cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Step UP! To Stamp Out Stigma: adapting and testing a bystander intervention to reduce HIV-related stigma

HIV-related stigma is a traumatizing experience operating across socioecological levels. Few interventions have combined multiple methods of stigma reduction into a comprehensive approach. This study adapted bystander training to the context of HIV-related stigma and pilot tested the model. The study drew upon the team’s prior research to create an adapted bystander intervention. Thirty-nine participants met in three separate workshop sessions, which consisted of didactic training, group discussions, and contact between people living with HIV (PLHIV) and their friends/family members, and healthcare workers. Participants completed pre-/post-intervention questionnaires that included demographic characteristics and standardized measures of stigma and empowerment. A person living openly with HIV served as the moderator. The study’s principal investigator led a discussion to evaluate the workshop model. The workshops were associated with decreased feelings of powerlessness but did not show any immediate effects on feelings of stigmatization. Subjects unanimously recommended requiring the training for all healthcare providers. The study showed the feasibility of adapting a bystander approach to HIV-related stigma. Interactive participation across different stakeholder groups allows for addressing various types of stigma and incorporating multiple evidence-based approaches to stigma reduction. Future research will incorporate further adaptations and test the approach using a large-scale randomized controlled trial.
Chapter 2 – The Frequency Domain

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the frequency domain, beginning with its foundation, the Laplace transform. The frequency domain provides intuition on practical subjects traversing the field of control theory. The Laplace transform underpins classic control theory. Frequency-domain transfer functions describe the relationship between two signals as a function of “s.” Similarly, a derivative has the transfer function “s;” differentiating a time-domain signal is the same as multiplying a frequency-domain signal by “s.” A frequency-domain transfer function is limited to describing elements that are linear and time invariant. These are severe restrictions and virtually no real-world system fully meets them. A compensator is a filter that is designed to provide a specific gain and phase shift, usually at one frequency. The effects on gain and phase either above or below that frequency are secondary. A system that controls the amount of material to be loaded onto the conveyor must take the time delay into account. Power conversion is the interface between the control laws and the plant. Power can come from electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, and chemical sources. The transfer function of the conversion depends on the device delivering the power.
Developing the intercultural competence of early childhood preservice teachers: preparing teachers for culturally diverse classrooms

This research reports on studies conducted in two early childhood education (ECE) teacher preparation programs focused on increasing preservice teachers’ intercultural competence through intercultu...
Emotional expression in conversations about advance care planning among older adult home health patients and their caregivers.

Abstract Objectives To examine patient and caregivers’ differences in emotional expression and explore topics associated with emotional expression during advance care planning (ACP) discussions. Methods Older adult home health patient-caregiver dyads participated in video-recorded ACP conversations as part of a collaboration-focused intervention study. Recordings were coded in Noldus Observer XT, analyzed with descriptive statistics, Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel and Breslow-Day test, and integrated with qualitative content analysis. Results Eighteen patient-caregiver dyads were purposively recruited. Participants were mostly female (11 patients; 13 caregivers). Mean ages were 68.22 (SD = 9.64) for patients and 61.28 (SD = 13.60) for caregivers. Emotional expression (depth of emotion, positive and negative valence) was similar across patients and caregivers. Conversations centered on positive and negative decisional, relational, and existential topics. Conclusions This study explored emotional expression and identified topics associated with emotion for patients and caregivers during collaborative ACP. Findings suggest that collaboration in ACP can have positive relational aspects for patient-caregiver dyads, while negative emotions can also be distressing. Practice implications This study describes the range of emotions that are common during patient and caregiver ACP discussions. Clinical implications for the assessment of caregiver support and awareness of the interdependent nature of decision making is discussed.
Pathological and oncological outcomes in patients with sarcomatoid differentiation undergoing cystectomy.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether urothelial carcinoma (UC) with sarcomatoid differentiation is associated with a lower pathological response rate to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and worse oncological outcomes compared to UC without variant histology among patients undergoing radical cystectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with UC undergoing cystectomy from 1995 to 2018 at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre were identified. Patients with sarcomatoid differentiation at transurethral resection (TUR) or cystectomy, and patients without variant histology were selected. Downstaging from ≥cT2 to ≤pT1N0 defined partial response and pT0N0 defined complete response. Recurrence-free, cancer-specific and overall survival were modelled. RESULTS We identified 131 patients with sarcomatoid differentiation and 1722 patients without variant histology, of whom 25 with sarcomatoid histology on biopsy and 313 without variant histology received NAC. Those with sarcomatoid differentiation presented with higher consensus tumour stage (94% ≥T2 vs 62%; P < 0.001) and were, therefore, more likely to receive NAC (29% vs 18%; P = 0.003). We found no evidence to support a difference in partial (24% vs 31%) or complete (20% vs 24%) response between patients with sarcomatoid histology and those with pure UC at TUR (P = 0.6). Among patients with sarcomatoid differentiation, 5-year recurrence-free survival was 55% (95% confidence interval [CI] 41-74) among patients receiving NAC and 40% (95% CI 31-52) among patients undergoing cystectomy alone (P = 0.1). Adjusting for stage, nodal involvement, margin status and receipt of NAC, sarcomatoid differentiation was associated with worse recurrence-free (hazard ratio [HR] 1.82, 95% CI 1.39-2.39), disease-specific (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.23-2.22), and overall survival (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.06-1.78). CONCLUSIONS Sarcomatoid differentiation was associated with higher stage at presentation and independently associated with worse survival. Given similar pathological response rates if sarcomatoid differentiation is detected at initial resection, and greater survival among patients receiving NAC, treatment with NAC appears warranted. Other drivers of the poor outcomes of this histology must be investigated.
Current Student Perspectives of Clinical Learning Experiences

Background: Respiratory care students spend hundreds of hours in clinical practica. University faculty orients and prepares the students for these essential learning experiences; however they typically are not the primary instructor in the clinical setting. The RT employee who precepts/mentors/takes the student assumes the primary role of teaching in the clinical setting. Discovering perceptions of students regarding learning experiences in the clinical setting will assist RT preceptors and faculty to develop favorable clinical teaching practices that enhance student learning. Methods: With IRB approval, students enrolled in respiratory care programs in the Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky area were invited to participate in a survey describing their perceptions of clinical practicum experiences. The survey (used with permission) consisted of 10 open-ended questions and had been used previously (Dunlevy and Wolf, 1994; Wolf and Dunlevy, 1996). Survey was distributed in the spring 2019 semester. Qualitative responses were categorized by themes. Results: 89 students were invited to participate; response was 30%. The vast majority of participants identified the most rewarding experiences occurred when they had opportunities to do hands on care. The most frustrating experiences were when they were not allowed to do anything or when it was obvious the RT preceptor did not want to have the students with them. Characteristics of preceptors who were most helpful to their learning were those who asked questions, were kind, nice, respectful, and friendly. Characteristics of preceptors that hindered the students’ learning included a bad attitude, complaining, rude and lazy. Students felt their opinion was valued when the RT preceptor asked questions and invited their input. Advice students would give a new preceptor included: letting them fumble, do hands on care, and ask questions. The most fun ways to learn in the clinical setting was by doing hands on care. The most boring learning activity was downtime. Results were very similar to previous surveys in the literature. Conclusions: Students shared that they learn the most in the clinical setting when they are with RTs who allow them to ‘DO’, asked them questions, and had an overall positive attitude.
High-Throughput Training of Deep CNNs on ReRAM-based Heterogeneous Architectures via Optimized Normalization Layers

Resistive random-access memory (ReRAM)-based architectures can be used to accelerate Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) training. However, existing architectures either do not support normalization at all or they support only a limited version of it. Moreover, it is common practice for CNNs to add normalization layers after every convolution layer. In this work, we show that while normalization layers are necessary to train deep CNNs, only a few such layers are sufficient for effective training. A large number of normalization layers do not improve prediction accuracy; it necessitates additional hardware and gives rise to performance bottlenecks. To address this problem, we propose DeepTrain, a heterogeneous architecture enabled by a Bayesian optimization (BO) methodology; together, they provide adequate hardware and software support for normalization operations. The proposed BO methodology determines the minimum number of normalization operations necessary for a given CNN. Experimental evaluation indicates that the BO-enabled DeepTrain architecture achieves up to 15X speed-up compared to a conventional GPU for training CNNs with no accuracy loss while utilizing only a few normalization layers.
Meta-analysis of ICU Delirium Biomarkers and Their Alignment With the NIA-AA Research Framework.

Background Between 30% and 80% of survivors of critical illness experience cognitive impairment, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Objective To determine whether intensive care unit (ICU) delirium biomarkers align with the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) research framework for diagnostic biomarkers for Alzheimer disease and other related dementias (ADRD). Methods Ovid MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for articles published between January 1, 2000, and February 20, 2020, on the relationship between delirium and biomarkers listed in the NIA-AA framework. Only studies that addressed delirium in the ICU setting and fluid biomarkers were included in these analyses. Results Of 61 256 records screened, 38 studies met inclusion criteria, 8 of which were suitable for meta-analysis. In pooled analysis, significant associations were found between ICU delirium and amyloid β-peptide 1-40 (standard mean difference [SMD], 0.42; 95% CI, 0.09-0.75), interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (SMD, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.21-0.94), and IL-6 (SMD, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.06-0.56). No significant association was observed in pooled analyses between ICU delirium and the other biomarkers. Few studies have examined ICU delirium and pathologic tau or neurodegeneration biomarkers. Conclusions Inflammatory biomarkers and amyloid β are associated with ICU delirium and point to potential overlapping mechanisms between delirium and ADRD. Critical care providers should consider integrating diagnostic approaches used in ADRD in their assessment of post-ICU cognitive dysfunction.
Randomized quickhull

This paper contains a simple, randomized algorithm for constructing the convex hull of a set ofn points in the plane with expected running timeO(nlogh) whereh is the number of points on the convex hull.
Light Potentials of Photosynthetic Energy Storage in the Field: What limits the ability to use or dissipate rapidly increased light energy?

The responses of plant photosynthesis to rapid fluctuations in environmental conditions are thought to be critical for efficient capture of light energy. Such responses are not well represented under laboratory conditions, but have also been difficult to probe in complex field environments. We demonstrate an open science approach to this problem that combines multifaceted measurements of photosynthesis and environmental conditions, and an unsupervised statistical clustering approach. In a selected set of data on mint (Mentha sp.), we show that the "light potential" for increasing linear electron flow (LEF) and nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) upon rapid light increases are strongly suppressed in leaves previously exposed to low ambient PAR or low leaf temperatures, factors that can act both independently and cooperatively. Further analyses allowed us to test specific mechanisms. With decreasing leaf temperature or PAR, limitations to photosynthesis during high light fluctuations shifted from rapidly-induced NPQ to photosynthetic control (PCON) of electron flow at the cytochrome b6f complex. At low temperatures, high light induced lumen acidification, but did not induce NPQ, leading to accumulation of reduced electron transfer intermediates, a situation likely to induce photodamage, and represents a potential target for improving the efficiency and robustness of photosynthesis. Finally, we discuss the implications of the approach for open science efforts to understand and improve crop productivity.
An Academic Approach to College Health and Physical Education

(1966). An Academic Approach to College Health and Physical Education. Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 37, No. 3, pp. 23-66.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Papilio glaucus and its phylogenetic implications

Due to the intriguing morphology, lifecycle, and diversity of butterflies and moths, Lepidoptera are emerging as model organisms for the study of genetics, evolution and speciation. The progress of these studies relies on decoding Lepidoptera genomes, both nuclear and mitochondrial. Here we describe a protocol to obtain mitogenomes from Next Generation Sequencing reads performed for whole-genome sequencing and report the complete mitogenome of Papilio (Pterourus) glaucus. The circular mitogenome is 15,306 bp in length and rich in A and T. It contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer-RNA-coding genes (tRNA), and 2 ribosomal-RNA-coding genes (rRNA), with a gene order typical for mitogenomes of Lepidoptera. We performed phylogenetic analyses based on PCG and RNA-coding genes or protein sequences using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood methods. The phylogenetic trees consistently show that among species with available mitogenomes Papilio glaucus is the closest to Papilio (Agehana) maraho from Asia.
Flow cytometric analysis of male germ cell quality.

Publisher Summary The testis of a fertile mammal is characterized by the rapid proliferation of germ cells that undergo unique and complex patterns of differentiation. Testicular tissue is easily dissociated into a cellular suspension that is readily amenable to flow cytometry (FCM) studies. This chapter describes the dual-parameter (DNA, RNA) FCM measurements of acridine orange (AO) stained cells, which assess the ratio of testicular cell types present, providing an indicator of testicular function. Because of differential DNA stainability and amounts of RNA present, seven to eight distinct populations of cells is resolved by this technique. This measurement is very practical for animal studies but impractical for human and animal husbandry studies because of the invasive sampling procedures, although fine-needle biopsy samples are utilized by some laboratories. Studies have shown an interesting correlation between sperm cell chromatin structure and exposure to toxic chemicals and also a correlation with fertility. The FCM measurement of chromatin structure is based on the principle that abnormal sperm chromatin has a greater susceptibility to the physical induction of partial DNA denaturation in situ .
Dual-Host Combinations: Using Tripodal Amides to Enhance Cesium Nitrate Extraction by Crown Ethers

Extraction of alkali metal salts by designed cation hosts, such as crown ethers 1 and calixarenes,2 has been widely investigated in recent years, as driven, to an extent, by the importance of separations of certain cationic contaminants such as Cs+ and Sr2+ in nuclear-fuel reprocessing and waste remediation. 3 New cation hosts used as extractants for these and other metals have reached impressive levels of selectivity for such demanding “needle-in-the-haystack” applications. The success of neutral cation hosts used in ion-pair extraction systems stems in part from the practical advantage of stripping extracted salts with water, resulting in processes that yield a pure salt product stream with little secondary waste. Examples of such practical ion-pair extraction applications include processes for nuclear-waste treatment that produce aqueous streams of relatively pure cesium nitrate2h or sodium pertechnetate,4 suitable for vitrification and geologic disposal. These processes employ calix-crown and crown ether extractants, such as those shown in Figure 1 for cesium. Although ion-pair extraction involves anion co-extraction, ligand design has focused primarily on the design of the cation host, typically with little or no attention to accommodating the anion.
Defending the Correspondence Theory of Truth

Introduction 1. The correspondence theory and its rivals 2. Objections to correspondence 3. A theory of facts 4. Propositions 5. Theories of correspondence 6. Funny facts revisited 7. The Slingshot Argument disarmed 8. The Liar Paradox and beyond.
Oxidation- and Creep-Enhanced Fatigue of Haynes 188 Alloy-Oxide Scale System Under Simulated Pulse Detonation Engine Conditions

The development of the pulse detonation engine (PDE) requires robust design of the engine components that are capable of enduring harsh detonation environments. In this study, a high cycle thermal fatigue test rig was developed for evaluating candidate PDE combustor materials using a CO2 laser. The high cycle thermal fatigue behavior of Haynes 188 alloy was investigated under an enhanced pulsed laser test condition of 30 Hz cycle frequency (33 ms pulse period, and 10 ms pulse width including 0.2 ms pulse spike). The temperature swings generated by the laser pulses near the specimen surface were characterized by using one-dimensional finite difference modeling combined with experimental measurements. The temperature swings resulted in significant thermal cyclic stresses in the oxide scale/alloy system, and induced extensive surface cracking. Striations of various sizes were observed at the cracked surfaces and oxide/alloy interfaces under the cyclic stresses. The test results indicated that oxidation and creep-enhanced fatigue at the oxide scale/alloy interface was an important mechanism for the surface crack initiation and propagation under the simulated PDE condition.
Who guards the guards? : The ICC and serious crimes committed by United Nations peacekeepers in Africa

In recent years there have been growing reports of UN peacekeepers committing severe crimes against the people they are meant to protect, while on peacekeeping duties. These crimes often take the form of gender-based violence and abuse. This paper examines the nature and extent of the problem, the accountability of the peacekeeping troops, the role and the extent of the involvement of International Criminal Law, and the newly introduced International Criminal Court as well as the role of the national criminal courts. Can the ICC prosecute bad elements among the UN peacekeepers or is this the responsibility of the national criminal court of the peacekeeper concerned? Should the ICC be prosecuting such cases in the first place? How far does the principle of ‘complementarity’ limit the ICC in its attempts to prosecute those who commit crimes against humanity? In other words, ‘Who guards the guards?’
The right to community treatment for mentally disordered sex offenders.

In 1990, Earl Shriner, a released pedophile, raped a seven-yearold boy, severed the boy’s penis, and left him to die. The public outrage that followed this horrific incident in Tacoma, Washington led to the passage of that state’s Sexually Violent Predator (“SVP”) law. The law provides for post-incarceration psychiatric commitment of sex offenders who suffer from a “mental abnormality or personality disorder” that makes them sexually dangerous. State officials deemed the legislation necessary to protect the public against individuals like Shriner whom they had been unable to detain under the state’s involuntary psychiatric commitment standard following release from prison. Legislators believed that the adoption of a standard that specifically targeted sexual dangerousness while incorporating ambiguous mental impairment language would facilitate sex-offender commitment. They were right. In the first twelve years of enforcement, 164 individuals were committed under the law. But Washington is not alone. Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have enacted SVP statutes patterned closely on Washington’s. As of the spring of 2002, some 2,229 individuals—virtually all of them male—were civilly
Agency of Risk: The Competing Balance between Protecting Military Forces and the Civilian Population During Counterinsurgency Operations in Afghanistan

Using both the International Security Assistance Force’s tactical directive on use of force in Afghanistan and doctrinal concepts from the US military’s counterinsurgency manual, this chapter explores the allocation of risk between the military force and Afghan civilian population. The chapter first reviews civilian and military casualty figures and then uses those numbers as a touchstone against which to consider each group’s perception of the risk they face.
Biological Physics of the Developing Embryo

Introduction 1. The cell: fundamental unit of developmental systems 2. Cleavage and blastula formation 3. Cell states: stability, oscillation, differentiation 4. Cell adhesion, compartmentalization and lumen formation 5. Epithelial morphogenesis: gastrulation and neurulation 6. Mesenchymal morphogenesis 7. Pattern formation: segmentation, axes and asymmetry 8. Organogenesis 9. Fertilization: generating one living dynamical system from two 10. Evolution of developmental mechanisms Glossary References Index.
A simple solution method for the blade element momentum equations with guaranteed convergence

The blade element momentum equations, though conceptually simple, can be challenging to solve reliably and efficiently with high precision. These requirements are particularly important for efficient rotor blade optimization that utilizes gradient-based algorithms. Many solution approaches exist for numerically converging the axial and tangential induction factors. These methods all generally suffer from a lack of robustness in some regions of the rotor blade design space, or require significantly increased complexity to promote convergence. The approach described here allows for the blade element momentum equations to be parameterized by one variable: the local inflow angle. This reduction is mathematically equivalent, but greatly simplifies the solution approach. Namely, it allows for the use of one-dimensional root-finding algorithms for which very robust and efficient algorithms exist. This paper also discusses an appropriate arrangement of the equation and corresponding bounds for the one-dimensional search—intervals that bracket the solution and over which the function is well-behaved. The result is a methodology for solving the blade element momentum equations with guaranteed convergence and at a superlinear rate.
Bounds for the effective conductivity of random media

We formulate the problem of calculating the effective conductivity of a random medium in a suitable manner. Then we obtain upper and lower bounds using variational principles. Some of the bounds depend on the random geometry of the medium while others (like the HashinShtrikman bounds) do not.
Measuring Semantic Relatedness using Multilingual Representations

This paper explores the hypothesis that semantic relatedness may be more reliably inferred by using a multilingual space, as compared to the typical monolingual representation. Through evaluations using several state-of-the-art semantic relatedness systems, applied on standard datasets, we show that a multilingual approach is better suited for this task, and leads to improvements of up to 47% with respect to the monolingual baseline.
Conclusion: Ten Principles for the Study of Proportional Systems in the History of Architecture

The study of proportional systems today lacks a common framework for discussion. In this conclusion to the special collection of essays on this topic published in Architectural Histories , Matthew A. Cohen provides ten principles as a basis for future discussion on this complex topic.
Polymorphic variants in tenascin-C (TNC) are associated with atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease

Tenascin-C (TNC) is an extracellular matrix protein implicated in biological processes important for atherosclerotic plaque development and progression, including smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation. Previously, we observed differential expression of TNC in atherosclerotic aortas compared with healthy aortas. The goal of this study was to investigate whether common genetic variation within TNC is associated with risk of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD) in three independent datasets. We genotyped 35 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including 21 haplotype tagging SNPs, in two of these datasets: human aorta tissue samples (n = 205) and the CATHGEN cardiovascular study (n = 1,325). Eleven of these 35 SNPs were then genotyped in a third dataset, the GENECARD family study of early-onset CAD (n = 879 families). Three SNPs representing a block of linkage disequilibrium, rs3789875, rs12347433, and rs4552883, were significantly associated with atherosclerosis in multiple datasets and demonstrated consistent, but suggestive, genetic effects in all analyses. In combined analysis rs3789875 and rs12347433 were statistically significant after Bonferroni correction for 35 comparisons, p = 2 × 10−6 and 5 × 10−6, respectively. The SNP rs12347433 is a synonymous coding SNP and may be biologically relevant to the mechanism by which tenascin-C influences the pathophysiology of CAD and atherosclerosis. This is the first report of genetic association between polymorphisms in TNC and atherosclerosis or CAD.
New Public Management and Democratic Participation: Complementary or Competing Reforms? A South African Study

Abstract Administrative and participatory reforms are common in developing countries, often introduced together and expected to complement each other. Some observers question whether the reforms do complement each other, however, specifically suggesting that the two types reflect different relational and governance patterns. Based on such thought, a “differential relationship influence hypothesis” is presented and tested, investigating whether new public management (NPM) reforms complement or compete with democratic‐participatory reforms. Econometric analysis of survey data shows that South African municipalities adopt NPM reforms more readily when influenced by top–down intergovernmental relationships but adopt participatory reforms more readily when faced with bottom–up civic influences. This evidence supports the hypothesis and indicates that administrative and participatory reforms may not complement each other. The study also indicates a common administrative culture effect on both types of reform ad...
Attributional style and defense mechanisms: A synthesis of cognitive and psychodynamic factors in depression

In a study involving 160 undergraduates, we tested the hypothesis that attributional style and defense style would have interactive effects on depressive symptoms. Consistent with this hypothesis, both negative attributional style and low defense maturity were associated with depressive symptoms, both as main effects and in interaction. Negative attributional style was associated with depressive symptoms primarily when accompanied by low defense maturity. The presence of a positive attributional style reduced the relation between low defense maturity and depressive symptoms, and the presence of high defense maturity reduced the relation between a negative attributional style and depressive symptoms. In addition, high defense immaturity was shown to be a possible mediator of the relation between negative attributional style and depressive symptoms. Clinical implications for psychotherapy integration are discussed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc., J Clin Psychol 56: 723–735, 2000.
Retrospective Voting in Gubernatorial Elections: 1982 and 1986

Aggregate-level studies of gubernatorial elections suggest that the state's economy is not a significant determinant of gubernatorial vote choice These findings run counter to expectations of retrospective voting behavior Gover nors today serve longer terms, have greater institutional powers, and are more publicly visible-all of which suggest that governors should be held accountable by the voters. The expectation is that individual-level studies, which measure voters' perceptions of the state's economy, will show a strong relationship between the state's economy and gubernatorial vote choice. Analysis of the 1982 and 1986 CBS/NY Times Exit Polls demonstrates that voters' evaluations of the state's economy have a significant impact on vote choice.
Diffusion Approach to Long Distance Charge Migration in DNA: Time-Dependent and Steady-State Analytical Solutions for the Product Yields.

In this study we report analytical solutions for both time-dependent and steady-state problems of unbiased charge transfer through a regular DNA sequence via a hopping mechanism. The phenomenon is treated as a diffusion of charge in a one-dimensional array of equally spaced and energetically equivalent temporary trapping sites. The solutions take into account the rates of charge hopping (k), side reactions (kr), and charge transfer to a terminal charge acceptor (kt). A detailed analysis of the time-dependent problem is performed for the diffusion-controlled regime, i.e., under the assumption that kt ≫ k, which is also equivalent to the fast relaxation limit of charge trapping. The analysis shows that the kinetics of charge hopping through DNA is always multiexponential, but under certain circumstances it can be asymptotically approximated by a single-exponential term. In that case, the efficiency of charge transfer can be characterized by a single rate constant kCT= 1.23kN-2 + kr, where N is the DNA lengt...
915 nm laser bar-based high-performance sources for fiber laser pumping

Fiber lasers have made significant progress in terms of power output, beam quality and operational robustness over the past few years. Key to this progress has been advances in two technologies - fiber technology and 9xx nm diode laser pump technology based on single emitters. We present the operational characteristics of our new high brightness 9xx nm fiber laser pump sources based on diode laser bars and diode laser bar arrays and discuss the design trade offs involved for realization of devices focused on this application. These trade offs include achieving the lowest slow axis divergence while maintaining high wall plug efficiency and minimizing facet power density to maximize reliability.
Levels of existence and motivation in Islam

Purpose – This paper seeks to shed light on Islamic perspectives on motivation and personality. It argues that original Islamic thinking in the seventh and eleventh centuries offer useful organizational insights for today's organizations.Design/methodology/approach – This research contrasts an earlier Islamic writing on motivation and personality with contemporary humanistic theories on motivation. This study suggests that religion and spirituality can positively influence behavior and organizational performance.Findings – It shows that religion may provide a potentially useful framework within which to study the relationship between faith and work. It was documented that the Islamic profile of human existence (Mutamainna) challenges most of the prevailing management assumptions on human beings.Practical implications – Opens up a new avenue for viewing the nature of human existence and dispels the widely held belief that human beings by nature are destined to engage in destructive behavior.Originality/val...
Endocrine control of freshwater tolerance in teleosts.

The teleosts Xiphophorus maculatus, Xiphophorus hellerii, Xiphophorus milleri , and Xiphophorus variatus xiphidium are native to freshwater streams. Following hypophysectomy their ability to survive in fresh water is abolished and they must be maintained in 1/3 sea water. When hypophysectomized fish are returned to fresh water they succumb within 16 days. The mean survival time of these fish in fresh water is: X. maculatus , 8.7 days; X. hellerii , 8.6 days; X. milleri , 5.5 days; X. v. xiphidium , 4.3 days. Fish in osmotic shock, when returned to dilute sea water, generally show gradual recovery. Injections of saline, neurohypophysial hormones (vasopressin and oxytocin), growth hormone, TSH, and ACTH failed to maintain hypophysectomized X. maculatus in fresh water. Only prolactin (ovine) was effective. Platyfish, injected with 10 μ g of prolactin per gram weight of fish, survived the duration of hormone administration. However, following the withdrawal of hormone, all completely hypophysectomized fish died within 16 days. Prolactin in quantities of less than 1.0 μ g is totally unsuccessful in promoting freshwater survival of fish without their pituitary glands. Compared with uninjected controls, the administration of saline or ineffective hormones considerably shortens the mean survival time of hypophysectomized fish in fresh water. In a few fish, hypophysial tissue in amounts sufficient to support them in fresh water, regenerated in four to six weeks. In some of these individuals the glands regenerated without connection to the hypothalamus.
Analysis of Pion - Nucleon Scattering Up to 10-{GeV}/$c$

I have analyzed pion-nucleon elastic scattering data from 1.6 GeV/c up to 10 GeV/c. The analysis makes use of a physical impact-parameter picture as an intermediate step. Many of the resulting partial-wave amplitudes show structure in their Argand plots. These are discussed in terms of possible high-spin resonances.
Selections of lattice-ordered Groups

It is well known that the quasitorsion class of archimedean $$\ell$$ -groups is the class of $$\ell$$ -groups G such that every closed convex $$\ell$$ -subgroup is a polar, and it is also well known that the class of $$\ell$$ -groups G such that every convex $$\ell$$ -subgroup is a polar is a torsion class. By defining a selection on $$\ell$$ -groups, these two results are generalized to show, whenever $${\mathcal{S}}_{1}$$ and $${\mathcal{S}}_{2}$$ are selections on $$\ell$$ -groups, the class of $$\ell$$ -groups G such that $${\mathcal{S}}_{1}(G) = {\mathcal{S}}_{2}(G)$$ is a radical class. Three selections in particular — all convex $$\ell$$ -subgroups, all polars, and all closed convex $$\ell$$ -subgroups — and the radical classes determined by them are studied in some detail.
Measuring Gains in Reading Ability with Passage Reading Fluency

This study examined several aspects of Passage Reading Fluency (PRF) including performance variability across passages alternative designs for measuring PRF gain, and effects on PRF level from retesting with the same passages. Participants were 33 students from grades 2 to 10 attending a school for students with learning disabilities. PRF was measured at three test points. Time-2 tests occurred 10 weeks after time-1 tests, and time-3 tests occurred 5 weeks after the time-2 tests. At Test points 2 and 3, students read old passages (same-passage design) and new passages (different-passage design). Results showed substantial individual variation on concurrent PRF measures, smaller variation in gains measured with the same-passage design, and no passage memory effects (i.e., from retested passages). Results are discussed in relation to measuring reading gains in Response to Intervention models.
Sociosexual behavior of captive sichuan golden monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana)

The Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey, Rhinopithecus roxellana, is an endangered Colobine endemic to China. The social and reproductive behavior of this species are little known, and it has rarely been kept in captivity outside China. Results from observations of a captive golden monkey pair revealed some unusual details of sociosexual behavior. Both members of the pair mounted one other, and female mounting of the male occurred nearly as often as the reverse. Male mounts were always preceded by a stereotyped behavioral sequence that included distinct facial and vocal displays. Female mounts occurred in response to male solicitation (presenting). No evidence of ejaculation was observed in association with mounts, although mounts were only observed in a distinctly sexual context. Sexual behavior was associated with aggressive displays by one or both animals and with apparently proceptive behavior by the female. All sexual behaviors showed a peak near the end of the study, although the female was continually receptive throughout the 2-month study period.
Contesting Patrimony: Cusco's Mystical Tourist Industry and the Politics of Incanismo

Abstract The Peruvian state's neoliberal policies include its mission to modernize Peru through international tourism and foreign investment, and tourism promoters and politicians increasingly invoke Andean mysticism and Inca patrimony (or incanismo) as a marketing strategy. This paper argues that Cusqueno citizens invoke the same representations, with competing claims of authenticity and authority, as they construct their own versions of Incanist identification in populist movements against the state and its enforcement of the global neoliberal order, as well as in their attempts to survive in the tourist economy. In Peru, criticism of the tourist industry is often grounded in incanismo and seems to take aim at the neoliberal order. However, closer analysis reveals a more complicated set of relationships between resistance and liberalism. Friction emerges not because cultural identity is being commodified or inequalities persist, but because local desires for access to the market are frustrated by state ...
Image coding with binary phase-only filters.

We show that image-coding filters can be easily constructed using the binary phase-only filter and implemented using the Semetex magneto-optic spatial light modulator. The theoretical background for such filters is reviewed, and experimental results are presented.
Application of coherency and reduced order models to transient stability studies

Abstract Study of the transient stability of a large and interconnected power system requires a great deal of computational time. To reduce that time, power system equivalents are employed. A simplified transient stability method, based on the values of the ‘stability measures’, is presented in which generators with small swing are replaced by a new equivalent model, and appropriate simplified models are used for the rest of the generators. Results of this study are used to identify coherent groups of generators. Replacing coherent sets by their equivalent generators will further reduce the size of the system. The validity and accuracy of the method is demonstrated by stimulated tests on a sample power system.
A machine for fretting wear testing of plasma surface modified materials

Abstract Microscopic damage caused by fretting wear is of significant concern in many engineering applications. We report the design and performance of a versatile fretting wear testing machine that uses an electromagnetic actuator under closed-loop control to provide a constant slip amplitude over a wide frequency range. The machine is equipped with a mechanism that allows for gradual sample contact and precise relocation of the stylus. An innovative method for monitoring frictional forces during the course of a test is incorporated. The machine has been successfully applied to materials treated by three types of plasma surface modification: nitrogen ion implantation, thin film alloy deposition and diamond-like carbon film deposition.
A cross-sectional study of diabetic knowledge in West Bengal, India: an analysis based on access to health care

In India, the rising prevalence of diabetes is a major public health challenge. The purpose of this study was to measure the level of diabetes knowledge in West Bengal, India, and to assess for a gradient in knowledge among those with varying levels of access to health care in both urban and rural environments. A validated questionnaire on diabetes knowledge was developed and administered in two health care settings in West Bengal: community clinics in low-income rural and urban communities representing the low-access group and a multi-specialty outpatient department (OPD) in Kolkata, India, representing the high-access group. Of the respondents in the low-access community clinic group, (n = 198), less than half knew what diabetes was (42.9 %) compared to 89.9 % in the high-access OPD group (n = 275) (p < 0.001). Those in the urban community clinics knew what diabetes was more often than those in the rural community clinics (49.5 vs. 36.1 %, p = 0.058). Additional questions testing basic knowledge of diabetes, risk factors, and disease complications showed a similar trend that people in the low-access setting had limited knowledge regarding diabetes and significantly less knowledge when compared to those in the high-access setting. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that clinic setting (high-access vs. low-access, p < 0.0001) and formal education (p = 0.001) were independent predictors of diabetic knowledge, while age and sex were not. Diabetes knowledge among respondents with low access to health care in urban and rural community clinics was significantly poorer than those with higher access to health care in an urban hospital outpatient department. To help bridge this gap, diabetes education and prevention campaigns should be targeted towards populations with low access to health care in West Bengal.
Revenue Mobilisation in Sub‐Saharan Africa: Challenges from Globalisation I – Trade Reform

This is the first of two articles evaluating the nature and extent of, and possible responses to, two of the central challenges that globalisation poses for revenue mobilisation in sub-Saharan Africa: trade liberalisation, and corporate tax competition. Both articles use a new dataset with the features needed to address these issues meaningfully: a disentangling of tariff from commodity tax revenue, and a distinction between resource-related and other revenues. This first article describes that dataset, and provides a broad picture of revenue developments in the region between 1980 and 2005. Countries’ experiences have varied, but the overall picture is of non-resource revenues having been essentially stagnant. Within this, however, and with exceptions, reductions in trade tax revenue have been largely offset by increased revenue from domestic sources.
Supernova IA Constraints on a Time-variable Cosmological ``Constant''

The energy density of a scalar field with potential V() ∝ -α, α > 0, behaves like a time-variable cosmological constant that could contribute significantly to the present energy density. Predictions of this spatially flat model are compared to recent Type Ia supernova apparent magnitude versus redshift data. A large region of model parameter space is consistent with current observations. (These constraints are based on the exact scalar field model equations of motion, not on the widely used time-independent equation of state fluid approximation equations of motion.) We examine the consequences of also incorporating constraints from recent measurements of the Hubble parameter and the age of the universe in the constant and time-variable cosmological constant models. We also study the effect of using a noninformative prior for the density parameter.
Analytical investigation of the simultaneous internal gettering of iron and nickel in silicon

The simultaneous gettering of iron and nickel in a float-zone silicon wafer in the (100) orientation and implanted with 2.5 ⊠ 1015 argon ions/cm2 at 280 keV has been investigated. Iron was deposited on one half of the back surface of the wafer and nickel was deposited on the other half. Chemical analyses by secondary ion mass spectroscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and high-resolution imaging by high-resolution electron microscopy revealed the gettering rate of iron was orders of magnitude lower than that of nickel. The results also suggested that gettering is a metal-diffusion-controlled process. The simultaneous gettering of iron and nickel results in a complex distribution of the two metals in the silicon wafer.
A new data structure for efficient storing of images

The space efficiency of recent results on data structures for quadtrees [2,3,4] may be improved by defining a new data structure called Translation Invariant Data Structures (TID). This paper briefly describes the results of this new data structure for storing images.