cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of intracellular killing of Toxoplasma gondii

Summary Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan which invades all nucleated mamalians. In its intracellular habitat it multiplies and results in either disruption of the host cell or in formation of an intracellular cyst. Various strains of the organism differ significantly in their virulence in vitro in tissue culture and in vivo in animal models of the infection. Both humoral and cell mediated immunity are important in resistance against Toxoplasma and appear to act in concert to prevent death during the initial acute infection and following reinfection. Although Toxoplasma has been found in vivo in mast cells, eosinophils, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages, it is the latter two cell types which appear to be most important as effector cells against this organism. The primary role of lymphocytes in this infection appears to be in production of lymphokines, especially γ-interferon, which activate macrophages to inhibit replication of or kill T. gondii. Of interest is the fact that certain lymphokines (e.g. α, β and γ-interferon) are able to inhibit or kill the parasite intracellulary by what appears to be an action on host cell metabolism. Data have now accumulated which prove that T. gondii are inhibited or killed by both oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent mechanisms of phagocytic celles. Important in this consideration are two major factors — both related to what has been considered to be the phagocytic process and the phagosomes containing Toxoplasma.
Disposition and metabolism of isoeugenol in the male Fischer 344 rat.

The primary objective of these studies was to determine the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of isoeugenol following oral and intravenous administration to male Fischer-344 rats. Following a single oral dose of [14C]isoeugenol (156 mg/kg, 50 μCi/kg), greater than 85% of the administered dose was excreted in the urine predominantly as sulfate or glucuronide metabolites by 72 h. Approximately 10% was recovered in the feces, and less than 0.1% was recovered as CO2 or expired organics. No parent isoeugenol was detected in the blood at any of the time points analyzed. Following iv administration (15.6 mg/kg, 100 μCi/kg), isoeugenol disappeared rapidly from the blood. The t1/2 was 12 min and the Cls was 1.9 l/min/kg. Excretion characteristics were similar to those of oral administration. The total amount of radioactivity remaining in selected tissues by 72 h was less than 0.25% of the dose following either oral or intravenous administration. Results of these studies show that isoeugenol is rapidly metabolized and is excreted predominantly in the urine as phase II conjugates of the parent compound.
Is the object-oriented paradigm appropriate for scientific software?

This paper describes an object-based reengineering case study. Multi-configuration Hartree-Fock legacy software written in FORTRAN 77 was reengineered in FORTRAN 90 using the OMT methodology. The resulting object-based product was unsatisfactory; in particular, the object model had far too many interconnections. In addition, there was conflict between information hiding and efficiency issues. Based on the case study, it was concluded that the object-oriented paradigm may not be applicable to algorithm-intensive scientific software.
THE REDUCTION OF SELF INJURY IN TWO ADOLESCENTS WITH PROFOUND RETARDATION BY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SUPPORTED ROUTINE

Two experiments applied a conceptualization of competence to the treatment of self injury in two adolescents with profound retardation. In Experiment 1, a multiple baseline design across two activity periods was used to assess the effects of reinforcing completion of a five-step packaging routine on repetitious facial hitting in one participant. The rate of facial hits decreased when teachers reduced the latency between a pause by the participant and a prompt from the teacher to continue, pauses having been observed to be followed often by sequence errors, and sequence errors by facial hitting. In Experiment 2, a reversal design was used to compare the effects on head hitting and hand biting by substituting a premeal and dining routine in a second participant. The new routine replaced a largely instructional routine that required discriminations, receptive language, and motor performances not likely to emerge in the participant's repertoire. Discontinuation of the instructional routine reduced self injury; institution of the new routine permitted the development of a highly independent series of performances without reoccurrence of self injury. The combined results of the two experiments point to the potentially evocative nature of common teaching approaches and techniques, and the habilitative effects of designing performance expectations with greater prognosis for acquisition.
Untreated essential thrombocythemia evolving to biphenotypic leukemia, Philadelphia chromosome positive with monosomy 7: response to imatinib and reduced-intensity allogeneic stem cell transplant

Untreated essential thrombocythemia evolving to biphenotypic leukemia, Philadelphia chromosome positive with monosomy 7: response to imatinib and reduced-intensity allogeneic stem cell transplant
Effects of stress and shock anticipation on prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex

The effects of shock anticipation and attention to external stimuli on prepulse inhibition (PPI) were compared. In the threat-of-shock experiment, acoustic startle stimuli were presented with and without prepulses when aversive shocks were or were not anticipated. In the control experiment, startle and prepulse stimuli were delivered during periods with attended or ignored external stimuli. In the threat-of-shock experiment, startle was potentiated (fear-potentiated startle) and PPI was increased by shock anticipation. A gradual reduction in the overall PPI throughout the experiment was also found. In the control experiment, only PPI was increased in the attend condition. The PPI level remained constant throughout the experiment. The increase in PPI in the threat and attend conditions may have resulted from an increase in the general level of alertness that facilitated the processing of the prepulse. The gradual decrease in PPI in the threat experiment was hypothesized to result from a progressive deficit in sensory functioning due to the stressful nature of repeated shock anticipation.
Serotonin neuronal function and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment in anorexia and bulimia nervosa

Abstract Anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are disorders characterized by aberrant patterns of feeding behavior and weight regulation, and disturbances in attitudes toward weight and shape and the perception of body shape. Emerging data support the possibility that substantial biologic and genetic vulnerabilities contribute to the pathogenesis of AN and BN. Multiple neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter abnormalities have been documented in AN and BN, but for the most part, these disturbances are state-related and tend to normalize after symptom remission and weight restoration; however, elevated concentrations of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid after recovery suggest that altered serotonin activity in AN and BN is a trait-related characteristic. Elevated serotonin activity is consistent with behaviors found after recovery from AN and BN, such as obsessionality with symmetry and exactness, harm avoidance, perfectionism, and behavioral overcontrol. In BN, serotonergic modulating antidepressant medications suppress symptoms independently of their antidepressant effects. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are not useful when AN subjects are malnourished and underweight; however, when given after weight restoration, fluoxetine may significantly reduce the extremely high rate of relapse normally seen in AN. Nonresponse to SSRI medication in ill AN subjects could be a consequence of an inadequate supply of nutrients, which are essential to normal serotonin synthesis and function. These data raise the possibility that a disturbance of serotonin activity may create a vulnerability for the expression of a cluster of symptoms that are common to both AN and BN and that nutritional factors may affect SSRI response in depression, obsessive–compulsive disorder, or other conditions characterized by disturbances in serotonergic pathways.
PERCUTANEOUS MANAGEMENT OF GRADE II UPPER URINARY TRACT TRANSITIONAL CELL CARCINOMA: THE LONG-TERM OUTCOME

Purpose:: We report the long-term outcome of our experience with percutaneous treatment of grade II upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma.Materials and Methods:: A total of 61 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract were treated percutaneously between 1984 and 1998. Of the patients 24 (39%) had grade II disease. Immediate nephroureterectomy was performed due to muscle invasive disease in 2 patients, bleeding in 1 and inability to resect the whole tumor in 1. Percutaneous resection was the actual treatment in 15 patients with stage Ta and 5 with stage T1 disease.Results:: Recurrence was noted in 5 patients (25%), including 3 (20%) with stage Ta tumors and 2 (40%) with stage T1 disease after a median followup of 48 months (range 9 months to 12 years). All stage Ta disease recurrences were superficial. In 1 patient with a stage T1 tumor invasive and metastatic disease developed. Disease specific survival was 95% overall, and 100% for stage Ta and 80% for stage T1 diseas...
Low price signal default: an empirical investigation of its consequences

Low-price guarantees (LPG) signal the market position of a seller’s offer price and promise to compensate consumers in case that information is erroneous. In this research, we demonstrate that when retailers default on the information provided by an LPG, consumer perceptions of the retailer suffer, but the extent of the damage depends on the conditions associated with the default. On the basis of attribution theory, we posit that consumers may attribute default to the retailer’s opportunism but emphasize this attribution differently in various default conditions. Furthermore, we show that the restoration of consumer perceptions after a refund depends on consumers’ focus in terms of the signal itself. If they consider the protective, compensatory function of a low price signal, their post-refund outcomes are more favorable; when they focus on the informational function, these outcomes are less favorable. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.
Therapy of refractory symptomatic atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter: a staged care approach with new antiarrhythmic drugs☆

Abstract One hundred nine patients with recurrent episodes of symptomatic atrial fibrillation or flutter, or both, who had failed one to five previous antiarrhythmic drug trials were treated with propafenone and, subsequently, sotalol if atrial fibrillation recurred. The clinical profile of the study group was as follows: age 63 ± 13 years, left atrial anteroposterior dimension 4.4 ± 0.9 cm and left ventricular ejection fraction 57 ± 14%. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation occurred in 56 patients (51 %) and chronic atrial fibrillation occurred in 53 patients (49%). After loading and dose titration phases were completed, the maintenance doses of drugs were 450 to 900 mg/day for propafenone and 160 to 960 mg/day for sotalol. Life table estimates of the duration of freedom from atrial fibrillation were constructed for each drug trial. The percent of patients free of recurrent symptomatic arrhythmia at 6 months was 39% for propafenone and 50% for sotalol. The cumulative proportion of patients successfully treated with propafenone or sotalol, or both, by 6 months was 55% and remained relatively constant beyond that point. The incidence of intolerable side effects necessitating discontinuation of therapy ranged from 7% to 8% Thus, despite previous unsuccessful drug trials, a substantial proportion of patients with recurrent symptomatic atrial fibrillation refractory to conventional therapy can be treated successfully and safely with newer antiarrhythmic drugs. Treatment failures tend to occur early in the course of follow-up, permitting easy identification of candidates for alternative therapeutic approaches.
Interannual Variability in Rainfall, Water Vapor Flux, and Vertical Motion over West Africa

Abstract This study examines large-scale forcing mechanisms as they relate to initiation and maintenance of recent, long-term drought conditions in sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis uses 31-yr datasets of rainfall, moisture flux, and vertical motion. Empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of the 500-mb vertical wind velocity indicate major modes of variability in large-scale general circulation features (e.g., Hadley–Walker circulation). The data record includes both pluvial and drought periods, and enables distinctions between the early and late rainy season, and between northern and southern sub-Saharan regions. Results suggest that changes in the general circulation were important in initiating drought in the Sahel, but other mechanisms may be responsible for the persistence of drought conditions. EOFs of vertical wind velocity indicate a marked change in the general circulation prior to drought onset in the 1960s. Similar changes in the general circulation in the 1970s did not accompany a return to wet ...
THE FEMALE INMATE: GENDER SCHEMA AND INSTITUTIONAL CAREER PHASE

In a sample of 141 incarcerated female offenders evidence for a relationship between gender-schema and institutional career phase was found. Inmates became more masculine and less feminine in gende...
Secondary Prevention, the Interventional Way Prophylactic Drug-Eluting Stents for Nonobstructive Saphenous Vein Graft Disease

The pathophysiology of accelerated atherosclerosis in saphenous vein grafts (SVG) relates to progressive atheroma burden, neointimal hyperplasia, and vascular remodeling.1,2 Unfortunately, the therapeutic and clinical consequences of SVG disease are not trivial, and interventional cardiologists are wary of performing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) on degenerated SVG. Intervening on flow-limiting stenoses in SVG has long been associated with high complication rates;3 what was not well known to this date was the risk of stenting non–flow-limiting disease in SVG.4 Although techniques to mitigate distal embolization during SVG intervention have proliferated in the past decade, even optimal intervention with embolic protection devices, including proximal protection devices, filters, aspiration tools, and covered stents, have attendant higher complication rates than does native vessel PCI.5 Drug-eluting stents (DES) are of benefit in reducing restenosis compared with bare metal stents in SVG, but clinical adverse events are only marginally reduced, if at all.6–8 Article see p 1978 In this context, one may be perplexed by the report of Rodes-Cabau et al4 in this issue of Circulation , which proposes stenting non–flow-limiting stenoses in SVG with paclitaxel-eluting stents. Their study was founded on reasonable scientific grounds. Emboldened by the findings in native coronary stenoses that DES deployment in nonobstructive lesions resulted in relatively low rates of major adverse cardiac events and restenosis9 and the rapid progression of disease in degenerated SVG, these investigators hypothesized that in patients referred for symptom-driven coronary angiography, …
Automatic Delamination Detection of Concrete Bridge Decks Using Impact Signals

Delamination of the concrete cover above the upper reinforcing bars is a common problem in concrete bridge decks. Acoustic nondestructive evaluation is widely used to detect such delamination because of its low cost, fast speed, and ease of implementation. The accuracy of traditional acoustic approaches is dependent on the level of ambient noise, and the detection process is highly subjective. An automatic impact-based delamination detection (AIDD) system is described in this paper. In this system, the traffic noise is eliminated by a modified version of independent component analysis. Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients are then used as features for detection to eliminate subjectivity. The delamination detection is performed by a radial basis function neural network. The AIDD system was developed using mixed-language programming in MATLAB, LabVIEW, and C++. The performance of the system was evaluated using data from two bridges, and the results were satisfactory.
Ethanol operant self-administration in rats is regulated by adenosine A2 receptors.

Background: Recent findings suggest that adenosine is involved in the neural and behavioral effects of ethanol (EtOH). Studies in neural cell culture show that EtOH, via activation of adenosine A 2 receptors, triggers cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protcin kinase A (cAMP/PKA) signaling and CRE (cAMP regulatory element)-mediated gene expression and that this effect is blocked by inhibiting G-protein βγ subunits. Recently, we reported that expression of a βγ inhibitor in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) reduces EtOH drinking in rats. The NAc expresses high levels of the adenosine A 2 A receptor in GABAcrgic medium spiny neurons. If the reinforcing effects of EtOH are mediated through an A 2 activation of cAMP/PKA signaling via βγ, then A 2 receptor blockade should attenuate EtOH consumption. Here we tested this hypothesis. Because adenosine A 2 and dopamine D 2 receptors are coexpressed in neurons of the NAc, we compared the effects of A 2 blockade with those of D 2 receptor blockade. Methods: Male Long-Evans rats were trained to self-administer 10% EtOH in daily 3(1-min sessions with an active and an inactive lever. Separate groups of rats were given the D 2 antagonist eticlopride (0.005, 0.007, and 0.01 mg/kg), the A 2 antagonist 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX; 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 20 mg/kg), and the A 1 antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX; 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/kg) by systemic injection. Results: Eticlopride dose-dependently reduced EtOH drinking. DMPX showed a bimodal effect: 10 and 20 mg/kg decreased, but 1 mg/kg increased, EtOH consumption. DPCPX was without effect. Conclusions: In support of our hypothesis, the A 2 antagonist DMPX attenuated EtOH self-administration. Low doses of the A 2 antagonist enhanced EtOH drinking, consistent with the possibility that rats increase EtOH self-administration to overcome partial A 2 blockade. The D 2 antagonist eticlopride also decreased EtOH self-administration. These data provide the first evidence that pharmacological modulation of adenosine A 2 receptors can regulate EtOH consumption in rats.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering of Pyridine Using Different Metals: Differences and Explanation Based on the Selective Formation of α-Pyridyl on Metal Surfaces

A simple method has been developed to produce SERS-active metal surfaces. Six metal surfaces (cadmium, nickel, gold, iron, copper, and silver) have been prepared on an aluminum foil underlayment by chemical reduction and strong surface-enhanced Raman signals have been observed for pyridine species on these surfaces. This permits the direct comparison of pyridine spectra on different metal surfaces prepared by the same chemically clean method. The differences among the SER spectra of the aqueous pyridine species using different metals generally follow the trend of silver, cadmium, nickel, iron, gold, and copper, which can be explained by the selective formation of α-pyridyl species and the equilibria between end-on adsorbed pyridines and edge-on adsorbed α-pyridyl species on the different metal surfaces.
Strain Rate Insensitivity of Damage‐Induced Surface Area in M30 and JA2 gun propellants

Abstract : Uniaxial compression tests are performed at constant strain rate on single-grain, seven-perforated specimens of M30 and JA2 gun propellant using the US Army's high rate, servohydraulic test apparatus in order to investigate the effects of strain rate, temperature, and percent axial strain on the combustion characteristics (apparent burn rate and pressurization rate) of the propellants. At room temperature M30 primarily deforms by macroscopic fracture and JA2 deforms by macroscopic flow. The single grains of deformed propellant are then burned in a newly designed 7.8-cc mini closed-bomb and plots of pressure, pressurization rate and surface area ratio versus time, and apparent burn rate versus pressure are compared with baseline results for the undeformed propellant specimens. The apparent burn rates of damaged M30 propellant vary considerably and the degree of damage-induced surface area approaches six times that of the undeformed baseline M30 specimens. The apparent burn rates of JA2 are relatively unaffected by the induced deformation. Results of the statistical test design indicate that the apparent burn rate of JA2 at 20 MPa is primarily dependent on the deformation temperature, yet the apparent burn rate of M30 at 20 MPa is dependent primarily on percent axial specimen strain. The apparent burn rates for these propellants are relatively insensitive to the deformation strain rate over the range 0.01 to 100/sec.
Synthetic, implantable polymers for IUdR radiosensitization of experimental human malignant glioma

Background Recently, polymeric controlled delivery of chemotherapy has been shown to improve survival of patients with malignant glioma. We tested the delivery of IUdR via polymers for radiosensiti...
Evaluation of methods for estimating population pharmacokinetic parameters. I. Michaelis-menten model: Routine clinical pharmacokinetic data

Individual pharmacokinetic parameters quantify the pharmacokinetics of an individual, while population pharmacokinetic parameters quantify population mean kinetics, interindividual variability, and residual intraindividual variability plus measurement error. Individual pharmacokinetics are estimated by fitting individual data to a pharmacokinetic model. Population pharmacokinetic parameters are estimated either by fitting all individual's data together as though there were no individual kinetic differences (the naive pooled data approach), or by fitting each individual's data separately, and then combining the individual parameter estimates (the two-stage approach). A third approach, NONMEM, takes a middle course between these, and avoids shortcomings of each of them. A data set consisting of 124 steady-state phenytoin concentration-dosage pairs from 49 patients, obtained in the routine course of their therapy, was analyzed by each method. The resulting population parameter estimates differ considerably (population mean Km, for example, is estimated as 1.57, 5.36, and 4.44 μg/ml by the naive pooled data, two-stage, and NONMEM approaches, respectively). Simulations of the data were analyzed to investigate these differences. The simulations indicate that the pooled data approach fails to estimate variabilities and produces imprecise estimates of mean kinetics. The two-stage appproach produces good estimates of mean kinetics, but biased and imprecise estimates of interindividual variability. NONMEM produces accurate and precise estimates of all parameters, and also reasonable confidence intervals for them. This performance is exactly what is expected from theoretical considerations and provides empirical support for the use of NONMEM when estimating population pharmacokinetics from routine type patient data.
The Investigation of Fluorine Effects on Charge Trapping and Interface State Generation in Mos Structures

The bulk and interface charge trapping phenomena of fluorinated oxides have been studied by various electronic measurements. Fluorine is introduced into dry oxides by low energy (25kev) implantation followed by a 1000°C N2 ambient anneal to remove physical damage. Both the flat band and the mid gap voltage shifts of such MOS devices are measured during avalanche electron injection. We have developed techniques to separate effects due to interface state generation from bulk trapping effects. The bulk electron traps in the fluorinated oxides have a different cross section from the known water-related traps in conventional oxides. The generation of fast and slow interface states for different dosages of fluorine implantation is discussed based on Q-V and C-V measurements. The fast interface donor states, generated during avalanche injection, are charged at flat band but discharged at mid gap and beyond. An optimum dosage of fluorine implantation is found to suppress the so called turn-around effect during avalanche injection due to the formation of slow donor states. Finally, injection under high temperature (120°C-150°C) anneals out most of these donor states.
Summer in the City: Cultivating Political Agents in Boston Out‐of‐School‐Time Programs

Diverse urban youth need a wide range of program opportunities and formats to develop their own sense of political agency and leadership. One size does not fit all.
Secretion of flavins by three species of methanotrophic bacteria

We detected flavins in the growth medium of the methanotrophic bacterium Methylocystis species strain M. Flavin secretion correlates with growth stage and increases under iron starvation conditions. Two other methanotrophs, Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b and Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath), secrete flavins, suggesting that flavin secretion may be common to many methanotrophic bacteria.
A comparison of skills competency test scores among Philippine-educated nursing students after an intensive medical-surgical course

Objective : This study examined the effect of a 10-week intensive medical-surgical course on ability to perform 16 common, acute care skills among Philippine educated nursing students seeking licensure in California. The aims of the study were to (1) determine competency in performing skills at the start of the medical-surgical course and (2) evaluate the effectiveness of the medical-surgical course in improving skill competency. Methods : Twenty-three Philippine educated nursing students participated in a 4-hour skills competency test procedure that involved 4 patient care stations and 16 common acute care skills. During the last week of the 10-week medical-surgical course that included 24 open simulation lab practice hours, these same 23 students repeated the testing procedure. Results : At the start of the course skill competency scores were low with many of the participants unable to complete the skills stations. A significant improvement occurred in scores for 14 of the 16 skills when tested in the final week of the medical-surgical nursing course under the same conditions ( p < .05). Conclusions : Conducting the nursing skills competency testing procedure at the start of the course informed faculty about the abilities of Philippine educated nursing student participants. Because of potential differences in nursing education abroad, graduates of nursing programs in the Philippines might benefit from competency testing to evaluate initial skill levels, followed by intensive review of commonly performed nursing skills in the United States, if warranted by initial results.
Progress with the SNS front-end systems

The Front-End Systems (FES) of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) project have been described in detail elsewhere. They comprise an rf-driven H/sup -/ ion source, electrostatic LEBT, four-vane RFQ, and an elaborate MEBT. These systems are planned to be delivered to the SNS facility in Oak Ridge in June 2002. This paper discusses the latest design features, the status of development work, component fabrication and procurements, and experimental results with the first commissioned beamline elements.
Epoxy-based optically transparent nanocomposites for photonic packaging

A new optically transparent nanocomposite for photonic packaging and device applications is introduced. The effect of filler particle fraction on the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), fracture toughness, and light transmittance of epoxy based optical nanocomposite materials is studied. A nanometer-order silica filler is incorporated into an epoxy matrix with different fractions. The CTE, fracture toughness, and light transmittance at a wavelength range from 300 to 900 nm are measured. The relationship between the measured properties and the filler content is discussed. It is found, as expected, that with the same particle size, increasing the filler fraction results in a decreased CTE and an increased fracture toughness. Actually, the fracture toughness of the nano system is about 10% higher than that of the system with micron-sized fillers at 20% filler loadings. The light transmittance decreases initially with the addition of fillers but there exists a 10% critical filler content above which the further addition of fillers up to 24% does not lead to any further reduction of light transmittance.
DIY urbanism: implications for cities

A burgeoning do-it-yourself (DIY) urbanism movement is gaining notice in American and global cities as amateur designers create and implement small-scale interventions in urban public spaces. While tactics vary widely and may have some benefits for certain users, they nonetheless have the potential to complicate careful and considered long-term planning and urban design strategies. This article describes the historical and recent precedents upon which the current DIY urbanism movement is built and evaluates DIY interventions in light of their implications for cities, particularly how cities might engage with DIY projects in ways that maximize their potential for positive change while meeting objectives such as public safety, equity, and adherence to long-range visions.
Detecting lateral interfaces with focus-engineered coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy

Focus-engineered coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (FE-CARS) microscopy is used to highlight the lateral interfaces between chemically distinct media. Interface highlighting is achieved by using a HG10 mode for the Stokes laser beam and a HG00 mode for the pump laser beam in the forward detection scheme. The spectral and the orientation dependence of FE-CARS are found to be in agreement with theoretical predictions. A brief discussion on the relevance of this technique for imaging third-order nonlinear susceptibility interfaces in thin samples of biological or chemical importance is presented. Copyright ! 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An accurate algorithm for nonuniform fast Fourier transforms (NUFFT's)

Based on the (m, N, q)-regular Fourier matrix, a new algorithm is proposed for fast Fourier transform (FFT) of nonuniform (unequally spaced) data. Numerical results show that the accuracy of this algorithm is much better than previously reported results with the same computation complexity of O(N log/sub 2/ N). Numerical examples are shown for the applications in computational electromagnetics.
N‐acetylcysteine augments adenovirus‐mediated gene expression in human endothelial cells by enhancing transgene transcription and virus entry

Background It has previously been shown that oxidants reduce the efficiency of adenoviral transduction in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In this study, the effect of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in adenovirus-mediated gene transfer has been investigated. Methods HUVECs were pretreated or not with NAC, and infected with E1E3-deleted adenovirus (Ad) containing the LacZ gene expressed from the RSV-LTR promoter/enhancer in the presence and absence of NAC. Transgene expression was assessed at the protein level (histochemical staining, measurement of β-Gal activity, and western blot), mRNA level (real-time RT-PCR) and gene level (nuclear run on) 24 h and 48 h after infection. Adenoviral DNA was quantitated by real-time PCR, and cell surface expression of Coxsackie/adenovirus receptors (CAR) was determined by FACS analysis. Results Pretreatment of cells with NAC prior to Ad infection enhanced β-Gal activity by two-fold due to an increase in viral DNA, which was related to increased CAR expression. When NAC was present only during the post-infection period, a five-fold increase in β-Gal activity and LacZ gene transcriptional activity was observed. When NAC was present during both the pretreatment and the post-infection period, β-Gal activity was further enhanced, by 15-fold. Augmentation of β-Gal activity was paralleled by an increase in β-Gal protein and mRNA levels. NAC did not affect the half-life of LacZ mRNA. Conclusion Pretreatment with NAC prior to Ad infection enhances virus entry, while treatment with NAC post-infection increases transgene transcription. This strategy permits the use of lower adenoviral loads and thus might be helpful for gene therapy of vascular diseases. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of fluorescent angiography to assess donor site perfusion prior to free tissue transfer.

Objective To describe a novel use of fluorescent angiography in assessing donor limb perfusion prior to free tissue harvest in microvascular free tissue transfer. Study Design Retrospective case series. Methods From January 2012 to June 2013, 59 patients underwent head-and-neck microvascular free tissue reconstruction. Evaluation of donor site perfusion via indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent angiography was utilized in 12 patients and 13 free flaps. Eleven cases were radial forearm free flaps (RFFF) and two were fibula free flaps (FFF). Preoperatively, RFFF patients were evaluated with Allen's testing, Doppler ultrasound, or both. FFF patients underwent magnetic resonance angiography. ICG was used intraoperatively to evaluate donor limb perfusion prior to free flap harvest. Intraoperative and postoperative complications of the donor limb were evaluated with cost analysis. Results Average follow-up was 5.3 months. Preoperative Allen's testing was normal in six patients and ultrasound was performed in eight patients. One patient had a normal ultrasound, three showed minimal dampening, and four exhibited severe waveform flattening. There were no intraoperative complications using ICG. All 12 patients displayed adequate donor limb perfusion via fluorescent angiography. No digital or acute ischemic events were identified intraoperatively or postoperatively. There was no significant decrease in functionality or mobility of the donor limb. One patient noted mild arm pain with use. Conclusion Fluorescent angiography is another method to evaluate donor site perfusion prior to free tissue harvest. Larger prospective analysis would be helpful to more thoroughly evaluate safety, although this is limited by the overall low risk of ischemic complications. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 125:E192–E197, 2015
Stability of biomimetic membranes in DC electric fields

The interface defining a biological cell is a thin membrane, which acts as a leaky capacitor. We investigate the influence of capacitance and conductivity on the stability of a planar membrane subjected to a DC electric field. We develop a zero-thickness model of the membrane, in which the bilayer finite thickness is effectively accounted for by membrane electro-mechanical properties such as bending modulus, capacitance and conductance. The linear stability analysis shows that membrane conductance and asymmetry in the embedding electrolyte solutions destabilize the interface. However, the capacitive charging acts to stabilize the system under conditions where an ordinary fluid–fluid interface is unstable.
Achieving blood pressure control among renal transplant recipients by integrating electronic health technology and clinical pharmacy services.

Purpose The implementation and outcomes of a program combining electronic home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) and pharmacist-provided medication therapy management (MTM) services in a renal transplantation clinic are described. Summary Patients enrolled in the program were provided with a computer-enabled blood pressure monitor. A dedicated renal transplantation pharmacist was integrated into the renal transplantation team under a collaborative care practice agreement. The collaborative care agreement allowed the pharmacist to authorize medication additions, deletions, and dosage changes. Comprehensive disease and blood pressure education was provided by a clinical pharmacist. In the pretransplantation setting, the pharmacist interviewed the renal transplant candidate and documents allergies, verified the patient’s medication profile, and identified and assessed barriers to medication adherence. A total of 50 renal transplant recipients with at least one recorded home blood pressure reading and at least one year of follow-up were included in our analysis. A significant reduction in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were observed at 30, 90, 180, and 360 days after enrollment in the program ( p < 0.05). Pharmacist interventions were documented for 37 patients. Medication-related problems accounted for 46% of these interventions and included dosage modifications, regimen changes, and mitigation of barriers to medication access and adherence. Conclusion Implementation of electronic HBPM and pharmacist-provided MTM services implemented in a renal transplant clinic was associated with sustained improvements in blood pressure control. Incorporation of a pharmacist in the renal transplant clinic resulted in the detection and resolution of medication-related problems.
The Problem of Religious Language

With the rise of analytic philosophy in the early part of the twentieth century and its emphasis upon linguistic analysis, it should not be surprising that a significant crisis developed by midcentury among both philosophers and theologians concerning religious language. That there was such a crisis is evidenced both by the explicit recognition of the challenge in the writings of several leading figures in both the philosophy of religion and in theology and by the plethora of books and articles that appeared in print in the period from approximately midcentury until ten years or so afterward.1 There was much disagreement among different analytic philosophers; however, the one underlying, common tenet upon which nearly all of them would have agreed is that language is the one continuous thread from which the entire fabric of religion and religious belief is woven. Some of the problems with religious language are illustrated by the more extreme positions, for example, A. J. Ayer’s claim that the language of theology is meaningless and nonsense and Paul van Buren’s claim that “the word ‘God’ is dead.”2 Other concerns were prompted by the repercussions of attention to language by the more moderate analytic philosophers and the elevation of the importance of the analysis of language for philosophical or theological pursuits.
Filtration Efficiency of Submicrometer Filters

Meltblown technology has recently gained a lot of attention in the production of submicrometer fiber webs with a fiber size less than 1 μm. Single layer polypropylene meltblown webs with fiber diameters ranging from 520 to 2100 nm were produced using nano and micro dies. To our best knowledge, there are no substantial data in the public domain on the filtration characteristics of single layer stand alone submicrometer meltblown webs and their comparison with micrometer sized webs. This paper focuses on the influence of fiber diameter on the filtration characteristics of standalone single layer submicrometer and micrometer sized meltblown webs. Submicrometer single layer webs showed higher filtration efficiency and a higher quality factor, whereas webs with fiber diameters more than a micrometer showed lower filtration efficiency and a lower quality factor.
Experimental Interspecific Mating of Amblyomma maculatum and A. americanum

When males of the Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum Koch, were confined with females of the lone star tick, A. americauum (L.), under sleeves on cattle, mating occurred and the females then engorged, detached, and produced large egg masses. However, egg masses had low percentages of hatching. No mating occurred with reciprocal cross. Several of F1 progeny of male maculatum × female americanum cross exhibited malformations (missing or curly legs, nymphal-adult intermediates, and gynadromorphism), and no males were produced. Most F1 adults were phenotypically female americanum which, when backcrossed to male americanum, were fertile and produced male and female progeny normal for male and female americanum in both morphology and reproduction. Female americanum that engorged in the absence of males produced egg masses with low-percentage hatch. Moreover, F1 progeny of these virgin females were similar to F1 progeny of the interspecific cross; i.e., the adults were all females which, when mated to normal male americanum, were fertile and produced normal offspring. However, a larger percentage of interspecifically mated females completed engorgement, and these females weighed more and produced heavier egg masses that gave a higher percentage hatch. Data relating to F1 progenies of interspecifically mated females indicated that these females reproduced by thelytokous parthenogenesis and, although mating enhances expression of parthenogenesis, A. americanum is not obligatorily gynogenetic.
PHENOTYPE FIXATION AND GENOTYPIC DIVERSITY IN THE COMPLEX LIFE CYCLE OF THE APHID PEMPHIGUS BETAE.

The aphid Pemphigus betae typically shows a complex life cycle, with annual alternation between cottonwood trees, where it forms leaf galls, and herbaceous plants, where it lives on roots. Distinct phenotypes are associated with each phase. In a population in Utah, aphid clones vary in their tendencies to undergo the cottonwood phase of the life cycle, with certain clones rarely producing the winged migrants that initiate the cottonwood phase. To examine the extent of genotypic variability in life cycle traits and to determine the consequences of phase deletion for fitness in the remaining phase of the life cycle, I compared performances of sets of clones that differed in their tendencies to delete the cottonwood phase. Performances of 35 aphid clones were compared on root hosts in the laboratory, by quantifying size (a correlate of fecundity), developmental time, and mortality for clonal sublines. Clones that tend to delete the cottonwood phase and remain on roots developed faster, showed lower mortality, and were larger as compared to clones that tend to undergo an annual migration to cottonwood. These laboratory comparisons of individual clones agree with earlier findings from field experiments. Performance also varied significantly among clones within sets, with the set of clones not previously subjected to selection on root hosts showing higher variance than clones isolated following selection in the root-inhabiting phase. These data suggest that selection in the cottonwood phase opposes selection in the root phase. Thus, even in cases of polyphenism, in which divergent developmental pathways confer some independence of phenotypic expression in alternative phases, antagonistic pleiotropy limits adaptation within a phase. These findings on the correlates of intrapopulational variation in frequency of phase expression provide some of the best evidence for character release following reduction of a complex life cycle, and they support the hypothesis that the advantages of polyphenism may be limited by negative genetic correlations among fitness traits of alternative phenotypes.
Flight path design issues for the TOPEX mission

The proposed Ocean Topography Experiment (TOPEX) is an earth satellite mission currently under consideration by NASA. The primary purpose of the experiment is to determine the general circulation of the oceans and its variability. High precision, space based altimeter measurements will be combined with surface measurements and ocean models to accomplish the mission objectives. The paper will discuss mission requirements on orbit design, orbit selection space, derived requirements on navigation and satellite design issues which impact orbit selection. Unique aspects of the TOPEX orbit design are highlighted, such as high precision repeating orbits, 'frozen orbit' values of eccentricity and periapses, precise maneuver and orbit determination requirements and insuring crossing arcs over a calibration-site.
Revisiting Tagore’s Visit to China: Nation, Tradition, and Modernity in China and India in the Early Twentieth Century

This paper aims to discuss the historical background of Rabindranath Tagore’s visit to China in 1924, which proved to be a failure because of harsh criticism from the Chinese side. The paper explores both the Chinese and the Indian sides of the story, examining key intellectual and cultural movements in the two countries in their early encounters with the West. The paper further argues that the difference in attitudes toward tradition demonstrated by the two countries during this period was an important difference worthy of further attention in our reflection upon the historical writing of the non-western world in general. This deep-rooted difference about tradition was a key reason of Tagore’s failed trip in China. What is being “modern” and what is modern about “modern China”? These are important questions in the study of Chinese history. In the popular understanding of Chinese history, it is widely acknowledged that the “modernity” of “modern China” comes from a rejection of tradition. This dichotomy of “tradition vs. modernity” was also deeply inscribed in the study of Chinese history in the West by pioneers such as John King Fairbank. Despite much criticism, this conceptual framework still dominates much of our understanding of Chinese history, both academic and popular. Students of Chinese history rarely look beyond the Himalayas at its crowded neighbor. In this essay, I would like to draw our attention to such a comparative project between Chinese and Indian history. The value of this comparison lies in the historical difference in the attitude and treatment of “tradition” in these two countries. India provides us with a path of history that is beyond our conceptual framework of modernity as rejection of tradition and therefore merits our own reflection. This crucial difference was demonstrated most dramatically when India meets China, specifically in the case when the Nobel Prize laureate Rabindranath Tagore visited China in the spring of 1924.
Use of Condom Among Commercial Sexual Workers in Panzhihua City,2010-2013

Objective To understand the trend of condom use among commercial sexual workers( CSW)and associated factors so as to provide a basis for AIDS intervention. Methods According to National HIV comprehensive surveillance guideline,both stratified cluster sampling and convenience sampling were adopted to investigate the demographical information,AIDS related knowledge,use of condom and status of receiving intervention among the CSW in 2010- 2013, annually. The results were analyzed with SPSS19. 0. Results During this period,3200 CSWs were investigated and the use rate of condom was respectively 64. 3%,89. 8%,93. 9% and 93. 5% in the last commercial sexual behaviour,and in the last month the use rate of condom in every sexual behaviour was respectively 43. 3%,61. 8%,69% and70. 8%. The differences among use rates were both statistically different( χ2= 386. 04,P0. 01; χ2=225. 42,P0. 01). The associated factors of use of condom included education degree,propaganda of HIV testing and intervention,as well as awareness of AIDS knowledge. Conclusion The rate of use condom is increasing annually during the period in Panzhihua city,while the rate of use condom in each sexual behavior is yet to be increased. Thus,promotion of condom use and propaganda of related knowledge both should be emphasized.