cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perceived Acceptance and Social Isolation Among Recovering Homosexual Alcoholics

The purpose of the study was to identify variables which might be associated with perceived acceptance and social isolation among recovering homosexual alcoholics. Participants (N = 126) completed a questionnaire which included the Gay Perceived Acceptance and Social Isolation Scale (PASI). Data were analyzed utilizing stepwise multiple regression. This procedure resulted in the selection of four independent variables which, as a set, accounted for more than 50% of the variation in PASI scores. Three of the four terms related to sexuality. Results indicate that resolution of conflict concerning sexuality could lead to higher PASI scores and may increase the prospects of long-term recovery from alcoholism.
Correlation Between Bulk Morphology and Luminescence in Porous Silicon Investigated by Evaporation Induced Pore Collapse

We use a combination of scanning electron microscopy, laser scanning confocal microscopy and luminescence spectroscopy to correlate the emission properties of anodized porous silicon (PS) with film morphology in samples that have undergone evaporation induced collapse of the underlying porous structure. Several PS samples were investigated as a function of the current density (J) and total etch time, while the total charge (Q) injected per unit area (and the total Si removed) was kept constant during etching. From this data two classes of PS samples emerge. Porous silicon samples produced at high current density have a 3-dimensional pore network with a narrow distribution of blue-green emitting chromophores. In contrast, low current density samples form a 2-dimensional pore network normal to the Si substrate with larger chromophores and exhibit broad red luminescence.
Mass Spectrometric Fragmentation of Nitrophenylhydrazones

IN a recent communication1 Kleipool and Heins reported the principal mass spectral features of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones (DNP) of aliphatic aldehydes and ketones. Independent work in our laboratory2 utilizing the identical instrument (‘Atlas CH-4’) confirmed their results. Particularly noteworthy are the intense molecular ion peaks, which should lend themselves to the convenient characterization of the parent carbonyl compound especially when combined with the recently described3 “in situ regeneration” technique.
Purification of full-length VP22 from cells infected with HSV-1: A two-pronged approach for the solubilization and purification of viral proteins for use in biochemical studies

VP22, encoded by the UL49 gene, is one of the most abundant proteins of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) tegument and has been shown to be important for virus replication and spread. However, the exact role(s) played by VP22 in the HSV-1 replication cycle have yet to be delineated. The lack of a procedure to purify full-length VP22 has limited molecular studies on VP22 function. A procedure was developed for the purification of soluble, full-length VP22 from cells infected with HSV-1. A recombinant virus encoding His-tagged VP22 was generated and found to express VP22 at levels comparable to the wild type virus upon infection of Vero cells. By experimenting with a wide variety of cell lysis buffer conditions, several buffers that promote the solubility of full-length VP22 were identified. Buffers that gave the highest levels of solubility were then used in immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography experiments to identify conditions that provided the greatest level of VP22 binding and recovery from cobalt and nickel affinity resins. Using this strategy soluble, full-length VP22 was purified from cells infected with HSV-1.
Can't We Just Talk? Reputational Concerns and International Intervention in Sri Lanka and Indonesia (Aceh)

The international community has been increasingly interested in the ways by which external actors help end civil conflicts. This study compares and contrasts the conflicts in Sri Lanka and Indonesia (Aceh) in order to understand why international intervention has failed in Sri Lanka but has been successful in Aceh. In Sri Lanka, the intensely fractured nature of domestic politics has been one of the most significant obstacles to successful peace talks. Although international intervention has become necessary to overcome the trust barriers between the two parties, it is seen as a threat to national sovereignty and therefore rejected. In contrast, the democratization process in Indonesia created new opportunities for peace. The political will of principal actors and their receptivity to external assistance enabled a peace agreement in 2005. The findings of this study show that both domestic political consensus and a supportive international environment, which protect the reputational concerns of the negotiating state, are necessary for resolving protracted ethnonational conflicts.
Machine learning and interactive visualization applied to TB-sized images of stem cells

In order to characterize the growth and properties of stem cell colonies with high statistical significance, we address the problem of applying machine learning and interactive web visualizations to TB-sized images. Overcoming the computational challenges and designing advanced visualizations enabled knowledge discovery and quantitative analysis at unprecedented scales in cell microscopy.
The Signifcance of the Density of Transformer Oils

New evidence is presented to affirm the importance of density as a significant property of electrical insulating oils, under certain conditions; and to support the validity of literature references that claim that the density of ice can vary over a relatively wide range.
Calculation of probability of detection for log-normal target fluctuations

An accurate, simple, and reliable method for the computation of the probability of detection for a target whose radar cross section is constant within a scan but fluctuates log-normally scan-to-scan is presented. >
Critical procedural variables related to the physiological effects of progressive relaxation: a review.

Abstract Twenty-five investigations of the physiological effects of progressive relaxation training were classified according to whether relaxation was found to be superior or equivalent to control conditions. The two sets of studies differed significantly on number of training sessions and in the use of taped vs live administration of training, and they tended to differ in the use of normal vs patient samples. The likelihood of producing significant physiological reductions via progressive relaxation appears to be greater when multi-session, subject-controlled training is conducted with subjects for whom physiological activity contributes to a presenting. clinical problem.
Conditions for neighboring-group participation in displacement reactions of 5-O-sulfonyl-D-glucofuranose derivatives.

Abstract Sulfonate displacement reactions of 6-O-benzoyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-α- d -glucofuranose derivatives with acetate or chloride ions in acetic anhydride are shown to involve participation by the neighboring benzoyloxy group. Acetate displacement in N,N-dimethylformamide appears to occur by both this and the S n 2 mechanism, but, with sodium azide in hexamethylphosphoramide, only the S n 2 displacement product was formed. Benzylidenation of 1,2-O-isopropylidene-β- l -idofuranose gave the 3,5-O-benzylidene derivative, and the reaction of this acetal with N-bromosuccinimide gave exclusively 5-O-benzoyl-6-bromo-6-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β- l -idofuranose.
Aggregation of the Amphipathic Peptides (AAKA)n into Antiparallel β-Sheets

Helical wheel projections of peptides based on the repeating unit Ac-(AAKA)n-NH2 clearly illustrate an amphipathic nature. One should therefore expect these peptides to form helices if the number o...
Ethanol oxidation on metal oxide-supported platinum catalysts

Abstract Ethanol is a renewable fuel that can be used as an additive to gasoline (or its substitute) with the advantage of octane enhancement and reduced carbon monoxide exhaust emissions. However, on the standard three-way catalysts, the conversion of unburned ethanol is low because both ethanol and some of its partially oxidized derivatives are highly resistant to oxidation. A combination of first-principles density-functional theory (DFT)-based calculations and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS) analysis was applied to uncover some of the fundamental phenomena associated with ethanol oxidation on Pt-containing catalysts. In particular, the objective was to analyze the role of the oxide (i.e., γ-Al2O3 or SiO2) substrate on the ethanol oxidation activity. The results suggest that Pt nanoparticles trap and accumulate oxygen at their surface and perimeter sites and play the role of sites that burn ethanol molecules and their partially oxidized derivatives to the final products. The γ-Al2O3 surfaces provided higher mobility of the fragments of ethanol molecules than the SiO2 surface and hence increased the supply rate of these species to the Pt particles. This in turn produces a higher conversion rate of unburned ethanol.
Enduring links: Parents' expectations and their young adult children's gender-typed occupational choices

The goals of the current study were to examine (1) the relation between parents' gender-typed occupational expectations for their children at age 15 and their children's own reports of occupational expectations at age 17; (2) the long-term relations between parents' gender-typed occupational expectations for their children at age 17 and their children's actual occupation at age 28; and (3) the relation between job satisfaction and having a gender-traditional or nontraditional job. The results indicated that parents' gender-typed occupational expectations were significantly related to children's own expectations and to their actual career choices, and job satisfaction was significantly related to having a gender-typed career. These findings suggest that parents' early gender-typed expectations for their children's occupational achievements were highly related to the actual occupational decisions made by the adult children.
PEACE—a software backplane for parallel computing

Abstract peace is the parallel operating system developed for suprenum . Originally designed as object-based operating system relying on a microkernel, in the meantime an evolutionary change toward object orientation took place. Based on a kernel family, this new generation peace system was designed to act as ‘software backplane’ for parallel computing. The rationale for this metamorphosis is presented, reflecting lessons learned from the suprenum development. Basic concepts and structure of peace are shown, discussing the suitability for distributed memory parallel machines.
Nuclear reactions and screened-coulomb fusion rates

We discuss properties of nuclear reactions (branching ratios, reaction constants, etc.) between hydrogen isotopes from the standpoint of recent R-matrix calculation.. Using R-matrix theory to include nuclear effects at small distances, we then develop a general expression for fusion rates in complex systems that, in principle, allows a more complex interplay of the short-ranged (nuclear) and long-ranged (screened Coulomb) forces than does the familiar separable form. Calculations using the latest nuclear R-matrix information in this more correct formulation appear to agree with the separable approximation for screened Coulomb potentials of the Hulthen form, however. They indicate that fusion rates of the order of 10−24s−1 require unreasonably large electron densities if they are to result from screening in the lattice, and are more likely to arise from non-equilibrium processes producing particles with relative energies greater than 100 eV.
Oxidative stress from environmental pollutants

Recently progress has been made on O2 toxicity and pathology related to numerous environmental contaminants in insects. The pro-oxidants studied included: dioxin, paraquat, and an assorted array of quinones, 8-methoxypsorlen, arsenic, and mercury. The responses to these oxidants are diverse, but they arise from the reactive oxygen species. These pro-oxidants in insects cause lipid peroxidation, protein and enzyme oxidation, and GSH depletion. Potentially, they may also cause DNA oxidation, and form DNA adducts. Oxidative challenge is alleviated by antioxidant compounds, but more importantly by the induction of antioxidant enzymes, which are crucial for the termination of O2 radical cascade and lipid peroxidation chain reaction. Insects exhibit a wasting syndrome under sub-acute stress. In acute toxicity vital physiological processes impaired are hemolymph melanization and diuresis. Thus, insects resemble vertebrates in both the response to oxidative stress and its pathological consequences. These results raise the prospect that insects may serve as non-mammalian model species for monitoring the oxidative-stress component of environmental toxicity.
An experimental approach to driver evaluation using alcohol drinkers and marihuana smokers

An experimental procedure was used to evaluate the effects of marihuana smoking and various levels of blood alcohol upon several components of the driving task. To gain certain advantages of the epidemiological method in the experimental setting, subjects were recruited from bars and parties where they had been drinking alcoholic beverages or smoking marihuana in a manner and amount that was customary in the context. It was found that performance decrement increased with blood alcohol content, that differences in performance found under alcohol were in evidence among the same subjects in non-alcohol trials, that marihuana produced performance decrement but apparently to a much lesser degree than alcohol, and that experimenters could predict the motor performance of the drinking subjects by observation of their behavior just prior to the experimental run.
Microstructural characterization of interdendritic liquid channels

Abstract This paper describes an application of general stereological relationships to the measurement of size and shape of interdentritic liquid channels in a series of aluminum-rich AlCu alloys. The liquid is present in the quenched specimens as a two-phase mixture of AlCu eutectic. Quantitative image analysis was used to measure the mean size of the liquid channels and their tortuosity. These measurements were then employed to estimate the permeability of the mushy material.
Truncated post-Newtonian neutron star model

As a preliminary step towards simulating the binary neutron star coalescing problem, we test a post-Newtonian approach by constructing a single neutron star model. We expand the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkov equation of hydrostatic equilibrium by the power of ${c}^{\ensuremath{-}2},$ where c is the speed of light, and truncate at various orders. We solve the system using the polytropic equation of state with the index \ensuremath{\Gamma}=5/3, 2, and 3, and show how this approximation converges together with mass-radius relations. Next, we solve the Hamiltonian constraint equation with these density profiles as trial functions, and examine the differences in the final metric. We conclude that the second ``post-Newtonian'' approximation is close enough to describe a general relativistic single star. The result of this Brief Report will be useful for further binary studies.
Excitability changes in various types of visual cortical units in freely behaving cats

Abstract Maintained and evoked unit activity was studied in the visual cortex of chronic cats. Recording conditions were differentiated into the 3 states by behavioral and electrical signs: resting arousal (RA), light sleep (LS) and deep sleep (DS or REM). The first and largest group (44.3%) increased neural excitability in the sequence LS → RA → DS. For the second (20.3%) and third group (11.4%) it was RA → LS → DS and DS → RA → LS, respectively. The first had a wide range of discharge rates (0.1–30.0/sec) and the third discharged extremely slowly (
Perception and Selection of Information Sources by Undergraduate Students: Effects of Avoidant Style, Confidence, and Personal Control in Problem-Solving

Abstract A survey of undergraduate students examined how students’ beliefs about their problem-solving styles and abilities (including avoidant style, confidence, and personal control in problem-solving) influenced their perception and selection of sources, as reflected in (1) perceived characteristics of sources, (2) source characteristics considered important as selection criteria, and (3) frequency of source use. The findings can be helpful in designing bibliographic instruction and information literacy programs.
The calculation of reaction-velocity constants for enzyme reactions from the kinetics of the disappearance of enzyme-substrate compounds.

Abstract A mathematical approach has been developed which leads to a solution of the terminal kinetics of the catalase hydrogen peroxide complex and of the peroxidase complex. The first order ( k ) constant is given as a function of the rate constants and of the concentrations of enzyme ( e ) and donor ( a ). This functional relation shows not only that k 4 , the rate constant for the reaction of complex with donor, can be measured at high e and low a , but that with high e , k 1 , the rate constant for the combination of enzyme with substrate, can be measured at high a . The value k 1 = 0.8 × 10 7 M −1 × sec. −1 obtained in this manner compares favorably with values of 0.5–0.6 × 10 7 obtained by other methods. The formula further indicates that k is a more complicated function of k 2 than had previously been supposed, and suggests how k 2 may be properly measured. The analysis here presented justifies Chance's explanation of the nonlinearity of the k vs. a relation, namely, turnover of enzyme during decay of the complex. Thus there is no need for postulating a ternary complex on the basis of this nonlinearity.
Differences in Susceptibility to Iron Chlorosis of Grass Species grown on Blanket Peat

VARIETAL differences in nutrient assimilation and yield response have been reported for several plant species1,2. The role of iron in the nutrition of certain crop plants has received particular attention. Varieties of soyabean differed in their ability to absorb iron from their growth media, especially when available iron was low3. Similar differences are reported for maize varieties4.
Conflict-Carrying Capacity, Political Crisis, and Reconstruction A Framework for the Early Warning of Political System Vulnerability

The early warning of protracted political violence needs firm empirical footing in dynamic indicators of the political processes leading to political crises. This study provides a conceptual framework for the analysis of conflict-carrying capacity (or CCC) defined as the ability of political systems to regulate intense internal conflicts. CCC is indexed by the multiplicative interaction between the proportions of civil contention, state repression, and violence. The PANDA Project (1983-1994) is used to illustrate the usefulness of this CCC index in capturing system stability in an institutionalized democracy (the United States), a bureaucratic-authoritarian regime (Mexico), an institutionalized Communist regime (China), and a peaceful democratic transition (Poland). It provides early warning signals of civil war (Algeria, Sri Lanka) and moves toward political stability (Peru). Civil contention and state repression are not destabilizing per se. Rather it is the simultaneous combination of these with violen...
The contextual relevance effect on financial advertising

The contextual relevance effect is an important factor for the effectiveness of financial services advertising that corresponds to the message effects such as ad recall (RAD), perceived contextual relevance (PCR), message involvement (MI) and attitude towards the ad (AAD), created during the process. Thus, this study examines whether the contextual relevance effect increases RAD, PCR, MI and AAD. The results reveal that the contextual relevance effect increases RAD, PCR, MI and AAD. Moreover, MI mediates PCR on AAD. Implications based on the findings demonstrate the importance of contextual relevance as a metric for financial services advertising effectiveness.
In vitro susceptibility of the Bacteroides fragilis group in community hospitals.

Abstract The antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical isolates of the Bacteroides fragilis group was determined at six community hospitals (one large, >600 beds; and five smaller, 96–325 beds). Imipenem was the most active β-lactam with 100% of isolates being sensitive at 4 μg/ml. The percentage of isolates inhibited at 16 μg/ml (and 32 μg/ml) for the 7-alpha-methoxy antibiotics was: cefoxitin 66 (90); moxalactam 73 (85); cefotetan 68 (72); cefmetazole 40 (61). Metronidazole, chloramphenicol, and clindamycin were active against 100%, 100%, and 89% at breakpoints of 8 μg/ml, 8 μg/ml, and 4 μg/ml, respectively. The activity of several β-lactams in our report differed slightly from that reported from university teaching hospitals. There were differences at many of the breakpoints for activity of some of the β-lactam antibiotics for isolates from the large community hospital as compared with the combined isolates from the smaller community hospitals. Interestingly, the pattern was one of more resistance at the smaller community hospitals.
A NEW APPROACH TO ATTITUDE STABILITY AND CONTROL FOR LOW AIRSPEED VEHICLES

This paper describes an approach for controlling the attitude of statically unstable thrust-levitated vehicles in hover or slow translation. The large thrust vector that characterizes such vehicles can be modulated to provide control forces and moments to the airframe, but such modulation is accompanied by significant unsteady flow effects. These effects are difficult to model, and can compromise the practical value of thrust vectoring in closed-loop attitude stability, even if the thrust vectoring machinery has sufficient bandwidth for stabilization. The stabilization approach described in this paper is based on using internal angular momentum transfer devices for stability, augmented by thrust vectoring for trim and other "outer loop" control functions. The three main components of this approach are: (1) a z-body axis angular momentum bias enhances static attitude stability, reducing the amount of control activity needed for stabilization, (2) optionally, gimbaled reaction wheels provide high-bandwidth control torques for additional stabilization, or agility, and (3) the resulting strongly coupled system dynamics are controlled by a multivariable controller. A flight test vehicle is described, and nonlinear simulation results are provided that demonstrate the efficiency of the approach.
Low temperature performance of COTS electronic components for Martian surface applications

Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components were tested over the Martian temperature range for their use in a Mars proximity microtransceiver development project. These COTS components include off-chip IF filters, off-chip TCXOs, and on-chip components such as MOSFETS, resistors and capacitors. The on-chip components are from a rad-hard silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) IC process. Novel methods were developed to reliably measure component characteristics at cryogenic temperatures. Measurements were then taken from 25/spl deg/C to -120/spl deg/C in steps of 20/spl deg/C. The results achieved look promising and provide useful information for analog circuit designers developing circuitry for extreme low temperature ranges.
Pharmacokinetics of Meropenem in Animals, Healthy Volunteers, and Patients

Meropenem is a carbapenem antibiotic that appears to be widely distributed in tissues and is eliminated by both excretion and metabolism. Approximately 70% of meropenem is excreted via the kidneys, thus dosage adjustments are required for patients with renal impairment. The pharmacokinetic parameters for meropenem are similar to those for imipenem/cilastatin, with the exception of meropenem's smaller volume of distribution. The urinary recovery of meropenem is as high as that of imipenem in combination with cilastatin, an inhibitor of renal dehydropeptidase. Therefore, unlike imipenem, meropenem can be used without dehydropeptidase inhibitors to obtain a consistently high concentration in the urine without nephrotoxic effects.
Forming-free nitrogen-doped AlO X RRAM with sub-μA programming current

Nitrogen-doped AlO X Resistive RAM has been integrated on CMOS. The memory cell requires no forming, and sub-μA programming currents. The cell is capable of multi-bit storage, reliable for over 105 switching cycles and 10 years retention at 125°C.
Factors associated with patient satisfaction.

Purpose This investigation tested the null hypothesis that psychological factors have no effect on patient satisfaction in a hand and upper limb practice. Methods The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire were administered to 248 new patients presenting to a hand and upper limb practice. After the appointment, the treating physician was asked to rate the patient's uneasiness with his or her symptoms. The Consumer Assessment of Health Care Providers and Systems questionnaire was mailed to patients 2 weeks after their visit. A total of 178 patients returned this questionnaire. Results There were small but significant correlations between (1) depression and perception of how well the doctor (a) listens carefully, (b) gives easy-to-understand instructions, and (c) spends enough time; (2) pain catastrophizing and the degree to which doctor gives enough information about a procedure; and (3) the doctor's perception of inordinate patient concern and (a) the impression that the doctor gives easy-to-understand explanations, (b) the impression that the doctor listens carefully, (c) the impression that the doctor gives enough information about surgical procedures, and (d) the patient's overall rating of the doctor. In multivariable models, the doctor's perception of disproportionate uneasiness was the only significant predictor of "doctor gave enough information" and "doctor listened carefully." Conclusions In this study, the provider's sense that the patient was disproportionately uneasy with his or her symptoms was the only significant predictor of patient satisfaction, and this accounted for a small percentage of the variance in responses to these items. Patient satisfaction is complex, and the divide between medical advice and a patient's expectations are not easily reduced to one or more disease-specific or patient-specific factors. Type of study/level of evidence Prognostic II.
Balancing safety and efficacy in the treatment of pediatric asthma

Abstract The treatment of pediatric asthma requires balancing the efficacy and safety of various asthma medications, facilitating patient and family education, and developing a supportive treatment network. The efficacy and safety of the major asthma controllers—cromolyn, long-acting β 2 -agonists, inhaled corticosteroids, and leukotriene receptor antagonists—are well tolerated overall when used appropriately. Cromolyn is used often as first-line therapy in treating pediatric asthma, but the inhaled corticosteroids remain the cornerstone of pediatric asthma control. Long-acting β 2 -agonists are most beneficial when used intermittently or in combination with other asthma medications. The most recent class of drugs, the leukotriene receptor antagonists are effective in controlling asthma and are well tolerated in children as young as 2 years of age. In moderate-to-severe pediatric asthma, combination therapy is often required to achieve optimal asthma control. Leukotriene receptor antagonists combined with inhaled corticosteroids reduce the need for steroid rescue, the rate of serious exacerbations, and the level of inflammation. The treatment of asthma requires the ability to diagnose and treat asthma effectively. In subpopulations with special needs such as very young or inner-city minority children, treating asthma requires a comprehensive approach that includes a supportive patientphysician relationship and the involvement of schools, churches, and neighborhood outreach programs that will identify children with asthma and promote quality care. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2002;109:S560-6.)
Incidence of water-soaking and phospholipid catabolism in ripe watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) fruit: induction by ethylene and prophylactic effects of 1-methylcyclopropene

Abstract Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb. Matsum and Nakai) fruits were held in 50 μl l−1 ethylene at 20 °C following an 18-h exposure to 5 μl l−1 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) to investigate the involvement of ethylene perception in the regulation of placental tissue water-soaking through phospholipase-mediated phospholipid (PL) degradation. Water-soaking was accompanied by increase in phospholipases C (PLC, EC 3.1.4.3) and D (PLD, EC 3.1.4.4), and lipoxygenase (LOX, EC 1.13.11.12) activities, decreases in phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylinositol (PI), and increases in phosphatidic acid (PA). These changes were evident within 2 days of ethylene exposure, coincident with accelerated softening, increased electrolyte leakage and extractable juice, and appearance of water-soaking. Air-stored fruits did not exhibit water-soaking, and the activities of lipid-degrading enzymes and PL levels remained constant throughout the 8-day storage period. Treatment of fruit with 5 μl l−1 1-MCP prior to ethylene exposure reduced ethylene-induced increases in the activities of lipid-degrading enzymes, and PL degradation, and completely prevented water-soaking and the attendant increases in electrolyte leakage and extractable juice. The results demonstrated that water-soaking in watermelon fruit requires competent ethylene responsiveness and is associated with ethylene-inducible PL degradation. This represents the first report wherein 1-MCP imparts to a fully ripe fruit complete protection against deleterious effects of exogenous ethylene. Watermelon fruit maintained under simulated commercial storage conditions (up to 3 weeks at 13 °C ) without exposure to exogenously provided ethylene also benefited significantly from prior exposure to 1-MCP.
Intense Ion Ring Acceleration in a Flux Compressing Liner

Circular accelerators based upon increasing magnetic flux comprise one of the oldest classes of machines, the Betatron being a prime example. We have found that intense, charged neutralized ion rings can be accelerated to interesting energies by imploding a conducting liner on the field/ring configuration. Because the ring radius is not fixed, we find that the energy scaling varies from linear in the field (p2? ? BZ) at low energies to square root scaling (? ? B?Z) at relataivistic energies. Simple modeling has confirmed many of the characteristics we have seen in 2?-D fully electromagnetic particle simulations.
Clonal Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus by Multilocus Restriction Fragment Typing, a Rapid Screening Approach for Molecular Epidemiology

We have developed a rapid and simplified approach for the strain characterization of Staphylococcus aureus on the basis of multilocus sequence typing (MLST) in which sequence variations in the MLST housekeeping gene loci are detected by restriction fragment pattern analysis rather than sequencing; we refer to this approach as multilocus restriction fragment typing (MLRFT). Briefly, MLRFT for S. aureus involves the PCR amplification of each of the seven MLST housekeeping gene loci by using the same primer pairs used in MLST. The amplicons are then digested directly with one or two restriction enzymes and the restriction fragments are resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis. Projection from published MLST data shows that MLRFT captures about 95% of the genetic diversity detected by MLST. The MLRFT approach was validated with a set of 59 methicillin-susceptible and 44 methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates from community-acquired and nosocomial sources which had previously been characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). MLRFT resolved the 103 isolates into 15 restriction fragment types, giving a discrimination index of 89.0%. Clonal groupings established by MLRFT correlated well with those established by PFGE. In short, MLRFT provides a convenient alternative to MLST and PFGE because it requires minimal laboratory facilities and is relatively simple and inexpensive to perform.
Lakota Undergraduates as Partners in Aging Research in American Indian Communities

Studies have established the beneficial role of engaging students in research at both the graduate and undergraduate level. Authentic research experiences serve as a tool for instruction where students are actively involved in the process of discovery, the scientific method, and advancing existing fields with scientific data. Further, students report that they enjoy such experiences, making them more likely to pursue and maintain active careers in the sciences. Engaging minority students as active partners in faculty research not only involves them in the scientific process, but also enables others to gain access to minority participants in a culturally-appropriate manner. This paper focuses on the mutually beneficial role of American Indian students as active partners in faculty research on aging, where they played a vital role in the development and completion of the project. The benefits for the students included high retention rates for a typically at-risk group of college students, a mentoring relati...
Toward responsible stock enhancement: broadcast spawning dynamics and adaptive genetic management in white seabass aquaculture.

The evolutionary effects captive-bred individuals that can have on wild conspecifics are necessary considerations for stock enhancement programs, but breeding protocols are often developed without the knowledge of realized reproductive behavior. To help fill that gap, parentage was assigned to offspring produced by a freely mating group of 50 white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis), a representative broadcast spawning marine finfish cultured for conservation. Similar to the well-known and closely related red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), A. nobilis exhibited large variation in reproductive success. More males contributed and contributed more equally than females within and among spawns in a mating system best described as lottery polygyny. Two females produced 27% of the seasonal offspring pool and female breeding effective size averaged 1.85 per spawn and 12.38 seasonally, whereas male breeding effective size was higher (6.42 and 20.87, respectively), with every male contributing 1–7% of offspring. Further, females batch spawned every 1–5 weeks, while males displayed continuous reproductive readiness. Sex-specific mating strategies resulted in multiple successful mate pairings and a breeding effective to census size ratio of ≥0.62. Understanding a depleted species’ mating system allowed management to more effectively utilize parental genetic variability for culture, but the fitness consequences of long-term stocking can be difficult to address.
Analysis of two new stereo algorithms

The authors present two algorithms for stereo matching that make use of simultaneous matching and surface reconstruction. By integrating matching and reconstruction, which are traditionally separated temporally, the algorithms can make use of the current surface approximation to help disambiguate the remaining matches. The result is a consistent smoothness assumption in both matching and surface reconstruction. The two methods differ in the surfaces reconstructed; one uses world surfaces and the other disparity surfaces. The authors present an initial experimental analysis of each algorithm and discuss the limitations of the approach and future work. >
Responsible Leadership and Stakeholder Management: Influence Pathways and Organizational Outcomes

The construct of responsible leadership has gained considerable traction in contemporary management scholarship. Yet defining and operationalizing how responsible leadership manifests in organizational outcomes has posed challenges. In this paper, we draw from stakeholder theory to offer a more fully formed view of how responsible leadership influences organizational processes and outcomes. We provide descriptions of two distinct pathways through which leaders and their organizations exhibit and project their responsible leadership behaviors and actions: psychological and knowledge-based. We suggest that these two pathways constitute process mechanisms that advance and disseminate specific signals and messages and, ultimately, actions and outcomes. We provide brief illustrations of three companies and their leaders to underscore the potential of our framework. We conclude with implications for research and practice.
Biological pest control: Needs and opportunities

The extent to which pests should be managed by biological versus chemical methods has been a burning public policy issue since about 1950. A thorough policy analysis is needed to facilitate movement beyond the status quo. Such analysis should: a) review the extent of adoption of ecologically selective methods of pest control that have emerged from the last three decades of research, b) examine changes in policies, legislation and institutional arrangements that would foster more rapid and widespread adoption of environmentally benign pest controls, c) assess the role of biological controls in facilitating survival of farms during periods of economic adversity and in increasing the competitiveness of American agriculture, d) evaluate opportunities to use ecologically selective pest controls to improve water quality, to reduce environmental impacts of pests and of farming practices, and to preserve the usefulness of pest-resistant crop cultivars and pesticides, and e) identify options and mechanisms to further increase the flow of private and public resources into biocontrol research, development and implementation. A committee of highly accomplished and respected citizens needs to be formed to conduct a thorough analysis of the above and other issues related to the long-term economic viability of farming and to the development and widespread adoption of agricultural practices that will conserve and improve the resource base, and that are devoid of negative impacts on the environment and public health.
Results of a Minimally Invasive Surgical Pulmonary Vein Isolation and Ganglionic Plexi Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Single Center Experience with 12-Month Follow-up.

Background— The Cox Maze procedure for treatment of medically refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) is limited by its complexity and requirement for cardiopulmonary bypass. Long-term follow-up and success using criteria established by the Heart Rhythm Society/European Heart Rhythm Association/European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society consensus statement have not been reported for surgical AF ablation. We describe the results of using a thorascopic approach and radiofrequency energy to perform bilateral pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial ganglionic plexi ablation for treatment of AF. Methods and Results— Forty-five (33 paroxysmal; 12 persistent) consecutive patients underwent thorascopic bilateral radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation, ganglionic plexi ablation, ligament of Marshall ablation, and left atrial appendage exclusion by a single surgeon. Forty-three patients were prospectively followed without antiarrhythmic drugs for a minimum of 1 year with a 30-day continuous event monitor or pacemaker interrogation at 6 and 12 months. Failure was defined as any atrial tachyarrhythmia of >30 seconds’ duration occurring >90 days after surgery. Mean follow-up was 516±181 days (202 to 858 days). Twenty-eight (65%) patients had no atrial tachyarrhythmia >30 seconds by 1 year, and 15 (35%) patients had atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrences by 1 year. Eight of 15 patients with recurrent AF had catheter ablation resulting in elimination and/or reduction of AF episodes in 7 of 8 patients. Four of 15 patients had AF elimination or reduction with antiarrhythmic drugs alone. Three patients did not benefit from surgery and received rate control only. There were no deaths; 1 phrenic nerve injury and 2 pleural effusions were the only major complications. Conclusions— The single procedure success at 1-year follow-up for surgical pulmonary vein isolation and ganglionic plexi ablation is 65%. Atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrences after surgery are usually responsive to catheter ablation and/or antiarrhythmic drugs. Received February 2, 2009; accepted May 29, 2009. # CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE {#article-title-2}
Social Relations, Coping, and Psychological Distress Among Persons With HIV/AIDS1

The interrelationships among social support, coping style, and psychological distress were examined using longitudinal data from a sample of 212 persons with HIVIAIDS. Structural equation modeling analyses showed significant indirect effects on psychological distress for avoidant coping, feeling loved and understood, satisfaction with support, re,jection by family members, discrimination because of HIV status, and number of AIDS symptoms. The inclusion of negative social interactions in the model is an important extension of the stress-support literature. Feeling loved and understood mediated the relationship between social support and coping style choice. Results highlight the multidimensional nature of the processes that shape psychological outcomes in HIV disease. and suggest several potential points of intervention, including social-support efforts that increase the sense that one matters to others, and interventions to assist patients to move from avoidant to active coping strategies.
X‐Ray Fluorescence for Coating Thickness Measurement

The X‐Ray fluorescence method of coating thickness measurement of ISO 3497, BS 5411 (A), DIN 50987, and ASTM B568–79 is discussed from a practical point of view. A brief illustration of the method's technical principles, advantages, applications, and example instrumentation is given together with some of the precautions to be taken.
Composition of metabolic flux distributions by functionally interpretable minimal flux modes (MinModes).

All cellular functions are ultimately linked to the metabolism which constitutes a highly branched network of thousands of enzyme-catalyzed chemical reactions and carrier-mediated transport processes. Depending on the prevailing functions (e.g. detoxification of a toxin or accumulation of biomass) the distribution of fluxes in the metabolic network may vary considerably. To better reveal and quantify this flux-function relationship we propose a novel computational approach which identifies distinct contributions — so called minimal flux modes (short: MinModes) — to a stationary flux distribution in the network. Each of these contributions is characterized by a single metabolic output. A MinMode is a minimal (according to a defined cost function) steady state flux distribution that enables the production of a single metabolite. We apply this concept to a metabolic network of Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 comprising of 95 reactions and 74 metabolites, 17 of these metabolites entering the biomass of the bacterium and are thus considered as the metabolic output of the network. MinModes represent a manageable set of fundamental flux modes in the network having a clear physiological meaning and — although not representing a basis in strict mathematical sense — provide a satisfactory approximation of the overall flux distribution in cases tested so far.
Functional analysis of gene duplications in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Gene duplication can occur on two scales: whole-genome duplications (WGD) and smaller-scale duplications (SSD) involving individual genes or genomic segments. Duplication may result in functionally redundant genes or diverge in function through neofunctionalization or subfunctionalization. The effect of duplication scale on functional evolution has not yet been explored, probably due to the lack of global knowledge of protein function and different times of duplication events. To address this question, we used integrated Bayesian analysis of diverse functional genomic data to accurately evaluate the extent of functional similarity and divergence between paralogs on a global scale. We found that paralogs resulting from the whole-genome duplication are more likely to share interaction partners and biological functions than smaller-scale duplicates, independent of sequence similarity. In addition, WGD paralogs show lower frequency of essential genes and higher synthetic lethality rate, but instead diverge more in expression pattern and upstream regulatory region. Thus, our analysis demonstrates that WGD paralogs generally have similar compensatory functions but diverging expression patterns, suggesting a potential of distinct evolutionary scenarios for paralogs that arose through different duplication mechanisms. Furthermore, by identifying these functional disparities between the two types of duplicates, we reconcile previous disputes on the relationship between sequence divergence and expression divergence or essentiality.
Electron Microscopy of Defects in Epitaxical β‐SiC Thin Films Grown on Silicon and Carbon {0001} Faces of α‐SiC Substrates

Defects present in β-SiC thin films epitaxically grown on hexagonal 6Hα-SiC substrates via chemical vapor deposition have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy. These defects are different from those previously observed in β-SiC films grown on (100) silicon, which were predominantly stacking faults and microtwins. The most common defects in the films grown on α-SiC were large domains rotated 60° with respect to each other and were identified as double positioning boundaries. These boundaries are a special type of incoherent twin boundary. Differences observed in films grown on either the silicon or carbon face of the {0001}α-SiC are characterized as a function of the mechanism of formation of the defects and type of substrate used for growth.
An Inertial Theory of the Equatorial Undercurrent

Abstract An inertial nonlinear model of the equatorial undercurrent is presented. The model is a simple two-layer model whose lower layer represents the undercurrent. The flow in the lower layer preserves potential vorticity and Bernoulli function. The former includes the relative vorticity f the current and the latter includes the current's kinetic energy. The required relation between the potential vorticity and the Bernoulli function is determined by matching the solution far from the equator with the ventilated thermocline theory of Luyten et al. The model describes an eastward-accelerating undercurrent fed by a general wedge-shaped meridional circulation pattern. The general character of the meridional and zonal flow, as well as the magnitudes of the undercurrent velocity, the current width and thermocline depth agree reasonably well with observations.
Ibrutinib-induced pneumonitis in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

To the editor: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder partly dependent on the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway. The novel BCR signal transduction inhibitor ibrutinib has emerged as an effective therapeutic agent for CLL.[1][1] Ibrutinib covalently binds