cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rape myth acceptance: A case for providing educational expert testimony in rape jury trials

The prevalence and content of rape myth acceptance indicate a need for educational expert testimony in rape jury trials. It is proposed that expert testimony regarding common misconceptions about rape and rape victim behavior, conceptualized in terms of a social framework, would help to compensate for societal bias against the complainant in a rape trial. Rape trauma syndrome, eyewitness identification, and general educational testimony concerning rape are discussed. Evidence is presented that suggests inclusion of such testimony serves the purpose of expert testimony according to the Federal Rules of Evidence.
Paradoxical effects of 17β-estradiol on glucose transport in primary cell cultures of a rat mammary tumor

Abstract Primary cell cultures of rat mammary carcinoma R3230AC exhibited a rapid, reversible and dose-related inhibition of carrier-mediated 3-0-methyl-D-glucose transport when estrone, 17β-estradiol, estriol, diethylstilbestrol or phloretin was present during the transport assay. With 17β-estradiol, maximal transport inhibition (66%) was observed at 40μM, a concentration also effective in preventing cell growth when present in the media. Cultures preincubated in growth media containing 5mM glucose plus 40μM 17β-estradiol for one day displayed enhanced rates of carrier mediated 3-0-methyl-D-glucose transport. This increase was prevented by 50mM glucose and can be explained as an adaptive response to a condition simulating glucose starvation.
Need + Prepositional Adverb in the Midland: Another Feature Needs In

The status of the U.S. Midland as a separate dialect area has been a topic of discussion for quite some time, and Murray and Simon (2006b) strive for resolution by defining the Midland as a dialect...
Wet weather impact on trihalomethane formation potential in tributaries to drinking water reservoirs

During rain storm events, land surface runoff and resuspension of bottom sediments cause an increase in Trihalomethane (THM) precursors in rivers. These precursors, when chlorinated at water treatment facilities will lead to the formation of THMs and hence impact drinking water resources. In order to evaluate the wet weather impact on the potential formation of THMs, river samples were collected before, during and after three rain storms ranging from 15.2 to 24.9 mm precipitation. The samples were tested for THM formation potential and other indicators including UV254 absorbance, turbidity and volatile suspended solid (VSS). Average levels of THMs increased from 61 μg/l during dry weather to 131 μg/l during wet weather, and then went back to 81 μg/l after rain ended. Wet weather values of THM are well above the maximum contaminant level (MCL) 80 μg/l, set by EPA for drinking water. THM indicators also exhibited similar trends. Average levels increased from 0.6 to 1.8 abs; 2.6 to 6 ntu; and 7.5 to 15 mg/l respectively for UV254, turbidity and VSS. A positive correlation was observed between THM formation and THM indicators. The t-test of significance (p-value) was less than 0.05 for all indicators, and R values ranged from 0.85 to 0.92 between THMs and the indicators, and 0.72 to 0.9 among indicators themselves.
Sex differences in the association of urinary bisphenol-A concentration with selected indices of glucose homeostasis among U.S. adults.

Purpose Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to endocrine disruptors may initiate or exacerbate adiposity and associated health problems. This study examined sex differences in the association of urinary level of bisphenol-A (BPA) with selected indices of glucose homeostasis among U.S. adults.
A comparison of thermospray and direct liquid introduction high‐performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry for the analysis of candidate antimalarials

The analysis of antimalarials by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/mass spectrometry demonstrates a new dimension in specificity along with increased sensitivity compared to conventional HPLC detection methods. Both direct liquid introduction and thermospray HPLC/mass spectrometry interfaces provided molecular weight information as well as characteristic fragment ions for antimalarials not normally amenable to direct probe or gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric techniques. The direct liquid introduction interface, which incorporated a 1/100 split, showed a detection limit of 30 ng using selected ion monitoring. The thermospray technique showed less than 1 ng detection limits using selected ion monitoring.
Incisions of drum membrane in otitis media

Abstract The surgical anatomy of the tympanum, the pathology, physical signs and symptoms of acute middle ear suppuration in the most common forms are briefly outlined. A clear understanding of all these factors, together with one's clinical experience, forms the basis of the otologist's judgment in the decision for or against myringotomy. Naturally the general condition of the patient must always be considered. It is for this reason that the close cooperation between the pediatrician or internist and the otologist is most essential
Differential modulation of mu-opioid receptor signaling to adenylyl cyclase by regulators of G protein signaling proteins 4 or 8 and 7 in permeabilised C6 cells is Gα subtype dependent

J. Neurochem. (2009) 112, 1026–1034. Abstract Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins act as GTPase-accelerating protein to negatively modulate G protein signaling and are defined by a conserved RGS domain with considerable amino acid diversity. To determine the effects of specific, purified RGS proteins on mu-opioid signaling, C6 cells stably expressing a mu-opioid receptor were rendered permeable to proteins by treatment with digitonin. Mu-opioid inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase by [d-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO), a mu-specific opioid peptide, remained fully intact in permeabilized cells. Purified RGS domain of RGS4 added to permeabilized cells resulted in a twofold loss in DAMGO potency but had no effect in cells expressing RGS-insensitive G proteins. The inhibitory effect of DAMGO was reduced to the same extent by purified RGS4 and RGS8. In contrast, the RGS domain of RGS7 had no effect and inhibited the action of RGS8 as a result of weak physical association with Gαi2 and minimal GTPase-accelerating protein activity in C6 cell membranes. These data suggest that differences in conserved RGS domains of specific RGS proteins contribute to differential regulation of opioid signaling to adenylyl cyclase and that a permeabilized cell model is useful for studying the effects of specific RGS proteins on aspects of G protein-coupled receptor signaling.
Macroevolutionary consequences of developmental mode in temnopleurid echinoids from the tertiary of Southern Australia

Taxonomic revision and cladistic analysis of a morphological dataset for Australian Tertiary temnopleurids resolve the phylogeny of the group and allow the testing of a series of hypotheses about the evolution of larval development and consequences of changes in development. Australian Tertiary temnopleurids encompass all three major developmental types found in marine invertebrates (planktotrophy, lecithotrophy, and brooding). Planktotrophy is plesiomorphic for this clade, and nonplanktotrophic larval development evolved independently at least three times during the Tertiary. The change to a nonplanktotrophic mode of larval development is unidirectional with no evidence of reversal. In addition, there is no evidence of an ordered transformation series from planktotrophy through planktonic lecithotrophy to brooding. In common with previous studies of other invertebrate groups, analysis of the raw data suggests that nonplanktotrophic taxa within this clade have significantly shorter species longevities, more restricted geographic ranges and higher speciation rates than taxa with planktotrophic development. However, analysis using phylogenetically independent contrasts is unable to confirm that the stratigraphic and geographic patterns are unbiased by the phylogenetic relationships of the included taxa.
Treatment of Allergic Aspergillosis with Triamcinolone Acetonide Aerosol

The successful management of a patient with allergic aspergillosis with triamcinolone acetonide for one year is reported. This patient had been maintained previously on systemic corticosteroids continuously for eight years. An initial attempt to withdraw systemic steroids after initiation of aerosol therapy was unsuccessful; however, following bronchoscopic removal of mucus plugs, the transfer to maintenance therapy with triamcinolone aerosol alone was uneventful.
Stochastically Resilient Observer Design for a Class of Discrete-Time Nonlinear Systems

A class of discrete-time nonlinear system and measurement equations having incrementally conic nonlinearities and finite energy disturbances is considered. A linear matrix inequality based nonlinear observer design approach is presented, which guarantees the satisfaction of a variety of performance criteria ranging from simple estimation error boundedness to dissipativity in the presence of random perturbations, due possibly to computational errors or changes during operation, on the observer gain. Some simulation examples are included to illustrate the proposed design methodology.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Compression of Stokes pulses generated through a parametric four-photon mixing process in a birefringent optical fiber.

We demonstrate the compressibility of Stokes pulses at a 1.075-μm wavelength that are generated through the parametric four-photon mixing process in a highly birefringent single-mode fiber pumped by 35-psec pulses at 1.053 μm from a cw mode-locked Nd:YLF laser. With a 300-m fiber and a grating pair the pump pulses at 1.053 μm are compressed to 350 fsec, with an average output power of 370 mW after compression. With a different input pump polarization angle and a different grating separation the Stokes pulses are compressed to 470 fsec, with the same average output power after compression.
Halftone Visual Cryptography Through Error Diffusion

This paper considers the problem of encoding a secret binary image SI into n shares of meaningful halftone images within the scheme of visual cryptography. We extend our previous work on halftone visual cryptography [1] and propose a new method that can encode the secret pixels into the shares via simple error diffusion. The noise introduced by encoded secret pixels is totally diffused away to neighboring pixels and pleasing halftone shares can be achieved. The secret image can be clearly decoded without showing any interference with the share image. The security of our method is guaranteed by the properties of visual cryptography.
Variations of nursing teamwork by hospital, patient unit, and staff characteristics

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship among hospital, patient units, and staff characteristics and nursing teamwork. Using multiple linear regression analysis, we found that nursing role, shift, absenteeism, perceived adequacy of staffing, and unit type were significant predictors of teamwork.
Solubilization of trichloroethylene by polyelectrolyte/surfactant complexes

An automated vapor pressure method is used to obtain solubilization isotherms for trichloroethylene (TCE) in polyelectrolyte/surfactant complexes throughout a wide range of solute activities at 20 and 25 C. The polyelectrolyte chosen is sodium poly(styrenesulfonate), PSS< and the surfactant is cetylpyridinium chloride or N-hexadecylpyridinium chloride, CPC. Data are fitted to the quadratic equation K = K[sub 0](1[minus][alpha]X + [beta]X[sup 2]), which correlates the solubilization equilibrium constant (K) with the mole fraction of TCE (X) in the micelles or complexes at each temperature. Activity coefficients are also obtained for TCE in the PSS/CPC complexes as a function of X. The general solubilization of TCE in PSS/CPC complexes resembles that of TCE in CPC micelles, as well as that of benzene or toluene in CPC micelles, suggesting that TCE solubilizes in ionic micelles both within the hydrocarbon micellar interior and near the micellar surface. The presence of the polyelectrolyte causes a small decrease in the ability of the cationic surfactant to solubilize TCE, while greatly reducing the concentration of the surfactant present in monomeric form. PSS/CPC complexes may be useful in colloid-enhanced ultrafiltration processes to purify organic-contaminated water.
Two-Stage, One-Dimensional Thin Layer Chromatographic Method for Separation of Lipid Classes

Abstract A thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) technique was developed for routine analysis of lipid classes of blood, milk, tissue and egg yolk. This procedure provided rapid and reproducible separations suitable for in situ quantitation by densitometry The spotted TLC plate was subjected to two developments in one dimension to separate, in ascending order from the origin: phospholipids, monoglycerides, free fatty acids, cholesterol, 1,2-diglycerides, 1,3-diglycerides, triglycerides, and cholesterol esters. Development 1: chloroform: methanol: acetic acid (98:2:1) to 17.0 cm. Development 2: hexane: ethyl ether: acetic acid (94:6:0.2) to the top of the plate. After air drying, the plate was dipped into a solution of 3% cupric acetate in 8% phosphoric acid for 3 seconds, and heated at 130°C for 30 minutes to char the separated lipid classes. The chromatograms were scanned at 350 nm. Overloading of TLC plates with sample using the spotter resulted in the appearance of distorted kidney-shaped spots. A mathemati...
Discrimination Without Prejudice

group. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between discriminatory behavior and prejudiced attitudes--with special application to the behavior and attitudes of white retail employers toward Negro employees. It is generally assumed that discrimination and prejudice are closely correlated. Although people recognize that prejudiced individuals may be prevented by social control mechanisms from practicing discrimination, they less often realize that discrimination may exist in the absence of prejudice. When discriminatory behavior is encountered, the discriminators are ipso facto assumed to be prejudiced. For example staff members of organizations like the Urban League characteristically impute to employers who refuse to hire Negro salesgirls a low opinion of the selling ability of all Negroes. Because they discriminate, they must be prejudiced. The following data suggest, however, that discrimination may be practiced by persons who are not personally prejudiced. The personnel managers of the fifty largest retail stores (excluding groceries) in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, were interviewed in August 1949 regarding their employment policies. (1) The median number of employees in the stores was one-hundred thirty, of whom fifty-seven were typically on the sales staff. Although many of the variety, clothing, and drug stores were members of chains, all but five managers reported they were able to determine their own employment policies with respect to such matters
Administration of the thematic apperception test: Contributions of psychoanalytic psychotherapy

Psychodiagnosis has given more to than it has received from psychotherapy. Some psychological tests may benefit from the wisdom accrued and embodied in the psychoanalytic situation. Using the well known projective instrument, the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), guided by the intent to make the use of the test more consistent with the psychoanalytic situation and contemporary projective theory, it is suggested that the basic TAT instruction be modified and that greater attention be paid to an explicit theoretical rationale by which the cards are selected and presented. Inviting the patient to collaborate in a self-interpretation of the TAT can serve as an assessment of the patient's capacity for introspection and the development of the working alliance. It is further suggested that psychoanalytic developmental theory can function as an epigenetic organizer of the patient's TAT protocol.
Regulation of striatal proenkephalin and prodynorphin gene expression by transcription factor CREB

Abstract There has been controversy over the precise mechanisms by which neural stimuli acting via cAMP and Ca 2+ pathways regulate expression of the genes encoding the opioid peptide precursors proenkephalin and prodynorphin. Evidence has been adduced for both AP-1 proteins, including Fos, and CREB-like proteins as the key factors transducing signals to the DNA. Here we present evidence from in vivo systems that CREB, rather than Fos, is likely the key protein regulating cAMP responsiveness of these two opioid genes. In addition, we show that CREB is phosphorylated in vivo in response to stimuli known to regulate these opioid genes.
Fatty acid metabolism in Paramecium Oleic acid metabolism and inhibition of polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis by triparanol

Paramecium requires oleic acid for growth and can grow in media containing no other fatty acids. In the present study, we have shown that this ciliate utilized oleate mainly as a carbon and energy source, even though this fatty acid was the only substrate available for synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Culture growth was inhibited by the addition of the drug triparanol. Triparanol decreased the formation of polyunsaturated fatty acids from oleate by preventing desaturation to form the dienoic acid, linoleate. Triparanol inhibition resulted in an altered phospholipid fatty acyl composition, an increased fragility and an altered behavioral response of the cells to a depolarizing stimulation solution. Therefore, although most of the dietary oleate was not used by the cells for polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis, the desaturation of oleic acid was critical for normal culture growth, cell integrity and swimming behavior, all of which are expected to be dependent on normal membrane lipid composition.
Binuclear TiOMn charge-transfer chromophore in mesoporous silica.

An all-inorganic heterobinuclear chromophore consisting of TiIV oxo-bridged to a MnII center has been assembled on the surface of silica pores of MCM-41 material. The key step of covalent attachment on the pore surface is the reaction of a MnII precursor featuring weakly held CH3CN ligands with the OH group of a previously anchored titanol site. The optical diffuse reflectance spectrum reveals a TiIVOMnII→ TiIIIOMnIII metal-to-metal charge-transfer (MMCT) absorption extending from the UV throughout to visible into the red spectral region. FT-IR, FT-Raman and optical spectroscopy confirm that the material is free of Mn oxide clusters, while EPR and Mn K-edge X-ray absorption spectra indicate that the donor center is predominantly in oxidation state +2. In situ FT-IR spectroscopy allowed detection of visible light-induced redox chemistry of the MMCT unit using O2 (18O2) and methanol as acceptor and donor probe molecules, respectively. Formate and water were observed as primary products, with methyl formate emerging as a secondary condensation product. The observed photochemistry demonstrates that excitation of the TiIVOMnII→ TiIIIOMnIII results in complete transfer of an electron from donor to acceptor center, with the charge separation sufficiently long lived for initiation of redox chemistry to occur. With donor and acceptor redox potentials appropriate for driving multi-electron catalysts for water oxidation, proton or CO2 reduction, the TiOMnII unit is an attractive candidate as a charge-transfer chromophore in a solar fuel generating system.
Analysis of non-Darcian effects on temperature differentials in porous media

Abstract Forced convection flow through a channel filled with a porous medium is investigated analytically. A non-thermal equilibrium, two-equation model is utilized to represent the fluid and solid energy transport. The Darcy–Forchheimer–Brinkman model is used to represent the fluid transport within the porous medium. Analytical solutions are obtained for both fluid and solid temperature fields incorporating the effects of various pertinent parameters such as the Biot number, the thermal conductivity ratio, the Darcy number and the inertial parameter. The present analytical solution for the two-equation model is validated against the exact solution for the one-equation model available in the literature as well as the analytical solution for the non-thermal equilibrium case based on a Darcian flow field. Error maps for the validity of one-equation model are established for various physical conditions taking into account the Darcy and inertial parameters as well as the Biot and the thermal conductivity ratio of fluid to solid phases. It is shown that the Darcy number and the inertial parameter have a lesser influence in establishing the validity of the local thermal equilibrium assumption.
Effects of lysergic acid diethylamide on the metabolism of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine☆

Abstract The effects of d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), in doses ranging from 200 to 1300 μg/kg, on the time course of the changes in brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic add (5-HIAA) have been studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The results show that LSD influences 5-HT metabolism in brain in a complex way. After i.v. administration of 200 μg/kg LSD, brain 5-HT increases to a maximum of 15–20 per cent at 25 min, while 5-HIAA decreases 15–20 per cent at 20 min. After i.p. administration, which prolongs the total period during which LSD is found in the brain, the time course is spread out and is triphasic: (1) in the first 30 min after 520 or 1300 μg/kg, brain 5-HT increases 15–20 per cent and brain 5-HIAA decreases 15–20 per cent; (2) from 30 to 60 min, 5-HT still increases, while the 5-HIAA level is returning to normal; (3) after 60 min, both 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels decrease at a parallel rate. Both differential and density gradient centrifugation show that 5-HIAA is not present in any particulate fraction, but 5-HT is localized in both the Whittaker B (nerve-ending particle) and the microsomal fractions. Thirty min after 520 μg/kg LSD i.p., the 5-HT content in both fractions is increased 25–30 per cent. These results are consistent with increased binding of 5-HT or an effect of LSD on control mechanisms that regulate 5-HT turnover in the rat brain, or both.
Open-Loop Flow-Control Investigation for Airfoils at Low Reynolds Numbers

Within the scope of a flight research project involving dynamically scaled models, active flow control was investigated for a modified NACA 643-618 airfoil. At low-Reynolds-number conditions, the aerodynamic performance of the modified NACA 643-618 airfoil is considerably reduced by flow separation. Computational-fluid-dynamics simulations of the natural (uncontrolled) and controlled flow were carried out and provide the basis for a detailed analysis of the underlying physical mechanisms. The simulation results for the natural uncontrolled flow compare well with wind-tunnel measurements. Simulations and experiments show a large trailing-edge separation at low angles of attack and a leading-edge separation bubble at high angles of attack. To control the laminar separation and improve the overall performance of the airfoil at the low-Reynolds-number conditions, time-periodic blowing and suction through a spanwise slot is employed. A strong dependence of the effectiveness of the active flow control on the fo...
Achieving continuous VT performance in a dual VT process

In this paper, we present a novel approach to obtain any desired intermediate threshold voltage in a dual VT process. The intermediate threshold voltages are achieved by combining low and high threshold voltages in a device. We show that this combination can be easily implemented in layouts with negligible design and manufacturing overhead. Our results show that power-delay characteristics of the achieved intermediate thresholds match well with the ideal (but impractical) scenario that assumes that all intermediate thresholds are available in the technology.
Studies on the growth and characterization of a NLO active sodium substituted lithium p-nitrophenolate single crystal

Abstract Single crystals of sodium-substituted lithium paranitrophenolate trihydrate (Na-NPLi·3H 2 O) having dimensions upto 16×8×4 mm 3 have been successfully grown by slow evaporation technique. The grown crystals are confirmed by XRD and FTIR analyses. Optical absorption and NLO studies reveal the increase in NLO activity of this crystal in the presence of sodium. Thermal studies brings forth that the crystals are stable upto 180 °C. Microhardness measurements on the cleaved planes (1 1 0) and (1 0 1) verifies the anisotropic behaviour of the crystal.
GERD 2004: Issues from the past and a consensus for the future

In the early 1900's, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was an almost unknown entity with less than 200 cases reported worldwide. Currently the disease is regarded as almost endemic with as much as 25% of the population in some countries exhibiting signs or symptoms of reflux. Early therapies directed at chemical neutralization (milk drip, antacids) were of modest effect and required constant administration for efficacy. The introduction of histamine 2 receptor antagonists in the 1970's dramatically improved the management of GERD, but was limited by problems of tachyphylaxis and adverse events. The advent of the PPI class of drugs revolutionized medical care of GERD, given their efficacy and safety profile. As a consequence, the surgical approach with its pronounced dependence on individual operator skill and its high morbidity and even mortality has fallen into disregard. Thus, modest surgical outcome results as compared to the efficacy of PPIs has led to the widespread recognition that pharmacological therapy for GERD represents the platinum standard of care and the current consensus is that the PPI class of drugs provide the safest and most effective form of therapy for GERD. Furthermore, it is apparent based on acid suppression, symptom relief and healing rates, that all PPIs are on a milligram for milligram basis similarly efficacious for the management of GERD. While a consensus exists in regard to the current management of GERD with PPIs there is little agreement as to the management of the associated mucosal metaplastic process. At this time there is inadequate understanding of the biological basis of the mucosal transformation and minimal information about the mechanistic regulation of this event and its perpetuation. A future consensus thus requires the identification of the appropriate tools to detect Barrett's early, identify the specific molecular markers associated with neoplastic transformation and establish a definitive therapeutic algorithm.
Natural T cells: Cranking up the immune system by prompt cytokine secretion

The report by Wilson and colleagues in this issue of PNAS (1) is one of several in immunology that epitomizes the dictum “to understand the physiology of an immunocyte, learn how this cell regulates its gene expression pattern.” The study of gene regulation, albeit not new, has shifted from its focus on small numbers of model genes under global control mechanisms to a more comprehensive understanding of gene expression changes within a cell. Despite technical challenges, exciting new insights into mechanisms of gene regulation have emerged from these studies. Recent advances in our knowledge of complex genomes and their expressivity, especially those of mice and humans, coupled with the advent of DNA microarray technology have overcome many past limitations. Thus, a comprehensive analysis of gene expression in cells of identical lineage derived under different conditions, healthy or diseased, resting or activated, progenitor/precursor or differentiated/mature, et cetera, is now possible. Reams of data emerge from a microarray analysis at short notice, the sense of which lies in the mind of the beholder.
Why managed care is ripe for market-oriented behavior therapy

Chorpita (1997) has rightly diagnosed a significant problem. In the 1980s and 1990s behavior therapy has progressed, in part, because it embraced the technological model of treatment development, but that model cannot take behavior therapy to the next level. An industrialized health delivery system needs science to succeed. The existing models of treatment development and dissemination have inherent limitations in such an environment, however. Behavior therapy needs to go beyond the technological model of treatment development to link its knowledge base to the modern world of behavioral health care. The purpose of my comments are to elaborate on this basic point.
Why Do Party Activists Convert? An Analysis of Individual-Level Change on the Abortion Issue:

The conversion of continuing party activists to new policy positions plays an important role in the process of partisan change. Although a number of scholars have shown that conversion among continuing activists at the aggregate level contributes to overall ideological change within the parties, political scientists have devoted little attention to the factors associated with attitudinal conversion among individual activists. In this article, we develop a model of the individual-level conversion process and test it using panel data on the abortion attitudes of a national sample of continuing party activists. The results indicate that a number of factors distinguish those activists who convert as their parties' ideological positions change from those activists who do not. These factors include an activist's candidate preferences and general ideological orientations, the religious and political groups to which an activist belongs, the types of incentives that motivate an activist's political activity, and the political environment in the party in an activist's home state.
Adolescent Suicide From an International Perspective

A review of international suicide rates indicates that although youth suicide rates are high, they are lower than rates for the elderly, have increased less dramatically in recent decades, and are higher for boys than for girls. It is argued that the increases in adolescent suicide rates that have occurred in some nations are a result of improved quality of life for adolescents, a factor that leads young people to blame themselves for failure.
Selbstorganisation eines heteroditopen Moleküls zu linearen Aggregaten in Lösung

Wie Schlangen, die sich gegenseitig in den Schwanz beisen: Eine heteroditope, selbstkomplementare Verbindung, bestehend aus einer Kronenethereinheit und einer Paraquateinheit, angelt sich in Losung ihresgleichen und bildet so unter Selbstorganisation neuartige, oligo- und polymolekulare Aggregate (siehe Schema; die Kronenethereinheit ist durch die Ellipse und die Paraquateinheit durch das Rechteck symbolisiert).
Driving Torque Equations for the Watthour Meter Based on the Ferraris Principle

Mathematical equations are developed for the torque on the disk of a watthour meter as a function of applied voltage, load current, and power factor angle. The torque equations are developed from two air-gap fluxes on the basis of the Ferraris or split-phase principle.
Defect-defect correlation in the dynamics of first-order phase transitions.

We investigate the defect structures evolving after a temperature quench from a disordered phase into an ordered phase for systems with O(n) symmetry. Various defect-defect correlation functions are calculated. These quantities exhibit scaling behavior as well as interesting short-distance behavior which are sensitive to the structure of the theory.
Formation and annealing behavior of an amorphous layer induced by tin implantation into sapphire

Abstract The formation and annealing behavior of an amorphous layer produced by tin implantation into sapphire was studied. Tin ions with 180 keV energy were implanted into α-Al 2 O 3 at 300 K with fluences ranging from 10 15 to 10 17 ions cm -2 . The thermal stability of the damaged layer was investigated with post-implantation annealing treatments at temperatures up to 1375 K in either oxidizing or reducing atmospheres. The atomic spatial distribution of the ions was determined by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy in random and channeling geometries. The structure of the implanted layer was determined by analytical electron microscopy. The degree of disorder was found to increase linearly with fluence up to the threshold for amorphization, approximately 1 × 10 16 ions cm -2 . The microstructure of the implanted layer after the thermal treatments depended on the annealing atmosphere. The well known amorphous→γ-Al 2 O 3 →α-Al 2 O 3 phase transition was observed during annealing in a reducing atmosphere. However, anneals in an oxidizing environment led to the formation of the compound SnO 2 , which was found to stabilize the cubic γ-Al 2 O 3 phase.
Vitamin D and cardiovascular disease

Recent studies indicate that deficient vitamin D status may increase risk of both ischemic and nonischemic cardiovascular diseases independently of established cardiovascular risk factors. The role of vitamin D in potentially regulating many functions in the cardiovascular system is just beginning to be understood. Among the potentially relevant mechanisms for cardiovascular diseases, vitamin D may influence blood pressure through the renin-angiotensin system, parathyroid hormone levels, myocardial function, inflammation, and vascular calcification. Cardiovascular risk appears especially elevated at 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels below 10 or 15 ng/mL, and optimal levels may be at least 30 ng/mL. Among individuals who are not receiving substantial exposure to sun, intakes of 1000 to 2000 IU may be needed to achieve levels of at least 30 ng/mL. Further study, including properly designed randomized control trials, is required to further establish the role of vitamin D on cardiovascular diseases.
The ontological function of first-order and second-order corpuscles in the chemical philosophy of Robert Boyle: the redintegration of potassium nitrate

Although Boyle has been regarded as a champion of the seventeenth century Cartesian mechanical philosophy, I defend the position that Boyle’s views conciliate between a strictly mechanistic conception of fundamental matter and a non-reductionist conception of chemical qualities. In particular, I argue that this conciliation is evident in Boyle’s ontological distinction between fundamental corpuscles endowed with mechanistic properties and higher-level corpuscular concretions endowed with chemical properties. Some of these points have already been acknowledged by contemporary scholars, and I actively engage with their ideas in this paper. However I attempt to contribute to the debate over Boyle’s mechanical philosophy by arguing that Boyle’s writings suggest an emergentist, albeit still mechanistic, notion of chemical properties. I contrast Boyle’s views against those of strict reductionist mechanical philosophers, focusing on the famous debate with Spinoza over the redintegration of niter, and argue that Boyle’s complex chemical ontology provides a more satisfactory understanding of chemical phenomena than is provided by a strictly reductionist and Cartesian mechanical philosophy.
Small-angle neutron scattering study of creep cavity nucleation and growth in sintered alumina

The early stages of creep cavitation in sintered alumina are characterized using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). It is found that the initial cavity density is of the order of 1011 cm−3, and that the average initial pore is approximately 60 nm in radius. The incubation time for nucleating additional pores during subsequent creep is extremely short, in agreement with the theory based on the “precipitation” of grain-boundary diffusing vacancies. Pore density at constant stress and temperature is a linearly increasing function of time, as predicted by classical nucleation theory. However, a local stress of 10−2E is required to achieve the measured nucleation rate. Cavities are observed to lie primarily on two-grain junctions in linear arrays, with an average cavity radius of approximately 60 nm. It is hypothesized that the cavities nucleate at grain boundary ledges which provide the necessary local stress concentrations. Calculation of the individual cavity growth rate yields a zero or near zero value. This suggests a rapid transient growth period following nucleation which quickly decreases to a negligible growth rate.
Fall risk index for elderly patients based on number of chronic disabilities

The present study was designed to identify prospectively the individual chronic characteristics associated with falling among elderly persons and to test the hypothesis that risk of falling increases as the number of chronic disabilities increases. Seventy-nine consecutive admissions to three intermediate care facilities were evaluated. Twenty-five of the subjects became recurrent fallers. The nine risk factors included in the fall risk index were mobility score, morale score, mental status score, distant vision, hearing, postural blood pressure, results of back examination, postadmission medications, and admission activities of daily living score. A subject's fall risk score was the number of index factors present. The proportions of recurrent fallers increased from 0 percent (0 of 30) in those with 0 to three risk factors, to 31 percent (11 of 35) in those with four to six factors, to 100 percent (14 of 14) in those with seven or more factors. Falling, at least among some elderly persons, appears to result from the accumulated effect of multiple specific disabilities. Some of these disabilities may be remediable. The mobility test, the best single predictor of recurrent falling, may be useful clinically because it is simple, recreates fall situations, and provides a dynamic, integrated assessment of mobility.
Negative Affectivity, Daily Hassles, and Somatic Illness: Preliminary Inquiry Concerning Hassles Measurement

Previous data have suggested that the major life events measures appear to be seriously contaminated by a negative affectivity (NA) dimension. The present study extended that methodological inquiry to the daily hassles measure. In assessing the hassles-somatic illness relationship, the daily hassles measure was highly associated with an independent measure of NA. This finding suggests contamination similar to that reported for major life event measures. The need for an uncontaminated daily hassles measure is discussed.
An Early Performance Evaluation of the NEXRAD Dual-Polarization Radar Rainfall Estimates for Urban Flood Applications

AbstractDual-polarization radars are expected to provide better rainfall estimates than single-polarization radars because of their ability to characterize hydrometeor type. The goal of this study is to evaluate single- and dual-polarization radar rainfall fields based on two overlapping radars (Kansas City, Missouri, and Topeka, Kansas) and a dense rain gauge network in Kansas City. The study area is located at different distances from the two radars (23–72 km for Kansas City and 104–157 km for Topeka), allowing for the investigation of radar range effects. The temporal and spatial scales of radar rainfall uncertainty based on three significant rainfall events are also examined. It is concluded that the improvements in rainfall estimation achieved by polarimetric radars are not consistent for all events or radars. The nature of the improvement depends fundamentally on range-dependent sampling of the vertical structure of the storms and hydrometeor types. While polarimetric algorithms reduce range effects...
Necrotizing enterocolitis during the first week of life: a multicentered case-control and cohort comparison study.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is rare during the first week of life; most cases occur after 2 to 4 weeks. We hypothesized that when NEC develops in the first week, certain predisposing factors and feeding practices are identifiable. To test this, we sought to identify every case of NEC diagnosed during the first week within the Intermountain Healthcare system during the most recent 6-year period. Data were collected from neonates admitted to any Intermountain Healthcare neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with a date of birth from 1 January 2001 through 31 December 2006. Electronic and paper records were obtained for all with a diagnosis of NEC (Bell stage ⩾II) within the first 168 h. X-rays, physician notes, nursing records, laboratory reports and operative reports were subjected to critical review to reexamine the diagnosis of NEC. Among those with confirmed NEC, we recorded underlying conditions and every feeding given prior to the diagnosis of NEC. Comparisons were made with patients that did not develop NEC, yet were cared for in the same NICUs, during the same period of time, and of the same gestational ages. A total of 28 neonates were identified electronically as having NEC during the first week. Critical review confirmed this in 21, but 5 were determined at laparotomy to have had spontaneous intestinal perforation, and 2 others were found on surgical reports to have had a congenital infarction of the colon. Total 20 of the 21 confirmed cases developed NEC while in a NICU being treated for another condition. The exception was a small-for-gestational-age neonate in a well baby nursery. Compared to 6100 controls, the 21 with early NEC were more likely to have had a meconium-positive test for illicit drug exposure (P<0.005), early onset sepsis (P<0.034) and respiratory distress (P<0.039). They were less likely than case–controls to have been fed human milk (P=0.003) and were more likely to have been fed formula exclusively (P=0.019). None who were fed human milk exclusively developed early NEC. Twelve of the twenty-one were fed (by gavage or bottle) amounts exceeding the upper limit of volumes taken by breastfed neonates. We speculate that the prevalence of NEC during the first week could be reduced by identifying at-risk patients, feeding them human milk exclusively for the first week and using feeding volumes that do not exceed that taken by healthy breastfed neonates.
Treatment of Achalasia.

Achalasia is a primary motility disorder of the esophagus that causes dysphagia. Normal esophageal motility and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function can not be restored; thus treatment is directed at decreasing the pressure or disrupting the muscle fibers of the LES to allow passage of ingested material. Effective therapy for achalasia can be broadly characterized as surgery based or endoscopy based. Medications (calcium channel blockers and nitrate derivatives) do not provide adequate relief of dysphagia and have substantial side effects, and thus are rarely used as long-term therapy. Botulinum toxin injection, a recently introduced endoscopic therapy, enjoyed much enthusiasm initially but was shown to have only transient effect and is now recommended only for poor operative candidates. The mainstay of therapy remains endoscopic dilation or laparoscopic esophagomyotomy (LEM) combined with an antireflux procedure. We have found that patients who can tolerate a laparoscopic abdominal surgery are best served with an LEM and Toupet (270°) posterior fundoplication. This provides good or excellent relief of dysphagia in 90% to 95% of patients with very little morbidity.
Pyrolysis of an alkyltin/polymer mixture to form a tin/carbon composite for use as an anode in lithium-ion batteries

Abstract In the search for a nanocomposite which can cycle reversibly as a lithium-ion secondary battery anode while utilizing the electrochemical activity of the matrix material, carbon was chosen as the low weight, low volume expansion phase in a nanocomposite with tin. The nanocomposites were synthesized by pyrolysis of a polymer in the presence of a tin precursor. The samples with the most fine-grained, well distributed tin particles exhibited reversible capacities on the order of 400–500 mAh/g. The nanocomposites were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, BET, TEM, and electrochemical cycling.
Diabetic and non-diabetic lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy

Background: Lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy (LRPN) originally described in diabetic patients is a distinct clinical condition characterized by debilitating pain, weakness and atrophy most commonly affecting the proximal thigh muscles asymmetrically. The syndrome is usually monophasic and preceded by significant weight loss (at least more than 10 lbs). Though a self-limited condition, recovery is gradual with some residual weakness. Recent advances and research has provided new insights in the pathogenesis and thereby management of this syndrome. In this paper, we review the clinical and diagnostic features as well as discuss recent insights and treatment strategies along with our experience in the management of patients with diabetic and non-diabetic LRPN. Materials and Methods: Literature in English published between 1953 and 2008 was searched in the MEDLINE and Pubmed database, maintained by the US National library of medicine and National institutes of health, using key words of diabetic amyotrophy, lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy, diabetic proximal neuropathy, diabetic radiculopathy and diabetic lumbosacral plexopathy. In addition, literature reported in various textbooks on peripheral neuropathy was reviewed as well. Observation: The diagnosis relies mostly on clinical suspicion and characteristic electromyographic findings. The exact pathogenesis of the illness remains unknown, but there seems to be a component of immune-mediated inflammatory microvasculitis which causes secondary ischemia of the lumbosacral plexus. This has prompted a trial of immunosuppressive agents (like steroids) with an attempt to alter the course of the illness. A few reports have noted that immunosuppression when instituted early in the course of the illness (within three months of symptom onset) may hasten the recovery and improve symptoms. Conclusion: Though the exact mechanism of LRPN in diabetic and non-diabetic patients remains unknown, new evidence alludes to an underlying inflammatory vasculitic process. Early treatment with immunosuppressants may be beneficial in some cases, although the data available at this time is limited to a small cohort of patients. The decision is individualized weighing the risks and benefits in a given patient. Future research in this direction with double-blinded case-controlled studies is required to investigate this further.
Suppression of Ge–O and Ge–N bonding at Ge–HfO2 and Ge–TiO2 interfaces by deposition onto plasma-nitrided passivated Ge substrates: Integration issues Ge gate stacks into advanced devices

A study of changes in nano-scale morphology of thin films of nano-crystalline transition metal (TM) elemental oxides, HfO{sub 2} and TiO{sub 2}, on plasma-nitrided Ge(100) substrates, and Si(100) substrates with ultra-thin (-0.8 nm) plasma-nitrided Si suboxide, SiO{sub x}, x < 2, or SiON interfacial layers is presented. Near edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (NEXAS) has been used to determine nano-scale morphology of these films by Jahn-Teller distortion removal of band edge d-state degeneracies. These results identify a new and novel application for NEXAS based on the resonant character of the respective O K{sub 1} and N K{sub 1} edge absorptions. This paper also includes a brief discussion of the integration issues for the introduction of this Ge breakthrough into advanced semiconductor circuits and systems. This includes a comparison of nano-crystalline and non-crystalline dielectrics, as well as issues relative to metal gates.