cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kinetic energy distributions of sputtered particles in non-casade sputtering processes

Abstract We discuss the kinetic energy distributions of sputtered particles predicted from our theoretical model for non-cascade sputtering processes. A comparison of our previously predicted distribution for the case of sputtering without charge transfer to the experimental energy distribution of 7 Li + and 6 Li + sputtered from a LiBr sample produces good agreement. In addition, we show how the theory can be used to predict the kinetic energy distribution for the case of sputtering with charge transfer. As an example, we compare that predicted distribution to the experimental energy distribution of NO + sputtered from solid NO; once again, we find good agreement.
Note on Relations between Baryon-Meson Coupling Constants

It has been shown that the existence of certain baryon-meson coupling constant relations leads to directly verifiable connections between observables. The relations discussed state in essence that the E and LAMBDA particles are coupled with the same strength, whether to pi or K mesons. An investigation is made to determine whether any other relations between the constants could possibly lead to practically useful connections between the production amplitudes. (A.C.)
Optical emission spectroscopy with a microwave-induced plasma in a sealed microtube.

Abstract A microwave system is used to induce a plasma inside a sealed microtube containing a sample or standard, and the emission from the analyte is measured. The detection limits are about 4 ng for S, Cl and Br, and 100 ng for Cd and Sn, in ∼30-μl samples. Both gaseous and liquid samples can be analysed.
Yan et al. Reply.

This is a response to a comment on a possible phase transition of surface growth in a modified ballistic deposition model. (AIP)
Implications of Pederasty in BUFFALO BILL’S

Thomas Dilworth's reading of the poem “Buffalo Bill's” by e. e. cummings argues that cummings implies pederasty by linking Buffalo Bill riding his stallion with Death's treatment of Buffalo Bill. A...
Syntheses of Tungsten tert-Butylimido and Adamantylimido Alkylidene Complexes Employing Pyridinium Chloride As the Acid

Routes to new tungsten alkylidene complexes that contain tert-butylimido or adamantylimido ligands have been devised that begin with a reaction between WCl6 and 4 equivalents of HNR(TMS) to give [W(NR)2Cl(μ-Cl)(RNH2)]2 (R = t-Bu or 1-adamantyl). Alkylation leads to W(NR)2(CH2R′)2 (R′ = t-Bu or CMe2Ph), which upon treatment with pyridinium chloride yields W(NR)(CHR′)Cl2(py)2 complexes, from which W(NR)(CHR′)(pyrrolide)2 and two W(N-t-Bu)(CHR′)(pyrrolide)(OAr) complexes (OAr = hexamethyl- or hexaisopropylterphenoxide) have been prepared.
Tissue magnesium and calcium affect arbuscular mycorrhiza development and fungal reproduction.

Applications of high levels of MgSO4 resulted in reduced root colonization and sporulation by Glomus sp. (INVAM isolate FL329) with sweet potato and onion in aeroponic and sand culture, respectively. Onion shoot-Mg concentrations were elevated when a nutrient solution containing 2.6 or 11.7 mm MgSO4 was applied. Magnesium application depressed tissue-Ca levels. With lower Ca in the tissue, colonization was reduced from > 30% of root length to 1200 to ca. 200 spores per plant, 10 weeks after transplantation and the start of nutrient application. These effects on colonization and sporulation were independent of changes in tissue-P concentration. High Mg/low Ca tissue concentrations induced premature root senescence, which may have disrupted the mycorrhizal association. Our results confirm the importance of Ca for the maintenance of a functioning mycorrhiza.
Evaluation of enzyme tests in the diagnosis of heart disease

Abstract 1. 1. The recent literature on enzyme tests is reviewed and compared with the results of a previous evaluation. 2. 2. It is found that, experimentally, SGO-T is elevated only when actual myocardial infarction has occurred. 3. 3. In a correlation of SGO-T elevation with 1,692 clinically proved cases of myocardial infarction, the agreement was 96 per cent. 4. 4. In a correlation of SGO-T elevation with 123 cases of myocardial infarction, proved at necropsy, the agreement was 97 per cent. 5. 5. In eighteen of nineteen cases proved at necropsy, in which clinical and electrocardiographic evidence for myocardial infarction was indecisive, SGO-T diagnosis (elevation) was reliable. 6. 6. In the ten autopsy cases so far available, in which SGO-T was not elevated in the face of clinical and electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial infarction, SGO-T diagnosis agreed with autopsy diagnosis in nine. 7. 7. The association of a clinical and electrocardiographic picture of myocardial infarction with SGO-T elevation may be simulated by severe pericarditis (eight of forty-eight cases), severe pulmonary infarction (sixteen of sixty cases), dissecting aneurysm (two of three cases), acute pancreatitis, acute cholecystitis after administration of opiates, severe prolonged tachycardia and, possibly, acute cor pulmonale. 8. 8. Elevations of SGO-T, accompanying surgical procedures, may be distinguished from those occurring with complicating myocardial infarction by the early peak (four hours) and the quick return to normal (one to two days) in the uncomplicated cases. 9. 9. SGO-T has proved valuable in prognosis, since peak values below 100 units have been associated, in general, with a low mortality, while values over 350 units have been associated with a high mortality. 10. 10. Other enzyme tests, particularly SLD and aldolase, are useful in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction; but their accuracy, sensitivity and specificity have not been found equal to SGO-T. Therefore, the SGO-T determination still remains the most valuable enzyme test for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction.
Pediatric cataracts : diagnosis and treatment

This paper discusses the causes and treatment of congenital and acquired cataracts in children. Although congenital cataracts are relatively uncommon, they are one of the leading causes of serious visual impairment in neonates. Successful visual rehabilitation of these patients is predicted on prompt diagnosis and surgical and optical intervention. The issue of deprivation amblyopia and the critical period of visual development are integral to their effective treatment. Acquired cataracts are more common than congenital cataracts. They are usually easier to treat because vision developed before the formation of the cataract and deprivation amblyopia is not present. The treatment of pediatric cataracts is made more complicated than cataracts in adults because of the growth and development of the eye and the inevitable necessity of treating amblyopia.
Histone H2B Ubiquitylation Controls Processive Methylation but Not Monomethylation by Dot1 and Set1

Methylation is a relatively stable histone modification, yet regulation of the transition between mono-, di-, and trimethylation of lysine (K) residues may control dynamic processes such as transcription and DNA repair. Identifying factors that regulate the ability of methyltransferases to perform successive rounds of methylation on the same lysine residue is important for understanding the functions of histone methylation. Previous reports have indicated that ubiquitylation of histone H2B K123 is required for methylation of lysines 4 and 79 of histone H3 by the methyltransferases Set1 and Dot1, respectively. In contrast, by using chromatin immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, we find that ubiquitylation of H2B-K123 is dispensable for monomethylation of H3-K4 and H3-K79 but is required for the transition from monomethylation to subsequent methylation states. Dot1 binding to chromatin occurs normally in the absence of H2B-K123 ubiquitylation, suggesting that ubiquitylation does not regulate enzyme recruitment but does regulate the processive activity of the histone methyltransferase.
Formula Periodic TablesTheir Construction and Related Symmetries

The algorithmic construction of formula periodic tables for polycyclic conjugated hydrocarbons is detailed. The symmetries associated with this construction are identified. The formula periodic tab...
Enzymatic removal of zeins from the surface of maize starch granules

Alcohol-extractable, hydrophobic zein proteins contaminate starch granule surfaces and can be removed by enzymatic digestion with thermolysin. The goal of this research was to find practical alternatives to thermolysin that might be used during the corn wet-milling process. All of the commercial thermostable alkaline proteases studied (SP 709, Neutrase, and Spezyme FAN) removed the zein proteins from various types of cornstarch, as demonstrated by the lack of protein bands below 30 kDa under the reducing conditions of SDS-PAGE gel. Each enzyme removed the zein proteins as effectively as thermolysin removed them. However, the removal of the zein protein did not reduce the quantity of free fatty acids associated with the starch. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 71–74.
Risk Factors for End Stage Renal Disease in Children With Posterior Urethral Valves

Purpose: Obstructive uropathy secondary to posterior urethral valves is an important cause of end stage renal disease in children. Early diagnosis and intervention to decrease bladder pressure and stabilize the upper urinary tract are important to delay or prevent the progression of renal insufficiency. We analyzed the records of patients with posterior urethral valves to determine risk factors that might be predictive of ultimate renal failure.Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed of children presenting to our institution with a diagnosis of posterior urethral valves from 1975 to 2005. Patient demographics, clinical background, laboratory and radiographic data, and renal outcomes were abstracted from the medical record. Potential risk factors were analyzed, such as high grade vesicoureteral reflux at diagnosis, nadir serum creatinine greater than 1.0 mg/dl, urinary tract infection and severe bladder dysfunction requiring clean intermittent catheterization. Risk factors were an...
Stabilization of non-linear panel vibrations by boundary damping

Abstract By introducing boundary damping, the exponential stabilization of a non-linear elastic panel is considered. With the left edge clamped, a combination of a bending moment and two point forces is applied to the right edge. For no flow, we find that the free panel vibration under a static compressive loading can be stabilized by a tensile force and boundary damping. The applied tensile force, if needed, is to produce a net thrust below a critical level for buckling, and the boundary damping is introduced by a frictional force and a braking torque, which may be regarded as a passive control and depends linearly on the transverse and angular velocities of the controlled edge. For time-dependent flow and compressive loading, it is shown that the fluttering panel can be stabilized, either when a flow parameter fluctuates and decays rapidly or when the flow parameter and the rate of change in compression are both small. In all cases, sufficient conditions for stability are given explicitly. Numerical examples are provided for the purpose of illustration.
Planning and Developing the Dietetic Component of a Computerized Order Entry System

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: The participant will describe the process involved in developing the dietetic component of a computerized order entry system. Registered Dietitians worked with Information Management Specialists to plan and develop the dietetic component of the computerized order entry system for a health care network. No commercial product met the needs of the organization. A decision was made to revise the in-house system used in one of the teaching hospitals: to rebuild it using newer technology that could interface with ancillary departments' systems, to meet our hospital's needs and to produce software that could be marketed commercially. The process involved the following steps: – Creating work flow diagrams of the current diet order process. – Designing and developing computer screens for ordering oral diets and enteral feedings. – Meeting goals that included: the physician as the end user; the ability to handle every diet order; user-friendliness and ease of operation with logical flow of information; minimal number of steps for order entry; the ability to interface with the diet office system. The expected outcomes are increased efficiency, improved accuracy, and better flow of information to all customers involved.
Optical approach to quantum computing

We describe an on-going experimental investigation of a newly predicted mechanism for the production of nonlinear interactions between two photons. This mechanism involves nonlocal cooperative effects between pairs of atoms and exists only at the quantum level. An optical approach to quantum computing based on this effect may have many practical advantages.
Wave number selection for incompressible parallel jet flows periodic in space

The temporal instability of a spatially periodic, parallel flow of an incompressible inviscid fluid for various jet velocity profiles is studied numerically using Floquet Analysis. The transition matrix at the end of a period is evaluated by direct numerical integration. For verification, a method based on approximating a continuous function by a series of step functions was used. Unstable solutions were found only over a limited range of wave numbers and have a band type structure. The results obtained are analogous to the behavior observed in systems exhibiting complexity at the edge of order and chaos.
Enhancing the business-to-business supply chain: Insights from partitioning the supply-side

Abstract A market orientation has long been established as the key to success in supply chain management. A central concept of this orientation is market segmentation. The concept of market segmentation, however, has primarily been focused on the demand side of the supply chain; its potential application on the supply side has not thoroughly been addressed. This paper extends the purview of the concept behind segmentation by presenting the concept of “supply-side partitioning” to refer to the management of heterogeneities on the supplier side of the supply chain. Further, the concept of “transvectional alignment” is proposed for the purpose of simultaneously aligning market segments with appropriate suppliers at all levels of the supply chain by identifying, evaluating, and selecting supply groups that satisfy the demand function(s) of each segment. This paper discusses supply-side partitioning, includes a model for the supply chain utilizing transvectional alignment, and offers implications for the application of supply-side partitioning in the business-to-business marketspace.
Increased Blood Flow Induces Oxidative Stress Through an Endothelium- and Nitric Oxide-Independent Mechanism

Bradykinin, a potent vasodilator, stimulates the formation of reactive oxygen species and F(2)-isoprostanes in vitro. The effect of bradykinin on oxidative stress in humans is not known. This study tested the hypothesis that bradykinin induces oxidative stress through a nitric oxide (NO)-dependent mechanism in the human vasculature. We measured forearm blood flow (FBF) and net F(2)-isoprostane release in response to intraarterial bradykinin (50-200 ng/min), nitroprusside (1.6-6.4 microg/min), or diltiazem (3.6-14.4 microg/min) in the absence and presence of the NO synthase inhibitor N(omega)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) in normotensive and hypertensive subjects pretreated with aspirin. L-NMMA significantly decreased basal FBF and basal net F(2)-isoprostane release (from 28.7+/-5.2 to 13.4+/-3.5 pg/min/100ml, P=0.01) in all subjects. Bradykinin caused a significant increase in FBF and net F(2)-isoprostane release in both normotensive and hypertensive subjects. During NO synthase inhibition, bradykinin significantly increased net F(2)-isoprostane release in both groups (P=0.001) and there was no effect of L-NMMA on bradykinin-stimulated F(2)-isoprostane release (P=0.46). Nitroprusside also significantly increased net F(2)-isoprostane release in hypertensive subjects (P=0.01) and this response was not affected by L-NMMA (P=0.50). Diltiazem increased FBF as well as net F(2)-isoprostane release (from 44.5+/-12.5 to 61.2+/-14.7 pg/min/100ml at the highest dose, P=0.05). Increasing blood flow induces oxidative stress through a NO- and endothelium-independent mechanism.
Huntington’s Disease is a disorder of the corpus striatum: Focus on Rhes (Ras homologue enriched in the striatum)

Despite identification of the gene for huntingtin (Htt) as causal in Huntington's Disease (HD), explication of HD symptoms and selective damage to the corpus striatum has been elusive. The small G protein Rhes Ras homolog enriched in striatum, highly localized to the striatum, binds selectively to mutant Htt (mHtt) and enhances sumoylation of mHtt. Sumoylation disaggregates mHtt and augments its cytotoxicity. Thus, it appears likely that Rhes-mHtt interaction accounts in substantial part for the selective striatal neurotoxicity of HD with associated extrapyramidal symptomatology. Rhes also binds and activates mTOR, enhancing its influence on protein synthesis, and may be the principal determinant of striatal mTOR activation. In HD, sequestration of Rhes by mHtt may decrease its access to mTOR. The attendant loss of protein translational stimulation may explain the pronounced striatal atrophy of HD. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Trends in neuropharmacology: in memory of Erminio Costa'.
Simulating Negotiations in a Three-Way Civil War

This article examines a role play scenario in which students actively learn about the challenges of negotiation by taking on the roles of different factions and international mediators in a three-way civil war. Students gain a greater appreciation for the complexities of negotiations both in terms of outcomes and process, and they may begin to develop skills that can be used throughout their lives even if they do not become professional negotiators.
Monitoring Delamination Progression in Thermal Barrier Coatings by Mid-Infrared Reflectance Imaging

Mid-infrared (MIR) reflectance imaging is shown to be a reliable diagnostic tool for monitoring delamination progression in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). MIR reflectance imaging utilizes the maximum transparency of TBCs in the 3-6 μm wavelength region to probe below-surface delamination crack propagation that is typically hidden from visible wavelength inspection. The image contrast that identifies delamination progression arises from the increased reflectance produced by a large component of total internal reflection at the TBC/buried-crack interface. Imaging was performed at a wavelength of 4 μm to take advantage of the relatively high transmittance of plasma-sprayed 8 wt% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) TBCs along with a desirable relative insensitivity to potentially interfering absorptions by atmospheric constituents at that wavelength. A key advantage of MIR reflectance imaging over competing techniques is that it is sensitive to delamination progression even at very early stages before delamination cracks start linking together; therefore, TBC health assessment can be achieved throughout the life of the TBC well before TBC failure is imminent. Examples are presented to demonstrate monitoring delamination progression by MIR reflectance imaging in 8YSZ TBC-coated specimens subjected to furnace cycling to 1163°C. The experimental results were in good agreement with reflectance values predicted by a four-flux Kulbelka-Munk approximation applied to the extreme cases of a completely adherent and a completely detached TBC. Practical considerations, including potential interfering effects from surface contamination, sintering, and erosion are discussed.
Memory/effector T cells in TCR transgenic mice develop via recognition of enteric antigens by a second, endogenous TCR

The majority of clonotypic CD4(+) T cells in the intestinal lamina propria of DO11.10 TCR transgenic mice have an activated/memory phenotype and produce effector cytokines despite the absence of prior exposure to ovalbumin (OVA), the transgene-specific antigen. A small number of splenic T cells have a similar phenotype. Clonotypic T cells from Peyer's patch are intermediate in both phenotype and effector cytokine production. Flow cytometric analysis of cells isolated from thymectomized, OVA-naive DO11.10 mice treated with continuous administration of BrdU indicated that a significant fraction of clonotype-positive T cells in the lamina propria and Peyer's patch were in the cell cycle, with significantly fewer cycling cells in the spleen. Most of the cycling cells from each anatomic site expressed low levels of CD45RB. Effector cytokine expression was enriched in the CD45RB(low) populations. These memory/effector cell populations were eliminated in DO11.10/SCID and DO11.10/RAG-2(-/-) mice, suggesting that recognition of non-OVA antigens through a second, non-clonotypic TCR was driving differentiation of memory/effector cells in naive BALB/c DO11.10 mice. Clonotypic CD4(+) T cells isolated from DO11.10, but not from DO11.10/SCID or DO11.10/RAG-2(-/-) mice, were stimulated to enter the cell cycle by antigen-presenting cells pulsed with an intestinal bacterial antigen extract. These data provide direct evidence that enteric bacterial antigens can activate transgenic T cells through a second, non-clonotypic TCR, and support the notion that the development and turnover of memory/effector cells in vivo is driven by the intestinal flora.
Cross-band Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) Image Fusion

Research on image fusion is making rapid progress recently, because multiple looks of the same target from different aspects will increase the available knowledge and allow more useful target information to be extracted. Studying on the physical principle of constructing radar images, especially inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) images, make the fusion from multiple individual images generated by radars at multiple locations becomes possible. However, it is a challenge for image fusion if the source images are of different geometric resolutions, which are determined by radar system parameters, for example, the bandwidth of transmitted signals. This paper analyzes the influences caused by the different image resolutions, modifies the data fusion method proposed by previous research, and applies the modified method to an actually measured database. The performance of the modified image fusion algorithm is evaluated by the image attribute rating (iar) curves. The results show that the data collected by radars working at X-band and Ka-band can be fused successfully, and the information contained in the signals at these two frequency bands are complementary to each other. Therefore, the fusion improves target feature detection and thereby enhances target recognition.
La senda del Malbec: la cepa emblemática de Argentina

Los vinos producidos de la uva Malbec han llegado a ser emblematicos de la industria vitivinicola de la Argentina. Los viticultores argentinos, especialmente Nicolas Catena Zapata en Mendoza, desarrollaron el mercado global para los vinos Malbec, y el exito tuvo como resultado que las industrias vinicolas en los otros paises hayan adoptado la estrategia de tener un vino emblematico nacional. Los viticultores chilenos, por ejemplo, han tenido notable exito con el vino Carmenere. La uva Malbec tiene un origen frances, y sigue como la uva y el vino mas importante en la ciudad de Cahors. Las uvas Malbec fueron exportadas al area de Crimea y la Argentina, y ayudaron a crear industrias viticultoras importantes alli. Hoy, la uva Malbec se usa para producir vinos en todas partes del mundo enologico, incluyendo Chile, California, Australia, y Sudafrica, pero sigue como la uva emblematica de Argentina.
Intelligently Balancing Per-Hop Delay Allocation to Improve Network Utilization

Delay guarantees are critical to real-time applications. To ensure the end-to-end delay guarantee of a flow, the previous approaches usually statically divide the end-to-end delay requirement into per-hop delay requirements. However, such static resource allocations may cause unbalanced usage in a network, limit the total number of sessions that can be accommodated, and result in low network utilization. To address this issue, we propose a dynamic allocation adjustment (DAA) approach to evenly spread traffic over flow paths and related links, and improve the system utilization. Our simulation results show that DAA is able to significantly increase the total number of flows admitted; it reduces the average link reservations, decreases the total resource usage per flow, and balances link loads.
Animal Metacognition: Problems and Prospects

Researchers have begun to evaluate whether nonhuman animals share humans’ capacity for metacognitive monitoring and self-regulation. Using perception, memory, numerical, and foraging paradigms, they have tested apes, capuchins, a dolphin, macaques, pigeons, and rats. However, recent theoretical and formal-modeling work has confirmed that some paradigms allow the criticism that low-level associative mechanisms could create the appearance of uncertainty monitoring in animals. This possibility has become a central issue as researchers reflect on existing phenomena and pause to evaluate the area’s current status. The present authors discuss the associative question and offer our evaluation of the field. Associative mecha-nisms explain poorly some of the area’s important results. The next phase of research in this area should consolidate the gains achieved by those results and work toward a theoretical understanding of the cognitive and decisional (not associative) capacities that animals show in some of the referent experiments.
A fuzzy framework for modeling multiagent societies

In the past several years, the work within the framework of the interactivist-expectative theory on agency and learning (IETAL), we have concentrated on exploring the concept of learning environment partitions in an autonomous agent, and the problems encountered during its stay in the environment. The key concepts in the uniagent version of the theory are the concepts of expectancy and learning through interactions with the environment, while building an intrinsic model of it. Depending on the set of active drives and their hierarchy (not necessarily ordered with a partial ordering, but rather a general relational structure), the agent uses its intrinsic model to navigate its quest to satisfy the active drive(s). In this paper, we start with the existing results of the theory and generalize it to a theory of multiple agent systems, via introducing imitation-based interaction between homogenous agents. While sensing each other, the agents exchange their contingency tables, built during the interaction with the environment. This approach is inspired by results from both neurophysiology and psychology on the phenomenon of imitation. The formalization of the agent, as well as of the environment is necessary for setting up a successful experimental and simulation environment for exploring the new paradigms. Our approach relies on new modeling strategies and structures from the domain of lattice (L-fuzzy), posets (P-fuzzy) and general relational-structure-valued (R-fuzzy) algebraic structures.
Autoantibody profiling to follow evolution of lupus syndromes

Introduction: Identification of patients who are in early stages of lupus is currently done through clinical evaluation and is not greatly facilitated by available diagnostic tests. Profiling for patient characteristics and antibody specificities that predict disease would enhance the ability of physicians to identify and treat early cases prior to onset of organ damaging illness. Methods: A group of 22 patients with 4 or fewer diagnostic criteria for lupus were studied for changes in clinical and autoantibody profiles after a mean follow up period of 2.4 years. An array with more than 80 autoantigens was used to profile immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) autoantibodies. Correlations with clinical disease progression were examined. Results: 3 of the 22 patients (14%) added sufficient criteria during follow up to satisfy a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or to acquire a diagnosis of SLE renal disease. Patients who progressed were all females and were younger than those who did not progress (P=0.00054). IgG but not IgM autoreactivity showed greater increases in the progressor group than in the non-progressor group (P=0.047). IgG specificities that were higher at baseline in progressors included proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), beta 2 microglobulin, C1q and hemocyanin (P<0.019). Progressors had significant increases in La/SSB and liver cytosol type 1 (LC1) IgG autoantibodies over the period of evaluation (P≤0.0072). A quantitative risk profile generated from baseline demographic and autoantibody variables yielded highly different scores for the progressor and non-progressor groups (P=1.38 × 10 -7 ) Conclusions: In addition to demographic features, autoantibody profiles using an expanded array of specificities were correlated with the risk of progressive disease in patients with lupus. These findings suggest the feasibility of developing a simple diagnostic that could be applied by nonspecialists to screen for lupus and permit effective triage for specialty care.
Diagnosing women with HPV: The impact of diagnosis disclosure methods

Abstract Objective Little data exists on women's HPV diagnosis encounters. This research focuses on impacts of the communicative medium used to inform women of their HPV status. We conducted a qualitative study to identify the mediums used to communicate HPV diagnoses and the impact of each medium on the diagnosis experience. Method Twenty-five women with HPV completed semi-structured interviews, which we recorded and transcribed. We relied on grounded theory techniques in both data collection and analysis. Results There are three primary mediums health care providers use to inform women of their HPV diagnosis: phone calls, mailed letters/email, and face-to-face interactions. Implications regarding each medium are identified and discussed. Conclusion There are drawbacks associated with the use of each medium that healthcare practitioners should be aware of and seek to avoid. Practice implications Healthcare providers can utilize descriptions of diagnosis encounters and the recommendations accompanying them to understand and modify ways they choose to inform individuals of an HPV diagnosis.
Expression of the SK2 calcium‐activated potassium channel is required for cholinergic function in mouse cochlear hair cells

Efferent inhibition of cochlear hair cells is mediated by ‘nicotinic’ cholinergic receptors functionally coupled to calcium-activated, small conductance (SK2) potassium channels. We recorded from cochlear hair cells in SK2 knockout mice to evaluate further the role of this channel in efferent function. Since cholinergic inhibitory synapses can be found on inner or outer hair cells, depending on developmental age, both cell types were studied. To determine if SK channel activity was indeed eliminated, seconds-long voltage-gated calcium influx was used to activate slowly rising and falling calcium-dependent potassium currents. These were identified as SK currents by their time course, calcium dependence and sensitivity to block by apamin in wild-type IHCs. IHCs from knockout mice had no SK current by these same criteria. Thus, the SK2 gene is solely responsible for encoding the SK channels of inner hair cells. Other aspects of hair cell excitability remained relatively unaffected. Unexpectedly, cholinergic synaptic currents were entirely absent from both inner and outer SK2-knockout hair cells. Further, direct application of ACh caused no change in membrane current, implying absent or otherwise dysfunctional ACh receptors. Immunohistology of whole-mounts using the antibody to the synaptic vesicle protein 2 (SV2) revealed a pronounced reduction of efferent innervation to outer hair cells (OHCs) in the knockout cochleas. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis, however, showed no change in the mRNA levels of α9 and α10 nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) genes. Thus, some aspect of translation or subsequent protein processing leads to non-functional or absent ACh receptors. These results indicate that SK2 channels are required both for expression of functional nAChRs, and for establishment and/or maintenance of efferent terminals in the cochlea.
THE EFFECT OF SPERM COMPETITION ON MALE GAIN CURVES IN A COLONIAL MARINE INVERTEBRATE

The shape of the function that describes the relationship between resource allocation to sperm production and resulting male fertilization success (the male gain curve) plays a central role in models of sex allocation in hermaphrodites. A variety of ecological factors are expected to affect the shape of this function. Although male gain curves and male allocation patterns have been assayed in a variety of different organisms, there have been few attempts to determine whether the shape of the gain curve changes with ecological conditions. I assayed male gain curves in experimental populations of a colonial ascidian in which I manipulated the intensity of sperm competition to test the hypothesis that gain curves would saturate in the absence of competitors, but remain linear when males competed for fertilizations. Allozyme markers were utilized for paternity assignment. Results supported theoretical predictions, with the gain curve becoming progressively more linear as the intensity of sperm competition increased. Increased levels of sperm competition also had the effect of decreasing male fertilization success at all sperm production levels. These results have a number of evolutionary implications. First, the existence of a saturating gain curve under some experimental conditions provides support for the hypothesis that diminishing gains in fertilization success via male function may favor the evolution of hermaphroditism. Secondly, the changing shape of this function with ecological conditions suggests that increased allocation to sperm production should be favored in high-density populations, where sperm competition is more intense. Finally, since male fertilization success only continued to increase with sperm production when competitors were present, this suggests that high levels of sperm production in some free-spawning marine invertebrates may be in part due to the selective pressures imposed on allocation patterns by sperm competition.
The Optimal Duration of Executive Compensation: Theory and Evidence

While much is made of the ills of \short-termism" in executive compensation, in reality very little is known empirically about the extent of short-termism in CEO compensation. This paper develops a new measure of CEO pay duration that reects the vesting periods of dierent
Engine cycle of an optically controlled vacuum energy transducer

An idealized system composed of two parallel, semiconducting boundaries separated by an empty gap of variable width is considered. A gedanken experiment is discussed to show that, in general, the total work done by the Casimir force along a closed path that includes appropriate transformations does not vanish. It is shown that, in the limit of an engine cycle bringing the two boundaries to a relatively small distance, positive net exchange of energy associated with the Casimir force field could quite possibly be achieved. Viable technological implementations of this idealized system are analyzed in some quantitative detail, in particular, in the case of doped and undoped $c\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Si}$ boundaries. For the purpose of direct experimentation, measurements with both macroscopic and microelectromechanical devices are suggested. A full theoretical and experimental study of systems of this kind on every scale will greatly contribute to a much deeper understanding of the nature of the Casimir force and associated concepts, including the possible manipulation of semiconducting nanostructures and the noninvasive optical characterization of semiconducting samples. In the event of no other alternative explanations, one should conclude that major technological advances in the area of endless, by-product free-energy production could be achieved.
Borings As Trace Fossils, and the Processes of Marine Bioerosion

Marine borers are nearly ubiquitous in the modern seabed. Their distinctive excavations provide abundant potential trace fossils, and their general erosional activities (bioerosion) are important factors in marine sedimentation and benthic ecology.
Assessment of care and disease management of patients with asthma in an overseas U.S. Army health clinic

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate care and management provided by family practitioners to patients with asthma. A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients treated for asthma at a military health clinic in Germany. Pertinent information from the National Asthma Education Program guidelines was gathered using a questionnaire. Eighty-five charts were reviewed and 44 charts were included in this study. Overall compliance was calculated using the 22 National Asthma Education Program points (12 questions) investigated by the questionnaire. Overall compliance was 64%. Components of four major categories of asthma care were examined. All categories except one were above or close to the overall compliance percentage—diagnosis (74%), treatment/control (90%), monitoring (61%), and patient education (25%). It appears from this study that family practitioners are providing adequate, but not optimal, care and management to patients with asthma. Although our findings were encouraging, this...
'State of Practice': Business Purpose and the Syms Case in Massachusetts - the Interplay of Federal and State Concepts

The author examines the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's decision in Syms Corp. v. Commissioner of Revenue disallowing deductions for royalty payments to an intangible holding company. Taxpayers have a legitimate right to structure their businesses to achieve tax efficiencies. The use of the business purpose doctrine in Syms represents an inappropriate limitation of that right, the author says.
Calibration of Self-Efficacy for Conducting a Chi-Squared Test of Independence.

Self-efficacy and knowledge, both concerning the chi-squared test of independence, were examined in education graduate students. Participants rated statements concerning self-efficacy and completed a related knowledge assessment. After completing a demographic survey, participants completed the self-efficacy and knowledge scales a second time. Individuals with and without prior experiences with the topic were compared; those with prior experiences gave significantly higher self-efficacy ratings and had higher demonstrated knowledge scores, although the latter difference was not statistically significant. While self-efficacy and knowledge scores did not differ significantly between the two administrations, individuals without prior topic experience saw greater improvements in self-efficacy calibration. Findings suggest that self-efficacy calibration may be improved through completing an assessment. First published November 2015 at Statistics Education Research Journal Archives
European Climate Change Perceptions: Public support for mitigation and adaptation policies

This paper presents results from a large multi-country study focusing on public perceptions of climate change and relevant mitigation and adaptation policies in Spain, Netherlands, UK and Germany. The purpose of this paper is two-fold: first, to understand the nature of public perceptions of global climate change in different countries; and secondly, to gauge the public's support of climate change measures in terms of mitigation and adaptation policies. Our analysis shows high levels of public indecisiveness regarding the danger climate change poses, which source of climate change information to trust and whether to support any mitigation or adaptation strategies. The high levels of uncertainty present an opportunity to increase policy support and foster behavioural changes in the future through well-designed communication programmes. Therefore, this study has identified several aspects that need to be considered in future communication programmes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Hyperbranched poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide) via RAFT self-condensing vinyl polymerization

We report the first synthesis of hyperbranched poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide) (HB-PHPMA) using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) self-condensing vinyl polymerization (SCVP). The synthesis of these complex, well-defined architectures involved the copolymerization of HPMA with a chain transfer monomer (CTM). The polymerization kinetics, as well as the effects of initiator concentration and the ratio of monomer to CTM were studied. The resulting polymers show high molecular weights and controlled branching frequencies. Due to their inherent amphiphilic nature, these hyperbranched structures self-assemble into aggregates in water. Additionally, we determined the cloud point of the HB-PHPMA to be in the range of sub-ambient temperature to 40 °C. This approach provides access to a new class of thermoresponsive PHPMA polymers with potential to be used in drug delivery and other biological applications.
The Critical Role of Technological Analysis for Prehistoric Anthropological Inference

Prehistoric archaeology has profited enormously from the expanding role of technological examination of artifactual materials, particularly in the past couple of decades. Indeed, the rapid growth of materials sciences studies has evidently begun to outpace the capacity of many prejistoric archaeologists to accomodate the results of technological analyses into anthropological models to explain perceived changes in the prehistoric archaeological record. The sheer numbers of published technological reports, which increasingly appear in a growing number of specialized journals and other publications, account for some of the communications lag among prehistorians and smaterials scientists. But long-held and persistent myths and “hearsay” evidence also contribute to a widening gap between relevant data and critical evaluation. The case study presented below compares scenarios that purport to explain striking contrasts in the northern and southern parts of the Levant during the middle part of the Neolithic period, particularly from ca. 6,500-5,000 b.c. One hypothesis (climatic change) is briefly dismissed; the other hinges principally on the environmental implications of plaster production that characterized the cultures of the region. The “collapse” of the southern Levantine settlements is understandable when the specific requirements of lime plaster manufacture are taken into account, while the conditions for the persistence of long-term site continuity in the northern Levant are clear under the less pressing environmental demands of gypsum plaster production.
Differential maturation of beta-adrenoceptor-mediated responses in the lamb fetus.

To study the functional maturity of beta-receptor-mediated responses, seven chronically catheterized lamb fetuses, 93-107 days of gestation, and seven fetuses, 116-134 days of gestation, received intravenous randomly sequenced infusions of isoproterenol (ISO) 0.03, 0.06, and 0.125 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 for 10 min separated by 45-min intervals or two saline infusions followed by 0.125 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 ISO after treatment with 0.5 mg/kg propranolol (PRO). Each fetus received the two treatments 24-48 h apart. In immature fetuses, plasma renin activity (PRA) of 2.0 +/- 0.7 ng.ml-1.h-1 did not change with either protocol. In mature fetuses, PRA of 7.5 +/- 2.5 ng.ml-1.h-1 increased two- to three-fold after the infusion of the highest two doses of ISO (P less than 0.003). Propranolol blocked this response. No significant changes were observed after the infusions of the lowest dose of ISO or saline. Both groups showed significant heart rate increases with all doses of ISO. Propranolol injection decreased heart rate significantly and blocked responses to ISO. We conclude that although a cardiac beta-receptor-mediated response is present by 93 days of gestation in the lamb fetus, a renal beta-receptor-mediated response, renin secretion, is absent.
Determination of Prednisone Acetate in Compound Prednisone Acetate Cream by RP-HPLC

Objective:To establish an HPLC method to determine the concentration of prednisone acetate in Compound Prednisone Acetate Cream.Methods:The column was Hypersil C18 column(4.6 mm×200 mm,10 μm),the mobile phase was methanol and water(60∶40),the detecting wavelength was 240 nm,the temperature of the column was 30 ℃ and the sample size was 20 μL.The cream was dissolved in methanol in water bath.The mixture was filtered after ice bath to get the filtered liquor as sample.Results:The average recovery rates of low,moderate and high concentration of Compound Prednisone Acetate Cream were 99.7%,99.6% and 100.2% respectively and RSD were 0.72%,0.75% and 1.05% respectively.The linear range was 6.09~101.5 μg/mL and the regression equation was C=0.01878A-0.04193,r=0.9999.Conclusions:The method is simple,accurate and with good reproduction quality.It can be used to control the quality of Compound Prednisone Acetate Cream.
Neural Patterning and CNS Functions of Wnt in Zebrafish

Wnt signaling plays several important roles in the development of the zebrafish central nervous system (CNS). This chapter outlines both the known and postulated roles of Wnts from the earliest step of neural plate induction to relatively late events such as axon pathfinding and synaptogenesis. The common tools useful for examining Wnt function and nervous system development in zebrafish are first reviewed. Examples are then provided for specific phenotypes resulting from gain and loss of Wnt activity at multiple developmental stages. Finally, specific assays and reagents that can be used to investigate the function of novel Wnt pathway components in CNS development are listed.
BIBLIOGRAPHY ON PHILOSOPHY OF CHEMISTRY

Bibliographie consacree a la philosophie de la chimie en son sens large, incluant les ouvrages en histoire de la chimie et en education de la chimie. Remplacant la bibliographie etablie par van Brakel et Vermeeren en 1981, l'A. se propose de publier regulierement une remise a jour de la presente liste (1912-1996) qui privilegie les publications de langue anglaise et se limite a quelques references en allemand
Jamaica’s Democratic Socialist Path: An Evaluation

Because of the seven consecutive years of economic decline, most observers, left and right, consider the PNP experiment with democratic socialism in Jamaica to have been a failure, and, indeed, we have argued that it was in the area of economic strategy that the Manley government made its most serious mistakes. However, this should not obscure the significant, and permanent, achievements of the PNP government, such as the bauxite policy, land reform, the State Trading Corporation, labor legislation and social inclusion policies. Moreover, since some of the PNP’s failures were correctable and others were due to the very unfavorable conditions for pursuing a democratic socialist path faced by the PNP at the outset, the economic decline experienced by Jamaica in the 1970s does not demonstrate that the democratic socialist path is not a viable one. To evaluate that question, one needs to assess whether idiosyncratic and country-specific features of the Jamaican experience in the 1970s were primarily responsible for the decline or whether it was caused by the very characteristics of the path itself. We will address this question both in this chapter and, in a comparative perspective, in the final chapter.