cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mixing of single-component hydrocarbon droplets and water at supercritical or near-critical conditions

Abstract The mixing process of a single component hydrocarbon droplet, either toluene or n-decane, in a reservoir of supercritical or near-critical water is modeled. The 1D droplet model provides microscale information, such as droplet mixing times, that can be used to help understand large scale mixing in applications that include supercritical water oxidation and supercritical water desulfurization. Transport, thermodynamic, and phase equilibrium sub-models are used to estimate relevant physical properties, e.g., diffusion coefficients and fugacities. The upper critical solution temperature (UCST) acts as the controlling parameter in the transport and mixing process as demonstrated by the solutions. When the initial water temperature is below the UCST, complete miscibility defined as the dissolution of the interface can be never achieved. The droplet initially swells due to thermal expansion and net diffusion of water into it, but starts to shrink when it becomes water saturated. A sudden increase of miscibility and mixing rate is observed as the interface temperature increases from below to above the UCST point for the water–toluene system. The mixing rate increases noticeably with increasing water temperature until instant miscibility occurs, after which much slower increase is observed.
Optical excitation of polaronic impurities in La2CuO4+y.

The temperature dependence of the infrared reflectivity of lightly oxygen-doped La[sub 2]CuO[sub 4+[ital y]] shows that spectral weight is transferred between free-carrier conductivity and a photoionization band of impurity-bound carriers. The large difference between the optical 0.13-eV and thermal 0.035-eV ionization energy indicates that the impurity states are stabilized by a lattice distortion. It is shown that the line shape as well as the temperature dependence is consistent with absorption from a polaronic impurity state.
Cryogen spray cooling for spatially selective photocoagulation: a feasibility study with potential application for treatment of hemangiomas

The clinical objective in laser treatment of hemangiomas is to photocoagulate the dilated cutaneous blood vessels, while at the same time minimizing nonspecific thermal injury to the overlying epidermis. We present an in-vivo experimental procedure, using a chicken comb animal model, and an infrared feedback system to deliver repetitive cryogen spurts during continuous Nd:YAG laser irradiation. Gross and histologic observations are consistent with calculated thicknesses of protected and damaged tissues, and demonstrate the feasibility of inducing spatially selective photocoagulation when using cryogen spray cooling in conjunction with laser irradiation. Experimental observation of epidermal protection in the chicken comb model suggests selective photocoagulation of subsurface targeted blood vessels for successful treatment of hemangiomas can be achieved by repetitive applications of a cryogen spurt during continuous Nd:YAG laser irradiation.
The bountiful biological activities of cyclotides

Cyclotides are exceptionally stable circular peptides (28-37 amino acid residues) with a unique cyclic cystine knot (CCK) motif that were originally discovered through ethnobotanical investigations and bioassay-directed natural products screenings. They have been isolated from four angiosperm families (Violaceae, Rubiaceae, Curcurbitaceae, and Fabaceae), and they exhibit a wide range of bioactivities including antibacterial/antimicrobial, nematocidal, molluscicidal, antifouling, insecticidal, antineurotensin, trypsin inhibiting, hemolytic, cytotoxic, antitumor, and anti-HIV properties. Reports indicate that the mechanism of cyclotide bioactivity is the ability to target and interact with lipid membranes via the development of pores. Additionally, the nature of their surface-exposed hydrophobic patch and CCK play integral roles in the potency of cyclotides. Their extraordinary stability and flexibility have recently allowed for the successful grafting of analogs with therapeutic properties onto their CCK framework. This achievement, coupled with the myriad of useful naturally occurring bioactivities displayed by cyclotides, makes them appealing candidates in drug design and crop management.
Impact minimization of requirements change in software project through requirements classification

One of many reasons of software project failure is requirement changes. Different requirement changes come up during different phases of software development. Managing these changes throughout the software life cycle especially at later development phases is a challenging task. Mismanaged requirement changes can also lead to failure of the project. In this paper we present a model in which requirements will be divided in to three different categories; fixed, less likely to change, and most likely to change. All requirements which have no chance of change come under fixed category. Requirements having less chances of change will come under less likely to change category and requirements having great chances of change will come under most likely to change category. Modularization is based on category of the requirements. As a result, requirement changes are properly managed while few resources are used for incorporating the requirement changes and project failure chances are mitigated.
An X-linked sex ratio distorter in Drosophila simulans that kills or incapacitates both noncarrier sperm and sons.

Genomic conflict occurs when a genomic component gains a reproductive advantage at the expense of the organism as a whole. X-linked segregation distorters kill or incapacitate Y-bearing sperm, thereby gaining a transmission advantage but also reducing male fertility and generating a female-biased sex ratio. When some damaged, Y-bearing sperm survive and fertilize eggs, then the segregation distortion phenotype could be expanded by harming or killing sons in the next generation. X-linked son-killers are predicted by theory to be favored by natural selection and evolve when brothers and sisters compete for shared limiting resources and/or when brothers reduce the inclusive fitness of their sisters via sib-mating—a phenomenon called SA-zygotic drive. Here I develop and use a process-of-elimination screen to show that an unclassified X-linked sex ratio distorter (skew) in Drosophila simulans kills or incapacitates noncarrier sperm and also kills a substantial proportion of sons, i.e., it has both a segregation distortion and a SA-zygotic drive phenotype. There are three unique X-linked segregation distorters known to occur in D. simulans named Winters, Durham, and Paris. Autosomal-dominant suppressors of Winters (Nmy) and Durham (Tmy) failed to suppress skew. A Y-linked suppressor of Paris, however, did suppress skew, and a recombination test failed to detect recombinants between these two sex ratio distorters, indicating that they are tightly linked and plausibly identical or allelic. Son-killing may be an important yet unrecognized component of other X-linked segregation distorters.
Casting particulate and fibrous metal-matrix composites by vacuum infiltration of a liquid metal under an inert gas pressure

A new method of making metal-matrix composites is reported. This method combines the essentials of three liquid-phase fabrication methods: (i) vacuum infiltration, (ii) infiltration under an inert gas pressure, and (iii) squeeze casting. In this method, the particulate or fibrous preform is placed in a mould and the matrix alloy is placed above the preform. The matrix alloy is heated to the liquidus temperature together with the mould and the preform under vacuum. Then an inert gas like argon is compressed on to the top surface of the matrix-alloy melt, forcing the melt to infiltrate the preform. The pressure is 1000 to 2500 psi. As the melt is just at liquidus temperature, it is much lower than that used in squeeze casting. Moreover, the pressure is an order of magnitude lower than that used in squeeze casting. The low temperature lessens the interfacial reaction between the matrix and the filler, while the low pressure essentially eliminates preform compression. This method has been successfully used to fabricate aluminium-matrix composites reinforced by short ceramic fibres, continuous ceramic fibres, SiC particles, Al2O3 particles, graphite flakes and SiC whiskers.
A Two-Step Spacer Etch for High-Aspect-Ratio Gate Stack Process

A highly selective nitride etch was developed for gate stack spacer process in advanced memory programs. Based on methyl fluoride chemistry with better than 8:1 selectivity of nitride:oxide, this process exhibits minimal erosion to the underlying RTO thermal oxide for consistent diffusion ion-implant control. As the groundrule changed to 0.175um and below, a two-step etch scheme was employed to maintain the profile control in high-aspect-ratio structures. The stability and repeatability of the process is demonstrated in the SPC chart of the post etch FTA site measurement.
Low-dose amiodarone for atrial fibrillation

Concerns about proarrhythmia risk and inefficacy associated with class I antiarrhythmic drugs have revived interest in low-dose amiodarone (maintenance dose 200-400 mg/day) for suppression of atrial fibrillation. In nonrandomized trials of amiodarone for atrial fibrillation refractory to conventional agents, amiodarone has been successful in maintaining sinus rhythm in 53-79% of patients during a mean follow-up of 15-27 months. Intolerable side effects, including pulmonary toxicity, are in the range of 1-12% per year and resolve following amiodarone withdrawal in the majority of cases. Proarrhythmia risk associated with amiodarone, even in the setting of left ventricular dysfunction, is extremely low. In patients with congestive heart failure, in whom other pharmacologic options are limited by proarrhythmia risk and negative inotropism, preliminary experience with amiodarone is especially promising. Randomized trials are needed, directly comparing amiodarone to conventional antiarrhythmic therapy for atrial fibrillation suppression and comparing amiodarone to warfarin for thromboembolism prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation refractory to conventional antiarrhythmic drugs.
An approach to using the analytic hierarchy process for solving multiple criteria decision making problems

Abstract In this paper we present a procedure for solving multiple criteria decision making problems. Our procedure, which is an extension of the Analytic Hierarchy Process, addresses the issue of fuzziness in the weighing information provided by the decision maker, the consequent stability of the AHP ranking of the alternatives and the sensitivity of such rankings to small perturbations. These issues are especially important when the concept of optimality incorporates parameters or weights that reflect subjective preferences. The procedure provides a consistent and systematic method for carrying out goal-seeking sensitivity analysis that captures the decision maker's preference structure using his/her indifference region.
The Epidemiology of US High School Basketball Injuries, 2005–2007

BackgroundWith more than a million high school athletes playing during the 2006–2007 academic year, basketball is one of the most popular sports in the United States.HypothesisBasketball injury rates and patterns differ by gender and type of exposure.Study DesignDescriptive epidemiology study.MethodsBasketball-related injury data were collected during the 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 academic years from 100 nationally representative US high schools via Reporting Information Online.ResultsHigh school basketball players sustained 1518 injuries during 780 651 athlete exposures for an injury rate of 1.94 per 1000 athlete exposures. The injury rate per 1000 athlete exposures was greater during competition (3.27) than during practice (1.40; rate ratio, 2.33; 95% confidence interval, 2.10–2.57) and was greater among girls (2.08) than among boys (1.83; rate ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.26). The ankle/foot (39.7%), knee (14.7%), head/face/neck (13.6%), arm/hand (9.6%), and hip/thigh/upper leg (8.4%) wer...
Dopamine agonist-induced impulse control disorders in a patient with prolactinoma.

Impulse control disorders (ICDs) involve a set of psychiatric symptoms and disorders (including pathological gambling, compulsive shopping, compulsive eating, and hypersexuality) that have been considered as side effects of dopamine agonist medications. ICDs have been commonly associated with the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. ICDs have also been reported in dopaminergic treatment of other disorders, such as restless leg syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy. Dopamine agonists are also used to treat prolactinomas in patients with symptomatic prolactin-secreting microor macroadenomas. In these conditions their primary goals are to lower prolactin levels, decrease tumor size, and restore gonadal function. The most commonly used dopamine agonists for the treatment of prolactinomas are bromocriptine and cabergoline. Cabergoline is preferred because of its greater efficacy and higher frequency of pituitary tumor shrinkage. Less commonly used alternatives include quinagolide and pergolide. In 2007, pergolide was withdrawn from the US market after several published studies revealed an increased rate of valvular dysfunction. The goal of this report is to identify potential behavioral manifestations of patients treated with dopamine agonists.
"The full story by no means all told": Harry Stack Sullivan at Sheppard-Pratt, 1922-1930

Harry Stack Sullivan (1892-1949) is well known for his interpersonal theory of mental illness, but little is known about how he actually worked as a clinician with patients. This article examines a pivotal time in Sullivan's career at Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital in Baltimore from 1922 to 1930. Using clinical records as well as published writings, the article focuses on 2 crucial issues that are not fully addressed either in Sullivan's published writings or in past studies of him: first, his treatment as a gay psychiatrist of patients who he believed had homosexual orientations; second, the intellectual and institutional paradigm in psychiatry that influenced his practice. Finally, this article addresses the circumstances surrounding Sullivan's departure from Sheppard-Pratt, suggesting psychiatry's limited confrontation with the social stigmatization of homosexuality.
Wear resistant UHMWPE with high toughness by high temperature melting and subsequent radiation cross-linking

Abstract The goal of this study was to create wear resistant ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with improved strength and toughness. It was previously demonstrated that high temperature melting (HTM) of UHMWPE at 280–320 °C improved its toughness without detrimentally affecting its wear resistance. We hypothesized that radiation cross-linking after high temperature melting could further improve the wear resistance of UHMWPE, and the loss in toughness by radiation cross-linking could be compensated by the improved toughness achieved by the high temperature melting prior to irradiation. In this work, we demonstrated that irradiation after HTM generated UHMWPE with improved toughness compared to the irradiated UHMWPEs without HTM, partly due to the low cross-link density of irradiated HTM UHMWPE. At a given cross-link density, irradiated HTM UHMWPEs showed higher wear resistance than irradiated UHMWPE. Therefore, successive HTM and radiation cross-linking strategy is promising to create UHMWPE materials with low wear and improved mechanical properties for total joint implants.
Upper limit for the mass of an elementary particle due to discrete time quantum dynamics

By considering an elementary particle to be a bound state of preons obeying a discrete time quantum formalism, we demonstrate that a maximum stable mass is permitted for the bound state, thus providing an upper limit in the mass spectrum in a series of similar particles. We also point out that the same line of reasoning prevents the space-time continuum from acquiring too violent a fluctuation from a Riemannian background. Such an effect might prevent fluctuations in the topology of space-time that the presently accepted path integral approach puts no limit on.
Intimacy in Poverty's Midst: Marriage, Intimate Male Relationships, and TANF-Reliant African American Women:

The longitudinal study examined attitudes toward marriage and intimate male relationships among female, welfare-reliant African American heads of household (N = 20). Respondents were selected through a purposive and snowball sampling technique. Most were single and 23-49 years of age, and typical families included four children. Respondent's educational levels ranged from 10 to 14 years, and they had been on welfare an average of 6.2 years. Ethnographic data were collected by repeated interviews for 40 months from 1997 to 2000. Subjective and attitudinal outcomes among respondents appeared to be influenced by differential socioeconomic and life circumstances. Implications are discussed regarding public welfare policies, the impact on low-income families, and the federal Healthy Marriage Initiative.
Effect of Mitral Inflow Pattern on Diagnosis of Severe Mitral Regurgitation in Patients with Chronic Organic Mitral Regurgitation

BACKGROUND To determine sensitivity and specificity of E wave velocity in patients with severe chronic organic mitral regurgitation (MR) and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and to evaluate prevalence of A wave dominance in patients with severe MR. METHODS We compared 35 patients with quantified severe, chronic, quantified, organic MR due to flail/prolapsed leaflets who had reparative surgery with 35 age-matched control subjects. EXCLUSION CRITERIA EF < 60%, atrial fibrillation, and more than mild aortic regurgitation. RESULTS Mean [standard deviation (SD)] age [70 (8) years vs. 69 (8) years; p = 0.94] and mean (SD) EF [66% (6%) vs. 65% (4%); p = 0.43] were not different between the two groups. Mean (SD) E wave velocity was greater in case patients than control subjects [1.2 (0.3) m/sec vs. 0.7 (0.15) m/sec; p < 0.001]. However, E wave velocity of 1.2 m/sec had a sensitivity of only 57% [95% confidence interval (CI), 41-7 and a specificity of 100% (95% CI, 90-100%) in identifying severe MR. E wave velocity of 0.9 m/sec had a more optimal combined sensitivity (89%; 95% CI, 74-95%) and specificity (86%; 95% CI, 71-94%). A wave dominance was seen in 18% of case patients and 66% of control subjects (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION E wave velocity of 1.2 m/sec is specific not sensitive for severe organic MR; E wave velocity of 0.9 m/sec has better sensitivity and specificity. A wave dominance pattern alone cannot exclude patients with severe organic MR. Our findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive echocardiographic exam rather than relying on a few Doppler parameters in diagnosing MR.
Adaptive Automation for Human Supervision of Multiple Uninhabited Vehicles: Effects on Change Detection, Situation Awareness, and Mental Workload

Human operators supervising multiple uninhabited air and ground vehicles (UAVs and UGVs) under high task load must be supported appropriately in context by automation. Two experiments examined the ...
Cysteine 195 has a critical functional role in catalysis by isocitrate lyase from Escherichia coli.

Cysteine 195 in isocitrate lyase from Escherichia coli has been replaced by directed mutagenesis. Substitution by Ser yields enzyme with a kcat that is 0.03% that of wild type, and substitution by Ala, Gly, Thr, or Val yields completely inactive enzyme. The present results are consistent with a functional role of Cys 195.
Edison: Database-Supported Synchronization for PDAs

One of the most important features provided by personal digital assistants is the ability to synchronize device data with data on a user's PC. Unfortunately, current synchronization protocols have significant shortcomings that limit the availability, usability, and performance of synchronization. We present Edison, a service that leverages existing off-the-shelf ORDBMS technology to address these problems. Edison allows large numbers of users to synchronize handheld devices from any point on the internet with subsets of large, shared data sets. Edison supports this functionality while transferring the minimal amount of data to and from the device. We describe the implementation of the Edison data server and protocol, and show that Edison requires minimal overhead in terms of DBMS storage and additional time per synchronization.
Single-Side Heated Monoblock, High Heat Flux Removal Using Water Subcooled Turbulent Flow Boiling

Plasma-facing components for fusion reactors and other high heat flux heat sinks are subjected to a peripherally nonuniform heat flux. The monoblock test section under study is a single-side heated square cross-section heat sink with a circular coolant channel bored through the center. The heated length of the test section is 180 mm. The inside diameter and outside square sides are 10 mm and 30 mm, respectively. It was subjected to a constant heat flux on one side of the outside surfaces, and the remaining portion was not heated. The exit water subcooling varied from 55 to 101°C, the exit pressure was maintained at 0.207 MPa, and the mass velocity was 0.59 Mg/m 2 s
Stochastic analysis of solute transport in heterogeneous aquifers subject to spatially random recharge

Abstract This paper derives and solves approximate unconditional moment equations for a concentration plume in a two-dimensional spatially random transmissivity field subject to spatially random recharge and non-uniform (linear trending) velocity. Closed-form expressions are derived for the unconditional, non-stationary auto-covariances for head and velocity, and the cross-covariances between velocity, head, recharge, and log transmissivity based on a system of coupled first-order partial differential moment equations and assumed hole-type input covariance functions for log transmissivity and recharge. The unconditional flow related moment equations are incorporated into a system of solute transport moment equations, which is solved using a Galerkin finite element algorithm. A constant positive mean recharge yields a mean velocity gradient, which enhances the ensemble mean plume spreading in the longitudinal direction similar to results found by Rubin and Bellin (1994) [Water Resour. Res., 30(4) 939–948]. Spatial variability in recharge further enhances the spreading of the ensemble mean plume, especially in the lateral direction. Uncertainty in the spatial distribution of recharge also increases the extent of the ensemble standard deviation plume, particularly in the lateral direction, and increases the coefficient of variation of solute concentration. The uncertainty in the prediction of solute transport increases with increasing recharge variance and spatial correlation scale.
Nitric oxide modification of rat brain neurogranin. Identification of the cysteine residues involved in intramolecular disulfide bridge formation using site-directed mutagenesis.

Neurogranin (Ng) is a neuron-specific protein kinase C-selective substrate, which binds calmodulin (CaM) in the dephosphorylated form at low levels of Ca2+. This protein contains redox active Cys residues that are readily oxidized by several nitric oxide (NO) donors and other oxidants to form intramolecular disulfide. Identification of the Cys residues of rat brain Ng, Cys3, Cys4, Cys9, and Cys51, involved in NO-mediated intramolecular disulfide bridge formation was examined by site-directed mutagenesis. Mutation of all four Cys residues or single mutation of Cys51 blocked the oxidant-mediated intramolecular disulfide formation as monitored by the downward mobility shift under nonreducing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Single mutation of Cys3, Cys4, or Cys9 or double mutation of any pair of these three Cys residues did not block such intramolecular disulfide formation, although the rates of oxidation of these mutant proteins were different. Thus, Cys51 is an essential pairing partner in NO-mediated intramolecular disulfide formation in Ng. Cys3, Cys4, and Cys9 individually could pair with Cys51, and the order of reactivity was Cys9 > Cys4 > Cys3, suggesting that Cys9 and Cys51 form the preferential disulfide bridge. In all cases tested, the intramolecularly disulfide bridged Ng proteins displayed dramatically attenuated CaM-binding affinity and ∼2-3-fold weaker protein kinase C substrate phosphorylation activity. The data indicate that the N-terminal Cys3, Cys4, and Cys9 are in close proximity to the C-terminal Cys51 in solution. The disulfide bridge between the N- and C-terminal domains of Ng renders the central CaM-binding and phosphorylation site domain in a fixed conformation unfavorable for binding to CaM and as a substrate of protein kinase C.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering near small nanoparticles: a microscopic approach

A microscopic model for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) from molecules adsorbed on small noblemetal nanoparticles is developed. In the absence of direct overlap of molecular orbitals and electronic states in the metal, the main enhancement source is the strong electric field of the surface plasmon resonance in a nanoparticle acting on a molecule near the surface. In small particles, the electromagnetic enhancement is strongly modified by quantum-size effects. It is shown that, in nanometer-sized particles, SERS magnitude is determined by a competition between several quantum-size effects such as the Landau damping of surface plasmon resonance and reduced screening near the nanoparticle surface. Using time-dependent local density approximation, the spatial distribution of local fields near the surface and enhancement factor for different nanoparticles sizes are calculated.
High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Diethylpropion Hydrochloride in Tablets: Isolation and Identification of Two Decomposition Products

A rapid assay was developed for diethylpropion hydrochloride tablets using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. This technique provided separation of the drug from other UV-absorbing components present as the result of decomposition. A major decomposition product detected by HPLC in extracts of tablets and of the cotton filler from a tablet bottle was collected from the column effluents. This product was subsequently identified as 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione, a highly volatile compound. A second decomposition product, isolated from decomposed drug by distillation from alkaline solution, was identified as diethylamine, apparently present as the hydrochloride salt. GLC, UV, IR, NMR, and mass spectrometry were used to confirm the identity of the decomposition products. HPLC assay results compared favorably with results of the NF assay; the latter procedure separates the drug from 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione via liquidliquid extraction.
Fuel cell electrolytes: evolution, properties and future prospects

Abstract Any electrolyte with sufficient ionic conductivity may be used in a fuel cell, but to avoid concentration gradients in the electrolyte, active conduction should be via an ion produced in one electrode reaction and consumed in the other. This ion must be present at high concentration in the electrolyte. In aqueous fuel cells operating on hydrogen and oxygen, the only useful electrolytes have high concentrations of either H + or OH − , i.e. strong acids or bases. The product of the anode reaction in aqueous acids, H + , occurs as a ‘carrier ion’ complexed by H 2 O as H(H 2 O) n + , where n lies between 1 and 4. The corresponding cathodic product ion in bases, OH − , is itself a ‘carrier ion’, the reaction product of O 2− (from the reduction of O 2 ) and H 2 O. Phosphoric acid is not an aqueous acid, but a unique self-ionizing amphoteric system, in effect a molten acidic (H + ) salt. In molten salts, H + could be the primary conductor, e.g., in molten bisulfates. Less corrosive carbonate melts use a cathodic supply of CO 2 supplied via the gas phase to give CO 2 2− as the O 2− ‘carrier ion’. A similar approach may be used in aqueous carbonates. No carrier material is needed in solid oxides, which conduct directly via O 2− ion. The temperature windows for different electrolytes are limited by performance at the low end and materials considerations at the high end. As a result, there are no electrolyte capable of operation between 480 and 900 K, and between 1050 and 1220 K. Development of electrolytes for these temperature ranges would be valuable.
Genital tract abnormalities and female sexual function impairment in systemic sclerosis

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the involvement of the female genital tract and its functional consequences on menstrual and sexual aspects in systemic sclerosis. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty women with systemic sclerosis and 23 age- and disease duration-matched women with either rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus were surveyed with a comprehensive questionnaire addressing problems before and after disease onset. Fourteen systemic sclerosis patients also had gynecologic evaluations. RESULTS: Vaginal dryness (71%), ulcerations (23%), and dyspareunia (56%) were significantly more frequent in patients with systeic sclerosis after disease onset than before and also in comparison with control subjects. Vaginal tightness and constricted introitus were present in 5 of 60 systemic sclerosis patients. More than half of systemic sclerosis patients reported a decrease in the number ( p = 0.04) and intensity ( p = 0.02) of orgasm,, compared to CONCLUSIONS: Although impairment in various indexes of sexual function occurs in a number of autoimmune diseases, decreased orgasmic function appears to be limited to systeic sclerosis. Vaginal involvement and other systemic sclerosis-related systemic symptoms adversely influence sexual relations. Menstrual abnormalities, including early menopause, affect many patients. Genital tract involvement occurs in a substantial proportion. Prospective longitudinal studies are warranted.
Factors Affecting Prescribing of the Newer Antidepressants

OBJECTIVE:To survey various prescriber types and specialties to determine whether differences exist in prescribing patterns for the newer antidepressants.DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:A survey about prescribing of the newer antidepressants was mailed to 1500 New York state licensed prescribers who were randomly selected from membership rosters. Nurse practitioners; physician assistants and physicians in family medicine, primary care, general practice, and internal medicine; and psychiatrists were included.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Prescriber responses regarding factors involved with choosing among the newer antidepressants.RESULTS:A total of 508 surveys (36%) were returned, of which 398 (29%) were acceptable for analysis. In choosing among the newer antidepressants, most prescribers ranked patient diagnosis and past success as a high priority, and free drug samples and drug-representative detailing as a low priority. The majority of each prescriber type preferred fluoxetine for major depression and depres...
Burning velocities in catalytically assisted self-propagating high-temperature combustion synthesis systems

The current work presents an experimental study of catalytically assisted self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) of the tantalum/carbon material system. The effects of controlled amounts of two gas-phase transport agents (carbon dioxide and vaporized iodine) were examined. The gas-phase transport agents resulted in burning velocities 2 to 4 times faster than burning velocities observed in comparable catalytically assisted and unassisted Ta/C SHS systems. The gas-phase transport agents clearly augment the combustion synthesis process. The burning velocities of the catalytically assisted, non-melting SHS systems were found to be strong functions of particle size, pressure and the amount of gas-transport agent present. The results are compared with previous studies of both catalytically assisted and unassisted Ta/C SHS, and discussed in the context of proposed transport mechanisms.
Salicylic acid inhibits jasmonic acid-induced resistance of Arabidopsis thaliana to Spodoptera exigua

The role of salicylic acid (SA) in plant responses to pathogens has been well documented, but its direct and indirect effects on plant responses to insects are not so well understood. We examined the effects of SA, alone and in combination with jasmonic acid (JA), on the performance of the generalist herbivore, Spodoptera exigua, in wild-type and mutant Arabidopsis thaliana genotypes that varied genetically in their ability to mount SA- and JA-mediated defence responses. In one experiment, growth of S. exigua larvae was highest on the Wassilewskija wild-type, intermediate on the Columbia wild-type and the JA-deficient fad mutant, and lowest on the nim1-1 and jar1-mutants, which are defective in the SA and JA pathways, respectively. Activity of guaiacol peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, n-acetylglucosaminidase, and trypsin inhibitor varied by genotype but did not correlate with insect performance. SA treatment increased growth of S. exigua larvae by approximately 35% over all genotypes, but had no discernable effect on activities of the four defence proteins. In a second experiment, growth of S. exigua was highest across treatments on the cep1 mutant, a constitutive expressor of high SA levels and systemic acquired resistance, and lowest on the fad mutant, which is JA-deficient. JA treatment generally increased activity of all four defence proteins, increased total glucosinolate levels and reduced insect growth by approximately 25% over all genotypes. SA generally inhibited expression of JA-induced resistance to S. exigua when both hormones were applied simultaneously. Across genotypes and treatments, larval mass was negatively correlated with the activity of trypsin inhibitor and polyphenoloxidase and with total glucosinolate levels, and insect damage was negatively correlated with the activity of polyphenoloxidase. SA had little effect on the induction of defence protein activity by JA. However, SA attenuated the induction of glucosinolates by JA and therefore may explain better the interactive effects of SA and JA on insect performance. This study illustrates that direct and indirect cross-effects of SA on resistance to S. exigua can occur in A. thaliana. Effects of SA may be mediated through effects on plant defence chemistry or other aspects of the suitability of foliage for insect feeding and growth.
Controlling the electron energy distribution function of electron beam generated plasmas with molecular gas concentration: I. Experimental results

This paper, the first in a series of two, presents experimental results demonstrating the control of electron and ion energy distribution functions in electron beam generated processing plasmas by adding trace concentrations of N2 to an Ar background. Measurements of the electron energy distribution function, f0(E), are performed using a Langmuir probe while measurements of the Ar ion energy distribution function are performed using an energy-resolved mass spectrometer. The experimental results agree with modeling results, described in part II of this work, which indicate that inelastic electron collisions with nitrogen molecules provide an energy sink that can be exploited to control the electron energy distribution function.
Emergency contraception knowledge among women in a Boston community.

Abstract This study assesses the baseline knowledge of emergency contraception (EC) in a Boston neighborhood. A written survey was distributed to women aged 18–44 years in the Boston neighborhood of Jamaica Plain. Of the 188 participants, 82% have heard of EC. Knowledge disparities by race/ethnicity groups were seen, with only 51% of Latina women and 75% of Black women having heard of EC compared with 99% of White women (p
Protein Database, Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a single cell layer adjacent to the rod and cone photoreceptors that plays key roles in retinal physiology and the biochemistry of vision. RPE cells were isolated from normal adult human donor eyes, subcellular fractions were prepared, and proteins were fractionated by electrophoresis. Following in-gel proteolysis, proteins were identified by peptide sequencing using liquid chromatography tandem electrospray mass spectrometry and/or by peptide mass mapping using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Preliminary analyses have identified 278 proteins and provide a starting point for building a database of the human RPE proteome.
A Team Treatment Approach After Major Brain Surgery: Rehabilitation Post–Functional Hemispherectomy

Difficult medical cases are often best addressed by a team approach where the expertise of several disciplines can be brought to bear on multiple challenges. This article reviews the team approach at the Motor Control Program at the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation. In the case of a school-age child, in addition to medical issues there are social, family, educational, and scheduling issues that affect the progress of the patient. This case describes how quantitative surface electromyographic (QSEMG) biofeedback was one part of an overall treatment plan to help restore a child to health after major brain surgery.
Transcriptional Regulation of the Borrelia burgdorferi Antigenically Variable VlsE Surface Protein

ABSTRACT The Lyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferi can persistently infect humans and other animals despite host active immune responses. This is facilitated, in part, by the vls locus, a complex system consisting of the vlsE expression site and an adjacent set of 11 to 15 silent vls cassettes. Segments of nonexpressed cassettes recombine with the vlsE region during infection of mammalian hosts, resulting in combinatorial antigenic variation of the VlsE outer surface protein. We now demonstrate that synthesis of VlsE is regulated during the natural mammal-tick infectious cycle, being activated in mammals but repressed during tick colonization. Examination of cultured B. burgdorferi cells indicated that the spirochete controls vlsE transcription levels in response to environmental cues. Analysis of PvlsE::gfp fusions in B. burgdorferi indicated that VlsE production is controlled at the level of transcriptional initiation, and regions of 5′ DNA involved in the regulation were identified. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays detected qualitative and quantitative changes in patterns of protein-DNA complexes formed between the vlsE promoter and cytoplasmic proteins, suggesting the involvement of DNA-binding proteins in the regulation of vlsE, with at least one protein acting as a transcriptional activator.
CYP2A6- and CYP2A13-Catalyzed Metabolism of the Nicotine Δ5′(1′)Iminium Ion

Nicotine, the major addictive agent in tobacco, is metabolized primarily by CYP2A6-catalyzed oxidation. The product of this reaction, 5'-hydroxynicotine, is in equilibrium with the nicotine Δ5'(1')iminium ion and is further metabolized to cotinine. We reported previously that both CYP2A6 and the closely related extrahepatic enzyme CYP2A13 were inactivated during nicotine metabolism; however, inactivation occurred after metabolism was complete. This led to the hypothesis that oxidation of a nicotine metabolite, possibly the nicotine Δ5'(1')iminium ion, was responsible for generating the inactivating species. In the studies presented here, we confirm that the nicotine Δ5'(1')iminium ion is an inactivator of both CYP2A6 and CYP2A13, and inactivation depends on time, concentration, and the presence of NADPH. Inactivation was not reversible and was accompanied by a parallel loss in spectrally active protein, as measured by reduced CO spectra. These data are consistent with the characterization of the nicotine Δ5'(1')iminium ion as a mechanism-based inactivator of both CYP2A13 and CYP2A6. We also confirm that both CYP2A6 and CYP2A13 catalyze the metabolism of the nicotine Δ5'(1')iminium ion to cotinine and provide evidence that both enzymes catalyze the sequential metabolism of the nicotine Δ5'(1')iminium ion. That is, a fraction of the cotinine formed may not be released from the enzyme before further oxidation to 3'-hydroxycotinine.
The Art of Induction/Augmentation of Labor

To manage safely and effectively oxytocin administration, nurses must be knowledgeable in theory and skilled in technique. Current theory is explored regarding initiation of labor and cervical ripening. The pharmacology of oxytocin, uterine response to endogenous and exogenous stimulation of oxytocin, and current methods being used to induce/augment labor are discussed. A protocol to provide safe, effective guidelines for managing induction/augmentation of labor is provided. The goal in oxytocin administration is to use the minimum dose necessary to facilitate and maintain an effective uterine response and avoid hyperstimulation and fetal distress.
Learning an integral equation approximation to nonlinear anisotropic diffusion in image processing

Multiscale image enhancement and representation is an important part of biological and machine early vision systems. The process of constructing this representation must be both rapid and insensitive to noise, while retaining image structure at all scales. This is a complex task as small scale structure is difficult to distinguish from noise, while larger scale structure requires more computational effort. In both cases, good localization can be problematic. Errors can also arise when conflicting results at different scales require cross-scale arbitration. Structure sensitive multiscale techniques attempt to analyze an image at a variety of scales within a single image. Various techniques are compared. In this paper, we present a technique which obtains an approximate solution to the partial differential equation (PDE) for a specific time, via the solution of an integral equation which is the nonlinear analog of convolution. The kernel function of the integral equation plays the same role that a Green's function does for a linear PDE, allowing the direct solution of the nonlinear PDE for a specific time without requiring integration through intermediate times. We then use a learning technique to approximate the kernel function for arbitrary input images. The result is an improvement in speed and noise-sensitivity, as well as providing a means to parallelize an otherwise serial algorithm.
POLLEN LIMITATION AND THE EVOLUTION OF SELF-COMPATIBILITY IN LINANTHUS (POLEMONIACEAE)

The magnitude of pollen limitation of reproduction was compared in three annual species of Linanthus with contrasting mating systems. In a 2‐yr study, pollen limitation of total female reproductive success was measured in three populations of each species by comparing seed and fruit set in paired pollen‐supplemented and open‐pollinated plants. Linanthus parviflorus, a self‐incompatible species, was found to be pollen limited for some measures of reproductive success in all populations in 1 yr and in two populations in the other. In contrast, no significant pollen limitation was detected in Linanthus bicolor, a highly selfing species, and in two populations of Linanthus jepsonii, a partially outcrossing but self‐compatible species, indicating that autogamous selfing is providing reproductive assurance in most populations of these species. Significant spatial and temporal variation in pollen limitation was found in L. parviflorus and L. jepsonii. Although variable pollinator abundance is likely to have been...
Overcoming Unix kernel deficiencies in a portable, distributed storage system

The implementation of the LINCS storage system, a fast, scalable, distributed storage system implemented on top of the Unix operating system, is discussed. The focus is on satisfying the performance requirements of a large-scale storage system. A number of kernel modifications and additions were made to overcome a number of Unix kernel deficiencies. These deficiencies included the lack of a lightweight tasking facility in the kernel, process-blocked I/O (input/output), inefficient data copies between user and system space, and the lack of optimized drivers for leading-edge storage devices. >
Spatial Diversity in Signal Strength based WLAN Location Determination Systems

Literature indicates that spatial diversity can be utilized to compensate channel uncertainties such as multipath fading. Therefore, in this paper, spatial diversity is exploited for locating stationary and mobile objects in the indoor environment. First, space diversity technique is introduced for small scale motion and temporal variation compensation of received signal strength and it is demonstrated analytically that it enhances location accuracy. Small scale motion refers to movements of the transmitter and/or the receiver of the order of sub-wavelengths while temporal effects refer to environmental variations with time. A novel metric is introduced for selection combining in order to improve location accuracy through the addition of spatial diversity upon two available location determination schemes. The results are evaluated experimentally against single antenna system for reception by using low cost wireless RF devices such as motes. Alternatively, the impact of the number of location determination devices in a probabilistic WLAN network based on pre-profiling of signal strength is analyzed and it is demonstrated analytically that location accuracy improves with the number of receivers used. Spatial diversity in terms of the antenna spacing of 2lambda is evaluated and shown to provide a reduction in location determination error between 30 and 40% when compared to a single antenna system.
Transformations for early reply and forward message passing mechanisms

Summary Message passing notations (language, package, etc.) typically include some form of asynchronous or synchronous invocation. In a synchronous invocation, the invoker waits for the invocation's servicer to pass back results. Some message passing notations also include early reply or deferred reply (including forwarding), which alters how and when the servicer passes back its results; this additional flexibility is useful in realistic applications. It is well known how to transform a synchronous invocation into only asynchronous invocations. This paper extends such transformations to early reply and forward. This paper also describes the use of these transformations within the implementations of programming notations. Using the transformation simplifies the implementation without significantly affecting run-time costs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.