cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Autonomy and the Idea of Freedom: Some Reflections on Groundwork III

This article explores a set of questions about the ‘idea of freedom’ that Kant introduces in the fourth paragraph of Groundwork III. I develop a reading that supports treating it as a normative notion and brings out its normative content in some detail. I argue that we should understand the idea as follows: that it is a general feature of reasoning and judgement that it understands itself to be a correct or sound application of the normative standards of the relevant domain of cognition, not influenced by irrelevant or external factors. Reasoning and judgement are thus normatively committed to these standards of correctness. A second and related concern is to explore connections between the idea of freedom and Kant’s conception of autonomy and to identify different points at which autonomy plays a role in the argument of Groundwork III. In the final section, I mine the idea of freedom for a set of normative commitments specific to rational agency that play a foundational role in Kant’s moral conception.
Isolated Absence of the Right Pulmonary Artery With Coexisting Left-Sided Heart Failure: Case Report and Literature Review

Isolated unilateral absence of the pulmonary artery (UAPA) exhibits a benign course and often goes undiagnosed until adulthood. We present a 39-year-old male admitted for left-sided congestive heart failure (CHF) exacerbation. However, chest radiograph demonstrated findings suspicious for UAPA that was ultimately confirmed on computed tomography. Because both CHF and UAPA present similarly with exercise intolerance and dyspnea, a high index of suspicion is required to secure the diagnosis, and in this case, symptoms attributed to CHF may have contributed to delay. A strong awareness of typical radiographic findings allows for initiation of confirmatory tests necessary for a correct diagnosis.
The influence of FEC on the solvation structure and reduction reaction of LiPF6/EC electrolytes and its implication for solid electrolyte interphase formation

Abstract Fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) has been proposed as an effective electrolyte additive that enhances the stability and elasticity of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) of emerging Si and Li metal anodes. However, uncertainties still remain on the exact mechanism through which FEC alters the electrolyte decomposition and SEI formation process. Herein, the influence of FEC on LiPF6/ethylene carbonate (EC) electrolytes for Si anodes is investigated through classical molecular dynamics, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and quantum chemical calculations. Albeit a minority species, FEC is found to significantly modify the solvation structure and reduction behavior of the electrolyte while being innocuous to transport properties. Even with limited 10% of FEC, the Li+ solvation structure exhibits a notably higher contact-ion pair ratio (14%) than the parent EC electrolyte (6%). Moreover, FEC itself, as a new fluorine-containing species, appears in 1/5 of the Li+ solvation shells. The Li+-coordinated FEC is found to reduce prior to EC and uncoordinated FEC which will passivate the anode surface at an early onset (ca. 0.3 V higher than EC) by forming LiF. The critical role of FEC in tailoring the Li+ solvation structure and as-formed protective SEI composition provides mechanistic insight that will aid in the rational design of novel electrolytes.
Some New Results for Poisson Binomial Models

We consider a problem of ecological inference, in which individual-level covariates are known, but labeled data is available only at the aggregate level. The intended application is modeling voter preferences in elections. In Rosenman and Viswanathan (2018), we proposed modeling individual voter probabilities via a logistic regression, and posing the problem as a maximum likelihood estimation for the parameter vector beta. The likelihood is a Poisson binomial, the distribution of the sum of independent but not identically distributed Bernoulli variables, though we approximate it with a heteroscedastic Gaussian for computational efficiency. Here, we extend the prior work by proving results about the existence of the MLE and the curvature of this likelihood, which is not log-concave in general. We further demonstrate the utility of our method on a real data example. Using data on voters in Morris County, NJ, we demonstrate that our approach outperforms other ecological inference methods in predicting a related, but known outcome: whether an individual votes.
Genetic mark‐recapture analysis of winter faecal pellets allows estimation of population size in Sage Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus

The Sage Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus is a species of conservation concern throughout its range in western North America. Since the 1950s, the high count of males at leks has been used as an index for monitoring populations. However, the relationship between this lek‐count index and population size is unclear, and its reliability for assessing population trends has been questioned. We used non‐invasive genetic mark‐recapture analysis of faecal and feather samples to estimate pre‐breeding population size for the Parachute‐Piceance‐Roan, a small, geographically isolated population of Sage Grouse in western Colorado, during two consecutive winters from 2012 to 2014. We estimated total pre‐breeding population size as 335 (95% confidence interval (CI): 287–382) in the first winter and 745 (95% CI: 627–864) in the second, an approximate doubling in abundance between years. Although we also observed a large increase in the spring lek‐count index between those years, high male count data poorly represented mark‐recapture estimates of male abundance in each year. Our data suggest that lek counts are useful for detecting the direction and magnitude of large changes in Sage Grouse abundance over time but they may not reliably reflect small changes in abundance that may be relevant to small populations of conservation concern.
HTM training in the USA

Abstract This chapter is a survey of the heath technology maintenance training environment. It covers the name change from biomedical equipment technology, the schools used for preparing a future technician and the best practices of such a school. A focus is given to the concepts of national and regional accreditation, a hands-on lab training environment, and direct oversight from industry. It also covers what it is like to teach in such an environment.
Overcoming the Blind Spot of Positive Leadership: Authenticity Amidst Change

This chapter argues that positive leadership that grows out of positive psychology and strengths-based leadership theories has its own blind spot, which must be overcome in order to understand the process of authentic change and workplace transformation. Various philosophical, religious, and cultural worldviews are used to indicate the interconnected and interdependent nature of positivity and negativity that exists in the physical, biological, and spiritual world. Such an honest, balanced, and integrative approach to what is perceived to be positive (yang) and negative (yin) may overcome the blind spot of positive leadership and pave the way for mutually inclusive yin-yang leader-follower relationships in organizations toward authentic change and workplace transformation.
Comprehensive Study of Al- and Zr-Modified LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 through Synergy of Coating and Doping

LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811) is one of the most promising Li-ion battery cathodes for next-generation electric vehicles. Enrichment of Ni cations in NMC811 enables its high capacity and energy dens...
Will US travelers be good guests to Cuba? Examining US traveler segments' sustainable behavior and interest in visiting Cuba

Abstract For US travelers, access to Cuba as a tourism destination has changed markedly since 2014. Policy changes that permitted US leisure travel to the island resulted in a considerable increase in US arrivals to Cuba. With this increase came concerns that US travelers would generate undesirable economic and cultural change on the island. This work aims to identify whether there are segments of US travelers whose sustainable travel behaviors would limit the negative impacts of increased tourism in Cuba. Using these behaviors as well as US travelers' interest in travel to Cuba, sense of urgency to travel to Cuba, perceptions of travel to Cuba, and preferences for Cuban travel experiences four profiles of potential US travelers were created. The Committed Sustainable Traveler segment (n = 277; 37%) holds the greatest potential to provide limited negative impacts to Cuba through their sustainable travel behaviors. This segment also has the greatest interest in traveling to Cuba. These findings indicate that there are “good guests” among US travelers who could be targeted through product development and marketing strategies if policies allow less restricted travel to Cuba.
Non-Enzymatic Detection of Glucose in Neutral Solution Using PBS-Treated Electrodeposited Copper-Nickel Electrodes.

Transition metals have been explored extensively for non-enzymatic electrochemical detection of glucose. However, to enable glucose oxidation, the majority of reports require highly alkaline electrolytes which can be damaging to the sensors and hazardous to handle. In this work, we developed a non-enzymatic sensor for detection of glucose in near-neutral solution based on copper-nickel electrodes which are electrochemically modified in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Nickel and copper were deposited using chronopotentiometry, followed by a two-step annealing process in air (Step 1: at room temperature and Step 2: at 150 °C) and electrochemical stabilization in PBS. Morphology and chemical composition of the electrodes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry was used to measure oxidation reaction of glucose in sodium sulfate (100 mM, pH 6.4). The PBS-Cu-Ni working electrodes enabled detection of glucose with a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.2 nM, a dynamic response from 5 nM to 20 mM, and sensitivity of 5.47 ± 0.45 μA cm−2/log10(mole.L−1) at an applied potential of 0.2 V. In addition to the ultralow LOD, the sensors are selective toward glucose in the presence of physiologically relevant concentrations of ascorbic acid and uric acid spiked in artificial saliva. The optimized PBS-Cu-Ni electrodes demonstrate better stability after seven days storage in ambient compared to the Cu-Ni electrodes without PBS treatment.
Expression of PSA in LNCaP Cells in Culture

The human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP (lymph node obtained carcinoma of the prostate) was used to study the effects of androgens on the expression of PSA. The PSA protein was measured using the Hybritech Immunoenzymetric Assay, and PSA mRNA levels were measured using a 428 base pair [32p]- labeled Sty 1 fragment cDNA probe from the noncoding 3’ region of the PSA gene with Northern Blot hybridization. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the synthetic androgen, mibolerone, produced a significant stimulatory effect on PSA expression that was independent from any increases in overall DNA levels. This response was significantly reduced when the antiandrogen, hydroxyflutamide, was added to the media. There was no significant effect on PSA expression by diethylstilbestrol (DES) or hydroxyflutamide when compared to controls. These cells remained viable, with low levels of PSA expression, in the absence of androgen. PSA mRNA levels also were stimulated by androgens. These data demonstrate that PSA levels are strongly dependent on the levels of androgens present. Therefore, a normal serum PSA in patients that have received prior hormonal therapy for prostate carcinoma may not represent the volume of viable tumor but rather may reflect the current hormonal milieu.
Methane Monooxygenase Hydroxylase

Soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) catalyzes the conversion of methane and dioxygen to methanol and water. It is a cytoplasmic system of three proteins produced in methanotrophic bacteria grown under conditions of low copper stress. The best characterized sMMO stems from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath). Under physiological conditions in M. capsulatus (Bath), three protein components are required for sMMO activity. These included a 251-kDa hydroxylase (MMOH), which contains the carboxylate-bridged, dinuclear iron active site; a 16-kDa regulatory protein known as protein B (MMOB); and a 38.6-kDa reductase (MMOR) that contains FAD and a Fe2S2 center. MMOH has been characterized by several spectroscopic techniques (UV/vis, X-ray absorption, Mossbauer, EPR, ENDOR, CD, MCD), which established the nature of the dinuclear iron active site. The crystal structure of the MMOH component of sMMO from M. capsulatus (Bath) has been solved in two crystal forms, one of which was refined to a resolution of 1.7 A. The enzyme is composed of two copies each of three subunits (α2s2γ2), and all three subunits are almost completely α-helical. The active site of each α-subunit contains one dinuclear iron center, housed in a four-helix bundle. The two iron atoms are octahedrally coordinated by 2 histidine and 4 glutamic acid residues, as well as by a bridging hydroxide ion, a terminal water molecule, and at 4°C, a bridging acetate ion, which is replaced at −160°C with a bridging water molecule. Comparison of the results of the two crystal forms shows one structural difference, namely, the altered side chain conformation of Leu110 at the active site cavity. It is suggested that this residue serves as one component of a hydrophobic gate controlling the access of substrates to and products from the active site. MMOB and MMOR bind to the α- and s-subunits of MMOH, respectively. The structure of MMOB has been known from NMR. X-ray structures of reduced MMOH and of DMSO-soaked MMOH have been determined. During the turnover, Hperoxo and Q intermediate states could be trapped and structures proposed from density functional theory studies. 3D Structure Keywords: dinuclear iron center; CH bond activation; high-valent iron; carboxylate shifts; methanotrophs; multicomponent enzyme
Ionic charging free energies using Ewald summation

Recently, a number of groups have discovered that the use of Ewald summation leads to greatly improved stability in molecular dynamics simulations of nucleic acids, proteins and membrane bilayers. This presentation will discuss the effect of boundary conditions and treatment of long-range electrostatics on molecular dynamics simulations, as well as on the important problem of calculating free energy differences. Due to its simplicity, we focus on the problem of calculating ionic charging free energies. We review recent results that suggest Ewald summation gives appropriate values for this free energy, at least for the simple case of ion charging.
Navigation and world modelling for a mobile robot: a progress report

Factory robots function in highly engineered environments and thus can be made to function with very limited sensing and intelligence. The introduction of robots into such unconstrained environments such as a construction site or a mine requires a radically different approach. Such systems must sense and model their environment and base their actions on such a model. They must also apply intelligence so that they do not simply repeat actions, but accomplish goals.
Theological Foundations for Environmental Ethics: Reconstructing Patristic and Medieval Concepts

Introduction: Reading the Catholic Theological Tradition through an Ecological Lens 1. Valuing the Goodness of Creation 2. Appreciating the Beauty of Creation 3. Reverencing the Sacramental Universe 4. Respecting Creation's Praise for God 5. Cooperating within the Integrity of Creation 6. Acknowledging Kinship and Practicing Companionship 7. Using Creation with Gratitude and Restraint 8. Living Virtuously within the Earth Community 9. Loving Earth 10. Modeling the Human in an Age of Ecological Degradation BibliographyIndex
Introduction to Statistical Field Theory, by E. Brézin: Scope: reference. Level: undergraduate

Introduction to Statistical Field Theory, by E. Brezin, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2010, 176 pp., £45.00 (hardback), ISBN 9780521193030. Scope: reference. Level: undergraduate. Introduc...
State-of-the-art laboratories for training the modern power workforce

This paper describes the development of laboratory-based power engineering program at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). Electrical Engineering Department of UTC, which is strategically located in the middle of the several power utilities, such as Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Electric Power Board (EPB), and Tennessee Valley Public Power Association (TVPPA), realizes the urgent need to maintain and improve power engineering program through establishing state-of-art power-related laboratories. As integral part of power engineering curriculum at UTC, the laboratories are as a result of partnership effort between power industries, other UTC's partners, and the University, along with the support by U.S. Department of energy (DOE). The laboratories are intended to be educational and research facilities for undergraduate and graduate students as well as training facilities for industry engineers, who are the future and current power workforce.
Magnetocaloric properties of nanocrystalline LaMnO3: Enhancement of refrigerant capacity and relative cooling power

Abstract We report the significantly improved magnetocaloric properties of sol–gel prepared nanocrystalline samples of LaMnO 3 with average particle size ∼200 nm and ∼40 nm in comparison with their bulk counterpart. The samples show negligible hysteresis losses in the ferromagnetic state and exhibit large magnetocaloric effect associated with their paramagnetic to ferromagnetic (PM–FM) transition. In comparison with bulk LaMnO 3 , both refrigerant capacity (RC) and relative cooling power (RCP) are greatly enhanced (up to 65%) in the nanocrystalline samples. This is attributed to the presence of superparamagnetic (SPM) nanoclusters near and above the PM–FM transition for the nanoparticles. For a field change of 5 T, the sample with average particle size ∼40 nm shows RCP as large as ∼369 J/kg, which is about 2.6 times larger than that reported for Gd nanoparticles (mean size ∼15 nm) and even comparable to that of bulk Gd (∼410 J/kg). Our studies reveal that the reduction of particle size to the nanoscale can be an effective way of increasing RC and RCP of manganite materials.
Minding the (semantic) gap: engineering programming language theory

Like programs, programming languages are not only mathematical objects but also software engineering artifacts. Describing the semantics of real-world languages can help bring language theory to bear on both exciting and important real-world problems. Achieving this is not purely a mathematical task, but equally one of (semantic) engineering.
Ultrasonic classification of imperfect interfaces

Ultrasonic reflection measurements from material interfaces are commonly used to detect and quantitatively characterize boundary imperfections of different kinds. Either shear or longitudinal waves can be used to assess the degree of the interface imperfection in acoustical terms. On the other hand, the evaluation of this data in terms of strength-related mechanical properties requiresa priori knowledge of the physical nature of the imperfection. It is shown in this paper that the ratio between the normal and transverse interfacial stiffnesses can be used to classify the interface imperfection. This ratio is readily measured, e.g., by comparing the longitudinal and shear reflection coefficients at normal incidence. Both theoretical and experimental results indicate that different types of imperfections, such as kissing, partial, and slip bonds, can be distinguished by this simple technique.
Effect of Light, Feeding Space, Stocking Density, and Dietary Energy on Broiler Performance

Abstract The influence of various light regimens, dietary energy levels, feeding space levels, and stocking densities on male broiler body weight, feed efficiency, and percentage abdominal fat was studied in a series of three experiments. Broilers subjected to intermittent light (1 hr on, 2 hr off) in combination with increased feeding space (2.94 or 4.40 cm/bd) had significantly higher 49 day body weights and feed efficiency (one experiment) than did birds under continuous illumination. However, when feeding space was reduced to 1.47 or 2.20 cm/bd, body weights and feed efficiencies of broilers in intermittently lighted pens were similar to or lower dian those of broilers under continuous illumination. Broilers given more floor space were significantly heavier than, and had similar feed efficiencies to, birds provided a more restricted floor regimen. Furthermore, body weight (one experiment) and feed efficiencies were higher for broilers fed rations containing higher versus lower levels of dietary energy. However, no significant interactions were observed between the lighting regimens and these variables. No differences were noted among treatments in any of the experiments for percentage abdominal fat.
Many body effects at surfaces and interfaces

Abstract The past two decades have experienced the development of angle-resolved photoemission to the point that it can now provide crucial information on an energy scale that is relevant to many key problems in condensed matter physics. At the same time, our ability to prepare and characterize surfaces, interfaces, and thin films has improved to the extent that many exotic phases can be produced with a high degree of perfection. The combination of these two developments suggests many interesting experiments can be performed that probe the coupling between charge, lattice, and spin degrees of freedom in the context of surface and interface physics. In this paper we briefly review a few groundbreaking experiments that have initiated this effort. We also speculate on future developments in this area.
Pioneer librarianship thinking in the early nineteenth century: Schrettinger, Ebert and Molbech

(1971). Pioneer librarianship thinking in the early nineteenth century: Schrettinger, Ebert and Molbech. International Library Review: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 67-76.
Low-frequency Raman spectra of paraelectric KH2PO4

Abstract The spectra recently published by Tominaga and Urabe are shown to be in good qualitative agreement with the current coupled-mode models of the KDP transition. The need for a careful quantitative analysis of this type of data over a broad frequency range is discussed.
Monovalent cations and inorganic phosphate alter branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase−kinase activity and inhibitor sensitivity

Abstract Potassium ion protects the branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex against inactivation by thermal denaturation and protease digestion. Rubidium was effective but sodium and lithium were not, suggesting that the ionic size of the cation is important for stabilization of the enzyme. Thiamine pyrophosphate stabilization of the complex [Danner, D. J., Lemmon, S. K., and Elsas, S. J. (1980) Arch. Biochem. Biophys.202, 23–28] was found dependent on the presence of potassium ion. Studies with resolved components indicate that the thiamine pyrophosphate-dependent enzyme of the complex, i.e., the 2-oxoisovalerate dehydrogenase (lipoamide) (EC 1.2.4.4), is the component stabilized by potassium ion. Branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase-kinase activity measured by inactivation of the branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex was maximized at a potassium ion concentration of 100 m m . Stimulation of kinase activity was also found with rubidium ion but not with lithium and sodium ions. All salts tested increased the efficiency of inactivation by phosphorylation, i.e., decreased the degree of enzyme phosphorylation required to cause inactivation of the complex. The effectiveness and efficacy of α-chloroisocaproate as an inhibitor of branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase were enhanced by the presence of monovalent cations, and further increased by inorganic phosphate. These findings suggest that monovalent cations and anions, particularly potassium and phosphate, cause structural changes in the dehydrogenase-kinase complex that alter its susceptibility to phosphorylation and responsiveness to kinase inhibitors.
A retrospective review of black widow spider envenomation

Because there are few recent studies of black widow spider ( Latrodectus Mactans ) envenomation, a six-year retrospective study was conducted of patients admitted to or discharged from our hospital with this diagnosis. Fourteen patients with apparently severe envenomation were found and reviewed for the frequency of presenting signs and symptoms, the use of laboratory and radiographic studies, and the effectiveness of drug therapies. The most frequent symptoms were bite site pain (79%), abdominal pain (71%), and lower extremity weakness (57%). The most frequent signs were bite site lesions and abdominal tenderness or rigidity (71%). Laboratory and radiographic studies did not influence the initial emergency department evaluation. All drug therapies resulted in good clinical outcome despite two complications, and we therefore believe that the use of antivenom for symptomatic relief should be discouraged.
METHOD OF BEHAVIORISM AS STATED BY BRODY AND OPPENHEIM: A CRITIQUE

Summary.-In answering their critics, Brody and Oppenheim offer a circular description of behavioris~ic method which poses more questions than it answers. An analysis of the terms they employ and the statements they make reveals that Brody and Oppenheim mislead their readers when they pretend that the validity of behavioristic method rests on public observation of an already existing reality called "behavior." In point two of their article, "Methodological Differences between Behaviorism and Phenomenology," Brody and Oppenheim, replying to criticisms (Henle & Baltimore, 1967; Zaner, 1967) of their earlier paper, "Tensions in Psychology between the Methods of Behaviorism and Phenomenology'" (Brody & Oppenheim, 1966), state that "Psychologists are behaviorists, irrespective of the many differences in viewpoint among them, if they take as the fundamental data for their investigations not experiences themselves but the publicly observable behavior of organisms, including verbal communications about experiences of any kind (whether they are sensory or not) in the form of first- and third-person reports; in these cases, the behaviorists take as the fundamental data the statements, that is, the face that the statements are made and not the experiences described in the statements" (Brody & Oppenheim, 1967). The discussion below outlines some of che difficulties inherent in their statement that might be conscri~ed as undermining the effectiveness of Brody's and Oppenheim's description of behavioristic method as a propaedutic to contingent arguments and distinctions. (1) "Publicly observable" is an ambiguous phrase that is often used to justify the claim that observation itself is a fiz~blic experience. Behaviorists, like all other men, observe through private, not public, perceptual organs. They see through individual eyes, not public or common eyes, and hear through individual ears, not common ears. Behaviorists may see that another is seeing or hearing, but the act of seeing or hearing is unalterably tied to individual bodies, not a common body shared by behaviorists. Whether the data are muscle movements or verbal reports, the experience of observing is a function of individual sense organs. Of course, there are varieties of human experiences tied to individual bodies, including experiences of objects, events, or processes as directly perceivable by others. When, for example, one looks at a clock, the clock may be experienced as a "public" directly perceivable by others as well as by oneself. At other times, one may experience an object, event, or process as inaccessible in its original form
DART system for far-IR/submillimeter space telescopes

Dual Anamorphic Reflector Telescope© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Thermal Wave Applications in Flow Fields With Steady Velocity Profile

This study explores the use of a thermal wave approach,for flow field measurement applications, such as flow diagnostics near surfaces and in microfluidic systems. The basic mathematical characteristics of the governing equations of heat convection, with periodic heating boundary conditions in steady flow, are discussed and the validity of applying the complex combination method to this problem is illustrated. A scaling analysis of a two-dimensional thermal wave configuration with a linear velocity profile is performed to provide important insights into this type of heat transfer phenomena. A two-dimensional conjugate heat transfer model is developed and solved numerically with a finite difference method to demonstrate an example of imposing a thermal wave onto a flow field. The simulation results show that the temperature signal, especially the phase information, can be used for the measurement of flow properties near the surface, such as the wall shear stress.
IMMUNE RESPONSES TO VARICELLA-ZOSTER VIRUS *

The host response to VZV is critical to the outcome of primary VZV infection. The maintenance of immune memory to the virus is required to prevent symptomatic re-infection on exogenous re-exposure to VZV and to prevent symptomatic reactivation of endogenous virus. Immunization with live varicella (Oka) vaccine elicits primary and memory immunity to VZV. Humoral and cell-mediated host responses induced by the wild-type virus and by the vaccine strain are comparable, which is consistent with the clinical observation that varicella vaccine protects against or significantly reduces the clinical symptoms caused by primary VZV infection. Widespread use of the varicella vaccine in healthy children will yield further knowledge about host-virus interactions, such as the role of exogenous re-exposure in maintaining persistent immunity, which will be relevant to vaccine strategies to prevent other human herpesvirus infections.
Health-related quality of life: A guide for the health professional

The importance of evaluating health care in terms of patients' quality of life has only recently been acknowledged in the context of outcomes research and the measurement of quality of care. Asa health professional, trying to choose the appropriate health status or health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measure can be daunting, as one is faced with a bewildering array of choices. The purpose of this article is to describe the process by which professionals might make a choice about measures in outcomes research. The article includes examples and rationale for using generic or disease-specific HRQOL measures. In addition, examples are provided of HRQOL assessment in two adult chronic disease applications: asthma and congestive heartfailure.
Laser-induced desorption of NO from Si(111): effects of coverage on NO vibrational populations

Abstract Laser-induced desorption of NO from Si(111) has been investigated using state-specific detection techniques. The observed energy partitioning in the desorbed NO varies significantly with the NO coverage. Characterization of the energy partitioning with desorption-laser wavelengths in the range 355–1907 nm indicates that different substrate electronic excitations are responsible for the desorption at low NO coverage vs saturation coverage. The relationship between the substrate electronic excitation and observed vibrational-state-population distributions is explored.
Electrophoretic Mobility Distribution in Aqueous Bituminous Coal Dispersions 1. Dependence On pH

ABSTRACT A relationship was found between the electrophoretic mobility distribution and the pH in aqueous bituminous coal dispersions. The coal was positively or negatively charged depending on pH and had an isoelectric Ph of 6.0. The mobility distribution was narrow close to the point of zero charge, but it broadened considerably at high and low pH. Asimple Gouy-Chapman and site dissociation model is proposed to account for the mobility-pH behavior that had been observed.
The Acquisition of Tense and Agreement Morphemes by Children With Specific Language Impairment During Intervention: Phase 3

Purpose The goals of this investigation were to determine whether gains in the use of tense and agreement morphemes by children with specific language impairment (SLI) during a 96-session intervention period would still be evident 1 month following treatment and whether these treatment effects would be greater than those seen in children with SLI receiving otherwise similar treatment that did not emphasize tense and agreement morphemes. Method Thirty-three children with SLI (age 3;0 to 4;8 [years;months]) served as participants. The children participated in 1 of 3 treatment conditions. The conditions emphasized 3rd person singular –s, auxiliary is/are/was, or general language stimulation. The children’s use of 3rd person singular –s, auxiliary is/are/was, and past tense –ed was assessed through probes administered throughout treatment and 1 month later. Results The children in the conditions that targeted 3rd person singular –s and auxiliary is/are/was showed significant gains on their respective target m...
The safety of istradefylline for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: Antagonism of the A2A receptor improves motor behavior in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to results of clinical studies which confirm findings of previous experimental research. The xanthine derivative, istradefylline, has the longest half-life out of the available A2A receptor antagonists. Istradefylline easily crosses the blood–brain barrier and shows a high affinity to the human A2A receptor.Areas covered: This narrative review aims to discuss the safety and tolerability of istradefylline against the background of the currently available drug portfolio for the treatment of PD patients.Expert opinion: Istradefylline was safe and well tolerated in clinical trials, which have focused on l-DOPA-treated PD patients. The future of istradefylline as a complementary drug for modulation of the dopaminergic neurotransmission also relies on its potential to act like an l-DOPA plus dopamine agonist sparing future treatment alternative and to reduce the risk of predominant l-DOPA-re...
Darinaparsin inhibits prostate tumor-initiating cells and Du145 xenografts and is an inhibitor of hedgehog signaling.

Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in men in the United States. A major cause of drug resistance in prostate and other epithelial tumors may be due to the presence of a fraction of tumor cells that retain the ability to initiate tumors and hence are termed tumor-initiating cells (TIC) or cancer stem cells. Here, we report that darinaparsin, an organic derivative of arsenic trioxide, is cytotoxic to prostate cancer cell lines as well as fresh prostate cancer cells from patients at low micromolar concentrations, and importantly inhibits the TIC subpopulations. It also inhibits growth of the castrate-resistant Du145 prostate tumor propagated as xenograft in mice and inhibits the tumor-initiating potential of prostate cancer cells. Although the mechanism by which darinaparsin acts is not completely known, we show that it kills prostate cancer cells by blocking cells in the G2–M phase of the cell cycle and inhibits Hedgehog signaling by downregulating Gli-2 transcriptional activity. These data provide a rationale for evaluating darinaparsin in patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(1); 23–30. ©2014 AACR .
Translating medical screening and brief intervention into behavioral health-care practice in work-related settings

Substantial empirical support exists for alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI) in medical settings but not in nonmedical settings such as the workplace—a potential but underutilized venue for alcohol SBI. This research aims to translate medical SBI into behavioral health-care practice in US work settings, where millions of workers might be reached annually. The primary objectives of this pilot study are to assess the feasibility of adapting medical SBI practices to telephonic employee assistance programs (EAPs); to develop practical training, implementation, and quality/fidelity monitoring protocols and processes that can be integrated into existing practices; to assess the impact of implementing systematic routine alcohol SBI on key performance measures (rates of screening, alcohol problem identification, treatment initiation); and to assess preliminary outcomes (self-reported alcohol use, mental well-being, and productivity). The multi-site study is being conducted by US EAP providers using pre-test/post-test single-group pre-experimental designs. Screening and brief intervention processes were adapted from the World Health Organization’s alcohol SBI protocol and included systematic screening using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) during clinical intake, BI using motivational interviewing techniques, referral to face-to-face counseling, and telephonic follow-up. Preliminary findings suggest that integration of routine SBI by EAP consultants at intake is not only feasible in a telephonic delivery system but also increases alcohol problem identification to levels found in the general US population; hence, it provides the opportunity for brief motivational counseling for risky drinking. Furthermore, it is clear that when SBI is integrated as part of routine EAP practice, members are willing to answer questions about their alcohol use and participate in follow-up. To date, findings have shown increases in alcohol-problem identification from 400% to 600% when SBI is integrated into routine practice.
Entrepreneurship in Peace Operations

A central question guides this article: To what extent can entrepreneurship be a force for change and transformation in war-torn areas? To address the question, this article introduces the topic of social entrepreneurship and illustrates how social entrepreneurs are serving as change agents in rebuilding and reconstructing areas devastated by conflict. The social enterprise of Kiva, the brainchild of social entrepreneurs Matthew Flannery and Jessica Jackley, provides an example. It is notable for its innovative idea—a Web-based, internet-facilitated micro-loan process that attracts individual investors worldwide in support of business entrepreneurs in the developing world. As a counter example to top-down, mandate-driven, organization-centric intervention strategies that many organizations pursue in peace operations, Kiva's enduring legacy may very well be its bottom-up, entrepreneur-driven, network-centric model of change. Its most salient features are: a supply chain that ‘contractually’ connects all th...
A Vortex Model of the Darrieus Turbine: An Analytical and Experimental Study

A preliminary aerodynamic performance prediction model has been constructed for the Darrieus turbine using a vortex lattice method of analysis. A series of experiments were conducted for the express purpose of validating the analytical model. These experiments were conducted on a series of two dimensional rotor configurations which were towed in a large tank of water. The use of water as a working fluid was intended to facilitate both flow visualization and the ability to measure aerodynamic blade forces while allowing operation at sufficiently high Reynolds numbers. The primary purpose of this research was to allow reasonable predictions of aerodynamic blade forces and moments to be made.
Side impact motor vehicular crashes: Patterns of injury

Side impact collisions represent a serious risk for injury for motor vehicle occupants. In 1992 side impact collisions were found in approximately 20% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes. This type of collision provides less protection to the occupants and is associated with a specific pattern of injuries. Because elderly drivers are frequently involved in side impact collisions, they are especially at risk for major trauma.
Preliminary functional assessment of a multigrasp myoelectric prosthesis

The authors have previously described a multigrasp hand prosthesis prototype, and a two-site surface EMG based multigrasp control interface for its control. In this paper, the authors present a preliminary assessment of the efficacy of the prosthesis and multigrasp controller in performing tasks requiring interaction and manipulation. The authors use as a performance measure the Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure (SHAP), which entails manipulation of various objects designed to emulate activities of daily living, and provides a set of scores that indicate level of functionality in various types of hand function. In this preliminary assessment, a single non-amputee subject performed the SHAP while wearing the multigrasp prosthesis via an able-bodied adaptor. The results from this testing are presented, and compared to recently published SHAP results obtained with commercially available single-grasp and multigrasp prosthetic hands.
Marxism and the philosophy of internal relations; or, How to replace the mysterious ‘paradox’ with ‘contradictions’ that can be studied and resolved:

The problems most people have in understanding Marx come not only from the complexity of his theories, but also from the frequent changes in the meanings of his concepts. The present article attributes this unusual practice to Marx’s ‘philosophy of internal relations’, which serves as the foundation for his dialectical method, and his use of the process of abstraction (breaking up our internally related world into the ‘parts’ best suited to study it). The ‘flexibility’ found in Marx’s use of language is the linguistic counterpart of the different abstractions he believes necessary in order to capture the complex workings of capitalism. Marx’s dialectical categories, especially ‘contradiction’, are good examples of this process at work.
A computational model on one pathway in the cat subcortical auditory system

A computational model of one pathway in the cat subcortical auditory system has been constructed and is being tested. The pathway runs from the basilar memrane of the cochlea and its inner hair cells through the principal auditory nuclei in the cat brainstem. This model is being compared to physiological recordings for validation purposes, and should prove a useful tool for testing theories of auditorysensory representation and functioning.
N2-Trimethylacetyl substituted and unsubstituted-N4-phenylsubstituted-6-(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diamines: Design, cellular receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitory activities and in vivo evaluation as antiangiogenic, antimetastatic and antitumor agents

Six novel N(4)-phenylsubstituted-6-(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diamines and their N(2)-trimethylacetyl substituted analogs were synthesized as receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitors. A microwave-mediated Sonogashira reaction was used as a key step for the synthesis of these compounds. Biological evaluation, in whole cell assays, showed that some analogs had remarkable inhibitory activity against a variety of RTKs and in particular cytotoxic activity against A431 tumor cells in culture. The inhibitory data against RTKs in this study demonstrated that variation of the 4-anilino substituents of these analogs dictates both potency and specificity of inhibitory activity against various RTKs. The study also supported the hypothesis that interaction of substituents on the 2-amino group with hydrophobic site-II provides an increase in potency. Compound 8 of this series was selected for evaluation in vivo in a B16-F10 syngeneic mouse tumor model and exhibited significant reduction in tumor growth rate, in tumor vascular density and in metastases to the lung compared to the control.
Identification of leukin in amniotic fluid

SummaryLeukin, a cationic bactericidal protein of low molecular weight that is derived primarily from the polymorphonuclear leucocyte, was found to be present in amniotic fluid from 450 normal obstetric patients at teim. The concentration in the amniotic fluid was very similar to that found in circulating maternal plasma, probably indicating simple diffusion of leukin. Neutralisation of amniotic fluid leukin with specific antisera did not change the in vitro bactericidal activity of whole amniotic fluid. The role of leukin as a nonspecific host defence agent in amniotic fluid is thought to be minimal
Men and women's acceptance of coercive sexual strategies varied by initiator gender and couple intimacy

Seventy-two men and 86 women read vignettes describing five coercive strategies for obtaining sexual intercourse on a date. Subjects rated the acceptability of strategies used by male and female initiators for couples who were or were not sexually intimate. Subjects generally rejected all tactics. Results revealed a continuum of increasing rejection from verbal pressure and sexual stimulation, followed by mock force, followed by intoxication and physical force. Although women were more rejecting of any strategy than were men, women were slightly less opposed to verbal pressure and stimulation for “more sex” rather than for “first-time sex.” Women equally rejected most male- and female-initiated strategies, but men were more accepting of female-initiated strategies. Results are explained in terms of sex role norms prescribing that men be initiators and women be gatekeepers in sexual interaction.
Why People are Religious—A Study in Religious Motivation

HE Religion A class (Man and Religion) was discussing the distinguishing marks of a religious person and was having difficulty in coming to any agreement. Again and again the question arose as to why people did some of the things a religious person was supposed to do. "Would it help," asked the instructor, "if they knew why people were religious?" The class agreed that it would. Then said the instructor, "Please bring in as the assignment for next Monday a written report on why ten different individuals of varying age, class, sex, and occupation are religious." The class stared in amazement and mur-
The malignant potential of small congenital nevocellular nevi. An estimate of association based on a histologic study of 234 primary cutaneous melanomas.

In order to assess a relationship between small congenital nevocellular nevi and cutaneous melanoma, histologic features commonly associated with congenital nevi were sought in 234 melanomas. The detection of one or more histologic features of congenital nevi in 8.1% (19/234) of melanoma specimens was directly related to the number of slides and tissue sections with melanoma available for review, the predominance of superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) and the historic relationship to a preexisting pigmented nevus at the tumor site, The histologic association was inversely related to melanoma thickness and tumor location on the lower extremities. The observed frequency of histologic association was estimated to be approximately 4,000 to 13,000 times greater than expected on the basis of surface area by chance alone. These findings suggest that small congenital nevi may be precursors for at least some cases of cutaneous melanoma. The strength of histologic association is highly dependent on the specificity of methods used for detecting congenital nevi in melanoma specimens.