cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Generation of optical vector beams with a diffractive optical element interferometer

We present a novel approach to generating radially and azimuthally polarized vector beams that utilize an interferometer constructed from two identical diffractive optical elements. The measured polarization properties of four vector beam states and their phase relationships are in good agreement with theoretical expectations. This interferometer is passively phase stable and robust, making it suitable for linear and nonlinear optical (superresolution) microscopy.
Carbon−phosphorus heteronuclear shift correlation via multiple quantum coherence

Heteronuclear carbon-phosphorus chemical shift correlation via heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence is described. Enhanced sensitivity is afforded by inverse detection of 31P rather than the much less abundant 13C spin. Correlations via 1J(CP) and nJ(CP), where n = 2, 3, are observable with minor variation in the pulse sequence; a low-pass J-filter was employed in the case of the latter to aid in suppressing responses that would normally arise from 1J(CP) coupling pathways in the long-range experiment.
The sensitivity, linearity and temperature resolution of non-equal ARM thermistor wheatstone bridges near balance

Abstract An investigation of the effects of bridge arm configuration, i.e., arm impedance ratios, of a Wheatstone bridge circuit are presented. Although the generalized treatment given can be applied to any resistance change transducer in a Wheatstone bridge, particular emphasis has been placed on the use of thermistors in solution phase calorimetry. The work presented characterizes the various bridge configurations in terms of their sensitivity, linearity, and theoretical temperature resolution.
Gene structure and embryonic expression of mouse COP9 signalosome subunit 8 (Csn8).

Abstract Csn8 is the smallest subunit of the constitutively photomorphogenic 9 (COP9) signalosome (CSN), which consists of eight distinct components. CSN is homologous to the lid subcomplex of the 26S proteasome and is a regulator of the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Murine Csn8 is an ortholog of Arabidopsis COP9, which was originally identified as a key regulator of photomorphogenic development. CSN is essential for the viability of plants and flies, but the role of this conserved protein complex in development of vertebrate animals remains obscure. We report the genomic structure of murine Csn8 gene and the expression pattern of Csn8 during early embryo development. Mouse Csn8 protein contains 209 amino acid residues and is encoded by a single gene located on chromosome 1. Csn8 is expressed in embryonic stem (ES) cells and throughout early embryo development from zygote, preimplantation embryos, to post-implantation embryos. Immunostaining studies revealed that Csn8 is predominantly present in the inner cell mass (ICM) of E3.5 blastocyst and is widely expressed in E9.5-day embryos.
Legitimacy and History: Self-Government in American Constitutional Theory

This provocative book is both a rich intellectual history of 200 years of American constitutional theory and a major contribution to that theory. Paul Kahn argues that self-government is impossible within the constraints placed on government by the Constitution, and that constitutional theory-which attempts to reconcile self-government and history-will never achieve its goal. "I do not know of another book that participates in the constitutional dialogue with the mixture of historical perspective and acute critical eye displayed in this book. It demonstrates sweep, originality, careful criticism, and flashes of insight throughout."-Steven H. Shiffrin "A fascinating and richly nuanced intellectual history and critique of American constitutional theory. It contains original and important insights not only about historical developments, but also about the predicament of contemporary constitutional thought...Nowhere have I encountered a more engaging book about constitutional theory. Kahn brings a wealth of historical resources to bear, and he offers a probing analytical critique of the materials that he confronts. His description of recent works of constitutional theory is lucid, sometimes more so than the originals. He cuts to the heart of each theoretical effort and deftly exposes its primary weaknesses...What is more, he ties his book together with an original and provocative explanation of the historical progression of constitutional thought."-Daniel O. Conkle, Constitutional Commentary "A rich and insightful history of constitutional theory in America."-Leslie Friedman Goldstein, Journal of Politics
Intermittent clamping of suction drains in total hip replacement reduces postoperative blood loss: a randomized, controlled trial.

A randomized, controlled study of 54 patients (28 patients in the trial and 26 in the control group) who had primary total hip replacement was carried out. The 2 suction drains were clamped intermittently 55 minutes in each hour and released for 5 minutes in each hour for 6 hours postoperatively in the trial group. Free drainage was allowed in the control group. The difference in calculated total blood loss was significantly less in the trial group than in the control group (P < .05). Patients in the trial group received 13 fewer blood transfusions than the control group. No difference in wound drainage and wound healing was noted. Using ultrasound, it was also shown that the technique did not lead to hematoma formation.
Porous Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Fiber Coatings for Oxide Composites

A porous oxide fiber coating was investigated for Nextel™ 610 fibers in an alumina matrix. Polymeric-solution-derived yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG, Y3Al5O12) with a fugitive carbon phase was used to develop the porous fiber coating. Ultimate tensile strengths of tows and minicomposites following heat treatments in argon and/or air were used to evaluate the effect of the porous fiber coating. The porous YAG fiber coatings did not reduce the strength of the tows when heated in argon, and they degraded tow strength by only ∼20% after heating in air at 1200°C for 100 h. Minicomposites containing porous YAG-coated fibers were nearly twice as strong as those containing uncoated fibers. However, after heating at 1200°C for 100 h, the porous YAG coatings densified to >90%, at which point they were ineffective at protecting the fibers, resulting in identical strengths for minicomposites with and without a fiber coating.
Desiccation elicits heat shock protein transcription in the flesh fly, Sarcophaga crassipalpis, but does not enhance tolerance to high or low temperatures.

Although heat shock protein (hsp) production has been noted in response to multiple environmental stresses, no link has been previously established between desiccation and hsps. Following a nonlethal desiccation at 0% relative humidity (R.H.) for up to 48 h, two heat shock protein transcripts, hsp23 and hsp70, were upregulated in pupae of the flesh fly, Sarcophaga crassipalpis. The transcripts were nearly undetectable in control pupae, but within 24 h after being placed at 0% R.H. high transcript expression was observed. This suggests that protection against desiccation may be linked to the general stress response employed by flesh flies against other environmental stressors such as low or high temperature. Adaptive cross-tolerance to cold shock and heat shock following an hsp-inducing desiccation pretreatment was also tested. Although the two hsp transcripts were upregulated in response to desiccation, the upregulation was less dramatic than the upregulation elicited by heat shock, and desiccation failed to generate tolerance to high or low temperatures.
Discrete analysis on a radial lattice

Abstract A discrete model for analytic functions is constructed using lattice points of the complex plane arranged in radial form. The discrete analytic functions are defined as solutions of a finite-difference approximation to the polar Cauchy-Riemann equations. The resulting discrete power z(n) (an analogue of zn) has a simple algebraic form (a direct analogue of ϱn exp{inθ}) and has some surprising properties. For example every discrete polynomial ∑0m anz(n) has a factorization in terms of the zeros of its classical counterpart ∑0m anzn every discrete entire function has a power series representation ∑ anz(n).
Induction of transplantation tolerance by combining non-myeloablative conditioning with delivery of alloantigen by T cells

The observation that bone marrow derived hematopoietic cells are potent inducers of tolerance has generated interest in trying to establish transplantation tolerance by inducing a state of hematopoietic chimerism through allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. However, this approach is associated with serious complications that limit its utility for tolerance induction. Here we describe the development of a novel approach that allows for tolerance induction without the need for an allogeneic bone marrow transplant by combining non-myeloablative host conditioning with delivery of donor alloantigen by adoptively transferred T cells. CBA/Ca mice were administered 2.5 Gy whole body irradiation (WBI). The following day the mice received K(b) disparate T cells from MHC class I transgenic CBK donor mice, as well as rapamycin on days 0-13 and anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody on days 0-5, 8, 11 and 14 relative to T cell transfer. Mice treated using this approach were rendered specifically tolerant to CBK skin allografts through a mechanism involving central and peripheral deletion of alloreactive T cells. These data suggest robust tolerance can be established without the need for bone marrow transplantation using clinically relevant non-myeloablative conditioning combined with antigen delivery by T cells.
Phonologically Delayed Children's Responses To Three Types of Pictured Stimuli

The purpose of this study was to examine 18 phonologically delayed children's (aged 6 years, 0 months to 7 years, 6 months) responses to three types of pictured stimuli (black and white line drawings, colored line drawings, and colored photographs). The size of pictures, coloration of the pictures, number of target items presented per card, surface or gloss of the pictures, and the number of items pictured on each card were similar across the three sets of stimuli. The only difference among the three sets of pictured stimuli was the method of pictorial representation. Results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between the number of correct identifications to black and white line drawings and the colored line drawings and colored photographs.
High Performance Computing Systems for Autonomous Spaceborne Missions

Future-generation space missions across the solar system to the planets, moons, asteroids, and comets may someday incorporate supercomputers both to expand the range of missions being conducted and to significantly reduce their cost. By performing science computation directly on the spacecraft itself, the amount of data required to be downlinked may be reduced by many orders of magnitude, thus greatly reducing the mass of the resources needed for communication while increasing the quality and quantity of the science achieved. By performing the mission planning in real time directly on the spacecraft, complex and highly responsive missions can be conducted out of range of direct human intervention, and the cost of mission management can be reduced. Through highly replicated computing structures, continued operation can be maintained in the presence of faults by means of graceful degradation. Two classes of systems, reflecting very different strategies of computer system architecture, are actively being pursued by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to take advantage of the opportunity of embedded high performance computing on spacecraft for deep-space missions. Commodity off-the-shelf (COTS) clusters may permit the direct application of commercial computing hardware in loosely coupled ensembles to benefit from the enormous investment of industry in mass-market components. New processor-in-memory (PIM) architectures combine multiple nodes on a single chip of processor-memory pairs exposing the full memory bandwidth. This paper examines the driving issues motivating the use of supercomputing for future deep-space missions and describes two active research projects at NASA JPL that are pursuing both the COTS and PIM strategies for next-generation spaceborne computing.
Runoff and dissolved organic carbon loss from a paired-watershed study of three adjacent agricultural Watersheds

Abstract Organic matter plays several important roles in the biogeochemistry of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems including the mobilization and transport of nutrients and pollutants. Cropping, tillage practices and vegetative buffer strip installation affect losses of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). While many studies show reductions in pollutant export from agroecosystems where vegetative buffers have been implemented, buffer strips may be a source of DOC and contribute to surface water pollution. Using a paired-watershed approach, the objectives of this study were to determine the effect of grass and agroforestry buffers on runoff and DOC loss, compare runoff and DOC losses between the growing and fallow seasons, and investigate crop effects on runoff and DOC losses. The study design consisted of three small agricultural Watersheds in a no-till, maize-soybean rotation located in the claypan region of northeast Missouri, USA; one watershed was planted with grass buffer strips, one with agroforestry buffer strips, and one unaltered watershed served as the control. Runoff and DOC loss were measured during a six-year calibration period (1991–1997) prior to buffer installation and for a nine-year treatment period (1997–2006). The grass buffer strips significantly decreased runoff by 8.4% (p = 0.015) during the treatment period while the agroforestry buffer system exhibited no significant change in runoff (p = 0.207). Loss of DOC was not significantly affected by grass or agroforestry buffer installation (p = 0.535 and p = 0.246, respectively). Additionally, no significant difference in runoff or DOC loss was found between crops (maize and soybean) or between seasons (growing and fallow). Overall, this study indicates that grass buffer systems are effective at reducing runoff and that DOC contamination of surface waters is not exacerbated by either type of vegetative buffer strip.
Degradation of HeLa cell chromatin by neocarzinostatin and its chromophore

Abstract Chromatin is the in vivo target site for neocarzinostatin, a DNA strand scission antitumor drug. The effect of neocarzinostatin and its active chromophore component on HeLa cell chromatin is described here. Chromatin consisting of a mixture of mono-, di-, tri- and larger nucleosome fragments is prepared by micrococcal nuclease digestion of HeLa cell nuclei. Drug-induced conversion of chromatin to smaller sized fragments is measured by electrophoresis of the DNA on non-denaturing 4% polyacrylamide gels. Chromatin breakdown measured under these conditions is double-stranded in nature. In the presence of 2 mM dithiothreitol, neocarzinostatin causes degradation of large chromatin fragments and a loss of distinct nucleosome peaks. Detection of chromatin breakdown by neocarzinostatin is dependent upon the concentration of chromatin in the assay. When chromatin is increased from 14 to 70 μg/ml, changes in the larger fragments caused by 100 μg/ml neocarzinostatin become less obvious and are almost undetectable at 140 μg/ml chromatin. No change is observed when chromatin is treated with either neocarzinostatin or its chromophore in the absence of dithiothreitol. For detectable levels of chromatin degradation, 10 μg/ml neocarzinostatin is required compared to only 2.5 μg/ml chromophore (expressed in μg equivalent neocarzinostatin). Such degradation also occurs more rapidly with chromophore than with neocarzinostatin. Digestion of chromatin with neocarzinostatin continues for at least 30 min at 37°C, while similar degradation caused by chromophore is complete in 1 min. Neocarzinostatin levels which actively degrade isolated chromatin can also effect release of soluble chromatin from intact nuclei. The released chromatin can serve as a substrate for micrococcal nuclease digestion. Such chromatin studies should prove useful in characterizing the mechanism of action of DNA reactive drugs such as neocarzinostatin.
Persistent Late Pleistocene-Holocene Seasonal Upwelling and Varves Off the Coast of California

Seasonal production of siliceous phytoplankton and a seasonal flux of terrigenous clastic material produced varved sediments along the continental slope off California during the late Pleistocene to mid-Holocene. Light-colored sediment within laminations and in sediment-trap samples was deposited during summer upwelling and contains an abundance of the diatoms Skeletonema costatum and Chaetoceros spp. resting spores. Dark-colored sediment deposited in the fall and winter contains abundant Thalassiosira pacifica, and has more terrigenous material. Distribution of diatoms in varves shows that seasonal upwelling has persisted along the California coast and has remained strongly seasonal since the late Pleistocene.
Synthesis of conformationally constrained 5,6,7, 8-Tetrahydroimidazo[1,5-a]pyridine inhibitors of farnesyltransferase.

Synthesis of the 8-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[1,5-a]pyridine ring system was accomplished by intramolecular cyclization of an iminium ion, derived from condensation of an amine and a substituted γ-(1-imidazolyl)butyraldehyde. The reaction was used to produce conformationally restricted farnesyltransferase inhibitor analogues which exhibit improved in vivo metabolic stability.
Augmented adaptive control of a wind turbine in the presence of structural modes

Wind turbines operate in highly turbulent environments resulting in aerodynamic loads that can easily excite turbine structural modes, potentially causing component fatigue and failure. Two key technology drivers for turbine manufacturers are increasing turbine up time and reducing maintenance costs. Since the trend in wind turbine design is towards larger, more flexible turbines with lower frequency structural modes, manufacturers will want to develop methods to operate in the presence of these modes. Accurate models of the dynamic characteristics of new wind turbines are often not available due to the complexity and expense of the modeling task, making wind turbines ideally suited to adaptive control. In this paper, we develop theory for adaptive control with rejection of disturbances in the presence of modes that inhibit the controller. We use this method to design an adaptive collective pitch controller for a high-fidelity simulation of a utility-scale, variable-speed wind turbine operating in Region 3. The objective of the adaptive pitch controller is to regulate generator speed, accommodate wind gusts, and reduce the interference of certain structural modes in feedback. The control objective is accomplished by collectively pitching the turbine blades. The adaptive pitch controller for Region 3 is compared in simulations with a baseline classical Proportional Integrator (PI) collective pitch controller.
Optimized method for the determination of phosphoarginine in abalone tissue by high-performance liquid chromatography

A rapid high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of phosphoarginine (PArg) in invertebrate tissue has been redeveloped and validated. The method employs a reversed-phase amino column and a KH2PO4-acetonitrile mobile phase. PArg peak identity was confirmed by comparison with a known standard and via enzymatic conversion. Additionally linear calibration data, low intra-assay variability (<4%), and a detection limit of 5 pmol were determined. The method was demonstrated using PArg extracted from red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) adductor muscle. Validation of the extraction procedure was also completed, including the measurement of a 100.2+/-0.9% extraction efficiency.
False-Positive Tangible Outcomes of Functional Analyses.

Functional analysis (FA) methodology is the most precise method for identifying variables that maintain problem behavior. Occasionally, however, results of an FA may be influenced by idiosyncratic sensitivity to aspects of the assessment conditions. For example, data from several studies suggest that inclusion of a tangible condition during an FA may be prone to a false-positive outcome, although the extent to which tangible reinforcement routinely produces such outcomes is unknown. We examined susceptibility to tangible reinforcement by determining whether a new response was acquired more readily when exposed to a tangible contingency relative to others commonly used in an FA (Study 1), and whether problem behavior known not to have a social function nevertheless emerged when exposed to tangible reinforcement (Study 2). Results indicated that inclusion of items in the tangible condition should be done with care and that selection should be based on those items typically found in the individual's environment.
Effects of end-of-life discussions on patients' affective outcomes.

Abstract The purpose of this article is to review affective outcomes of end-of-life discussions on patients and characteristics of end-of-life discussions. A systematic review was conducted. Published interventions, prospective studies, and surveys were retrieved from MEDLINE, PubMed, PsychINFO, CancerLit, CINAHL, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from January 1980 to December 2002, and the reference lists of the retrieved articles. Retrieved articles suggested that end-of-life discussions contributed to the increase of patient satisfaction and perceived benefits and satisfaction with the communication. Most end-of-life discussions occurred with relatively healthy elderly patients in outpatient setting and were 5 to 15 minute-long conversations initiated by physicians. The scope of discussions was limited to the completion of an advance directive and life-sustaining treatment options. No evidence of negative affective outcomes of end-of-life discussions in patients was found; however, very little research has been conducted. The effect of end-of-life discussions should be evaluated on the basis of patients' perspectives using standardized measures.
Runaway pulse generator malfunction resulting from undetected battery depletion.

VIJAYARAMAN, P., et al.: Runaway Pulse Generator Malfunction Resulting from Undetected Battery Depletion. Runaway pacemaker is an uncommon, potentially lethal circuit malfunction characterized by sudden onset of erratic pacing at rapid nonphysiological rates. Two patients with a single chamber pacemaker (Medtronic ST 8331 and 8419) presented with episodic dizziness. ECG revealed recurrent decrescendo amplitude episodes of runaway stimuli at 2,400 and 2,600 ppm, approximately 3 seconds in duration, separated by pacing at 62.5 and 65 ppm, respectively. Fortunately the runaway stimuli were subthreshold and did not result in capture of the ventricle. Emergency pulse generator replacement was uneventful. Both leads were normal and both pulse generators had low battery voltages at 1.488 and 1.78 V, respectively.
A randomized, masked study of weekly erythropoietin dosing in preterm infants

Objective To compare reticulocyte responses of once-per-week erythropoietin (EPO) dosing with 3-times-a-week dosing in preterm infants. Study design Infants weighing ≤1500 g and ≥7 days of age were randomized to once-per-week EPO, 1200 U/kg/dose, or 3-times-a-week EPO, 400 U/kg/dose, subcutaneously for 4 weeks, along with iron and vitamin supplementation. Complete blood counts, absolute reticulocyte counts (ARCs), transfusions, phlebotomy losses, and adverse events were recorded. Results Twenty preterm infants (962 ± 55 g, 27.9 ± 0.4 weeks, 17 ± 3 days of age) were enrolled. Groups were similar at baseline. Infants in both groups had increased ARCs, which were similar between treatment groups at the start and end of 4 weeks. Hematocrit remained stable, and similar numbers of transfusions were administered. No adverse effects of either dosing schedule were noted. Conclusions Preterm infants respond to weekly EPO by increasing ARCs and maintaining hematocrit. We speculate that once-per-week EPO dosing might be beneficial to preterm infants requiring increased erythropoiesis.
Population Structure and Genetic Diversity of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Strains Isolated from Localized Juvenile Periodontitis Patients

The phylogeny of 20 Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans strains isolated from patients with localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) was investigated by using partial sequence analysis of 16S rRNA genes, arbitrarily primed PCR (AP-PCR), and four additional PCR assays that amplified polymorphic regions in the leukotoxin (lkt), cytolethal distending toxin (cdt), major fimbrial subunit (flp-1), and serotype-specific O polysaccharide gene clusters. Our analysis also included four strains isolated from healthy subjects and nine reference strains. We found that A. actinomycetemcomitans strains comprised three major phylogenetic lineages. One lineage consisted of serotype b strains, a second lineage consisted of serotype c strains, and a third lineage consisted of serotype a, d, e, and f strains. 16S rRNA sequences within each lineage were highly conserved (<1% base substitutions), whereas sequences between lineages were exceptionally divergent (1.9 to 5.0% substitutions). Two strains exhibited 16S rRNA sequences that were even more distantly related to those of the three major lineages (2.7 to 6.7% substitutions), indicating that additional minor lineages or variants exist. The distribution of 16S rRNA sequences and lkt, cdt, flp-1, and AP-PCR genotypes was consistent with a clonal population structure, with little evidence of assortative recombination between strains of different serotypes. Strains from all three major lineages were recovered from LJP patients, suggesting that phylogenetically diverse strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans carry pathogenic potential.
Energy considerations in the magnetic (eddy-current) stimulation of tissues

The magnetic field energy and Joule heating required in a coil to induce an electric field pulse are calculated for different geometries of circular coils with rectangular cross section. For a fixed target distance away from the coil, the magnetic field energy takes on a broad minimum when the coil outer radius is between two and five times the target distance. Joule heating in the coil decreases as the radius of the coil increases. Increasing annular width results in a small reduction in field energy and coil Joule heating, and thin coils (small height) reduce the field energy but increase Joule heating. A reasonable compromise between efficiency and coil size results in a coil with an outer diameter that is twice the distance between the coil surface and the underlying tissue to be stimulated and height and annular width that are 0.2 and 0.6 that of the mean radius, respectively. The use of a pair of coplanar coils results in improved efficiency, but placing the coil perpendicular to the skin surface requires additional energy for stimulation. >
Forms of Capital: The Case of Russian Bankers:

Influenced by classical sociology, constructionist tradition and Pierre Bourdieu's writings, this article examines the capital of Russian bankers who are perceived as the prime movers of Russia's t...
Relative contribution of initial root and shoot morphology in predicting field performance of hardwood seedlings

Single and multiple linear regression techniques were used to explain the capacity of initial seedling root volume (Rv) and first-order lateral roots (FOLR) relative to shoot height, diameter, and fresh mass to serve as important indicators of stock quality and predictors of first- and second-year height and diameter on an afforestation site in southern Indiana, USA. This was accomplished for northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.), white oak (Quercus alba L.), and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh) seedlings graded into four Rv categories at establishment. Field survival was high (85–97%) for all species. Initial diameter, height, fresh mass, and Rv provided similar predictive ability of second-year field response for absolute height (R2 = 0.59–0.77) and diameter (R2 = 0.50–0.73) for both oak species. Initial seedling Rv was a better predictor of field response than FOLR for both oak species, though not for cherry. Multiple-variable models accounted for a greater proportion of the total variation in seedling field height and diameter than did single-variable equations. The high R2 (up to 0.95) of regression models suggests field performance of these species can be reliably predicted and confirms the importance of initial seedling morphology in dictating early plantation performance.
Actively regulating bioengineered tissue and organ formation

Structured Abstract Authors – Mooney DJ, Boontheekul T, Chen R, Leach K Objectives – Describe current and future approaches to tissue engineering, specifically in the area of bone regeneration. These approaches will allow one to actively regulate the cellular populations participating in this process. Design – Many approaches to actively regulate cellular phenotype are under exploration, and these typically exploit known signal transduction pathways via presentation of specific receptor-binding ligands, and may also deliver mechanical information via the physical bridge formed by the receptor-ligand interactions. Cellular gene expression may also be directly modulated utilizing gene therapy approaches to control tissue regeneration. Conclusions – Significant progress has been made to date in bone regeneration using inductive molecules and transplanted cells, and FDA approved therapies have resulted. While approaches to date have focused on delivery of single stimuli (e.g. one growth factor), future efforts will likely attempt to more closely mimic developmental processes by the delivery of multiple inputs to the cells in spatially and temporally regulated fashions.
Beliefs, Knowledge, and Self-Efficacy of Nursing Students Regarding Tobacco Cessation

Introduction Evidence-based clinical interventions for smoking cessation have proven to be effective in reducing smoking rates among patients who use tobacco. Ensuring that registered nurses (RNs) are knowledgeable and have the self-efficacy to provide such clinical interventions can contribute to declines in tobacco use among their patients who smoke. The aim of this study was to determine if baccalaureate nursing (BSN) students in Minnesota received training in the clinical treatment of tobacco dependence and to identify perceived barriers that may limit their ability to intervene with their patients. Methods Quantitative descriptive, with data collected in spring of 2007. The sample was 675 senior BSN students enrolled in ten Minnesota private and public institutions. The survey questionnaire included demographics, knowledge about tobacco treatment, personal tobacco-use history, beliefs about smoking, self-efficacy, and behavioral application of cessation intervention. Results BSN students generally reported that they were comfortable assessing tobacco use among their patients and referring tobacco users to cessation resources. Nursing students who considered themselves smokers (7.9%) and who reported using tobacco in the last 30 days but did not consider themselves smokers (17.5%) indicated more agreement regarding the positive aspects of smoking, and were less likely to view it as their professional responsibility to help smokers quit, than did non-smoking nursing students (74.6%). Conclusions Nursing students' personal smoking behaviors affected their beliefs about smoking and their view about the professional role in helping smokers quit. These findings have implications for undergraduate nursing programs regarding professional role socialization and education about clinical smoking cessation interventions.
Coronary Stents In Vitro Aspects of an Angiographic and Ultrasound Quantification With In Vivo Correlation

Background—The validity of quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) after stent placement has been questioned becausethe optical density of a metallic stent, added to the density of a contrast-filled lumen, could affect border definition.Methods and Results—We deployed 3.0- and 4.0-mm Palmaz-Schatz, Wiktor, Multilink, NIR, and InStent stents inprecision-cast phantoms. Central lumens of 2.0 mm were created. There was no difference between the “true” diametersof any stented lumen by both QCA and quantitative ultrasonic (QCU) measurement poststenting. QCA systematic error(SE) varied from 0.01 for the Wiktor stents to 0.14 mm for the Palmaz-Schatz stents; the random error (RE) was 0.03to 0.14 mm. QCU SE varied from 0.05 to 0.11 mm, and RE ranged from 0.01 to 0.07 mm. At the next stage, 4.0-mmWiktor and Palmaz-Schatz stents were deployed into the phantom lumens; 1.5-, 2.0-, 2.5- and 3.0-mm lumens werecreated inside the stents. QCA and QCU measurements of 1.5- to 2.5-mm residual lumens were overestimated by 0.1to 0.3 mm. In the 3.0-mm residual lumen within the Wiktor stent, QCA underestimated the luminal size by20.1 mm.There was no QCA inaccuracy for a 3.0-mm lumen within the Palmaz-Schatz stent. In patients, in 25 stented segmentsin both the Palmaz-Schatz and Wiktor groups, there was no difference between QCA and QCU diameters.Conclusions—QCU is sufficiently precise for the assessment of the coronary lumen after stenting. QCA can be used asan accurate method of poststent assessment, except when a very mild recurrence within a highly opaque stent ismeasured. In that instance, QCA may underestimate the luminal diameter. (Circulation. 1998;98:1495-1503.)Key Words: stents n angiography n ultrasonics
ROBOTSHARE: A GOOGLE FOR ROBOTS

Knowledge representation is a traditional field in artificial intelligence. Researchers have developed various ways to represent and share information among intelligent agents. Agents that share resources, data, information, and knowledge perform better than agents working alone. However, previous research has also revealed that sharing knowledge among a large number of entities in an open environment is a problem yet to be solved. Intelligent robots are designed and produced by different manufacturers. They have various physical attributes and employ different knowledge representations. Therefore, any nonstandard or non-widely-adopted technology is unsuitable for providing a satisfactory solution to the knowledge sharing problem. In this research, we pose robot knowledge sharing as an activity to be developed in an open environment — the World Wide Web. Just as search engines like Google provide enormous power for information exchange and sharing for humans, we believe that a searching mechanism designed for intelligent agents can provide a robust approach to sharing knowledge among robots. We have developed: (1) a knowledge representation for robots that allows Internet access, (2) a knowledge organization and search indexing engine, and (3) a query/reply mechanism between robots and the search engine.
Mitigating Cutaneous Sensation Differences During tDCS: Comparing Sham Versus Low Intensity Control Conditions

Background: Cutaneous sensations at electrode sites during the administration of direct current brain stimulation may inadvertently influence participants’ subjective experience and task performance. Objective: The present study evaluated the utility of a methodological variation that substitutes sham administration with very low intensity (0.5 mA) current delivery. Methods: We used a 4 � 1 high-definition ring electrode transcranial direct current (HD-tDCS) system to target the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (Brodmann’s Area 9). Four stimulation conditions were compared in a repeated-measures design: sham 2.0 mA and 0.5 mA intensity, versus active 2.0 mA and 0.5 mA intensity. During stimulation participants performed a cognitive interference task that activates the cingulo-frontal-parietal network, and periodically provided perceived sensation ratings. Results: We demonstrate that a relatively low intensity control condition attenuates otherwise large differences in perceived sensation between active and sham conditions. Critically, behavioral task differences maintained between the two active conditions. Conclusion: A low intensity control stimulation condition may prove a viable methodological alternative to conventional sham techniques used in repeated-measures designs, though important limitations are discussed.
A successful model of small bowel autotransplantation in the dog.

Experimental small bowel transplantation has continued to be a complex procedure with high mortality. We investigated the technical aspects of small bowel transplantation in an effort to define a procedure that would result in an improved survival rate. Three methods of graft harvesting were examined in a model of canine small bowel autotransplantation. Harvesting the graft by first flushing with room-temperature lactated Ringer's followed by iced lactated Ringer's resulted in the best preservation and subsequently the best survival rate (71%). Flushing with iced lactated Ringer's alone resulted in survival rates of 22 and 50% in two additional groups. We also investigated two methods of graft re anastomosis. Although either venous drainage regimen appears to be suitable, graft venous reanastomosis to the host portal vein resulted in a slightly higher postoperative weight than reanastomosis to the host inferior vena cava. A model of small bowel transplantation with a high long-term survival rate has been ...
Twin-Arginine Translocation System in Helicobacter pylori: TatC, but Not TatB, Is Essential for Viability

ABSTRACT The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) system, needed to transport folded proteins across biological membranes, has not been characterized in the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. Analysis of all H. pylori genome sequences available thus far reveals the presence of single copies of tatA , tatB , and tatC needed for the synthesis of a fully functional Tat system. Based on the presence of the twin-arginine hallmark in their signal sequence, only four H. pylori proteins appear to be Tat dependent: hydrogenase (HydA), catalase-associated protein (KapA), biotin sulfoxide reductase (BisC), and the ubiquinol cytochrome oxidoreductase Rieske protein (FbcF). In the present study, targeted mutations were aimed at tatA , tatB , tatC , or queA (downstream gene control). While double homologous recombination mutations in tatB and queA were easily obtained, attempts at disrupting tatA proved unsuccessful, while deletion of tatC led to partial mutants following single homologous recombination, with cells retaining a chromosomal copy of tatC . Double homologous recombination tatC mutants were obtained only when a plasmid-borne, isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG)-inducible copy of tatC was introduced prior to transformation. These conditional tatC mutants could grow only in the presence of IPTG, suggesting that tatC is essential in H. pylori. tatB and tatC mutants had lower hydrogenase and catalase activities than the wild-type strain did, and the ability of tatC mutants to colonize mouse stomachs was severely affected compared to the wild type. Chromosomal complementation of tatC mutants restored hydrogenase and catalase activities to wild-type levels, and additional expression of tatC in wild-type cells resulted in elevated Tat-dependent enzyme activities. Unexpectedly, the tat strains had cell envelope defects. IMPORTANCE This work reports the first characterization of the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) system in the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. While tatB mutants were easily obtained, only single-crossover partial tatC mutants or conditional tatC mutants could be generated, indicating that tatC is essential in H. pylori, a surprising finding given the fact that only four proteins are predicted to be translocated by the Tat system in this bacterium. The levels of activity of hydrogenase and catalase, two of the predicted Tat-dependent enzymes, were affected in these mutants. In addition, all tat mutants displayed cell envelope defects, and tatC mutants were deficient in mouse colonization.
Overview: how is alcohol metabolized by the body?

Alcohol is eliminated from the body by various metabolic mechanisms. The primary enzymes involved are aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), cytochrome P450 (CYP2E1), and catalase. Variations in the genes for these enzymes have been found to influence alcohol consumption, alcohol-related tissue damage, and alcohol dependence. The consequences of alcohol metabolism include oxygen deficits (i.e., hypoxia) in the liver; interaction between alcohol metabolism byproducts and other cell components, resulting in the formation of harmful compounds (i.e., adducts); formation of highly reactive oxygen-containing molecules (i.e., reactive oxygen species [ROS]) that can damage other cell components; changes in the ratio of NADH to NAD + (i.e., the cell’s redox state); tissue
Daring to Dream: Promoting Social and Economic Justice at Work

The promotion of justice in the workplace has been singled out as “unquestionably the major civil rights battleground of the 21st century” (Roberts, 1998, back cover). This article highlights changes since 1963. Illustrating the formidable challenges that organisations face and the substantial changes that organisations must make to achieve measurable results, two employment discrimination cases and two task force reports are described. To see what constructive steps organisations are taking to foster justice, the scholarly and applied literature is reviewed including stereotyping studies, performance appraisal experiments, analyses of court opinions of employment discrimination cases, and organisations’ diversity efforts. Inspired by psychologist B.F. Skinner (1978), a constructive, balanced, and long-term Justice Model is proposed putting organisations in the driver's seat. Although the progress to date has not been as far-reaching and long lasting as many had hoped, the suggested practices, particularly regarding the motivation of managers at all levels, hold the promise of realising Dr King's vision. La promotion de la justice sur le lieu de travail est incontestablement “le champ de bataille principal des droits civiques du 21eme siecle” (Roberts, 1998, quatrieme de couverture). Cet article souligne les changements intervenus depuis 1963 sur cette question. Illustrant les defis redoutables que les organisations doivent relever et les changements substantiels qu’elles doivent realiser pour obtenir des resultats decisifs, deux cas de discrimination a l’embauche et deux rapports d’un groupe de travail ont ete analyses. Pour etudier les etapes que les organisations franchissent pour favoriser la justice, la litterature fondamentale et appliquee a ete passee en revue, cet etat de la question inclut les etudes sur les stereotypes, les experiences sur l’evaluation d’execution, les analyses des avis de justice concernant des cas de discrimination a l’embauche et des diverses actions mises en place par les organisations. Inspire par le psychologue B.F. Skinner (1978), un Modele constructif, equilibre et a long terme de la justice a ete proposea des organisations. Bien que le progres n’ait pas jusqu’a present ete d’une aussi grande portee que prevu, les actions suggerees notamment celles concernant la motivation des responsables quel que soit leur niveau de responsabilite tendent a montrer que la vision du Dr King peut se realiser.
Option Pricing Model to Analyze Cost–Benefit Trade-Offs of ADR Investments in AEC Projects

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques are adopted by architecture, engineering, and construction project participants to help achieve reasonable settlement of claims and change orders (CCOs) that arise during a project’s life cycle without having to resort to protracted litigation for final determination of merit. Since such ADR techniques require resources to prepare, review, and resolve CCOs, the managerial decisions regarding the investments for these resources need to be economically justified. The application of the net present value approach to determine the value of any ADR investment is limited because the future cash flows resulting from such an investment cannot be estimated a priori as they will vary with the nature of the CCOs, the amounts claimed, and the effectiveness of the ADR in addressing these CCOs. This paper presents a conceptual and mathematical model to evaluate ADR investments by drawing an analogy from theories of financial and real option pricing. The objective is to pr...
An integral transform technique for analysis of planar dielectric structures

This paper presents a novel efficient technique for the study of planar dielectric waveguides for submillimeter-wave and optical applications. In an appropriate integral transform domain, which is determined by the Green's function of the substrate structure, higher-order boundary conditions are enforced in conjunction with Taylor expansions of the fields to derive an equivalent one-dimensional integral equation for the corresponding two-dimensional waveguide geometry. This reduction in the dimensionality of the boundary-value problem can easily be extended to three-dimensional planar structures, with equivalent two-dimensional integral equations being formulated. The reduced integral equations are solved numerically by invoking the method of moments, in which the transform-domain unknowns are expanded in a smooth localized entire-domain basis. It is demonstrated that using orthogonal Hermite-Gauss functions as an expansion basis provides very satisfactory results with only a few expansion terms. For the validation of the technique, single and coupled dielectric slab waveguides are treated. >
Sustainable Development in Public Administration: A Match With Practice?

Sustainability and sustainable development are concepts that are increasingly used in the field of public administration. In considering long-run planning, intergenerational equity, reduction of risk, and conservation of resources in administrative planning, sustainability may have a significant contributory role. This article traces the link between the principles of sustainable development and the tenets of public administration. In the application of broad-based sustainable development, it finds the reflection of efficiency, effectiveness, and citizen participation. By asking, Are the goals of sustainable development a match with public administration practice?, it finds that sustainable development may be applied to much of the work of the public sector, including to the provision of transportation, public housing, human services, and environmental protection. Finally, it suggests the unique contribution of sustainability to the field of public administration.
Heat shock proteins and cancer vaccines: developments in the past decade and chaperoning in the decade to come

Molecular chaperone-peptide complexes extracted from tumors (heat shock protein [HSP] vaccines) have been intensively studied in the preceding two decades, proving to be safe and effective in treating a number of malignant diseases. They offer personalized therapy and target a cross-section of antigens expressed in patients' tumors. Future advances may rely on understanding the molecular underpinnings of this approach to immunotherapy. One property common to HSP vaccines is the ability to stimulate antigen uptake by scavenger receptors on the antigen-presenting cell surface and trigger T-lymphocyte activation. HSPs can also induce signaling through Toll-Like receptors in a range of immune cells and this may mediate the effectiveness of vaccines.