cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A phase I comparative study of three contraceptive vaginal films containing nonoxynol-9: Postcoital testing and colposcopy

Abstract The objectives of this study were 1) to assess the ability of a new contraceptive vaginal film containing two doses of nonoxynol-9 (N-9) to prevent the penetration of sperm into midcycle cervical mucus, and 2) to determine the effect of the film on the vaginal epithelium. The novel formulation was compared with VCF® (a currently marketed film also containing N-9). Ten women underwent two baseline cycles of postcoital testing in which no film was used, followed by three test cycles in which Allendale-N9 film, a new film containing either 100 or 130 mg N-9, or VCF containing 70 mg N-9 was used. The sequence of testing cycles was randomized. In each cycle, condoms were used prior to midcyle, then a midcycle cervical mucus specimen was examined to ensure midcycle characteristics and the absence of sperm. Each woman then had intercourse using either no film (baseline cycles) or a test film (test cycles) and returned 2–3 h afterwards. Cervical mucus was again assessed for adequacy and the presence of sperm. Each woman also underwent colposcopy using a protocol developed by the World Health Organization. The average number of progressively motile sperm seen per high power field were as follows: average of the two baseline cycles, 19.3; test cycle with Allendale-N9 film containing 100 mg N-9, 0.6; test cycle with Allendale-N9 film containing 130 mg N-9, 0.9; and test cycle with VCF 0.6. There was no significant difference between baseline cycles or between test cycles in the number of progressively motile sperm per high power field (HPF) seen (p = 0.31 and p ≥ 0.50, respectively). The average number of motile sperm seen in each test cycle did, however, differ significantly from the number in either baseline cycle (p A vaginal contraceptive containing either 100 or 130 mg N-9 in a new film base appears to be safe and comparable to VCF in preventing sperm from entering midcycle cervical mucus.
Comprehension Breakdown with inductively Organized Text Differences Between Average and Disabled Readers

Comprehension differences between inductively and deductively organized text were investigated. Main idea recall of average fourth-grade readers and disabled sixth-grade readers was contrasted on both inductively organized and deductively organized paragraphs. Half of each ability group was tested with a retell and half with a multiple-choice measure. The results indicate that inductively organized text presented problems for almost all the children tested. The error patterns or. the retell measure suggest that the average readers were approaching the text in a more systematic manner. These ability group differences were not indicated on the multiple-choice measure. Results are discussed in regard to the effect of organizational structure and type of comprehension measure on comprehension performance.
Further results in the unified analysis of digital communication systems

Stein's (1964) method can be extended to the analysis of the bit error probability (BEP) of quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), staggered QPSK, and minimum shift keying (MSK) communication systems. The resultant noisy reference BEP waterfall curves are presented. The numerical advantages of this technique and some practical results are discussed. In a parallel manner, the BEP for quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) communication systems can be analyzed. This technique is numerically more intensive but is used to generate noisy reference BEP waterfall curves for 16-QAM and 64-QAM modulations. Unfortunately, few carrier synchronizers produce a complex Gaussian reference signal, but pragmatically many reference signals can be accurately approximated by a complex Gaussian at moderate to high SNR. Actual BEP performance and the approximate results are compared. >
Strain and loading of the second metatarsal during heel-lift

Metatarsal stress fractures occur in military recruits after long marches and in athletes after episodes of overtraining involving running or jumping. It has been demonstrated that contraction of the plantar flexors of the toes helps to counteract the moments placed on the metatarsals by body weight. It is possible that physiological fatigue due to strenuous or repetitive exercise reduces the rate and force of contraction of the plantar flexors, thereby increasing metatarsal strain per cycle, and that this mechanism is the primary cause of stress fractures of these bones. To test the hypothesis that fatigue of the plantar flexors causes increased metatarsal loading, thereby predisposing these bones to stress fracture, we measured metatarsal strains in nine fresh cadaveric feet with use of an apparatus that simulated physiological loading due to body weight as well as contraction of the plantar flexors. Each foot was loaded to 750 newtons of ground-reaction force by simulated contraction of the triceps surae, and strains were recorded in the mid-part of the shaft of the second metatarsal. Tests were repeated with use of simulated activity of different combinations of the flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, peroneus brevis, peroneus longus, and tibialis posterior muscles. In situ bending moments and axial loads subsequently were derived for each configuration. Dorsal strain was significantly reduced by simulated contraction of the flexor hallucis longus. Plantar-dorsal bending was significantly reduced by simulated contraction of the flexor digitorum longus.
Designing for electrical safety that can withstand legal scrutiny

When considering the issue of electrical safety in product and system design, it is critical to use a well defined design process that complies with the legal standards. Engineers need not be lawyers but they do need to understand how the law views the process of engineering design. For any product or system that brings electrical energy into close proximity with human users, the risk of electrical injury must always be deemed as foreseeable. Design considerations must be constructed upon knowledge of foreseeable risks from intended as well as unintended uses of the product or system. To comport with legal standards, foreseeable modes of failure must be identified and dealt with before the product or system ever sees the marketplace. Negligence in design attaches when the design process fails such that the designer's duty to follow the appropriate and proper design procedure has been breached.
Semi-interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels based on aspen hemicellulose and chitosan: Effect of crosslinking sequence on hydrogel properties

Semi-interpenetrating network hydrogel films were prepared using hemicellulose and chemically cross- linked chitosan. Hemicellulose was extracted from aspen by using a novel alkaline treatment and characterized by HPSEC, and consisted of a mixture of high and low molecular weight polymeric fractions. HPLC analysis of the acid hydrolysate of the hemicellulose showed that its major constituent sugar was xylose. X-ray analysis showed that the relative crystallinity of hydrogels increased with increasing hemicellulose content up to 31.3%. Strong intermolecular interactions between chitosan and hemicellulose were evidenced by FT-IR analysis. Quanti- tative analysis of free amino groups showed that hemicellu- lose could interrupt the chemical crosslinking of chitosan macromolecules. Mechanical testing and swelling experi- ments were used to define the effective network crosslink density and average molecular weight between crosslinks. Swelling ratios increased with increasing hemicellulose con- tent and mainly consisted of H-bonded bound water. Results revealed that by altering the hydrogel preparation steps and hemicellulose content, crosslink density and swelling behav- ior of semi-IPN hydrogels could be controlled without deteri- orating their mechanical properties. V C 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 124: 1168-1177, 2012
An on-site dosimetry system for safety assessment of wireless base stations using spatial harmonic components

Most of the recently revised safety limits worldwide are set in terms of the limits of rates of internal energy deposition [specific absorption rates (SARs)] for radio/microwave frequencies. Since procedures to ascertain compliance with the SAR limits are cumbersome, requiring complex computer modeling or bulky, mostly homogenous experimental phantoms, they are ignored in favor of easy-to-measure incident fields. Radio-frequency (RF)/microwave installations are thus erroneously declared safety compliant or not based solely on the measured incident fields. A rapid "real-time" SAR determination system is also needed to define the safety zone for RF/microwave installations such as wireless base stations. We describe an approach where the measured incident electric (E) fields (both vertical and horizontal components) for an imaginary vertical plane of dimension 0.96/spl times/2.28 m in the immediate vicinity of the intended location of the human may be used to obtain whole-body-average and peak 1- or 10-g SARs using a portable PC in less than one minute of compute time. The method relies on describing the measured E fields in terms of space harmonic components and using the prestored solutions for the internal E-fields (E/sub x/,E/sub y/,E/sub z/) for the various voxels of the human body model for six to ten strongest harmonic components. This approach has been validated using examples of commercial base-station antennas both at 835 and 1900 MHz, elevated or not, for varying distances (1-10 m) of the human model from such antennas. The whole-body-average and peak 1-g SARs are less than 5-10% different than those obtained using the computationally intensive full finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations.
Cadmium, vectorial active transport, and MT-3-dependent regulation of cadherin expression in human proximal tubular cells.

Previous studies from this laboratory have implicated the expression of the third isoform of metallothionein (MT-3) in the maintenance of proximal tubular vectorial active ion transport. It was shown that HK-2 cells have no expression of MT-3 and do not form domes in culture; whereas, the human proximal tubular (HPT) cells and HK-2 cells stably transfected with MT-3 [HK-2(MT-3)] form these structures. In the present study, this association was further explored by determining the effect of MT-3 expression on the expression of the E -, P -, N -, K -, and Ksp-cadherins. It was demonstrated that the HPT cells and HK-2(MT-3) cells had significant elevations in the expression of messenger RNA and protein for the E -, P -, and Ksp-cadherins compared with that of the HK-2 cells transfected with the blank vector [HK-2(blank vector)]. In contrast, the HK-2(blank vector) cells had significantly elevated expression of N- and K-cadherin compared with both the HPT and HK-2(MT-3) cell lines. These patterns of cadherin expression provide strong evidence that MT-3 might be involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition that is postulated to occur during several disease states and in the mesenchymal to epithelial transition that occurs during normal kidney morphogenesis. A final goal of the study was to determine if Cd +2 exposure influenced vectorial active transport of the proximal tubular cells and if this might occur through alterations in the expression of MT-3. It was shown that exposure to Cd +2 eliminated vectorial active transport by the proximal tubular cell lines, but that Cd +2 exposure did not reduce the expression of the MT-3 protein. The study shows that the level of MT-3 expression in HPT cells influences transepithelial resistance and cadherin expression but does not influence the Cd +2 -induced loss of vectorial active transport.
Analytical shape computation of macromolecules: I. molecular area and volume through alpha shape

The size and shape of macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids play an important role in their functions. Prior efforts to quantify these properties have been based on various discretization or tessellation procedures involving analytical or numerical computations. In this article, we present an analytically exact method for computing the metric properties of macromolecules based on the alpha shape theory. This method uses the duality between alpha complex and the weighted Voronoi decomposition of a molecule. We describe the intuitive ideas and concepts behind the alpha shape theory and the algorithm for computing areas and volumes of macromolecules. We apply our method to compute areas and volumes of a number of protein systems. We also discuss several difficulties commonly encountered in molecular shape computations and outline methods to overcome these problems.
Fluorescent Heterogeneities in Turbid Media: Limits for Detection With Dual-Interfering Sources Excitation

Abstract : A quantitative comparison between the single source and the dual-interfering sources configurations for the detection of fluorescent heterogeneities embedded in a piecewise highly scattering homogeneous fluorescent background was carried out. The study is based upon simulations using analytical solutions of the frequency domain diffuse photon density waves and practical signal-to-noise ratio considerations. Results show that the dual-interfering sources outperformed single source techniques for the detection of heterogeneities in terms of fluorophore concentration and lifetime contrast. To detect the same inhomogeneity, less concentration and lifetime contrast are required with dual-interfering sources.
Primary care and public health activities in select U.S. health centers: documenting successes, barriers, and lessons learned.

Objectives. We examined primary care and public health activities among federally funded health centers, to better understand their successes, the barriers encountered, and the lessons learned.Methods. We used qualitative and quantitative methods to collect data from 9 health centers, stratified by administrative division, urban–rural location, and race/ethnicity of patients served. Descriptive data on patient and institutional characteristics came from the Uniform Data System, which collects data from all health centers annually. We administered questionnaires and conducted phone interviews with key informants.Results. Health centers performed well on primary care coordination and community orientation scales and reported conducting many essential public health activities. We identified specific needs for integrating primary care and public health: (1) more funding for collaborations and for addressing the social determinants of health, (2) strong leadership to champion collaborations, (3) trust building...
Corporate growth, corporate strategy, and the choice of capital structure

The interaction between a firm's strategic decisions and its financial policies has become an increasingly frequent topic in the managerial economics literature. We examine here a dimension of that interaction that has not previously been addressed, and suggest a new framework for defining the manner in which choices of strategy and choices of capital structure might be jointly determined, in an environment where upward pressures on factor costs and product prices are the norm.
Lipid signalling couples translational surveillance to systemic detoxification in Caenorhabditis elegans

Translation in eukaryotes is followed to detect toxins and virulence factors and coupled to the induction of defence pathways. Caenorhabditis elegans germline-specific mutations in translation components are detected by this system to induce detoxification and immune responses in distinct somatic cells. An RNA interference screen revealed gene inactivations that act at multiple steps in lipid biosynthetic and kinase pathways upstream of MAP kinase to mediate the systemic communication of translation defects to induce detoxification genes. Mammalian bile acids can rescue the defect in detoxification gene induction caused by C. elegans lipid biosynthetic gene inactivations. Extracts prepared from C. elegans with translation deficits but not from the wild type can also rescue detoxification gene induction in lipid-biosynthesis-defective strains. These eukaryotic antibacterial countermeasures are not ignored by bacteria: particular bacterial species suppress normal C. elegans detoxification responses to mutations in translation factors.
Development and in-vitro evaluation of an optimized carvedilol transdermal therapeutic system using experimental design approach

Abstract The effect of formulation variables on in-vitro release and permeation properties of carvedilol from transdermal patch was studied by varying one factor at a time as preliminary study. Based on these results, design of experiments technique was applied followed by regression analysis and response surface methodology to optimize formulation variables. Central Composite IV model design was used with four formulation variables: drug loading, matrix thickness, adhesive layer thickness, and propylene glycol concentration. Nineteen formulations were prepared according to the design; and the effect of formulation variables was studied on in-vitro release and permeation profiles of these formulations. In all cases, the permeation profiles paralleled in-vitro release profiles. The drug released at 7 h and 24 h was used as release response parameters while permeation flux obtained was employed as permeation response parameter. All four formulation variables were found to be significant for release properties and three of these exhibited significant effect on permeation profile of carvedilol across artificial membrane. Constrained optimization, using 47.9% of cumulative carvedilol released at 7 h and 99.8% at 24 h as well as 25.7 μg/cm 2 /h of permeation flux, was applied to obtain desired release and permeation profiles. Experimentally, carvedilol was observed to release from the optimized formulation with 51.4% drug release at 7 h and 98.5% at 24 h with an observed flux value of 27.4 μg/cm 2 /h across artificial membrane, which showed an excellent agreement with the predicted values. The results of this investigation show that the quadratic mathematical model developed could be used to further predict formulations with desirable release and permeation properties.
Switching Activity Analysis Considering Spatioternporal Correlations

This work presents techniques for computing the switching activities of all circuit nodes under pseudorandom or biased input sequences and assuming a zero delay mode of operation. Complex spatiotemporal correlations among the circuit inputs and internal nodes are considered by using a lag-one Markov Chain model. Evaluations of the model and a comparative analysis presented for benchmark circuits demonstrates the accuracy and the practicality of the method. The results presented in this paper are useful in power estimation and low power design.
The influence of temperature on the cycle life performance of rechargeable Li-TiS/sub 2/ cells

The authors report studies on the influence of low temperature on the properties and cycling performance of six selected electrolytes. The electrolytes investigated were 2-MeTHF, EC/2-MeTHF, THF, THF/2-MeTHF, EC/THF, and EC/THF/2-MeTHF. All the electrolytes contained 1.5 M LiAsF/sub 6/. Open circuit stand tests indicated that organic electrolytes exhibited improved stability towards lithium at 10 degrees C. However, cycling of the cells at 10 degrees C did not result in improved cycle life performance. >
A new feedback congestion control policy for long propagation delays

This paper presents a new feedback congestion control mechanism for the flow control of the best-effort available bit rate (ABR) traffic in ATM networks. This new mechanism belongs to the class of feedback control schemes that ensure no data losses and operate based on simple 'stop' and 'start' signals. A novelty presented by this paper is a methodology which, for a given set of desired properties, leads to the specification of the corresponding control algorithm. For the case of a single connection, the algorithm can operate with the theoretically minimum possible buffer size. Interestingly, the algorithm obtained has a different structure than the previous schemes; it does not operate based on fixed high and low thresholds. A new congestion control mechanism is subsequently derived for the flow control of multiple connections. The new scheme is exercised hop-by-hop and on a per-connection basis. This scheme allows connections to share memory and bandwidth resources efficiently within the network. The performance of the new scheme is also presented, and its statistical multiplexing efficiency is demonstrated. The measures investigated include buffer occupancy, average delay, overhead due to the protocol signals, and sustained throughput. In the case of long propagation delays, the buffer savings achieved by the new scheme are substantial. >
Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Ureteral Reimplantation

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery was described initially 10 years ago, but never achieved real popularity, presumably because of the difficulty in dissection and suturing. It has been reintroduced slowly in the last 4 years, but is still a technical challenge. Robotics facilitates intracorporeal suturing and has recently been deemed safe and feasible. Laparoscopic reimplantation with or without robotic-assisted surgical devices is currently being developed as an alternative to open surgery with great success. Robotics can be implemented in the different techniques of ureteral reimplantation including both extravesical and vesicoscopic approaches as well as in teaching modules.
Attending to the health needs of people with intellectual disability: quality standards

People with intellectual disabilities remain among the most vulnerable members of society and often face many barriers to healthcare. They experience major health problems and risks yet pay a disability penalty, the result of social exclusion, discrimination and isolation. If public health strategies are to address the physical and mental health needs of people with intellectual disabilities, attention needs to be given to their particular health profile. Health targets, quality standards and outcome measures must attend to their needs, for the measure of civilisation is how well we treat those who are deemed more vulnerable and less able in society. This article highlights how these issues are being addressed in westernised countries and some of the dilemmas and challenges faced by health care organisations.
Screening Accuracy of Level 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder Rating Scales A Review of Selected Instruments

The goal of this review was to examine the state of Level 2, caregiver-completed rating scales for the screening of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) in individuals above the age of three years. We focused on screening accuracy and paid particular attention to comparison groups. Inclusion criteria required that scales be developed post ICD-10, be ASD-specific, and have published evidence of diagnostic validity in peer-reviewed journals. The five scales reviewed were: the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), Gilliam Autism Rating Scale/Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-Second Edition (GARS/GARS-2), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ), and Asperger Syndrome Diagnostic Scale (ASDS). Twenty total studies were located, most examining the SCQ. Research on the other scales was limited. Comparisons between scales were few and available evidence of diagnostic validity is scarce for certain subpopulations (e.g., lower functioning individuals, PDDNOS). Overall, the SCQ performed well, the SRS and ASSQ showed promise, and the GARS/GARS-2 and ASDS demonstrated poor sensitivity. This review indicates that Level 2 ASD caregiver-completed rating scales are in need of much more scientific scrutiny.
A clinical decision support needs assessment of community-based physicians

Objective To conduct a grounded needs assessment to elicit community-based physicians' current views on clinical decision support (CDS) and its desired capabilities that may assist future CDS design and development for community-based practices. Materials and methods To gain insight into community-based physicians' goals, environments, tasks, and desired support tools, we used a human–computer interaction model that was based in grounded theory. We conducted 30 recorded interviews with, and 25 observations of, primary care providers within 15 urban and rural community-based clinics across Oregon. Participants were members of three healthcare organizations with different commercial electronic health record systems. We used a grounded theory approach to analyze data and develop a user-centered definition of CDS and themes related to desired CDS functionalities. Results Physicians viewed CDS as a set of software tools that provide alerts, prompts, and reference tools, but not tools to support patient management, clinical operations, or workflow, which they would like. They want CDS to enhance physician–patient relationships, redirect work among staff, and provide time-saving tools. Participants were generally dissatisfied with current CDS capabilities and overall electronic health record usability. Discussion Physicians identified different aspects of decision-making in need of support: clinical decision-making such as medication administration and treatment, and cognitive decision-making that enhances relationships and interactions with patients and staff. Conclusion Physicians expressed a need for decision support that extended beyond their own current definitions. To meet this requirement, decision support tools must integrate functions that align time and resources in ways that assist providers in a broad range of decisions.
Inclusionary Instructional Methods Addressing a Diversity of Learners in Geotechnical Engineering Education

While an instructor may not be able to control the diversity present in their classroom, what is under their control is the way in which this diversity is addressed. On certain levels general characteristics, such as an emphasis on respectful attitudes for example, can provide overarching support for all students. From a learning perspective however, the recognition of multiple learning styles may require a more specialized approach to ensure that benefits can be realized by everyone in the classroom. This paper will consider these learning styles from within both an introductory soil mechanics course, as well as an upper level geotechnical engineering design course. Additionally, the inclusion of several of AAC&U's High Impact Practices such as writing intensive courses, collaborative assignments and projects, undergraduate research, and capstone projects that have shown to have a positive impact on diverse student populations and have been applied in these courses will be described.
A fast click–slow release strategy towards the HPLC-free synthesis of RNA

A general strategy for purification of oligonucleotides synthesized by solid phase synthesis is described. It is based on a recently developed concept involving a bio-orthogonal inverse electron demand Diels–Alder reaction between trans-cyclooctene and tetrazine, termed ‘click-to-release’. The strategy has been applied towards the synthesis and purification of a model hairpin RNA strand, as well as a 34 nt long aptamer.
Diagnosis and Management of Colorectal Neoplasia in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a known complication of longstanding and extensive ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s colitis. The risk of developing CRC in Crohn’s colitis and UC appears to be similar. Several factors are known to confer an increased risk of developing CRC. These include duration, extent and severity of disease, family history of CRC, age, gender, endoscopic features, and a concomitant diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Enrollment in an endoscopic surveillance program has been advocated by the American Gastroenterology Association, the British Society of Gastroenterology, the American College of Gastroenterology, and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. The goal of colonoscopic surveillance is to minimize the morbidity and mortality from CRC while identifying those patients who require colectomy. While there is some variation in the specific recommendations, all patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) should undergo a screening colonoscopy 8–10 years after disease onset. With the exception of patients with isolated small bowel Crohn’s and distal ulcerative proctosigmoiditis, subsequent surveillance endoscopies should be performed every 1–3 years depending on risk factors. Adequate surveillance to detect dysplasia involves obtaining a total of 33 biopsies in patients with pan colonic involvement. Chromoendoscopy is a new technique proven to increase the detection of dysplasia. Raised dysplastic lesions may be managed with endoscopic resection if the entire lesion is removed. High grade dysplasia, multifocal low grade dysplasia, and carcinoma are indications for colectomy.
Three-Dimensional Modeling of Solar Thermochemical Splitting of CO2 in a CR5

A three-dimensional (3-D) numerical model for simulating the process of solar thermochemical splitting of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) into carbon monoxide (CO) in a counter-rotating-ring receiver/reactor/recuperator or CR5 are developed in order to account for three-dimensional effects such as edge effect of side walls. The present 3-D model, which is based on our previous two-dimensional first-generation model, takes into account heat transfer, gas-phase flow, multiple-species transport in open channels and through pores of the porous reactant layer, and redox chemical reactions at the gas/solid interfaces. Sample computed results (e.g., temperature distribution, species concentration contours) are presented to illustrate model utility. The model is employed to examine the effects of rates of CO2 and argon neutral gas injection and the redox chemical reactions on thermochemical solar conversion efficiency. Effects of the CR5 width and argon neutral gas injection on O2 crossover are also explored.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Effect of Infused Penicillin in the Bovine Mammary Gland.

SummaryAqueous solutions of penicillin (sodium salt) containing 5,000 Oxford Units per ml had slight irritating effects on the normal bovine mammary gland as measured by physical examination of the gland, body temperature and changes in the character and quantity of milk. The largest dose infused was 40 ml (200,000 O.U.). Increase in body temperature, tremors and greater changes in the character of the milk were observed after penicillin was introduced in large volumes of water. Largest volume infused was 950 ml (190,000 O. U.). These effects may have been due to the pyrogenic properties in the water used.In glands infused with small volumes of water containing 5,000 O. U. per ml., the rate of decline of penicillin per ml of milk is greatest during the first 10 hours after which the decline is at a slower rate. The milk contained 0.5 or more units of penicillin per ml 24 hours after the infusion of 30,000 or more units. The disappearance rate from pathologic glands was of the same order as for the normal ...
Estrogen increases iNOS expression in the ovine coronary artery.

Estrogen is believed to protect postmenopausal women from coronary vascular disease, in part by increasing production of nitric oxide (NO). In this study, we investigated the possibility that transcriptional activation of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) is responsible for a component of the estrogen-induced increase in coronary blood flow. Twenty-two ewes were instrumented with Doppler flow probes on their left circumflex coronary and pulmonary arteries. Nine ewes received 17β-estradiol (1 μg/kg), and the coronary vascular response was followed for 16 h. Estradiol significantly increased coronary blood flow by 22 ± 4% over baseline and the peak response occurred at 2 h (P < 0.01). To examine the effect of estrogen on NOS expression in the ovine coronary artery, 17 noninstrumented animals were killed 2 h after administration of estradiol or vehicle. Coronary arteries were analyzed for ovine iNOS and endothelial NOS (eNOS) expression by semiquantitative RT-PCR. PCR primers were based on partial cDNA clones for...
cAMP and purinergic P2yreceptors upregulate and enhance inducible NO synthase mRNA and protein in vivo

Adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and purinergic P2y receptor agonists upregulate inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) but inhibit Escherichia coli endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LP...
A Secure Steganography Method Based on Text

Traditional steganography scheme based on text is achieved by embedding blanks and tabs at the back of every row. These schemes have many disadvantages in security and efficiency, ex. they can easily be detected and attacked. This paper analyzes the structure and syntax of the text files and proposes a new and more secure steganography method. It achieves the aim of hiding secret information in text files by replacing thesaurus. Experiments and analysis prove that it is a method with high efficiency and security.
Development of Vector-parametric Fifth-degree B-spline with Control Points Incident the Surface

Studies in the field of geometric modeling are aimed at the development of the already existing ways of describing spline surfaces, because to be a bit inconvenient to construct smooth contours of the existing methods. A method in which the control points belong to the curve is proposed. Based on previous research the method of B-spline construction is proposed. B-spline is a vector-parametric surface with control points incident (belonging to) the curve based on the fifth-degree splines in compliance with the smoothness of the first to the second order. To do this, the resulting vector-parametric spline r = r(u) will «stretch» to v , in a direction different from the u , which gives an opportunity to build a relevant «portions» of the surface. Further, to obtain a B-spline with full smoothness order it is necessary to ensure the «gluing» of the respective portions of the surface providing the appropriate smoothness by «gluing» line, i. e. ensure equality of the corresponding (first and second) derivatives. However, to achieve full smoothness of second order (i. e., ensure continuity of the second fundamental form across the surface), it is necessary to provide equal mixed derivatives through «gluing» line. Test examples of bicubic splines are given.
What hadron collider is required to discover or falsify natural supersymmetry

Abstract Weak scale supersymmetry (SUSY) remains a compelling extension of the Standard Model because it stabilizes the quantum corrections to the Higgs and W , Z boson masses. In natural SUSY models these corrections are, by definition, never much larger than the corresponding masses. Natural SUSY models all have an upper limit on the gluino mass, too high to lead to observable signals even at the high luminosity LHC. However, in models with gaugino mass unification, the wino is sufficiently light that supersymmetry discovery is possible in other channels over the entire natural SUSY parameter space with no worse than 3% fine-tuning. Here, we examine the SUSY reach in more general models with and without gaugino mass unification (specifically, natural generalized mirage mediation), and show that the high energy LHC (HE-LHC), a pp collider with s = 33 TeV, will be able to detect the SUSY signal over the entire allowed mass range. Thus, HE-LHC would either discover or conclusively falsify natural SUSY with better than 3% fine-tuning using a conservative measure that allows for correlations among the model parameters.
Engineering Designer Transcription Activator--Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs) by REAL or REAL-Fast Assembly

Engineered transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) are broadly useful tools for performing targeted genome editing in a wide variety of organisms and cell types including plants, zebrafish, C. elegans, rat, human somatic cells, and human pluripotent stem cells. Here we describe a detailed protocol for the serial, hierarchical assembly of TALENs that requires neither PCR nor specialized multi-fragment ligations and that can be implemented by any laboratory. This restriction enzyme and ligation (REAL) protocol can be practiced using a small plasmid library and user-friendly, web-based software that both identifies target sites in sequences of interest and generates printable graphical guides that facilitate assembly of TALENs. All plasmids required to perform the REAL assembly method are publicly available through the Addgene plasmid distribution service (http://www.addgene.org/talengineering). Alternatively, to decrease the time and effort required, users can practice REAL using a library of plasmids encoding pre-assembled TALE repeats. With the platform of reagents, protocols, and software we describe, researchers can easily engineer multiple TALENs within two weeks or less using standard cloning techniques.
Head Start's Long-Run Impact: Evidence from the Program's Introduction.

This paper estimates the effect of Head Start on health, education, and labor market outcomes observed through age 48. I combine outcome data from the NLSY79 with archival records on early Head Start funding levels and for identification exploit differences across counties in the introduction timing and size of local Head Start programs. This allows me to compare the long-term outcomes of children who were too old for Head Start when the program was introduced in their county with the outcomes of children who were sufficiently young to be eligible. I find that individuals from counties that had an average-sized program when they were in Head Start's target age range experienced a $2,199 increase in annual adult earnings, completed 0.125 additional years of education, were 4.6 percentage points less likely to have a health limitation at age 40, and overall experienced a 0.081 standard deviation improvement in a summary index of these and other outcome measures. Funding levels at ages outside of Head Start's target range are not significantly correlated with long-term outcomes. Estimated treatment effects are largest among blacks, the children of lower-education parents, and children exposed to better funded Head Start programs—heterogeneity that is consistent with a causal program impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Sustainability and Civic Engagement: A Communications Engagement and Education Plan

Across the United States primarily on a town or city basis, the increasing public awareness and understanding of the detrimental impact of human activity on the environment is fostering the development and visibility of grassroots sustainability efforts. This is most readily noted in plastic bag, Styrofoam, and plastic bottle bans. These efforts have been typically facilitated by education campaigns focused on the symbiotic relationship between human life and the planet and the intrinsic or non-market derived value of the ecosystems we inhabit. However, often the communication strategy employed has been limited by an appeal to a like-minded stakeholder constituency, reducing the traction benefit from engaging other stakeholders and the subsequent en masse alignment with regulatory intent. This paper details a grassroots effort and the stakeholder engagement process related to a specific ban. It describes the development and implementation process as carried out through a university-town partnership, where the approach taken includes proactive stakeholder engagement inclusive of a consumer survey instrument. Though survey results reveal interest and even concern for the environment, interestingly the results also highlight a self-evaluation bias among respondents. Results show that respondent perception of environmental concern is inconsistent with their actions, providing an entry point and justification for multi-channel education and communications strategies differentiated by stakeholder grouping.
Budd-Chiari syndrome: a rare and life-threatening complication of Crohn’s disease

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is characterised by obstruction of hepatic venous outflow and may be triggered by the prothrombotic state associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We reported a case of Crohn's disease (CD) that presented with anasarca, ascites, symptomatic hepatomegaly, elevated liver enzymes, increased prothrombin time and low albumin. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy confirmed active CD. Abdominal CT showed hepatic vein thrombosis. Liver biopsy revealed severe perivenular sinusoidal dilation with areas of hepatocyte dropout, bands of hepatocyte atrophy and centrizonal fibrosis, suggestive of BCS. The patient was treated with steroids for CD and systemic anticoagulants for BCS. His liver function and enzymes normalised, and he reported symptomatic improvement. The precise mechanism responsible for increased hypercoagulability in IBD remains unclear. Early recognition and treatment for possible thrombotic complications of CD is critical to prevent potentially fatal events like pulmonary embolism or liver failure.
Molecular Dynamics Investigation of the Relaxation Mechanism of Entangled Polymers after a Large Step Deformation

The chain retraction hypothesis of the tube model for nonlinear polymer rheology has been challenged by the recent small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiment (Wang, Z.; Lam, C. N.; Chen, W.-R.; Wang, W.; Liu, J.; Liu, Y.; Porcar, L.; Stanley, C. B.; Zhao, Z.; Hong, K.; Wang, Y., Fingerprinting Molecular Relaxation in Deformed Polymers. Phys. Rev. X 2017, 7, 031003). In this work, we further examine the microscopic relaxation mechanism of entangled polymer melts after a large step uniaxial extension by using large-scale molecular dynamics simulation. We show that the unique structural features associated with the chain retraction mechanism of the tube model are absent in our simulations, in agreement with the previous experimental results. In contrast to SANS experiments, molecular dynamics simulations allow us to accurately and unambiguously determine the evolution of the radius of gyration tensor of a long polymer chain after a large step deformation. Contrary to the prediction of the tube model, o...
An Archaeal Fluoride-Responsive Riboswitch Provides an Inducible Expression System for Hyperthermophiles

Robust genetic systems for the hyperthermophilic Thermococcales have facilitated the overexpression of native genes, enabled the addition of sequences encoding secretion signals, epitope, and affinity tags to coding regions, and aided the introduction of sequences encoding new proteins in these fast-growing fermentative heterotrophs. However, tightly controlled and easily manipulated systems facilitating regulated gene expression are limited for these hosts. Here, we describe an alternative method for regulatory control reliant on a cis-encoded functional riboswitch in the model archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis Despite the hyperthermophilic growth temperatures, the proposed structure of the riboswitch conforms to a fluoride-responsive riboswitch encoded in many bacteria and similarly functions to regulate a component-conserved fluoride export pathway. Deleting components of the fluoride export pathway generates T. kodakarensis strains with increased fluoride sensitivity. The mechanism underlying regulated expression suggested that the riboswitch-encoding sequences could be utilized as a tunable expression cassette. When appended to a reporter gene, the riboswitch-mediated control system provides fluoride-dependent tunable regulatory potential, offering an alternative system for regulating gene expression. Riboswitch-regulated expression is thus ubiquitous in extant life and can be exploited to generate regulated expression systems for hyperthermophiles.IMPORTANCE Gene expression is controlled by a myriad of interconnected mechanisms that interpret metabolic states and environmental cues to balance cell physiology. Transcription regulation in Archaea is known to employ both typical repressors-operators and transcription activators to regulate transcription initiation in addition to the regulation afforded by chromatin structure. It was perhaps surprising that the presumed ancient mechanism of riboswitch-mediated regulation is found in Bacteria and Eukarya, but seemingly absent in Archaea We demonstrate here that a fluoride-responsive riboswitch functions to regulate a detoxification pathway in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis The results obtained define a universal role for riboswitch-mediated regulation, adumbrate the presence of several riboswitch-regulated genes in Thermococcus kodakarensis, demonstrate the utility of RNA-based regulation at high temperatures, and provide a novel riboswitch-regulated expression system to employ in hyperthermophiles.
Development of Bilateral Facet Cysts Causing Recurrent Symptoms After Decompression and the Placement of an Intralaminar Implant: A Case Report.

Case We report the development of bilateral symptomatic facet joint cysts in a 78-year-old man who had been treated with decompression and placement of a coflex device (Paradigm Spine) at L3-L4 and L4-L5. Preoperative imaging clearly demonstrated fluid in the facet joints without cysts. He underwent standard surgical treatment, but developed symptomatic facet joint cysts at 4 months postoperatively. The patient was treated with a revision decompression and replacement of the devices; there were no issues at the 32-month follow-up. Conclusion While the coflex device has possible long-term biomechanical advantages, vigilance with adherence to appropriate decompression surgical technique is necessary.
Overview of radioimmunotherapy in advanced breast cancer using I-131 chimeric L6.

131I chimeric L6 (ChL6) monoclonal antibody (MoAb) therapy has been performed in 12 patients with advanced, metastatic breast cancer. The protocol was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of radioimmunotherapy that could be administered at 4 intervals. Ten patients received 20 - 70 mCi/m2 of 131I ChL6. Two of the patients received granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) on days 10-20 post therapy. The MTD for two doses was 60 mCi/m2 and thrombocytopenia was the dose limiting toxicity in the absence of marrow reconstitution with stem cells. Two patients received 150 mCi/m2 with autologous peripheral blood stem cell support 7 and 9 days post treatment. The MTD has not been reached for 131I-ChL6 with autologous stem cell support. In the 12 patients treated with 131I ChL6, six patients (50%) had measurable tumor regressions greater than 30% of the sum of the largest two dimensional products for measurable tumors. Four of these 6 patients had a partial response (PR), i.e., ≤ 50% reduction in tumor size.
The Use of Multispectral Imagery and Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar for the Detection of Archaeological Sites and Features in the Western Maya Wetlands of Chunchucmil, Yucatan, Mexico

This case study presents the results of an extensive remote sensing ­survey testing the capabilities of multispectral and Synthetic Aperture Radar data to detect ancient Maya settlements in the seasonally inundated near-coastal region of northwest Yucatan. The results are compared to similar recent studies published by researchers working in the southern Maya lowlands. It is concluded that seasonal and regional variation across the Maya area precludes universal application of a singular remote sensing technique using these and similar platforms. Instead, specific climatic, seasonal, and physiographic context must be considered in the selection of a remote sensing data set. For multispectral data, spectral contrast, spectral resolution, and temporal resolution appear to be more critical for site detection than spatial resolution. For the AirSAR polarimetric data, it is concluded that the L-band (rather than the highly anticipated P-band) resulted in a better correlation between positive returns and monumental architecture within the forest canopy. Yet, the C-band AirSAR DEM appears to have the broadest application in Maya archaeological survey, especially when combined with other remote sensing data sets.