cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The production of thyroiditis and antibody following injection of unaltered thyroglobulin without adjuvant into rabbits previously stimulated with altered thyroglobulin

Injection of rabbits with arsanil-sulfanil-thyroglobulin without adjuvant resulted in the production of hemagglutinating and precipitating antibody to native thyroglobulin and thyroiditis. Following a latent period of 1 month, these same rabbits responded to an injection of native thyroglobulin with an increase in both circulating antibody to native thyroglobulin and severity and frequency of thyroid lesions. Some rabbits initially immunized with arsanil-sulfanil-thyroglobulin also responded to a second and third monthly injection of native thyroglobulin, but the response to the third injection was usually not as good as the response to the first injection. A few of the rabbits showed a transient production of 19S antibody after the injection of native thyroglobulin was initiated. Neither circulating antibody nor thyroiditis were ever observed in rabbits injected with only native thyroglobulin without adjuvant. The correlation of the thyroiditis with the presence or absence of circulating antibody was discussed. Following a latent period after injections of aqueous arsanil-sulfanil-thyroglobulin some rabbits made a response to their own thyroglobulin released from an autotransplant of thyroid tissue.
Power Allocation for a MIMO Relay System With Multiple-Antenna Users

A power allocation or scheduling problem is studied for a multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless relay system where there is a non-regenerative relay between one access point and multiple users. Each node in the system is equipped with multiple antennas. The purpose of this study is to develop fast algorithms to compute the source covariance matrix (or matrices) and the relay transformation matrix to optimize a system performance. We consider the minimization of power consumption subject to rate constraint and also the maximization of system throughput subject to power constraint. These problems are nonconvex and apparently have no simple solutions. In this paper, a number of computational strategies are presented and their performances are investigated. Both uplink and downlink cases are considered. The use of multiple carriers is also discussed. Moreover, a generalized water-filling (GWF) algorithm is developed to solve a special class of convex optimization problems. The GWF algorithm is used for two of the strategies shown in this paper.
Physiological correlates of basking in amphibians.

Abstract 1. Body temperatures, heart rate, lung ventilation frequency, and evaporative water loss were determined simultaneously from anuran amphibians, mostly Rana catesbeiana, during exposure to radiation in the laboratory. 2. Observations of integuments and measurements of both subcutaneous temperatures and evaporative water loss suggest that blood circulation is relatively more important than mucous secretions in maintaining normal levels of skin hydration during artificial sun-basking. 3. Evaporative water loss in R. catesbeiana is predominantly cutaneous; losses from buccopharyngeal and pulmonary surfaces account for probably less than 8% of the total. 4. “Panting” responses were not observed at any level of body temperature.
Effects of Prior Knee Surgery on Subsequent Injury, Imaging, and Surgery in NCAA Collegiate Athletes

Background:High school and professional athletes with a history of orthopaedic surgery have decreased career lengths and are at a greater risk for reinjury compared with their peers. It is unknown whether the same risk applies to intercollegiate athletes.Purpose:To determine the effect of prior knee surgery in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athletes in the United States.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:Division I athletes who began participation in collegiate athletics at a single institution from fall 2003 to spring 2008 were identified. Athletes with a history of orthopaedic surgery were identified through preparticipation evaluation forms. Data on the number of seasons and games played, number of days missed, diagnostic imaging, athletic injuries sustained, and surgical operations during college were collected through medical records and the Sports Injury Monitoring System (SIMS).Results:During the 5-year study period, 456 athletes completed prepartici...
Correspondence principle for black holes and strings

For most black holes in string theory, the Schwarzschild radius in string units decreases as the string coupling is reduced. We formulate a correspondence principle, which states that (i) when the size of the horizon drops below the size of a string, the typical black hole state becomes a typical state of strings and D-branes with the same charges, and (ii) the mass does not change abruptly during the transition. This provides a statistical interpretation of black hole entropy. This approach does not yield the numerical coefficient, but gives the correct dependence on mass and charge in a wide range of cases, including neutral black holes. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Commitment to glycolysis sustains survival of NO-producing inflammatory dendritic cells

TLR agonists initiate a rapid activation program in dendritic cells (DCs) that requires support from metabolic and bioenergetic resources. We found previously that TLR signaling promotes aerobic glycolysis and a decline in oxidative phosphorylation (OXHPOS) and that glucose restriction prevents activation and leads to premature cell death. However, it remained unclear why the decrease in OXPHOS occurs under these circumstances. Using real-time metabolic flux analysis, in the present study, we show that mitochondrial activity is lost progressively after activation by TLR agonists in inflammatory blood monocyte–derived DCs that express inducible NO synthase. We found that this is because of inhibition of OXPHOS by NO and that the switch to glycolysis is a survival response that serves to maintain ATP levels when OXPHOS is inhibited. Our data identify NO as a profound metabolic regulator in inflammatory monocyte–derived DCs.
From SNPs to function: the effect of sequence variation on gene expression. Focus on “A survey of genetic and epigenetic variation affecting human gene expression”

the recent completion of the human genome sequence has shifted research efforts in genomics toward understanding the function of the human genome, its regulation, and how sequence variation contributes to disease. Large numbers of sequence variants throughout the human genome have been identified,
Paleoclimate Analysis and Modeling

This book is a collection of papers focusing on the analytical techniques and use of numerical models in paleoclimatic research. The purpose of this book is to review the biologic and geologic quantitative evidence of climate change, the data sources available, the interpretation of the data as a means of climatic reconstruction, and the use of numerical models as a means of investigating the causality of climate change. Ten chapters are presented, each dealing with a specific analytical technique and each written by a recognized leader in his or her research field. In chapter 1, Hecht provides an introduction to the volume and reviews the major advances in paleoclimatology during the past 20 years. Included is a discussion of the use of various isotopes as indicators of climate change and the utilization of transfer functions derived from the pollen, tree ring, and foraminifera records in the quantitative reconstruction of past climates. The results of the Climate: Long-Range Investigation, Mapping, and Prediction (CLIMAP) glacial reconstruction are summarized, as are advances in the ice core record and the use of climate models to simulate conditions in the geologic past.
Monensin, Eimeria tenella Infection, and Effects on the Bacterial Populations in the Ceca of Gnotobiotic Chickens

Bacteria-free chicks in separate plastic film isolators were inoculated orally with single species of bacteria. Within an isolator, half the birds were fed unmedicated feed and half received feed containing 100 ppm monensin. With clostridium perfringens as the established species of monoflora, bacterial counts from the duodenum were 10(4) times lower and counts from the ceca were three times lower in monensin-fed birds compared to unmedicated birds. Infection with Eimeria tenella stimulated an eight-fold increase in the numbers of C. perfringens in the ceca of unmedicated birds but no increase in monensin-fed birds. With Bacteroides sp. or Streptococcus faecalis as monoflora, there was no difference in the cecal or duodenal populations between medicated and unmedicated birds uninfected with coccidia. In contrast to C. perfringens, populations of Bacteroides sp. and S. faecalis in the ceca decreased five to 100-fold in both medicated and unmedicated chicks after infection with E. tenella. Duodenal populations of C. perfringens, Bacteroides sp., and S. faecalis were unaffected by the coccidial infection.
Isolation of coagulation factors by continuous flow electrophoresis.

SummaryContinuous flow paper electrophoresis has been applied to isolation of blood clotting factors. Stuart factor has been separated from proconvertin and shown to migrate in the albumin and pre-albumin area. Data presented show factor specificity and freedom from other clotting factors in the case of proconvertin, Stuart, and Hageman preparations.
Dimensional synthesis of planar triads: Motion generation with prescribed timing for six precision positions

Abstract In this paper, the complex number method is applied to the dimensional synthesis of planar triads, for six precision positions, and motion generation with prescribed timing. A triad is a series of three binary links which can be part of many linkages. The solution for the displacement equation of the triad is developed through the use of compatibility equations. An interactive computer program which allows the user to find an appropriate triad from the Triad-Burmester curves for a specified motion is outlined. A numerical example to show the application of the triad program to the dimensional synthesis of an eight-bar linkage is included.
Rotatory behavior induced in nigra-lesioned rats by N-propylnoraporphine, apomorphine, and levodopa.

Abstract The induction of rotatory behavior by N-propylnoraporphine, apomorphine, and levodopa (the last given with a peripheral metabolic inhibitor) was studied in rats with unilateral nigral lesions produced with 6-OH dopamine. Within the dose ranges studied, N-propylnoraporphine had longer lasting effects than did the other two drugs, and its activity was significantly increased by atropine.
Heavy oils: Their shear story

Heavy oils are important unconventional hydrocarbon resources with huge reserves and are usually exploited through thermal recovery processes. These thermal recovery processes can be monitored using seismic techniques. Shear-wave properties,inparticular,areexpectedtobemostsensitivetothechanges in the heavy-oil reservoir because heavy oils change from being solid-like at low temperatures to fluid-like at higher temperatures. To understand their behavior, we measure the complex shearmodulusandthusalsotheattenuationofaheavy-oil-saturated rock and the oil extracted from it within the seismic frequency band in the laboratory. The modulus and quality factor Qoftheheavy-oil-saturatedrockshowamoderatedependence on frequency, but are strongly influenced by temperature. The shear-wave velocity dispersion in these rocks is significant at steam-flooding temperatures as the oil inside the reservoir loses viscosity.Atroomtemperatures,theextractedheavyoilsupports a shear wave, but with increasing temperature, its shear modulus decreases rapidly, which translates to a rapid drop in the shear modulus of the heavy-oil-saturated rock as well.At these low to intermediate temperatures 30°C‐100°C, an attenuation peak corresponding to the viscous relaxation of the heavy oil is encountered also resulting in significant shear-wave velocity dispersion, well described by the Cole-Cole model. Thus, shearwaveattenuationinheavy-oilrockscanbesignificantlylargeand iscausedbyboththemeltingandviscousrelaxationoftheheavy oil. At yet higher temperatures, the lighter components of the heavy oil are lost, making the oil stiffer and less attenuative.The dramaticchangesinshearvelocitiesandattenuationinheavyoils should be clearly visible in multicomponent seismic data, and suggestthatthesemeasurementscanbequalitativelyandquantitatively used in seismic monitoring of thermal recovery processes.
Long Distance Military and Civilian Relationships: Women's Perceptions of the Impact of Communication Technology and Military Culture

This qualitative study investigates military female partners’ perceptions of communication technologies during long-distance relationships, contrasted with civilians’ experiences. Military female partners in this sample included both female civilians and female military members whose male partners were deployed for wartime military-related service. Purposive iterative sampling of military cases and contrast civilian cases were done of women prior to and after current cyberspace-based communication technologies became widely available. Post-1980s’ predeployment expectations of communication frequency and dependability were commonly not met. Pre-1980s’ expectations were more aligned with reality, although not necessarily less stressful. Perspectives of military partners across eras suggested that weaknesses/gaps in communication pose higher risk to relationship resilience for younger military partners and those more distal from military culture and support services.
Listening to Students: Coming Back to School: What Returning Students Can Teach Us About Learning and Development

You might discover somebody you never knew you were,” Henry says with a big voice as he turns his wheelchair sideways to look at me. “That's basically what happened to me when I started taking clas...
Functional Restoration of Vision in the Cat after Long-Term Monocular Deprivation

Recovery of visual acuity was studied in six long-term monocularly deprived cats after removal of the nondeprived eye or reverse lid suture. Although both manipulations improved visual acuity, removal of the nondeprived eye was associated with more rapid recovery and higher find acuity than in reverse suture. These results are in agreement with the known electrophysiological effects of these recovery conditions and are also similar to the effects of reverse occlusion or loss of the nonamblyopic eye in human amblyopes.
Spectral characteristics of visual pigments in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Abstract We investigated retina preparations of young rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) with body wt 5–40 g. Rods, single and double cones were measured in side-on orientation by microspectrophotometry, identifying five spectrally distinct visual pigments (or photoreceptors containing mixtures of visual pigments). The mean wavelength of peak absorbance (λ max ) of the α-bands were 365 and 434 nm in single cones, 531 and 576 nm in double cones, and 521 nm in the rods. The half-band width (HBW) of the main absorption bands were broader than expected of retinal-(vitamin A 1 -) based visual pigments, and thus, they were indicative of a mixed chromophore pool derived from both the vitamin A 1 and A 2 forms. One consequence of the utilization of mixed chromophores is the broadening of the α-band absorption in each pigment type. And yet, we obtained exceptionally narrow HBW for the UV-type pigment, when compared with HBW values expected on the basis of the linear trend seen in visual pigments absorbing in the visible spectrum. We conclude that the UV pigment in rainbow trout has an unusually narrow HBW. Nevertheless, this species is not exceptional in this regard, for the UV-absorbing visual pigments in other vertebrate species also have narrow HBW.
The Effects of Aging on Apoptosis Following Myocardial Infarction

Summary Background Aging is associated with higher incidence of heart failure and death following myocardial infarction (MI). The molecular and cellular changes that lead to these worse outcomes are not known. Methods and Results Young and aging mice underwent induction of MI by LAD ligation. There was a significant increase in mortality in the aging mice. Neither the young nor aging hearts after MI had inducible ventricular tachycardia. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis increases early after MI in young and aging mice, but to a much greater degree in the aging mice. Caspase inhibition with Ac-DEVD-CHO resulted in a 61% reduction in activated caspase-3 and an 84% reduction in apoptosis in cardiomyocytes in young mice (P < 0.05), but not in aging mice. Gene pathway profiling demonstrated activation of both the caspase and Map3k1/Mapk10 pathways in aging mice following MI, which may contribute to their resistance to caspase inhibition. Conclusions Aging hearts activate distinct apoptotic pathways have more cardiomyocyte apoptosis and are resistant to antiapoptotic therapies following MI. Novel or combination approaches may be required to improve outcomes in aging patients following MI.
Radiation-induced crosslinking of pyrimidine oligonucleotides

Abstract Small oligonucleotides of thymine and cytosine form crosslinks on γ irradiation in N 2 O- saturated aqueous solution. Products of crosslinking were separated and isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography and characterized by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Quantitative measurements revealed that approximately 50% of primary water radicals account for the crosslinking. Mechanisms of product formation are presented.
The removal of chest tubes despite an air leak or a pneumothorax.

Background The presence of an air leak is currently a contraindication for removal of a chest tube. The objective of this series was to evaluate the safety of chest tube removal in patients with an air leak. Methods This study was a retrospective cohort study of a prospective database. Patients who underwent elective pulmonary resection and were discharged home with a chest tube were eligible. Results Between July 2000 and July 2007, 6,038 patients underwent elective pulmonary resection by one general thoracic surgeon. One hundred and ninety-nine patients (3.8%) with a persistent air leak had their chest tubes placed to a suctionless portable drainage device and were discharged home. One hundred ninety-four patients (97%) returned to our clinic (median, postdischarge day 16). One hundred thirty-seven patients had no air leak, and 57 patients still had an air leak. All 137 patients (including 26 with a nonexpanding pneumothorax) had their chest tubes removed. In addition, all 57 patients (including 19 who had pneumothorax as well) had their chest tubes removed without sequela (9 after provocative clamping). At 3 months' follow-up, all patients were asymptomatic without evidence of pleural space problems, except 3 (all in the persistent air leak group) in whom an empyema developed. Conclusions Patients with air leaks can be safely discharged home with their chest tubes. These tubes can be safely removed even if the patients have a pneumothorax, if the following criteria are met: the patients have been asymptomatic, have no subcutaneous emphysema after 14 days on a portable device at home, and the pleural space deficit has not increased in size.
A Repulsive Electrostatic Mechanism for Protein Export through the Type III Secretion Apparatus

Many Gram-negative bacteria initiate infections by injecting effector proteins into host cells through the type III secretion apparatus, which is comprised of a basal body, a needle, and a tip. The needle channel is formed by the assembly of a single needle protein. To explore the export mechanisms of MxiH needle protein through the needle of Shigella flexneri, an essential step during needle assembly, we have performed steered molecular dynamics simulations in implicit solvent. The trajectories reveal a screwlike rotation motion during the export of nativelike helix-turn-helix conformations. Interestingly, the channel interior with excessive electronegative potential creates an energy barrier for MxiH to enter the channel, whereas the same may facilitate the ejection of the effectors into host cells. Structurally known basal regions and ATPase underneath the basal region also have electronegative interiors. Effector proteins also have considerable electronegative potential patches on their surfaces. From these observations, we propose a repulsive electrostatic mechanism for protein translocation through the type III secretion apparatus. Based on this mechanism, the ATPase activity and/or proton motive force could be used to energize the protein translocation through these nanomachines. A similar mechanism may be applicable to macromolecular channels in other secretion systems or viruses through which proteins or nucleic acids are transported.
SEA TURTLE STOCK ESTIMATION USING GENETIC MARKERS: ACCOUNTING FOR SAMPLING ERROR OF RARE GENOTYPES

The contributions of different sea turtle rookeries to mixed-stock populations on foraging grounds can only be estimated by indirect methods such as analysis of mito- chondrial DNA samples from the mixed stocks and rookery populations. We explain and evaluate methods for genetic stock estimation using simulations and data from previous studies. We focus on Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation, a relatively new method. MCMC differs from older combinations of maximum likelihood (ML) with non- parametric bootstrapping in (1) using a Bayesian prior to quantify previous knowledge; (2) taking account of multiple modes in the probability distribution of contributions; and (3) incorporating sampling error more flexibly, allowing for the possibility that rare haplotypes actually present in a particular rookery were not detected in a small sample. In the context of sea turtle stock analysis, the differences in point estimates between ML and MCMC methods are relatively small, but MCMC gives wider and more accurate confidence limits than ML with bootstrapping, which tends to underestimate small contributions as zero.
Beauty, Dominance, and the Mating Game: Contrast Effects in Self-Assessment Reflect Gender Differences in Mate Selection

An experimental study examined the effects of exposure to physically attractive and dominant same-sex individuals on self-assessments. Consistent with prior findings on mate selection, it was predicted that women’s self-assessments of their mate value would be adversely affected by exposure to highly physically attractive women and would be relatively unaffected by exposure to socially dominant women. Conversely, men’s self-assessments of their mate value were expected to be more affected by the social dominance than by the physical attractiveness of the men to whom they were exposed. Findings for self-assessed judgments of desirability as a marriage partner were in line with hypotheses. Results fit with earlier findings suggesting that such effects may be caused by changes in the perceived population of competitors rather than direct changes in self-perceptions of physical appearance or dominance. Overall, findings are supportive of models assuming domain-specific rather than domain-general cognitive pro...
Changing trends in operations for chronic pancreatitis : A 22-year experience

Objective: To report the evolution of methods of surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis.Design: Retrospective analysis.Setting: Private clinic, USA.Subjects: 448 consecutive patients who were operated on for chronic pancreatitis.Interventions: Resection (n = 286) or drainage of the duct (n = 162).Main outcome measure: Changes over the 22-year period.Results: There was a change towards resection after 1985 (195/238, 59%, from 1976-90 compared with 91/120, 76%, from 1991-97), partly because of suspicions of malignancy. In recent years (1991-97) pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy has come to be preferred over classic resection including antrectomy (22/36, 61%, compared with 11/69, 16%). Eight duodenum-preserving resections have been done since 1994.Conclusions: More resections, particularly proximal pancreatectomies, are done nowadays. Lateral pancreaticojejunostomy has become the preferred drainage procedure, and pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy is favoured over classic pancreaticoduod...
Conceptual and Laboratory Exercise to Apply Newton's Second Law to a System of Many Forces

A pair of objects on an inclined plane are connected together by a string. The upper object is then connected to a fixed post via a spring. The situation is first analysed as a classroom exercise in using free-body diagrams to solve Newton’s second law for a system of objects upon which many different kinds of force are acting (string tension, spring force, gravity, normal force, and friction). Next, the setup is replicated in the laboratory using rolling carts with attached force sensors (to measure the string and spring forces) and a motion detector (to measure the position, velocity and acceleration of the objects). After characterizing the rolling friction, cart masses, incline angle and spring constant, the kinematics and dynamics of the system can be accurately modelled with no free parameters. Representing the data in different ways, notably plotting quantities as a function of the displacement of the carts instead of elapsed time, greatly assists in their interpretation. For example, the acceleration of the carts lies along two straight lines when plotted in that way, the mechanical energy has a zigzag shape and the velocity of the carts traces out a set of joining half-ellipses in phase space.
The quail, Coturnix coturnix as a laboratory animal.

The quail, Coturnix coturnix, is small, gentle, hardy, adaptable, easy to house, and economical to maintain. Wetherbee and Jacobs (1960) call it the “Drosophila of the avian laboratory,” and yet this charming bird is virtually unknown to the psychological laboratory. Our preliminary investigations show that the pecking operant is readily conditioned and that little or no deprivation is necessary to maintain behavior with food as a reinforcer. Visual and temporal discriminations were very quickly made. Our observations suggest that the social behavior of these birds might be a fruitful area for psychological study. On the basis of our somewhat limited observations, we believe that C. coturnix should prove a useful experimental animal for comparative studies, for basic research in learning, motivation, and perhaps social behavior, and for teaching the analysis of behavior in demonstrations and laboratory courses.
Frequency and characterization of HMGA2 and HMGA1 rearrangements in mesenchymal tumors of the lower genital tract.

Mesenchymal tumors of the lower genital tract predominantly occur in women of reproductive age and are mainly represented by aggressive angiomyxoma (AAM) and angiomyofibroblastoma (AMF). Whether these tumors are different phenotypic expressions of the same biological entity is still debatable. Genetic rearrangements of HMGA2 have been reported in a few cases of AAM but its frequency and clinicobiological implications have not been studied systematically. We evaluated 90 cases of mesenchymal tumors of the lower genital tract that comprised 42 AAMs, 18 AMFs, 6 cellular angiofibromas, 5 fibroepithelial stromal polyps, 15 genital leiomyomas, 3 superficial angiomyxomas, and 1 spindle cell lipoma. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to identify rearrangements of HMGA2 and its homologue HMGA1. HMGA2 rearrangements were identified in 14 AAMs (33%) and in 1 vaginal leiomyoma. All other tumors were negative for HMGA2 rearrangements. HMGA1 rearrangement was not found in any of the cases. RT-PCR confirmed transcriptional upregulation of HMGA2 only in tumors with HMGA2 rearrangements. Standard cytogenetic analyses were performed in two AAMs and one AMF. One AAM had a t(1;12)(p32;q15); the other tumors had normal karyotypes. Mapping and sequence analysis of the breakpoint showed fusion to the 3′ untranslated region of HMGA2 to genomic sequences derived from the contig NT 032977.8 on chromosome 1p32. Our findings support the hypothesis that AAM and AMF are distinct biological entities. The diagnostic usefulness of HMGA2 rearrangements to differentiate between AAM and other tumors of the lower genital tract may be limited due to the their low frequency. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Where is Merlin when I need him? The barriers to higher education are still in place: Recent re-entry experience

While the GI bill after WWII encouraged education for the older students, the combination of baby boomers and the rise of feminism have prompted a new wave of returning students to academia. The nontraditional student since the 1970s has often been an older female returning for a graduate degree. Making the decision to return has not been easy, and the older student can expect to encounter multiple barriers to her progress before attaining her desired degree. These barriers have been in place and have been the subject of studies for the past forty years, and they remain firmly in place in the new century. This study looks at the barriers through the lens of one older female student in her first summer of graduate school. Using data from diaries, narrative journals, class papers, and reflections, the student compares her experiences with the findings of current studies.
Minimally invasive pituitary surgery

Since its original description in 1907, surgery of the pituitary gland has undergone a remarkable evolution. While open transsphenoidal approaches gained an early following, they were mostly abandoned in favor of craniotomy because of concern of inadequate tumor resection. However, with widespread use of antibiotics in the 1950s and the introduction of the surgical microscope in the 1960s, the transsphenoidal approach gained popularity as the procedure of choice in the management of pituitary neoplasms. Widespread application of endoscopic surgery for diseases of the sinuses in the 1980s and 1990s, including the management of skull base tumors and cerebrospinal fluid leaks, led to the development of the technique of minimally invasive pituitary surgery (MIPS). MIPS has gained in popularity because of the remarkable visualization provided by the endoscope in addition to the reduced morbidity and rapid recovery afforded by this minimally invasive technique.
Foul weather friends: big business and health care reform in the 1990s in historical perspective.

Existing accounts of the Clinton health reform efforts of the early 1990s neglect to examine how the change in big business reform interests during the short period between the late 1980s and 1994 might have altered the trajectory of compul- sory health insurance legislation in Congress. This article explores evidence that big employers lost their early interest in reform because they believed their private reme- dies for bringing down health cost inflation were finally beginning to work. This had a discouraging effect on reform efforts. Historical analysis shows how hard times dur- ing the Great Depression also aligned big business interests with those of reformers seeking compulsory social insurance. Unlike the present case, however, the economic climate did not quickly improve, and the social insurance reform of the New Deal succeeded. The article speculates, therefore, that had employer health expenditures not flattened out, continuing and even growing big business support might have neu- tralized small business and other opposition that contributed heavily to the failure of reform. Thus in light of the Clinton administration's demonstrated willingness to compromise with business on details of its plan, some kind of major reform might have succeeded.
An Ultrasonically Actuated Silicon-Microprobe-Based Testicular Tubule Assay

Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (TESE) is an invasive surgical procedure in which sparsely located healthy larger diameter tubules carrying viable spermatazoa are identified by visual examination of the seminiferous tubules of the infertile testis under a microscope, and biopsies of regions of interest are performed. In this paper, we report on microfabricated silicon microprobes integrated with an ultrasonic horn actuator and strain gauges for microdissection probe-TESE (MP-TESE) surgery. The microprobes, with axial-force-sensitive polysilicon strain gauges, have high force sensitivity (-0.4 V/N). The probes were used to detect the boundaries between seminiferous tubules, thus enabling identification of individual tubule diameters. Insertion experiments were performed on rat testis tissue, and by monitoring the tubule puncture in the recorded force, we were able to estimate the average diameter ~ 41.2 plusmn 1.6 mum of the sperm-carrying tubules in samples. We have also demonstrated the ability to sense the existence of larger tubules embedded in a mess of thinner tubules, using an analytically calculated expression for the distribution of sizes measured by the microprobe. This information is important in MP-TESE to distinguish tubules with and without fertile sperm, potentially eliminating the large incision currently required for optical spermatazoa localization.
Analytical model of the effective transient optical response of symmetric-top molecules in the presence of a rotational coherence

A nonperturbative analytic solution to the transient effective susceptibility tensor due to the presence of a rotational wave packet in nonrigid, symmetric-top molecules excited by intense, arbitrarily polarized laser pulses is presented. Calculations using the analytic model are carried out for the case of a linear and a symmetric-top molecule, including the effect of vibration-rotation coupling on the wave packet. We also compare the analytic results to a numeric solution of the Schrodinger equation for a linearly polarized pump pulse in order to assess the validity of the impulsive approximation.
Synurophyceae from the Southern Atlantic Coastal Plain of North America: a preliminary survey in Louisiana, USA

Forty-three taxa of Synurophyceae were identified by means of transmission electron microscopy of samples from ten different localities in southeastern Louisiana, USA, on the southern portion of the Atlantic Coastal Plain Province of North America. Samples were collected during a one month period when water temperatures ranged from 15.5–24.5“C. Sample pH values ranged from 4.4–7.2. Notable scale morphology variation was described for some taxa. The flora included three warm water taxa but was dominated by temperate and cosmopolitan taxa. Mallomonas prora and Synura australiensis are reported for the first time from North America. Comparisons with related studies from New World subtropical regions in Florida, USA, and Argentina were made, and significant North American range expansions were noted. The large number of aquatic habitats, 7–8 consecutive months at temperatures (6–20°C) best suited for development of synurophycean populations, and proximity to major bird migrations routes are postulated as explanations for the large number of reported species.
Improved Cerebral Vasomotor Reactivity After Exercise Training in Hemiparetic Stroke Survivors

Background and Purpose— Animal studies provide strong evidence that aerobic exercise training positively influences cerebral blood flow, but no human studies support the use of exercise for improving cerebral hemodynamics. This randomized study in stroke survivors assessed the effects of treadmill aerobic exercise training (TM) on cerebral blood flow parameters compared to a control intervention of nonaerobic stretching. Methods— Thirty-eight participants (19 in TM group and 19 in control group) with remote stroke (>6 months) and mild to moderate gait deficits completed middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity measurements by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography before and after a 6-month intervention period. Middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity was assessed bilaterally during normocapnia and hypercapnia (6% CO 2 ). Cerebral vasomotor reactivity (cVMR) was calculated as percent change in middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity from normocapnia to hypercapnia (cVMR percent) and as an index correcting percent change for absolute increase in end tidal CO 2 (cVMR index). Results— The TM group had significantly larger improvements than did controls for both ipsilesional and contralesional cVMR index ( P ≤0.05) and contralesional cVMR percent ( P ≤0.01). Statin users in the TM group (n=10) had higher baseline cVMR and lower training-induced cVMR change, indicating that cVMR change among those not using statins (n=9) primarily accounted for the between-group effects. There was a 19% increase in Vo 2 peak for the TM group compared to a 4% decrease in the control group ( P r =0.55; P Conclusions— Our data provide the first evidence to our knowledge of exercise-induced cVMR improvements in stroke survivors, implying a protective mechanism against recurrent stroke and other brain-related disorders. Statin use appears to regulate cVMR and the cVMR training response.
Racial Discrimination by Low-Prejudiced Whites: Facial Movements as Implicit Measures of Attitudes Related to Behavior

We investigated the relationship of implicit racial prejudice to discriminatory behavior. White university students chose the best of three applicants (two were White and one was Black) for a prestigious teaching fellowship. They then completed the Implicit Association Test (IAT), a measure of implicit racial bias. Three weeks later, participants completed a second implicit measure of racial bias by viewing photos of Whites and Blacks while facial electromyography (EMG) was recorded from sites corresponding to the muscles used in smiling and frowning. Analyses revealed that bias in cheek EMG activity was related to the race of the chosen applicant, whereas bias on the IAT was not. Motivations to control prejudiced reactions were not related to EMG activity or the race of the applicant chosen, but were related to IAT bias. The findings indicate that facial EMG can be used as an implicit measure of prejudice related to discrimination.
JAPAN'S DIRECT MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES

Japan is the most important foreign investor in the United States. Japanese companies are trade-oriented and have ownership-specific advantages in select industries; their US investment is aimed at protecting their market share. The distribution of Japanese plants correlates well with US manufacturing, except that the West Coast and states that aggressively sought Japanese investment have more employees in Japanese plants. Japanese presence in US manufacturing is most prominent in consumer electronics, steel, automobiles, and high-technology industries.
Developed turbulent transport in ducts for large prandtl or schmidt numbers

The problem of developed turbulent heat or mass transfer in a duct is considered for the limit of large σ (Prandtl or Schmidt number). The limiting results depend on the behavior of the eddy diffusivity near the solid surface. Since there is a question about whether this variation begins with ϵ ∝ y+3 + … or ϵ ∝ y+4 + … for y+ near zero, both possibilities are considered. In each case the first three terms of the asymptotic expansion for σ ∞ are obtained. The first term of the asymptotic expansion agrees with limiting results derived earlier, while the correction terms indicate the errors associated with earlier simplifying assumptions. By proper scalling, it is demonstrated that in the limit of σ ∞ the results are independent of geometry and boundary conditions for situations involving parallel plates, circular tubes and concentric annuli with either constant surface heat flux or temperature. The correction terms to the σ ∞ asymptote can be significant, although the effect of Reynolds number on the correction terms is very small. A comparison between a typical numerical integration and the asymptotic formula shows excellent agreement. The asymptotic formulae are used to correlate large Schmidt number mass transfer data.
Abstract P036: Poor Nutritional Intake and Malnutrition in Obese Patients with Heart Failure

Introduction: Poor nutritional status and unintentional cachexia have been shown to have a strong association with survival in patients with heart failure (HF). However, there is currently a paucity of research describing the dietary patterns of obese patients with chronic HF. Objective: This study was done to identify the food and nutrient intake of the Pro-HEART trial participants and compare participant intake to national guidelines. Methods: Pro-HEART is a clinical trial designed to evaluate the short-term and long-term effects of a high protein vs. standard protein diet on body weight and adiposity and other health outcomes in overweight and obese patients with HF, complicated with diabetes and/or metabolic syndrome. Baseline food consumption of 77 participants was analyzed using a validated 3-Day Food Record. Results: On average, the participants were 58.1±10.3 years, male (74%), married (65%), Caucasian (49%). The average energy intake was 1358.6 ± 478.9; 58% exceeded the recommended amount of percent calories from fat, 73% exceeded the saturated fat recommendation (of 10% of daily calories), and 92% consumed too much sodium. Only 40% consumed the recommended amount of daily calories from carbohydrates. On average, participants consumed 0.68 ± 0.21 gm/kg of protein; only 9% consumed at least 1 gm/kg of protein as recommended. Less than 50% met the minimum recommended servings for folate, vitamin E, calcium and sodium (see Table). Conclusions: Our findings showed that overweight and obese patients with HF exceeded recommended intake of fat, saturated fats, and sodium. Likewise, data suggest that overweight and obese patients with HF are at risk for poor nutritional intake of key micronutrients and minerals essential for reducing the inflammatory and metabolic abnormalities associated with HF and confirm that patients who do not appear cachectic may still be at risk for malnutrition. Thus, the risk for poor nutritional intake should be considered in all HF patients, regardless of whether they appear malnourished or not.
Cytochrome c protein synthesis rate in rat skeletal muscle.

Endurance training is associated with increases in mitochondrial density, of which cytochrome c protein is an index. Increases in the synthesis rates of cytochrome c protein in skeletal muscle duri...
Changes in Water and Electrolytes in Human Cervical Mucus During Treatment with Chlormadinone Acetate

Prior observations concerning the dehydrating effect of chlormadinone acetate (CMA) are confirmed and alterations in the cyclic concentration of electrolytes in cervical mucus are reported. 3 women aged 19 28 and 31 in apparent good health and with unremarkable menstrual histories were tested through 1 control cycle prior to the daily oral administration of .5 mg of CMA for 1 month. Specimens of cervical mucus were obtained daily from each subject for at least 12 days/month during the control cycle and 19 days/month during the treatment cycle. Results indicated that CMA causes a dehydration of the mucus raising the amount of the dry residue at the midcycle period to levels believed to be inhibitory to the migration of spermatozoa. The typical normal surge in the concentration of sodium during the midcycle period was obliterated. CMA induced an increase in the midcycle concentration of potassium calcium magnesium and zinc in the mucus. The significance of variable effects of CMA on these electrolytes is not clear. In 1 treatment cycle the elimination of the LH surge seen at midcycle in the control study suggested that CMA may have prevented ovulation in that month.
A COMPARISON OF H2 OPTIMIZED DESIGN AND CROSS-OVER POINT DESIGN FOR ACCELERATION FEEDBACK CONTROL

In classical approaches to control of flexible structures, system equations are usually rewritten in a state space domain, but these state space transformations often lose insight into the physics of the problem from the point of view of a structural dynamicist. On the other hand, second order compensators enable the designers to keep the system equations of motion in their second order form. In particular, acceleration feedback control, which uses second order equations, shows unconditional stability for single degree of freedom systems and collocated pairs of sensor and actuator. AFC can also be effectively used with non-collocated actuators and sensors, even thought it is not unconditionally stable. The objective of the paper is to compare two different designs of acceleration feedback control compensators. First, the technique, based on the crossover point design of the controller, is reviewed. Then, a new acceleration feedback control method based on minimizing the H2 norm of the closed loop transfer function is developed. Both these techniques are validated by numerical simulation studies. Then, an experimental program is designed to control more than one mode with a single piezoceramic actuator for a tapered cantilevered plate.
Temperature and Humidity Requirements for the Germination of Cercospora Omphakodes Spores

During a study on the biology of Cercospora omphakodes Ell. & Holw., the spores of this organism did not germinate in free water. This was contrary to the findings of Pool and McKay (5) working with C. beticola Sacc. They found that the spores began to germinate in distilled water in 3 hr at 26 C and reached 100% in 6-7 hours. Berger and Hanson (2) found that 24 C was optimum for spore germination of C. zebrina Pass. These spores germinated 100% after 12 hr in distilled water. Later they (3) reported that germ tubes may arise from any cell, but the basal cell usually germinates first. Baxter (1) found that the optimum temperature for germination of C. zebrina was 25 C and that the basal cell germinated first followed by germination of the terminal cell.
Manipulating Crystallization of Organolead Mixed-Halide Thin Films in Antisolvent Baths for Wide-Bandgap Perovskite Solar Cells

Wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on organolead (I, Br)-mixed halide perovskites (e.g., MAPbI2Br and MAPbIBr2 perovskite with bandgaps of 1.77 and 2.05 eV, respectively) are considered as promising low-cost alternatives for application in tandem or multijunction photovoltaics (PVs). Here, we demonstrate that manipulating the crystallization behavior of (I, Br)-mixed halide perovskites in antisolvent bath is critical for the formation of smooth, dense thin films of these perovskites. Since the growth of perovskite grains from a precursor solution tends to be more rapid with increasing Br content, further enhancement in the nucleation rate becomes necessary for the effective decoupling of the nucleation and the crystal-growth stages in Br-rich perovskites. This is enabled by introducing simple stirring during antisolvent-bathing, which induces enhanced advection transport of the extracted precursor-solvent into the bath environment. Consequently, wide-bandgap planar PSCs fabricated using thes...
ON NONRATIONAL ACTIVITY IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING DECISSIONS

Nonrational activity is a common phenomenon in the process of making decissions in modern time. In thispaper the writers have analysed the causes of this kind of activities and made comments on them, pointing out that the ob-jective nonrational activity can't be averted and we can rationally meke use of it in the practice of meking decissions, butthe subjective nonrational activity can be avoided and we should lessen or get rid of it.