale, and age of the settlement and its distance from the extension center. The role of a settlement coordinator is of great importance in determining the amount of services provided.
Isokinetic sampling probe and image processing system for droplet size measurement in two-phase flow

Abstract The present system consists of an isokinetic sampling probe, droplet collection mechanism and an image processing package. A droplet sample was extracted from flow field by the sampling probe and collected by an immiscible liquid. Droplet images were grabbed and digitized by an image processing system. Image processing software was developed for droplet counting and sizing, with the capability of distinguishing overlapping droplets. Possible measurement distortion factors such as droplet deposition in the probe, droplet breakup and coalescence were studied. A simple criterion for minimizing measurement distortion was obtained. The system can be used for both water and liquid-metal droplets.
The Wnt-inducible Transcription Factor Twist1 Inhibits Chondrogenesis

Wnt signaling is essential for many developmental processes, including skeletogenesis. To investigate the effects of Wnt signaling during skeletogenesis we studied the effects of Wnt on cultured chondrocytic cells and differentiating limb-bud mesenchyme. We showed that Wnt3a strongly repressed chondrogenesis and chondrocyte gene expression. Canonical Wnt signaling was responsible for the repression of differentiation, as evidenced by results showing that inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 or expression of beta-catenin caused similar repression of differentiation. Significantly, we showed that the transcription repressor Twist1 is induced by canonical Wnt signaling. Expression of Twist1 strongly inhibited chondrocyte gene expression and short hairpin RNA knockdown of Twist1 transcript levels caused increased expression of the chondrocyte-specific genes aggrecan and type II collagen. Interestingly, Twist1 interfered with BMP2-induced expression of aggrecan and type II collagen expression and knockdown of Twist1 augmented BMP2-induced aggrecan and type II collagen expression. These data support the conclusions that Twist1 contributes to the repression of chondrogenesis and chondrocyte gene expression resulting from canonical Wnt signaling and that Twist1 interferes with BMP-dependent signaling.
TEMPORAL STABILITY AND CHANGE IN ATTITUDES TOWARD THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION

Temporal distance from a catastrophic social event, e.g., the killing of President John Kennedy, might be expected to result in a de-differentiation (simplification) of the configuration of attitudes surrounding the event. In a factor-analytic sense, this would be seen through the identification of fewer attitude dimensions a year after the killing and after the original study. Present results disconfirm the simplification hypothesis, showing instead, the same attitude factors as originally identified for Ss sampled in the same four American universities. Analyses for various subgroups of undergraduates show some interpretable changes in factor-scale profiles.
Rhinolift: A Uniquely Simple Technique to Address the Ptotic Nasal Tip

In patients with nasal tip ptosis due to senile elastosis, both the soft tissue envelope and underlying cartilaginous framework must be properly addressed to achieve satisfactory results. The rhinolift, when performed on properly selected patients, is one the most rewarding procedures in any facial plastic surgeon’s armamentarium. The procedure is simple to master, expeditious, and has little morbidity.
Gas-phase laser synthesis of aggregation-free, size-controlled hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

Nanophase hydroxyapatite (HA) is finding applications in many areas of biomedical research, including bone tissue engineering, drug delivery, and intracellular imaging. Details in chemical composition, crystal phase makeup, size, and shape of HA nanoparticles play important roles in achieving the favorable biological responses required in these applications. Most of the nanophase HA synthesis techniques involve solution-based methods that exhibit substantial aggregation of particles upon precipitation. Typically these methods also have limited control over the particle size and crystal phase composition. In this study, we describe the gas-phase synthesis of aggregation-free, size-controlled HA nanoparticles with mean size in the 20–70 nm range using laser ablation followed by aerosol electrical mobility classification. Nanoparticle deposits with adjustable number concentration were obtained on solid substrates. Particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Samples are well represented by log-normal size distributions with geometric standard deviation σ g ≈ 1.2. The most suitable conditions for HA nanoparticle formation at a laser fluence of 5 J/cm2 were found to be a temperature of 800 °C and a partial pressure of water of 160 mbar.
Shape Selectivity for Constrained Solutes in Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography

In reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC), the separation of compound mixtures of similar polarity can present a significant challenge for the analyst. Examples of such compounds include geometric isomers present in environmental samples (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles, and polychlorinated biphenyl congeners) and compounds of biological significance (e.g., carotenoids and steroids). In general, compounds with rigid, well-defined molecular shape are best separated using a column with enhanced shape selectivity characteristics. This perspective presents an overview of column properties that influence shape selectivity for constrained solutes. Approaches to the characterization of stationary-phase structure are described, and the findings are correlated with chromatographic performance. Finally, retention models of shape discrimination are presented that are consistent with observed retention behavior. An appreciation for shape recognition effects in RPLC...
First- and second-order diatomic-to-monatomic phase transitions in a model crystal

The pressure-induced diatomic-to-monatomic phase transition is investigated in a model crystal based on a Tersoff-type interatomic potential. The phase transition is first-order when the many-body interaction is long-ranged, but second-order when the many-body interaction is short-ranged. The change in the order of the phase transition is related to a crossing of the stability limits of the diatomic structure with respect to fluctuations of volume and with respect to fluctuations of the internal parameter.
Coronary reserve in volume-induced right ventricular hypertrophy from atrial septal defect*

To assess coronary reserve in patients with right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy secondary to volume overload, the quantitative characteristics of coronary reactive hyperemia were examined in 20 patients with a large atrial septal defect (ASD). The control group consisted of 13 patients who had undergone elective cardiac surgery for abnormalities that did not involve the right ventricle or its blood supply. Coronary blood flow velocity was measured in RV branches of the right coronary artery at cardiac surgery. Echocardiographic measurements of RV diameter in ASD and in control patients (2.3 +/- 0.2 and 1.1 +/- 0.2 cm, respectively, p less than 0.05) documented the presence of substantial RV enlargement in patients with ASD. In patients with ASD and in control subjects, a 20-second coronary occlusion produced maximal coronary dilation. After release of a 20 second coronary occlusion, the peak-to-resting velocity ratio in ASD and in control patients was 3.1 +/- 0.2 and 5.5 +/- 0.1, respectively (p less than 0.05). The 50% decrease in the ratio of peak-to-resting coronary blood flow velocity, a measure of relative coronary reserve, in patients with ASD suggests that coronary reserve is compromised in volume-induced RV hypertrophy. These studies support the concept that in humans, volume-induced RV hypertrophy substantially decreases coronary reserve.
XML middleware to services on STB

The potential of the set-top box has accelerated the future of home network. We present in this paper our ideas and implementation to illustrate the benefits of XML as a messaging protocol between the client and the services on the set-top box. To that end, the capability of using XML as the message exchange language and protocol for services residing on the STB are shown by prototypical applications of a CD player and a Lego Controller. The first application is able to access a CD Drive on the STB through mobile devices like PDA's and wireless laptops on an 802.11b wireless network, thus rendering the user with the flexibility to control remotely the CD drive via XML messages. In a similar manner, the other application was developed to control the movements of a Lego Robot.