cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Korelasi Interactive Marketing Dan Personal Selling Terhadap Loyalitas Pelanggan

ABSTRAK Mempertahankan loyalitas pelanggan sekarang ini sangatlah sulit. Setiap tahun rata-rata perusahaan kehilangan 20-40 persen pelanggan karena perusahaan menyediakan pengalaman tidak sesuai dengan harapan pelanggan. Pemanfaatan Teknologi Informasi (IT) terutama dalam teknologi internet menciptakan pelanggan yang lebih banyak menuntut dan mengharapkan suatu nilai. JNE merupakan perusahaan jasa yang serius mengelola hubungannya dengan pelanggan. JNE memfokuskan pada sistem teknologi informasi terintegrasi (My-Orion) sebagai media interactive marketing dan sistem keagenan sebagai media personal selling . Pencapaian JNE terlihat dengan diapresiasinya menjadi salah satu nominasi dalam pengukuran suatu keberhasilan sebuah perusahaan dalam kategori website jasa kurir digital marketing . Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menentukan korelasi interactive marketing dan personal selling terhadap loyalitas pelanggan JNE. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode penelitian explanatory survey . Metode pengambilan sampel dilakukan secara acak sederhana ( simple random sampling ) dan penentuan jumlah sampel dihitung menggunakan rumus Slovin. Analisis data menggunakan analisis jalur berdasarkan pendekatan SPSS. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa interactive marketing , personal selling , dan loyalitas pelanggan saling berhubungan positif dan signifikan. Interactive marketing memiliki pengaruh langsung secara langsung secara positif dan signifikan terhadap loyalitas pelanggan. Personal selling memiliki pengaruh langsung secara langsung secara positif dan signifikan terhadap loyalitas pelanggan. Kata kunci : Interactive Marketing, Personal Selling, Loyalitas Pelanggan. ABSTRACT Maintaining customer loyalty has been is very difficult now a days. Every year,most of companies lose about 20-0 percent of customer because the companies gives unexpected experiences to customers. The usage of Information Technology, mainly internet, has made customers require more and expert value.JNE is a service company which seriously manages its relationwith customers. JNE focuses on integrated information technology system (My-Orion) as an interactive marketing media and agency system as a personal selling media. JNE’s goal is seen by being appreciated and nominated in measuringa success of a company in digital marketing courir service category. The arm of this research is to determine the correlation of interactive marketing and personal selling towards JNE customers loyalty. The method used in this research was explanatory survey. The method of sample collecting was simple random sampling and the numbers of sample was determined using Slovin. Data analysis used path analysis based on SPSS approach. The research result showed that interactie marketing, personal selling, and customer loyalt had positive and significant relation. Interactive marketing had direct impact positively and significant towards customers loyalty. Personal selling had direct impact positively ang significant towards customer loyalty. Keywords : Interactive Marketing, Personal Selling, Customer Loyalty.
Investigating the Adult Ixodid Tick Populations and Their Associated Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia Bacteria at a Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Hotspot in Western Tennessee

Ehrlichiosis and rickettsiosis are two common bacterial tick-borne diseases in the southeastern United States. Ehrlichiosis is caused by ehrlichiae transmitted by Amblyomma americanum and rickettsiosis is caused by rickettsiae transmitted by Amblyomma maculatum and Dermacentor variabilis. These ticks are common and have overlapping distributions in the region. The objective of this study was to identify Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia species associated with questing ticks in a Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) hotspot, and identify habitats, time periods, and collection methods for collecting questing-infected ticks. Using vegetation drags and CO2-baited traps, ticks were collected six times (May-September 2012) from 100 sites (upland deciduous, bottomland deciduous, grassland, and coniferous habitats) in western Tennessee. Adult collections were screened for Anaplasma and Ehrlichia (simultaneous polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) and Rickettsia using genus-specific PCRs, and resulting positive amplicons were sequenced. Anaplasma and Ehrlichia were only identified within A. americanum (Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Panola Mountain Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma odocoilei sp. nov.); more Ehrlichia-infected A. americanum were collected at the end of June regardless of habitat and collection method. Rickettsia was identified in three tick species; "Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii" from A. americanum, R. parkeri and R. andeanae from A. maculatum, and R. montanensis ( = montana) from D. variabilis. Overall, significantly more Rickettsia-infected ticks were identified as A. americanum and A. maculatum compared to D. variabilis; more infected-ticks were collected from sites May-July and with dragging. In this study, we report in the Tennessee RMSF hotspot the following: (1) Anaplasma and Ehrlichia are only found in A. americanum, (2) each tick species has its own Rickettsia species, (3) a majority of questing-infected ticks are collected May-July, (4) A. americanum and A. maculatum harbor pathogenic bacteria in western Tennessee, and (5) R. rickettsii remains unidentified.
Charm and Strange Particle Production in Neutrino Interactions

Ten strange particles have been observed in a total of 1086 charged current neutrino interactions obtained in the analysis of 482,000 pictures taken in the Brookhaven Cryogenic 7′ Bubble Chamber filled with hydrogen and deuterium. Details of these events are presented together with rates for associated strange particle and ΔS = ± ΔQ production in neutrino interactions.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder: new directions for implantable medical device security

A fundamental tension exists between safety in the common case and security under adversarial conditions for wireless implantable medical devices. We propose a class of new, fail-open defensive techniques for implantable medical devices that attempt to strike a balance between these two goals. We refer to these defensive techniques as Communication Cloakers. Cloakers are externally worn devices, much like computational Medical Alert bracelets. Cloakers protect the security of an IMD when worn, but allow for open access during emergencies if removed.
Hooked on Hooks? A Study in the Utilization of Skin Hooks.

Background The skin hook is a valuable instrument used in the practice of dermatologic surgery. However, because of numerous factors, the degree of its use varies extensively. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine practice trends among dermatologic surgeons regarding the use of skin hooks, as well as analyze factors influencing their use. Methods A survey comprising 14 questions was distributed to members of the American College of Mohs Surgery and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Results were recorded, and statistical analysis was conducted using the 2-sample z-test to compare 2 population proportions. Results Five hundred seventy-one responses were received, with comments. 85.1% of respondents reported using skin hooks. Their use was further characterized as minimal (20.7%), moderate (29.0%), and extensive (35.4%). The utilization of skin hooks was additionally categorized based on age, gender, fellowship training, number of years in practice, practice setting, and history of experience/observance of a sharps exposure. Only the presence or absence of fellowship training demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the use of skin hooks. Conclusion Skin hooks are highly used tools among dermatologic surgeons. Their use requires appropriate training and experience, and care must be taken to minimize risk of exposure.
Intercalated rare-earth metals under graphene on SiC

Abstract Intercalation of rare earth metals (RE = Eu, Dy, and Gd) is achieved by depositing the RE metal on graphene that is grown on silicon-carbide (SiC) and by subsequent annealing at high temperatures to promote intercalation. STM images of the films reveal that the graphene layer is defect free and that each of the intercalated metals has a distinct nucleation pattern. Intercalated Eu forms nano-clusters that are situated on the vertices of a Moire pattern, while Dy and Gd form randomly distributed nano-clusters. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) measurements of intercalated films reveal the magnetic properties of these REs nano-clusters. Furthermore, field dependence and temperature dependence of the magnetic moments extracted from the XMCD show paramagnetic-like behaviors with moments that are generally smaller than those predicted by the Brillouin function. XMCD measurements of RE-oxides compared with those of the intercalated REs under graphene after exposure to air for months indicate that the graphene membranes protect these intercalants against oxidation.
In the trenches: Making your work meetings a success

Abstract Managing meetings effectively is vital in the fast-paced, complex environment of the modern workplace. However, direct scholarly attention to work meetings is still limited, making an understanding of what makes meetings successful elusive. In this article, we examine the particulars of successful and unsuccessful meetings from a participant’s perspective. Employing a conceptual mapping approach, we analyze open-ended statements collected from meeting participants to identify three broad themes associated with meeting success: (1) participant learning and development; (2) the coordination of performance, including the creation of links between meeting episodes; (3) and the development of common understanding and alignment among attendees. By more fully taking these themes into account, managers can be better equipped to design, organize, and manage their work meetings successfully.
How Do Tourist Guides Add Value to An Ecotour? Interpreting Interpretation in the State of Amazonas, Brazil

In Ecotourism, interpretation by a guide creates or shapes the experience for the tourist, differentiating one episode from another. As such, the guide S interpretation adds value to the tourism product and contributes to the visitor S experience. This paper discussed the role of interpretation by guides in the State of Amazonas, Brazil, finding in them patterns from which lessons may be drawn. Given the intangibility of the Ecotourism product, this paper argues that it is the guide who defines the quality of the product. The guide may draw the tourist toward or away from sustainable practices, and significantly contributes to the success or failure of the escotouristic venture. The State of Amazonas in Brazil already has guides, but this study questions their education and training in interpretive skills as well as their professional organization and working conditions
Metabolic programming of macrophage functions and pathogens control

Macrophages (Mφ) are central players in mediating proinflammatory and immunomodulatory functions. Unchecked Mφ activities contribute to pathology across many diseases, including those caused by infectious pathogens and metabolic disorders. A fine balance of Mφ responses is crucial, which may be achieved by enforcing appropriate bioenergetics pathways. Metabolism serves as the provider of energy, substrates, and byproducts that support differential Mφ characteristics. The metabolic properties that control the polarization and response of Mφ remain to be fully uncovered for use in managing infectious diseases. Here, we review the various metabolic states in Mφ and how they influence the cell function.
Resolving singularities in relativistic spacetimes

The definitions of classical and quantum singularities are reviewed. While it is known that some classical timelike and null singularities in static and conformally static spacetimes are resolved b...
Single-shot surface 3D imaging by optical coherence factor

We report a single-shot three-dimensional (3D) topographical imaging method, optical coherence factor (OCF) imaging, which uses optical coherence as the contrast mechanism to acquire the surface height (${z}$z-direction) information of an object. A 4-f imaging system records the light field reflected from the surface of the object. The illumination of the imaging system comes from a laser source with the optical coherence length comparable to the depth of field (DoF) of the optical system. Off-axis holographic recording is used to retrieve the coherence factor from the interference fringes, which is then converted to ${z}$z-direction information. In this experiment, we validate our 3D imaging results comparing them to axial scanning full-field optical coherence tomography images. We also analyze the contrast mechanism of OCF and show that it is able to provide additional information over conventional coherent and incoherent imaging using the same imaging setup. This single-shot computationally efficient method may have potential applications in industrial quality control inspection.
A mitophagic response to iron overload-induced oxidative damage associated with the PINK1/Parkin pathway in pancreatic beta cells.

Abstract Background Iron overload can result in a disorder in glucose metabolism. However, the underlining mechanism through which iron overload induces beta cell death remains unknown. Methods According to the concentration of ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) and N-acetylcysteine, INS-1 cells were randomly divided into four groups: normal control (FAC 0 μM) group, FAC 80 μM group, FAC 160 μM group, FAC 160μM + NAC group. Cell proliferation was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was further evaluated using flow cytometer with a fluorescent probe. The mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 kit, and transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the mitochondrial changes. The related protein expressions were detected by western bolt to evaluate mitophagy status. Results It was shown that FAC treatment decreased INS-1 cell viability in vitro, resulted in a decline in mitochondrial membrane potential, increased oxidative stress level and suppressed mitophagy. Furthermore, these effects could be alleviated by the ROS scavenger. Conclusions We proved that increased iron overload primarily increased oxidative stress and further suppressed mitophagy via PTEN-induced putative kinase 1/Parkin pathway, resulting in cytotoxicity in INS-1 cells.
Microstructure and ultrastructure changes of multiple organ tissue and hemodynamic effects in swine after cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Objective To investigate the microstructure and ultrastructure changes of cardiac muscle, pallium, lung, liver and kidney tissue and hemodynamic effects after the success of cardiac arrest (CA)-cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) of swine. Method A total of 16 Beijing swine(weight 29 ～ 35 kg)were randomly (random number) divided into normal-control group ( n = 8) and standard CPR group ( n = 8). The swine of the former group were only given anesthetized and intubated, without ventricular fibrillation and CPR. The swine of the latter group were given standard CPR after 4 min of untreated VF, from 10 min after restoration of spontaneous cirkg) and keep for 6 h. And cardiac output (CO), left ventricular maximal rate of systolic pressure ( + dp/dtmax),maximum reduction of left ventricular diastolic velocity ( - dp/dtmax), heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) of these animals before ventricular fibrillation and 0.5 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h after ROSC have been monitored.All swine were put to death after 6 h,and got their cardiac apex, pallium, left lung, right lobe of liver and upper pole of left kidney quickly for microstructure and ultrastructure studies. Statistical analysis was performed using two paired samples t test. Results At different time points after restoration of spontaneous circulation, the cardiac output (CO),left ventricular maximal rate of systolic pressure ( + dp/dtmax), maximum reduction of left ventricular diastolic velocity (- dp/dtmax) were significantly lower than before ventricular fibrillation, with significant difference ( P ＜ 0.05). And HR of different time points were increased significantly ( P ＜ 0.05), with no significantly difference between MAP of each time points ( P ＞ 0.05). Compared with the normal-control group, the cardiac muscle, pallium, lung, liver and kidney tissue of the swine in standard CPR group were found different degree of damages in their microstructure and ultrastructure sections. The damages of the cardiac muscle, pallium, and lung tissue were more obviously. Conclusions Sudden cardiac arrest(CA)-cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) could cause different degree of damages and hemodynamic effects on the body, through our ROSC 6 h model, the damages of the cardiac muscle, pallium and lung were more severity, the damages of liver and kidney were lighter. Key words: Cardiac arrest; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Cardiac muscle; Pallium; Lung; Liver; Kidney; General pathology; Ultrastructure; Hemodynamics; Post-cardiac arrest syndrome; Post-resuscitation multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(PR-MODS)
A Review on ZUPT-Aided Pedestrian Inertial Navigation

We present a review of studies that were conducted by the MicroSystems Laboratory at UC Irvine on ZUPT-aided pedestrian inertial navigation. Our most recent results include: adaptive ZUPT detection, IMU mounting position optimization, residual velocity characterization, IMU error calibration, and navigation error prediction. With all the efforts above, a robust and accurate ZUPT-aided pedestrian inertial navigation implementation was demonstrated. The navigation bias was reduced by 10×, and a position error of less than 1% of the total length of trajectory was demonstrated with an industrial-grade IMU.
Association of Infectious Disease Physician Approval of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter With Appropriateness and Complications.

Importance Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are frequently used to deliver intravenous antimicrobial therapy. However, inappropriate PICC use may lead to patient harm. Objective To evaluate whether infectious disease physician approval prior to PICC placement for intravenous antimicrobials is associated with more appropriate device use and fewer complications. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study of 21 653 PICCs placed for a primary indication of intravenous antimicrobial therapy between January 1, 2015, and July 26, 2019, was conducted in 42 hospitals participating in a quality collaborative across Michigan among hospitalized medical patients. Main Outcomes and Measures Appropriateness of PICCs was defined according to the Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters as a composite measure of (1) single-lumen catheter use, (2) avoiding use of PICCs for 5 days or less, and (3) avoiding use of PICCs for patients with chronic kidney disease (defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <45 mL/min/1.73 m2). Complications related to PICCs included catheter occlusion, deep vein thrombosis, and central line-associated bloodstream infection. The association between infectious disease physician approval, device appropriateness, and catheter complications was assessed using multivariable models, adjusted for patient comorbidities and hospital clustering. Results were expressed as odds ratios with 95% CIs. Results A total of 21 653 PICCs were placed for intravenous antimicrobials (11 960 PICCs were placed in men [55.2%]; median age, 64.5 years [interquartile range, 53.4-75.4 years]); 10 238 PICCs (47.3%) were approved by an infectious disease physician prior to placement. Compared with PICCs with no documented approval, PICCs with approval by an infectious disease physician were more likely to be appropriately used (72.7% [7446 of 10 238] appropriate with approval vs 45.4% [5180 of 11 415] appropriate without approval; odds ratio, 3.53; 95% CI, 3.29-3.79; P < .001). Furthermore, approval was associated with lower odds of a PICC-related complication (6.5% [665 of 10 238] with approval vs 11.3% [1292 of 11 415] without approval; odds ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.50-0.61). Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study suggests that, when PICCs were placed for intravenous antimicrobial therapy, infectious disease physician approval of PICC insertion was associated with more appropriate device use and fewer complications. Policies aimed at ensuring infectious disease physician approval prior to PICC placement for antimicrobials may improve patient safety.
Shared decision making: What is the work?

Cooperation has emerged as a fundamental characteristic of human society, and many argue that this ability is the basis for the phenomenal development in our capability as a species. When we focus our attention to the interactions that occur in healthcare, we inevitably notice power asymmetry due to unequal knowledge, experience, and status. However, as many have argued since the 1970s, there is an ethical imperative to respect the agency of individuals, offer information, collaborate, and support deliberation when difficult decisions arise. This process is particularly important when reasonable alternative courses of action exist and where the priorities and preferences of individuals would be expected to sway such decisions. This position article argues that this process, commonly described as shared decision making, involves work that is cognitive, emotional, and relational, and, particularly if people are ill, should have the underpinning goal of restoring autonomy. It covers the origin of the term and describes the core components; it describes how to do the cognitive, emotional, and relational work that is required, and offers a model to guide the process.
The Vitamin D3 Receptor and Its Chromosomal Gene

The molecular cloning of the vitamin D receptor has revealed a deduced primary structure whose overall organization suggests that the protein belongs to an enlarging gene family whose members include receptors for estrogen, glucocorticoids, thyroxine, and the retinoids. The human osteocalcin gene promoter-enhancer linked to CAT as a reporter function has been mapped to define both tissue specific and vitamin D-inducible response elements. The use of this target plasmid has confirmed a role for receptor in transcription. The structural organization of the human chromosomal gene for the vitamin D receptor has been defined and the activity of its regulatory control region evaluated. Preliminary work suggests the presence of cis elements within this promoter-enhancer which are responsive to glucocorticoids and retinoic acid. These studies confirm through both structural and functional analysis that transcriptional activation by receptor is integral to the mechanism of action of vitamin D.
Dance as Art: A Studio-Based Account

This dissertation is an attempt to articulate the conviction, born of ten years of intensive experience in learning and practicing to be a dance performer, that the dance performer, through collaboration with the choreographer, makes an important contribution to how we can and do understand artistic dance performance. Further, this contribution involves on-the-flythinking-while-doing in which the movement of the dancer’s body is run through by consciousness. Some of this activity of “consciousness” in movement may not be part of the deliberative mentality of which the agent is aware; it may instead be something that is part of his or her body’s natural and acquired plan for how to move in the world that is shaped by years of artistic and cultural training and practice. The result is a qualitative and visceral performance that can, although need not, be a representation of some deliberative thought or intention that a dancer can articulate beforehand. It is also the sort of thinking movement that can constitute expression: an utterance of dance artists that is not limited to the communication of emotion that can be appreciated and understood, at least in principle, by a public or audience. What this means for the philosophy of dance as art includes the following: 1) there may not always be a stable, fixed “work” of dance art that can be identified, going forward, as the relevant work on which critical and philosophical attention should be focused because of variable, contingent, and irreducibly individual features of live dance performances, attributable in large part to the individual efforts, style, and improvisation of particular dance performers; 2) the experience of dance artists is relevant to understanding dance as art because experiential evidence of practice can supplement and ground the appreciable properties that we can detect in artistic dance performances; 3) artistic dance performance can constitute expression without being expressive of either an artist’s felt emotion or of human emotion in general — no particular content is needed as long as there is a content; 4) artistic dance performance conceived of as expression can, but need not, function as representation in both the strong (imitative) and weak (referential) sense; and 5) artistic dance performance is real, not illusory, and not necessarily either a transformation or transfiguration of the real. Dance as art, like theatre, like music, and even, perhaps, like painting, sculpture, and architecture, is, although in less clearly artist-present, extemporaneous and embodied ways, human-constructed, human-understood, human-driven, and a full, rich, interactive, and meaningful part of human life.
Long-Term Effects of Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

There is a growing amount of research confirming that many cognitive, behavioral, and emotional symptoms may persist for months after a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), or a concussion. Studies that have detected long-term impairments include various neuropsychological tests and rating scales, as well as metabolic and radiological findings, all of which support the hypothesis that some individuals experience persistent disruption of the integrity of the neural fiber and metabolic balance, which lead to the disruption of cerebral functioning even after a mild TBI. As a result, a subgroup of concussed individuals continues to suffer from various mood changes, behavioral disturbances, concentration and memory problems, and other functional impairments.
Principles and Applications of Flame-Based Detection in Microcolumn Liquid Chromatography

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the principles and applications of flame-based detection in micro-column liquid chromatography. Flame- and plasma-based detectors have been highly successful for both qualitative and quantitative analysis in gas chromatography (GC). The column effluent is combusted in the flame or plasma, wherein solutes are decomposed to form characteristic molecular and ionic fragments. These fragments are then detected by monitoring either the electrical conductivity or the spectroscopic properties of the flame or plasma. Some of these detectors, such as the flame ionization and inductively coupled argon plasma emission detectors, permit universal detection of organic compounds, whereas others, such as the thermionic, flame photometric, microwave-induced plasma emission, and inductively coupled argon plasma emission detectors, enable elements inductively coupled argon plasma emission detectors, enable elements elective detection to be achieved.
Effects of Winter Feeding of Channel Catfish on Production in Multibatch Systems

Abstract Most channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus are produced in multibatch production systems, but winter feeding studies typically have used single-batch systems. Winter feeding studies that reflect commercial production practices are needed. Two pond studies (winters of 2005–2006 [study 1] and 2006–2007 [study 2]) were conducted in ten 0.10-ha ponds; fish in five ponds received feed, whereas fish in the five remaining ponds did not. Ponds were stocked with sub-market-sized ( 0.57 kg) at 986 kg/ha. Net yield (kg/ha) in both treatment and control ponds was negative over both winters. The decrease in net yield of fish was significantly less in ponds that received feed than in those that did not receive feed in study 2; the decrease in net yield did not differ between treatments in study 1, which had a colder winter and fewer feeding days than study 2. There was no significant difference in mean weight at harvest for market-sized fi...
Econometrically accounting for identities and restrictions in models of interregional migration: Further Thoughts

Abstract In this paper, we reply to several specific comments made by Foot and Milne concerning specification, estimation, and hypothesis testing in models of interregional migration which are internally consistent. In addition, we clarify several additional conceptual matters in these three areas. We conclude with recommended future research directions.
Chronotopes in education: Conventional and dialogic

Bakhtin defines chronotope in his literary dialogic theory as the unity of time and space where events occur. Here, in this conceptual paper, I expand and apply this notion to education, discuss, and illustrate the three major espoused educational chronotopes that I abstracted in my analysis of educational practices around Dialogic Pedagogy. Frist is the Assignment Chronotope based on a type of monologic pedagogy, the most common in conventional, but also in some innovative, schools, focusing on making students arrive at preset curricular endpoints. Second is the Dialogic Provocation Chronotope based on narrowly defined dialogic pedagogy and involving promotion of the students’ responsive critical authorship. Third is the Journey Chronotope focusing on promoting the students’ self-assignments and self-initiated educational journeys that can propel self-generated critical authorship in a targeted practice (or a network of practices). Educational examples, concerns, and consequences of these chronotopes are considered.
Jet Suppression by Accretion Disk Winds in the Microquasar GRS 1915+105

Stellar-mass black holes with relativistic jets, also known as microquasars, mimic the behavior of quasars and active galactic nuclei. Because timescales around stellar-mass black holes are orders of magnitude smaller than those around more distant supermassive black holes, microquasars are ideal nearby `laboratories' for studying the evolution of accretion disks and jet formation in black-hole systems. Although studies of black holes have revealed a complex array of accretion activity, the mechanisms that trigger and suppress jet formation remain a mystery. Here we report the discovery of a broad emission line during periods of intense hard X-ray flux in the microquasar GRS 1915+105, and highly ionized narrow absorption lines during softer states. We argue that the broad emission line arises when the inner accretion disk is illuminated by hard X-rays, possibly from the jet. In contrast, during softer states, when the jet is weak or absent, absorption lines appear as the powerful radiation field around the black hole drives a hot wind off the accretion disk. Our analysis strongly suggests that this wind carries enough mass away from the disk to halt the flow of matter into the radio jet.
Calcification and degeneration following mitral valve reconstruction in patients requiring chronic dialysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY Abnormal calcium homeostasis in patients with end-stage renal failure results in dystrophic calcification; this limits the use of heterograft tissue valve prostheses in patients on chronic dialysis. Mitral valve reconstruction offers advantages over mitral replacement in many patients without renal failure, and offers theoretical advantages in patients requiring dialysis. This study was performed to determine the outcome of mitral valve reconstruction in patients with renal failure requiring chronic dialysis. METHODS Ten patients with end-stage renal failure and on chronic dialysis who underwent mitral valve repair were identified retrospectively and followed for clinical and echocardiographic outcome. All patients had good results immediately following surgical valve mitral repair, with no more than mild mitral regurgitation and low transmitral gradients on intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. RESULTS Clinical and echocardiographic follow up was available for eight patients at an average of 2.3 +/- 1.4 years after surgery. Despite there being no significant valve calcification at the time of surgery, visible mitral leaflet calcification was evident in seven of these patients, and the transmitral gradient for the group was significantly increased (from 4.8 +/- 1.7 mmHg to 8.3 +/- 3.9 mmHg, p = 0.04). Two patients required reoperation for failed mitral repair; one at six months due to chordal rupture, and one at 15 months due to mitral calcification with stenosis. CONCLUSION Despite good early surgical results, there was accelerated calcification of the repaired mitral valve, a rapid increase in postoperative mitral gradients, and a high incidence of failure of the reconstruction. Additional prospective studies are required to evaluate the optimal intervention for patients with end-stage renal failure who require mitral valve surgery.
Secondary structure of neutrophil-activating peptide-2 determined by 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Neutrophil-activating protein-2 (NAP-2) is a 72 residue protein demonstrating a range of proinflammatory activities. The solution structure of monomeric NAP-2 has been investigated by two-dimensional 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy. Sequence-specific proton resonance assignments have been made and secondary structural elements have been identified on the basis of nuclear Overhauser data, coupling constants and amide hydrogen/deuteron exchange. The NAP-2 monomer consists of a triple-stranded anti-parallel beta-sheet arranged in a 'Greek key' and a C-terminal helix (residues 59-70) and is very similar to that found in the n.m.r. solution conformation of dimeric interleukin-8 and the crystal structure of tetrameric bovine platelet factor-4. Results are discussed in terms of heparin binding and neutrophil-activation properties of NAP-2.
Baseline predictors of missed visits in the Look AHEAD study.

Participant retention is a major challenge in long-term randomized controlled trials of behavioral lifestyle interventions.1 There is evidence that attrition in randomized behavioral weight-loss studies is associated with treatment-related factors including random assignment to the ‘control’ group 2 and dissatisfying weight loss outcomes early in the intervention.3 Moreover, there may be behavioral and psychosocial factors at baseline that are overlooked during screening or enrollment, but predict poor retention. Previous studies indicate that number of weight loss attempts, poorer quality of life, mental illness, lack of exercise, and lack of self-efficacy to increase physical activity at pretreatment are associated with attrition.4,5 Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) is a 16-center randomized clinical trial of an intensive weight loss intervention for overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes.6 The main purpose of Look AHEAD is to examine the long-term effects of weight loss on incidence of major cardiovascular events.6 Participants were enrolled from 2001 to 2004, and one-year7 and four-year 8 results have been published. Participant follow-up rates have been 93% or greater each year between year one and year four.7,8 Thus, Look AHEAD presents a unique opportunity to examine predictors of missed follow-up visits in a large-scale, long-term randomized clinical trial of a lifestyle intervention. We analyzed data from the first 48 months of Look AHEAD to identify behavioral and psychosocial factors at baseline that predict missing two consecutive 6-month data collection visits (defined in the study as ‘inactive status’).
Traumatic Craniofacial Deformity: Late Treatment

Traumatic craniofacial deformity should be reconstructed acutely when possible, though it may be done effectively secondarily if certain principles are followed. These principles involve extensive mobilization of the soft tissue for repositioning and reshaping, liberal use of onlay split rib grafts about the orbits, nose, and zygomas, and segmental repositioning of larger bone segments about the jaws and cranium. Simultaneous scar revisions, addition to deficient soft tissue bulk and nose, mouth, and canthal repositioning should be done. Upper eyelid ptosis, strabismus, and nasolacrimal obstruction corrections should be delayed for at least 6 months following major bony reconstructive procedures.
Summary: future directions in antifungal therapy

The development of strategies for the prevention and treatment of invasive fungal infection is reviewed. The optimal deployment of antifungal agents is impeded by delays in diagnosis, which reflect the need for tissue samples for histopathology and/or the slow growth of organisms in culture for identification. Further, the lack of rapid and standardized methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing has been identified as a major hurdle to optimal management. It is likely that combinations of antifungal agents will be needed to accelerate the clinical response to therapy (i.e., killing of fungus in tissues more rapidly). Such combinations may have the capacity to reduce toxicity while providing either true additive or synergistic activities or improved pharmacokinetics to "target" infection in multiple sites. Preclinical studies and clinical trials will begin to identify candidate therapies for invasive fungal infections in transplantation.
Measurements of the specific heat of high-purity copper at temperatures below 8 K by a modified pulse-heating technique☆

A precision calorimeter was used to measure the energy deposited in a liquid-helium-cooled copper target as a result of scattered nuclear radiation from an accelerator target in order to simulate the thermal response of a superconducting magnet under such conditions. The methodology selected for the accelerator application was to measure precisely the temperature rise of a copper target in a vacuum, and to convert the results into energy deposition using the specific heat. Therefore, precise measurements of the specific heat of the copper target were necessary to achieve the required precision and accuracy in the energy deposition measurements for the accelerator application. A pulse-heating technique to measure the specific heat was developed in which electrical square waves were delivered to a surface-mounted heater on the copper target, and the temperature rise of the copper target was measured. The specific heat of the copper was measured from 6 to 8 K and compared to data in the literature. The data were also used to infer the electronic- and lattice-specific-heat coefficients and the Debye temperature for the copper that was used. Comparisons of the data to the specific heat and specific-heat coefficients in the literature are presented. The present technique is shown to be useful for the measurement of the specific heat of good thermal conductors, especially metals at cryogenic temperatures, when very high precision is required.
Emerging perspectives on disability studies; Foundations of disability studies

The title of the first book in this two-set edited collection is somewhat of a misnomer. Arguably, the foundations of disability studies could be found in disability activism, but there are no refl...
Reconsidering the impact of behavior prediction questions on illegal drug use: The importance of using proper analytic methods

Social scientists often habitually employ ANOVA methods when analyzing data from experiments when other analytic approaches are required instead. This paper illustrates how traditional analytic approaches can lead to incorrect research conclusions by reanalyzing data from a recent study by Williams, Block, and Fitzsimons (2006a). Because the non‐negative dependent variable (illegal drug use) was super skewed and had a large majority of zero values, the use of improper statistical tests and the presence of just a few extreme, outlying observations produced the illusion that asking people to predict their likelihood of drug use increased that behavior significantly, when in fact it did not. The effect of behavior prediction questions on frequency of exercise also turns out to be non‐significant when analyzed properly. As this example illustrates, experimental researchers should choose and implement appropriate analytic approaches carefully. Jon Krosnick is University Fellow at Resources for the Future. We t...
Super-regenerative laser receiver: Transient dynamics of a laser with an external signal.

In super-regenerative detection, a weak external signal is amplified in an oscillator that is periodically switched on and then quenched. It is shown that very weak optical signals, slightly above the noise level, can be detected effectively by a laser used as a super-regenerative receiver. The detector output for different signal levels and its operating characteristics are determined by numerical integration of stochastic differential equations that represent the growth of laser radiation from a background consisting of signal and noise.
When will a child be believed? The impact of the victim's age and juror's gender on children's credibility and verdict in a sexual-abuse case.

OBJECTIVE: To provide insight into the central dimensions jurors may use when deciding a child victim's credibility and verdict. METHOD: Participants (N = 573) read a simulated trial (robbery or a sexual-assault case in which the defendant was either a stranger or an acquaintance) in which the alleged victim was either a 6- or 13-year-old girl. The trials were constructed to be as similar as possible with only minimal differences in the child's testimony. The supporting evidence was held constant across cases to allow for experimental assessment of the hypotheses. RESULTS: The defendant was more likely to be found guilty in the sexual-assault cases than in the robbery case. The child was perceived to be more credible, honest, and to have a better memory in the sexual-assault cases compared to the robbery case. Perceptions of memory and honesty predicted verdict and punishment. The child's age did not impact credibility or verdict. Finally, women, compared to men, perceived the child as more credible. CONCLUSIONS: Type of case was a potent factor in jurors' determination of guilt and the child's credibility. Contrary to expectations, neither the victim's age nor the interaction between this and type of case impacted verdict or credibility measures. Language: en
FREQUENCY OF PHYSICAL AGGRESSION IN HETEROSEXUAL AND FEMALE HOMOSEXUAL DYADS

75 self-identified heterosexual and 55 self-identified homosexual women between the ages of 19 and 58 yr. completed a 24-item anonymous questionnaire to determine whether men or women were more vio...
MEMBRANE LATERAL COMPRESSIBILITY DETERMINED BY NMR AND X-RAY DIFFRACTION :EFFECT OF ACYL CHAIN POLYUNSATURATION

The elastic area compressibility modulus, Ka, of lamellar liquid crystalline bilayers was determined by a new experimental approach using 2H-NMR order parameters of lipid hydrocarbon chains together with lamellar repeat spacings measured by x-ray diffraction. The combination of NMR and x-ray techniques yields accurate determination of lateral area per lipid molecule. Samples of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated phospholipids were equilibrated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 20,000 solutions in water at concentrations from 0 to 55 wt % PEG at 30 degrees C. This procedure is equivalent to applying 0 to 8 dyn/cm lateral pressure to the bilayers. The resulting reductions in area per lipid were measured with a resolution of +/-0.2 A2 and the fractional area decrease was proportional to applied lateral pressure. For 1,2-dimyristoyl(d54)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, 1-stearoyl(d35)-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (SOPC-d35), and 1-stearoyl(d35)-2-docosahexaenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (SDPC-d35) cross-sectional areas per molecule in excess water of 59.5, 61.4, and 69.2 A2 and bilayer elastic area compressibility moduli of 141, 221, and 121 dyn/cm were determined, respectively. Combining NMR and x-ray results enables the determination of compressibility differences between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon chains. In mixed-chain SOPC-d35 both chains have similar compressibility moduli; however, in mixed-chain polyunsaturated SDPC-d35, the saturated stearic acid chain appears to be far less compressible than the polyunsaturated docosahexaenoic acid chain.
Does intentional weight loss affect mortality rate

Short-term studies indicate that intentional weight loss among obese persons significantly improves physiologic variables. Hence, it is logical to conjecture that intentional weight loss would lead to long-term benefits and increased longevity. Herein, we review recent epidemiologic studies that investigate the weight loss-mortality association using a conservative analytic approach that included distinguishing between intentional and unintentional weight loss, adjusting for potential confounders, and excluding unhealthy subjects. On balance, results indicate that intentional weight loss appears to neither increase nor decrease mortality rate. Discussion focuses on the problems of addressing this important public health question with observational data.
Investigation of inductively coupled Ar and CH4/Ar plasmas and the effect of ion energy on DLC film properties

Gas-phase and surface analysis techniques were utilized to investigate the effects of gas-phase species on plasma deposited diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films. A vacuum system was built to perform Langmuir probe and energy analysis-based mass spectrometry measurements to characterize the gas-phase of low pressure, 13.56?MHz inductively coupled plasma molecular beams. Low-energy peaks contributed significantly to the total area of the ion energy distributions (IEDs) measured for Ar+ in Ar and CH4/Ar plasmas. In contrast, for all other ions in these systems, the low-energy peaks had a lower contribution to the IEDs as a result of the low probability of energy exchange via ion?neutral collisions. Hydrogenated DLC films were deposited on silicon wafers at different substrate potentials to determine the effect of ion bombardment on film properties. Films were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and nanoindentation measurements. The hydrogen content, surface roughness and deposition rate decreased, whereas the hardness of the films increased when a negative bias voltage was applied. These results demonstrate that ion energy has a significant effect on the composition and morphology of plasma deposited DLC films.
Studies of potential inversion in an extended tetrathiafulvalene.

Electrochemical oxidation of the extended tetrathiafulvalene 9,10-bis(1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-9,10-dihydroanthracene (2) was studied in N,N-dimethylformamide. A single, two-electron oxidation peak occurs, and on the return sweep of a cyclic voltammogram, a two-electron reduction peak is seen. The oxidation of 2 to its cation radical and dication occurs with potential inversion (i.e., removal of the second electron occurs more easily than removal of the first). The extent of potential inversion was estimated by cyclic voltammetry to be 0.28 V by analysis of the process in terms of concerted structural change and electron transfer. Failure to detect the cation radical by EPR of an equimolar mixture of neutral 2 and the dication is consistent with this value. The inner reorganization energy of the cation radical was determined by gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) to be 0.31−0.35 eV. Calculations, consistent with earlier experimental data, show rather large changes in structure associated with the ox...