cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proximal Quadriceps Injuries in Athletes

Quadriceps strains and proximal lower extremity injuries are common in many sports (Hasselman et al., Am J Sports Med 23(4):493–499, 1995; Pasta et al., J Ultrasound 13:76–84, 2010; Hughes et al., Am J Sports Med 23(4):500–506, 1995; Kary J, Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 3:26–31, 2010). Of the four quadriceps muscles, the rectus femoris is the muscle that is injured the most often (Hughes et al., Am J Sports Med 23(4):500–506, 1995; Kary J, Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 3:26–31, 2010; Cross et al., Am J Sports Med 32(3):710–719, 2004). Strains are the most common proximal quadriceps injury followed by traumatic contusions (Kary J, Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 3:26–31, 2010; Beiner and Jokl, J Am Acad Orthop Surg 9:227–37, 2001; Beiner and Jokl, Clin Orthop Relat Res 403S:S110–S119, 2002). Myositis ossificans and compartment syndrome can also result from injury to the quadriceps, and awareness of these conditions is important for the sports medicine practitioner. For strains and contusions, there aren’t many quality studies regarding treatment, but most of these injuries do resolve with conservative care and time. Nonoperative treatment is first attempted with myositis ossificans, but most of these cases eventually require surgical treatment. Compartment syndrome of the anterior thigh that is not associated with a femur fracture can be treated nonoperatively, although many practitioners still refer for surgical treatment of this condition (Trojian, Clin Sports Med 32:317–324, 2013; Robison et al., J Trauma 32(2):183–186, 1992).
Platelet response to six agglutinating agents: Species similarities and differences☆

Abstract Response of washed platelets of man and eleven other mammals to ADP, thrombin, adsorbed plasma, fibrinogen, serotonin, epinephrine, and collagen and to mixtures of these agglutinating or aggregating agents was studied. None of the agglutinating agents was active in the absence of added Ca++ or Mg++. In general all agents induced agglutination of the platelets of the different species with some important exceptions. ADP failed to induce agglutination of platelets of cat, pig, rabbit, and rat. Thrombin induced agglutination of all platelets tested except those of the pig. Adsorbed homologous plasma failed to cause agglutination of platelets of rabbit, rat, and rhesus (monkey). Adsorbed homologous plasma-ADP, fibrinogen-ADP, or fibrinogen alone was active with all platelets tested except those of rabbit. Serotonin induced agglutination of platelets of only cebus (monkey), chimpanzee, and guinea pig; epinephrine, those of cebus, chimpanzee, dog, guinea pig, man, rabbit, and rhesus. Collagen was active with all platelets tested. Human platelets washed at 25°C as opposed to those washed at 4°C were agglutinable by thrombin and collagen but not by ADP unless fibrinogen was also present. The data emphasize the central role of ADP and fibrinogen in platelet agglutination.
Courses on women in the military

Abstract The United States university system permits the offering of a wide variety of courses. In recent years at least two undergraduate courses have been offered on women in the military by men in the military. Their syllabi are presented here. Readers should reflect upon the possibility of offering similar courses, and should consider what would be the most appropriate content. The course offered by Colonel Richard Rice is given at the University of Missouri, a large public university located in the Middle West. It is sponsored by both the Military Science Department and the Women's Studies Program. It is straightforward and based on official documents. Two authors, Treadwell and Bach, are women who have served as colonels—Treadwell in the Army, Bach in the Air Force. The course offered by Lt Col Faris Kirkland is quite different and is reported in more detail because the topics and materials are less obvious. It is an elective Military Science course; the University of Pennsylvania is not a public school and is included among the ‘Ivy Legue’ institutions.
Nanoscopic structures of FeBSi metallic glasses

Abstract This paper deals with the effect of carbon and cobalt additions on the surface profile of Fe 78 B 13 Si 9 metallic film at a nanoscope scale. The separate addition of the elements was successful in such a way that two new metallic films with better properties were produced. The compositions of the new films are Fe 81 B 13.5 Si 3.5 C 2 and Fe 66 Co 18 B 15 Si. The new films have balanced physical and magnetic properties as compared with the Fe 78 B 13 Si 9 (K. Habib, V. Eling, C. Wu, K. C. Moore and R. Mihalik, Scr. Metall., 24 (1990) 10576-1062). As a result, this study was focused on revealing the three-dimensional surface profile of the films in their amorphous and crystalline forms. The surface profile was determined by scanning tunneling microscopy. The results show that in general the surface roughness of thin metallic films is higher in the amorphous than in the crystalline condition. In particular, it is found that the Fe 78 B 13 S 9 film has the highest surface roughness among the rest of the films in the amorphous condition. Also, the addition of carbon to the FeBSi film decreases the surface roughness of the alloy. In contrast, the addition of cobalt to the FeBSi film produces atomic clusters with a size equivalent to 25–50 nm in diameter. Furthermore, the annealing process of the various films has revealed partial to almost complete recovery of the distorted structures of the films. The degree of recovery was found to be more or less complete in the Fe 81 B 13.5 S 3.5 C 2 as compared with a partial recovery in the other films.
Design of Rightmost Eigenvalues Using Distributed Delay

This paper considers the problem of designing the right-most eigenvalues of linear scalar distributed delay systems using two different but complementary methods: generalized stability charts and matrix Lambert W functions. The generalized stability charts are based on generalized Hopf and fold curves that provide important insight into the problem, but the geometry of the curves may become complicated for certain delay distributions. The Lambert W function approach can be applied to general delay distributions, but requires numerical solutions which can suffer from convergence problems. We present simple examples for both approaches.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Effect of Non-Uniform Clamping Pressure on PEM Fuel Cell Stack Performance

A three-dimensional model of a Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell stack is developed. Taking advantage of the geometrical periodicity of a typical stack assembly, the model is used to predict the thermal, humidity, and electrochemical distributions within the fuel cell. Of particular interest is the effect of the compressive force used to assemble the stack on the fuel cell’s (a) power output and (b) internal temperature distribution. Application of non-uniform clamping pressure is considered, and predictions suggest that thermal conditions within the stack can be made more uniform with negligible impact on the fuel cell power. Hence, improved fuel cell stack durability might be achieved through judicious application of non-uniform clamping pressures for stack assembly.© 2007 ASME
Local Reference with Early Termination in H.264 Motion Estimation

Multiple reference frames and variable block sizes improve compression efficiency of H.264, however, they also increase the encoder complexity and motion estimation time. This paper proposes a new algorithm, called local reference with early termination (LRET) to reduce the H.264 motion estimation time without adding to the encoder complexity. The LERT algorithm rearranges the search order of the reference frames based on the selection probability of the reference frames in the current frame. The experimental results show that the LERT achieves up to 59% reduction in motion estimation time with comparable video quality and negligible increase in bit-rate, as compared to the best algorithm in H.264 reference software.
Technology: a tool for the learning environment

Shows a course model for distance education and the profile of targeted learners for a course in classical mythology. In addition, it demonstrates how electronic delivery was developed to fit two paradigms: a successful course and the learners most likely to have success. Also analyzes the types of interaction necessary for a successful learning environment within the electronic delivery system. The goal of the article is to show the validity of the technological tool chosen for this distance learning situation and to suggest that a quality learning experience is possible within this environment.
Practicing what we preach: Democratic practices in institutional governance

Strategies for moving closer to effective forms of shared governance, using deliberative approaches that sustain faculty authority over the academic mission.
A Cross-Evaluation Matrix (CEM) Rating Based Approach to Pareto Efficient Frontier and Design Alternatives Enumeration

This paper introduces a novel cross-evaluation matrix (CEM) rating based approach for the development of Pareto efficient frontiers and the finding of discrete sets of globally non-inferior design sets. This work, based on concepts from data envelopment analysis (DEA), can facilitate the enumeration of design candidates in a multi-criteria formulation. In addition, it is expected that the resulting design sets will provide the basis for the establishment of a value system and subsequent preference based rank ordering of expected outcomes in the single-criterion formulation. A unique feature of this cross-evaluation matrix approach is its ability to handle problems without requiring a priori tradeoff formulation or multiattribute model development. As such, its application does not require assignment of a set of a priori weight constants as in many well-established Pareto-optimal generating methods, nor does it need any a priori information of the global minimum or maximum of the attribute functions. Recognizing that the enumeration of multiple discrete solution alternatives can be best achieved in a parallel computation environment, the implementation in this work is executed with the aid of a genetic algorithm strategy. The effectiveness of the integrated approach in yielding Pareto-optimal candidate design sets under different scenarios are studied in the context of illustrative examples, including two engineering case studies, and the results are discussed.© 2003 ASME
An improvement for tensile instability in smoothed particle hydrodynamics

A corrective Smoothed-Particle Method (CSPM) is proposed to address the tensile instability and, boundary deficiency problems that have hampered full exploitation of standard smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH). The results from applying this algorithm to the 1-D bar and 2-D plane stress problems are promising. In addition to the advantage of being a gridless Lagrangian approach, improving the above two major obstacles in standard SPH makes it attractive for applications in computational mechanics.
Cytokine-mediated communication by keratinocytes and Langerhans cells with dendritic epidermal T cells

Abstract Dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC) are skin-specific members of the epithelial γδ T-cell family that reside normally in murine epidermis. Recent studies indicate that certain cytokines (e.g. IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15) secreted by neighboring cells promote their residence and regulate their immune function. Conversely, DETC regulate the function of neighboring keratinocytes and Langerhans cells by elaborating other cytokines (e.g. interferon-γ, keratinocyte growth factor and colony-stimulating factors). This reciprocal interaction represents a unique model of cytokine-mediated intercellular communication by tissue-specific γδ T cells with nearby epithelial and antigen presenting cells.
Chibby functions in Xenopus ciliary assembly, embryonic development, and the regulation of gene expression.

Wnt signaling and ciliogenesis are core features of embryonic development in a range of metazoans. Chibby (Cby), a basal-body associated protein, regulates β-catenin-mediated Wnt signaling in the mouse but not Drosophila. Here we present an analysis of Cby׳s embryonic expression and morphant phenotypes in Xenopus laevis. Cby RNA is supplied maternally, negatively regulated by Snail2 but not Twist1, preferentially expressed in the neuroectoderm, and regulates β-catenin-mediated gene expression. Reducing Cby levels reduced the density of multiciliated cells, the number of basal bodies per multiciliated cell, and the numbers of neural tube primary cilia; it also led to abnormal development of the neural crest, central nervous system, and pronephros, all defects that were rescued by a Cby-GFP chimera. Reduction of Cby led to an increase in Wnt8a and decreases in Gli2, Gli3, and Shh RNA levels. Many, but not all, morphant phenotypes were significantly reversed by the Wnt inhibitor SFRP2. These observations extend our understanding of Cby׳s role in mediating the network of interactions between ciliogenesis, signaling systems and tissue patterning.
Dual-epidural catheter technique and perioperative outcomes after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy.

Background Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy is associated with significant postoperative analgesic requirements and perioperative complications. A dual-epidural technique may improve perioperative outcomes compared with single thoracic epidural analgesia. Methods This study identified all cases of Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy over a 3-year period. Eighty-one patients undergoing Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy who received general anesthesia supplemented by neuraxial analgesia with dual-epidural catheters (DECs) were matched 1:1 with patients who received general anesthesia and a single thoracic epidural catheter. Primary outcomes included quality of analgesia at rest and with movement on each of the first 3 postoperative days. Secondary outcomes included adverse events and the incidence of 4 major postoperative complications (anastomotic leak, pulmonary complications, atrial fibrillation, and sepsis). Results A DEC technique significantly improved analgesia (evidenced by reduced pain with movement on each of the first 3 postoperative days) when compared with a single epidural catheter technique. The placement of DECs did not increase catheter-related adverse events. A DEC technique was associated with a 50% reduction in the combined rate of major postoperative complications (36% vs 18%; odds ratio, 0.40; P = 0.01) and increased number of hospital-free days measured at day 28 (21.2 vs 22.3; P = 0.04). Conclusions The DEC technique improved postoperative analgesia and reduced the incidence of major postoperative complications and hospital length of stay in patients undergoing Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. Future studies should evaluate the efficacy of this technique in a controlled randomized clinical trial.
The preparation of sodium and calcium aluminium hydrides

Abstract The difficulties encountered in the preparation of sodium and calcium aluminium hydrides and the methods of overcoming them are described, as are some of the properties of these compounds.
Comparison in male and female rats of ACTH content and response to corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) of cultured adenohypophyseal cells and in vivo hypothalamic CRF content.

Abstract Although mean ACTH concentration was significantly higher in cultured adenohypophyseal cells from female than from male rats, there was no significant sex difference in the ACTH secretory response of these cells to hypothalamic extract containing CRF. Hypothalamic CRF content in the “basal” state in vivo was slightly higher in female than in male rats.
In-situ nanopolishing by nanolubricants for enhanced elastohydrodynamic lubrication

Abstract This paper describes a method of utilizing oil-based nanolubricants containing abrasive nanoparticles for in-situ nanopolishing (ISN) of surfaces of rolling elements. Nanopolishing reduces the composite surface roughness of bearing elements and results in an increased film thickness ratio. Using a four-ball tester, the test and material conditions such as normal load, rotational speed, and initial surface roughness of balls were selected so that the initial film thickness ratio λ varied in the 1–3 range, i.e. within the partial (mixed) elastohydrodynamic (EHL) regime. The lubricant was either engine oil or engine oil-based nanolubricants containing diamond nanoparticles. The rolling ring track on the top ball was examined by a non-contact profilometer. The root mean square (RMS) roughness of the wear track using the nanolubricant was decreased. In-situ nanopolishing by the nanolubricant resulted in a significant increase in the film thickness ratio and a lower frictional torque.
Marketing Policy and the Loss of Food Self-Sufficiency in Rural Belize

Past observers attributed Belize's record of national deficits in staple crop production to the country's colonial legacy of suppressed agriculture and underdeveloped infrastructure. Yet following marketing policy revisions in the mid-1970s, Belizean agriculture was able to satisfy the country's requirements for basic staples, suggesting that cultural-historical factors need not preclude food self-sufficiency. Since 1983 food shortfalls and importation have once again developed following the abandonment of earlier incentives for staple production. Marketing policies in agriculture are constrained by patterns of capital accumulation distinctive to peripheral economies as well as Belize's position within the world economy. While the former requires the provision of low-cost food to wage-earning sectors, the latter precludes price incentives for staple crop producers. The effects of these constraints are illustrated with longitudinal data from rural Stann Creek district in southern Belize. Problems in staple...
WLC42-4: OFDMA Optimality Analysis in MIMO Uplink Channels

This paper studies the optimality of OFDMA in MIMO enabled multi-user multicarrier uplink network. We present the necessary and sufficient conditions for OFDMA being optimal on any boundary point of the capacity region. In the low SNR case, we further derive the probabilities of these conditions. For the general MIMO case, we provide an example with which we quantify OFDMA optimality and show the probability of OFDMA being optimal is non-travial regardless of the SNR regions. To reach the the MISO sum capacity limit, our results show that the number of shared subchannels under the optimal solution should be less than the number of total users, thus the performance gap between the OFDMA scheme and the optimal solution is negligible when the number of subchannels is sufficiently large.
Antigenic and symbiotic characterization of indigenous Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. tripolii recovered from root nodules of Trifolium pratense L. sown into subterranean clover pasture soils

Abstract Isolates of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii were recovered from root nodules of red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) cullivar Florie sown umnoculated into two acidic Oregon soils of the Whobrey and Abiqua series which had been in subclover ( Trifolium subterraneum L.) pasture for 30–40 yr. Gel-immune-diffusion studies showed that none of the Whobrey isolates were antigenically identical to serogroups WS 1-01 or WS 2-01, previously shown to dominate nodules of field-grown 7'. subterraneum L . in this soil. Twenty-seven and 50% of the Whobrey isolates were placed into two previously unidentified serogroups. WR 26 and WR 27 respectively. Only two of the Abiqua isolates were antigenically identical to any of five serogroups, AS 6, AS 16, AS 17, AS 27 or AS 36, previously recovered from T. subterraneum L . growing in this soil; a previously unidentified serogroup, AR 21 constituted 50% of the isolates. An antigenic relationship between serogroups WR 27 and AS 16 was confirmed by whole-cell somatic tube agglutination, gel immune-diffusion and fluorescent antibody reactions. An incomplete antigenic relationship between serogroups WR 26 and AR 21 was also established. Immunofluorescence counts confirmed the presence of organisms antigenically related to four of the AS serogroups in samples of Whobrey soil recovered from the field. The population densities of some of the indigenous serogroups observed in Whobrey soil were significantly different ( P = 0.05) from each other. Only 5% of Whobrey isolates were ineffective on red clover, whereas 48% of the isolates were incapable of fixing N on subclover. With few exceptions, the Abiqua red clover isolates were ineffective or suboptimally effective on either host. Most isolates which displayed the same N-fixing trait on red clover expressed at least two effectiveness traits when evaluated on subclover.
The phonon structure, triplet exciton splitting and predissociation of p-diiodobenzene

Abstract The singlet—triplet absorption spectrum of pure p -diiodobenzene crystals is shown to be dominated by phonon sidebands. The intensity and extent of this progression is attributed to predissociation of the lowest triplet state. In view of these findings, it does not seem necessary to assume, as has been done previously, that p -diiodobenzene has a large triplet exciton bandwidth.
Electron Energy Deposition in a Gas Mixture of Atomic and Molecular Hydrogen and Helium

A detailed discussion is presented of the slowing down of fast electrons in a partly ionized gas mixture of H, H2, and He with a varying ratio of H to H2 and a fixed fraction of He. The mean energies and yields for ionization, electronic excitation, dissociation, and vibrational excitation and the heating efficiencies are calculated for fractional ionizations from 0 to 0.1. Analytical formulas are obtained for many of the parameters.
Efficacy of pediatric trauma care: results of a population-based study.

Abstract To determine concordance between regional outcome and national norms with respect to pediatric injury diagnosis, severity, and mortality in a state lacking a well-organized trauma system, we compared summary data from all pediatric trauma-related hospital discharge abstracts compiled by the [New York State Department of Health] Statewide Planning and Reseach Cooperative [Mandatory Hospital Reporting] System (SPARCS), with comparable data from pediatric trauma centers participating in the National Pediatric Trauma Registry (NPTR), for similar epochs in the late 1980s. Analysis was based on 14,234 cases from SPARCS and 17,098 cases from NPTR. Data were grouped by principal anatomic diagnosis (ICD-9-CM N-code) and injury severity score (ISS), for each of which incidence and mortality were calculated, both individually and collectively, then compared item by item for sources of variance. Overall, the two data sets showed the expected discordance, with NPTR being skewed toward more complex and severe injury. However, when analyzed cell by cell, a striking degree of concordance emerged in both incidence and mortality for injuries of comparable severity in all but a few selected subsets. Isolated skeletal injuries were treated less frequently in pediatric trauma centers, and combined system injuries to the skeleton, brain, and internal organs were treated more frequently in pediatric trauma centers. However, while the fatality rates were similar between SPARCS and NPTR for most diagnoses, given comparable ISS, survival was some ten times greater in pediatric trauma centers for patients with either brain or internal injuries—the leading causes of pediatric injury mortality—and for skeletal injuries, when the injuries sustained were of moderately great severity. These data show that system triage of moderately to severely injured children to trauma centers with pediatric commitment and capabilities is both feasible and effective, and clearly increases survival of children with serious but still salvageable skeletal, brain, or internal injuries. We conclude that: (1) organized pediatric trauma systems save more children's lives, and (2) national norms are essential in setting goals for optimal pediatric trauma care.
Numerical simulations of fluid pressure in the human eye

In this article we present computational results for the pressure in the human eye. Pressure computations for different flow rates of the aqueous humor, viscosity of the aqueous humor, and permeability of the trabecular meshwork are given. The fluid flow is assumed to be axisymmetric, and modeled as a coupled system of Stokes and Darcy fluid flow equations, representing the fluid flow in the anterior cavity and trabecular meshwork, respectively. Rewriting the problem in cylindrical coordinates reduces the 3-D problem to a problem in 2-D. Computations are also given for varying angles between the base of the iris and the trabecular meshwork.
Frontal Polymerization in Solution

John A. Pojman,* Ginger Curtis, and Victor M. IlyashenkoDepartment of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniVersity of Southern MississippiHattiesburg, Mississippi 39406-5043ReceiVed January 9, 1996Frontal polymerization is a mode of converting monomer intopolymer via a localized reaction zone that propagates, most oftenthrough the coupling of thermal diffusion and Arrhenius reactionkinetics. Frontal polymerization reactions were first discoveredin Russia by Chechilo and Enikolopyan in 1972.
Auroral precipitation flux of ions and electrons in saturn's outer magnetosphere

This paper examines particles and fields data obtained by Voyager in Saturn's outer magnetosphere with a view toward assessing the role that medium-energy ions and electrons have in stimulating the UV aurora. The magnetic field displays a high level of fluctuation of two characteristic types: large-scale coherent depressions in the field strength associated with the plumes of Titan and a small-scale incoherent turbulence presumed to be a consequence of the high-beta plasma environment. Electrons are assumed to interact strongly with lower hybrid waves and are accelerated to energies of a few kiloelectron volts. The available energy input to the aurora by protons is 5 x 10 to the 9th W, while an upper bound to that of N(+) ions is about 2 x 10 to the 10th W. Electrons in the range 1-10 keV can contribute upward of 5 x 10 to the 10th W and perhaps more if a field-aligned potential drop above the aurora is present. It is concluded that electrons are most likely the primary precipitation energy source for the aurora as a result of energy transfer from Titanogenic N(+) pickup ions in a corotation-dominated magnetosphere.
Scratching the Surface: Fundamental Investigations of Tribology with Atomic Force Microscopy.

A few years after the invention of the scanning tunneling microscope (STM), the atomic force microscope (AFM) was developed. Instead of measuring tunneling current, a new physical quantity could be investigated with atomic-scale resolution: the force between a small tip and a chosen sample surface. This paper reviews progress and recent results obtained with AFM and other closely related techniques in the field of nanotribology, and attempts to point out many of the unresolved questions that remain. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate that AFM is capable of producing atomic-scale knowledge. As such, the authors will focus upon some of the contributions of the AFM to nanotribology. They will almost exclusively discuss results that shed light on the actual atomic and molecular processes taking place, as opposed to the more applied investigations of microscale properties which are also carried out with AFM. They will accompany this discussion by mentioning related theoretical efforts and simulations, although their main emphasis will be upon experimental results and the techniques used to obtain them, as well as suggested future directions. In many ways, AFM techniques for quantitative, fundamental nanotribology are only in a nascent stage; certain key issues such as force calibration,more » tip characterization, and the effects of the experimental environment, are not fully resolved or standardized. The authors thus begin with a critical discussion of the relevant technical aspects with using AFM for nanotribology. 289 refs.« less
Maternal genitourinary infection and risk of cerebral palsy

AIM To examine the association between genitourinary infection during pregnancy and cerebral palsy (CP) in children. METHOD Medicaid and birth certificate data were obtained for 135 835 pregnant women with singleton births paid for by Medicaid from 1996 to 2002. Linked Medicaid billing data were obtained for their children in 2007. The association between maternal genitourinary infection and CP was modeled using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS Maternal genitourinary infection was significantly associated with CP (odds ratio [OR]=1.27, p=0.007). Additional analyses revealed that the association was strongly significant for preterm or low birthweight infants when maternal infection was diagnosed in the first two trimesters of pregnancy (OR=1.62, p<0.001). This association remained (OR=1.72, p<0.001) when the model was limited to cases of CP diagnosed by at least two different clinicians. Infection was not significantly associated with CP in term or normal-birthweight infants. INTERPRETATION Maternal genitourinary infection occurring in the first two trimesters was associated with increased risk of CP in preterm or low-birthweight children. Additional research is needed to determine whether this association is affected by antimicrobial treatment.
Expression Patterns of Progesterone Receptor Membrane Components 1 and 2 in Endometria From Women With and Without Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a hormone-dependent inflammatory condition associated with pain and infertility. A growing body of evidence supports attenuated secretory-phase progesterone responsiveness in women with this disease. Herein, we compare the expression of progesterone receptor membrane components (PGRMC) 1 and 2 in eutopic endometrium from 11 women with laparoscopically and/or histologically proven stage III/IV endometriosis and 23 disease-free women. Menstrual cycle phase was determined using a combination of reported cycle day, serum hormone profile, and endometrial histologic dating. The PGRMC-1 (fold change -3.3; P < .05) and PGRMC-2 (fold-change -8.8; P < .05) gene expression were significantly downregulated in secretory phase, eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated decreased PGRMC-1 and PGRMC-2 protein expression in the secretory phase endometrial stroma cells of women with endometriosis. Consistent with the preclinical work of others, our results reflect downregulation of endometrial PGRMC-1 and PGRMC-2 expression in secretory phase endometrium from women with advanced stage endometriosis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of attenuated progesterone action in endometriosis has important diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
Thermal history of carbon-fiber polymer-matrix composite, evaluated by electrical resistance measurement

The thermal history of carbon-fiber nylon-6 matrix composite was evaluated by measuring the electrical resistance in the fiber direction during heating, as the resistance was affected by the degree of crystallinity and the thermal oxidative degradation. The resistance results were consistent with different scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermomechanical analysis (TMA) results. The resistance measurement gave more information on the melting of the polymer-matrix than TMA. In particular, it distinguished more clearly between the melting of the reorganized crystalline phase and that of the original crystalline phase. The resistance measurement is more sensitive to the glass transition of the polymer-matrix than DSC.
High-resolution infrared spectrum and structure determination for carbon diselenide (CSe2)

Abstract Measurements are given for the 2 ν 1 + ν 3 and 2 ν 2 + ν 3 bands (at 2031 and 1922 cm −1 , respectively) of an isotopically enriched sample of C 80 Se 2 . Band centers and rotational constants are given for the two bands. The ground-state rotational constant is found to be B 0 = 0.0367831 ± 0.0000100 cm −1 and the equilibrium CSe bond length is determined to be 1.6917 ± 0.0015 A, slightly smaller than that in OCSe.
Angiopoietin-1, unlike angiopoietin-2, is incorporated into the extracellular matrix via its linker peptide region.

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) affect angiogenesis differently during embryogenesis and tumorigenesis. In an attempt to understand the molecular basis underlying the distinct roles of those two homologous molecules, we investigated the association of Ang-1 and Ang-2 with the extracellular matrix (ECM). TA3 murine mammary carcinoma (TA3) and Lewis lung carcinoma cells expressing v5 epitope-tagged Ang-1 and Ang-2 were used in our studies. The results indicated that Ang-1 is secreted and incorporated into the ECM of the tumor cells, whereas Ang-2 is not associated with the ECM. The mutagenesis study indicated the domain that is responsible for the ECM association of Ang-1 is the linker peptide region between the coiled-coil and the fibrinogen-like domains. A weak binding between the coiled-coil domain of Ang-1 and the ECM was observed. Immunocytochemistry study revealed a distinct ECM distribution pattern of Ang-1, which is quite different from that of fibronectin, laminin, and collagen types I and IV. The ECM-associated Ang-1 proteins are released, and Tie-2 receptors are phosphorylated upon the adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Implications of the difference in the ECM association of Ang-1 and Ang-2, which are related to the regulation of angiopoietin activity and their roles in localversus distant angiogenesis during tumor metastasis, are discussed.
The UAW-Saturn Partnership: Is the Vision Fading?

ABSTRACTIn 1985, General Motors Corporation announced the formation of a new separate subsidiary, Saturn Corporation, to manufacture small and sporty automobiles designed to compete on a world-class level. Central to this new subsidiary was a revolutionary new labor agreement with the United Auto Workers which featured a genuine partnership between management and labor. GM and the UAW pledged to share a vision of cooperation and mutual trust for the benefit of the employees of the new organization and to use the synergy resulting from this partnership to work toward a significant improvement in market position and product quality. Twelve years later, each of the four major players in this labor relations partnership, GM corporate management, Saturn corporate management, the UAW International, and the UAW local union, follows its own agenda. Is the partnership viable? Has the vision been maintained? Or is the partnership falling prey to the shortsighted actions of some of the entities involved?
Field conditioning of sexual arousal in humans

Background: Human sexual classical conditioning effects are less robust compared with those obtained in other animals. The artificiality of the laboratory environment and/or the unconditioned stimulus (US) used (e.g. watching erotic film clips as opposed to participating in sexual activity) may contribute to this discrepancy. The present experiment used a field study design to explore the conditioning of human sexual arousal. Method: Seven heterosexual couples were instructed to include a novel, neutrally preferred scent as the conditioned stimulus (CS+) during sexual interaction and another novel scent during non-sexual coupledinteraction (e.g. watching a movie, studying together). Seven control couples used both scents during nonsexual interaction. Conducted over a 2-week period, both experimental and control couples had three sexual interactions (oral sex and/or intercourse). In addition, experimental couples had three, while the controls had six, non-sexual interactions. Genital responding to and affective preference for the odors were assessed in the laboratory before and after the experience in the men. Results: We observed significantly increased genital responding to the CS+in the experimental relative to the control group; however, conditioned responses were not much stronger than those obtained during laboratory conditioning. Experimental males also showed a trend for decreased preference for the CS-odor. They may have learned that this odor predicted that sexual interaction with their partner would not occur. Conclusion: The present study provides another demonstration of conditioned sexual arousal in men, specifically an instance of such learning that happened in a real-world setting. It also suggests that inhibitory learning may occur, at least with the affective measure. Keywords: sexual classical conditioning; humans; evaluative conditioning (Published: 15 March 2012) Citation: Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology 2012, 2 : 17336 - DOI: 10.3402/snp.v2i0.17336
Patient care after discharge from the ambulatory surgical center.

Abstract An important and often forgotten aspect of postoperative care occurs after the patient is discharged from the ambulatory surgical center. With more than 60% of all surgeries and procedures occurring on an ambulatory basis, what happens after the patient is no longer in continuous professional care is of concern to the ambulatory nurse. Numerous physical postoperative complaints are common and expected sequelae of anesthesia and surgery in the ambulatory patient. In this article, important postdischarge complications are reviewed and contemporary management options discussed. The information contained in this review article is valuable to the provider in educating patients regarding their anticipated course of postoperative recovery. Objectives —Based on the content of this article, the reader should be able to (1) identify important postdischarge complications to provide patients with comprehensive discharge instructions regarding their continued recovery at home; (2) discuss contemporary management options available to treat postdischarge complications; (3) realize the incidence of specific postdischarge complications and how that relates to patient satisfaction with the surgical experience; (4) recognize signs and symptoms of postdischarge complications; and (5) identify risk factors of patients for developing specific complications in the postoperative phase. © 2001 by American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses.
Print quality challenges for the next decade

The decade of the eighties has seen a remarkable transformation in the performance and capabilities of shared and personal printers. Dramatic gains have been made in four key areas: cost, throughput, reliability and most significantly, print quality. The improvements in text print quality due to algorithmic fonts and increased resolution have been pivotal in the creation of the desktop publishing market. Electronic pre-press systems now include hardware to receive Postscript files accompanied by color originals for scanning and separation. These systems have application in the commercial printing of a wide variety of material e.g. books, magazines, brochures, newspapers. The vision of the future of hardcopy now embraces the full spectrum from typeset text to full color reproduction of natural images due to the advent of grayscale and color capability in printer technology. This will place increased demands for improvements in print quality, particularly in the use of grayscale and color. This paper gives an overview of the challenges which must be met and discusses data communication standards and print quality measurement techniques as a means of meeting these challenges for both color and black and white output.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Hypothesis testing of diagnostic accuracy for multiple readers and multiple tests: An anova approach with dependent observations

A method is proposed for comparing the accuracy of diagnostic tests that rely on a reader's subjective interpretation of the results. An ANOVA approach is applied where the dependencies between the readers' estimates of diagnostic accuracy are handled by adjusting the usual F statistic for theestimated correlation. The distribution of the resulting test statistic is evaluated. The problem is particularly relevant to diagnostic radiology where multi-reader studies of the indices associated with the ROC curve serve important roles in evaluating the efficacy of diagnostic tests.
Electron trap for DNA-bound repair enzymes: a strategy for DNA-mediated signaling.

Despite a low copy number within the cell, base excision repair (BER) enzymes readily detect DNA base lesions and mismatches. These enzymes also contain [Fe4S4] clusters, yet a redox role for these iron cofactors had been unclear. Here, we provide evidence that BER proteins may use DNA-mediated redox chemistry as part of a signaling mechanism to detect base lesions. By using chemically modified bases, we show electron trapping on DNA in solution with bound BER enzymes by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. We demonstrate electron transfer from two BER proteins, Endonuclease III (EndoIII) and MutY, to modified bases in DNA containing oxidized nitroxyl radical EPR probes. Electron trapping requires that the modified base is coupled to the DNA π-stack, and trapping efficiency is increased when a noncleavable MutY substrate analogue is located distally to the trap. These results are consistent with DNA binding leading to the activation of the repair proteins toward oxidation. Significantly, these results support a mechanism for DNA repair that involves DNA-mediated charge transport.
Teaching About American Democracy Through Historical Cases

Stephen Frantzich is professor and chair of the department of political science at the U.S. Naval Academy. He has served as president of the Computers and Multi-Media Users section of APSA and directs the PoliWare program of the Association. He uses technology heavily in teaching and was chosen as the outstanding instructor at the Naval Academy in 1990. He is the coauthor of American Government: The Political Game, and Congress: Games and Strategies (Brown and Benchmark Publishers) both of which come with software designed by the author.
Immediate Hemodynamic Response of Patients with Atrioventricular Block and Cardiac Failure to Transvenous Pacing

Immediate hemodynamic improvement in patients with complete heart block occurs when the ventricular rate is increased by electrical pacing. During pacing, there is reduction in the pulmonary artery wedge, right atrial, and left and right ventricular filling pressures. The mean rate of ejection, stroke volume, and stroke work decreased following pacing, whereas the ejection time per minute increased, and dye curves assumed a more normal configuration. Very little change was noted in the resting cardiac output. The paced heart is able to obtain greater increases in cardiac output, stroke volume, and mean rate of ejection during exercise than when unpaced. In addition, pacing tends to return elevated exercising filling pressures in the right and left ventricles toward normal.
Direct Photoaffinity Labeling of Rat Liver Carbamoyl Phosphate Synthetase I with ATP

Abstract The adenine subsites of the ATP sites of rat liver carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I have been localized by direct photoaffinity labeling with ATP. The synthetase is known to utilize two molecules of ATP, apparently in mechanistically discrete steps and at separate ATP sites. UV irradiation of the synthetase in the presence of [α- 32 P]ATP resulted in the incorporation of label. Peptide analysis of the ATP-photolabeled synthetase demonstrated that the labeling was extremely selective. To localize the sites of ATP photoincorporation to discrete regions of the synthetase which appear to be structural domains, the enzyme was photolabeled with [α- 32 P]ATP and subjected to limited proteolytic digestion. Consideration of these data indicated that the internal domains B and C were preferentially labeled and that there was lesser, but significant, labeling of the N-terminal domain A. Omission of the required allosteric activator N-acetylglutamate from the photolabeling mixture resulted in an approximately 60% decrease in label incorporation and an accompanying decrease in the extent of label incorporation in domain B. Consideration of these N -acetylglutamate effects, together with previous findings on the effects of the allosteric activator, confirmed the following functional identification of the ATP sites: domain B participates in binding the molecule of ATP involved in bicarbonate activation, whereas domain C participates in binding the molecule of ATP involved in carbamate phosphorylation.
Systems biology and multi-scale modeling of the heart

We are developing functionally integrated cell systems models of cardiac metabolism, signal transduction, excitation-contraction coupling, and myofilament interactions. These are then being incorporated into structurally integrated multi-scale models of cardiac electromechanical interactions that include tissue, organ and system scale properties. We describe new results with these models in which the effects of transmural heterogeneities in myocyte ionic currents and calcium handling on arrhythmia mechanisms and electromechanics are investigated.
Microbial abundance and activities in relation to water potential in the vadose zones of arid and semiarid sites.

Numbers and activities of microorganisms were measured in the vadose zones of three arid and semiarid areas of the western United States, and the influence of water availability was determined. These low-moisture environments have vadose zones that are commonly hundreds of meters thick. The specific sampling locations chosen were on or near U.S. Department of Energy facilities: the Nevada Test Site (NTS), the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL), and the Hanford Site (HS) in southcentral Washington State. Most of the sampling locations were uncontaminated, but geologically representative of nearby locations with storage and/or leakage of waste compounds in the vadose zone. Lithologies of samples included volcanic tuff, basalt, glaciofluvial and fluvial sediments, and paleosols (buried soils). Samples were collected aseptically, either by drilling bore-holes (INEL and HS), or by excavation within tunnels (NTS) and outcrop faces (paleosols near the HS). Total numbers of microorganisms were counted using direct microscopy, and numbers of culturable microorganisms were determined using plate-count methods. Desiccation-tolerant microorganisms were quantified by plate counts performed after 24 h desiccation of the samples. Mineralization of 14C-labeled glucose and acetate was quantified in samples at their ambient moisture contents, in dried samples, and in moistened samples, to test the hypothesis that water limits microbial activities in vadose zones. Total numbers of microorganisms ranged from log 4.5 to 7.1 cells g-1 dry wt. Culturable counts ranged from log <2 to 6.7 CFU g-1 dry wt, with the highest densities occurring in paleosol (buried soil) samples. Culturable cells appeared to be desiccation-tolerant in nearly all samples that had detectable viable heterotrophs. Water limited mineralization in some, but not all samples, suggesting that an inorganic nutrient or other factor may limit microbial activities in some vadose zone environments.
A nonquasi-static MOSFET model for SPICE-transient analysis

The long-channel MOSFET model is based on an approximate solution to the nonlinear current-continuity equation in the channel. The model includes the large-signal transient and the small-signal AC analyses, although only the transient model is reported here. Comparisons have been made between this model and the 1-D numerical solution to the current-continuity equation, 2-D device simulation (PISCES), and the quasistatic (QS) results. The channel-charge partitioning scheme in the charge-based QS models is shown to be inadequate for the fast transient. This model does not use a charge-partitioning scheme and the currents are dependent on the history of the terminal voltages, not just the instantaneous voltages and their derivatives. For the slow signals (compared to the channel transit time), the nonquasistatic (NQS) model is reduced to the quasistatic 40/60 channel-charge partitioning scheme. The CPU time required for this model is about two to three times longer than that of conventional MOSFET models in SPICE. >