cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An unusual transitory increase of lupus anticoagulant in dengue virus infection complicated with cerebral ischaemia

Dengue is a common mosquito-transmitted viral disease prevalent at many undeveloped and developing countries. Although, neurological complication and hemostatic disturbance are common in dengue virus infection, cerebral ischaemia is barely mentioned. A 61-year-old woman experienced an acute onset of right hemiparesis in her early course of dengue virus type II infection. Extensive laboratory investigation revealed an increase of lupus anticoagulant activity and a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time that were normalized in the convalescent stage. Her human leucocyte antigens were A2, A11, B8, Cw7, DR4 and DR9. This patient highlights the co-operation between transient activation of humoral immunity and preferential immunogenetic for coagulopathic thrombosis in specific viral disease.
Constitutive equations for elastoplastic composites with imperfect bonding

Abstract Closed-form constitutive relations are given for the prediction of the overall response of unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites having constituents that are elastoplastic materials. In these equations the damage mode of imperfect bonding between the fiber and matrix phases is incorporated. The interface decohesion is represented by two parameters that completely determine the degree of adhession at the interfaces in thenormal and tangential directions. Perfect contact, perfectly lubricated contact, and complete debonding are obtained as special cases. In the elastic region, the average stress-strain relations are given in terms of the effective elastic moduli of the damaged composite, all of which are given by closed-form expressions. The derived constitutive equations can be readily implemented for the analysis of metal matrix composites.
Experiments on the nonlinear stages of excited and natural planar jet shear layer transition

An experimental investigation focusing on the nonlinear stages of planar jet shear layer transition is presented. Experimental results for transition under both “natural” and low level artificial forcing conditions are presented and compared. The local spectral dynamics of the jet shear layer is modeled as a nonlinear system based upon a frequency domain, second-order Volterra functional series representation. The local linear and nonlinear wave coupling coefficients are estimated from time-series streamwise velocity fluctuation data. From the linear coupling coefficient, the mean dispersion characteristics and spatial growth rates may be obtained. With the estimation of the nonlinear power transfer function, the total, linear and quadratic nonlinear spectral energy transfer may be locally estimated. When these measures are used in conjunction with the local quadratic bicoherency and linear-quadratic coupling bicoherency, the local system output power may be completely characterized and the effect of nonlinearity on local mean flow distortion assessed. Particular attention is focused upon quantifying the linear and nonlinear power transfer that characterizes the different stages of the jet shear layer transition for both natural and excited flows. The quadratic power transfer that occurs with deviation from the perfect resonant wavenumber matching condition is clarified as is the dynamic mechanism of subharmonic resonance. The mechanism of spectral broadening is described and contrasted for natural and artificially excited flows.
A Compact Implementation of Parasitic Inductance Cancellation for Shunt Capacitor Filters on Multilayer PCBs

Parasitic inductance limits the high-frequency performance of surface mount capacitors in a shunt filtering configuration. This paper introduces a new compact design for cancelling this parasitic inductance that makes use of magnetic coupling between vias, as well as between coplanar traces. This design is intended for use on PCBs with more than two layers, and is an extension of the designs presented in the recent paper by the authors, “Parasitic Inductance Cancellation for Surface Mount Shunt Capacitor Filters.” Implementations of the new design are shown to exhibit similar filtering performance to comparable implementations of previously published designs, while requiring nearly 40% less board area. Additionally, implementations of the design are demonstrated to be effective in the practical situation of filtering the noise due to crosstalk on a four-layer board.
The serotonin type 3A receptor facilitates luteinizing hormone release and LHbeta promoter activity in immortalized pituitary gonadotropes.

The 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3A receptor (5-HT3AR) is a ligand-gated cation channel activated by serotonin. This receptor is expressed throughout the nervous system as well as in the pituitary gland. Although it has been documented that the 5-HT3AR modulates exocytosis in neurons, its role in the pituitary gland has not been determined. Previous research has shown that the 5-HT3AR modulates circulating gonadotropin levels in vivo. It is unclear, however, if its activation in the pituitary gland mediates these effects or if receptors elsewhere in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis are responsible. To investigate the potential for the 5-HT3AR to modulate gonadotropin release from pituitary gonadotropes, the gonadotrope-derived LβT2 cell line was used as a model system and radioimmunoassays were employed to investigate how 5-HT3AR activation influences luteinizing hormone (LH) release. Our studies demonstrate that gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated LH release was decreased by the 5-HT3AR-specific antagonist MDL 72222 in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, it was found that overexpressing the 5-HT3AR in LβT2 cells enhanced both basal and GnRH-stimulated LH release and also increased LHβ gene promoter activity. These results suggest that the 5-HT3AR may participate in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis at the level of the pituitary gonadotrope to mediate pituitary hormone release.
Effect of multiple substorms on the buildup of the ring current

[1] The effect of magnetospheric substorms on the ring current is not completely understood. Using a combination of the University of Michigan's BAT-S-RUS Model and Fok Ring Current Model, we modeled the effects of multiple substorms on the ring current by modeling multiple dipolarizations in the tail. Increasing the number of substorms corresponds to increases in the number of injections into the ring current. The ionospheric potential increases during periods of southward IMF. Energy increases are more dependent on the duration of large ionospheric potential than the number of substorm dipolarizations.
Machiavellian Democracy by John P. McCormick

Imagine an America in which indictments by the people could be brought against Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger for the secret bombing of neutral Cambodia that killed thousands of civilians and paved the way for the rise of the murderous Khmer Rouge regime. Imagine a college of tribunes, drawn by lot exclusively from the pool of ordinary citizens, that could initiate charges against George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, and John Yoo as torturers, or indict the heads of financial institutions for the crimes that triggered economic ruin in 2008. Consider how different American democracy might be if its governing institutions included a body of and for the plebs, empowered to veto one major piece of legislation a year (perhaps the recent extension of the Bush tax cuts) or oversee an annual national referendum (maybe on a single-payer health insurance plan).
Effect of phenol and sodium octanoate on the astrocyte benzodiazepine receptor

Alterations in the benzodiazepine (BZD) receptor system have been proposed as key factors in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). To date, the focus of research has been exclusively on the central-type neuronal receptor. However, astrocytes also possess BZD receptors which are of the peripheral-type. In recent studies we found an increased affinity of the astrocyte BZD receptor, using [3H]Ro5-4864 as the ligand, after treatment of cell cultures with ammonia, an agent strongly implicated in HE. The present study was undertaken to determine whether other suspected toxins in HE (phenol and octanoic acid) produce comparable effects. Scatchard analysis of the binding of [3H]Ro5-4864 to astrocyte homogenates showed a significant decrease in Bmax in cells that had been treated with 0.5, 1.0 and 3.0 mM phenol (46%, 58% and 68%, respectively). The same homogenates also showed a significant decrease in Kd after treatment with 0.5 mM phenol. No change in either affinity or receptor number was seen with 0.5, 1.0 and 3.0 mM sodium octanoate. Our results indicate that phenol, but not sodium octanoate, has an effect on the astrocyte BZD receptor. Thus, different agents that have been implicated in HE produce varying effects on the astrocytic BZD receptor. These findings suggest that the astrocyte benzodiazepine receptor may be involved in the pathogenesis of HE.
Inducing comprehension in the bilateral poor reader.

The comprehension effects of changes in the spatial configuration of prose were examined with reading disabled children who differed in laterality preference. Specifically, 24 learning disabled boys were presented with prose materials in a standard, phrased, and backward (right to left) fashion. Measures of comprehension showed that text in the phrased and backward conditions differentially facilitated comprehension for the more bilateral subjects but had little effect on more right lateralized subjects. the results were discussed in terms of the instructional implications of alterations in the visual-spatial arrangement of prose materials for bilateral readers.
IMMUNOGENICITY OF TWO PNEUMOCOCCAL CONJUGATE VACCINES • 766

To assess the immunogenicity of octavalent pneumococcal vaccines that contained either 3 μg of each serotype conjugated to diphtheria toxoid(PncD) or 1 μg of each serotype conjugated to tetanus toxoid (PncT), 80 infants (20 at each of 4 sites) were enrolled to receive one of these vaccines(a total of 40 infants for each vaccine) given separately but at the same time as other routine immunizations (PRP-T, DTP and OPV) at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. Antibody concentrations before each dose and one month after the third dose were determined by ELISA (after adsorption of serum to C-polysaccharide) by Connaught Laboratories. Adverse side effects were minimal. The geometric mean concentrations (GMT) of IgG antibody (μg/ml) against each serotype and against PRP are shown below. Both vaccines induced significant (P<0.05, and in most instances <0.001) increases in concentrations of antibody against each serotype of pneumococcus (except for PncT against type 9V); GMTs of IgG at 7 months against serotypes 4, 6B and 9V were significantly higher in infants who had received PncT than in those who had received PncD (P<0.003). We conclude that both PncD and PncT induce significant increases in concentrations of serotype-specific anti-pneumococcal antibodies. Concentrations of type-specific antibodies at 7 months of age among children who received PncT were similar to or greater than those of children who received PncD. Table
Sleep as a general activation procedure in electroencephalography.

Abstract Sleep or drowsy state recording were obtained in 881 of 1,000 consecutive EEG studies. Abnormalities of significant value in the EEG evaluations were encountered in 78 and of contributory value in 123. Sleep wastmost useful in the study of the epilepsies; more than half of the abnormalities were seen in this diagnostic category. Sleep was also of definite value in the examination of post-traumatic cases. The usefulness in other brain diseases was less striking. Nevertheless, it is our opinion that, particularly when the waking state record is inconclusive, recording during the sleep state may yield valuable information and should be used whenever possible.
Characterization of fly ash from Kentucky power plants

Abstract Fly ashes from 21 Kentucky power plants were grouped according to the sulfur content of the feed coal. The highest-carbon fly ashes tended to be from the lowest-sulfur feed coals, partly because many of those plants were smaller and older than the higher-sulfur units. Iron oxide content increased at the expense of aluminium and silicon oxides in the higher-sulfur feed ashes. An increase in calcium and magnesium oxides towards the higher-sulfur feed ashes was due to the greater abundance of carbonate minerals in the higher-sulfur Illinois Basin coals. The highest arsenic values were among electrostatic precipitator ashes from medium-sulfur sources. The arsenic and lead contents of low- and medium-sulfur central Appalachian coals could be higher than those of high-sulfur Illinois Basin coals. Where direct comparison of fly ash and bottom ash was possible, the bottom ash was enriched in Fe 2 O 3 relative to the fly ash and most minor elements were depleted in the bottom ash relative to the fly ash. TCLP testing of selected fly ashes indicated that all of the leachates would pass the established RCRA limits. Some of the higher As and Cr levels were from fly ashes in the highest-sulfur category. For As, though, there is no significant correlation between fly ash As and leachate As.
X-Ray Activity in the Open Cluster IC 4665

We present the results of a joint ROSAT High Resolution Imager (HRI) and optical investigation of the open cluster IC 4665. The ROSAT data contains detections for 28 stellar sources in the field, including 22 cluster members and candidate members spanning the color range -0.18 less than or equal to (B - V(sub o)) less than or equal to +1.63 (approx. B3 - M3). Upper limits are given for the remaining members (or candidate members) in the HRI field. Keck HIRES spectra have been obtained that yield radial and rotational velocity measures, respectively, for faint, low mass candidate members located within the field of the ROSAT HRI observation. In addition, photometry of possible optical counterparts to previously uncatalogued X-ray sources in the HRI field is presented. The trends in X-ray properties with (B - V) color in IC 4665 are found to be quite similar to that for other, more nearby young clusters such as the Pleiades and alpha Persei. In particular, a maximum in normalized X-ray luminosity of log (L(sub x)/L(sub bol)) approx. equal 3 is observed, beginning in the color range of (B - V)(sub o) = 0.7 - 0.8. This is similar to the corresponding color range among Pleiades members, in agreement with the earlier estimate, that the age of IC 4665 is similar to the age of the Pleiades. The correlation of rotation and X-ray emission levels is consistent with that in other young clusters. Among the high mass stars in IC 4665, five B stars are detected as X-ray sources. Of these, one is a spectroscopic binary while the remaining objects are apparently single staxs. The level of intrinsic X-ray emission observed in the rapidly rotating (v sini greater than 200 km/ s), single B stars is consistent with an origin due to shock heating of the ambient medium by radiatively driven, rotationally enhanced winds. On the basis of these observations and the results for other clusters, we argue that observed levels of X-ray emission in high mass stars of log (L(sub x)/L(sub bol)) greater than -6.0 are likely due to intrinsic emission associated with the B stax itself rather than emission from a late-type secondary. Finally, our results suggest that the initial angular momentum distributions and the subsequent evolution of rotation, L(sub x), and (L(sub x)/L(sub bol)) occur in practically identical fashions in clusters with ages approx. less than 100 Myr.
Missing Citations, Bulking Biographies, and Unethical Collaboration: Types of Cheating among Public Relations Majors

Students cheat. For the field of public relations, which continually struggles for credibility, the issue of student cheating should be paramount, as the unethical students of today become tomorrow’s practitioners. Through a survey of 170 public relations majors, this study examined the importance students place on the Public Relations Society of America Code of Ethics, the extent to which they cheat, and the types of cheating behaviors in which they participate. Results of the study indicated cause for concern as close to 80 percent of students admitted to cheating. Moreover, the extent to which students cheated was significantly related to the number of their friends and close acquaintances whom they perceived as engaging in such behaviors.
Real-Time Friction Error Compensation in Tube Hydroforming Process Control

Tube Hydroforming (THF) is a metal-forming process that uses a pressurized fluid in place of a hard tool to plastically deform a given tube into a desired shape. In addition to the internal pressure, the tube material is fed axially toward the die cavity. One of the challenges in THF is the nonlinear and varying friction conditions at the tube-tool interface, which make it difficult to establish accurate loading paths (pressure vs feed) for THF. A THF process control model that can compensate for the loading path deviation due to frictional errors in tube hydroforming is proposed. In the proposed model, an algorithm and a software platform have been developed such that the sensed forming load from a THF machine is mapped to a database containing a set of loading paths that correspond to different friction conditions for a specific part. A real-time friction error compensation is then carried out by readjusting the loading path as the THF process progresses. This scheme reduces part failures that would normally occur due to variability in friction conditions. The implementation and experimental verification of the proposed model is discussed.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
A User-Centric Network Communication Broker for Multimedia Collaborative Computing

The development of collaborative multimedia applications today follows a vertical development approach, which is a major inhibitor that drives up the cost of development and slows down the pace of innovation of new generations of collaborative applications. In this paper, we propose a network communication broker (NCB) that provides a unified higher-level abstraction that encapsulates the complexity of network-level communication control and media delivery for the class of multimedia collaborative applications. NCB expedites the development of next-generation applications with diverse communication logics. Furthermore, NCB-based applications can be easily ported to new network environments. In addition, the self-managing design of NCB supports dynamic adaptation in response to changes in network conditions and user requirements.
Hybrid near-field optical memory and photofabrication in dye-doped polymer film

A hybrid near-field fluorescence microscopy, which combines near-field scanning optical microscopy and photon scanning tunneling microscopy, is demonstrated for nanoscale optical memory and photofabrication on spin-coated dye-doped polymer films. Storage capacity and readout signal-to-noise ratio with near-field one-photon and two-photon excitations are studied.
Between Judaism and German Enlightenment: Recent Work on Moses Mendelssohn in English

Moses Mendelssohn (1729–1786) is generally recognized as the first German-Jewish philosopher. The past forty years have witnessed the appearance of five major book-length interpretations of Moses Mendelssohn in English: Michael Meyer’s The Origins of the Modern Jew: Jewish Identity and European Culture in Germany 1749–1824 (1967); Alexander Altmann’s Moses Mendelssohn: A Biographical Study (1973); Allan Arkush’s Mendelssohn and the Enlightenment (1994); David Sorkin’s Moses Mendelssohn and the Religious Enlightenment (1996) and Edward Breuer’s The Limits of Enlightenment: Jews, Germans, and the Eighteenth-Century Study of Scripture (1996). These works have generally been guided by a single interpretive question namely whether or not Mendelssohn was able to harmonize his commitment to Judaism with his commitment to Enlightenment. I review these five interpretations of Mendelssohn.
The effects of Mg2+ on rat liver microsomal Ca2+ sequestration

Abstract The effects of Mg 2+ on the hepatic microsomal Ca 2+ -sequestering system was tested. Ca 2+ -ATPase activity and Ca 2+ uptake were both dependent on the concentration of free Mg 2+ , reaching maximum levels at 2 mM. The effects of Mg-ATP were also influenced by the concentration of free Mg 2+ , being maximally effective at a ratio of 1:1. The results suggest that Mg 2+ influences Ca 2+ sequestration at various steps, namely in addition to forming the substrate of the Ca 2+ -ATPase reaction, Mg-ATP, Mg 2+ stimulates the reaction at an additional step, as indicated by its stimulatory effect on the Ca 2+ -ATPase reaction and on Ca 2+ uptake, even at optimal Mg-ATP levels. The stimulatory effect of Mg 2+ was evident at various pH levels tested, and it was nucleotide specific. The stimulatory effect of Mg 2+ might be exerted at the dephosphorylation step of the enzymatic reaction or at an other, yet undetined, site. The results demonstrate a plural effect of Mg 2+ on the hepatic microsomal sequestration system. This indicates that, depending on its magnitude, changes in Mg 2+ distribution might influence cytosolic Ca 2+ levels.
Latency of the neuromagnetic response of the human visual cortex.

Abstract Components of visually evoked magnetic fields of the human brain varied consistently in their temporal phase with features of the visual pattern (e.g. spatial frequency). These variations are shown to be changes in latency of the response of the visual system and are correlated with reaction time in psychophysical experiments.
Determination of Cooling Rates in a Quadrupole Ion Trap

Collisional cooling rates of infrared excited ions are measured in a quadrupole ion trap (QIT) mass spectrometer at different combinations of temperature and pressure. Measurements are carried out by monitoring fragmentation efficiency of leucine enkephalin as a function of irradiation time by an infrared laser after a short excitation and incrementally increasing cooling periods. Cooling rates are observed to be directly related to bath gas pressure and inversely related to bath gas temperature. The cooling rate at typical ion trap operating pressure (1 mTorr) and temperature (room T) is faster than can be measured. At elevated temperature and the lowest pressure used for the studies, the rate of collisional cooling becomes negligible compared to the rate of radiative cooling.
Abstract 2620: Progressive expression of n-cadherin and epidermal growth factor receptor in colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Purpose: N-cadherin (NCAD) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have been found to be inducers of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition that are known to play a role in invasion and metastasis of cancer. Over expression of NCAD and EGFR are associated with increased tumor invasiveness. However, their progressive expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been studied. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated expression status of NCAD and EGFR in paired lesions of CRC. Experimental Design: We examined the expression of NCAD and EGFR in paired lesions of human CRC (hCRC) and human mice CRC (hmCRC) xenograft by immunofluorescence (IF). Images were acquired using the Olympus FluoView FV1000 (OFVFV1000) Confocal Microscope. The average FITC fluorescence intensity (aFFI) was measured by OFVFV1000 software. Western blot analysis was performed to validate results obtained from IF method. Results: Differential expression pattern of NCAD was observed in paired normal, primary and metastatic lesions of hCRC and hmCRC xenograft tissues. For NCAD, it was mainly localized in cytoplasm (diffused), nucleus (moderate levels), and membrane or cell junctions of CRC. For EGFR, normal colon tissue or primary CRC showing membranous EGFR-low positive staining. In contrast corresponding liver metastasis showing membranous EGFR-high positive staining. The NCAD and EGFR expressions were correlated with metastasis phenotype of hCRC. The expressions of NCAD ((aFFI; 812 vs. 261) and EGFR (aFFI 421 vs.131) were each found to be 3 times higher in liver metastasis of hCRC as compared to primary tumor. It has been observed that the expression of NCAD was substantially increased in metastatic lesion of hmCRC xenograft as compared to primary lesion of hmCRC xenograft. Conclusion: This study revealed that upregulation of NCAD and EGFR expressions is a mechanism by which CRC lesions acquire a more aggressive phenotype and, thereby, progress to a more advanced stage of CRC. Furthermore, our findings are likely to have implications in the design of clinical trials targeting the NCAD and EGFR proteins in CRC. Citation Format: Venkat R. Katkoori, Upender Manne, Marc D. Basson, Harvey L. Bumpers. Progressive expression of n-cadherin and epidermal growth factor receptor in colorectal adenocarcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2620. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2620
Immunogenetic basis for immunologic privilege in the anterior chamber of the eye.

DBA/2 mastocytoma (P815) cells are able to grow when inoculated into the anterior chamber of eyes of histoincompatible mice. Tumor growth is unrestrained in recipient mice differing from the DBA/2 strain at multiple minor H loci, but sharing the H-2 d haplotype; progressive tumor growth in these animals involves the entire eye, invades the orbit and kills the hosts by extension into the cranial vault. Alternatively, P815 cells grow initially but are unable to sustain continued growth in the anterior chambers of recipient mice differing from DBA/2 at the H-2 complex. Recipients differing from DBA/2 at either the K or D regions of H-2 develop anti-DBA/2 immunity that destroys the intraocular tumor within 20 days of inoculation. Severe inflammatory reactions in these eyes produce “innocent bystander” destruction of ocular tissue and produce blindness. Recipients differing from DBA/2 at both K and D regions of H-2 also mount vigorous anti-DBA/2 immunity that destroys the intraocular tumor. In these instances, the nonspecific component of the rejection reaction is minimal: when the tumor cells are destroyed, the eyes are restored to anatomic and functional integrity. These results indicate that immunologic privilege in the anterior chamber of the eye is afforded to allogeneic tissues to varing degrees depending upon allodisparity at H-2 loci encoding class I MHC products. The results further imply that the precision of the alloimmune response may be under the control of these same MHC products.
Providing online access to oral histories: a case study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a practical example of a process repositories may follow in making oral history interviews available online.Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines the decisions that must be made in the course of making analog audio available online. Legal, ethical and technical decisions are examined and evaluated in the context of one repository's experience. Issues such as copyright, privacy and defamation are examined, as are technical issues around analog audio capture and access. Different options for presenting the oral histories to the public are evaluated in light of ease of production and access.Findings – The paper finds it is possible to provide easy‐to‐use online access to oral histories even in the absence of a large budget and programming staff to create cutting‐edge tools.Practical implications – Many more repositories could be making their oral histories available online. There are many decisions to be made along the way, but individual repositor...
Clinical aspects of protein deficiency with special reference to protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) in children.

We have investigated the pathophysiology and optimum treatment of PCM in Northern Thai children over the past 10 years and have developed what we consider to be an improved scoring system for the diagnosis of the three major forms of severe protein calorie malnutrition, namely: marasmus, marasmic kwashiorkor, and kwashiorkor. We feel that it gives a more definitive classification of these subgroups of PCM than any other system. It takes into account anthropometric and laboratory parameters, as well as clinical ones, and permits hospitals and metabolic units in various parts of the world to make better comparisons of their results.Various aspects of the pathophysiology of PCM have been studied, including hematopoietic, endocrine, and metabolic aspects. We have developed a plan of therapy which has reduced mortality to 6-7%. In support of our plan of treatment, we have presented the clinical and biochemical data, and have demonstrated the protein and calorie requirements for the optimum treatment of severe protein calorie malnutrition.The distribution of the three forms of protein calorie malnutrition clearly differs widely in affected countries throughout the world. In some, marasmus is more prevalent; in others, kwashiorkor. Investigators not familiar with the global distribution of the types of the disease may be regarding their particular population of children in a special way.
Reconfigurable optical filter

A narrowband, widely tunable optical filter with a reconfigurable spectrum is proposed, and the critical component for the filter operation is demonstrated. The filter is based on a whispering gallery mode resonator made of domain engineered LiNbO3 crystal. The main feature of the filter is tunability of the spacing between some of the optical modes of the resonator. The spacing is electro-optically manipulated at 7 GHz in the linear regime with approximately 21 MHz/V tuning rate. The filter operates at 1.55 µm wavelength, and is characterised with 10 MHz bandwidth, 5 dB fibre-to-fibre insertion loss and 20 ns tuning speed.
Divergent Influences of Calcium Ions on Releasing Factor-Stimulated Anterior Pituitary Hormone Secretion in Normal Man*

Abstract To investigate the influence of calcium ions on the secretion of anterior pituitary hormones in response to stimulation by exogenous hypothalamic releasing factors in man, we measured serum concentrations of pituitary hormones serially during a continuous infusion of combined TRH (2 μg/min) and GnRH (1 μg/min), with concomitant iv saline or calcium administration. Compared to saline, calcium administration was associated with a significant increase in GnRH-TRH-stimulated LH and FSH release and a corresponding rise in serum testosterone concentrations. The effect of calcium ions on gonadotropin secretion was specific, because releasing factor-stimulated secretion of TSH and PRL was suppressed by hypercalcemia. Serum concentrations of GH were not significantly altered under these conditions. In summary, the present results provide the first in vivo evidence that acute infusion of calcium ions augments GnRHTRH-stimulated secretion of LH and FSH, with an accompanying increase in serum testosterone le...
Who introduced the tetrapolar method for measuring resistance and impedance

The technique of using an outer pair of electrodes to inject current and an inner pair of electrodes to measure potential eliminates electrode/electrolyte impedance errors when measuring the resistivity of a conducting substance. A pressing problem of the late 1800s was the accurate measurement of the resistivity of an electrolyte that was placed between a pair of electrodes in a container. Kohlrausch (1897) working in Charlottenburg, Germany, solved the problem in a limited way by 1) using 1000 Hz current and 2) creating the platinum-black electrode. By using what was then a high frequency, the electrode impedance became low. By placing a velvety-like deposit of platinum on a platinum electrode, the effective surface area was increased, thereby reducing the electrode impedance. Such blackened platinum electrodes are still used in conductivity cells designed to permit measurement of electrolytic resistivity. Working in Paris, France, well before Kohlrausch, Lippmann had solved the problem of measuring electrolytic resistivity in a simple and elegant way by introducing the tetrapolar method in conjunction with his capillary electrometer, a sensitive and rapidly responding potential indicator. Lippmann (1873) had become interested in the shape of a drop of mercury in a solution of sulfuric acid. When an iron wire was placed into the sulfuric acid and then contacted the mercury, the contour of the mercury changed. The combination of the iron wire, mercury, and electrolyte caused the charge distribution on the surface of the mercury to change, thereby altering the surface tension and, hence, the contour. Lippmann used the phenomenon of electrocapillarity, as it became known, to construct a sensitive and rapidly responding electrometer.
A conformal mapping based approach for fast two-dimensional FEM electrostatic analysis of MEMS devices without re-meshing

In this paper, a methodology is proposed for expediting the coupled electro-mechanical twodimensional finite element modeling of electrostatically-actuated MEMS. The proposed methodology eliminates the need for repeated finite element meshing and subsequent electrostatic modeling of the device during mechanical deformation. With the reference domain defined to be the device geometry in the absence of electrostatic actuation, we eliminate the need for repeated finite element meshing. We achieve this by mapping the deformed electrostatic domain in which the electrostatic problem must be solved to the reference undeformed domain ‘conformally’. A ‘conformal’ map preserves the form of the Laplace equation and the boundary conditions; thus, the finite element matrix for the electrostatic problem is solved only once in the reference undeformed electrostatic domain. The conformal map itself is generated through the solution of the same Laplace equation on the reference undeformed domain geometry and with displacement boundary conditions dictated by the movement of the mechanical domain. The proposed methodology is demonstrated through its application to the modeling of two MEMS devices with varying length-to-gap ratios, multiple dielectrics and complicated geometries. The accuracy of the proposed methodology is confirmed through comparisons of its results with results obtained using the conventional finite element solution from ANSYS.
Using Twisted Filaments to Model the M87 Jet

Radio and optical images of the M 87 jet show bright filaments, twisted into an apparent double helix, extending from HST-1 to knot A. Proper motions within the jet suggest a decelerating jet flow passing through a slower, accelerating wave pattern. A mass and energy flux conserving model requires the jet to be an internally hot, but subrelativistic plasma, from HST-1 to knot A. Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) elliptical mode generated twisted filaments require the cocoon to be cooler than the jet at HST-1 but nearly as hot as the jet at knot A. A pseudo-synchrotron image of our model jet shows both similarities and differences when compared to an image of the real jet.
Statistical analysis of simulation output

We discuss methods for statistically analyzing the output from stochastic discrete-event or Monte Carlo simulations. Terminating and steady-state simulations are considered.
Developing Treatment for Tobacco Addicted Youth–Issues and Challenges

SUMMARY It is now clear that adolescence is not only the primary time during which cigarette smoking is initiated; it is also the time during which the transition from experimentation to some level of dependence occurs. As discussed in this review, by age 18 approximately two-thirds of cigarette smokers regret having started smoking, one-half have already made a quit attempt, and nearly 40% have some interest in obtaining treatment for their dependence. Unfortunately, treatment in young people has not kept pace with the emerging need for treatment and many fundamental issues require study; in fact it is not clear the degree to which adult-validated treatments, such as nicotine replacement therapies, will be of comparable levels of benefit and risk in young people. The issues that require research include (1) a thorough consideration of adolescent nicotine dependence and potential pharmacologic adjuncts, (2) a consideration of social, health, risk perception, and intrapersonal factors that may facilitate o...
Pseudotypes of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus with CD4 Formed by Clustering of Membrane Microdomains during Budding

Many plasma membrane components are organized into detergent-resistant membrane microdomains referred to as lipid rafts. However, there is much less information about the organization of membrane components into microdomains outside of lipid rafts. Furthermore, there are few approaches to determine whether different membrane components are colocalized in microdomains as small as lipid rafts. We have previously described a new method of determining the extent of organization of proteins into membrane microdomains by analyzing the distribution of pairwise distances between immunogold particles in immunoelectron micrographs. We used this method to analyze the microdomains involved in the incorporation of the T-cell antigen CD4 into the envelope of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). In cells infected with a recombinant virus that expresses CD4 from the viral genome, both CD4 and the VSV envelope glycoprotein (G protein) were found in detergent-soluble (nonraft) membrane fractions. However, analysis of the distribution of CD4 and G protein in plasma membranes by immunoelectron microscopy showed that both were organized into membrane microdomains of similar sizes, approximately 100 to 150 nm. In regions of plasma membrane outside of virus budding sites, CD4 and G protein were present in separate membrane microdomains, as shown by double-label immunoelectron microscopy data. However, virus budding occurred from membrane microdomains that contained both G protein and CD4, and extended to approximately 300 nm, indicating that VSV pseudotype formation with CD4 occurs by clustering of G protein- and CD4-containing microdomains.
Differential Depression at Excitatory and Inhibitory Synapses in Visual Cortex

The function of cortical circuits depends critically on the balance between excitation and inhibition. This balance reflects not only the relative numbers of excitatory and inhibitory synapses but also their relative strengths. Recent studies of excitatory synapses in visual and somatosensory cortices have emphasized that synaptic strength is not a fixed quantity but is a dynamic variable that reflects recent presynaptic activity. Here, we compare the dynamics of synaptic transmission at excitatory and inhibitory synapses onto visual cortical pyramidal neurons. We find that inhibitory synapses show less overall depression than excitatory synapses and that the kinetics of recovery from depression also differ between the two classes of synapse. When excitatory and inhibitory synapses are stimulated concurrently, this differential depression produces a time- and frequency-dependent shift in the reversal potential of the composite postsynaptic current. These results indicate that the balance between excitation and inhibition can change dynamically as a function of activity.
Prospective Analysis of Sinus Symptoms and Correlation with Paranasal Computed Tomography Scan

Objectives: We designed a prospective study to determine whether there is a correlation between the severity of sinus symptoms and the severity of computed tomography (CT) scan evidence of rhinosinusitis. Methods: Acute and chronic rhinosinusitis patients rated their symptoms and had a CT scan of the sinuses taken the same day. A Likert severity scale and standardized CT scoring system were used. Data were analyzed by nonparametric methods with Kendall's rank correlation coefficient. Results: The severity of 5 symptoms correlated with severity of disease on CT scan. Headache and facial pain or pressure had no correlation. Conclusion: The certainty of a clinical diagnosis of rhinosinusitis requiring treatment is enhanced in patients with high symptom severity scores for fatigue, sleep disturbance, nasal discharge, nasal blockage, or decreased sense of smell. Isolated headache and facial pain or pressure are less reliable predictors of CT scan findings supporting the diagnosis rhinosinusitis. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2001;125:40-3.)
The Possibility for “Natural” Generation of Chlorinated Organic Compounds

There is continuing concern for the exposure of persons to various chlorinated organics via the environment, for example, chlorinated disinfection byproducts in drinking water.(1) Some of these may be carcinogenic,(2) although the evidence is far from strong.(3) There is an accumulating body of evidence that one of the normal human immunological responses to foreign agents is the generation of hypochlorous acid. This evidence will be summarized. The possibility that this HOCl generated in vivo could result in the formation of organo-chlorine compounds does not appear to have been seriously considered. Based on best available information, the amount of such byproduct formation will be estimated.
Assessing Regulatory Participation by Health Professionals: A Study of State Health Rulemaking

Do health and health policy professionals (HHPPs) participate in the formation of agency health regulations? Passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 has necessitated the writing of many health-related national and state regulations. This article examines the participation patterns of HHPPs during rulemaking to gain insights that may be transferable to future health-related administrative decision making. The author suggests that the mix of public participants active during rulemaking has implications for health policy outputs. This proposition is tested using data drawn from 39 state health regulations and survey data from more than 380 participants and 23 interviews with agency officials. The author finds that HHPPs participate across the majority of the sample regulations, and when their activity across a rule increases, so does participant satisfaction with regulatory outcomes. More broadly, the results suggest a desire for even greater participation by HHPPs in future health-related rulemaking.
Mechanisms of pathogenesis in Listeria monocytogenes infection. VI. Oxidative phosphorylation in mouse liver mitochondria during experimental listeriosis.

Previous reports have demonstrated early changes in hepatic carbohydrate and energy metabolism in mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes. This study was undertaken to further elucidate mechanisms of damage involved in these changes. Female CD-1 mice were injected intraperitoneally with 106L. monocytogenes A4413. At 0, 10, and 20 hr after infection, groups of mice were sacrificed and the livers were removed and pooled. Oxidative phosphorylation was assayed immediately upon isolation of mitochondria from pooled liver homogenates. Appropriate metabolic inhibitors were employed to examine each of the three phosphorylation sites in mitochondrial electron transport. When pyruvate-malate (equimolar concentrations) and α-ketoglutarate were used as substrates, decreases in both phosphorylation and oxidation were noted as early as 10 hr after infection. With β-hydroxybutyrate and citrate as substrates, alterations were not noted until 20 hr after infection, whereas no changes were seen when glutamate, succinate, or ascorbate were employed. These results suggest possible derangement of the first site in oxidative phosphorylation as well as lowered activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-linked dehydrogenases during experimental listeriosis in mice.
Application of image relaying to nonlinear beam distortion measurements and profile shaping

Summary form only given. Calculations of the beam distortion expected in this geometry for both flattop and truncated Gaussian beams will be presented, as well as the measurements that include laser glasses at 1064 nm and fused silica and KDP at 1064 nm and 355 nm previous measurements of fused silica at 355 nm have exhibited a large spread; the present measurements are in agreement with the lower range of these values.
Continuing toward an operational definition of psychological maltreatment

More than any other subtype of abuse and neglect, psychological maltreatment offers a number of unique challenges to theoreticians and researchers. Although progress has been made, contention still remains over the definition of psychological maltreatment and its relation to other forms of child abuse and neglect (Brassard, Germain, & Hart, 1987; Garbarino, Guttmann, & Seeley, 1986). Thus, the definition and operationalization of psychological maltreatment continue to be important issues that require further research and explanation. In fact, the development of standardized definitions and assessment techniques for all forms of maltreatment is crucial to increase communication across laboratories, and across disciplines.
Portable Magnetic/Frequency Domain Electromagnetic Induction Sensor System Development

An unexploded ordnance (UXO) survey instrument that simultaneously collects total field magnetic data and frequency domain electromagnetic (FDEM) induction data was developed and tested for the detection and characterization of buried UXO. The system is comprised of an FDEM sensor operating at 9.8 kHz and a cesium vapor magnetometer. The system was initially tested in dynamic survey (detection) and static cued survey (characterization) modes at the Naval Research Laboratory Blossom Point UXO test facility in Maryland. During these tests, electromagnetic (EM) induced bias in the magnetic data was mitigated by physically offsetting the magnetometer from the EM transmitter coils. In the dynamic survey, the aggregate performance exceeded the detection rates for the individual component sensor technologies. The cued analysis tests showed that target features can be determined by using model-based analyses, and the location estimate errors provided by these analyses were consistently better than the dynamic survey results.
Operating dual enrollment in different policy environments: An examination of two states

This chapter investigates the consequences and implications of dual enrollment policy diversity on operating dual enrollment programs in the two states of Ohio and Virginia.
Blood donation mobile applications: are donors ready?

BACKGROUND The rapid rise of mobile communication technologies has the potential to dramatically change and improve blood donor recruitment and retention efforts. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS E-mail invitations were sent to blood donors in a large metropolitan area to participate in a Web-based survey designed to gauge their readiness and interest level for a blood donation mobile application (“app”). RESULTS A total of 982 ethnically diverse respondents of various age groups and prior donation experiences were surveyed. Among the respondents, 87.3% had ready access to smart phones. E-mail was chosen by 62.1% as the currently preferred method when contacted by the blood center, followed by texting (10.1%). App features desired by most respondents were the abilities to request appointments 24/7 (76.8%) and to receive appointment confirmations quickly (81.3%). Many were concerned about receiving too many alerts or messages (64.1%) or insufficient protection for personal information (53.5%). Overall, 67.7% of respondents indicated that they were likely to use a blood donation mobile app. Likelihood was not significantly different by sex or ethnicity, and the impact of education level was limited. Donors who currently made donation appointments via telephone or a website were equally likely to use such an app. However, donors older than 45 years were less likely than younger donors (p = 0.001), and donors with more than five lifetime donations were more likely than less frequent donors to use such an app (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION In a metropolitan area, donors are very receptive to using a mobile app to manage their donations.