cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perceptions About Disseminating Health Information Among Mommy Bloggers: Quantitative Study

Background: Social media are potentially powerful channels for communicating relevant health information in culturally sensitive and influential ways to key audiences. Moreover, these channels hold promise for promoting awareness and knowledge of health risks, prevention, and treatment by utilizing opinion leaders for message dissemination. Despite limited empirical evidence to-date, early promising results suggest that blogs are a form of social media that should be examined as worthy channels for health communication. Objectives: This formative study explored mommy bloggers’ perceptions about sharing health-related information on their blogs with their readers. It also sought to analyze which topics would be of most interest to mommy bloggers, what motivates them to write about health issues, and how they perceive interest in these topics among their readers. Methods: This study employed survey methodology, including the use of open-ended questions, the responses to which were coded for analysis. Specifically, a 14-item survey was fielded with mommy bloggers between October 1 and October 28, 2016. Bloggers were recruited through The Motherhood network. A total of 461 mommy bloggers responded to the survey; 163 were removed for low quality responses and incomplete data. As a result, 298 eligible participants completed the survey. For open-ended questions in the survey, a sample of responses were coded and analyzed. Results: The majority of the respondents (87.2%, 260/298) reported that they have written about health issues in the past; 97.3% (290/298) of the respondents reported that they would consider writing about health issues sometime in the future, and 96.3% (287/298) of the respondents reported that their readers like to read about health issues on their blogs. In terms of content priorities for this sample of bloggers, Nutrition and Physical Activity dominate the current conversation and similarly, Physical Activity and Nutrition remain top content priorities for these bloggers for the future. Moreover, 21.3% of the respondents reported that their readers would be interested in these topics. Finally, having a personal connection with a health issue was found to be positively associated with likeliness to write about health issues on their blog (P<.001). Conclusions: This study illustrates that there are potentially rich opportunities for working with mommy bloggers to communicate with key health decision makers (moms) on important health issues. There is a great support among mommy bloggers for health information dissemination as well as interest for accessing relevant health information from their readers. This presents an opportunity for public health research and communication campaigns to more broadly promote their messages, thereby contributing to their behavior change objectives. Limitations included overrepresentation of white, higher-educated, and younger women. It suggests a need for more targeted engagement of a diverse sample for future work.
Job satisfaction among public health nutrition personnel

This study investigated the job satisfaction of public health nutrition personnel and examined specific factors related to that satisfaction. The 584 persons who responded to a mailed questionnaire were, on the whole, moderately satisfied with their positions in public health. Satisfaction with the "kind of work" they did and satisfaction with coworkers were the major factors contributing to overall job satisfaction. Of the job components examined, respondents were the least satisfied with the pay they received. Older respondents who had been in the profession a longer time were more satisfied with their jobs than their younger counterparts.
Extensions and Examples

In this chapter, we establish consistency of different block bootstrap methods for some general classes of estimators and consider some specific examples illustrating the theoretical results. Section 4.2 establishes consistency of estimators that may be represented as smooth functions of sample means. Section 4.3 deals with (generalized) M-estimators, including the maximum likelihood estimators of parameters, which are defined through estimating equations. Some special considerations are required while defining the bootstrap versions of such estimators. We describe the relevant issues in detail in Section 4.3. Section 4.4 gives results on the bootstrapped empirical process, and establishes consistency of bootstrap estimators for certain differentiable statistical functionals. Section 4.5 contains three numerical examples, illustrating the theoretical results of Sections 4.2–4.4.
Songwriting to learn: how high school science fair participants use music to communicate personally relevant scientific concepts

One STEAM (STEM + Arts) strategy is to supplement traditional STEM instruction with music. Using music could provide the dual benefits of (1) making STEM content more accessible and (2) enhancing s...
Field experiences in geosciences: A case study from a multidisciplinary geology and geography course

Multidisciplinary field investigations courses offer exciting alternatives to traditional learning. They offer a more holistic view of Earth and an opportunity for students to experience the relati...
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy for suspected uveal metastases

Abstract Objective One indication of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the diagnostic confirmatory of a clinical suspicion of uveal metastasis. We analyzed our experience in this clinical setting to assess the effectiveness of FNAB technique. Design Retrospective study. Participants 28 patients (28 eyes) underwent FNAB biopsy. Methods Aspirates were performed using 25-gauge needle and were classified into the following categories: positive, atypical, negative, or nondiagnostic. The electronic medical records provided all clinical data. Subsequent clinical course was considered as the diagnostic standard. Results Subsequent clinical course was metastatic tumour in 19 cases (68%) and nonmetastatic tumour in other 9 cases, considered as the diagnostic standard. Cytological interpretations for metastases were positive in 19 cases (68%), atypical in 2 cases (7%), negative in 4 cases (14%), and nondiagnostic in 3 cases (11%). The metastasis-positive cases included 9 adenocarcinoma, 3 uveal lymphoma, 3 small cell carcinomas, 3 non–small cell carcinomas, and 1 metastatic paraganglioma. Both of the atypical cases were suggestive for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The 4 negative cases for metastases included 2 true negative cases, and 2 false negative aspirates that subsequently proved to be metastatic adenocarcinoma. The 3 nondiagnostic cases included 1 schwannoma, 1 low-grade uveal non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and 1 metastatic adenocarcinoma. The overall sensitivity for FNAB was 87.5%, with a specificity of 100%. Conclusions FNAB of suspected uveal metastases is a reliable diagnostic technique.
Ustekinumab Is Effective for the Treatment of Chronic Antibiotic-Refractory Pouchitis.

Chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis (CARP) occurs in up to 15% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) following proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA). To investigate the effectiveness of ustekinumab in the treatment of CARP. This was a retrospective single-center study of UC patients with an IPAA, who subsequently developed CARP and received ustekinumab with standard Crohn’s disease (CD) dosing between 2016 and 2018. Patients with CD of the pouch were excluded. Demographic, clinical, and endoscopic data were collected. Outcomes included a change in the endoscopic subscore of the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI), change in the ulcerated surface area, clinical response, and the number of bowel movements per 24 h. Twenty-four patients with CARP were included for analysis. Median follow-up time was 12.9 months (IQR 7.9-16). Twelve patients (50%) had a clinical response with the median number of bowel movements within 24 h decreasing from 8 (IQR, 5–12) to 6 (IQR, 5–8) P = 0.002. Thirteen patients had pouchoscopies available post-ustekinumab treatment. In these patients, the median endoscopic subscore of the PDAI decreased from 5 (IQR, 3–6) to 4 (IQR, 2–5), P = 0.016. Likewise, among these thirteen patients, nine (69%) had an ulcerated surface area > 10% before ustekinumab treatment; after treatment with ustekinumab, only four patients (31%) still had an ulcerated surface area of > 10%. This is the largest study of ustekinumab treatment for patients with chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis. We found that ustekinumab therapy led to the improvement in clinical and endoscopic endpoints.
Delayed Presentation of Gluteal Compartment Syndrome due to Pseudoaneurysm Rupture: A Case Report.

Case We present a 26-year-old active duty man who sustained a coccygeal fracture and gluteus maximus hematoma after a fall from height during training. The patient returned 3 weeks postinjury with symptoms and physical examination findings concerning for gluteal compartment syndrome. An expanding gluteal hematoma was confirmed on imaging and the patient was taken to the operating room for emergent evacuation and endovascular hemostasis. Conclusions This case of gluteal compartment syndrome is a unique contribution to the literature with respect to the specific vascular injury observed and the delayed presentation of gluteal compartment syndrome.
Long-term labeling of microelectrode tracks with fluorescent latex microspheres.

Abstract Background After physiological recordings are performed in behaving animals, it is valuable to identify microelectrode tracks in histological sections so that neuronal responses can be correlated with brain anatomy. However, no good method currently exists for long-term labeling, so that microelectrode tracks can be recovered months or even years after recording sessions. New Method Penetrations were made into the brains of mice with microelectrodes coated with fluorescent dyes packaged into 0.2 μm polystyrene microspheres, followed by survival periods of 3 days, 2, 4, or 6 months. Sections were examined by fluorescence microscopy before and after cytochrome oxidase histochemistry to identify microelectrode tracks. Results After all 4 survival periods, 0.2 μm fluorescent microspheres clearly marked the tracks of microelectrode penetrations. Comparison with Existing Methods Fluorescent microspheres label microelectrode penetrations for longer than do fluorescent lipophilic dyes, such as FM 1−43FX. The label appears punctate, and resistant to degradation, because it is protected by the barrier of the polystyrene micro-container. Conclusions Coating of microelectrodes with fluorescent microspheres allows one to identify the penetration track in histological sections half a year later. This technique may be useful when electrophysiological recording sessions are being carried out in behaving animals, with plans to identify electrode tracks in histological sections many months later.
Mediating the Enhanced Interaction Between Hydroxyapatite and Agarose through Amorphous Calcium Carbonate

The masterful control of physical and chemical interactions between minerals and organic matter allows living organisms to model complex shapes and microstructures and thereby to achieve remarkable...
Stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase diminishes intrauterine growth restriction in a rat model of placental ischemia

Placental ischemia in preeclampsia (PE) results in hypertension and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) reduces blood pressure in the clinically r...
Observation of Soil Moisture Vertical Profiles from GNSS Signal Multi-Path Interferences

A new remote sensing approach is developed to estimate soil moisture vertical profile utilizing the Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS) signal of opportunity. The direct GNSS signal and its reflected counterpart from the air/soil interface interfere with each other, and such multi-path interference generates unique features in the angular pattern of the observed signal to noise ratio (SNR). The SNR angular patterns are sensitive to the variation of the near-surface soil moisture vertical profile and the height of the antenna phase center above the air/soil interface. In this paper, we developed a rigorous mathematical and physical basis to predict the signal received by a GNSS antenna placed above ground at a certain height. The vertical profile of soil moisture is parameterized with three parameters based on the physical solution to the Richards' equation for unsaturated flow in soils. The Fresnel reflection coefficients from the soil with moisture profiles are derived from Maxwell's equations on flat multi-layered media. The Mironov soil permittivity model is used to link the soil permittivity at L-band to its moisture content and clay fraction. The polarization coupling of the GNSS antenna is carefully incorporated in the interference model by characterizing the antenna with both the gain pattern and the phase pattern for both the right-hand circular-polarized (RHCP) and the left-hand circular polarized (LHCP) signals. Besides the rigorous forward physical model, a least-mean-square-error (LMSE) based retrieval algorithm is developed to retrieve the soil moisture profile by matching the received GNSS SNR angular patterns with model predictions. Both synthesized data and measured data are used to test the retrieval algorithm performance.
Cardioprotective medication use in Black and white breast cancer survivors

Racial disparities in cardiovascular disease and cardiac dysfunction exist amongst breast cancer survivors. This study examined the prevalence of cardioprotective medication use in survivors and identified factors associated with use by race. The analysis included women enrolled in the Women’s Hormonal Initiation and Persistence study, a longitudinal observational trial of breast cancer survivors. The study outcome, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or s-Blocker (BB) use, were ascertained from pharmacy records. Demographic, psychosocial, healthcare, and quality of life factors were collected from surveys and clinical data were abstracted from medical records. Bivariate associations by race and ACEi/BB use were tested using chi square and t tests; logistic regression evaluated multivariable-adjusted associations. Of the 246 survivors in the sample, 33.3% were Black and most were < 65 years of age (58.4%). Most survivors were hypertensive (57.6%) and one-third received ACEi/BBs. In unadjusted analysis, White women (vs. Black) (OR 0.33, 95% 0.19–0.58) and women with higher ratings of functional wellbeing (OR 0.94, 95% 0.89–0.99) were less likely to use ACEi/BBs. Satisfaction with provider communication was only significant for White women. In multivariable-adjusted analysis, ACEi/BB use did not differ by race. Correlates of ACEi/BB use included hypertension among all women and older age for Black women only. After adjusting for age and comorbidities, no differences by race in ACEi/BB use were observed. Hypertension was a major contributor of ACEi/BB use in BC survivors.
Why the Unskilled Are Unaware: Further Explorations of (Absent) Self-Insight Among the Incompetent

People typically provide overly optimistic social comparisons when rating their competence relative to their peers. Previous work has shown that poor performers overestimate their performances the most because their incompetence deprives them of the skills needed to recognize their deficits. Five studies demonstrated that poor performers lack insight into their shortcomings even in real world settings and when given incentives to be accurate. An additional meta-analysis showed that it was lack of insight into their errors (and not mistaken assessments of their peers) that led to overly optimistic social comparison estimates among poor performers. Along the way, these studies ruled out recent alternative accounts that have been proposed to explain why poor performers hold such positive impressions of their performance.
Botulinum Neurotoxins and Chronic Low Back Pain

Chronic low back pain is a common condition with diverse etiologies. It is a major cause of functional impairment and disability. In recent years, our understanding of the pathophysiology of low back pain has improved significantly especially in regard to the contribution of dorsal root ganglia and pain mediators. The treatment of chronic low back pain is challenging. Most drugs have limited or short-term efficacy, and many produce undesirable side effects. In animal models, botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) have shown analgesic effects through different mechanisms. In human, onaA is effective in chronic migraine, and data suggests efficacy in other forms of neuropathic pain. Using the same dose and technique (multilevel injection into erector spinae), one class II (double blind, placebo controlled) and one prospective, 16-month, open-label study have provided evidence of possible efficacy (level C) in chronic low back pain. Future studies should focus on etiologically distinct subgroups of patients with chronic LBP and take advantage of using the dose and techniques that have already shown promising results.
Detection and characterization of the heterogeneous distribution of hydrogen in titanium compressor blades by neutron computed tomography

The nondestructive evaluation of hydrogen in metals and alloys is a major challenge with significant impact for the prevention of catastrophic failure in critical engineering structures. Radiograpfy using neutrons has previously exploited the large neutron-hydrogen cross section to visualize corrosion products and moisture in metals; however, the method is limited due to the effective averaging of the hydrogen density over the entire particle path length; thus, internal details may be hidden in thick components. We have developed a neutron tomographic imaging system specifically for the detection of hydrogen and utilized the system to study component failures in jet aircraft engines. In several recent accidents, failure of engine components, namely the titanium compressor blades have been implicated as contributing to the accidents. Previous destructive methods of quantifying hydrogen in the blades indicated hydrogen concentrations of approximately 500 ppm were present and may have contributed to the unexpected failures. We used neutron tomography to characterize the blades non-destructively and detected local hydrogen concentrations in the range of 1,000 to 7,000 ppm in spatially heterogeneous distributions. Scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and mass spectrometry were utilized to validate the findings. In addition, it was discovered that the hydrogen detected was not hydride as previously thought; but rather, interstitial or trapped hydrogen. These results demonstrate a significant role for neutron tomography in the detection of hydrogen in critical aircraft components and point toward applications in other areas where hydrogen embrittlement is known to be a major problem such as in the pipe systems of petrochemical and nuclear plants
THE GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF INDONESIA'S EAST JAVA MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES

This study investigates the spatial distribution of large and medium manufacturing industries in Indonesia's East Java province. The topics of investigation include the degree of localisation and co-localisation, the randomness of the observed localisation, and the industrial structures of cities. The factors that contribute to the localisation and specialisation are also examined. Applying the notion of neighbourhood effects and the approach of spatial dependence model, some sorts of agglomeration spillovers are observed.
Interaction of Singularities and Propagation into Shadow Regions in Semilinear Boundary Problems

We consider solutions, u ∈ H loc s (Ω), s > (dim Ω + 1)/2, satisfying $$ Pu = f(t,z,u) $$ (1.1) on Ω = R t × ω, where ω ⊂ R z n is an open set with smooth boundary; P is a second-order differential operator with C ∞ coefficients on R (t, z) n+1 , noncharacteristic with respect to bΩ and strictly hyperbolic with respect to the planes t = c; and f ∈ C ∞. Interactions between singularity-bearing bicharacteristics taking place in the interior of Ω in t > t can produce anomalous singularities in u, that is, singularities not present in the function u satisfying Pu = 0, u│ b Ω = u│ b Ω in t < t These singularities can have strength at most ~ 3s - n (Beals [1]) and are generated by processes, crossing and self-spreading, that have been well-understood for some time (Beals [2], [3]). In this paper we shall describe propagation and interaction at the boundary, where generalized bicharacteristics [6], which typically contain segments of reflecting, grazing, or gliding rays, carry singularities.
Digital Terminations and Digital Signal Processing

An important aspect of digital switching is that the distinction between where the digital switch ends and digital transmission begins is very blurred (hence the term integrated transmission and switching). Many functions that were once thought to reside in the transmission world are now included in the switching system. The purpose of this chapter is to describe many of these transmission functions, including the interface to digital transmission facilities in both the trunk and subscriber loop plant. These interfaces are the digital counterparts to the analog terminations described in Chapter 7. This chapter will also discuss some applications of digital signal processing (DSP) that are resident in the digital switching system or are expected to be resident there in the future. These include transmission functions such as tone generation and detection, echo suppression, echo cancellation, and speech and video processing such as speech and video compression, voice response, and speech recognition.
A Road Map for U.S. Carbon Reductions

Upon ratification, the Kyoto climate treaty would require substantial reductions in U.S. carbon emissions by 2008-2012. This paper provides a technology and policy road map for achieving such reductions at low net cost to the nation. It is based on the results of a recent study by five national laboratories.
Liver phosphorylase activity in pregnancy.

Abstract Specific hepatic phosphorylase activity is not significantly changed in pregnant rats. This finding is consistent with results obtained by glucagon administration in human subjects. In failure to affect phosphorylase activity, the diabetogenic influences of pregnancy are at variance with the reported occurrence of decreased hepatic phosphorylase in alloxan-diabetic rats. The tendency to accumulation of liver glycogen in pregnancy appears to be related to decreased glucose-6-phosphatase activity.
Hormonal Regulation of Protein Kinases and Adenosine 3',5'-Monophosphate-binding Protein in Developing Mammary Gland

Abstract Mouse mammary epithelial cells contain two protein phosphokinases (I and II) which are bound to a cyclic AMP-binding protein in the cytosol fraction. Kinase II is activated specifically by cyclic AMP. During development of the mammary gland in pregnancy the specific activities of these proteins in the epithelial cells increase 7- to 9-fold. In organ cultures of mouse mammary tissue and in isolated epithelial cell preparations prolactin induces these proteins in cells formed in vitro by insulin-mediated cell division. Insulin acts synergistically with prolactin for the induction of the protein kinases, but the induction of the cyclic AMP-binding protein requires only the action of prolactin. The induction of these proteins was coordinate and rapid, with half-maximal induced levels observed after 30 min and maximal levels observed by 4 hours. The formation of these enzymes preceded the prolactin-induced phosphorylation of specific nuclear proteins and occurred slightly before a stimulation of rapidly labeled nuclear RNA synthesis. These observations are consistent with the possibility that the induction of the protein kinase and cyclic AMP-binding protein complex is an early event in the action of prolactin upon which subsequent steps in activation are dependent. Neither prolactin nor insulin stimulated the adenylyl cyclase activity of isolated mammary cell membranes. Addition of dibutyryl cyclic AMP or cyclic AMP to the medium could not substitute for the actions of insulin, hydrocortisone, or prolactin for the induction of [32P]casein despite the finding that large amounts of cyclic AMP were taken up by the cultured cells. These findings provide evidence for a novel mechanism for regulation in which cyclic AMP is not rate-limiting, but the proteins with which cyclic AMP interacts are hormonally induced.
Environmental Consumer Behavior

Environmental consumer behaviors include the extent to which consumers buy environmentally friendly products, and dispose of product waste in an environmentally responsible manner. Polls have shown that a majority of consumers intend to act eco-friendly; however, their behaviors are not always consistent with their desires. Consumers' reluctance to buying green seems to relate to their perceptions of eco-friendly products. Green products are perceived as less effective and more expensive than alternatives. Furthermore, consumers are often skeptical of the claims made by environmentally friendly brands. The extent to which consumers engage in recycling relates to the perceived inconvenience of recycling and consumers' attitudes about the importance of recycling. Research shows that psychographics and personality variables seem to have more impact on recycling attitudes than do demographics such as age and income. In particular, variables that have been shown to be related to recycling include materialism (the extent to which one attaches importance to possessions), collectivism (the extent to which one believes in the importance of the group over the individual), and locus of control (the extent to which people believe that they control their lives rather than that they are controlled by external forces). Keywords: eco-friendly products; green consumer behavior; environmentalism; recycling; psychographics
Student perceptions of an interprofessional educational experience: The importance of goal articulation

The education of future health care professionals must involve activities where interprofessional collaboration and the functioning of interdisciplinary teams are the goals and not the exceptions. This type of interprofessional education (IPE) will benefit students as they will be better able to communicate with and mobilize the skills of other health care workers, work toward common goals related to patient care, and develop a more cost-effective treatment strategy in the long term. Such an IPE program was initiated in the clinical anatomy course for physician assistant students from the University of Mount Union that was taught, in part, by medical students from the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. Surveys of both student groups at the end of the course indicated that although this was a useful IPE experience, the value of this program as an IPE experience was not entirely appreciated by the participating students. It turned out that although the goals and importance of these types of IPE activities are clear to the faculty, they must also be made clear to all of the students.
Negatively charged nano-grains at 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Shortly after the Rosetta mission’s rendezvous with 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko the RPC/IES instrument intermittently detected negative particles that were identified as singly charged nano-dust grains. These grains were recorded as a nearly mono-energetic beam of particles in the 200−500 eV range arriving from the direction of the comet. Occasionally, another population of particles in the energy range of 1−20 keV were also noticed arriving from the approximate direction of the Sun. In this paper we review the processes that can explain the energization and the directionality of the observed nano-dust populations. We show that the observations are consistent with gas-drag acceleration of the outflowing particles with radii of 3−4 nm, and with the returning fragments of bigger particles accelerated by radiation pressure with approximate radii of 30−80 nm. In addition to gas drag and radiation pressure, we also examine the role of the solar wind induced motional electric field, and its possible role in explaining the intermittency of the detection of a nano-grain population arriving from the solar direction.
Large-Scale Fabrication of Carbon Nanotube Probe Tips for Atomic Force Microscopy Critical Dimension Imaging Applications

We report an innovative approach that combines nanopatterning and nanomaterials synthesis with traditional silicon micromachining technologies for large-scale fabrication of carbon nanotube (CNT) probe tips for atomic force microscopy imaging applications. Our batch fabrication process has produced 244 CNT probe tips per 4-in. wafer with control over the CNT location, diameter, length, orientation, and crystalline morphology. CNT probe tips with diameters ranging between 40 and 80 nm and lengths between 2 and 6 μm are found to be functional probe tips with no need for shortening. This reliable and true bottom-up wafer scale integration and fabrication process provides a new class of high performance nanoprobes. Preliminary AFM imaging results show that the CNT probe tips are strong, wear-resistant, and capable of high-resolution and critical-dimension imaging.
Tin-protoporphyrin: a potent photosensitizer of bilirubin destruction.

— Tin(IV)-protoporphyrin chloride, a proposed chemotherapeutic agent for prevention of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, is a potent photosensitizer of bilirubin destruction in vitro at visible wavelengths (410, 540, 580 nm). We speculate that the drug may have phototoxic effects in vivo if it accumulates in light-accessible tissues.
Idiopathic bone cavities of the mandible: an update on recurrence rates and case report

Idiopathic bone cavities (IBCs) are usually an incidental finding, often found in long bones but also in the craniofacial skeleton. Typically solitary, IBCs can present at multiple sites. Surgical exploration alone has proved effective, although recurrence does occur, particularly in cases with multiple lesions. The average time necessary to observe either recurrence or complete healing has been reported to be more than 3 years. Previously reported low recurrence rates for IBCs in the craniofacial skeleton may have been artificially low because of insufficient long-term follow-up. Providers should be prepared for long-term follow-up and care of these patients. The case of the patient presented here supports the need for long-term follow-up.
Effects of Nose Radius and Aerodynamic Loading on Leading Edge Receptivity

An analysis is presented of the effects of airfoil thickness and mean aerodynamic loading on boundary-layer receptivity in the leading-edge region. The case of acoustic free-stream disturbances, incident on a thin cambered airfoil with a parabolic leading edge in a low Mach number flow, is considered. An asymptotic analysis based on large Reynolds number is developed, supplemented by numerical results. The airfoil thickness distribution enters the theory through a Strouhal number based on the nose radius of the airfoil, S = (omega)tau(sub n)/U, where omega is the frequency of the acoustic wave and U is the mean flow speed. The influence of mean aerodynamic loading enters through an effective angle-of-attack parameter ti, related to flow around the leading edge from the lower surface to the upper. The variation of the receptivity level is analyzed as a function of S, mu, and characteristics of the free-stream acoustic wave. For an unloaded leading edge, a finite nose radius dramatically reduces the receptivity level compared to that for a flat plate, the amplitude of the instability waves in the boundary layer being decreased by an order of magnitude when S = 0.3. Modest levels of aerodynamic loading are found to further decrease the receptivity level for the upper surface of the airfoil, while an increase in receptivity level occurs for the lower surface. For larger angles of attack close to the critical angle for boundary layer separation, a local rise in the receptivity level occurs for the upper surface, while for the lower surface the receptivity decreases. The effects of aerodynamic loading are more pronounced at larger values of S. Oblique acoustic waves produce much higher receptivity levels than acoustic waves propagating downstream parallel to the airfoil chord.
Extra domain A and type III connecting segment of fibronectin in assembly and cleavage.

Abstract To determine the role of the extra domain A (EDA) and type III connecting segment (IIICS) of fibronectin in fiber assembly, topographical distribution and proteolytic cleavage, eight full-length human fibronectin cDNA variants (aa0, aa64, aa89, and aa120 variations in the IIICS with or without the EDA) tagged with the V5 epitope were cloned from human endothelial cells and were expressed in CHO-K1 cells. All eight variants were assembled on cell surfaces. However, only the EDA(+) variants, regardless of the type of the IIICS domain, formed extensive fibrous networks. In contrast, the EDA(−)/aa64 and EDA(−)/aa89 variants were present predominantly as a soluble form. Western analysis of both soluble and cell-associated fibronectin/V5 variants showed that aa64, aa89, and aa120 variants with or without the EDA domain produced the major 50- to 62-kDa C-terminal fragments, whereas the aa0 variants did not, suggesting that the IIICS domain provides proteolytic cleavage sites.
Lightweight Data-Flow Analysis for Execution-Driven Constraint Solving

Constraint-based testing is a methodology for finding bugs in code, which has been successfully used for testing real systems. A key element of the methodology is generation of test inputs from input constraints, i.e., properties of desired inputs, which is performed by solving the constraints. We present a novel approach to optimize input generation from imperative constraints, i.e., constraints written as predicates in an imperative language. A well known technique for solving such constraints is execution-driven monitoring, where the given predicate is executed on candidate inputs to filter and prune invalid inputs, and generate valid ones. Our insight is that a lightweight static data-flow analysis of the given imperative constraint can enable more efficient solving. This paper describes an approach that embodies our insight and evaluates it using a suite of well-studied subject constraints. The experimental results show our approach provides substantial speedup over previous work.
Perceptional foundations of deterrence: The case of prostitution

The authors conducted a survey to determine community perceptions about the certainty, celerity, and severity of punishment with regards to the crime of prostitution. A representative random sample of Mecklenburg County, which includes Charlotte, North Carolina, was taken and 850 individuals responded. The results revealed that (1) citizens perceive sanctions against prostitution violations as being applied only infrequently; (2) most respondents perceive the time from violation to arrest as being relatively short but slower as the offenders proceed through the system, and (3) the severity of punishment is not perceived as being harsh. The authors argue that the low likelihood of apprehension, both actual and perceived, plus the mild sanctions may partially account for prostitution’s continued survival.
Incidence, clinical presentation, and management of constipation in a pediatric ED.

Abstract Objectives The study aimed to assess, in pediatric patients presenting to the emergency department (ED), the incidence of visit to the ED for functional constipation (FC), symptoms, signs of presentation, and management from ED physicians. Design This is a retrospective study of hospital records for a period of 1 year at the ED of “Bambino Gesu” Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy. Children younger than 15 years discharged from ED with a diagnosis of FC in the 1-year period were included. Interventions We analyzed medical records of 202 patients ( Results Two hundred two FC cases were studied in a 12-month study period. Compared with the total number of ED consultations, the incidence of FC was 0.4%. The number of patients 4 years or younger was much higher than patients older than 4 years ( P P P P = .003). Conclusions Emergency department physicians have an important role in the diagnosis and management of FC despite its relatively low incidence. Indeed, ED intervention in many cases leads not only to recognition this disease but also to an approach for therapeutic strategy, avoiding complications of chronic constipation.
Reduced inhibitory effect of imipramine on radiolabeled serotonin uptake into platelets in geriatric depression

Abstract Tritiated imipramine binding, uptake of radiolabeled serotonin, and inhibition of uptake by imipramine in vitro were studied in platelets obtained from four groups of subjects: 1.(1) normal controls 50 years of age or younger, 2.(2) patients with major depression 50 years of age or younger, 3.(3) normal controls 60 years of age or older, 4.(4) patients with major depression 60 years of age or older. Depression in both age groups was associated with a substantial decrease in the number of [ 3 H]imipramine binding sites; the elderly depressed patients exhibited a small but significant ( p 3 H]serotonin uptake. However, the inhibition of serotonin uptake into platelets by imipramine was markedly reduced only in the elderly depressed patients. This reduced sensitivity to imipramine may explain the reduced responsiveness of patients with geriatric depression to the therapeutic effects of imipramine and other tricyclic antidepressants.
Sodium–Hydrogen Exchange Inhibition and β-Blockade Additively Decrease Infarct Size

Background Perioperative myocardial infarction adversely affects survival after cardiac operations. In animal studies Na + /H + exchange inhibitors protect hearts against ischemia–reperfusion injury, but human trials have failed to consistently show beneficial effects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the combination of the Na + /H + exchange inhibitor cariporide and the β-blocker metoprolol additively protects hearts from severe ischemia–reperfusion injury. Methods Isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were randomly assigned to a vehicle-treated control group, or groups with 10-minute preischemia infusions of cariporide (10 μmol/L), metoprolol (10 μmol/L), or both cariporide and metoprolol. The hearts were then subjected to 20 minutes of global ischemia followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. At the end of reperfusion, the hearts were randomly assigned to undergo either infarct size measurements or left ventricular mitochondrial function analyses. Results The combination of cariporide and metoprolol limited infarct size significantly compared with control group or cariporide alone (5% ± 1% versus 58% ± 9% or 38.4% ± 4% of risk zone; p p p Conclusions The combination of cariporide and metoprolol additively limits infarct size after severe ischemia–reperfusion injury in an isolated rat heart model. Infarct size reduction occurs in association with protection from increased mitochondrial calcium content after reperfusion.
Image-Based Morphometry and Airflow Simulation in Rat Lungs

Detailed knowledge of the fate of aerosols in the lung is essential in understanding the effect of exposure to airborne particulate matter and infectious agents and in assessing the efficiency of inhaled drug therapy. Detailed, yet non-invasive, studies of peripheral aerosol deposition are almost impossible in humans. Thus, understanding the fate of aerosols in the lung requires the use of computational and/or animal models in which more invasive techniques can be used. In this study, using magnetic resonance (MR) images of rat lungs, we (1) built three dimensional (3D) models of the airway tree and (2) quantified lobar volumes. Flow simulations were then performed in one of the airway models. Flow conditions were set to be similar to that used in an experimental study where rats were exposed to aerosols [1]. Airflow boundary conditions at the outlets of the airways are unknown and therefore typically a zero pressure boundary condition is prescribed [2]. To test the validity of the zero pressure condition, two types of boundary conditions were described: (a) zero pressure at each of the outlets and (b) flow resistance at each outlet. Flow resistance allows for the flow rate distribution to be defined based on lung volume and airway cross sectional area. The flow results from the computational model may be used to solve the particle dynamics equation and therefore allow for future comparison with the ventilation experiments.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Enkephalin, drug addiction and acupuncture

From the results of clinical and basic research, there is clear evidence that acupuncture analgesia is closely associated with the nervous system, especially the central nervous system. Stimulation of certain acupuncture loci which have been used for analgesia during operations also can calm the withdrawal symptoms of morphine and heroin addicts. Acupuncture analgesia can be antagonized by the specific narcotic antagonist, naloxone. These findings suggest the factor or factors produced by acupuncture stimulation would also have agonist activity on opiate receptors. Moreover, the morphine receptors are most concentrated in those parts of the brain concerned with perception of pain and the pathway of acupuncture stimulation. Since the opiate receptors are associated with the synaptic fraction of brain cell membrane preparations, the natural ligand of these receptors may be a neurotransmitter. Enkephalin has stronger binding affinity to opiate receptors than morphine, which suggests that it is the natural ligand for these receptors. In other words, enkephalin might be the natural "pain killer" produced in the brain to suppress pain. If we summate all the information available now, it is possible to suggest that enkephalin may be the product of the nervous system released by acupuncture stimulation to create an analgesic effect as well as suppress opiate withdrawal symptoms.
Extraplacental transfer of water in the sheep.

1. Ten pregnant ewes were operated on at 130 days of gestation. The fetal trachea was intubated with a double-lumen tube, an inflatable occluder was placed around the umbilical cord, vascular catheters were placed in the fetal carotid artery and jugular vein and in the maternal jugular vein, and multiple catheters were placed in the amniotic and allantoic sacs. 2. At 139 days gestation, the fetus was ventilated in utero, and the umbilical cord was occluded. The extrafetal fluids were circulated by means of roller pumps. Known activities of radio-iodinated human serum albumin, tritium-labelled water and 14C-labelled urea were injected into the amniotic and/or allantoic fluids. Samples were obtained at 30 min intervals for several hours. 3. Extrafetal fluid volumes were calculated from the albumin distribution volumes. The amounts of labelled water transferred to the maternal circulation were calculated from the changes in tracer concentrations in extrafetal fluids and fetal plasma. 4. No labelled albumin was detected in fetal or maternal plasma. The permeability-surface area product of labelled water at the combined amniotic and allantoic interfaces with the ewe was 28.2 +/- 2.8 ml/min (mean +/- S.E.M.). In five preparations the values could be separately calculated for amniotic and allantoic interfaces. The two mean values (19 +/- 4 and 12 +/- 1 ml/min) were not significantly different from each other. The permeability-surface area product at the combined interfaces with the fetus was 0.96 +/- 0.17 ml/min. Urea was so much less permeable than water that no reliable permeability-surface area products could be calculated in all of the preparations. 5. We calculated that the hydraulic conductivity of the combined extraplacental pathway is more than 0.5% of that of the placenta. Because the osmotic gradient across the extraplacental pathway is one to two orders of magnitude greater than that across the placenta, extraplacental transfer of water can significantly affect intrauterine water volume.
Digital Control of SiO2 Film Deposition at Room Temperature

In this Letter, we propose and demonstrate a robust process for digital control of high quality SiO2 thin films at room temperature using pulsed plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). P...
Dose-voltage dependence of coaxial Bremsstrahlung diodes

Abstract The relation ∝ IV2.65 is widely used to estimate the on-axis radiation-dose rate for flash X-ray sources, as a function of diode current, I, and voltage, V, 1 m downstream of an optimized bremsstrahlung target. This relation is valid only for pencil beams. In this paper, we show that for diodes having beams with finite spatial and angular extent, this relation can still be used if the power 2.65 is modified. Using particle-in-cell and radiation-transport codes, this modification is evaluated for a diode proposed for the 20-MeV HERMES III accelerator that is currently under construction. Predictions of the calculational model are compared with measurements obtained from experiments on the existing 3-MeV HELIA accelerator and are found to be in good agreement. These results are characteristic of finite-area coaxial diodes in general and show the trend of the deviation from 2.65 for such sources.
APACHE II scoring to predict outcome in post-cardiac arrest

Introduction Despite advancements in management of cardiac arrest, mortality remains high and few severity of illness scoring systems have been calibrated in this population. The goal of the current investigation was to assess the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score in post-cardiac arrest.
Cloned gene of Rickettsia rickettsii surface antigen: candidate vaccine for Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Two major protective antigens of Rickettsia rickettsii have been previously described. In this study, we cloned the gene encoding one of these antigens into Escherichia coli and tested the effectiveness of the recombinant-made product as a vaccine for Rocky Mountain spotted fever. A clone bank of R strain R. rickettsii DNA was made in E. coli K-12 by using the plasmid vector pBR322. Transformants were screened for their ability to make rickettsial antigens by reactivity with rabbit antibodies to R. rickettsii. One of the transformants, EM24(pGAM21), made a product reactive with two monoclonal antibodies that recognize a 155-kilodalton protein of R. rickettsii. One of the monoclonal antibodies was a member of a class of antibodies that react to heat-sensitive epitopes and protect mice injected with a potentially lethal dose of viable R. rickettsii. The cloned product contained this protective heat-sensitive epitope. In order to obtain enhanced expression, the gene was subcloned downstream of the lactose promoter on the plasmid vector pUC8. A sonic lysate of E. coli harboring the pUC8 subclone was used successfully as a vaccine to protect mice injected with a lethal dose of the viable R. rickettsii.
Advances in studies of nuclei far from stability

Studies of the structure and decay modes of nuclei far from stability have yielded many new insights which were not seen in nuclei near the line of beta stability. The results of recent experimental and theoretical investigations are presented and the new insights being gained are discussed. Some of the highlights described include ground-state proton radioactivity, beta -delayed 2n, 3n and 2p decays, the coexistence of states built on quite different nuclear shapes in the same nucleus, new regions of strongly deformed nuclei, and the importance of the reinforcement of proton and neutron shell gaps on the shape of a nucleus.