cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nitric Oxide Causes Apoptosis in Pulmonary Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Nitric oxide (NO), a product of certain cytokine-activated cells, affects rates of apoptosis, a mechanism of programmed cell death. We asked whether NO affected rates of apoptosis in pulmonary vascular cells. Using rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, we studied direct effects of the NO donorSG-nitroso-acetyl-d,l-penicillamine (SNAP) and the effects of NO endogenously synthesized in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α (a combination called cytomix for convenience). We determined apoptosis on the basis of light microscopy and the bromodeoxyuridine terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase reaction (BrdUTdT). Both SNAP- and cytomix-induced synthesis of NO resulted in histologic evidence of apoptosis based upon fluorescence microscopy using propidium iodide. SNAP (10−5M) increased BrdUTdT-positive cells from 17.5 to 78.4% compared with basal medium alone, with the maximal response occurring at 15 h or exposure. Exposing cells to LPS and cytokines induced NO production (from 0.1 ± 0.1 to 24.6 ± 0.5 μM,P< 0.05) caused cytological changes consistent with apoptosis and led to an increase of increased BrdUTdT-positive cells from 11 to 41% at 12 h compared with basal medium alone. The competitive NO synthase inhibitorNG-monomethyl-l-arginine inhibited both NO synthesis and NO apoptosis, returning the proportion of BrdUTdT-positive cells (6%) to levels below control.l-Arginine (0.5 mM) restored percentages to those increase in response to endogenously synthesized NO, and NO is a potential mechanism of acute lung injury in response to inflammatory cytokines.
On the acoustic correlates of high and low nuclear pitch accents in American English

Earlier findings in Shue et al. (2007, 2008) raised questions about the alignment of nuclear pitch accents in American English, which are addressed here by eliciting both high and low pitch accents in two different target words in several different positions in a single-phrase utterance (early, late but not final, and final) from 20 speakers (10 male, 10 female). Results show that the F"0 peak associated with a high nuclear pitch accent is systematically displaced to an earlier point in the target word if that word is final in the phrase and thus bears the boundary-related tones as well. This effect of tonal crowding holds across speakers, genders and target words, but was not observed for low accents, adding to the growing evidence that low targets behave differently from highs. Analysis of energy shows that, across target words and genders, the average energy level of a target word is greatest at the start of an utterance and decreases with increasing proximity to the utterance boundary. Duration measures confirms the findings of existing literature on main-stress-syllable lengthening, final syllable lengthening, and lengthening associated with pitch accents, and reveals that final syllable lengthening is further enhanced if the final word also carries a pitch accent. Individual speaker analyses found that while most speakers conformed to the general trends for pitch movements there were 2/10 male and 1/10 female speakers who did not. These results show the importance of taking into account prosodic contexts and speaker variability when interpreting correlates to prosodic events such as pitch accents.
Oxytalan Fibers in the Periodontium of Ascorbic Acid-Deficient Guinea Pigs

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUAFIBRAS DE OXYTALANO IN LE PERIODONTIO DE PORCOS DE INDIA A CARENTIA DE ACIDO ASCORBIC.—Le function del fibras de oxytalano non es cognoscite. Per medio de technicas de tincturation histochimic, il ha essite constatate que fibras de oxytalano differe de fibras de collageno in lor structura chimic e in lor orientation. Le objectivo del presente investigation esseva clarificar le natura de iste fibras a base de un evaluation del responsa de fibras de oxytalano a un manco de acido ascorbic. Esseva constatate que le fibras de collageno in le membrana periodontal declinava in numeros con le crescente severitate del carentia de acido ascorbic durante que le fibras de oxytalano remaneva inalterate in lor numeros e in lor distribution.
Fasting: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Applications

Fasting has been practiced for millennia, but, only recently, studies have shed light on its role in adaptive cellular responses that reduce oxidative damage and inflammation, optimize energy metabolism, and bolster cellular protection. In lower eukaryotes, chronic fasting extends longevity, in part, by reprogramming metabolic and stress resistance pathways. In rodents intermittent or periodic fasting protects against diabetes, cancers, heart disease, and neurodegeneration, while in humans it helps reduce obesity, hypertension, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, fasting has the potential to delay aging and help prevent and treat diseases while minimizing the side effects caused by chronic dietary interventions.
The mechanics of muscle function in locomotion.

Abstract An engineering analysis has been developed which enables the forces transmitted by the joints of the lower limb to be calculated from experimental data. This paper describes a further extension of the analysis to investigate the mechanics of muscle action in locomotion. The results describe the relation of muscle tension to length and velocity and the function of muscle in the production and absorption of energy.
Am I as You See Me or Do You See Me as I Am? Self-Fulfilling Prophecies and Self-Verification

This research investigated the extent to which self-fulfilling prophecies and self-verification occurred among 108 teachers and 1,692 students in 108 sixth-grade public school math classrooms. Results demonstrated three main findings. Self-fulfilling prophecies and self-verification occurred simultaneously in a context where perceivers and targets had highly valid information on which to base their initial perceptions. The availability of highly valid information led perceivers and targets to develop initially similar perceptions before mutual influence took place. High similarity between perceivers’ and targets’ initial perceptions had no effect on the power of self-verification but weakened the effect of self-fulfilling prophecies for some targets. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for extended and close relationships and how the nature of people’s perceptions may influence the power of self-fulfilling prophecies and self-verification.
Pre-existing undiagnosed central diabetes insipidus unmasked after renal transplantation

Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is characterized clinically by the presence of polyuria with the subsequent development of volume depletion and hypernatremia. In patients with dialysisdependent end-stage renal disease (ESRD), neither of these findings can be expressed due to the absence of renal function. A 59-year-old woman with anuric ESRD of unknown etiology had been on peritoneal dialysis for 8 years prior to receiving a cadaveric allograft. Postoperatively, she developed persistent polyuria and hypernatremia. A desmopressin test confirmed the diagnosis of CDI. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed an empty sella turcica. Maintenance therapy with intranasal desmopressin resulted in complete resolution of the polyuria. At 6-month follow-up on daily desmopressin, the patient maintains normal serum sodium levels and stable allograft function. This is a unique case of CDI from empty sella syndrome (ESS) that was unmasked only after the restoration of normal renal function following successful renal transplantation.
trans-dominant mutants of E1A provide genetic evidence that the zinc finger of the trans-activating domain binds a transcription factor.

Abstract The 289R E1A protein of adenovirus stimulates transcription of early viral and certain cellular genes. trans-Activation requires residues 140 to 188, which encompass a zinc finger. Several studies have indicated that trans-activation by E1A is mediated through cellular transcription factors. In particular, the ability of the trans-dominant E1A point mutant hr5 (Ser-185 to Asn) to inhibit wild-type E1A trans-activation was proposed to result from the sequestration of a cellular factor. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we individually replaced every residue within and flanking the trans-activating domain with a conservative amino acid, revealing 16 critical residues. Six of the individual substitutions lying in a contiguous stretch C terminal to the zinc finger (carboxyl region183-188) imparted a trans-dominant phenotype. trans-Dominance was even produced by deletion of the entire carboxyl region183-188. Conversely, an intact finger region147-177 was absolutely required for trans-dominance, since second-site substitution of every critical residue in this region abrogated the trans-dominant phenotype of the hr5 protein. These data indicate that the finger region147-177 bind a limiting cellular transcription factor and that the carboxyl region183-188 provides a separate and essential function. In addition, we show that four negatively charged residues within the trans-activating domain do not comprise a distinct acidic activating region. We present a model in which the trans-activating domain of E1A binds to two different cellular protein targets through the finger and carboxyl regions.
Targeting the incretin system in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The incretins have emerged as key targets in the modern treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Understanding the physiology of the incretins is essential to the physician's ability to appropriately use emerging pharmacotherapies that target this system. This review describes incretin physiology and discusses recent trials of drugs that modulate this system in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. A MEDLINE search using the terms “GLP-1” (ie, glucagon-like peptide 1), “incretins,” “exenatide,” and “DPP-IV inhibitors” (ie, dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors) was performed, and pertinent articles from the past 10 years were reviewed. Articles describing incretin physiology and clinical trials with exenatide and dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors were identified and discussed. As the articles show, new medications manipulating the incretin system are an important part of treating type 2 diabetes. The cost of these drugs and their potential side effects in comparison with existing agents must be considered when they are being selected as part of a treatment regimen. However, the evidence to date offers much promise and enthusiasm. Mt Sinai J Med 76:244–256, 2009. © 2009 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Mapping and subcloning of genes involved in nodulation competitiveness from Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii T24

Trifolitoxin consists of 10 amino acids with a thiazoline ring and a UV-absorbing chromophore of unknown structure (Triplett et al., 1988). It is produced by the ineffective strain, R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii T24 and is bacteriostatic toward R. leguminosarum and R. fredii (Triplett and Barta, 1987). Production of trifolitoxin by T24 limits nodulation of clover roots by trifolitoxin-sensitive rhizobia (Schwinghamer and Belkengren, 1968; Triplett and Barta, 1987). The trifolitoxin production and resistance genes (tfx) have been cloned from a genomic library of T24 DNA (Triplett, 1988).
An overset-grid method for 3D unsteady incompressible flows

A composite-grid numerical method is developed for simulating unsteady, three-dimensional (3D), incompressible flows in complex geometries. The governing equations are solved using a second-order accurate, finite-volume method based on the dual time-stepping artificial compressibility approach. Overset grids are employed to discretize arbitrarily complex geometries, and a new interface algorithm is developed to facilitate communication between neighboring grids. The algorithm is inspired by the necessary and sufficient conditions for satisfying global mass conservation in a composite domain and is simple to implement in 3D. Numerical experiments show that the new interpolation scheme is superior to straightforward, trilinear interpolation of all flow variables as it minimizes non-physical spurious oscillations in the overlap region, is less sensitive to grid refinement, and greatly enhances the computational efficiency of the iterative algorithm. The advantages of the new method are especially pronounced when adjacent overset subdomains are discretized with different spatial resolutions. The potential of the method as a powerful technique for simulating complex engineering flows is demonstrated by applying it to calculate vortex shedding from a circular cylinder mounted between two endplates and flow in a rectangular channel with two wall-mounted obstacles.
Abnormal maternal behavior in a donkey as a consequence of neophobia

Abstract A case of a neonatal donkey who was persistently trying to suckle was presented. His dam, a feral donkey, was biting and kicking him occasionally and threatening him frequently. A full history was taken. The cause of the persistent suckling was probably hunger because the dam was not supplying enough milk. The lack of milk was secondary to lack of drinking water. Water was available, but the jenny would not drink from the bucket supplied. She had been moved, at foaling, from a paddock with other donkeys to a stall with which she was not familiar. Before foaling, she had never drunk from that particular bucket. When she was moved to an enclosure with another donkey and a different water bucket from which she was willing to drink, the suckling attempts decreased and her aggression ceased. The diagnosis was neophobia on the part of the jenny with secondary excessive suckling by the foal and tertiary aggression toward the foal by the jenny.
Obesity and sex interact in the regulation of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, for which a number of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle risk factors have been identified. A significant modifiable risk factor is obesity in mid-life. Interestingly, both obesity and AD exhibit sex differences and are regulated by sex steroid hormones. Accumulating evidence suggests interactions between obesity and sex in regulation of AD risk, although the pathways underlying this relationship are unclear. Inflammation and the E4 allele of apolipoprotein E have been identified as independent risk factors for AD and both interact with obesity and sex steroid hormones. We review the individual and cooperative effects of obesity and sex on development of AD and examine the potential contributions of apolipoprotein E, inflammation, and their interactions to this relationship.
Vertically aligned lead Titanate Nanowire arrays for high temperature energy harvesting

Over the past few decades, the increasing demand for self-powered devices has led to an immense amount of research in the field of energy harvesting from renewable mechanical energies. Often, most of these abundant energy sources are wasted in the form of structural vibrations, acoustic waves or impact energy. Recently, nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) consisting of piezoelectric nanowires have shown excellent electromechanical coupling coefficients which can efficiently convert small amplitude vibrations into useful electrical energy for compact and low power wireless electronic devices. Specifically, high aspect ratio piezoelectric nanowires have shown to have a better deformability and hence produce higher piezoelectric response to low level induced stress. However, current materials are not well suited for energy harvesting from extreme environments. In this study, ultra-long high aspect ratio vertically aligned lead titanate nanowires (45 μm long, AR = 75) are synthesized through a two-step hydrothermal reaction in which sodium titanate nanowires serve as the precursor. Their application in harvesting vibrational energy at temperatures above 300 °C is demonstrated through the characterization of open circuit voltage and power measurements. The results show that the ultra-long vertically aligned lead titanate nanowire array energy harvester can produce up to 22.3 mW m−2 at room temperature and up to 13 mW m−2 at 375 °C. Thus, it is shown that the energy harvester can provide enough energy density for many self-powered, high-temperature applications.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Let's Hope the New OECD Guidelines on Money Laundering Will Not Create More Unnecessary Tax Auditing

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has just released guidelines to tax administrators and other authorities on what to look out for in uncovering money laundering transactions. Although the guidelines are useful, many authorities will misapply the recommendations in arriving at conclusions that are not supported by fact, simply because a set of facts appear suspicious. Tact and care should be exercised and it should be remembered that, in adversarial systems of law, an accused is only guilty when proven with fact to be guilty, and not by conjecture.This paper sets out the process which taxpayers should follow when facing a tax audit, especially where the audit is triggered by the tax authority's suspicion emanating from the broad parameters set out in the OECD guidelines.
Increased daily movement associates with reduced mortality among COPD patients having systemic inflammation.

Summary Background Emerging research demonstrates an interrelationship between systemic inflammation, physical activity and premature all-cause mortality among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Less common in this literature is the use of objective measures of physical activity and representative samples of COPD patients. Objective To examine the association between objectively measured physical activity and all-cause mortality among a national sample of COPD patients, with stratification by inflammatory status. Methods Data from the 2003 to 2006 NHANES were employed, with follow-up through 2011. Physical activity was objectively measured via accelerometry; COPD was assessed via physician-diagnosis; and inflammation was assessed via C-reactive protein (CRP) levels from a blood sample. Results Analysis included 385 adults (20+ years) with COPD. The median follow-up period was 78 months (IQR = 64–90), with 82 COPD patients dying during this period. After adjustment, physical activity was not associated with all-cause mortality among the entire sample (HR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.61–1.05) or those with no systemic inflammation (HR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.63–1.24). However, for every 60 min increase in physical activity per day, COPD patients with elevated CRP had a 31% reduced risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.51–0.93). Conclusion Physical activity may help to promote survival among COPD patients, particularly those with elevated inflammation.
Numerical Modelling of Langmuir Circulation and Its Application

Nonlinear momentum and vorticity equations incorporating the interaction of surface gravity waves with a drift current were derived in previous studies of Langmuir circulation (Leibovich, 1977). The length, time, and velocity scaling of this set of equations is shown here, for oceanic conditions, to depend only upon the wind speed when suitable empirical formulations are used. These equations together with the continuity equation are solved numerically by use of the semi-spectral method (Orszag and Israeli, 1975) by representing the x-components (parallel to the wind) of velocity (u) and vorticity and the streamfunction (in the y-z plane) by truncated Fourier series. Also, a no-slip condition is used at the bottom boundary to allow the development of a quasi-steady state. Numerical results are obtained for Langmuir numbers (an inverse Reynolds number) of 0.1 and 0.01 with scaled depths of 1, 2, and 4. Two initial conditions are imposed: one from total rest and the other from an initial horizontally uniform velocity parallel to the wind. The wind stress starts abruptly and remains constant. Numerical results indicate that the stream function shows the cellular structure and profiles of the mean velocity u show high shear in the upper and lower layers of each cell. The salient features of Langmuir cells are reproduced and quantitative comparisons show good agreement between previous field measurements and model results using the wind velocity scaling (Faller and Caponi, 1978).
The chemical induction of seizures in psychiatric therapy: were flurothyl (indoklon) and pentylenetetrazol (metrazol) abandoned prematurely?

Background Camphor-induced and pentylenetetrazol-induced brain seizures were first used to relieve psychiatric illnesses in 1934. Electrical inductions (electroconvulsive therapy, ECT) followed in 1938. These were easier and less expensive to administer and quickly became the main treatment method. In 1957, seizure induction with the inhalant anesthetic flurothyl was tested and found to be clinically effective.For many decades, complaints of memory loss have stigmatized and inhibited ECT use. Many variations of electricity in form, electrode placement, dosing, and stimulation method offered some relief, but complaints still limit its use. Methods The experience with chemical inductions of seizures was reviewed based on searches for reports of each agent in Medline and in the archival files of original studies by the early investigators. Findings Camphor injections were inefficient and were rapidly replaced by pentylenetetrazol. These were effective but difficult to administer. Flurothyl inhalation-induced seizures were as clinically effective as electrical inductions with lesser effects on memory functions. Flurothyl inductions were discarded because of the persistence of the ethereal aroma and the fears induced in the professional staff that they might seize. Conclusions Persistent complaints of memory loss plague electricity induced seizures. Flurothyl induced seizures are clinically as effective without the memory effects associated with electricity. Reexamination of seizure inductions using flurothyl in modern anesthesia facilities is encouraged to relieve medication-resistant patients with mood disorders and catatonia.
The woman's part: The speaking beloved in Roman elegy

Roman elegy is well known for its reversal of traditional Roman gender roles: women are presented in positions of power, chiefly but not exclusively erotic, that bear little or no relation to women's lived experience in the first century b.c.e . Yet the way elegy presents the beloved in a position of power over her lover, as Sharon James has observed, ‘retains standard Roman social and power structures, thus suggesting an inescapable inequity even within a private love affair: rather than sharing goals and desires, lover and beloved are placed in a gendered opposition … Hence resistant reading by the domina is an anticipated and integral part of the genre’. James's remark is indeed correct for each of the instances in which the domina , or female beloved, speaks directly. When she does so, as James also shows, she speaks at cross-purposes with her lover, following a script that is designed ‘to destabilize him’ in an attempt to keep his interest. Yet what has not been noticed is that when the beloved is instead male, the situation is quite different. Tibullus' Marathus in poem 1.8, our sole example of a male elegiac beloved-turned-speaker, is the exception that proves the fundamental rule of gender inequity. Marathus, that is, when given the opportunity to speak, does in fact share the aims of a male lover, albeit in pursuit of his own puella . When the gendered opposition so integral to elegy is erased, the beloved no longer protests against the strictures of the genre; when both are male, lover and beloved alike are entitled to speak as elegiac lovers.
Measurement of Variables for Army Recruiting/Enlistment Decision Making

A person considering enlisting in the Army faces a number of key choice points as he or she pursues a course of applying to the Army. In this paper, a framework is presented for examination of the enlistment decision process from several theoretical viewpoints. Existing data and missing data are discussed as they relate to satisfying modeling requirements and to meeting Army needs and personnel enlistment goals.
Group-level emotions

Emotions can be experienced not only at the individual level, but also on behalf of social groups by people who belong to and identify with those groups. As outlined in Intergroup Emotions Theory, these emotions are driven by appraisals of objects or events in terms of their relevance for the group (rather than the individual). They shift depending on currently salient group memberships, and are moderated by the degree of identification with the group. Consequences of group-based emotions include treatment of outgroups (including bias and discrimination) as well as attitudes and behavior toward the ingroup (including ingroup affiliation and support). A particularly important new direction is the study of emotion regulation processes as they operate with group-based emotions, with some recent research suggesting that emotion regulation interventions may be helpful in ameliorating intractable intergroup conflicts.
HPLC determination of Rhodamine B in foods

Objective:To establish a method for the determination of Rhodamine B in food by HPLC method.Methods: Samples were extracted,purified,concentrated,and then went into the high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC),separated by C18 and detected by UV/visible(UV/VIS) detector.Results: There is a good linearity in the range of 0.1 mg/L～10 mg/L,correlation coefficient(r) is 0.9994 or more,the method recovery is 96.1%～100.4%,relative standard deviation RSD(%) is 1.8%～3.9%.Conclusion: The method is simple,sensitive,less interference,accuracy and reliable with good selectivity and good precision.
Analysis on the surveillance of adverse events following immunization in Futian district of Shenzhen,2009-2010

Objective The study is to analyze the occurrence features of adverse event following immunization(AEFI) in Futian district of Shenzhen.Methods The AEFI data of 2009-2010 were collected through the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention.The descriptive methodology was used in the study.Results 394 AEFI cases of 2009-2010 were reported.65.74% cases were ≤2 years old.The ratio of male and female was 1.28∶1.79.44% cases happened within ld after vaccination.In the classification of AEFI cases,59.14% cases were common vaccine reactions,14.65% were rare vaccine reactions and 18.27% cases were coincidental event.The first three clinical manifestations were fever,redness and nodule(57.11%),allergic eruption(19.54%)and aseptic obscess(5.08%).394 AEFI cases were all with good prognosis,with no sequelae and died.The first three vaccines were measles attenuated live vaccine(17.51%),DTwP(15.99%),InfV-Sp(14.47%).The estimate reported incidence of different vaccines were 28.53～1 495.00 per million doses.Conclusion Sensitivity and quality of AEFI monitor in Futian district were improved greatly in 2009-2010,and all the monitoring indicators had reach the standard,but the estimate reported incidence of vaccines was still lower than WHO′s expected incidence,so the work still needs to be strengthened.
mir-276a strengthens Drosophila circadian rhythms by regulating timeless expression

Circadian rhythms in metazoan eukaryotes are controlled by an endogenous molecular clock. It functions in many locations, including subsets of brain neurons (clock neurons) within the central nervous system. Although the molecular clock relies on transcription/translation feedback loops, posttranscriptional regulation also plays an important role. Here, we show that the abundant Drosophila melanogaster microRNA mir-276a regulates molecular and behavioral rhythms by inhibiting expression of the important clock gene timeless (tim). Misregulation of mir-276a in clock neurons alters tim expression and increases arrhythmicity under standard constant darkness (DD) conditions. mir-276a expression itself appears to be light-regulated because its levels oscillate under 24-h light-dark (LD) cycles but not in DD. mir-276a is regulated by the transcription activator Chorion factor 2 in flies and in tissue-culture cells. Evidence from flies mutated using the clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) tool shows that mir-276a inhibits tim expression: Deleting the mir-276a-binding site in the tim 3' UTR causes elevated levels of TIM and ∼50% arrhythmicity. We suggest that this pathway contributes to the more robust rhythms observed under light/dark LD conditions than under DD conditions.
New concepts of chronic pain and their implications.

When chronic pain fails to respond to therapy, the approach often has been based on outmoded concepts of the nature of pain. The current unified pain theory takes into account recent biochemical advances and can serve as a basis for more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Various treatment modalities are reviewed in the context of the psychology as well as the physiology of severe intractable pain.
Pragmatics of Human Communication

The book Pragmatics of Human Communication, published in 1967, was a groundbreaking statement about the functions of interpersonal communication, particularly as it relates to behavioral and psychiatric problems. The two major contributions of the book were its presentation of axioms of human communication and elaboration of the double-bind hypothesis associated with family interaction and schizophrenia. Some of the axioms of communication were controversial and overstated but have enduring heuristic values to students and scholars of human communication. The double-bind hypothesis, although never substantiated, played an important role in the formation of the interpersonal paradigm in mental health. Keywords: communication theory; conflict; family communication; interpersonal communication
Reproductive Rights Litigation May Spawn New Claim for Thwarting Ability to Have Child

The landmark abortion decision in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt eclipsed quieter reproductive rights news out of the Supreme Court at the end of its term. It involves a couple's claim that the Tennessee Supreme Court violated their equal protection rights by refusing to recognize "disruption of family planning as either an independent cause of action or element of damages." You won't have heard about this case. It wasn't a merits judgment, but a decision not to decide. The Court's denial of certiorari in Rye v. Women's Care Center of Memphis has gone all but unremarked. It shouldn't. This article discussing the case incorporates insights from Professor Dov Fox, whose article entitled "Reproductive Negligence" (forthcoming in Columbia Law Review) elaborates on the significance of wrongdoing that imposes, deprives, and confounds procreation.
On-orbit measurement of ISS vibrations during OPALS extended mission operations

Detailed understanding of the International Space Station vibration environment, particularly for the unpressurized portions of the platform, is and has been of high interest to payload developers seeking precision pointing performance due to its potential impact on on-orbit operations. The availability of such information, however, especially measured data, has been scarce, usually forcing investigators to utilize conservative bounding assumptions. During extended mission operations aboard the ISS at ELC 1, FRAM 8, the OPALS payload conducted a series of experiments aimed at improving the understanding of this key environmental parameter. The payload was repurposed for performing open-loop tracking of a ground-based laser beacon in a step-and-stare fashion so as to minimize the effects of its own gimbal on the measurement. Following significant processing of data acquired at 100Hz, the root-mean-square jitter at the OPALS mounting location is estimated to be in the 20–30 microradians range, and may even be in the low teens under certain conditions, an order of magnitude lower than previously assumed value.
Bridging theory and practice for L1 influence in L2 writing development in the expanding circle

AbstractThis article provides a quick overview of the gap between theory and practice for second language (L2) writing development in China, a typical context in the expanding circle. It synthesize...
The Erythroblastic Island

Erythroblastic islands are specialized microenvironmental compartments within which definitive mammalian erythroblasts proliferate and differentiate. These islands consist of a central macrophage that extends cytoplasmic protrusions to a ring of surrounding erythroblasts. The interaction of cells within the erythroblastic island is essential for both early and late stages of erythroid maturation. It has been proposed that early in erythroid maturation the macrophages provide nutrients, proliferative and survival signals to the erythroblasts, and phagocytose extruded erythroblast nuclei at the conclusion of erythroid maturation. There is also accumulating evidence for the role of macrophages in promoting enucleation itself. The central macrophages are identified by their unique immunophenotypic signature. Their pronounced adhesive properties, ability for avid endocytosis, lack of respiratory bursts, and consequent release of toxic oxidative species, make them perfectly adapted to function as nurse cells. Both macrophages and erythroblasts display adhesive interactions that maintain island integrity, and elucidating these details is an area of intense interest and investigation. Such interactions enable regulatory feedback within islands via cross talk between cells and also trigger intracellular signaling pathways that regulate gene expression. An additional control mechanism for cellular growth within the erythroblastic islands is through the modulation of apoptosis via feedback loops between mature and immature erythroblasts and between macrophages and immature erythroblasts. The focus of this chapter is to outline the mechanisms by which erythroblastic islands aid erythropoiesis, review the historical data surrounding their discovery, and highlight important unanswered questions.
Computed tomography for occult fractures of the proximal femur, pelvis, and sacrum in clinical practice: single institution, dual-site experience

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of CT for assessment of occult fractures of the proximal femur, pelvis, and sacrum. A retrospective review was performed on patients who received a CT of the hip or pelvis for suspected occult fracture after negative or equivocal radiographs performed within 24 h. The official radiology report was utilized for the determination of CT findings and calculation of sensitivity and specificity. Surgical reports, MRI reports, and clinical follow-up were used as the standard of reference. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Seventy-four patients received CT of the hip or pelvis for clinical concern for occult fracture after negative or equivocal radiographs. By the reference standard, a total of 40 fractures were present in 25/74 (33.8%) patients, including 35 conservatively treated fractures of the greater trochanter, pelvis, and sacrum, and 5 operatively treated proximal femoral fractures. A total of 14/74 (18.9%) of patients had an MRI within 1 day of CT. MRI identified an operatively treated femoral neck fracture not seen on CT and an operatively treated intertrochanteric fracture, which CT described as a greater trochanteric fracture. There were two false negative conservatively treated pelvic fractures not seen on CT but diagnosed on MRI. On a per-patient basis, CT had an overall sensitivity of 88% (22/25; 95% confidence intervals 69–97%), specificity of 98% (48/49; 95% confidence intervals 89–100%), and negative predictive value of 94%. For the five operative proximal femoral fractures, the sensitivity of CT was 60% (3/5; 95% confidence intervals 15–95%), specificity was 99% (68/69; 95% confidence intervals 92–100%), and negative predictive value was 97%. In the clinical setting of suspected occult fracture, the sensitivity of clinical CT reports for detection of any type of fracture of the proximal femur, pelvis, or sacrum was 88%. For the small number of operatively treated proximal femoral fractures seen in the study, sensitivity of CT was 60% (3/5) and negative predictive value was 97%, although the relatively few patients needing fixation precludes statistical analysis.
MediaSynch Issues for Computer-Supported Cooperative Work

Computer-supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) systems are often complex distributed applications that incorporate a number of different tools working in concert to support goal- and task-driven collaborations that involve multiple sites and participants. These systems exhibit a wide variety of different system and communication architectures both within and between participating sites. In this chapter, we describe and characterize CSCW systems with respect to media synchronization requirements, identify a number of common challenges that arise as a result, and review a variety of protocol coordination techniques and mechanisms that can be brought to bear.
Delay line with different receiver-resonator channels as an all mechanical front-end of a discrete matched filter for wake-up radios

We present the conceptual approach, theoretical simulations, and experimental results of a new radio frequency mechanical signal processor composed of a delay line with one transmitter and several receivers integrated with resonators. The system allows to set different delays and voltage gains for every receiver-resonator subsystem (channel), hence enabling processing of discrete chirp signals or complex frequency-shift keying (FSK) signals. We show results for a 2-channel system. The experimental results show voltage gain and different delay for each channel. This all-mechanical signal processor is ideal for improving signal-to-noise ratio in low-power wake-up radio receivers.
Wayside noise measurement and propagation predictions for four motorcycles categories

Motorcycle noise is distinct from other types of road transportation noise and it varies within this general vehicle type based on design characteristics. One-third octave band sound levels that had been measured for four motorcycles categories (cruiser, sport, dual purpose, and touring) using statistical, isolated pass-by techniques for wayside measurements were analyzed. The spectra are dominated by different frequency components depending on the category and these differences have implications on how sound for different categories propagates over extended distances. This is an important consideration for predicting and mitigating motorcycle noise. To illustrate this, these measurements were used to modify a version of the Federal Highway Administration's Traffic Noise Model. This model was then used to predict noise levels at various distances representative of typical receptor locations for the different motorcycle categories. It is expected that accounting for these differences will aid local, state and federal agencies that wish to improve the management of motorcycle noise in their jurisdictions.
Evoked-Potential Analysis of the Protective Effect of Halothane in Experimental Spinal Cord Injury

Intraoperative spinal cord injury with neurologic involvement is still a major complication of spinal surgery. Investigators have studied each phase of spinal procedures in order to eliminate the occurrence of injury, or to lessen the consequences of an injury, should one occur.
Structure and function of serum and membrane immunoglobulin D (IgD).

IgD was discovered as a unique myeloma protein some 13 years ago (Rowe and Fahey, 1965a) and was demonstrated to be a component in most normal human sera (Rowe and Fahey, 1965b). Certain structural aspects of the molecule have been known for several years; studies have been published on the alterations in serum IgD concentrations in many patient populations. However, owing to the difficulty in demonstrating antibody activity within this class of immunoglobulin, the lack of biological function and the apparent nonavailability of laboratory models for study (Spiegelberg, 1972) few investigators paid attention to IgD.
Effect of particle shape on the filtration rate in an industrial iron ore processing plant

Studies were carried out to determine whether filtration rate changes observed in an iron ore concentrator were due to variations in particle shape. It was confirmed that ores mined from different locations differed in filtration rates by as much as 60%. However, when image analysis was used to quantify the shapes of the individual particles in the filtration feed, it was found that the particle shapes showed almost no variation, and the shapes did not correlate with the filtration rate. It was also determined that the filtration rate variations were not caused by changes in particle size distribution. These results suggest that the differences in filtration rate are due to factors other than size and shape, such as surface chemistry.
The Nature of Emotions

As Aaron Ben-Ze’ev writes in his introduction to the first volume of Philosophy of Emotions, ‘It is easy to feel emotions, but difficult to describe them and even harder to understand them’ (1). Fo...
Dynamic Recitation: A Student-Focused, Goal-Oriented Recitation Management Platform

Computer science universities and colleges around the nation are experiencing large growth in enrollments. To maintain in-person interaction with students, large courses typically include multiple recitations, each led by a Teaching Assistant (TA). Students in each group struggle with various course content, and these weaknesses are best evaluated by the TAs working closely with the students. TAs, however, have only a superficial understanding of education theory, and instructors must closely monitor and evaluate the content of recitations. Existing instruction management systems can be used to organize course-wide content, but, to our knowledge, none of them operate at the granularity of recitations. This poster presents Dynamic Recitation, an open-source platform through which TAs and instructors can create and share practice problems and lesson plans tagged with the learning objectives that they cover. The poster illustrates the interface offered to the TAs for creating problems, designing lesson plans for individual sections, and submitting feedback about student progress. It shows examples of lesson plans created in the system, as well as reports that can be used to identify elements that promote desired learning objectives and refine recitations.
Experience with a High Order Programming Language on the Development of the Nova Distributed Control System

Abstract Interest in the impact of high order languages (HOL) on real time and process control applications development has intensified recently, due in part to the Ada language development effort sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense. High order languages, such as Ada, incorporate state-of-the-art features in the areas of modularity, data abstraction, separate module compilation, strong type checking of data, multi-tasking, distributed processing and exception handling. The intent of such languages is to improve programmer productivity, software maintainability, and the effective management of software development in large real time systems. This paper explores the impact of an HOL on the development of the distributed computer control system for a large laser fusion facility called Nova. Nova utilizes fifty microcomputers and four VAX-11/780’s in its distributed process control computer system. Praxis, a high level real time computer language, was designed and implemented for Nova to support the control system development activity. Praxis is similar to Ada in its design goals, has many features comparable to those found in Ada, and has had operational compilers for over two years. The purpose of this paper is to assist readers who are beginning to evaluate the importance of HOL’s in small to medium scale process control applications. It includes a summary of the major design objectives and features of these HOL’s which is followed by a description of our experiences with Praxis. The article concludes with our preliminary expectations and concerns for the use of Ada within process control applications, based upon Praxis experience.
Existence of a positive solution of an elliptic equation on RN

We prove the existence of a positive solution for the Schrodinger-type equation on RN,−Δu + V(x)u = f(u) for u ∈ H1(RN), provided that The result is obtained in two cases. (a) lim|x|→ ∞V(x) = V (∞) ∈ (0,∞), f is subcritical and supt>0 2F(t)t−2 0 and R* > 0 such that f(t)t−1 0 and |x| ≥ R*.
Clinician and Automated Assessments of Facial Function Following Eyelid Weight Placement.

ImportanceQuantitative assessment of facial function is difficult, and historic grading scales such as House-Brackmann have well-recognized limitations. The electronic, clinician-graded facial func...
Exploring the influence of pavement preservation, maintenance, and rehabilitation on Arkansas’ highway network: an education case study

There is significant literature available on pavement preservation, but the information available to date is highly regional and spread across several years, preventing a simple comparison. A new w...
Skin of Color

In this section we will cover follicular disorders and conditions with abnormal collagen production. The approach to these conditions includes a thorough history and physical exam. Diagnostic work-up for some of these entities is necessary such as laboratory testing or biopsy. Lifestyle practices, topical therapies, intralesional therapies, and systemic treatments may be needed alone or in combination to halt the progression of and in some cases improve these conditions.
Return-to-Sport Considerations in the Pre-Adolescent Athlete

There has been a rise in the number of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears sustained in both the pre-adolescent and adolescent patient populations. There are several factors which should be considered when approaching the surgical management of a skeletally immature patient with an ACL tear. Technical considerations include assessing for bone age to assist with selecting an appropriate surgical technique and graft, sparing the physis when necessary, and being aware of potential complications. Postoperative rehabilitation protocols and return-to-sport testing should be altered to account for the emotional and neuromuscular maturity of the pre-adolescent patient. There are also a variety of psychosocial variables including psychological readiness and fear of reinjury. All these variables and more need to be addressed and discussed with patients and their parents to optimize both expectations and outcomes.