cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Revisit to the Impact of Exchange Rates on Tourism Demand: The Case Of Italy

ABSTRACT Currency exchange rates have consistently been used in modeling international tourism demand (Song & Li, 2008). Using the case of Italy this study reexamines the relationship between exchange rates and international arrivals from a new perspective by quantifying the impact, if any, that the fluctuations of exchange rates, alone, have on international demand from nineteen separate nations. While confirming previous research relative to country pairs (Crouch, 1995), the findings of this study suggest that exchange rates do not universally affect international tourism demand, indicating exchange rates exhibit disparate levels of significance in determining international arrivals to Italy. In eleven of the nineteen nation pairs examined, exchange rates resulted in no significance, contradicting previous studies (Crouch, 1994b) and prevailing assumptions. These findings will help policy makers and practitioners to understand the impact of exchange rates on Italian tourism and offer direction to resear...
Murine complement receptor 1 is required for germinal center B cell maintenance but not initiation

Germinal centers are the anatomic sites for the generation of high affinity immunoglobulin expressing plasma cells and memory B cells. The germinal center B cells that are precursors of these cells circulate between the light zone B cell population that interact with antigen laden follicular dendritic cells (FDC) and the proliferative dark zone B cell population. Antigen retention by follicular dendritic cells is dependent on Fc receptors and complement receptors, and complement receptor 1 (Cr1) is the predominant complement receptor expressed by FDC. The newly created Cr1KO mouse was used to test the effect of Cr1-deficiency on the kinetics of the germinal center reaction and the generation of IgM and switched memory B cell formation. Immunization of Cr1KO mice with a T cell-dependent antigen resulted in the normal initial expansion of B cells with a germinal center phenotype however these cells were preferentially lost in the Cr1KO animal over time (days). Bone marrow chimera animals documented the surprising finding that the loss of germinal center B cell maintenance was linked to the expression of Cr1 on B cells, not the FDC. Cr1-deficiency further resulted in antigen-specific IgM titer and IgM memory B cell reductions, but not antigen-specific IgG after 35-37 days. Investigations of nitrophenyl (NP)-specific IgG demonstrated that Cr1 is not necessary for affinity maturation during the response to particulate antigen. These data, along with those generated in our initial description of the Cr1KO animal describe unique functions of Cr1 on the surface of both B cells and FDC.
Kinetics and Mechanism of Carbon Incorporation in Ultrathin Silicon-Based Dielectric Films

The effect of various processing conditions on the extent of adsorption of organics and incorporation of carbon in Si/SiO 2 during thermal oxidation is investigated. The key parameters studied are preoxidation cleaning, temperature-ramp rate and ambient, gas-phase impurity concentration, and the presence of moisture. A novel method based on the catalytic oxidation of organics is developed to monitor and characterize the outgassing of organics. Results show that SC 1-last surfaces adsorb more polar organics than do HF-last surfaces; this results in a higher amount of carbon incorporation. HF-last surfaces, however, retain a larger fraction of the adsorbed organics. Addition of oxygen to the temperature-ramp ambient reduces the extent of carbon incorporation. The kinetics and mechanisms of carbon incorporation in Si/SiO 2 substrates are investigated. A reaction model based on the competitive processes of desorption, readsorption, decomposition, oxidation, and chemisorption of the adsorbed organics is developed. This model provides a better understanding of one of the key aspects of defect formation in silicon-based dielectric thin films.
Mouse endometrial tumor necrosis factor-alpha messenger ribonucleic acid and protein: localization and regulation by estradiol and progesterone

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein have been identified in the uteri of cycling rats, mice, and women. In this study, a mouse model was used to investigate the cell-specific expression and regulation of the TNF gene in the endometrium. Uteri from cycling and ovariectomized hormone-reconstituted mice were tested by in situ and Northern blot hybridizations as well as by immunohistochemistry. Cyclic variations were observed in TNF mRNA. Although weak to undetectable during proestrus, estrus, and diestrus-I, TNF mRNA was present in both epithelial and stromal cells on diestrus-II. TNF protein was observed in the endometrium on each day of the estrous cycle, primarily in the epithelial cells. Stromal TNF immunoreactivity was observed only during diestrus-I. Seven days after ovariectomy, TNF mRNA and protein were undetectable in the endometrium. Specific message and protein were restored in both epithelial and stromal cells after administration of 17 beta-estradiol (E2), progeste...
After Dr Google: Peer-to-Peer Health Care

Although the majority of US adults has Internet access and gathers health information online, the Internet does not replace clinicians. People rate health professionals as their top source for technical questions such as diagnosis and treatment, but nonprofessionals (eg, friends and family) are rated higher for emotional support and quick remedies. For their most recent health issue, 21% of adults say they turned to others who have the same health condition; evidence of people's interest in connecting with and learning from each other. People living with chronic diseases (and their caregivers) are especially likely to say they look online for peer advice. They are pioneering new ways of pursuing health by banding together and sharing knowledge; so-called peer-to-peer health care. Practical tips from fellow patients and caregivers can have far-reaching implications for clinical outcomes. As a parent of a chronically ill child observed: "We all work collaboratively, but I notice that my doctor doesn't. After I've talked with my community online, I go back to him and ask, 'What do your colleagues say about this issue?' And it's clear it didn't occur to him to ask them." Clinicians might do well to look into online patient communities and consider recommending them as resources for their patients. Clinicians might look at patient networks as a model for their own collaborative learning process as well. Linking the expertise of patients, families, and clinicians holds promise for further improving care and outcomes.
Coercive Control and Abused Women’s Decisions About Their Pets When Seeking Shelter

The importance of pets in families, especially during major life stressors, is well documented. Research suggests links between pet ownership and intimate partner violence (IPV). This study explored abused women's decisions about pets when seeking help from a shelter. Interviews were conducted with 19 women who were pet owners. Using grounded theory methods, two patterns emerged surrounding abusers' treatment of pets, bonds to pets, women's decisions about pets upon seeking shelter, and future plans for pets. The presence of coercive control was central to these patterns. Women also discussed their experiences with and needs from shelter professionals and veterinarians with implications for practice.
Prospects for noninvasive imaging of brain amyloid β in Alzheimer's disease

The brain in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) contains large amounts of fibrillary amyloid beta protein. Studies attempting to use levels of amyloid beta protein in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid or skin as diagnostic tests for the disease have not been fruitful. A method for the noninvasive detection of cerebral amyloid beta would be valuable for dementia differential diagnosis, pathophysiology and monitoring of anti-amyloid therapies. Anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody 10H3 has been evaluated as an amyloid-imaging ligand, without success. Important considerations in the development of amyloid-imaging ligands include choice of radiolabel and physical and biological half-lives, route of administration, protein binding, use of control molecules, and imaging techniques. It is important that imaging studies be designed to reflect the slow nature of the process of amyloid deposition. We used a transgenic mouse model overexpressing beta protein precursor (beta PP) to assess the binding of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and serum amyloid P component (SAP) to amyloid beta (A beta) plaques in mouse brain. Although the binding of these ligands is similar to AD, neither is found endogenously associated with A beta deposits. Because SAP is a component of mouse serum, these findings suggest the blood-brain barrier in transgenic mice is not affected as it is in AD. These findings suggest that the transgenic mouse may be used as a model for evaluation of A beta imaging methods.
On “Surgical Treatment of Diastolic Dysfunction” by Brian S. Cain, M.D. and Alden H. Harken, M.D.

BACKGROUND Hemostasis is a significant problem in aortic surgery requiring profoundly hypothermic techniques. Aprotinin, a serine protease inhibitor, reduces blood loss in high-risk coronary and valve surgery, but its use in profound hypothermia is controversial. METHODS To evaluate the role of a modified protocol of aprotinin administration we have retrospectively reviewed our results in 73 procedures when hypothermic circulatory arrest was necessary. Thirty-seven (51%) were emergencies. Aprotinin was not administered until bypass had been recommenced after the period of circulatory arrest, and was then given as a bolus of 280 mg into the bypass machine followed by an intravenous infusion of 70 mg/hour. RESULTS In this series the 30-day mortality was 12.3% (9/73), and the in-hospital mortality 13.7% (10/73). Mortality in the elective group was 11.1% and 16.2% in the emergency group. The mean blood loss over the first 12 hours after surgery was 542 mL; the mean transfusion requirement during surgery and this 12 hour period was 3.6 units of blood. Six patients (8.2%) developed transient renal dysfunction which did not require intervention. CONCLUSIONS This data does not support the adverse effect of aprotinin upon early survival. Although early reports were of concern, the role of aprotinin as an adjunct to hemostasis requires further investigation.
Non-maternal transmission is the major mode of ovine lentivirus transmission in a ewe flock: A molecular epidemiology study

Transmission of ovine progressive pneumonia virus (OPPV), a lentivirus of sheep, occurs through both maternal and non-maternal means. Currently, the contribution of each route to the overall flock OPPV prevalence is poorly understood since previous serological epidemiologic studies lacked the ability to accurately track routes of transmission within an infected flock. In this study, the amount of maternal OPP transmission was assessed in a naturally infected ewe flock by applying molecular analyses to proviral sequences derived from peripheral blood leukocytes of OPP positive dam-daughter pairs (N=40). Both proviral envelope (env) and long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences, separately and combined, were utilized in the following 2 sequence analysis methods: phylogenetic analysis and pairwise distance calculations. True maternal transmission events were defined as agreement in 2 out of the 2 sequence analysis methods. Using this criterion, proviral env sequences resulted in a 14.3% maternal transmission frequency, and proviral LTR sequences resulted in a 10% maternal transmission frequency. Both proportions of maternal transmission varied significantly from equality (P<0.0001). This indicates that the remaining 85.7-90% of daughters are infected via non-maternal transmission. This is also the first study to calculate the OPP proviral rate of change for the env gene and LTR promoter. Accurately defining the routes of OPPV transmission provides critical epidemiological data supporting management intended to reduce flock transmission and viral dose.
Correct-by-construction layout-centric retargeting of large analog designs

Aggressive design cycles in the semiconductor industry demand a design-reuse principle for analog circuits. The strong impact of layout intricacies on analog circuit performance necessitates design reuse with special focus on layout aspects. This paper presents a computer-aided design tool and the methodology for a layout-centric reuse of large analog intellectual-property blocks. From an existing layout representation, an analog circuit is retargeted to different processes and performances; the corresponding correct-by-construction layouts are generated automatically and have performances comparable to manually crafted layouts. The tool and the methodology are validated on large analog intellectual-property blocks. While manual re-design and re-layout is known to take weeks to months, our reuse tool-suite achieves comparable performance in hours.
Application of differential quadrature to static analysis of structural components

The numerical technique of differential quadrature for the solution of linear and non-linear partial differential equations, first introduced by Bellman and his associates, is applied to the equations governing the deflection and buckling behaviour of one- and two-dimensional structural components. Separate transformations are used for higher-order derivatives, as suggested by Mingle, thus extending the method to treat fourth-order equations and to include multiple, boundary conditions in the respective co-ordinate directions. Results are obtained for various boundary and loading conditions and are compared with existing exact and numerical solutions by other methods. The application of differential quadrature to this class of problems is seen to lead to accurate results with relatively small computational effort.
The effect of elastic fields on the morphological stability of a precipitate grown from solid solution

Abstract A system that consists of a misfit precipitate transforming from an infinite matrix is analyzed to determine the effect of elastic fields on a morphological stability analysis. Elastic fields enter the analysis through the boundary condition that sets the solute concentration at the interphase interface. Elastic fields influence the stability results when the shear modulus of the precipitate is different from that of the matrix; they act to stabilize the interface and favor spherical growth shapes if the shear modulus of the precipitate is greater than that of the matrix, and to destabilize the interface and favor non-spherical growth shapes in the alternative case. These elastic effects are especially pronounced at small supersaturations. For the case of a hard precipitate growing in a soft matrix, elastic fields can, at small supersaturations, absolutely stabilize the interface against any given perturbation wavelength. In the absence of capillarity, elastic fields spoil the shape preserving growth of an ellipsoidal precipitate, a solution found by Ham when both capillarity and elastic fields vanish. When a precipitate is undergoing unstable growth, elastic fields shift the value of the fastest growing harmonic such that stabilizing elastic fields favor long wavelength perturbations and relatively smooth growth shapes, while destabilizing elastic fields favor short wavelength perturbations and relatively rough growth shapes.
The changing conception of measurement: A commentary

This paper comments on the contributions to this special issue on item banking. An historical frame work for viewing the papers is provided by brief re views of the literature in the areas of item response theory, item banking, and computerized testing. In general, the eight papers are viewed as contributing valuable technical knowledge for implementing testing programs with the aid of item banks.
Enhancing dna microarray detection limits using optical resonances from photonic crystal surfaces

DNA microarrays are typically composed of micron-scale spots of specific genetic sequences attached to a glass microscope slide for the purpose of gene expression analysis. By replacing the glass microarray substrate with a photonic crystal surface, fluorescence enhancement effects can be utilized to improve the performance of the microarray. This work describes the design of photonic crystal surfaces by Rigorous Coupled-Wave Analysis to align guided-mode resonances with Cyanine-5 excitation and emission wavelengths at approximately 633 nm and 680 nm, respectively. The resonances from photonic crystals fabricated by nanoreplica molding are characterized by optical transmission measurements, and 20x enhancement from the fluorophore Cyanine-5 is demonstrated relative to a glass slide. Finally, a DNA microarray experiment probing the expression of genes in Glycine max (soybean) is performed, demonstrating the photonic crystal microarray detects 20% more genes from the sample than are detected by the glass microarray.
Does Implementing an Effective TQM Program Actually Improve Operating Performance? Empirical Evidence from Firms That Have Won Quality Awards

This study explores the hypotheses that implementing effective total quality management TQM programs improves the operating performance of firms. The winning of quality awards is used as a proxy for the effective implementation of TQM programs. Changes in various performance measures for a test sample of quality-award winners are compared against a sample of control firms. Our statistical tests provide strong evidence that firms that have won quality awards outperform the control firms on operating income-based measures. Over a 10-year period, from 6 years before to 3 years after the year of winning the first quality award, the mean median change in the operating income for the test sample is 107% 48% higher than that of the control sample. There is reasonably strong evidence that firms that have won quality awards do better on sales growth than the control firms. Over the 10-year period, the mean median change in sales for the test sample is 64% 24% higher than that of the control sample. We also find weak evidence that firms in our test sample are more successful in controlling costs when compared with the firms in the control sample. In addition, the results indicate that firms in our test sample increased their capital expenditures more than the control sample over the time period prior to winning quality awards. Compared with the control sample, the test sample shows higher growth in both employment and total assets.
Understanding the Global Distribution of Monsoon Depressions

Abstract : This project aims to improve the understanding of cyclonic storms called monsoon depressions, which play an important role in the meteorology of the tropical and subtropical eastern hemisphere and serve as precursors for typhoons in the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. The work undertaken here serves as part of a broader effort to better understand and predict tropical cyclogenesis and the variability of monsoon climates in Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas.
The role of preoperative mammography in women considering reduction mammoplasty: a single institution review of 207 patients

Abstract Background Standard use of preoperative mammography is controversial in patients considering reduction mammoplasty. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of mammography before breast reduction. Methods The authors conducted a single-center, retrospective chart review examining preoperative mammography in reduction mammoplasty candidates. Results Between 2001 and 2005, 207 women with recent screening mammography were evaluated for reduction mammoplasty. Thirty-two patients (16%) were found to have abnormal preoperative mammographic results, all of which were false-positives. Previously, reported risk factors including body mass index, decreasing age, previous breast procedure, and lack of comparative mammogram did not predict abnormal mammographic findings. Abnormal imaging results did not influence the decision to proceed with surgery but did have a trend toward delaying surgery. Conclusions Mammography before reduction mammoplasty can result in a high number of false-positive results, and surgeons should counsel their patients as to the possibility of subsequent studies.
Transcription activation by the siderophore sensor Btr is mediated by ligand-dependent stimulation of promoter clearance

Bacterial transcription factors often function as DNA-binding proteins that selectively activate or repress promoters, although the biochemical mechanisms vary. In most well-understood examples, activators function by either increasing the affinity of RNA polymerase (RNAP) for the target promoter, or by increasing the isomerization of the initial closed complex to the open complex. We report that Bacillus subtilis Btr, a member of the AraC family of activators, functions principally as a liganddependent activator of promoter clearance. In the presence of its co-activator, the siderophore bacillibactin (BB), the Btr:BB complex enhances productive transcription, while having only modest effects on either RNAP promoter association or the production of abortive transcripts. Btr binds to two direct repeat sequences adjacent to the � 35 region; recognition of the downstream motif is most important for establishing a productive interaction between the Btr:BB complex and RNAP. The resulting Btr:BB dependent increase in transcription enables the production of the ferric-BB importer to be activated by the presence of its cognate substrate.
Cuticular hydrocarbons of Glossina austeni and G. pallidipes: similarities between populations

Wild Glossina austeni and G. pallidipes appear in many different populations. All conspecific flies possess similar surface hydrocarbons that include species-specific contact sex pheromones. Recently, evidence for a contact sex stimulant was found in the surface hydrocarbons extracted from female G. austeni. The bioactive hydrocarbon fraction contained alkanes and unsaturated hydrocarbons that were separated and analysed by GC/GC-MS. The structure and relative abundances of alkanes and alkenes from several populations of laboratory and wild collected specimens appeared to be similar.
Latent class models for longitudinal studies of the elderly with data missing at random

The elderly population in the USA is expected to double in size by the year 2025, making longitudinal health studies of this population of increasing importance. The degree of loss to follow-up in studies of the elderly, which is often because elderly people cannot remain in the study, enter a nursing home or die, make longitudinal studies of this population problematic. We propose a latent class model for analysing multiple longitudinal binary health outcomes with multiple-cause non-response when the data are missing at random and a non-likelihood-based analysis is performed. We extend the estimating equations approach of Robins and co-workers to latent class models by reweighting the multiple binary longitudinal outcomes by the inverse probability of being observed. This results in consistent parameter estimates when the probability of non-response depends on observed outcomes and covariates (missing at random) assuming that the model for non-response is correctly specified. We extend the non-response model so that institutionalization, death and missingness due to failure to locate, refusal or incomplete data each have their own set of non-response probabilities. Robust variance estimates are derived which account for the use of a possibly misspecified covariance matrix, estimation of missing data weights and estimation of latent class measurement parameters. This approach is then applied to a study of lower body function among a subsample of the elderly participating in the 6-year Longitudinal Study of Aging.
Primary granulocytic sarcoma of larynx

Background Granulocytic sarcoma is an extramedullary tumor of myeloblasts. The purpose of this report was to present a case of a primary laryngeal granulocytic sarcoma and review of the literature. Methods A literature review was performed using Medline and PubMed databases to search for cases of all primary and secondary myelogenous tumors of the larynx. Results A 36-year-old man presented with a mass involving the preepiglottic space that was histologically confirmed as an extramedullary acute myeloid leukemia, or granulocytic sarcoma. Our review found 18 cases of secondary involvement of the larynx by myelogenous tumors, and only 1 previously reported case of primary laryngeal granulocytic sarcoma. Conclusion The detection of granulocytic sarcoma is difficult given its rarity and nonspecific presentation. To our knowledge, this is the second reported case of primary granulocytic sarcoma of the larynx reported in the literature. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: E38–E44, 2015
Calcaneal Fractures: A Good Prognosis

Calcaneal fractures at Grady Memorial Hospital were reviewed for the period of 1973 to 1980. Sixty-two of these fractures were available for follow-up. Treatment was with compression dressings, plaster, pin reduction or open reduction. Grading was by the previously published criteria of Allen and Lindsey.1,21 This paper identifies a positive correlation between facet reduction and successful treatment results.Recommendations are made for fracture classification, surgical treatment and postoperative management.
Efficient Numerical Modal Solutions for RF Propagation in Lossy Circular Waveguides

The propagation of electromagnetic waves is reconsidered in the context of cylindrical tunnels through material of uniform electrical properties. In the absence of internal conductors, the wave solutions reduce to well-known analytic expressions, requiring the solution of a single transcendental equation in complex phase space. Any given tunnel configuration has a wide range of solutions in phase and frequency space. Identifying these solutions can be a significant numerical challenge. Both the Newton-Raphson method and the winding number technique have been described in previous publications, and each can be prone to missing solutions. This paper reviews these two solution techniques and develops a combination of the two to provide a fast and efficient procedure for locating the roots in well-defined regions of phase space.
Non-Gaussian uncertainty distributions: historical trends and forecasts of the United States energy sector, 1983-2010

Applies a novel method of uncertainty parameterization and analysis to time-series data of recent supply and demand projections for the United States energy sector. The characterization of uncertainty, particularly for low probability events and application of the method to an existing set of forecasts are considered. Based on determinations of the actual uncertainties in past forecasts of over 170 energy producing and consuming sectors of the US economy, a simple one-parameter model is presented that can be used to estimate a probability distribution for future projections. >
Rickets in very low-birth-weight infants.

THE ASSOCIATION of rickets with prematurity has received increased attention in the past ten years because of the improved survival rates and increasing numbers of observations in very low-birth-weight infants. '-7 Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D deficiency have been implicated as causative factors in these infants, many of whom have illnesses associated with prolonged periods of nutritional deficiency. We recently diagnosed rickets in six VLBW infants who had been hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit during an eight-month period from June, 1975, to January, 1976. Four had craniotabes, one had multiple fractures, and one had rickets discovered on a chest radiograph obtained for suspected pneumonia. Subsequently a systematic search identified 16 additional cases during the next 13 months. The present report is a review of these 22 cases.
Anosmia is very common in the Lewy body variant of Alzheimer’s disease

Background: Olfactory abnormalities are reported in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Anosmia appears to be common in dementia with Lewy bodies but not in pure Alzheimer’s disease. Objective: To determine whether anosmia improves discrimination between the Lewy body variant (LBV) of Alzheimer’s disease and “pure” Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: 106 cases of necropsy confirmed pure Alzheimer’s disease (n = 89) or LBV (n = 17) were reviewed. All had received butanol odour threshold testing. Anosmia was defined as a score ⩽1.0 on a 0–9 point scale. Logistic regression analysis was used to model potential predictors (for example, parkinsonism, smoking, hallucinations) of neuropathological diagnosis and anosmia. Results: LBV cases had an increased prevalence of anosmia (65%) compared with Alzheimer’s disease (23%; odds ratio (OR) = 6.3, p = 0.00045), or normal elderly people (6.7%). Within the dementia cases, the negative predictive value (92%) and specificity (78%) of anosmia were both good; sensitivity for detecting LBV was 65%, but the positive predictive value (PPV) was only 35%. Logistic regression models showed anosmia (OR = 5.4, p = 0.005) and visual hallucinations (OR = 7.3, p = 0.007) were strong independent predictors of Lewy body pathology. When anosmia was added as a core feature to consensus diagnostic criteria for probable Lewy body dementia, five additional cases of LBV were detected (29% increased sensitivity), but with four additional false positives (1% increased discrimination, 4% decreased specificity, 33% decreased PPV). Conclusions: Anosmia is very common in LBV. Adding anosmia as a core feature improved sensitivity for detecting LBV, but did not improve discrimination between Alzheimer’s disease and LBV owing to a concomitant increase in false positives.
Inclusion of CD80 in HSV Targets the Recombinant Virus to PD-L1 on DCs and Allows Productive Infection and Robust Immune Responses

CD80 plays a critical role in stimulation of T cells and subsequent control of infection. To investigate the effect of CD80 on HSV-1 infection, we constructed a recombinant HSV-1 virus that expresses two copies of the CD80 gene in place of the latency associated transcript (LAT). This mutant virus (HSV-CD80) expressed high levels of CD80 and had similar virus replication kinetics as control viruses in rabbit skin cells. In contrast to parental virus, this CD80 expressing recombinant virus replicated efficiently in immature dendritic cells (DCs). Additionally, the susceptibility of immature DCs to HSV-CD80 infection was mediated by CD80 binding to PD-L1 on DCs. This interaction also contributed to a significant increase in T cell activation. Taken together, these results suggest that inclusion of CD80 as a vaccine adjuvant may promote increased vaccine efficacy by enhancing the immune response directly and also indirectly by targeting to DC.
Estimating Bounds on Collisional Relaxation Rates of Spin-Polarized 87Rb Atoms at Ultracold Temperatures.

The recent observation of Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) in magnetically trapped alkali atoms has brought to completion a 15 year attempt to achieve BEC in a weakly interacting atomic system. The success of BEC in both {sup 87}Rb and {sup 23}Na and evidence for BEC in {sup 7}Li were remarkable achievements brought about by the development of laser cooling during the past decade, the design of optical and magnetic traps for holding cold atomic samples, and most recently the development of evaporative cooling techniques to cool atoms below the recoil limit. The authors present quantum scattering calculations for the collisional relaxation rate coefficient of spin-polarized {sup 87}Rb(f = 2, m = 2) atoms, which determines the loss rate of cold Rb atoms from a magnetic trap. Unlike the lighter alkali atoms, spin-polarized {sup 87}Rb atoms can undergo dipolar relaxation due to both the normal spin-spin dipole interaction and a second-order spin-orbit interaction with distance electronic states of the dimer. The authors present ab initio calculations for the second-order spin-orbit terms for both Rb{sub 2} and Cs{sub 2}. The corrections lead to a reduction in the relaxation rate for {sup 87}Rb. The primary concern is to analyze the sensitivity of the {supmore » 87}Rb trap loss to the uncertainties in the ground state molecular potentials.« less
Identification and characterization of transcription factor IIIA from Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) is specifically required for transcription of 5S rRNA genes and is the archetypal C2H2 zinc finger protein. All known vertebrate TFIIIAs have a similar organization: nine zinc fingers, followed by a C-terminal domain of unknown structure. The zinc fingers of Saccharomyces cerevisiae TFIIIA are interrupted between fingers eight and nine by an 81-amino acid spacer. Aside from the amino acids required for zinc finger folding, TFIIIAs from different species are remarkably divergent, whereas the natural binding site, the internal control region of the 5S rRNA gene, is well conserved. We now describe the identification and characterization of TFIIIA from Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This protein is organized differently from its known homologs, in that it contains eight closely spaced zinc fingers, a ninth zinc finger missing a C-terminal Zn2+-coordinating histidine, a 53- amino acid spacer, and an unprecedented tenth zinc finger. We have confirmed the identity of this divergent protein as TFIIIA by showing that it binds specifically and with high affinity to the S.pombe 5S rRNA gene. Comparison of DNase I protection patterns produced by TFIIIA from multiple species suggests a novel mode of DNA recognition by the S.pombe protein. Recombinant S.pombe TFIIIA was also shown to support specific transcription of the 5S rRNA gene in vitro.
Dynamic measure logic

Abstract This paper brings together Dana Scottʼs measure-based semantics for the propositional modal logic S4, and recent work in Dynamic Topological Logic. In a series of recent talks, Scott showed that the language of S4 can be interpreted in the Lebesgue measure algebra, M , or algebra of Borel subsets of the real interval, [ 0 , 1 ] , modulo sets of measure zero. Conjunctions, disjunctions and negations are interpreted via the Boolean structure of the algebra, and we add an interior operator on M that interprets the □-modality. In this paper we show how to extend this measure-based semantics to the bimodal logic S 4 C . S 4 C is interpreted in ‘dynamic topological systems,’ or topological spaces together with a continuous function acting on the space. We extend Scottʼs measure based semantics to this bimodal logic by defining a class of operators on the algebra M , which we call O-operators and which take the place of continuous functions in the topological semantics for S 4 C . The main result of the paper is that S 4 C is complete for the Lebesgue measure algebra. A strengthening of this result, also proved here, is that there is a single measure-based model in which all non-theorems of S 4 C are refuted.
Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) and Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) for Pulmonary Drug Delivery: CMC Issues

Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs), which have been in clinical use for over 5 decades, are now gaining greater importance as they are also being considered for systemic delivery of drugs and macromolecules. This growing interest and the fact that the inhalation mode of delivery employs a combination of drug and device led to the development of a regulatory framework specific to this route. In 1998, United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first issued a guidance entitled ‘MDI and DPI Drug Product Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) Documentation’. Pharmaceutical aerosol manufacturers have reservations regarding some of the recommendations made in the guidance in its native form. This review provides an overview of inhalation drug product development, summarizes the CMC guidance on the MDIs and DPIs, and provides the industry perspective by summarizing the industry concerns and suggestions.
The future of coral reefs

Coral reefs, with their millions of species, have changed profoundly because of the effects of people, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Reefs are subject to many of the same processes that affect other human-dominated ecosystems, but some special features merit emphasis: (i) Many dominant reef builders spawn eggs and sperm into the water column, where fertilization occurs. They are thus particularly vulnerable to Allee effects, including potential extinction associated with chronic reproductive failure. (ii) The corals likely to be most resistant to the effects of habitat degradation are small, short-lived ‘‘weedy’’ corals that have limited dispersal capabilities at the larval stage. Habitat degradation, together with habitat fragmentation, will therefore lead to the establishment of genetically isolated clusters of inbreeding corals. (iii) Increases in average sea temperatures by as little as 1°C, a likely result of global climate change, can cause coral ‘‘bleaching’’ (the breakdown of coral‐algal symbiosis), changes in symbiont communities, and coral death. (iv) The activities of people near reefs increase both fishing pressure and nutrient inputs. In general, these processes favor more rapidly growing competitors, often fleshy seaweeds, and may also result in explosions of predator populations. (v) Combinations of stress appear to be associated with threshold responses and ecological surprises, including devastating pathogen outbreaks. (vi) The fossil record suggests that corals as a group are more likely to suffer extinctions than some of the groups that associate with them, whose habitat requirements may be less stringent.
On the error performance of linearly modulated systems with doubly selective Rayleigh fading channels

Theoretical error performances of communication systems with doubly selective (time-varying and frequency-selective) fadings and fractionally spaced (oversampled) receivers are analyzed. Closed-form error probability expressions of MPSK, MASK and MQAM systems are derived as tight lower bounds of the symbol error probabilities. The effects of receiver oversampling, Doppler spread and fading power delay profile are quantified in the error probability expressions. Simulation results show that the new analytical results can accurately predict the error performances of MLSE and MAP equalizers in a wide range of SNR. Moreover, it is discovered that significant performance gain can be achieved by fractionally spaced receivers over symbol spaced receivers for systems experiencing fast time-varying fading, whereas the effects of Doppler spread are overlooked by most previous works.
Use of therapeutic drug monitoring for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients.

Study objectives: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is the process of obtaining the serum concentration of a medication and modifying the dose based on the results. Little is known about the application of TDM in the treatment of patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) in clinical practice. This study characterized how TDM was applied in the management of MDR TB patients, and examined the clinical indications for ordering TDM, the process for obtaining drug concentrations, and the clinician response to the drug concentrations. Design: In a retrospective study, we compared the clinical and demographic characteristics of MDR TB patients who received TDM with those who did not. The clinical application of TDM also was described in patients who received TDM. Setting: A municipal TB control program. Patients or participants: Patients in whom TB was diagnosed that was caused by an isolate resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampin, and who received treatment for TB in one of the health department chest clinics between July 1, 1993, and August 31, 1997, were studied. Results: Forty-nine patients receiving TDM had a longer time to culture conversion and treatment duration, more pulmonary TB in combination with an extrapulmonary site, drug resistance, and visits to the health department clinics (p Conclusions: The use of TDM depended largely on the patient’s clinical presentation. Site-specific guidelines on the use of TDM for managing TB patients may maximize the benefit of TDM.
Directed Mineralization on Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films

Silica formation aided by polypeptides is being actively investigated for a wide range of applications including biomaterials synthesis, ceramics and controlled release systems. We envision that biocatalyzed mineralization could have application as a dental material where in situ formation of mineral layers could provide needed wear-resistance or sealing capability. The approach would be more clinically relevant, if a polymer host could be used to carry and specifically position the biocatalyst on a surface and additionally maintain the catalyst activity. Accordingly, we studied the influence of simple catalytic polypeptides on silica formation from prehydrolyzed alkoxide precursor solutions onto a surface. The polypeptides were localized on to the surface as multilayered thin films using the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of polyelectrolytes. Polylysine (PLL) or another biocatalytic polycation, poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI), was adsorbed layer-by-layer up to 10 bilayers on silicon wafers in combination with a negatively charged polyelectrolyte polymer host, poly(sodium-4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) to prepare PEI-(PLL/PSS) 10 , PEI-(PEI/PSS) 10 and PEI-(PEI/PSS/PLL/PSS) 10 multilayer films. Pre-hydrolyzed alkoxysilane solutions were placed dropwise on the catalytic films for silicification. Additionally, the effects of precursor concentration, solvent and drying were evaluated. The morphology, roughness and contact mechanical stiffness of the formed silica were investigated using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The resulting silica morphology was plate-like or spherical, and porous with average particle size depending on the catalyst and its positions on the surface. Without a catalyst the silica formed over longer times with a fine, gel-like appearance. The morphology of silica produced on the substrate was different from that of particles catalyzed in solution with the same polypeptide catalyst. Additionally, it was found that the homogeneity of PEI-(PLL/PSS) 10 films increased with drying temperature, silica precursor concentration and the presence of ethanol. The contact mechanical stiffness of the silica particles (40 N/m) catalyzed from PEI-(PLL/PSS) 10 films was lower than the non-silicified areas (48 N/m) suggesting that regions of the silica were amorphous and hydrated. These results show that a polypeptide applied to a surface as a multiple layer with an oppositely charged polymer host (PSS) maintains its activity for silicification. The generally coherent nature of the mineral coating suggests its potential for enhancing critical restorative dental interfaces; however properties like porosity, hydration and their effect on hardness and permeability will need further study.
Moral Anchors and Control

Soulignant l'incompatibilite du determinisme et de la liberte avec ce que l'A. appelle les ancrages moraux concernant le bien, le mal et l'obligation, l'A. examine deux versions (stricte et moderee) du principe deontique selon lequel devoir, c'est pouvoir (principe K), d'une part, et analyse le processus de controle que les agents doivent appliquer dans leurs actions, d'autre part. A partir de la critique de la conception indeterministe du controle et de la causation de l'agent chez R. Kane et R. Clarke, l'A. montre que la version faible du principe K est compatible avec les ancrages moraux dans des mondes indeterministes
Propagation and annihilation of threading dislocations during off-axis growth of heteroepitaxial diamond films

Abstract Threading dislocations in heteroepitaxial diamond films deposited on Ir/YSZ/Si(001) substrates with an off-axis angle of 4° towards [100] have been studied by cross-section transmission electron microscopy using the weak-beam dark-field (WBDF) technique for Burgers vector identification and large-angle convergent beam electron diffraction (LACBED) in order to facilitate a precise crystallographic determination of the local growth surface. Close to the diamond/iridium interface the films contain a high density of dislocations of both 90° and 45° types. Within the first micron of film growth their density decreases drastically by annihilation or mutual interaction resulting in a preference for 45° type dislocations. Vicinal growth surfaces cause a tilt of the dislocation line vector away from the crystallographic [001] axis in the step-flow direction. Tilting is influenced by gas phase impurities. With 100 ppm nitrogen in the feed gas, step bunching produces a structured surface consisting of an alternating sequence of terraces with reduced off-axis angle crystallographically close to (001) and risers with increased off angle. The dislocations with lines close to [001] during terrace growth abruptly tilt by more than 20° at the transition to riser growth. The appearance of several discrete tilt angles during nitrogen free growth without pronounced step bunching is attributed to the corresponding Burgers vectors which cause either effective climb for the lower angles or effective glide for the higher ones. The present observations are of high relevance for improved strategies towards a further dislocation density reduction and an efficient control of intrinsic stress formation.
AACSB Does It Matter

Does the accreditation of a school of business by AACSB have any bearing upon the school’s standing with the local population or is it primarily a term that is recognized only within academic circles and the townsfolk have no opinion? This paper outlines the results of a survey of the local population – both business people and non-business people – by a marketing research class at a local university. In order to not embarrass the respondents, they never posed the question “Do you know what it means to be AACSB certified?” However, they did ask other questions which enabled them to obtain sufficient information to answer the question, AACSB – Does It Matter?
ATLAS with CARIBU: A Laboratory Portrait

The Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) is the world's first superconducting accelerator for projectiles heavier than the electron. This unique system is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national user research facility open to scientists from all over the world. It is located within the Physics Division at Argonne National Laboratory and is one of five large scientific user facilities located at the laboratory.