cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coping with Uncertainty and Variability: The Influence of Protected Areas on Pastoral Herding Strategies in East Africa

A large number of East African pastoralists reside around protected areas (PAs). Over the last few decades pastoralists have been affected by the loss of grazing lands and increasing climatic variability. Many pastoralists who reside around PAs have resorted to grazing inside PAs to counter environmental variability. However, there is little information on how PAs influence the herding strategies of pastoralists. This case study from southern Kenya employs a spatially and temporally explicit mixed-methods approach to understand and evaluate the herding strategies of pastoralists around a PA. The results find that pastoralists access PAs on a regular basis, regardless of seasonality or herd size. Movement into PAs was partly driven by the loss of grazing land to conservancies. PAs affected pastoral herding by presenting differential opportunity costs to disparate groups. However, households with large herd sizes utilized the most flexible strategies to counter environmental variability and uncertainty.
Solution-Based Growth of Monodisperse Cube-Like BaTiO3 Colloidal Nanocrystals

Free-standing, monodisperse cubic BaTiO3 colloidal nanocrystals have been prepared by a hydrothermal route at temperatures as low as 135 °C. Raman spectroscopy measurements and photoluminescence me...
Blunted cGMP response to agonists and enhanced glomerular cyclic 3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase activities in experimental congestive heart failure.

Blunted cGMP response to agonists and enhanced glomerular cyclic 3′,5′-nucleotide phosphodiesterase activities in experimental congestive heart failure. The natriuretic peptide (NP) and nitric oxide (NO) systems are activated in congestive heart failure (CHF), resulting in increased synthesis of cGMP, which serves as a second messenger for both humoral systems. These two regulatory systems play functional roles in the preservation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and sodium excretion in both acute and chronic CHF. A progressive decline in glomerular responsiveness to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) characterizes the terminal stage of chronic CHF despite elevation of plasma ANP. Phosphodiesterase isozymes (PDEs) are integral factors in determining cellular content and accumulation of cGMP, and up-regulation of PDE activity could participate in the glomerular resistance to ANP in severe CHF. To date, characterization of possible alteration of glomerular PDE isozyme activities in CHF is unknown, as is the in vitro glomerular response to the nitric oxide-soluble guanylyl cyclase pathway. We, therefore, first determined cGMP generation in response to particulale and soluble guanylyl cyclase activation by ANP and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in isolated glomeruli from normal ( N = 6) and CHF dogs ( N = 5) in which CHF was induced by rapid ventricular pacing for 18 to 28 days. Secondly, we explored the presence of major PDE isozymes in glomeruli isolated from the control and CHF dogs. When ANP or SNP (10 -10 to 10 -4 m) were incubated with the suspension of isolated glomeruli, cGMP accumulation was lower by -72 to -96% with ANP and -42 to -77% with SNP in all glomerular medias obtained from CHF compared to controls. PDE hydrolyzing activity of both cAMP and cGMP were higher in the glomerular homogenates obtained from the kidneys of the CHF group ( N = 5) compared to those of the control group ( N = 5). We conclude that in severe chronic experimental CHF, glomerular cGMP accumulation decreases in response to both ANP and SNP, and CHF is characterized by enhanced cAMP- and cGMP-PDE activities that may participate in glomerular maladaptation to this cardiovascular syndrome.
The mass of a neutrino from spinor connection in a Riemannian space

A relationship derived earlier (1), that shows a correspondence between the mass of an interacting spinor particle and the field properties of a Riemannian space, is applied to the derivation of the ratio of neutrino and nucleon masses. The calculation is carried out in the approximation which assumes that this ratio is sufficiently small to allow the nucleon to be considered as stationary, with an associated radially symmetric Einsteinian gravitational field. The quaternion solutions of the Schwarzschild problem are thereby derived and the ratio of masses is then determined. It is found, in this approximation, to depend inversely on the square of the mutual separation between the particles. In the domain of interaction of order 10-14cm, this ratio is close enough to zero to be consistent with the experimental data; it approaches unity when the radius of the interaction domain approaches the order of 10-32cm.
What Knowledge is of Most Worth? Divergent Content Knowledge Filters in Social Studies Education

This study explored the divergent content knowledge that pre-service social studies teachers negotiate during their collegiate experience. Given the array of competing canonical forces, including university departments, state departments of education, the Praxis II subject test, and local content standards, as well as the variability of social studies content course requirements within different universities, I explored student perceptions of content courses as they relate to these forces. The findings revealed that students perceive their content preparation to be overly general and disconnected from the Praxis II exam. Yet, students suggested that university courses helped prepare them to teach, and they expressed a desire for more content courses and fewer education courses. Finally, in response to the problem of canonical divergence, this article suggests blurring the divisions between university content departments, departments of teacher education, and K-12 schools, as well as teaching some content courses in teacher education.
Numerical simulation of unsteady multidimensional free surface motions by level set method

This paper presents a numerical method that couples the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations with the level set method in a curvilinear co-ordinate system for study of free surface flows. The finite volume method is used to discretize the governing equations on a non-staggered grid with a four-step fractional step method. The free surface flow problem is converted into a two-phase flow system on a fixed grid in which the free surface is implicitly captured by the zero level set. We compare different numerical schemes for advection of the level set function in a generalized curvilinear format, including the third order quadratic upwind interpolation for convective kinematics (QUICK) scheme, and the second and third order essentially non-oscillatory (ENO) schemes. The level set equations of evolution and reinitialization are validated with benchmark cases, e.g. a stationary circle, a rotating slotted disk and stretching of a circular fluid element. The coupled system is then applied to a travelling solitary wave, and two- and three-dimensional dam breaking problems. Some interesting free surface phenomena are revealed by the computational results, such as, the large free surface vortices, air entrapment and splashing of the water surge front. The computational results are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions and experimental data, where they are available. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Policy Update: Policy implications of high RIN prices and the ‘blend wall‘

Renewable identification numbers (RINs) ensure that blenders fulfill the mandated blend requirement of the RFS. Each gallon of ethanol is assigned a RIN, which is separated at the end of the supply...
Eisenmenger's complex in association with congenital tricuspid endocarditis (fetal); review of literature and report of case.

Summary An additional example of a caseof Eisenmenger's complex with pathological study is illustrated and described. To date eighteen such cases with pathological study were recorded. The first documented case of Eisenmenger's complex in association with congenital verrucous tricuspid endocarditis (fetal) is presented. An additional example of congenitaltricuspid endocarditis is presented. Only four previously described cases of congenital fetal tricuspid endocarditis were recorded in the literature.
Understanding the mechanistic basis in rheumatoid arthritis for clinical response to anti-CD20 therapy: the B-cell roadblock hypothesis.

Summary: With the clinical introduction of the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), B-cell-targeted therapy has become an accepted strategy for the treatment of a common chronic inflammatory disease. From recently reported synovial biopsy studies, we can begin to develop a pathophysiologic model of the sequential synovial cellular and molecular changes induced by rituximab infusions. These findings may explain how the rapid and early depletion of CD20-bearing B cells may later lead to the more far-reaching histopathologic changes that are associated with clinical responsiveness. Anti-CD20 antibody treatments may therefore affect the representation of not only mature B lymphocytes and differentiated immunoglobulin-secreting cells but also infiltrating cells such as synovial macrophages and fibroblast-like synoviocytes. In light of the known prominence of recirculating memory B cells in RA pathogenesis, we propose that clinical efficacy also in part reflects the development of an effective blockade of the recirculation of potentially pathologic B cells that may prevent reseeding of pathologic synovial ectopic lymphoid tissues.
Experimental Investigation of Micro-Milling Accuracy Using On-Machine Measurement System

In this paper, we proposed an error decomposition method, in which some major error components can be experimentally estimated using an on-machine measurement (OMM) system. Unlike the conventional machining, the geometric error of a micro-tool, i.e., the deviation of the effective tool diameter from a nominal value, becomes a dominant factor affecting the machining accuracy. The error stems from both the tool fabrication error and the dynamic runout of the spindle system under high rpm. An on-machine measurement system based on a non-contact confocal laser sensor was developed that can accurately and efficiently acquire the effective tool diameter. To compensate the error due to the tool geometric error, the effective tool diameter was used to replace the nominal tool diameter to generate the tool path. The experimental results showed that the tool geometric error contributes over 50% to the total machining error. After compensation, the machining accuracy was significantly improved. The machine contour error has negligible influence on the dimension error of the machined feature, but it affects the form error, such as circularity of a machined hole. The process induced surface location errors were estimated from both experiments and model simulations, and good match was achieved.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Lipid adsorption on commercial silica hydrogels from hexane and changes in triglyceride complexes with time

The structures of and lipid complexes with two commercial silica hydrogels (Trisyl and Sorbsil 40), which contain about 60% moisture, were examined by diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The spectra suggested that Trisyl contained less moisture than Sorbsil 40. However, the silanol groups of Sorbsil 40 were more active in adsorbing oleic acid, triglyceride, and phosphatidylcholine (PC) from hexane than those of Trisyl. Both adsorbents strongly bound PC through the PC carbonyl and phosphate groups. Lipid adsorption from hexane solution by Trisyl depended solely on trapped moisture, while Sorbsil 40 used moisture and silanol groups on the silica surface. Spectra of triglyceride-silica hydrogel complexes, obtained 24 and 72 h after obtaining the initial spectra, showed that Sorbsil 40 adsorption was by Van der Waals forces, but the triglyceride reoriented over time with an increase in hydrogen bonding. In contrast, Trisyl initially adosorbed triglyceride by hydrogen bonding which was stable for at least 72 h.
IRT Modeling of Tutor Performance to Predict End-of-Year Exam Scores

Interest in end-of-year accountability exams has increased dramatically since the passing of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001. With this increased interest comes a desire to use student data collected throughout the year to estimate student proficiency and predict how well they will perform on end-of-year exams. This article uses student performance on the Assistment System, an online mathematics tutor, to show that replacing percentage correct with an Item Response Theory estimate of student proficiency leads to better fitting prediction models. In addition, it uses other tutor performance metrics to further increase prediction accuracy. Prediction error bounds are also calculated to attain an absolute measure to which the models can be compared.
A Recording Grating Spectrometer with Linear Wavelength Scale

A large Wadsworth grating spectrometer designed primarily for photoelectric recording is described. Important features of the instrument are an arrangement which permits any wavelength interval up to the full range of the spectrometer to be scanned in one continuous operation and a wavelength scale which is linear over the entire spectral range (2000 to 14,000A). The linear scale results in part from scanning the spectrum on the grating normal, a condition which leads also to minimum aberrations in the spectral image. Provision is made for indicating on the spectrum record reference marks which denote equal increments of wavelength. Multiplier photo-tubes, operating at liquid nitrogen temperature, are used in the photoelectric recording system. The scanning slit (or photographic plate) is maintained automatically on the focal curve by a simple focusing device. The spectrometer is fully adaptable to photographic work and may be converted from photoelectric recording to photographic recording (or vice versa) in about five minutes.
Investigation of the Early Steps of Molybdopterin Biosynthesis in Escherichia coli through the Use of in Vivo Labeling Studies

The early steps in the biosynthesis of the molybdopterin portion of the molybdenum cofactor have been investigated through the use of radiolabeled precursors. Labeled guanosine was added to growing cultures of the molybdopterin-deficient Escherichia coli mutant, moeB, which accumulates large amounts of precursor Z, the final intermediate in molybdopterin biosynthesis (Wuebbens, M. M., and Rajagopalan, K. V. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 13493-13498). Precursor Z is readily oxidized to the stable, fluorescent pterin, compound Z, which contains all 10 of the carbon atoms present in molybdopterin. For these experiments, compound Z was isolated from both the cells and culture media and analyzed for the presence of label. The development of a method for sequential cleavage of the compound Z side chain carbons facilitated determination of the distribution of label between the ring and the side chain of compound Z. Addition of uniformly labeled [14C]guanosine to moeB cultures produced compound Z labeled in both the ring and the side chain. Growth on [8-14C]guanosine resulted in transfer of label to the C-1′ position of compound Z. The label present in compound Z purified from cultures grown on [8,5′-3H]guanosine was lost by removal of the three terminal side chain carbons. These results indicate that although a guanosine compound serves as the initial precursor for molybdopterin biosynthesis, the early steps of this pathway in E. coli proceed via a pathway unlike that of any known pteridine biosynthetic pathway.
Maternal Preeclampsia and Neonatal Outcomes

Preeclampsia is a multiorgan, heterogeneous disorder of pregnancy associated with significant maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Optimal strategies in the care of the women with preeclampsia have not been fully elucidated, leaving physicians with incomplete data to guide their clinical decision making. Because preeclampsia is a progressive disorder, in some circumstances, delivery is needed to halt the progression to the benefit of the mother and fetus. However, the need for premature delivery has adverse effects on important neonatal outcomes not limited to the most premature infants. Late-preterm infants account for approximately two thirds of all preterm deliveries and are at significant risk for morbidity and mortality. Reviewed is the current literature in the diagnosis and obstetrical management of preeclampsia, the outcomes of late-preterm infants, and potential strategies to optimize fetal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia.
Ovarian Teratoma Masquerading as a CSF Pseudocyst in a Female with a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

Background. In today's fast-paced and high-acuity emergency departments, clinicians are often compelled to triage cases so rapidly that a differential diagnosis consistent with the history and physical examination is not comprehensive. Case Report. This case report describes the unexpected finding of a cystic ovarian neoplasm in a young female with an abdominal mass and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, initially diagnosed as a cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst. We use this case to illustrate that the astute clinician must always synthesize a diagnosis from all data sources and not to rely on initial radiographic evaluations. Conclusions. This remarkable case demonstrates that all differential diagnoses must be entertained in order to rapidly and accurately diagnose a patient with a cystic abdominal mass.
Neonatal arterial occlusion

A neonate with idiopathic brachial artery occlusion was recently treated at the San Bernardino County Medical Center. At birth, the right upper extremity was cold, pulseless and cyanotic. Arteriography demonstrated brachial artery occlusion, following which thrombectomy and postoperative heparinization resulted in a viable limb. This represents an unusual case of neonatal arterial occlusion with diagnostic preoperative arteriography and successful Fogarty thrombectomy. Possible etiological factors, treatment alternatives, and long term prognosis are discussed in this report.
Human and rat encoding of structural ambiguity in serial pattern learning

Abstract Many have investigated how organisms detect and learn about the patterned sequences of stimuli that they regularly encounter. In some cases, a sequence of stimuli may be structurally ambiguous. That is, more than one rule might be generated in attempts to describe or organize the sequence in a meaningful way. Past studies exploring learning of such sequences have indicated that while subjects can learn about the rules describing such sequences, they often make errors in learning consistent with holding multiple representations of the sequence. Here, we examined the ability of humans and rats to perform runs and trills sequences over the same spatial locations in a pattern production task using a touchscreen (humans) or a circular operant chamber array (rats). One of two signals, presented immediately prior to the start of each trial, indicated which sequence to perform. The results indicated that both species were able to learn to produce runs and trills sequences at levels exceeding chance, which provides additional evidence that humans and rats may hold multiple representations of structurally ambiguous sequences.
Comparative effects of downslope water and nutrient movement on plant nutrition, photosynthesis, and growth in Alaskan tundra

Changes in water and nutrient movement are common disturbances resulting from human activities in arctic regions. To assess the influence of water and nutrient movement on different plant growth forms, we added water and NPK fertilizer along 10 to 20 m linear transects across small natural drainages on an Alaskan tundra slope. Water was added by continuous-flow emitters from a drip irrigation system at a rate of 450 L m−1 d−1 during the 1986 growing season and 110 L m−1 d−1 in the 1987 growing season. NPK in the form of Osmocote, a slow release fertilizer, was applied at 0.5 kg per linear meter in early and mid-season of the 1985 growing season. Tissue N and P contents, light-saturated photosynthetic rates, and aboveground biomass production were measured at peak season for key species 2 m above and 2 and 6 m below the water and nutrient applications in 1986 and 1987. Mean leaf N and P of the species tested increased slightly 2 m below the water addition sites and dramatically below the fertilizer addition sites. Increases in tissue N and P were also found 6 m below the fertilizer addition points. Leaf photosynthesis tended to increase 2 m below the water and nutrient additions for the species tested. Six meters below the treatment application points, photosynthesis was minimally affected in 1986 but increased in 1987. Increases in leaf area on the irrigation treatments were found only for the evergreen species, Ledum palustre and Vaccinium vitis-idaea, 2 m below the site of addition. In contrast, fertilizer addition caused large increases in leaf area production for all species tested at 2 m below the treatment, and for some species at 6 m below treatment. The overall effects of the two treatments were similar, but were greater for the fertilizer addition.
TRANSIENTLY EXPRESSED PROTEINS IN MYOCARDIAL HYPERTROPHY

Pressure overload left ventricular hypertrophy (PLVH) results from an increase in the amount and a shift in isozymic forms of certain contractile proteins. The synthesis of proteins not present in the normal myocardium has not been reported. Total LV RNA was prepared from rat LV, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after sham operation or PLVH. The [35S] met labelled product of the in vitro translation of the RNA was analyzed by 1 and 2D SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS PAGE). Both in vivo labelled and total cytoplasmic proteins were similarly analyzed. A 19,5000 MW peptide was synthesized in vitro in PLVH at ld but rapidly disappeared. At 3d, a 42,000 MW peptide appeared in PLVH and gradually diminished by 7d. These peptides were not translated from the SO rat RNA or from RV RNA. These proteins were not present in the in vitro labelled or total proteins from PLVH at any time. These data suggest that species of RNA coding for proteins not normally present in the heart are expressed in PLVH. Although the relative amount of these proteins translated from RNA as judged by the PAGE band intensively is significant, these proteins do not appear in the protein populations of the intact myocardium. This discrepancy in expression suggests that these proteins are either precursor forms or have a regulatory role and are rapidly degraded.
RNA: state memory and mediator of cellular phenotype

It has become increasingly clear that the genome is dynamic and exquisitely sensitive, changing expression patterns in response to age, environmental stimuli and pharmacological and physiological manipulations. Similarly, cellular phenotype, traditionally viewed as a stable end-state, should be viewed as versatile and changeable. The phenotype of a cell is better defined as a ‘homeostatic phenotype' implying plasticity resulting from a dynamically changing yet characteristic pattern of gene/protein expression. A stable change in phenotype is the result of the movement of a cell between different multidimensional identity spaces. Here, we describe a key driver of this transition and the stabilizer of phenotype: the relative abundances of the cellular RNAs. We argue that the quantitative state of RNA can be likened to a state memory, that when transferred between cells, alters the phenotype in a predictable manner.
Age-Related Differences in the Clinical Presentation of Food-Induced Anaphylaxis

Food-induced anaphylaxis may be more difficult to recognize in younger children. We describe age-related patterns in the clinical presentation of children with anaphylaxis, which may facilitate the early recognition and treatment of this potentially life-threatening condition.
Self‐Discrepancies as Predictors of Vulnerability to Distinct Syndromes of Chronic Emotional Distress

ABSTRACT Two types of self-discrepancy diffenng in both domain andstandpoint of self-guide were examined as predictors of vulnerability to chronicemotional syndromes Study 1 assessed discrepancy between the actual/ownself-state and the ideal/own self-guide and between the actual/own self-state andthe ought/other self-guide in predicting syndromes of dejection and agitation aswell as different types of anger Actual/own ideal/own discrepancy (AI) wasuniquely related to dejection, frustration, and anger at self as measured 2months later, actual/own ought/other discrepancy (AOO) was uniquely relatedto agitation and to anger at others and resentment Study 2 used structural equa-tion modeling of the relations betvt'een AI and AOO discrepancy and social anx-iety versus depression as measured weeks later A model in which AOO wasmore strongly associated with social anxiety and AI was more strongly associ-ated with depressive symptoms provided the best lit The results support theconvergent and discnmmant validity of a self-discrepancy model of vulnerabil-ity to chronic emotional syndromesIt has long been suggested m psychology that individuals who hold con-flicting or incompatible self-beliefs are likely to expenence discomfortThis research was supported by National Institute of Mental Health Grants MH09249 to Timothy J Strauman and MH 39429 to E Tbry Higgms We wish to thankJeffrey Thnaka, Stephen West, and several anonymous reviewers for their valuablecomments and suggestions We also wish to thank Ruth Klein for her assistance withStudy 1 Corresponctence concerning this article should be addressed to Timothy JStrauman, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsm-Madison, 1202West Johnson St , Madison, WI53706Joumal of Personality 56 4, December 1988 Copynght © 1988 by Dute UniversityPress CCC 0022-3506/88/$! 50
Decapreno-β-carotene as an internal standard for the quantification of the hydrocarbon carotenoids by high-performance liquid chromatography

The application of decapreno-beta-carotene as an internal standard in quantification of the hydrocarbon carotenoids extracted from raw carrots has been thoroughly examined. Decapreno-beta-carotene is a C50 beta-carotene that has most of the requirements of an internal standard and it can be commercially synthesized in high purity. An isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) system has been developed that separated all-trans-alpha-carotene, all-trans-beta-carotene, and its 15,15'-cis-isomer from this internal standard. Quantitative determination of the hydrocarbon carotenoids in carrots by HPLC using the internal standard technique gave values for alpha- and beta-carotene similar to those obtained from alpha- and beta-carotene standards alone.
Evaluation of small intestine submucosa and acellular dermis as diaphragmatic prostheses.

Abstract Background/Purpose: The repair of large congenital diaphragmatic defects in the neonate continues to be a challenge. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is the synthetic material most widely used for reconstruction in instances of partial and complete diaphragmatic agenesis. Recurrent hernia is a frequent complication, because this material does not grow with the infant. This study evaluates two novel materials; small intestine submucosa (SIS; Cook Biotech, Lafayette, IN), and acellular dermis (AlloDerm; Lifecell Corp, The Woodland, TX) for diaphragm reconstruction in growing animals. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (100 g, n=87) were anesthetized and underwent laparotomy. The control group (n = 18) underwent a sham laparotomy with a left subcostal incision and closure. The other two groups underwent central excision of the left hemidiaphragm (50% loss) and reconstruction with either a SIS (n = 35) or AlloDerm (n = 19) patch sutured circumferentially with 6-0 prolene. Seventy-two animals survived the operation, and were killed at five separate time intervals (2 weeks, 1, 2, 3, and 4 months). Chest radiographs were performed monthly and before death. Radiographs were reviewed in a blinded fashion by two observers as were the necropsies, and rib deformity was noted if present. Histological examination of the diaphragm patch was performed in each animal. Results: There was no evidence of rib deformity noted on gross examination at necropsy or on chest radiograph in either experimental group. At necropsy, all patches were intact without hernia, eventration, or contraction. Histology findings initially showed acute and chronic inflammatory changes in both patch materials that lessened at the 2-month time interval. Both prosthetic patches began to thin at 3 months and was most prominent in the SIS rats. At 4 months, both SIS and AlloDerm remained viable without evidence of necrosis. Each patch showed evidence of fibroblastic incorporation and small capillary ingrowth. These changes were more prominent in the AlloDerm group. There was no evidence of skeletal muscle ingrowth. Conclusions: These data indicate SIS and AlloDerm may be useful materials for prosthetic repair in instances of partial or total agenesis of the diaphragm. Further investigation in a large animal model over a longer duration is indicated.
Analysis of annulus-shaped compliant pivot with series–parallel leaves

Annulus-shaped compliant pivot, formed by well-proportioned compliant modules between the outer ring and inner ring, can be employed in precision mechanical systems due to good performances. Especi...
The enduring and evolving nature of the patient–physician relationship

Just as the molecular and chemistry oriented sciences were adopted as the 20th century medical paradigm, incorporation of the patient's perspective into a relationship-centered medical paradigm has been suggested as appropriate for the 21st century. It is the medical dialogue that provides the fundamental vehicle through which the paradigmatic battle of perspectives is waged and the therapeutic relationship is defined. In many regards, the primary challenge to the field is the development of operationally defined and measurable indicators of medical communication that will provide a valid representation of the conceptual models of the therapeutic relationship. The purpose of this essay is to explore the implications of a relationship-centered medical paradigm on the nature of the patient-physician relationship and its expression in the communication of routine medical practice. An organizing framework for distinguishing commonly measured communication elements into conceptually distinct components is suggested. Application of this framework is illustrated through an empirical study of communication in primary care practice. The results of the study demonstrate the usefulness of this approach in linking communication to models of therapeutic relationships. The importance of medical communication is further explored in a summary of studies that establish its association to outcomes and in an overview of future challenges to the field.
The Evolution of E-Recruiting: A Content Analysis of Fortune 100 Career Web Sites

Given hyper-competition and rapid environmental changes, one of the most critical sources of competitive advantage is attracting and retaining talented workers. E-recruiting is one of the most rapidly growing areas of e-business. To promote an understanding of the use of e-recruiting technologies and management practices utilized by leading business organizations, this study investigates the evolution of e-recruiting systems and analyzes the corporate career Web sites of Fortune 100 companies. Thirty-three attributes that characterize corporate career Web sites were identified, named, and organized around four major categories: recruiting methods, job search tools, job application tools, and information on organizational attributes. While all Fortune 100 companies practice e-recruiting, our content analysis indicates that most of them need to further develop the e-recruiting system in order to improve their recruiting performance.
ROLLING-CIRCLE AMPLIFICATION IN DNA DIAGNOSTICS: THE POWER OF SIMPLICITY

Due to its robustness and simplicity, the rolling replication of circular DNA probes holds a distinct position in DNA diagnostics among other isothermal methods of target, probe or signal amplification. Major rolling-circle amplification approaches to DNA detection via posthybridization probe/signal turn-by-turn enhancement are briefly overviewed here with an emphasis on the new concepts and latest progress in the field, including the single-molecule and single-mutation detection assays as exemplary applications. Underlying mechanisms, current controversies and principal advantages of rolling-circle amplification are also considered. Possible future directions for the further advancement of this diagnostic methodology are outlined.
Probing the stability of fluorescent proteins by terahertz spectroscopy

The higher transmission through tissues of long wavelength light motivates the development of fluorescent proteins with excitation shifted to the red. However red fluorescent proteins (RFPs) are more susceptible to photobleaching than their shorter wavelength counterparts. In particular RFPs are more susceptible to photobleaching [1]. A possible reason for this is a decrease in the structural stability of the beta barrel. Measurements of structural stability include atomic root mean squared displacement measured by the X-ray B-factor and neutron quasi elastic scattering. To date, X-ray measurements of RFP's do not indicate a structural stability change and systematic scattering studies have not been performed. Using THz dielectric response we examine if the picosecond structural flexibility decreases with increasing FP stability.
Regional Land Use Controls in the Adirondack Park

. THIS PAPER DESCRIBES land use controls for private and public land in the Adirondack Park in northern New York State. The situation is unique because the privately-owned land is interspersed with the state-owned land. Land use controls, administered by the Adirondack Park Agency, are similar to urban and rural zoning regulations, but with heavy emphasis on natural resource considerations. The role of externalities in land use is stressed.
Evaluating the costs of raising capital through an initial public offering

Abstract This article provides an empirical analysis of the costs of going public based on a sample of 1852 offerings during 1977–1987. The sample includes 1556 firm-commitment issues and 296 best-efforts issues. Three components of the cost of going public are examined: (1) direct cash expenses such as legal and accounting costs; (2) investment bank's commission; and (3) costs resulting from the investment bank practice of pricing initial public offerings below their market values. All of the cost components are significantly higher for best-efforts offerings than for firm commitments. In fact, best-efforts offerings are more than three times as expensive (on a percentage basis) than are firm commitments. In addition, there are marked economies of scale in the process of going public. The total costs of going public were 40% of gross proceeds for the smallest firm-commitment issues but only 15% for the largest. In dollar terms, we estimate that a typical, small-firm commitment offering of $2.5 million will cost approximately $800,000 (32% of gross proceeds), whereas a large issue of $25 million will cost approximately $4 million (16% of gross proceeds). The issuing firm's earnings, as well as the type of investment bank underwriting the issue, were also important cost determinants. The primary implication of our results for entrepreneurs is that it is quite expensive to attempt a public offering prematurely. The “marginal” issuer with a small capital requirement and a poor earnings history will be at a large cost disadvantage to more-established firms. More specifically, we advise that the firm have capital requirements of at least $10 million and positive operating income before attempting a public offering. Postponing a public offering until the issue will be well received by investors and investment banks is likely to be worth the wait. Until that time. alternative sources of funds will be more cost-effective.
Staged bilateral thalamic electrode implantation utilizing frameless stereotactic guidance

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for medically intractable Parkinson's disease (PD) is well established, but carries the inconveniences of frame-based neurosurgery. Previous reports have demonstrated that ventricular shunt placement and some functional procedures can be accurately performed using frameless stereotaxy. We present a report indicating that staged deep brain electrode placement can be accurate and efficacious using a frameless skull-mounted guide.
Epigenetics of Sleep and Chronobiology

The circadian clock choreographs fundamental biological rhythms. This system is comprised of the master circadian pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and associated pacemakers in other tissues that coordinate complex physiological processes and behaviors, such as sleep, feeding, and metabolism. The molecular circuitry that underlies these clocks and orchestrates circadian gene expression has been the focus of intensive investigation, and it is becoming clear that epigenetic factors are highly integrated into these networks. In this review, we draw attention to the fundamental roles played by epigenetic mechanisms in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation within the circadian clock system. We also highlight how alterations in epigenetic factors and mechanisms are being linked with sleep-wake disorders. These observations provide important insights into the pathogenesis and potential treatment of these disorders and implicate epigenetic deregulation in the significant but poorly understood interconnections now emerging between circadian processes and neurodegeneration, metabolic diseases, cancer, and aging.
Designing enzyme-compatible ionic liquids that can dissolve carbohydrates

Recently, there is a rising interest in dissolving a variety of carbohydrates (such as sugars, starch and cellulose) in ionic liquids (ILs). The solutions of carbohydrates are then conveniently subject to chemical or physical modifications. However, one serious disadvantage of these ILs is their strong tendency in denaturing enzymes. This drawback prohibits the dissolved carbohydrates from being transformed by enzymatic reactions. In the present study, we designed a series of ILs that are able to dissolve carbohydrates but do not considerably inactivate the immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica. These ILs consist of glycol-substituted cations and acetate anions. They could dissolve more than 10% (wt) cellulose and up to 80% (wt) D-glucose. The transesterification activities of the lipase in these ILs are very comparable with those in hydrophobic ILs. The hydrogen-bond forming anions, oxygen-containing cations, and low cation bulkiness promote the carbohydrate dissolution, while the low anion concentration appears essential for the enzyme stabilization. Therefore, an optimization could be achieved through a fine design of IL structures. To demonstrate the potential applications of these ILs, we performed the enzymatic transesterifications of methyl methacrylate with D-glucose and cellulose, respectively, both fully dissolved in ionic media. In the case of D-glucose, conversions up to 80% were obtained; and in the case of cellulose, conversions up to 89% and isolated yields up to 66% were achieved.
A nested model study of the Sahelian climate response to sea‐surface temperature anomalies

A nested high resolution atmospheric model is used to investigate the sensitivity of the Sahelian climate to large-scale sea-surface temperature (SST) anomalies. The nested system has realistic vegetation and detailed bottom orography. Two separate sets of northern hemispheric summer (June, July and August) numerical integrations are performed; one corresponding to the SST anomalies in 1950 when the Sahelian region was relatively much wetter than the long-term average conditions and a second integration based on 1984 SST anomalies when one of the driest rain seasons in the last few decades was experienced. Although the low resolution (R15 ≈ 4.5° by 7.5° latitude by longitude) stand-alone global climate model reasonably simulates the lower rainfall amounts in 1984 compared to 1950, the nested system yields more realistic regional climate because its forcing includes more detailed effects of topography, land-sea contrasts, and land surface processes. In particular, two distinct rainfall maxima primarily anchored to the regions of highest terrain are simulated by the model. One corresponding to the highlands in Cameroon over the Adamawa Plateau and a second maxima over Guinea and Sierra-Leone. Inspection of model circulation indicates that the weaker moist cross-equatorial monsoon flow in the 1984 is responsible for the lower amounts of the Sahelian rainfall compared to 1950. Our results are in agreement with several diagnostic and modeling studies performed in the recent years which show that deficient sub-Saharan rainy seasons tends to coincide with the southwesterly surface monsoon flow not extending as far north along the West African coast as in the wetter years (Lamb and Peppier, 1990, and others).
Safety and Clinical Outcome of Experimental Challenge of Human Volunteers With Plasmodium Falciparum-Infected Mosquitoes: An Update

Background. Challenge of volunteers by the bites of membrane-fed anopheline mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium falciparum was reported in 1986. In 1997, an analysis of experience with 118 volunteers indicated that mosquito inoculation of P. falciparum could be a safe, well-tolerated, reproducible, and efficient method of challenge. Methods. We reviewed the records of 47 volunteers challenged at our institution with the NF54 isolate of P. falciparum between 1998 and 2002. We also reviewed data from 17 published studies of experimental challenge conducted since 1996. Results. At our institution, the time to onset of first symptoms (incubation period) was 8.9 days, and the time to first detectable parasitemia on blood smear (prepatent period) was 10.5 days. All volunteers became symptomatic. Most symptoms were mild to moderate, although 21% of volunteers had at least 1 severe symptom. None developed complicated or severe malaria, and all were cured. Laboratory assessments demonstrated modest, short-term abnormalities typical of malaria. Review of 17 published studies demonstrated that an additional 367 volunteers received experimental challenge safely with similar outcomes. Conclusions. In total, data from 532 volunteers demonstrate that experimental challenge is safe and results in predictable incubation and prepatent periods. Our findings support the continued use of this method for testing efficacy of vaccines and drugs against P. falciparum.
Tuberculin skin test: can it be replaced?

It is well known that the decades-old tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test (TST) for tuberculosis diagnosis is a hard test to carry out properly, due to potential errors in placing and reading it, and the intrinsic need for two visits for getting the result. In addition, false-positive reactions (due to Bacillus Calmette Guerin or BCG vaccination or to nontuberculous mycobacterial infection), and false-negatives (due to poor placement, anergy due to HIV, other disease, immunosuppressive medication, malnutrition, etc.) have occasioned many calls for a better test. Needless to say, there can be considerable difficulty in proper interpretation of the TST. 1 Within the past 10 or so years, efforts to find a substitute for the PPD skin test have begun to have good results. Blood tests have been developed which depend on detection of interferon-gamma (IFN-) released by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB)-sensitized T-lymphocytes in the presence of specific or quasi-specific TB antigens. This has an obvious parallel with what happens in the skin, after one is injected with PPD skin test antigenic material, where a “bump” is raised by release of IFN- and other cytokines and measured for induration diameter, for which one has to wait 48 to 72 hours and is dependent on the patient’s coming back to have the test read. 2 The IFN- tests had their origin in Australia, and the only company with United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -approved tests, Cellestis, maker of the QuantiFERON-TB test, and QuantiFERON-TBGold, is from Victoria, Australia. The test was developed originally for use in diagnosing tuberculosis in cattle and later adapted for use in humans. It consists of the overnight incubation of 1 ml aliquots of heparinized whole blood with both a negative and a positive control as well as specific antigens for TB. The positive control is run to test the immune competence of the patient by assessing the release of IFN- in response to the nonspecific antigen, phytohemagglutinin. A noninterpretable test can be caused either by too low of a response to the nonspecific
Tourism, changing architectural styles, and the production of place in Itacaré, Bahia, Brazil

This article examines changing architecture in Itacare, Brazil, as it transitions from a fishing village to an international tourist destination. Tourism, as an assemblage of practices and perspectives, recreates places in specific ways that structure social and environmental relationships. Through an examination of historical architectural styles, tourist architecture, and popular architecture in Itacare, this article analyses the ways a tourist economy has physically and socially rebuilt the city. Socially, the changing architecture marks and creates differences between class, racial, and regional identities while also providing an idiom through which public conversations about these changing economic systems and demographics are articulated. At the same time, the expansion of the city has led to racial-, regional-, and class-based segregation. Environmentally, tourist architecture creates new relationships to nature through re-imagining Itacare’s position in relation to other rural and urban places and...
Optimizing the Purification of Biofunctionalized Carbon Nanotubes

The utilization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in large quantities for molecular electronics, optoelectronics, biosensors, and medical applications will require SWNTs of the same physical structure, electronic type, and band gap. Since current methods of synthesis produce mixtures of nanotubes with different physical structures and electrical properties, the development of strategies for the postproduction separation of these one-dimensional materials is highly desirable. In this work, we demonstrate a scalable method for separating SWNTs by diameter using density gradient centrifugation. Of particular interest for biosensing applications is the bulk purification of SWNTs through centrifugation of DNA wrapped SWNTs in aqueous density gradients. The dependence of this process on DNA sequence and length has been determined. In addition, strategies for decreasing the purification time are outlined. Overall, this nondestructive and scalable separation strategy is expected to impact a variety of applications for SWNTs where monodisperse structure and properties are essential.Copyright © 2006 by ASME