cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and 60 or Older in North America

Summary This study examined mental and physical health, perceived social support, and experiences with HIV/AIDS of 416 lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults aged 60 to 91. Most participants reported fairly high levels of self-esteem; however, many experienced loneliness. Most also reported low levels of internalized homophobia, but men reported significantly higher levels than women did. Ten percent of respondents sometimes or often considered suicide, with men reporting significantly more suicidal thoughts related to their sexual orientation. Men also had significantly higher drinking scores than women, and more men could be classified as problem drinkers. Only 11% of the respondents said that their health status interfered with the things they wanted to do. Although 93% of the participants knew people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, 90% said that they were unlikely to be HIV-infected. Participants averaged six people in their support networks, most of whom were close friends. Most support network members knew abou...
Antileptospiral Activity of Serum I. Normal and Immune Serum

Johnson, Russell C. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis), and Louis H. Muschel. Antileptospiral activity of serum. I. Normal and immune serum. J. Bacteriol. 91:1403–1409. 1966.—Normal serum was found to exert a leptospiricidal effect, mediated by the complement system, against the nonpathogenic leptospires. Although resistant to normal serum, the pathogenic serotypes were susceptible to antiserum plus complement. Several variables in these immune leptospiricidal reactions were investigated. A reaction period of 3 hr at 37 C between serum substances and 1-day-old cells provided a maximal leptospiricidal effect. The normal serum of the rabbit, guinea pig, bovine, and human were leptospiricidal against the nonpathogenic serotypes, and, in conjunction with rabbit antiserum, rabbit and bovine complement were leptospiricidal against the pathogenic serotypes. Studies with C14-labeled leptospires indicated that the immune leptospiricidal reaction was associated with a loss of permeability control. Thus, like the gram-negative bacteria, the treponemes, erythrocytes, and nucleated mammalian cells, the leptospires may be included as cell types susceptible to the antibody-complement system.
Dielectric properties of BST/ (Y2O3) x(ZrO2)1-x/ BST trilayer films

Thin films of Ba1-xSrxTiO3 (BST) are being actively investigated for applications in dynamic random access memories (DRAM) because of their properties such as high dielectric constant, low leakage current, and high dielectric breakdown strength. Various approaches have been used to improve the dielectric properties of BST thin films such as doping, graded compositions, and multilayer structures. We have found that inserting a ZrO2 layer in between two BST layers results in a significant reduction in dielectric constant as well as dielectric loss. In this work the effect of Y2O3 doped ZrO2 on the dielectric properties of BST/ZrO2/BST trilayer structure is studied. The structure Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3/(Y2O3)x(ZrO2)1-x/Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 is deposited by a sol-gel process on platinized Si substrate. The composition (x) of the middle layer is varied while keeping the total thickness of the trilayer film constant. The dielectric constant of the multilayer film decreases with the increase of Y2O3 amount in the film whereas there is a slight variation in dielectric loss. In Y2O3 doped multilayer thin films, the dielectric loss is lower in comparison to other films and also there is good frequency stability in the loss in the measured frequency range and hence very suitable for microwave device applications.
A functional GFP-fusion for imaging clathrin-mediated endocytosis

The ability to localize proteins of interest in live cells through imaging inherently fluorescent protein tags has provided an unprecedented level of information on cellular organization. However, there are numerous cases where fluorescent tags alter the localization and/or function of the proteins to which they are appended. Clathrin-mediated endocytosis from the plasma membrane is a physiologically important process evolutionarily conserved from yeast to humans. Some proteins that are associated with the machinery of clathrin-mediated endocytosis have been tagged with fluorescent proteins. However, it has not yet been possible to study this process through a protein marker that is specific to this step and still fully functional when linked to a fluorescent protein. In this study, we present the first demonstration that one of these proteins, in this case a green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion to alpha-adaptin, a marker of the adaptor protein-2 complex, functionally complements knockdown of endogenous protein through small interfering RNA silencing. GFP-alpha-adaptin, as well as the techniques used to test the fusion protein, represents an important contribution to the cell biologist's toolbox, which will permit a greater understanding of vesicle trafficking in live cells.
Automatically registering stereo pairs of tomographic imagery

A method for finding correspondences between points on a stero pair of 2-D electron micrographs of networks is developed. The objective for finding these matches is to combine stereo images of the same specimen to generate a 3-D representation. To perform the analysis, the gray level images of the micrographs are first binarized and thinned, and the network intersection points are detected. An algorithm which uses a geometric hashing scheme is then applied to detect corresponding points in the images. This algorithm is invariant to rotation, translation, and scale. The system has been tested on images of skeletal muscle tissue tubule networks. >
Unwinding chromatin for development and growth: a few genes at a time

SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling ATPases control accessibility of the information stored in the genome. However, the in vivo role of these remodelers has remained poorly understood because null mutations in these result in embryonic lethality in most organisms. Recently, the study of conditional mutants in mammals and viable null mutants in plants, combined with genome wide expression studies in mammals, flies and plants, have implicated chromatin remodeling ATPases in the regulation of many developmental pathways in multicellular eukaryotes. In addition, these studies reveal striking functional specificity for chromatin remodeling in individual developmental processes.
Cardiac Troponin T Isoforms Affect the Ca2+ Sensitivity of Force Development in the Presence of Slow Skeletal Troponin I INSIGHTS INTO THE ROLE OF TROPONIN T ISOFORMS IN THE FETAL HEART

In this study we investigated the physiological role of the cardiac troponin T (cTnT) isoforms in the presence of human slow skeletal troponin I (ssTnI). ssTnI is the main troponin I isoform in the fetal human heart. In reconstituted fibers containing the cTnT isoforms in the presence of ssTnI, cTnT1-containing fibers showed increased Ca2+ sensitivity of force development compared with cTnT3- and cTnT4-containing fibers. The maximal force in reconstituted skinned fibers was significantly greater for the cTnT1 (predominant fetal cTnT isoform) when compared with cTnT3 (adult TnT isoform) in the presence of ssTnI. Troponin (Tn) complexes containing ssTnI and reconstituted with cTnT isoforms all yielded different maximal actomyosin ATPase activities. Tn complexes containing cTnT1 and cTnT4 (both fetal isoforms) had a reduced ability to inhibit actomyosin ATPase activity when compared with cTnT3 (adult isoform) in the presence of ssTnI. The rate at which Ca2+ was released from site II of cTnC in the cTnI·cTnC complex (122/s) was 12.5-fold faster than for the ssTnI·cTnC complex (9.8/s). Addition of cTnT3 to the cTnI·cTnC complex resulted in a 3.6-fold decrease in the Ca2+ dissociation rate from site II of cTnC. Addition of cTnT3 to the ssTnI·cTnC complex resulted in a 1.9-fold increase in the Ca2+ dissociation rate from site II of cTnC. The rate at which Ca2+ dissociated from site II of cTnC in Tn complexes also depended on the cTnT isoform present. However, the TnI isoforms had greater effects on the Ca2+ dissociation rate of site II than the cTnT isoforms. These results suggest that the different N-terminal TnT isoforms would produce distinct functional properties in the presence of ssTnI when compared with cTnI and that each isoform would have a specific physiological role in cardiac muscle.
The Economic and Social Impact of Private Equity in Europe: Summary of Research Findings

The private equity industry has found itself caught up in the prevailing political debate concerning the need for reform of financial services regulation. However, much of the debate about private equity tends to be based on hearsay or, at best, isolated examples, with little reference to the real impact of the industry on the European economic model. The purpose of this short research summary is to bring some clarity to the areas of the private equity model that have been most debated. The report presents the main features of the private equity model and summarises the empirical evidence relating to a number of economic and social impact questions.
Intensity profile of the 22° halo

We report the first relative intensity measurements made to our knowledge of the 22° halo, obtained from photographic photometry of a halo of exceptional brightness and uniformity. The maximum brightness occurs at 22.8°, and a relative minimum occurs at 19.7°. The full width at one half the maximum intensity is 3.4°. A low-intensity tail reaches from 29° to 39°.
Requirements engineering methodologies for COTS systems

Commercial off-the-shelf software components are becoming more and more important in the information technology infrastructure of organizations. Many organizations still rely upon a software development lifecycle that is better suited for from scratch development. The requirements methodologies that can be used in an off-the-shelf environment are still in development and need to be refined. This paper examines where the current methodologies stand in regards to a commercial off-the-shelf environmentpsilas sound requirements engineering methodology. It also calls for research in specific areas of requirements engineering and the development of a ldquocookbookrdquo that would give industry practitioners a step-by step guide to properly gather and use requirements.
Statistical models of partial volume effect

Statistical models of partial volume effect for systems with various types of noise or pixel value distributions are developed and probability density functions are derived. The models assume either Gaussian system sampling noise or intrinsic material variances with Gaussian or Poisson statistics. In particular, a material can be viewed as having a distinct value that has been corrupted by additive noise either before or after partial volume mixing, or the material could have nondistinct values with a Poisson distribution as might be the case in nuclear medicine images. General forms of the probability density functions are presented for the N material cases and particular forms for two- and three-material cases are derived. These models are incorporated into finite mixture densities in order to more accurately model the distribution of image pixel values. Examples are presented using simulated histograms to demonstrate the efficacy of the models for quantification. Modeling of partial volume effect is shown to be useful when one of the materials is present in images mainly as a pixel component. >
MODELING OF NITRO-POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC :HYDROCARBON FORMATION AND DECAY IN THE ATMOSPHERE

A reaction mechanism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitro-PAH (NPAH) in the gas and particle phase in the atmosphere has been further evaluated and modified using outdoor smog chamber experimental results. Diesel exhaust emissions were added to a 190 m3 outdoor smog chamber and permitted to age under conditions of daylight and darkness. A sampling tram consisting of an annular denuder, filter, and polyurethane foam (PUF) or XAD resin was used for the collection of gas and particle phase PAH and NPAH. On the basis of the results, the current denuder design has sufficient flow (20 L min-') and adsorption characteristics for collection of PAH and NPAH in the chamber studies. Outdoor smog chamber experiments with dilute diesel soot were conducted under different initial photochemica:l conditions. Ozone (O,), nitrogen oxides (NO,), and volatile hydrocarbons in the gas phase were monitored. Simulations for fluoranthene (FL) and pyrene (PY) in the gas phase were close to chamber observations, but those for the particle behavior of FL and PY were not as good. This may occur because PAH and NPAH inside of the particle are not available for reaction in sunlight. Mono-nitro-pyrenes (NPYs) and nitro-fluoranthenes (NFLs) were almost exclusively found in particle associated extracts. This implied that no or non-detectable 2nitro-FL (2NF) or Znitro-PY (2NP) distributed in the gas phase and that they deposited on particles immediately after formation in the gas phase by the photochemical processes. Formation of 2NF was observed in the chamber, but 2NP degraded rapidly under photochemical conditions. Reasonable simulation results were obtained for 2NP and 2NF. The addition of NO, to the gas phase adduct of FL + OH or PY + OH was the main reaction for NPAH formation. Photodecomposition was the main loss pathway for NPAH in the atmosphere. Key word inde.w: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitro-PAH, annular denuders, sampling artifacts, and
An Efficient Bayesian Model Selection Approach for Interacting Quantitative Trait Loci Models With Many Effects

We extend our Bayesian model selection framework for mapping epistatic QTL in experimental crosses to include environmental effects and gene–environment interactions. We propose a new, fast Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm to explore the posterior distribution of unknowns. In addition, we take advantage of any prior knowledge about genetic architecture to increase posterior probability on more probable models. These enhancements have significant computational advantages in models with many effects. We illustrate the proposed method by detecting new epistatic and gene–sex interactions for obesity-related traits in two real data sets of mice. Our method has been implemented in the freely available package R/qtlbim (http://www.qtlbim.org) to facilitate the general usage of the Bayesian methodology for genomewide interacting QTL analysis.
A self-management program for adult asthma. III. Maintenance and relapse of skills.

Patient self-management programs have become an integral part of asthma treatment. The goal of such programs is to strengthen the partnership between patients and health care providers in controlling the condition. The present study analyzed how well patients maintained or relapsed in performing asthma self-management skills over time and across settings. It was conducted by contacting patients who had been involved in a successful self-management program an average of 6 years after their participation or an average of 7 years after they completed training. Seventy percent of the patients agreed to participate and complete, either by themselves or over the telephone, a structured interview regarding their experiences in performing asthma self-management.On the basis of their responses, 53 participants were categorized into two groups: continuers or relapsers, according to previously developed and published criteria for relapse. Characteristics that distinguished the two groups were described. As anticipat...
Distributed Receding Horizon Control of Coupled Nonlinear Oscillators: Theory and Application

This paper extends recent results on distributed receding horizon control (RHC) of dynamically coupled nonlinear systems subject to decoupled input constraints. Motivating examples of such systems include chains of coupled oscillators and supply chain management systems. Conditions for feasibility and stability of the distributed RHC algorithm are stated, with substantially less conservative requirements then previously derived. The conditions are shown to be satisfied for a set of coupled Van der Pol oscillators that model a walking robot experiment. Numerical experiments show good performance and demonstrate the computational savings over centralized RHC.
Femoral Lengthening with Lengthening over a Nail has Fewer Complications than Intramedullary Skeletal Kinetic Distraction

Background Lengthening over a nail and internal lengthening nails have been developed to minimize or eliminate patients’ time wearing a frame during femur lengthening. However it is unclear whether either of these two approaches results in faster times to union or fewer complications over the other.
Ionizing Radiation Controls Protein Synthesis Through a Novel Akt-independent Pathway Involving Regulation of mTOR and 4E-BP1 Stability

Materials/Methods: Methods: Immortalized human breast epithelial cells (MCF10A) or malignant breast carcinoma cells (HTB20) were treated with single doses ranging from 2–16 Gy at 2 Gy intervals with either a Co-60 source with a dose rate of at 1 Gy/min, or a linear accelerator at 22 Gy/min. Cells were monitored over a 96 hr interval for changes in protein synthetic rates by in vivo incorporation of 35S-methionine, for changes in composition of translation-initiation cap-complexes by 7m-GTP Sepharose chromatography and by interaction with initiation factor eIF4G by immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analysis. Cap-dependent and cap-independent mRNA translation rates were determined using reporter mRNAs. Cell viability was assayed by MTT and clonogenic assays (p 0.05). Over-expression of 4E-BP1 was accomplished by infection with a selectable retrovirus expression vector, pBABE-HA-tagged-4EBP1. Gene silencing of 4E-BP1 was performed by infection with a lentivirus vector expressing an siRNA generating construct specifically targeting 4E-BP1.
Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: time for individualized risk reduction

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in people with dia- betes, and represents up to 80% of premature death in this patient population (1,2). Traditional CVD risk factors in the diabetic population include hypertension, insulin resistance, diabetic dyslipidemia, central obesity, smoking and sed- entary lifestyles, while nontraditional risk fac- tors include low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the prothrombotic state (increased PAI-1, increased platelet aggregation and increased fibrinogen) (3). Control of CVD risk factors in diabetic patients is quite challenging, costly and burdensome, and is only achieved in a small proportion of the population, particularly among those at the high- est risk of CVD, such as ethnic minorities and those with established CVD and chronic kid- ney disease (CKD), as well as the elderly diabetic patients (4-11). Work by our group and others, including nationally representative samples, indi- cate that control of individual CVD risk factors according to the applicable practice guidelines is achieved in less than a third of the diabetic population (6,7,10) with only 3-7% of the diabetic population simultaneously achieving glycemic, blood pressure and lipid goals (6,7,10). While tight glycemic control with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 6.5-7% has been recommended in various clinical practice guidelines, and is used as a measure of quality of care and in some instances as a determinant of reimbursement such as with Medicare, 'Pay for Performance' initiatives, evi- dence for CVD protection with this approach is generally lacking, especially with long-standing diabetes, elderly populations and in those with CKD (12,13). Furthermore, accumulating evi-
Infection status of enterovirus 71 and coxsackievirus A16 among children receiving health examination for child care setting entrance in Beijing and their related medical care seeking practice

Objective To understand the infection status of enterovirus 71 (EV71) and coxsackievirus A16 (Cox A16) among children receiving health examination for child care setting entrance in Beijing and their related medical care seeking practice and provide evidence for the estimation of disease burden caused by hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) . Methods Serological survey was conducted in the local children receiving health examination for child care setting entrance. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to detect anti-EV71 and anti-Cox A16 IgG and IgM. Results A total of 813 children were surveyed (mean age: 3.5±1.0 year old) . The seropositive rate was 61.9% and 4.4% for anti-Cox A16 IgG and IgM. The seropositive rate was 9.3% and 1.1% for anti-EV71 IgG and IgM. No significant difference was observed in sex specific seropositive rate (P>0.05) . However, significant differences were found in seropositive rate among different age groups (P<0.05) . Among the children who were anti-Cox A16 positive, 7.8% had ever had rashes on their hands and feet, mouth or buttocks (HFMD-like rashes) . Among the children who were anti-EV71 positive, 10.7% had ever had HFMD-like rashes. For the children who were anti-Cox A16 or anti-EV71 positive, only 7.1% were brought to see doctors by their parents. However, among the seropositive children with rashes, 80.5% were brought to see doctors. Conclusion In the healthy children at the age to go to child care setting in Beijing, most had ever infected with Cox A16. The anti-EV71 positive rate was much lower than the anti-Cox A16 positive rate. It was necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of EV71 infection in child cares settings. Key words: Hand foot and mouth disease; Enterovirus 71; Coxsackie virus A16
Preheating after Multifield Inflation with Nonminimal Couplings, I: Covariant Formalism and Attractor Behavior

This is the first of a three-part series of papers, in which we study the preheating phase for multifield models of inflation involving nonminimal couplings. In this paper, we study the single-field attractor behavior that these models exhibit during inflation and quantify its strength and parameter dependence. We further demonstrate that the strong single-field attractor behavior persists after the end of inflation. Preheating in such models therefore generically avoids the "de-phasing" that typically affects multifield models with minimally coupled fields, allowing efficient transfer of energy from the oscillating inflaton condensate(s) to coupled perturbations across large portions of parameter space. We develop a doubly-covariant formalism for studying the preheating phase in such models and identify several features specific to multifield models with nonminimal couplings, including effects that arise from the nontrivial field-space manifold. In papers II and III, we apply this formalism to study how the amplification of adiabatic and isocurvature perturbations varies with parameters, highlighting several distinct regimes depending on the magnitude of the nonminimal couplings $\xi_I$.
Theory Meets Reality: The Case of the Double Tax on Material Capital

In recent years there has been increased interest in the adoption of a consumption tax as a replacement for the income tax. Typically it is suggested that this result be achieved by (1) taxing only wage income, (2) providing a deduction for all investments in material capital, (3) providing an exemption for all investment income, or (4) providing an excise tax on consumption purchases. One of the leading theoretical justifications for making such a radical change in our tax laws has been an embrace of John Stuart Mill's observation that whereas income from capital is taxed twice, once as earned and again as the income from capital is taxed, income from labor is taxed only once, as it is earned. In this article the author conducts an examination of the relative taxation of labor (human capital) and material capital under the Internal Revenue Code (Code) to determine which of these two forms of capital is taxed more advantageously. Measured against the Haig-Simons definition of income and the ideal taxation of income from material and human capital that would be dictated by Haig-Simons, the author demonstrates that, under the Code, the income from neither form of capital is advantaged over the other. The article demonstrates why it is important for analysts to measure their theoretical conclusions regarding laws against the actual laws themselves and not against an artificial construct of the theoretician.
Risk factors for cardiovascular events of antidementia drugs in Alzheimer's disease patients

Abstract Background Antidementia drugs have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. The objective of this study was to identify the predictors for cardiovascular events among patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) on antidementia drugs, mining large longitudinal claims data. Methods Using 2006–2011 claims from a 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries, I identified patients with AD who filled a prescription for an antidementia drug between 2007 and 2011. I followed them from the initiation of the antidementia drug until a cardiovascular event or December 31, 2011, censored by death or discontinuation of antidementia drugs. The outcome was the incidence of cardiovascular events, which include acute myocardial infarction, bradycardia, syncope, atrioventricular block, QT prolongation, and ventricular tachycardia. Covariates included predefined patient characteristics and empirical attributes identified from the claims, including International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnosis codes, Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System codes, and therapeutic classes of all prescriptions filled. After using feature selection to choose the top covariates, a logistic regression with multivariate variable selection was constructed. Results With an accuracy of 83.9% and a sensitivity of 93.3%, the algorithm identified 22 predictors for cardiovascular events, including a history of ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, syncope, stroke or transient ischemic attack, diabetes, number of other comorbidities, and procedures including venipuncture and radiologic examinations. Conclusion The results of this study can help clinicians identify AD patients with a higher risk of cardiovascular events who therefore should be prescribed antidementia drugs cautiously.
Advanced gynecologic laparoscopy in a fast-track ambulatory surgery center.

Background/objectives It has been shown that major gynecologic laparoscopy is safe in hospital ambulatory settings, but there is little data to suggest the same in freestanding ambulatory surgery centers. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of advanced gynecologic laparoscopic surgery using a fast-track model in freestanding ambulatory surgery centers and discusses our institution protocols. Methods Retrospective, multicenter review was conducted of major gynecologic surgeries from August 1st 2010 to September 30th 2011 in 3 surgical centers with one primary surgeon. All patients were treated for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas and/or endometriosis. Primary outcome measures were unplanned admissions and discharge within 23 hours. Results One hundred and thirty-four patients underwent major laparoscopic gynecologic surgery with a total of 160 procedures: 77 stage IV endometriosis treatment including 7 disk excisions of endometriosis from the large bowel, 3 ureteroneocystostomies and 1 partial bladder resection, 38 myomectomies, and 34 hysterectomies including 12 modified radical hysterectomies. The overall unplanned admission rate was 4.5%. One hundred and thirty-one patients (97.7%) were discharged within 24 hours after surgery. Three patients (2.2%) were transferred to the hospital postoperatively: 1 patient for observation of postoperative anemia and 2 patients for postoperative fever. Three patients (2.2%) were admitted to the hospital after discharge: 1 patient for postoperative ileus, 1 patient for postoperative fever, and 1 patient with septic pelvic thrombophlebitis. These postoperative issues all resolved without complication, and all patients had an uneventful follow-up. Conclusions With appropriate resources and an experienced surgeon, advanced laparoscopic surgery can be safely performed in a fast-track ambulatory surgery center with a high rate of discharge within 23 hours and low unplanned readmission rate.
Respiratory motor training and neuromuscular plasticity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A pilot study.

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of a full-scale investigation of the neurophysiological mechanisms of COPD-induced respiratory neuromuscular control deficits. Characterization of respiratory single- and multi-muscle activation patterns using surface electromyography (sEMG) were assessed along with functional measures at baseline and following 21 ± 2 (mean ± SD) sessions of respiratory motor training (RMT) performed during a one-month period in four patients with GOLD stage II or III COPD. Pre-training, the individuals with COPD showed significantly increased (p
Research on the Development Strategy about Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Service Alliance in Beijing

The construction speed on the alliance of agricultural science and technology innovation service is walking in the forefront of the country in Beijing. To explore its construction achievements and problems since then has great significance to further improve the policy and promote the national industry technology innovation system construction. According to the results of the survey,Beijing agricultural science and technology innovation has made promised results in innovating cooperation mechanism and promoting the transformation of science and technology. However,there has the problems existing in the structure,scale and layout,technology innovation ability etc. According to the basic requirements of the construction of national industry technology innovation strategic alliance,suggestions are given such as strengthening the alliance trust and professional management team construction,optimizing the structure and layout of the industry alliance,establishing and perfecting the legal system.
Fetal acceleration test.

Five hundred thirty-one fetal acceleration tests were performed on 112 normal subjects at various gestational ages ranging between 22 and 41 weeks. Analysis of the results revealed that the frequency of nonreactive tests was directly related to gestational age, ranging, from 56% in the 22- to 25-week group to 6% in the 38- to 41-week group. During the same period 919 fetal acceleration tests were performed on 339 high-risk subjects. When these were divided into groups by gestational age, the frequency of nortreactlve tests did not differ significantly from that in the normal group of subjects. These data suggest three possible conclusions: (1) that the high frequency of false positive results does not justify the performance or utilization of such tests before 30 weeks' gestatiional age; (2) that nonreactivity is probably a function of gestational age rather than an indication of fetal jeopardy; (3) that the frequency of "false positive" tests among the normal population may invalidate reliance on such tests for management of subjects in a high-risk category.
Unprecedented decrease in deposition of nitrogen oxides over North America: the relative effects of emission controls and prevailing air-mass trajectories

As one of the main forms of reactive nitrogen delivered by anthropogenic sources, atmospheric emissions of nitrogen oxides and their subsequent deposition has significantly perturbed the natural nitrogen cycle in sensitive receiving ecosystems worldwide. In North America, despite of decades of increasingly stringent regulations of emissions, decreases in the deposition of nitrogen oxides were not observed until the turn of the century. Analysis of available deposition data and trends at various spatial scales revealed that the decrease took place at a continental scale, but is particularly evident in the eastern side of the continent, where there was an unprecedented 50 % decrease in deposition. The magnitude, timing and geographical extension of the observed changes in deposition resulted from a combination of successfully and relatively coordinated application of emission controls in major contributing regions and increasingly lower amounts of nitrogen oxides being transported from source to receptor areas, thereby extending the effects of emission controls over large geographical scales.
Cryopreserved aortic homografts contain viable smooth muscle cells capable of expressing transplantation antigens

Frozen aortic tissue is increasingly used as homografts in reconstructive cardiovascular surgical procedures. The viability of cells within these cryopreserved tissues, their identity, and their potential immunogenicity have been the subject of controversy. We cultured cells from cryopreserved human aortic homografts that reacted with a monoclonal antibody that recognizes muscle actin isoforms, identifying them as smooth muscle cells. Under basal conditions, these smooth muscle cells contained messenger ribonucleic acid for class I human leukocyte antigens detected by northern blotting and expressed class I human leukocyte antigen on their surfaces as measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay and immunohistochemistry. Unstimulated smooth muscle cells contained no class II human leukocyte antigen messenger ribonucleic acid as determined by northern blotting and displayed almost no class II surface antigen as determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Interferon gamma (1000 U/ml, 72 hours), a product of activated T lymphocytes, not only increased the expression of class I human leukocyte antigens by smooth muscle cells, but induced class II human leukocyte antigen messenger ribonucleic acid and elevated surface expression from 22 ± 7 to 819 ± 35 enzyme-linked immunoassay units (n = 4). Immunohistochemistry revealed few class II–positive smooth muscle cells under basal culture conditions, but all cells showed high levels of DR antigen after exposure to interferon gamma for 3 days. Similar results were obtained in two independent isolates. We conclude that cryopreserved aortic homografts can contain viable smooth muscle cells capable of expressing major histocompatibility antigens that might render them immunogenic and susceptible to rejection by the recipient’s immune system. ( J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1993;106:1173-80)
Model of Algal Bacterial Clay Wastewater Treatment System

A computer model is presented for an innovative wastewater treatment process known as the Algae-Bacterial-Clay Treatment (ABCT) system. In this process the photosynthetic production of dissolved oxygen by algae supports the bacterial breakdown of organic matter in wastewater. Clay is added to the plug flow reactor to dampen input BOD variation. The model was developed to gain an improved understanding of transient behavior of dissolved oxygen and pH in the treatment reactor during typical operation. The model consists of five nonlinear ordinary differential equations describing the time rate of change of algae mass, bacterial mass, organic substrate, dissolved oxygen, and dissolved carbon dioxide. A fourth-order Runge-Kutta integration technique was used to predict system response at discrete time steps. The pH variation expected from changes in dissolved carbon dioxide was based upon presumptions that the system is buffered by the carbonic acid system, and that alkalinity does not change appreciably during the course of time. These assumptions were confirmed by experimental results. The model successfully predicted diurnal fluctuations in dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH in the ABCT process. The model predicted that algae will supply sufficient oxygen during sunny and partly sunny days to eliminate the need for continuous mechanical aeration. This feature should result in significant cost savings over conventional secondary wastewater treatment schemes. Surplus dissolved oxygen produced by algae during the day should be completely depleted at night due to bacterial respiration. This lack of oxygen, in turn, resulted in reduced substrate utilization and potential effluent discharge violations. Mechanical aeration during the night might be one possible remedial strategy. Despite its dynamic behavior, the ABCT process would be a viable and potentially cost efficient wastewater treatment strategy.
Very fast over voltage simulation and analysis in 500kV GIS substation of Xiangshuijian pumped storage power station

Based on the power system simulation software DIgSILENT, this paper presents the Electro-Magnetic Transient (EMT) simulation of Very Fast Transient Overvoltage (VFTO) phenomena in 500kV GIS substation of Xiangshuijian pumped storage power station. The modeling of GIS components and its connected equipments are summarized. The operation of disconnector in GIS under different typical substation configurations is simulated. It is concluded that the highest VFTO level in the GIS substation is below 500kV substation Lightning Impulse Withstand Voltage (LIWV). The influence factors of VFTO are studied in this paper, including transformer entrance capacitance, residual charge of GIS bus conductor and the cable length between GIS and transformer. The variation regularities of VFTO level with these factors are concluded.
SENSORY EVALUATION OF HEALTH FOODS–A COMPARISON WITH TRADITIONAL FOODS1

Twenty-five health foods were compared to traditional foods with respect to color, flavor, texture, odor, and overall acceptance. None of the health foods was found to be superior on the basis of overall acceptance, but three of the items were individually preferred for color or odor. Many traditional foods, however, were preferred for color, odor, flavor, and texture as well as overall acceptance.
The trials of a woman's life in science

Lise Meitner is a pivotal and intrinsically interesting figure in the history of science. She is also one of the most compelling woman scientists. An accomplished and well respected physicist, she made several important and fundamental contributions to nuclear physics. These culminated in the decisive role she played in the discovery of nuclear fission and thereby in the birth of the nuclear age. Meitner's successes are all the more remarkable when one recognizes the special obstacles she faced and overcame throughout her career.
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Orbital Floor

The upper border of the maxillary sinus comprises the orbital floor, and this thin bone is susceptible to damage from trauma. Indications for surgical intervention include a fracture involving more than ½ of the orbital floor, diplopia extending beyond 7–10 days, extraocular muscle entrapment, and oculocardiac reflex, among others (Surgery of the eyelid, orbit, and lacrimal system, Oxford, 212–217, 220–222, 1995; Ophthalmology 109:1207–1210, 2002). It is generally accepted that repair can be delayed up to 2 weeks unless alarming features are noted (e.g., non-resolving oculocardiac reflex), in which case emergent intervention is indicated (Ophthalmology 109:1207–1210, 2002). The transconjunctival preseptal approach has been demonstrated to be an effective approach to gain access to the orbital floor (Journal of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery 10:301–305, 2011). After the orbital floor is exposed, the limits of the fracture are identified, the entrapped tissue is reduced, and an implant is placed (if necessary). Postoperatively, the patient is positioned upright and monitored with pupil and vision checks (Surgery of the eyelid, orbit, and lacrimal system, Oxford, 212–217, 220–222, 1995; Journal of the American Medical Association Facial Plastic Surgery 16:290–295, 2014). Possible complications include incomplete correction of preoperative enophthalmos or diplopia, eyelid malposition, and optic nerve injury (Journal of the American Medical Association Facial Plastic Surgery 16:290–295, 2014).
Molecular simulation of electrokinetics of montmorillonite surface coated with hexadecyltrimethylammonium cations

Abstract Organoclays are effective sorbent component for nonionic species in slurry or drilling fluid. The surface electrokinetics controls the behaviors of suspended organoclay particles in a system mixed of water, colloidal particle and electrolytes. This study presents a molecular dynamics simulation to illustrate the structure and kinetics of organic surfactant coating, inorganic ions and water near montmorillonite surfaces. The simulated system contained approximately 10,000 atoms and was run as long as 15 ns, to ensure that both the size and time scale of the simulated system are large enough. The results were analyzed quantitatively to address the species distribution near the clay surface; and the difference of electrical potential near base and surfactant-modified montmorillonite surfaces. Simulation results indicated the organic coating could effectively shield the layer charges of the clay and also alter the alignment of water molecules near the clay surface. Consequently, the organoclay particles tend to have lower “effective charges” and less negative surface electrical potentials, in agreement with previous zeta-potential measurements.
The properties of reducing agents released by treatment of Solanum tuberosum with elicitors from Phytophthora infestans.

Abstract Tuber and leaf discs of Solanum tuberosum were treated with germination fluid from Phytophthora infestans cystospores and with several biotic and abiotic elicitors. The subsequent production of reducing agents was determined by the ability of the various treated tuber and leaf discs to reduce cytochrome c . The occurrence of superoxide (O 2 − ) among the reducing agents was determined by measuring the reduction of cytochrome c in the presence and absence of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Although several of the treatments induced the production of reducing agents, very little superoxide was detected in any of the treatments. Reducing agents were present when the discs were treated with germination fluid. Control experiments revealed that these reducing agents were derived solely from the germination fluid in levels comparable to those found in the absence of tuber or leaf discs. The reducing agents in the germination fluid were found to be large molecules (> 10000 mol. wt units), and their ability to reduce cytochrome c was enhanced by boiling or by treatment with NADH. The treatment of tuber discs with arachidonic acid, digitonin, or AgNO 3 was shown to induce the production of reducing agents. Nearly identical levels of reducing agents were induced by treatment of tuber discs with fatty acids other than arachidonic acid (oleic, linolenic, and eicosapentaenoic acids). The presence of calcium had very little effect on the induction of reducing agents by tuber discs. When leaf discs were also treated with various elicitors, only digitonin and AgNO 3 induced the production of reducing agents. These results do not support the hypothesis that superoxide is involved in the resistance interaction between S. tuberosum and P. infestans .
Interview with Matthew Hull: “It’s All about Real Bureaucracy, Control, and Stability”

Matthew Hull, associate professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Michigan, was interviewed as an author of his recognized book titled “Government of Paper: The Materiality of Bureaucracy in Urban Pakistan” (2012) by Elena Gudova, PhD student and teacher at the Higher School of Economics.Matthew Hull discusses the material practices concerning document production and circulation among government employees at the Capital Development Authority (CDA) of Islamabad. According to Prof. Hull, intense documentation is not necessarily a feature of state bureaucracy alone; rather, it is also relevant to the managerial and accountability activities of private corporations. Still, paperwork at government organizations provides a good empirical example of “governmentality practices”.Apart from their ability to organize things by the power of a word, documents serve as mediators in the relationships among people, objects, and institutions. Storytelling practices may shed some light on the performance of specific files and regulations, which can form physical social order and provide access to different areas of responsibility and sources of power. In that sense, the “virtualization” of documents and their break from materiality does not necessarily reduce the level of bureaucracy; instead, it can create new dimensions of symbolic inequality among bureaucrats and their clients.According to Hull, the power of bureaucracy (both official and nonofficial) varies cross-culturally and even across companies in the same country. Despite their common British postcolonial legacy, India and Pakistan may serve as good examples of this. The idea of accountability lies at the core of bureaucracy and sets the ground for the emergence of a political economy of paper. Above all, this interpenetration of documents and goods and services production may characterize both capitalistic and noncapitalistic societies.
Tie2 upregulates ABC transporters and promotes drug resistance

3224 Malignant tumors invariably recur after therapy by exhibiting a multidrug-resistance phenotype. The mechanisms underlying cellular drug resistance are poorly understood. We have previously identified abnormal high expression of the Tie2 receptor in non-stromal cells within glioma tumors. In a human tissue array consisting on 116 gliomas, Tie2 overexpression was present in more that 50% of malignant gliomas, the most common subtype of primary brain tumors. Here, we analyzed the role of Tie2 in drug resistance by testing the cytotoxicity of several chemotherapeutic drugs in a panel of human glioma cells. We found, by using MTT assay for cell viability and Annexin V binding assay for apoptosis detection, that human glioma cells expressing Tie2 are more resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs (i.e. cisplatin, temozolomide, and SN38) upon stimulation with Angiopoietin 1(Ang1), the natural Tie2 ligand. The chemorresistance of those cells were Tie2-dependent, as demonstrated by experiments consisting in downmodulation of Tie2 expression by siRNA. Corroborating these results, the transfer of Tie2 cDNA to Tie2-negative cells resulted in acquisition of a multi-drug resistant phenotype. We further show that Tie2 pathway activation regulates the expression of ABCG2 and MRP2/ABCC2 transporters, as observed by using real time PCR. However, no modification in the levels of MDR1/P-glycoprotein or MRP1/ABCC1 was observed. Functional studies showed that Tie2 active pathway was related with drug efflux, assessed by using selected substrates and inhibitors of the ATP-binding cassette transporters. Of interest, inhibition of PI3K/Akt activity partially abrogated Tie2-mediated upregulation of ABCG2 and ABCC2. These results were consistent with induction of Akt phosphorylation upon Ang1 stimulation in Tie2-expressing glioma cells. Taken together our results indicate that Tie2 activation in human glioma cells may play an important role in multidrug resistance through Akt activation and upregulation of ABC transporters. In the context of the reported Ang1 overexpression in gliomas, our results suggest the existence of an autocrine loop that modulates multidrug resistance of gliomas, and ultimately brain tumor recurrence.