cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The SYMLOG Practitioner: Applications of Small Group Research

The article reviews the book “The SYMLOG Practitioner: Applications of Small Group Research,” edited by Richard Brian Polley, A. Paul Hare and Philip J. Stone.
Modified fault tree analysis for structural safety

Abstract A modified fault tree analysis for structural systems is introduced to determine potential structural problems. The analysis incorporates the development of fault tree models and qualitative evaluation of the models, producing the minimal cut sets that will guarantee the occurrence of a predetermined top event. Structural dependencies and modes of failure are also included in the analysis. The study indicates the enabling, triggering and conditional fault events as the basic events that contribute to component failures. Examples and a case study are presented.
CONCENTRATION-DEPENDENT DEPOLARIZED RAMAN-SPECTRA OF HCL AND DCL IN SOLUTION IN LIQUID CARBON-DIOXIDE

The depolarized component of Paman scattering by pure liquid HCl and DCl and of solutions of these acid halides in liquid CO2 are reported. At room temperature the band contours show no S branch intensity in pure acid halide liquid, but in solution in liquid CO2 and S branch is increasingly evident with increasing CO2 concentration. The frequency shifts are a function of the dielectric constant and refractive index of the solution. Reorientational correlation functions calculated from the anisotropic scattering decay more slowly in the first few tens of femtoseconds than predicted for monomeric acid halides, suggesting contribution to the composite correlation function by species of larger moments of inertia but vibrational frequencies identical with those of the monomers.
Scale-dependent predictability of DEM-based landform attributes for soil spatial variability in a coastal dune system

Abstract Much soil–landform modeling has shown that the predictability of topographic parameters derived from digital elevation models (DEM) for soil spatial variability is influenced by the selection of DEM's grid size. This study investigates soil–terrain relationships in a coastal dune at multiple DEM resolutions to examine if such scale-dependence is a ubiquitous phenomenon even in low-relief systems with relatively homogeneous substrates. We collected 193 soil samples from the Sindu coastal dunefield in western Korea and analyzed 11 physical and chemical soil properties. Based on principal component analysis, four soil attributes (K + , pH, total P, and nitrate) that reflect dominant pedogeomorphological processes on the dune were selected as dependent variables in spatial regression. Predictors included vegetation types, distance from the coastline, and seven terrain indices extracted from various grid sizes of DEM (5, 10, 20, 30, 40 m). Results demonstrated strong scale-dependence in the model prediction: Spatial patterns of the four soil variables were best predicted by landform parameters extracted from different DEM resolutions. Specifically, we found the lowest Akaike's Information Criterion for K + , pH, total P, and nitrate at scales of 5, 20, 30, and 40 m, respectively. Residuals of each soil attribute acquired at these scales also possessed the lowest degree of spatial autocorrelation identified by Moran's I . The scale-dependent predictability in our soil–landscape modeling implies that fine-scale topographic information would not always be optimal for understanding soil spatial variability. Future pedogeomorphological modelers therefore need to take into account the unique spatial extent and behavior of individual soil attributes to determine optimal spatial resolutions of DEM. We propose that scale-dependent soil–terrain relationships may be a widely applicable notion in soil geomorphology, not only to various terrestrial rugged hillslopes where the notion has been dominantly examined and developed, but also to systems with low topographic ruggedness and uniform substrate such as coastal dunes.
PET and PET–CT imaging findings of peritoneal and omental involvement in patients with lymphoma

A retrospective institutional-review-board-approved study was performed evaluating positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) imaging findings of peritoneal and omental involvement of lymphoma. Twelve patients were identified with a wide spectrum of imaging findings on PET-CT including but not limited to peritoneal thickening, ascites, and serosal involvement. Lymphoma is among the rare causes of malignant peritoneal or omental involvement. The most common manifestations of peritoneal lymphomatosis are peritoneal 2-[fluorine 18] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake with corresponding peritoneal thickening and nonobstructive serosal masses on CT.
Hypothalamic knife cuts attenuate maintenance of deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt induced hypertension.

Abstract These experiments tested the effects of knife cuts transecting neural pathways associated with the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) region on deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt induced hypertension. Coronal knife cuts of the descending medial neural pathway from the AV3V region between the medial preoptic area and anterior hypothalamus did not significantly alter DOCA-salt hypertension. However, parasagittal cuts which separated the AV3V region from the medial forebrain bundle attenuated the hypertension following 5 weeks of DOCa-salt treatment.
Putting Information in the Visual Periphery: It Beats a Pointed Stick in the Eye:

The Increasing complexity of systems has placed great pressure on the system designer to provide effective and efficient means for communicating system and subsystem status information to the operator. The conventional means of providing this feedback ultimately require displays beyond those required for momentary control of the system, increasing the amount of visual information that must be processed and usually increasing the amount of instrumentation present. It may be possible to integrate these secondary sources of Information within the context of a single display that Is proximal to primary system displays and has strong spatial pattern characteristics. Three formats of such a “peripheral” display were examined in the context of a simulated instrument flight task. The “figural” displays appeared to provide a slight edge in performance over a histogram-based display.
Awithdrawal-related reinforcing effect of alcohol

Rats were induced to consume large quantities of alcohol. Periodically they were withdrawn from alcohol, then tested for alcohol consumption. Across 12-h withdrawal tests, drinking latency progressively declined and consumption remained high. After 120-h, latencies were longer and consumption was low. This suggests that reinforcement via withdrawal discomfort reduction may be involved in maintaining alcohol consumption.
Action of hormones on germinal vesicle breakdown in frog (Rana pipiens) oocytes.

The mechanism of pituitary gland and progesterone induced germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) was investigated in isolated ovarian follicles or oocytes of Rana pipiens. The effects of removing follicular tissue and the metabolic inhibitors, puromycin and actinomycin D, on oocyte responsiveness to the hormones were of Rana pipiens. The effects of removing follicular tissue and the metabolic inhib of protein synthesis, blocked both pituitary and steroid induced GVBD. Timed inhibition studies indicated that protein synthesis was completed at a time approximately midway between the time of progesterone addition and the initiation of GVBD. Only a short exposure of oocytes (5–15 minutes) to progesterone was sufficient to initiate GVBD. Puromycin did not act by preventing the uptake of steroids by the ovarian follicles; however, it caused irreversible effects to oocytes when present in the incubation medium for more than 4 hours. Removal of the follicular tissue from oocytes did not impair oocyte GVBD following exposure to progesterone; however, pituitary induced GVB was inhibited in approximately 50% of the animals utilized. Addition of actinomycin D (100 μg/15 ml) prevented pituitary, but not steroid induced GVBD when added to the incubation medium at the time of hormone administration. Actinomycin D was increasingly ineffective in preventing GVBD when its addition to oocytes was delayed following exposure to pituitary tissue. These data suggest that pituitary and steroid induced GVBD are mediated by a common mechanism concerned with protein synthesis. The differential inhibition of pituitary induced GVBD with actinomycin D suggests the presence of a pituritary stimulated intermediary process prior to the initiation of protein synthesis. The ovarian follicular tissue appears to be partially responsible for mediating the action of the pituitary gland.
Induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in glia after traumatic brain injury

In this study we examined the induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in glia in the traumatized rat brain. HO-1 was immunolocalized in fixed sections of brain 3 h to 5 days after injury. Induction of this enzyme in astrocytes, microglia/macrophages, and oligodendrocytes was evaluated using immunofluorescent double labeling with monoclonal antibodies to glial fibrillary acidic protein, complement C3bi receptor, and myelin basic protein. Induction of HO-1 was apparent in the injured hemisphere and cerebellum as early as 24 h postinjury. The protein was likewise noted in similar regions of the brain at 72 h postinjury but appeared to be more widespread in its distribution. At 5 days postinjury, there was a notable decline in the degree of immunostaining for HO-1. HO-1 was typically induced in astrocytes in the cerebral cortex at the site of impact, in the deep cortical layers adjacent to the hemorrhagic lesions, and in the hippocampus. HO-1 was induced in Bergmann glia in the vermis of cerebellum. In addition, HO-1 was also induced in microglia/macrophages scattered throughout the ipsilateral cerebral cortex, cerebellum and subarachnoid space. These findings demonstrate prolonged glial induction of HO-1 in the traumatized brain. Such a response may reflect a protective role of these cells against secondary insults including oxidative stress.
The Surgical Skills Laboratory Residency Interview: An Enjoyable Alternative

Purpose The authors aimed to trial an alternative interviewing strategy by inviting residency candidates to our surgical anatomy laboratory. Interviews were coincident with surgical dissection. The authors hypothesized that residency candidates hoping to match into a surgical subspecialty might enjoy this unconventional interviewing strategy, which would mimic an operating room experience. Methods On scheduled residency interview dates, formal, unstructured interviews were held with half of the neurosurgical faculty, and unstructured surgical skills laboratory-based interviews were held with the other half of the neurosurgical faculty. Interviews in the skills laboratory featured cases and corresponding surgical dissection guided by faculty. After the interview, the residency candidates were encouraged to complete an optional survey about their interview process. The survey results were pooled for analysis. Results Of 28 interviewed, 19 individuals responded to the survey. The survey respondents had favorable reviews of the all aspects of the interview process. When asked to report the most enjoyable part of the interview, all respondents listed the surgical skills laboratory. The average respondent scores for importance of the surgical skills laboratory interview (9.5 ± 1.1) compared with conventional interview with faculty (9.2 ± 1.0) or residents (9.1 ± 1.0) was not significantly different (p = 0.50, analysis of variance). Conclusions The surgical skills laboratory interviews were reviewed favorably by the survey respondents. Nearly all respondents listed the surgical skills interview as the most enjoyable part of the interview experience. The authors advocate this residency interview strategy for surgical subspecialty residencies.
Average N02 concentrations in dwellings with gas or electric stoves

The effect of stove type on N02 concentrations in dwellings was measured using a newly developed passive sampler. Concentrations were very significantly higher in dwellings with gas stoves than in those with electric stoves.
Transient catalytic combustion on a flat plate

Abstract The transient two-dimensional heterogeneous combustion of fuel on a catalytic flat plate is studied. The solutions are obtained for the three different wall boundary conditions of an isothermal, a perfectly conducting plate, and an adiabatic plate. The laminar boundary layer equations are transformed, and the resulting equations are solved numerically. Equations are nondimensionalized to make the results as general as possible. For a perfectly conducting plate, a universal approach is used which shows the solution of the transport equations to be single valued and that the multiple solutions are caused only by the form of the rate expression. General solutions are found for an isothermal plate which are applicable to any first order reaction or a fuel lean mixture with second order reaction. Solutions for an adiabatic plate show a high temperature region is formed down the plate which moves up. Ignition delay time and ignition distance are found to have the same dependence on the flow and kinetic parameters, except that the ignition delay time does not depend on the free-stream velocity. The results are obtained for CO as well as H 2 oxidations.
Overhauser studies: The X 3-{A} experiment

Both transient and steady state expressions are developed for X3-{A} Overhauser investigations. General expressions are exceedingly complex. Tractable expressions valid for extreme narrowing are discussed in more detail. It is demonstrated that conventional interpretations of the Overhauser enhancement in this system will alwaysoverestimate the importance of A-X dipolar interactions in contradistinction with the more familiar A-{X3} experiment.
Exopeptidases of Clostridium histolyticum

Abstract A group of enzymes, fractionally precipitated from Cl. histolyticum filtrates at high ammonium sulfate concentrations, was found capable of hydrolyzing a wide variety of simple peptide substrates. The peptidases have been characterized; their pH optima, stability, behavior toward metal ions and various inhibitors, kinetics, and specificity were studied and comparisons were made with other known exopeptidases. It was found that a number of different enzymes was involved and that their ratio varied considerably in different preparations. The enzymes are not identical with any known group, including previously reported Cl. histolyticum enzymes.
Competing Perspectives on Cross-National Crime: An Evaluation of Theory and Evidence

Cross-national studies of crime are dominated by a Durkheimian-Modernization theoretical perspective. We evaluate this perspective and present two alternatives, the Marxian-World System and Ecological-Opportunity perspectives. Each is for its theory of social change, causal explanation of criminal behavior, conceptualization of law and crime rates, and view of the relation between collective political behavior and crime. The empirical evidence is assessed and weak support is found for the dominant perspective. The article concludes by reconsidering the concepts of economic development and crime rates.
β-Site Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP)-cleaving Enzyme 1 (BACE1)-deficient Mice Exhibit a Close Homolog of L1 (CHL1) Loss-of-function Phenotype Involving Axon Guidance Defects *♦

BACE1 is the β-secretase enzyme that initiates production of the β-amyloid peptide involved in Alzheimer disease. However, little is known about the functions of BACE1. BACE1-deficient mice exhibit mild but complex neurological phenotypes suggesting therapeutic BACE1 inhibition may not be completely free of mechanism-based side effects. Recently, we have reported that BACE1 null mice have axon guidance defects in olfactory sensory neuron projections to glomeruli in the olfactory bulb. Here, we show that BACE1 deficiency also causes an axon guidance defect in the hippocampus, a shortened and disorganized infrapyramidal bundle of the mossy fiber projection from the dentate gyrus to CA3. Although we observed that a classical axon guidance molecule, EphA4, was cleaved by BACE1 when co-expressed with BACE1 in HEK293 cells, we could find no evidence of BACE1 processing of EphA4 in the brain. Remarkably, we discovered that the axon guidance defects of BACE1−/− mice were strikingly similar to those of mice deficient in a recently identified BACE1 substrate, the neural cell adhesion molecule close homolog of L1 (CHL1) that is involved in neurite outgrowth. CHL1 undergoes BACE1-dependent processing in BACE1+/+, but not BACE1−/−, hippocampus, and olfactory bulb, indicating that CHL1 is a BACE1 substrate in vivo. Finally, BACE1 and CHL1 co-localize in the terminals of hippocampal mossy fibers, olfactory sensory neuron axons, and growth cones of primary hippocampal neurons. We conclude that BACE1−/− axon guidance defects are likely the result of abrogated BACE1 processing of CHL1 and that BACE1 deficiency produces a CHL1 loss-of-function phenotype. Our results imply the possibility that axon mis-targeting may occur in adult neurogenic and/or regenerating neurons as a result of chronic BACE1 inhibition and add a note of caution to BACE1 inhibitor development.
Phase-locked ridge waveguide InGaAs-GaAs-AlGaAs strained-layer quantum well heterostructure laser arrays

We report the characteristics of separate confinement heterostructure InGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs strained‐layer quantum well heterostructure (λ≳1 μm) ridge waveguide laser arrays grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, and etched by reactive ion etching. The ten element arrays have ridge widths of 4 μm on 8 μm centers. Several etch depths are examined, covering the range from gain‐guided to strongly index‐guided elements. For these structures, values of effective index step, Δneff, below ∼6×10−3 are necessary to achieve interelement coupling. For Δneff=1.3×10−3, the devices lase in the highest array mode up to ∼1.5 times threshold with a nearly diffraction‐limited double‐lobed far‐field pattern. For higher currents, additional structure in the far‐field pattern is observed, and is accompanied by splitting of the longitudinal modes due to operation in additional array modes.
Small Regulatory RNAs May Sharpen Spatial Expression Patterns

The precise establishment of gene expression patterns is a crucial step in development. Formation of a sharp boundary between high and low spatial expression domains requires a genetic mechanism that exhibits sensitivity, yet is robust to fluctuations, a demand that may not be easily achieved by morphogens alone. Recently, it has been demonstrated that small RNAs (and, in particular, microRNAs) play many roles in embryonic development. Whereas some RNAs are essential for embryogenesis, others are limited to fine-tuning a predetermined gene expression pattern. Here, we explore the possibility that small RNAs participate in sharpening a gene expression profile that was crudely established by a morphogen. To this end, we study a model in which small RNAs interact with a target gene and diffusively move from cell to cell. Though diffusion generally smoothens spatial expression patterns, we find that intercellular mobility of small RNAs is actually critical in sharpening the interface between target expression domains in a robust manner. This sharpening occurs as small RNAs diffuse into regions of low mRNA expression and eliminate target molecules therein, but cannot affect regions of high mRNA levels. We discuss the applicability of our results, as examples, to the case of leaf polarity establishment in maize and Hox patterning in the early Drosophila embryo. Our findings point out the functional significance of some mechanistic properties, such as mobility of small RNAs and the irreversibility of their interactions. These properties are yet to be established directly for most classes of small RNAs. An indirect yet simple experimental test of the proposed mechanism is suggested in some detail.
Treating Anxiety in a Managed Care Setting: A Controlled Comparison of Medication Alone Versus Medication Plus Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy:

Objective: A controlled comparison of the effects of medication alone and medication in conjunction with cognitive-behavioral group therapy in the treatment of panic disorder. Method: A quasi-exper...
Lignin biomarkers and pollen in postglacial sediments of an Alaskan lake

Abstract We analyzed a 12,000-yr sediment core from Wien Lake, central Alaska, for a suite of phenolic products from CuO oxidation of lignin polymers and compared their composition with pollen data from the same core to assess lignin phenols as sedimentary biomarkers. Inferences of the gross taxonomic origin of sediment organic matter from lignin-phenol composition agree with vegetational reconstructions based on pollen assemblages. In particular, the ratios of syringyl to vanillyl phenols are consistently higher before 6500 yr BP, when angiosperms dominated or codominated the regional vegetation, than after 6500 yr BP, when gymnosperms dominated. However, the ratios of cinnamyl (p-coumaric and ferulic acids) to total vanillyl phenols (C/V) do not show patterns expected from the abundance of woody plants. C/V ratios are particularly high (0.7–0.85) after 6500 yr BP when pollen spectra suggest closed boreal forests dominated by Picea, and the stratigraphic patterns are strikingly similar between C/V and Picea pollen concentrations. CuO oxidation of modern pollen of P. glauca and P. mariana yields exceptionally high amounts of cinnamyl phenols (8.90 and 6.41 mg/100 mg OC for P. glauca and P. mariana, respectively). In particular, p-coumaric acid is obtained in large amounts (8.87 and 6.41 mg/100 mg OC for P. glauca and P. mariana, respectively) versus vanillyl phenols (0.25 and 0.49 mg/100 mg OC for P. glauca and P. mariana, respectively) and ferulic acid (0.03 and 0.00 mg/100 mg OC for P. glauca and P. mariana, respectively). Thus lignin phenols derived from fossil Picea pollen preserved in sediments likely drive the C/V profile of the Wien Lake core. These data imply that if Picea pollen concentrations are sufficiently high, the amount of nonwoody tissue in sediments may be grossly overestimated when the lignin composition of gymnosperm needles is used as the end member of nonwoody tissues. Given that pollen grains are among the most resistant components of sedimentary organic matter and that p-coumaric acid is labile, it is important to consider pollen as a nonwoody tissue type when lignin biomarkers are used to determine the sources of vascular-plant material in sediments.
Functional properties and projection areas of cutaneous receptors in catfish

Neurophysiological studies were conducted in a species of catfish,Ictalurus nebulosus where specialized living habits are coupled with enlargement of certain nervous system structures. These fish, mainly lake bottom dwellers, recognize food only by touch. The entire body surface contains structures resembling mammalian taste buds; the ganglia of the fifth and seventh nerves (receiving input from barbel and head skin) are much larger than in other fish of similar size; the facial lobes, macroscopically invisible in most fish, are prominent. Early anatomical studies reported that the cutaneous buds, considered chemosensitive, project to the brainstem in parallel with tactile paths, but the two modalities remain separate. The facial lobes, the projection area of the cutaneous buds via the seventh nerve, were considered a pure chemosensory structure. In feeding behavior, the chemosensory system was proposed to distinguish sapid from nonsapid substances, the tactile system to localize the food substances.
Comments on 2-D descriptor systems

Abstract This paper discusses general 2-D descriptor systems of the form Ex i +1, j +1 = Ax i , j + Bx i +1, j + Cx i , j +1 + D 0 u i , j + D 1 u i +1, j + D 2 u i , j +1 . Solution formula and structural forms are developed for several large classes of 2-D descriptor systems. The idea of a recursive chain is introduced. It is shown that these systems include several types of behavior not discussed elsewhere in the literature.
Migrants as Missionaries, Missionaries as Outsiders: Reflections on African Christian Presence in Western Societies

Abstract This paper makes the case that human migration has played a vital and transformational role in the development and expansion of the Christian movement throughout its history. But it mainly focuses on the unprecedented rise of global migratory flows in the last four to five decades to explicate this link. According to recent data, Christians account for almost half of all international migrants. This, combined with the predominance of south-north migration, explains the remarkable rise of immigrant Christian churches (or communities) in many Western societies. While many of these immigrant Christian communities and their pastors exhibit strong missionary consciousness and commitment, they encounter formidable challenges in the area of cross-cultural outreach. These stem from complex factors, including racial rejection, widespread anti-immigrant sentiments, and aggressive secularism. But this paper argues that perhaps the most significant obstacle stems from the disengagement and rejection that Christian immigrants experience in their encounter with homegrown churches. A brief examination of the key link between human migration and biblical faith is used as a basis for reflections on the challenges that confront African immigrant churches in Western societies. Five such challenges are highlighted and biblical insights (from Acts 6) are presented.
Molecular interactions in polystyrene cosolvent systems

Studied here are miscible binary cosolvents for polystyrene, for which polystyrene is insoluble in either of the individual solvents. Polymer-solvent interactions in solutions of atactic polystyrene in acetone/diethyl ether and in methylcyclopentane (MCP)/acetone binary cosolvents have been investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Polystyrene 13C chemical shifts were measured as a function of miscible binary solvent compositions and temperature. The NMR data were used to calculate “association constants” as a measure of specific interactions of the solvent components with all sites on the polymer. In mixtures of acetone and diethyl ether, 13C-NMR indicates a weak interaction between the polystyrene phenyl ring and the diethylether solvent component. In the polystyrene/MCP/acetone system, present NMR data reveal no preferential interactions. Additional NMR measurements were performed on polystyrene in mixtures of CCl4/acetone. From these results, it is concluded that although preferential polymer-solvent interactions are present in some cosolvent systems, they are not a prerequisite for such behavior.
How College Students Conceptualize and Practice Responsible Drinking.

Abstract Objective: This study sought to employ a mixed-methods approach to (a) qualitatively explore responsible drinking beliefs and behaviors among a sample of college students, and (b) quantitatively assess the prevalence of those behaviors. Participants: Convenience samples, drawn from currently enrolled students attending a large public university in Texas, comprised 13 participants in the qualitative phase and a random sample of 729 students for the quantitative phase. Methods: A partially mixed sequential dominant status design (qual → QUAN) was employed. Results: Participants associated 7 distinct themes with drinking responsibly; however, embedded inside these themes were numerous potentially harmful elements. Quantitative findings supported the qualitative themes, also highlighting gender and ethnic differences. Males believed responsible drinking behaviors should occur with significantly less frequency than females, whereas Whites attached less relative necessity to certain responsible drinkin...
AN EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE NUCLEAR STRATEGIES

This paper presents an assessment by Battelle-Columbus of the technology associated with several reactor concepts which may be considered “advanced” beyond existing LWR's in terms of improved natural resource utilization. The concepts chosen for evaluation and intercomparison are the HTGR, GCFR, MSBR and LWBR. Numerous conclusions may be reached from the study and some interesting trends can be observed. Of greatest significance is the fact that the strategies associated with alternative reactors/fuel cycles will not produce dramatic decreases in short-term fissile demand. A second major conclusion is that all of these advanced systems are considered capable of meeting applicable environmental requirements. A third conclusion is that there is no apparent technical reason for deletion of development efforts on any of these reactors, providing that a commercial interest, complete with significant commitment, is existent.
PLANET: A simulation approach to PERT

Abstract PLANET is a modification of PERT which permits use of arbitrary activity duration distributions in Monte-Carlo simulations which provide approximate distributions for completion times for project milestones and which identifies three classes of slacks for activities: total slack, free slack, and incremental slack (a new concept). The concept of “critical path” is supplemented by that of “probability of criticality” for each activity. This provides an improved basis for reallocation of resources using a “rob Peter to pay Paul” principle. The algorithms used are designed to have running times linearly proportional to the size of the underlying PERT network so PLANET should execute efficiently, even on large networks.
Let’s Shop! Exploring the Experiences of Therapy Shoppers

Abstract Retail therapy is casually defined as shopping for the primary purpose of making oneself feel better. Individuals’ desire to assuage their negative moods is an important personal need. Successful mood management affects emotional well-being and perceived quality of life. Thus, this research was designed to enhance understanding of retail therapy as a form of consumer behavior by investigating consumer’s experiences during three shopping stages: pre-shopping, shopping, and post-shopping. The following research questions were developed to achieve this goal. R1: What kinds of negative moods lead to therapy shopping? How often do people use shopping as therapy? R2: What reasons do people offer for their use of shopping as therapy? R3: What are the key components of a therapeutic shopping experience? R4: What is the profile of the therapy shopper? R5: What are the post therapy experiences of shoppers? R6: What is the role of the product purchased in alleviating mood? Retail therapy has been studied fr...
A new high performance phase shifter using Ba/sub x/Sr/sub 1-x/TiO 3 thin films

In this paper, a new device topology has been proposed to implement parallel plate capacitors using Ba/sub x/Sr/sub 1-x/TiO/sub 3/ (BST) thin films. The device layout utilizes a single parallel capacitor and minimizes conductor losses in the base electrode. The new design simplifies the monolithic process and overcomes the problems associated with electrode patterning. An X-band 180/spl deg/ phase shifter has been implemented using the new device design. The circuit provided 240/spl deg/ phase shift with an insertion loss of only 3 dB at 10 GHz at room temperature. We have shown a figure of merit 93/spl deg//dB at 6.3 GHz and 87/spl deg//dB at 8.5 GHz. To our knowledge, these are the best figure of merit results reported in the literature for distributed phase shifters implemented using BST films at room temperature.
No no-go: A remark on time machines

Abstract We present a counterexample to Krasnikov's (2002) much discussed time machine no-go result. In addition, we prove a positive statement: a time machine existence theorem under a modest “no holes” assumption.
Intellectual property issues for marketers in the virtual world

A rapidly growing number of marketers consider virtual worlds a compelling opportunity to reach and interact with current and potential consumers. These marketers face complex challenges, many of them brought about by the unique nature of an economy comprised of real dollars being used to acquire virtual products. We explore one challenge these marketers face: protection of their intellectual property in the virtual world. In the following sections, we describe relevant virtual world intellectual property issues, including discussion of copyright, trademark and personality rights protections, and potential abuses that exist in the context of these environments. We also describe two recent lawsuits regarding the protection of intellectual property in the virtual world. We conclude with several considerations for marketers and public policy makers as they negotiate this complicated area.
Lithium modulates desensitization of the glutamate receptor subtype GluR3 in Xenopus oocytes

Analysis of splice variants and site-directed mutants of the AMPA receptor GluR3 expressed in Xenopus oocytes has shown that lithium produces a large potentiation of the GluR3 flop splice variant and suggested that lithium might inhibit rapid desensitization, which is characteristic of this receptor (Karkanias, N. and Papke, R., Subtype-specific effects of lithium on glutamate receptor function. J. Neurophysiol., 81 (1999) 1506-1512). We now show that mutation of the 769R/ G desensitization site (Lomeli, H.M.J., Melcher, T., Hoger, T., Geiger, J.R., Kuner, T., Monyer, H., Higuchi, M.B.A. and Seeburg, P.H, Control of kinetic properties of AMPA receptor channels by nuclear RNA editing. Science, 9(266) (1994) 1709-1713) greatly attenuates the lithium-induced potentiation of GluR3. Additionally, experiments with the non-desensitizing site-directed mutant GluR3(L507Y) (Stern-Bach, Y., Russo, S., Neuman, M. and Rosenmund, C., A point mutation in the glutamate binding site blocks desensitization of AMPA receptors. Neuron, 21 (1998) 907-918) further confirms that lithium enhances GluR3 responses by reducing desensitization, since lithium's effects are reversed in this mutant. Lithium's effects on GluR3 desensitization are distinct from the effects of aniracetam on desensitization. Specifically, aniracetam, which potentiates wild-type AMPA receptors, is ineffective on the non-desensitizing GluR3(L507Y) mutant, but has synergistic effects with lithium on wild-type receptors.
Ontogeny of chick lens β crystallin polypeptides by immunofluorescence

An anodal β -crystallin fraction and a cathodal β -crystallin fraction of adult chicken lens were injected into rabbits for the production of antisera. Immunochemic
Protein aggregation: p53 succumbs to peer pressure

A small subpeptide from the tumor suppressor p53 is shown to mediate aggregation that is similar to that of amyloids. The result is nucleated assembly by mutant p53 that can abrogate function of wild-type p53 and its two functionally important homologs.
Generating pluripotent stem cells: Differential epigenetic changes during cellular reprogramming

Pluripotent stem cells hold enomous potential for therapuetic applications in tissue replacement therapy. Reprogramming somatic cells from a patient donor to generate pluripotent stem cells involves both ethical concerns inherent in the use of embryonic and oocyte-derived stem cells, as well as issues of histocompatibility. Among the various pluripotent stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)—derived by ectopic expression of four reprogramming factors in donor somatic cells—are superior in terms of ethical use, histocompatibility, and derivation method. However, iPSC also show genetic and epigenetic differences that limit their differentiation potential, functionality, safety, and potential clinical utility. Here, we discuss the unique characteristics of iPSC and approaches that are being taken to overcome these limitations.
Stability and Tolerances of the Separated Orbit Cyclotron

The physical arrangement of the magnets and rf cavities in a Separated Orbit Cyclotron are described, and the equations of motion and their solution are discussed. The stability limits are determined for triplet and singlet lens systems, and the choice of operating values to give maximum acceptance are examined. The treatment of random misalignment errors of the magnets is described; the six types of errors whose relative strengths are compared lead to bench alignment errors of ~l mil. The alignment of adjacent lenses and alignment over a distance long compared with a betatron oscillation wavelength are shown, however, to have relatively relaxed tolerances.
Unexpected Magnetic Domain Behavior in LTP-MnBi

Low-temperature-phase MnBi (LTP-MnBi) has attracted much interest as a potential rare-earth-free permanent magnet material because of its high uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy at room temperature, K ≈ 107, ergs/cc, and the unusual increase of anisotropy with increasing temperature, with an accompanying increasing coercive force (HC) with temperature. However, due to the complex Mn-Bi phase diagram, bulk samples of LTP-MnBi with the optimum saturation moment, ~75-76 emu/g have been achieved only with zone-refined single crystals. We have prepared polycrystalline samples of LTP-MnBi by induction melting and annealing at 300°C. The moment in 70 kOe is 73.5 emu/g, but HC is only 50 Oe. This is quite surprising-the high saturation moment indicates the dominating presence of LTP-MnBi. Therefore, an HC of some significant fraction of 2K/Ms ≈ 30 kOe would seem reasonable in this polycrystalline sample. By examining “Bitter” patterns, we show that the sample is composed ~ 50-100 μm of crystallites. The randomly oriented crystallites exhibit the variety of magnetic domain structures and orientations expected from the hexagonal-structured MnBi with its strong uniaxial anisotropy. Clearly, the reversal of magnetization in the sample proceeds by the low-field nucleation of reversed magnetization in each crystallite, rather than by a wall-pinning mechanism. When the annealed sample was milled into fine particles, increased by several orders of magnitude, as expected.
Snag dynamics and cavity occurrence in the South Carolina Piedmont

Abstract Standing dead trees, or snags, are natural components of forest stands and are important habitats for many wildlife species. We examined snag dynamics from 1982–1990 on 140 0.1 ha plots in the upper Piedmont of South Carolina. Plots were established in 10 stand type–age class combinations. Mean snag density was 28.4 snags/ha and mean snag diameter (DBH) and height were 20.3 cm and 9.9 m, respectively. Highest snag densities occurred in hardwood stand types; pine plantations had lower (p≤0.05) snag density than all other types. Within a particular stand type, snag densities, recruitment rates, and loss rates generally were lowest in the oldest age classes. Intermediate age classes of all stand types had higher snag densities and snag turnover rates than younger or older stands within that type. Young pine plantations had the lowest recruitment rate (x=1.79 snags/ha/year) and old pine plantations had the lowest loss rate (x=1.59 snags/ha/year) of all the stand type–age class combinations. Although twenty species of snags were observed, five species/species groups, shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata), red oaks (Quercus spp. ), white oaks (Quercus spp. ), loblolly pine (P. taeda), and yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), occurred most frequently. Snag DBH and cavities/snag were not significantly correlated. Stage of decay for cavity and noncavity snags (r=0.97 and 0.83, respectively; p≤0.05) and number of cavities/snag (r=0.78) increased with year since snag recruitment. Ten snag species contained cavities (x=0.1 cavities/snag), but shortleaf pine accounted for 56% of the cavity years observed (x=0.18 cavities/snag). Three other softwood species also contained equal to or above average numbers of cavities/snag. Approximately 30% of all snags fell within two years of recruitment, 55% within three years, and 95% within six years. Snag longevity was independent of diameter class (p=0.67). Hardwood snags, especially those in upland hardwood stands, appeared to persist longer than pine snags. As pine plantations managed on short rotations ( 50 years) of all types may not provide abundant snags in the South Carolina Piedmont, the potential for wildlife habitat might be enhanced if older, larger diameter trees, especially softwood species, are retained or designated as snag replacements.
Observation of the reaction. nu. p. -->. nu. p

The reaction ..nu..p ..-->.. ..nu..p has been observed in an experiment conducted at the Brookhaven AGS. Experimental details and a comparison with quasi-elastic neutrino scattering are presented.
Assessing the limitations of the existing physician directory for measuring electronic health record (EHR) adoption rates among physicians in Connecticut, USA: cross-sectional study.

Objective: To assess the limitations of the existing physician directory in measuring electronic health record adoption rates among a cohort of Connecticut physicians. Design: A population-based mailing assessed the number of physicians practising in Connecticut. Measurements: Information about practice site, practises pertaining to storing of patient information, sources of revenue and preferred method for receiving survey. Practice status in Connecticut, measured by yes and no. Demographic information was collected on gender, year of birth, race and ethnicity. Results: The response rate for the postcard mailing was 19% (3105/16 462). Of the 16 462 unduplicated consumers, 233 (1%) were retired and 5828 (35%) did not practise in Connecticut. Of the 3105 valid postcard responses we received, 2159 were for physicians practising in Connecticut. Nine (0.4%) of these responses did not specify a preferred method for receiving the full physician survey; 91 physicians refused to participate in the survey; 2159 surveys were sent out using each physician’s requested method for receiving the survey, that is, web-based, regular
Design of multioutput CMOS combinational logic circuits for robust testability

The author proposes a testable design for multioutput functions using parity gates that always produces a realization with robust tests. The use of parity gates allows more logic sharing among various outputs than would have been possible otherwise. The solution presented here has the ability to accommodate any fan-in restriction and grow in number of levels. The new design is well suited for multioutput circuits. >
Spectrophotometric determination of cholesterol in wool fat using the Zak reaction.

In an effort to overcome some of the shortcomings of previous methods for determination of cholesterol in wool fat, the Zak reaction has been studied. A procedure is presented in which cholesterol is separated as its digitonide with subsequent development of color by the addition of ferric ammonium chloride and sulfuric acid. The method is reproducible and appears to be superior to other methods now in use.
Results of Staged Carotid Endarterectomy and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft in Patients With Severe Carotid and Coronary Disease

Background To evaluate our experience with staged carotid endarterectomy (CEA) followed by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) within the perioperative period for patients with severe carotid and coronary artery disease. Methods From 1998 to August of 2010, 40 patients who were referred for isolated coronary surgery were found to have significant carotid disease. All patients underwent CEA followed by subsequent CABG within 30 days of the CEA. Severe carotid stenosis was defined as >70%. Results Average patient age was 65.5 ± 10.6 years and 32 (80%) were male. Severe carotid stenosis was unilateral in 37 of the patients, bilateral in 3, and asymptomatic in 37. Patients underwent CEA with either patch angioplasty or eversion technique. General anesthesia with selective shunting was used in all cases. There were zero deaths, zero strokes, and one myocardial infarction (MI) (2.5%) immediately after CEA. After CEA, CABG was performed within 30 days. The average interval between procedures was 6.87 days. There were two (5.0%) deaths, one from MI and the other from multisystem organ failure. There were two strokes (5.0%), with one having permanent effects. The perioperative mortality, stroke, and MI rates after both operations were 5.0%, 5.0%, and 5.0%, respectively. Conclusions Staging of CEA followed by CABG in the immediate perioperative period may be an acceptable approach to patients with severe carotid and coronary disease. Despite the presence of known severe coronary disease, the performance of CEA under general anesthesia as the initial procedure was well tolerated. We propose that this strategy may be a possible option for patients who present with severe disease in both coronary and carotid distributions. The results of our study, though based on a limited cohort, suggest that this approach of staged CEA–CABG within the perioperative period
The kindness of strangers: Predictor variables in a public information campaign

Abstract A telephone survey of 501 randomly-selected respondents supports the viewpoint of dependency theory that suggests that communication effects are dependent on the needs of the individual attending to the communication sources. The research also indicates that a mix of mediated and interpersonal communication can motivate behavior in a public information campaign, particularly when targeted to predisposed audience segments. Further, the study supports Grunig and Ipes' view of the roles of mass and interpersonal communication and Chaffee's “parallel sources” perspective. The findings also indicate communication can serve as a link between attitudes and behavior. And, the results suggest that easily obtainable demographics often are as good or better a predictor of behavior as attitudes, knowledge or communication exposure. The research also produced a brief list of variables that can be used to segment audience members predisposed to charitable giving.
Status and Potential of Artificial Insemination for Increasing Production and Income Over Feed Cost for Dairymen

Abstract United States Department of Agriculture-Dairy Herd Improvement Association sire summary information on bulls active in artificial insemination in May, 1966, and May, 1968, was combined with results on the relation of Predicted Difference for milk yield to income over feed cost in first lactation of daughters of artificial insemination bulls in the Beltsville herd, to show present status and changes over this two-year period, in the merit of artificial insemination bulls to raise milk and milk fat yield and income over feed cost. Mean Predicted Differences for milk (kg), milk fat (kg), and extra income over feed cost in first lactation ($) for bulls active in artificial insemination on January 1, 1968, were: Ayrshire, 156, 5, and 11; Guernsey, 82, 3, and 6; Holstein, 96, 4, and 7; Jersey, 65, 3, and 5, and Brown Swiss, 41, 2, and 3. The data indicate genetic progress from the use of artificial insemination could have been much higher. Suggestions for increasing the rate of future progress are given. Evidence is presented to show that these suggestions are feasible and should result in dramatic increases in average genetic merit for yield in artificial insemination bulls.