cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Policy entrepreneurs and structural influence in integrated community case management policymaking in Burkina Faso

Policy entrepreneurs are individuals who attempt to influence the policy process and its outcomes through their opportunistic or incremental actions. Their success in the policy-making process has been associated with the convergence of four factors: behavioural traits; institutional factors; network position and political capital. Policy entrepreneurs have received little study in low- and middle-income country policy research despite observations of individualized decision-making, informal institutions and the unequal distribution and exercise of power in policymaking. This article aims to identify whether policy entrepreneurs were present in the policy process around integrated community case management (iCCM) in Burkina Faso, whether they were successful in achieving policy change, and whether success or failure can be explained using existing policy entrepreneur frameworks from high-income polities. This mixed methods policy study collected data from in-depth qualitative interviews and social network surveys of actors involved in iCCM policymaking [known locally as C-integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI)]; data were analysed based on the framework categories. Interview data pointed to one key individual who played a significant role in the inclusion of pneumonia treatment into the country's iCCM policy, an issue that had been a point of contention between government policy elites and development partners. Social network data confirmed that this actor was strategically located in the policy network to be able to reach the most other actors and to be able to control the flow of information. Although some development partner actors were as strategically located, none had the same level of authority or trust as was imbued by being a member of the government civil service. The entrepreneur's mid-level rank in the health ministry may have encouraged him/her to invest political capital and take risks that would not have been feasible or attractive to a more senior actor. This study highlights the convergence of factors needed to be an entrepreneur, as well as the role of development partner actors in creating a facilitating environment.
Evaluation of PCR-ELISA for determination of telomerase activity in prostate needle biopsy and prostatic fluid specimens.

Abstract The conventional TRAP assay will determine telomerase activity in tissue or other specimens. However, methodological disadvantages limit its clinical use. We evaluated a modified TRAP assay, the telomerase PCR-ELISA, as a practical clinical system for measuring its activity in conjunction with prostate cancer (PCa). We examined telomerase activity by both TRAP and PCR-ELISA assays in 48 sextant needle biopsy (SNB) specimens from dye-marked areas of the prostate glands of 7 PCa patients. Each specimen was histologically confirmed as cancerous or cancer-free by examining a paired specimen taken from the same marked area. In addition, prostatic fluid (PF) specimens were analyzed from 18 patients, 9 of whom were diagnosed with PCa while 9 were diagnosed as cancer-free but mostly with BPH. The results on individual SNB specimens matched well for the two methods. The sensitivity (91%) and specificity (69%) for the PCR-ELISA measurements were consistent with those for the conventional TRAP assay, 88% and 81%, respectively. Quantitatively, with the PCR-ELISA assay, the mean telomerase activity (24.5±28.4 units) per needle core with PCa cells was significantly higher than that in needle cores without PCa cells (7.2±2.2 unit), as it was with the conventional TRAP assay, namely 25.6±27.8 units and 7.3±1.8 units, respectively. In PF specimens from PCa patients, which had a lower mean telomerase than was found in needle cores containing PCa cells (7.1±1.5 units in the PCR-ELISA, 7.2±1.8 units in the conventional TRAP assay), statistical analysis showed good matching between the results from the two assays, overall. In conclusion, the PCR-ELISA can be considered a reliable method to determine telomerase activity as an adjunct in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer .
High-temperature interactions between multiple-metals and kaolinite

High-temperature combustion flue gases provided the environments for this investigation of multiple-metals interactions with dispersed kaolinite. Whereas previous research was restricted to interactions of single-metals with kaolinite powders, this work focuses on understanding how kaolinite transformations induced by reaction with one metal species can affect the mechanisms of interaction with other metal species. Experiments were performed in an 18 kW downflow furnace, by doping combinations of semi-volatile metals through a natural gas flame, and injecting supermicron sized powder kaolinite sorbent into the post flame. An aerosol size fractionation method was used to quantify the fraction of metal captured. It was found that the melt-associated restructuring of the meta-kaolinite crystal, caused by eutectics formed with lead and sodium reaction products (self-enhancing for lead and sodium capture), enhances the capture of cadmium by kaolinite at 1160°C. Cadmium reaction products by themselves fail to initiate a self-enhancing eutectic-melt at this temperature, because cadmium forms a higher temperature eutectic with the meta-kaolinite crystal than does lead or sodium. In fact, at temperatures in the range 1000°C to 1300°C, cadmium enhances the capture of lead and sodium by slowing down the deactivating excessive-melt driven by the lead or sodium/sorbent eutectic at these temperatures. Hence, total metal capture is enhanced in this temperature range for the Cd/Pb and Cd/Na systems by the formation of an optimum eutectic-melt, whereby significant melt-enhancement is induced without sorbent deactivation. Lead and sodium reaction products form similar high-temperature eutectics with kaolinite. However, sodium capture dominates over lead capture with a slightly higher reaction rate than lead, thus achieving capture before the most significant sorbent deactivation occurs. Sodium also dominates by effectively displacing lead previously captured on sorbent sites. These observations are quantified using models that extend those developed for single-metal capture to multiple-metal situations.
The Clinical Implications of Scaphotrapezium-Trapezoidal Arthritis With Associated Carpal Instability

Purpose Common causes of dorsal intercalated segment instability (DISI) include scapholunate dissociations and scaphoid fracture nonunions. Although less common than these, scaphotrapezium-trapezoidal (STT) osteoarthritis (OA) may also be associated with the development of a DISI deformity. The clinical implications of this form of carpal instability in cases of STT arthritis are still unknown. To study the radiographic progression and incidence of this entity, we reviewed our patients and report on 24 wrists with DISI in the presence of STT arthritis. Methods A retrospective chart and radiographic review was performed on all patients seen between 1994 and 2004, with the diagnosis of STT arthritis to identify a subgroup of patients with DISI deformity on the presenting radiographs. Patients' clinical and surgical courses were noted. Postoperative radiographic changes were recorded, as were clinical outcomes. Results Sixteen patients with 24 wrists having STT arthritis and DISI deformity on presenting radiographs were identified. The median STT arthritis grade was 3.0 based on a modified Eaton and Glickel grading system. The median radiolunate angle was −21° of dorsal tilt. All patients had normal scapholunate angles. Abnormal scaphoid extension was seen in 19 of 24 wrists as measured by the radioscaphoid angle. Concomitant carpometacarpal arthritis was seen in 67% (n = 16) of the wrists, and midcarpal arthritis was identified in 50% (n = 8) of patients. Fifteen wrists required surgery for the symptoms and were followed up for a mean of 29 months after surgery. In the surgical group the radiolunate angles increased by mean of 6° after surgery. Four of the 15 wrists required revisional surgery for persistent pain. Conclusions Patients with STT arthritis may present with carpal instability that is not related to radiographic scapholunate instability. This instability is characterized by a normal scapholunate angle with an extension stance of the scaphoid and lunate. Midcarpal arthritis may be present. Surgical intervention for patients with STT arthritis and DISI deformity may lead to radiographic progression of midcarpal instability.
Interpersonal contribution to outcome: The relation of interpersonal distress and symptomatic improvement as a result of psychotherapy

The study utilized a 32-item brief measure of interpersonal problems (IIP) to examine interpersonal distress in relation to symptomology and treatment outcome as assessed by the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45). The study included a community sample of 210 individuals receiving psychotherapy at a mental health training facility. A number of significant correlations were found between interpersonal distresses with symptomology. The highest correlations were found between levels of general interpersonal distress and symptoms relating to psychiatric and social distress at the onset of therapy; in general the IIP did not differentiate between symptomology types. The study failed to replicate previous research indicating a relation between facets of interpersonal problems with treatment outcome.
Energy Levels, Selection Rules, and Line Intensities for Molecular Beam Electric Resonance Experiments with Diatomic Molecules

In the molecular beam electric resonance method the energy levels in an electric field of a diatomic molecule which is in the ground electronic state, and a low vibrational and rotational state are studied. Transitions are produced between states with different space quantization of the molecule relative to the electric field and with different couplings of the angular momenta of the nuclei and of the molecular rotation. Thus the interaction of the molecule with the field and the internal molecular interactions (e.g., nuclear electrical quadrupole interactions and nuclear spin---molecular orbit interactions) are measured. In this paper we give the stationary state energy values and eigenfunctions for "very weak," "weak," and "strong" field conditions for a diatomic molecule in which one nucleus has a spin of \textonehalf{}. Selection rules for the transitions are developed and some considerations on line intensities are discussed. Finally, there is presented the theory of double quantum transitions, which are predicted to occur at one-half the frequency given by the Bohr condition, $\ensuremath{\Delta}W=h\ensuremath{\nu}$, provided the radiofrequency field is sufficiently intense.
XPS study and quantitative theoretical modeling of the reactive chemistry occurring at the interface produced when vanadium atoms are deposited on room temperature InSb(111)

Abstract Photoelectron intensity data have been obtained for the V/InSb(111) reactive interface at room temperature. We apply the model developed by Butera and Hollingsworth and show that the model yields consistent fits for both the In 4d and Sb 4d core level photoelectron intensity data. In addition, we have extracted both the chemical composition of the interfacial products and real-space distance distribution of these products across the interface.
A syzygetic approach to the smoothability of zero-dimensional schemes

Abstract We consider the question of which zero-dimensional schemes deform to a collection of distinct points; equivalently, we ask which Artinian k-algebras deform to a product of fields. We introduce a syzygetic invariant which sheds light on this question for zero-dimensional schemes of regularity two. This invariant imposes obstructions for smoothability in general, and it completely answers the question of smoothability for certain zero-dimensional schemes of low degree. The tools of this paper also lead to other results about Hilbert schemes of points, including a characterization of nonsmoothable zero-dimensional schemes of minimal degree in every embedding dimension d ⩾ 4 .
Flammability and storage studies of selected fire-resistant fluids

Using the Naval Research Laboratory's mist flammability apparatus, several commercial samples of invert water-in-oil emulsions, designed for possible application as fire-resistant hydraulic fluids or lubricants, were screened for fire resistancy. Their stabilities under storage conditions for approximately a 2-year period were also assessed. For comparison purposes, two other commercial fire-resistant fluids were also screened, viz. a water-glycol solution and a phosphate ester. The Navy's current petroleum type hydraulic fluid, 2190-TEP, was employed as the reference fluid. In addition to fire resistancy tests, the drop size distributions of water microdroplets in the separated emulsion layers were also determined.
Synchronization of cell division in Astasia longa on a chemically defined medium.

Abstract 1. 1. A 24-hour repeating temperature cycle, consisting of 15 hours at 15 °C, 8 hours at 25 °C, and two 30-minute transition periods, has been used for the synchronization of cell division of Astasia longa grown in 2 per cent proteose peptone and in a chemically defined medium. This results in a burst of cell division every 24 hours for as many as seven generations. 2. 2. Cysteine and methionine were found to be important in the mechanism of synchronization of cells grown in Cramer-Myers medium. Their addition appears to reduce the fission time of these cells without affecting the generation time. 3. 3. The synchronization process is evaluated in terms of a cell cycle. The possible manner in which synchronization is achieved by means of a repeating temperature cycle is discussed.
QUANTUM THEORY OF THE SMALL JOSEPHSON JUNCTION.

Abstract A lossless, small area Josephson junction is analyzed from the point of view of quantum dynamics. Schroedinger's equation in the flux representation reduces to Mathieu's equation.
The thermal catastrophe model of substorms

Equations are presented for the physical mechanisms involved in the resonant absorption of Alfven waves in the plasma sheet boundary layer. It is shown that energy absorbed by the plasma-sheet particles is a function of the central plasma sheet temperature. The heating curve, when coupled with convective transport, yielded an equation of state for the steady state plasma sheet, whose solution has the form of a mathematical catastrophe. The master equation includes dynamic terms describing the transition across the thermal catastrophe, making it possible to evaluate the time scale for the catastrophe to occur.
Effect of oversizing cardiac allografts on survival in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease.

Abstract Background There are few published data regarding the long-term outcome of "large" cardiac allografts in children. This study examines the effect of cardiac graft oversizing on the survival of pediatric patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods Two hundred ninety-one children, age 1 day to 17 years (median 50 days), with CHD underwent primary cardiac transplantation between 1985 and 2002. Patients were analyzed according to donor-recipient weight ratio (D-R): Group (Gp) I ( n = 252) with D-R n = 39) with D-R ≥2.5 (range 2.5 to 4.65, median 2.78). CHD diagnoses included hypoplastic left heart syndrome (138 in Gp I, 13 in Gp II), single ventricle (29 in Gp I, 1 in Gp II) and other (85 in Gp I, 13 in Gp II). Patients with cardiomyopathy were excluded. Pre-transplant cardiac palliation was performed in 36% of Gp I and 15% of Gp II patients. The average graft ischemic times (minutes) were 266 ± 7.5 and 283 ± 18.9 for Gp I and Gp II, respectively ( p Results The operative mortality for Gp I was 10.3% and 10.2% for Gp II ( p p p p Conclusions Post-transplant morbidity and short- and long-term survival of pediatric recipients with CHD are not adversely influenced by the use of oversized cardiac allografts.
End‐group effect on chain conformation of poly(propylene glycol) and poly(ethylene glycol)

A comparison is made of the chain conformational distribution of hydroxy-terminated poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with their methoxy-terminated derivatives. The significant end-group dependence on the glass transition temperature in PPG was observed by differential scanning calorimetry. Raman active skeletal vibrations in the low-frequency region indicated a significant difference in chain conformation distribution between methoxy- and hydroxy-terminated PPGs, yet almost no difference between MPEG and HPEG. The increased chain stiffness in HPPG in comparison to MPPG has been attributed to the hydrogen-bonding interaction associated with the hydroxy end group in HPPG. Furthermore, the structural differences observed between PPG and PEG have been attributed to the differences in the interaction of the hydroxy end group to the ether oxygen in the two polymers. The interaction between the hydroxy end group and ether oxygen differs because the -CH 3 side group is present for one and not for the other. These structural differences are reflected in the glass transitions temperatures measured.
On the image of a constrained extremum problem and some applications to the existence of a minimum

A new approach to constrained optimization, which has appeared recently under various forms and in several contexts, is presented in a general and unifying setting. This approach is then employed to establish some new conditions for the existence of the minimum of a constrained minimum problem.
The Effectiveness of Radical Openness in Online Advertising

This study examined whether radical openness in advertising (disclosing honest information or revealing a secret or personal story) was more effective than conventional advertising in creating a positive brand image. Therefore, 141 participants were exposed to one of three different video clips (a radically open ad vs. a conventional ad vs. a control video clip). A premeasure and postmeasure questionnaire determined the effect of each video on feelings toward the advertised company and its product. The radically open advertisement was most effective at creating positive feelings, alleviating negative feelings, and creating awareness toward the company and its product.
Twinning in epilayers of CdTe on Si: Influence of ZnTe buffer layer and substrate misorientation

X-ray diffraction spectra of CdTe epilayers grown with and without ZnTe buffer layers on Si substrates by molecular beam epitaxy consist of 422 and 331 reflections. We interpret these as evidence for the existence of twins within the volume of a oriented epilayer and show that twin volume is dependent on the ZnTe buffer layer and substrate misorientation.
Further Studies of the Isomeric 1,2,7- and 1,3,6-Re2Cl5(PMe3)3 Compounds

New studies of compounds containing Re2Cl5(PMe3)3 molecules have been carried out on products prepared by one-electron oxidation of Re(II)−Re(II) compounds as well as by one-electron reduction of Re(III)−Re(III) species. The action of PhI·Cl2 on Re2Cl4(PMe3)4 in 2:1 mole ratio, in the presence of free PMe3, gives red 1,3,6-/1,2,7-Re2Cl5(PMe3)3 (1) containing two isomers in its unit cell. It was also shown that some additional 1,3,6-Re2Cl5(PMe3)3, isolated as its 1/2CH2Cl2 solvate (2), is always present in the reaction product. The reaction of the quadruply bonded complex [(n-Bu)4N]2Re2Cl8 with PMe3 in propanol at room temperature leads to 1,2,7-Re2Cl5(PMe3)3·(n-Bu)4NCl (3). Heating a dichloromethane solution of compound 3 results in pure 1,2,7-Re2Cl5(PMe3)3. All molecules are characterized by a Re25+ core with a σ2π4δ2δ* bond of order 3.5 and Re−Re distances within the range 2.210−2.227 A. Crystal data are as follows: for 1, monoclinic space group P21/c, a = 14.936(5) A, b = 8.8206(8) A, c = 34.29(1) A, ...
Structure of sputter-deposited Pt/Fe and Cr/Fe multilayers

Conversion electron Mossbauer spectroscopy (CEMS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) have been used to investigate the structure of Pt/Fe and Cr/Fe multilayers deposited by magnetron sputtering. The Cr/Fe samples consisted of four samples prepared under Ar sputtering pressures of 1.3, 3.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mT, all with the same multilayer structure of 3.5 nm Cr/2.5 nm Fe, repeated 35 times onto c-Si wafer substrates. The quality of the interfaces between Cr and Fe is clearly degraded with increasing sputter pressure, as seen by changes in the relative intensities of four magnetic subspectra in the CEMS and the gradual appearance of a single-line resonance similar to Fe in solution in Cr. The low-angle XRD superlattice peaks also disappear with increasing sputter pressure, while the high-angle XRD shows a tendency for loss of the preferred (110) texture. Two films of Pt/Fe were deposited epitaxially onto MgO single crystals with bilayer periods of 1.3 nm and 2.6 nm and total thickness of 300 nm each. A transition from fcc-PtFe with near-perpendicular magnetic anisotropy to a bcc-Fe/fcc-PtFe mixture with in-plane magnetic texture is observed by CEMS for the factor of two increase in bilayer period.
Use of ecological momentary assessment to monitor fibromyalgia

ISSN 1758-1869 10.2217/PMT.11.15 © 2011 Future Medicine Ltd Pain Manage. (2011) 1(3), 195–197 Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder characterized by widespread, diffuse pain and hyperalge­ sic responses. Various pain, functional and mood problems are also associated with FMS [1]. The exact cause or pathophysio­ logy of FMS continues to elude us. In the absence of specific biomarkers, the evalu­ ation of FMS patients must rely on self­ reported symptoms. Patients are typically asked to rate the severity of their symptoms over some period of time (e.g., past week or month). This requires patients to recall retrospectively the occurrence, nature and magnitude of their symptoms, and then to aggregate and average this information to arrive at a summary rating. Heavy reliance on recall, unfortunately, is known to lead to erroneous assessment. For example, the validity of pain recall is quite fragile [2–6], and it is easily influenced by various fac­ tors including pain severity at the time of recall [4], emotional status [7] and the patient’s beliefs about their conditions [8]. Another concern is related to ecological validity of in­clinic/laboratory assessment. Owing to this concern, many have tried to use home assessment methods where symp­ toms can be assessed in real­life settings. The most common method is to use a paper diary format and to record symptoms on a daily basis. Patients are typically asked to record their symptoms at the end of the day, thereby reducing recall bias to some extent. However, the validity still largely depends upon patients’ willingness to adhere with the required procedure, which is typically quite low [9]. Recent advances in hand­held computer technology has enabled clinical research­ ers to develop an electronically managed, real­time experience sampling method to assess symptoms. Typically, a patient is asked to carry a hand­held device, which prompts him/her several times a day. Upon the prompt, the device becomes an electric questionnaire, requesting the person to rate the severity of their symptoms. The method, termed ecological momentary assessment (EMA), makes use of real­time sampling strategies to assess phenomena as they occur in natural settings. The method works particularly well for track­ ing symptoms associated with FMS and various comorbidities. Ecological momentary assessment also overcomes many of the methodological flaws from which the paper diary format suf­ fers. The EMA device can be programmed in a way that limits the time frame for a
p-n heterojunctions

Abstract A classical kinetic emission model coupled with an assumed energy band diagram which includes the effects of a discontinuity in the electron affinity, effective mass, permittivity and the energy gap at the junction interface is used as the basis for an analysis of the static current-voltage characteristic of the abrupt p-n heterojunction. The derived characteristic is then used to determine regions of quasi-equilibrium within the depletion layer and to predict the position dependence of the quasi-Femri levels. Two distinct modes of operation are predicted for the heterojunctions I–V characteristic: Metal-semiconductor type operation where the current is limited by the ability of the carriers to surmount the potential barrier at the junction interface and homojunction type operation where the current is limited by the ability of the carriers to diffuse away from the junction depletion region. The predicted extrapolated saturation current for the former type of operation, is in general, significantly less than that for the latter. The position dependence of the quasi-Fermi levels is also different for the two types of operation. For metal-semiconductor type operation a drop in the quasi-Fermi level across the depletion layer is expected, whereas for homodiode type operation there is a negligible variation of the quasi-Fermi level in this region. The heterojunction I–V characteristic presented here, which differs significantly from previous models, agrees favourably with experimental data on Ge-GaAs heterojunctions reported in the literature and with others recently fabricated by the present authors.
INTERDEPENDENT EXITING: THE EFFECTS OF GROUP SIZE, TIME LIMIT, AND GENDER ON THE COORDINATION OF EXITING

Two experiments were performed on interdependent exiting using a new paradigm, choices made to exit or wait on discrete rounds. The smaller the group size, the larger the proportion of group members exiting, regardless of whether the exit space was held constant and the number of rounds was proportional to group size or the number of rounds was held constant and the exit space was proportional to group size. A larger proportion exited in the long time limit conditions rather than the short. There was no main effect due to gender, but a complex triple interaction involving gender, group size, and time limit was obtained. In general, the results were consistent with the theoretical model of Kelleyet al. (1965). The relevance of this research to the areas of tacit coordination and queue models of traffic flow was discussed.
Probing the importance of electrostatic interactions of Ce(III) with the phosphodiester backbone during transesterification using methyl phosphonates

This paper investigates aspects of the fundamental mechanism of transesterification and hydrolysis. The ability of remote phosphates to coordinate and deliver metal catalysts to the active site (the 2′-OH) of an RNA residue is reported. Previous literature reports show that ApUp is cleaved much faster than ApU at the internal phosphodiester. This supports the accepted mechanism whereby remote phosphates coordinate and deliver metal catalysts to the active site to promote transesterification of RNA. We report that remote phosphates do not recruit metal catalysts from the bulk solution in a productive manner for transesterification. By using a polyanionic substrate, termed embedded RNA, and methyl phosphonates to mask the charge at single positions in the polyanionic backbone, we report rate increases in transesterification with methyl phosphonate substitution adjacent to the cleavage site with aqueous Ce(III) and a Ce(III) hexaaza macrocycle.
A review of cultural influence on maternal mortality in the developing world.

Abstract Objective identify research examining the effect of culture on maternal mortality rates. Design literature review of CINAHL, Cochrane, PsychInfo, OVID Medline and Web of Science databases. Setting developing countries with typically higher rates of maternal mortality. Participants women, birth attendants, family members, nurse midwives, health-care workers, and community members. Measurements and findings reviews, qualitative and mixed-methods research have identified components of culture that have a direct impact on maternal mortality. Examples of culture are given in the text and categorised according to the way in which they impact maternal mortality. Key conclusions cultural customs, practices, beliefs and values profoundly influence women's behaviours during the perinatal period and in some cases increase the likelihood of maternal death in childbirth. The four ways in which culture may increase MMR are as follows: directly harmful acts, inaction, use of care and social status. Implications for practice understanding the specifics of how the culture surrounding childbirth contributes to maternal mortality can assist nurses, midwives and other health-care workers in providing culturally competent care and designing effective programs to help decrease MMR, especially in the developing world. Interventions designed without accounting for these cultural factors are likely to be less effective in reducing maternal mortality.
Changes in fruit antioxidant activity among blueberry cultivars during cold-temperature storage.

Antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, anthocyanin content, and six other fruit characters including titratable acid concentration, soluble solids, firmness, and percentage of bruised berries were determined for nine blueberry (Vaccinium L. sp.) cultivars at harvest and at various postharvest intervals after storage at 5 °C. Berries from MSU-58, Brigitta, and Legacy stored successfully for 7 weeks, Bluegold stored for 3−5 weeks, Bluecrop, Elliott, and Nelson stored for 3 weeks, and Jersey and Little Giant stored for fewer than 3 weeks. During the time they retained marketable quality, one cultivar (MSU-58) demonstrated a 29% increase in antioxidant activity. None of the cultivars showed a significant decrease from the harvest antioxidant activity value during storage. Antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, and anthocyanin content were strongly correlated with each other (r = 0.87−0.99, P < 0.01). All three parameters were moderately correlated with soluble solids (r = 0.47, P ≤ 0.05; r = 0.4...
Density of bosons in phase-space and the transition from particle to wave behavior

An attempt is made to put various well-known phenomena in boson systems on a common basis by considering their behaviour as the transition from particle to wave characteristics as the density in phase-space increases. An operational definition is given for the wavelike behavior of a system. It is shown that this equals the average number of bosons per unit cell of phase-space. Black body fluctuations, ordinary interference and the fluctuations in a beam of light as derived by Janossy (1) are considered. Various related topics are discussed.
The computation of elementary unitary matrices

The construction of elementary unitary matrices that transform a complex vector to a multiple of e1, the first column of the identity matrix, is studied. We present four variants and their software implementation, including a discussion onthe LAPACK subroutine CLARFG. Comparisons are also given.
Differential sensitivity of the two phases of ear artery contraction to intimal and adventitial norepinephrine.

The biphasic contraction of the rabbit ear artery to norepinephrine (NE) was investigated in the normal (adventitial stimulation) and the everted (intimal stimulation) segment of ear artery. The 2nd phase response showed an intimal ED50 of 8.2×10−8 M which was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the adventitial ED50 of 42.6×10−8 M. This difference was abolished by inhibition of neuronal and extraneuronal uptake for NE. The 1st phase response also showed an ED50 for the intimal stimulation (6.9×10−8 M) which was significantly (p<0.05) lower than adventitial (65.5×10−8 M). This difference was reduced but not abolished by NE uptake inhibition. This suggsets that some feature of the adrenergic neuroeffector apparatus is asymmetrically arranged to favor fast responses to blood borne NE.
An UPS study of the chemisorption of acetylene and ethylene on Co(0001)

Abstract Valence band photoemission has been used to investigate the surface configuration and thermal decomposition of acetylene and ethylene chemisorbed on the Co(0001) surface. Although acetylene chemisorbs on Co(0001) in a manner common to acetylene on many other transition metal surfaces, ethylene bonds to Co(0001) in a manner that causes it to decompose completely below room temperature. The saturated ethylene overlayer at low temperature is unusual since it contains enough vacant sites to allow the coadsorption of 25% of a monolayer of CO. Literature precedents are utilized to propose a bonding mode and decomposition mechanism consistent with this data.
Electrophysiologic actions of high plasma concentrations of propranolol in human subjects.

The authors have previously shown that 40% of patients whose ventricular arrhythmias respond to propranolol require plasma concentrations in excess of those producing substantial beta-receptor blockade (> 150 ng/ml). However, the electrophysiologic actions of propranolol have only been examined in human beings after small intravenous doses achieving concentrations of less than 100 ng/ml. In this study, the electrophysiologic effects of a wider concentration range of propranolol was examined in nine patients. Using a series of loading and maintenance infusions, measurements were made at baseline, at low mean plasma propranolol concentrations (104 ± 17 ng/ml) and at high concentrations (472 ± 68 ng/ml). Significant (p In summary, the concentration-response relations for atrioventricular conductivity and sinus node automat-icity were flat above concentrations of 150 ng/ml. On the other hand, the durations of the monophasic action potential and the QTc interval shortened at high concentrations. It is concluded that propranolol, in addition to blocking beta-receptors, produces other beta-receptor independent electrophysiologic effects in human beings.
Physical exercise is associated with less neurocognitive impairment among HIV-infected adults.

Neurocognitive impairment (NCI) remains prevalent in HIV infection. Randomized trials have shown that physical exercise improves NCI in non-HIV-infected adults, but data on HIV-infected populations are limited. Community-dwelling HIV-infected participants (n = 335) completed a comprehensive neurocognitive battery that was utilized to define both global and domain-specific NCI. Participants were divided into "exercise" (n = 83) and "no exercise" (n = 252) groups based on whether they self-reported engaging in any activity that increased heart rate in the last 72 h or not. We also measured and evaluated a series of potential confounding factors, including demographics, HIV disease characteristics, substance use and psychiatric comorbidities, and physical functioning. Lower rates of global NCI were observed among the exercise group (15.7 %) as compared to those in the no exercise group (31.0 %; p < 0.01). A multivariable logistic regression controlling for potential confounds (i.e., education, AIDS status, current CD4+ lymphocyte count, self-reported physical function, current depression) showed that being in the exercise group remained significantly associated with lower global NCI (odds ratio = 2.63, p < 0.05). Similar models of domain-specific NCI showed that exercise was associated with reduced impairment in working memory (p < 0.05) and speed of information processing (p < 0.05). The present findings suggest that HIV-infected adults who exercise are approximately half as likely to show NCI as compared to those who do not. Future longitudinal studies might be best suited to address causality, and intervention trials in HIV-infected individuals will determine whether exercise can prevent or ameliorate NCI in this population.
''SUPPORTING OUR BLACK MEN'': REPRODUCING MALE PRIVILEGE IN A BLACK STUDENT POLITICAL ORGANIZATION

Data collected from participant observation and interviews show how a predominately female Black student political organization privileged male members to increase the group's prestige and ensure turnout at public events. The group accepted the men immediately, forgave their failures, and assigned them high profile tasks. While the women worked behind the scenes, they often chose men to represent the public face of the organization. These seemingly minor privileges allowed the men to outpace the women in accruing cultural and social capital. This analysis relies on Patricia Hill Collins' intersectional view of race and gender to identify conditions that encourage male privilege in oppressed groups and inhibit gender solidarity across racial lines.
Structural equality in black and white

In this paper, I investigated the impact of location in the social structure and communication processes on white and black responses to societal change conceptions of equality (structural equality), one conception that entailed beliefs about abstract notions of equality and one that pertained to a concrete reference‐based conception of inequality (of blacks). A recent national survey provided the data to test 12 hypotheses formulated from theorizing in the area of stratification beliefs. Using covariance analysis resulted in substantial support for the prediction. Overall, blacks more strongly favored using structural means to attain equality (general and racial equality) than did whites. Those blacks and whites better placed in the social system were more likely to embrace these institutional change solutions to inequality, and whites who watched more television news were more likely to embrace conceptions of racial structural inequality. Moreover, whites who were less well placed in society were more l...
Acute depth electrode investigations in temporal lobe epilepsy: Correlation with magnetic-resonance-imaging-based volume studies and pathology

We performed a retrospective study correlating acute depth electrode recordings with histopathology and magnetic-resonance-imaging-based volume measurements of the hippocampal formation in 20 patients with intractable partial epilepsy who subsequently underwent an anterior temporal lobectomy. Patients with mass lesions of extrahippocampal pathology were excluded from this study. Fifteen patients had pathological alterations consistent with mesial temporal sclerosis, and five patients had gliosis with less than 50% hippocampal neuronal loss. Intraoperative depth electrode spiking was analyzed for the frequency and morphology of the epileptiform activity. A highly significant correlation was demonstrated between spike frequency and the severity of the hippocampal pathology ( p = 0.002). Patients with mesial temporal sclerosis and hippocampal formation atrophy identified by magnetic resonance imaging statistically had more active mesiotemporal spiking ( p = 0.005 and p = 0.007, respectively). Acute depth electrode investigations may have diagnostic utility in patients with intractable partial epilepsy of temporal lobe origin.
Load-displacement relations for elastic bodies

Es wird gezeigt, dass bei statischen Eigenwertproblemen der infinitesimalen Elastizitatstheorie die an einem Teil der Oberflache, an welchem die Verschiebungen vorgeschrieben sind, angreifende Dyname in den vorgeschriebenen Grossen ausgedruckt werden kann. Das Verfahren verlangt die Kenntnis der Oberflachenverschiebungen und Oberflachenspannungen unter gewissen behelfsmassig definierten Gleichgewichtszustanden. Es wird auf einen Zylinder mit vorgeschriebenen Endverschiebungen und auf den Halbraum unter einem reibungsfreien starren Stempel angewandt.
Relationships between essential fatty acid levels, pulmonary function and fat absorption in pre-adolescent cystic fibrosis children with good clinical scores.

Twenty-one pre-adolescent cystic fibrosis (CF) children with good clinical scores had significant (P<0.001) deficiencies of arachidonic (mean 3.8% of total plasma fatty acids ± SD 1.4) and linoleic (18.1±6.3) acids compared with controls (6.0±1.0, and 27.6±3.9, respectively). Despite the presence of pulmonary involvement of varying severity in all the CF children, neither arachidonic nor linoleic acid levels correlated significantly with pulmonary function measured by spirometry. All children had adequate caloric and fat intakes, and the coefficient of fat absorption correlated with none of the deficient fatty acid levels. These findings suggest that deficiencies of arachidonic and linoleic acids are of minor importance in the early development of pulmonary involvement in CF, and that factors other than fat malabsorption and decreased dietary intake probably contribute to fatty acid deficiency.
Alarm symptoms of GERD

Heartburn is very common. In the United States, about 20% of adults report experiencing heartburn at least once a week. The practice guidelines for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) recommend diagnostic testing in the presence of alarm symptoms, which include dysphagia, odynophagia, weight loss, gastrointestinal bleeding, and anemia. A detailed history of the pattern, severity, and duration of alarm symptoms is essential. What are the benefits of identifying alarm symptoms in patients with GERD? Does identifying patients with alarm symptoms improve the treatment outcome? The goals of this review are to define the alarm symptoms of GERD, determine their ability to predict reflux complications and upper gastrointestinal malignancy, and develop a management strategy for patients with alarm symptoms.
P64 Chemical approaches for the detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S)

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a well known toxic gas that exerts damaging effects to humans at some concentrations. However at low concentrations, H2S is implicated with many cell signaling events associated with various biological functions. Currently H2S is recognized as a member of the gasotransmitter family with possible therapeutic applications as its congener-nitric oxide (NO). To understand the detailed roles of H2S in biological processes, researchers need to have tools which can allow accurately localize and measure endogenous H2S production as well as detect H2S metabolites. A major challenge towards this goal is the fact that H2S and its metabolites are part of the biological thiol pool and their reactivity does not differ significantly. The goal of our research is to develop chemical methods for the detection of H2S and its metabolites such as protein S-sulfhydration adducts. In this presentation, I will report our latest progress in this area.
Correlations between Dermal Torque Meter®, Cutometer®, and Dermal Phase Meter® measurements of human skin.

Background/aims: The Dermal Torque Meter® (DTM) and the Cutometer® are instruments that measure mechanical properties of skin. The NOVA(tm) Dermal Phase Meter® (DPM) measures the stratum corneum (SC) hydration level. The objectives of this study were to determine which parameters of the DTM data curves were most sensitive to changes in SC hydration level, which of the two instruments (Cutometer or DTM) was most sensitive, and what correlations existed between the Cutometer and DTM data. Methods: Dry leg skin was created on nine subjects by washing with soap and using no moisturizers for one week. The skin was then treated with moisturizing lotions for two weeks. Measurements were made with the Cutometer, DTM, and DPM pre- and post-treatment. Results: Significant changes in DPM, DTM, and Cutometer measurements were found after the moisturizer treatment. However, correlations were not found between mechanical property data and DPM data. The DTM had the two parameters with the highest sensitivity of all of the DTM and Cutometer parameters. Finally, correlations between the two instruments existed for only three of the ten parameters investigated. Conclusions: While measurements with all three instruments significantly changed in response to skin hydration, neither the DTM nor Cutometer data tended to correlate with DPM data, perhaps due to the differences in the depths into the skin which each instrument measures. Furthermore, the mechanical properties measured by the two instruments do not correlate well between the instruments. Finally, the DTM was found to have the most sensitive parameters.
Does Early Voting Change the Socio-Economic Composition of the Electorate?

Political representation should be a key issue for poverty scholars. Schattschneider said more than 30 years ago, “[t]he flaw in the pluralist heaven is that the heavenly chorus sings with a strong upper-class accent.” How do election reforms affect the composition of the electorate? In 2005, Adam Berinsky made the argument that election reforms such as early voting magnify the existing socioeconomic bias in the electorate. This occurs because early voting may retain those who comprise the highest SES, rather than stimulating the turnout of new voters who may be of lower SES status. This paper advances a test of Berinsky's hypothesis by examining early voting in North Carolina in 2008 using the state's voter registration database. The analysis shows that despite on-the-ground mobilization efforts, those who voted early were primarily those of higher income who had been registered a long time, though they were not necessarily those who had voted habitually in the past. Normatively, this work raises questions about who has access to the franchise and who appears to be left behind.
Dextran-Coated Gold Nanoprobes for the Concentration and Detection of Protein Biomarkers

The lateral-flow immunoassay (LFA) is a well-established point-of-care detection assay that is rapid, inexpensive, easy to use, and portable. However, its sensitivity is lower than that of traditional lab-based assays. Previously, we improved the sensitivity of LFA by concentrating the target biomolecules using aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) prior to their detection. In this study, we report the first-ever utilization of dextran-coated gold nanoprobes (DGNPs) as the colorimetric indicator for LFA. In addition, the DGNPs are the key component in our pre-concentration process, where they remain stable and functional in the high salt environment of our ATPS solution, capture the target protein with conjugated antibodies, and allow the rapid concentration of the target protein in our ATPS for use in the subsequent LFA detection step. By combining this pre-concentration step with LFA, the detection limit of LFA for a model protein was improved by 10-fold. We further improved our ATPS from previous studies by enabling phase separation at room temperature in 30 min. By using DGNPs for the concentration and detection of protein biomarkers in the sequential combination of the ATPS and LFA steps, we move closer to developing an effective protein detection assay which uses no power or lab-based equipment.
Nutrient leaching from coated crustacean rations

Abstract The use of ethyl cellulose as a coating agent to retain water soluble nutrients in pelleted feeds was investigated. When the entire ration pellet was coated, minimal nutrient leaching occurred, even after 6 h. Inclusion of individually coated micronutrients was less effective than total pellet coating for nutrient retention, but did help prevent losses due to leaching.
IN VIVO AUGMENTATION OF THYROTROPIC HORMONE AND PARTIAL REACTIVATION OF IODINATED (INACTIVE) THYROTROPIC HORMONE EXTRACT BY GOITROGENS1

IN PREVIOUS studies we have shown that a pituitary extract was rendered incapable of exerting a thyroid stimulating action after in vitro treatment with elementary iodine. The inactivation was readily reversed by reducing compounds both goitrogenic and non-goitrogenic. Furthermore, it was found that the thyrotropic potency of the untreated pituitary extract was enhanced by exposure in vitro to small amounts of goitrogens (Albert and Rawson, 1946; Albert, Rawson, Merrill, Lennon and Riddell, 1946, 1947a, b). From these reactions several interesting possibilities concerning the interaction in vivo of thyroid stimulating hormone and the goitrogens arise. It is our purpose to present experiments indicating that a partial reactivation of iodinated (inaotivated) thyrotropic extract and an enhancement of untreated (active) thyrotropic extract can be induced in vivo by goitrogenic compounds.
The Unknown Future of Syria

The conflict in Syria has, as of this writing, gone on for almost two years. Very few observers expected it to last this long. After the halcyon days of the Arab Spring in 2011, when authoritarian ...