cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Emission of Terahertz Radiation from Doped Silicon Devices

Recent interest in biological imaging, remote sensing, and biochemical spectroscopy has made nanoscale Terahertz (THz) emitters based on semiconductors become extremely attractive. THz lasers with good performance (emitting over 1 milliWatt CW at 10 K) have been fabricated from the group III-V compounds by molecular beam epitaxy, but such devices are complex with over 500 quantum wells and barriers and are incompatible with low cost Si processing. Similar devices from the SiGe system have had difficulties because the strain limits the total number of active layers, and have produced relatively poor performance (peak powers near 5 nW), even using strain symmetric active regions on virtual substrates of relaxed SiGe buffers. We report here on the characteristics of a new type of THz emitting device with higher powers (above 0.1 milliWatt) based on radiative impurity transitions in doped silicon, which can be simply fabricated without Ge alloying. The THz emitters were fabricated from both p-type and n-type doped silicon wafers with typical resistivities of 5 Ω-cm, using conventional photolithography and metal contact lift off. Samples were electrically pulsed and the electroluminescence was measured by Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometry. At 4.2 K, the emission spectra showed several peaks centered around 8.1 THz for the boron doped device, 7 to 13 THz for the gallium doped device, and 6.6 THz for the phosphorus doped device. The electroluminescence was attributed to radiative transitions from excited p-like to s-like hydrogenic dopant states, with emission energies in remarkable agreement with the known dopant absorption levels. Current-voltage measurement suggested an excitation mechanism based on impact ionization of neutral dopants by hot carriers. The net quantum efficiency (emitted photons per injected electron) was estimated to be up to 2 × 10−3. The temperature dependence will be reported with operation above 30 K.
Regulation of dendritic spine motility and stability by Rac1 and Rho kinase: evidence for two forms of spine motility

Dendritic spines are major sites of excitatory synapses in the brain and display rapid motility, which is believed to be important for synapse formation and plasticity. Spine morphology was previously shown to be regulated by the Rho GTPases Rac1 and RhoA. Here, we analyzed the roles of Rac1 and a downstream effector of RhoA, Rho kinase, in controlling spine morphogenesis and their effects on spine motility and stability. Blockade of Rac1 induced long, thin spines and inhibited spine head growth, morphing, and stability. Spine head growth was more severely affected in mature spines. On the other hand, inhibition of Rho kinase induced new, long spines and protrusive motility. These data demonstrate that Rac1 and RhoA/Rho kinase pathways regulate different aspects of spine morphology, motility, and stability and presumably also different aspects of synaptic functions. Moreover, our data show that there are two different types of spine motility: protrusive motility and head morphing, which are differentially regulated by Rac1 and Rho kinase. We propose that these two different types of spine motility serve different functions in synaptogenesis and synapse maturation.
A finite element model of propagation on the Southern and Western Australian continental shelf

Much of the littoral region of Southern and Western Australia is composed of a soft limestone bed covered by a layer of unconsolidated sand [2]. The limestone bed, composed of calcarenite, has a high shear wave speed and there is often efficient coupling between the water born wave and the shear mode. Although studies of the effect of the elastic mode in the calcarenite on transmission loss have been undertaken, the effects of the thin sand layer and interface roughness must be quantified in order to determine a robust inversion scheme. It is found that a 1.0 m sand layer decreases the transmission loss by more than 5 dB while a 2.5 m layer can decrease the loss by as much as 20 dB. Interface roughness affects higher frequencies by increasing transmission loss and a rough interface waveguide with a sand layer can have a similar level of transmission loss as a waveguide with a bare calcarenite bottom. However, the frequency dependence and model interference patterns of the two waveguides are different. An inversion scheme based on a bare calcarenite model which would lead incorrect results.
Assessing the threat posed by indigenous exotics: a case study of two North American bark beetle species.

ABSTRACT The Douglas-fir beetle, Dendroctonus pseudotsugae Hopkins, was detected in 2001 in northern Minnesota outside its natural range and the range of its native hosts, Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco, and western larch, Larix occidentalis Nutt. Consecutive years of detection indicated that D. pseudotsugae may have been established in a new environment and provided a possible example of an indigenous exotic species in North America. Pheromone-baited logs of P. menziesii and tamarack, Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch, were placed at four sites in northern Minnesota in an attempt to detect this indigenous exotic. Bark was removed from one half of logs and checked for D. pseudotsugae galleries. The remaining logs were left intact and reared to collect adult beetles the following spring. No D. pseudotsugae galleries were identified and no adults of the indigenous exotic were located. Along with the eastern larch beetle, Dendroctonus simplex LeConte, native Minnesota populations of Polygra...
An Examination of the Information and Thematic Content of Consumer Print Advertising in India

Abstract As India's consumer market expands, western and Indian marketers' efforts to reach the Indian consumer through advertising have increased. Critics argue though, that the nature of advertising content may negatively impact the Indian consumer instead of providing needed information about products and services. This study explores the content of consumer-oriented advertising in India to assess its information and thematic content. The findings reveal that although most consumer-oriented advertising contains some information to educate consumers, the typical ad has relatively few information cues and is likely emotional as opposed to rational. The advertising themes used in consumer advertising were both traditional, eastern themes such as tradition or foreign association and individual-oriented western themes such as hedonism, self-esteem and individualism suggesting increased globalization of markets.
Surface strengthening produced by an inherent polycrystalline layer

Inherent polycrystalline layers 20 to 40 μm thick were produced on Cu single crystal substrates by a controlled surface abrasion and annealing technique. A surface zone produced in this fashion theoretically minimizes certain parameters associated with film strengthening such as, film-substrate modulus differences, chemical composition gradients, film decohesion, lattice parameter misfit and surface energy variations. Investigations of the mechanical behavior of Cu single crystals surrounded with such polycrystalline layers were compared with uncoated single crystals and the results correlated with etch-pit observations and mechanical relaxation measurements. The results indicated that plastic constraints were the principle mechanism responsible for the excess hardening of crystals with a polycrystalline surface zone. The constraint effect was anisotropic with enhanced higher order slip activity, observed in the substrate as an excess forest dislocation density with depth, being principally associated with primary screw dislocation accumulations at the coating-substrate interface. Correlation of strain recovery studies with observations of slip development in the surface layer showed that initially the polycrystalline zone acted as an impenetrable barrier which eventually degenerated when slip activated in the surface grains at strains ≈ 3 x 10-4.
Bargaining with limited computation: deliberation equilibrium

We develop a normative theory of interaction-negotiation in particular-among self-interested computationally limited agents where computational actions are game theoretically treated as part of an agent's strategy. We focus on a 2-agent setting where each agent has an intractable individual problem, and there is a potential gain from pooling the problems, giving rise to an intractable joint problem. At any time, an agent can compute to improve its solution to its own problem, its opponent's problem, or the joint problem. At a deadline the agents then decide whether to implement the joint solution, and if so, how to divide its value (or cost). We present a fully normative model for controlling anytime algorithms where each agent has statistical performance profiles which are optimally conditioned on the problem instance as well as on the path of results of the algorithm run so far. Using this model, we introduce a solution concept, which we call deliberation equilibrium. It is the perfect Bayesian equilibrium of the game where deliberation actions are part of each agent's strategy. The equilibria differ based on whether the performance profiles are deterministic or stochastic, whether the deadline is known or not, and whether the proposer is known in advance or not. We present algorithms for finding the equilibria. Finally, we show that there exist instances of the deliberation-bargaining problem where no pure strategy equilibria exist and also instances where the unique equilibrium outcome is not Pareto efficient. Copyright 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.
Two-photon excitation of SF6

Abstract We calculate the excited-state populations and index of refraction in the two-photon excitation of SF 6 from ν 3 = 0 to the A 1g sublevel of ν 3 = 2 for a thermal distribution of initial rotational states at temperatures of 30 and 140 K.
Application of LandSat TM data for quality of life assessment in an urban environment

Landsat TM data were used in conjunction with census data for urban quality of life assessment, using the Athens-Clarke County, Georgia in the United States as an example. The satellite image data were used to extract environmental variables of land cover, vegetation index, and surface temperature, while socioeconomic variables were obtained from the census data. Using the social space conceptualization put forth by Chombart de Lauwe, quality of life as a collective attribute that adheres to groups of people was assessed with reference to the morphological and sociocultural environment. A principal components analysis and a raster geographic information system overlay of variables were found to be useful approaches that effectively integrated biophysical and socioeconomic data together to give an accurate assessment of quality of life within the study area. It is concluded that high resolution satellite image data are a useful complement to census data by giving the environmental perspective in urban analysis.
Medical management of patients with esophageal or supraesophageal gastroesophageal reflux disease

With the common use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), the medical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its complications is now successful in relieving symptoms, healing esophagitis, and preventing complications. Physiologic factors that may contribute to a poor response to these drugs include the considerable variation in the bioavailability of PPIs, the need to take PPIs with meals, the influence of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis, and genetic variation in enzyme capacity, resulting in rapid and slow metabolizers of PPIs. Subsets of reflux patients, such as the elderly, pregnant women, and those with supraesophageal symptoms or Barrett esophagus, may have special treatment requirements. Medical treatment of GERD with PPIs has been demonstrated to equal the success of antireflux surgery in short- and long-term follow-up with reasonably few side effects. Furthermore, a good response to PPI therapy predicts a successful outcome with antireflux surgery.
Ultrastructure of the basal apparatus and putative vestigial feeding apparatuses in a quadriflagellate euglenoid (Euglenophyta)

The flagellar apparatus and presumptive vestigial feeding apparatuses of a cold-water, photosynthetic, quadriflagellate euglenoid is described. The organism possesses two similar sets of flagella each consisting of one short and one long flagellum. Each pair of flagella is associated with three microtubular roots for a total of six roots in the basal apparatus. At the level of the ventral basal bodies, each intermediate root is nine-membered, while the ventral roots are composed of eight to nine microtubules. Only one of the ventral roots lines the single microtubule reinforced pocket. A four-membered dorsal root attaches to each dorsal basal body, and at the level of the reservoir each gives rise to a dorsal band. An additional bundle of microtubules, not arising from the microtubular roots of the basal apparatus, begins posterior to the basal apparatus as a small group of a few microtubules and extends anteriorly on the right ventral side of the reservoir ending at the canal. At the level of the stigma, the microtubules are organized into a multi-layered bundle that continues to increase in size and eventually splits to form two bundles at the level of the canal. We postulate that these bundles may represent the remnants of a rod-and-vane-type feeding apparatus like that found in many phagotrophic euglenoids.
The relationship between extracellular calcium concentrations and the induction of hippocampal long-term potentiation

The effect of varying calcium and magnesium concentrations was observed on the development of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus maintained in vitro. Treatments which would be expected to lower the depolarization-induced influx of calcium into neuronal elements (i.e. lowering Ca2+ or raising Mg2+ in the perfusion medium) selectively antagonized LTP, while synaptic transmission, paired-pulse and frequency facilitation, as well as short-term (or post-tetanic) potentiation were all maintained. This suggests that LTP is unrelated to these short-term forms of plasticity, but is either a calcium-dependent process itself, or is dependent upon some other calcium-related phenomenon (such as transmitter release).
Improving shift-reduce constituency parsing with large-scale unlabeled data

Shift-reduce parsing has been studied extensively for diverse grammars due to the simplicity and running efficiency. However, in the field of constituency parsing, shift-reduce parsers lag behind state-of-the-art parsers. In this paper we propose a semi-supervised approach for advancing shift-reduce constituency parsing. First, we apply the uptraining approach (Petrov, S. et al. 2010. In Proceedings of the 2010 Conference on Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing (EMNLP), Cambridge, MA, USA, pp. 705–713) to improve part-of-speech taggers to provide better part-of-speech tags to subsequent shift-reduce parsers. Second, we enhance shift-reduce parsing models with novel features that are defined on lexical dependency information. Both stages depend on the use of large-scale unlabeled data. Experimental results show that the approach achieves overall improvements of 1.5 percent and 2.1 percent on English and Chinese data respectively. Moreover, the final parsing accuracies reach 90.9 percent and 82.2 percent respectively, which are comparable with the accuracy of state-of-the-art parsers.
Resiliency of the Coastal Recreational For-Hire Fishing Industry to Natural Disasters

The financial condition of US Gulf of Mexico recreational-for-hire (RFH) fishing firms post-hurricane damage was examined within the context of the industry’s contribution to the resiliency of coastal socio-ecological systems (SES). Three key financial ratios—return-on-assets, assets turnover ratio, and debt-to-assets ratio—were calculated for 2009 from balance sheets and cash flow statements constructed from surveys of 247 RFH firms operating in the five Gulf states. The ratios were then recalculated using reported damage and operational losses from at least one named storm in the 2004–2008 period and combined with the results of a logistic regression model of profitability loss to assess the resiliency of the RFH industry. Results suggest that RFH firm resiliency was a function of operating class (head, charter, and guide boats), homeport, and the way in which the business was structured. Firms appeared to be the most resilient when they employed smaller vessels in intensively managed operations, perhaps due to their ability to move a vessel out of the path of storms and because their profitability and efficiency advantages allowed for self-insurance against losses. As a result, community contributions to, and benefits from, resiliency in the RFH industry may hinge on the development of more modern port facilities and well-functioning insurance markets.
Observations of nonlinear interactions in directionally spread shoaling surface gravity waves

Shoaling wave fields generated in laboratory experiments were analyzed to determine the sensitivity of nonlinear interactions to the directional distributions of incident waves. Peaks in the directional spectra observed in shallow water were consistent with near-resonant, quadratic interactions between two primary waves transferring energy to a third wave with the sum frequency and vector sum wavenumber of the primary waves. Directionally colinear waves forced a higher-frequency wave propagating in the same direction as the primary waves, while directionally spread (i.e., noncolinear) primary waves forced a higher-frequency wave that propagated in a direction between those of the interacting primary waves. Deepwater wave fields with similar frequency spectra but different directional spectra evolved to different shallow-water directional spectra, yet their shallow-water frequency spectra were remarkably similar. This result suggests that the shape of the directional spectrum of the incident wave field has only a small effect on the magnitudes of nonlinear energy transfers during shoaling. The principal effect of directionality in the incident wave field is on the directions, not the amplitudes, of the nonlinearly generated waves. The laboratory data demonstrate clearly the importance of triad interactions between noncolinear and colinear shoaling waves.
The role of biased information processing in depression: Evaluation and implications for treatment

Gotlib and Krasnoperova (1998) review research using information-processing methodologies to determine whether biases in attention and memory are a vulnerability factor in depression. They argue that some aspects of cognitive processing may represent a vulnerability factor for depression and propose treatment and prevention interventions based on this line of research. In this paper, we discuss the conceptual issues related to the role of vulnerability in psychopathology and attempt to identify where and why additional research is necessary in designing new prevention and treatment strategies. We stress the importance of having a well-specified theory of how a vulnerability factor leads to depression and we examine conceptual problems such as specificity of outcome, the measurement of depression, relative and attributable risk, and sensitivity and specificity of the vulnerability factor. We conclude by evaluating the prevention and treatment proposals derived from this line of research and emphasize that, while this is a promising direction, such interventions must themselves be evaluated.
Model for the extraction of image flow

A model is presented, consonant with current views regarding the neurophysiology and psychophysics of motion perception, that combines the outputs of a set of spatiotemporal motion-energy filters to extract optical flow. The output velocity is encoded as the peak in a distribution of velocity-tuned units that behave much like cells of the middle temporal area of the primate brain. The model appears to deal with the aperture problem as well as the human visual system since it extracts the correct velocity for patterns that have large differences in contrast at different spatial orientations, and it simulates psychophysical data on the coherence of sine-grating plaid patterns.
Suppression of acute inflammation with liposome associated prostaglandin E1

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) suppresses leucocyte effector function and reduces inflammation in several animal models of acute and chronic inflammation. A drawback to its use as a therapeutic agent is the relatively high doses needed to suppress inflammation. We present evidence in this report that liposome associated PGE1 (LAP) reduces markedly acute inflammation induced in a subcutaneous air pouch by monosodium urate crystals, and by the polypeptide mediators, interleukin 1-beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha). A single dose of 12 micrograms/kg LAP given intravenously 2 hr after inflammation was induced, reduced accumulation of cells and exudate by 31-49%.
A Pilot Study of Performance Practices of Twentieth-Century Musicians

This study was the initial phase of a continuing project to investigate the performance practices of twentieth-century musicians. The purpose of the study was to test and refine data-gathering techniques and to use these techniques in a preliminary investigation of the characteristics of intonation and pitch vibrato of performers of stringed instruments. Services of a number of string instrumentalists were obtained. The performers were gathered in groups of like instruments. Each performer was asked to perform, for recording purposes, a selected musical passage—initially as a solo performer and then as a member of an ensemble. The recordings of each solo performance and each musician's contribution to the ensemble performance were analyzed with the aid of electronic equipment that converted the musical stimuli into a graphic representation of the performance.The results and findings of the pilot study were as follows: (1) Pitch vibrato is present in the initial attack at all tones. (2) When each performer...
The peculiar extinction of Herschel 36.

The extinction of Herschel 36 was measured and found to be peculiar in the same sense as that observed in Orion. Following the treatment of Mathis and Wallenhorst, this can be explained by the presence of large silicate and graphite grains than are normally found in the interstellar medium. Correcting the stellar flux for foreground extinction results in a residual extinction curve for the associated dust cloud, with an unusually small normalized extinction (less than 1.0) at 1500 A. This low UV extinction may be due to the effects of scattering by the dust cloud material.
Extrema of SO(N)-invariant Higgs potentials and their associated mass eigenstates.

The mass eigenstates at extrema of the general Higgs potentials involving just the adjoint (A) or just the symmetric second-rank tensor (S) are calculated. The associated eigenvalues characterize the extrema as minima, maxima, or inflection points. A coupling between A and S is added and the changes in the eigenstates and eigenvalues are noted. Absolute minima with isotropy groups SO(N-p)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SO(p-2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SO(2) and U((N-p)/2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(p/2) are exhibited. These isotropy groups are shown to be stable under small perturbations of the potential.
Characteristics of smokers reached and recruited to an internet smoking cessation trial: A case of denominators

The Internet can deliver smoking cessation interventions to large numbers of smokers. Little is known about the feasibility, reach, or efficacy of Internet cessation interventions. Virtually no data exist on who enrolls in cessation programs or on differences between those who complete enrollment and those who do not. This paper reports recruitment and enrollment findings for the first 764 participants in an ongoing randomized controlled trial that tested the efficacy of a widely disseminated Internet smoking cessation service (www.QuitNet.com) alone and in conjunction with telephone counseling. Study participants were recruited through Internet search engines using an active user sampling protocol. During the first 16 weeks of the study, 28,297 individuals were invited. Of those, 11,147 accepted the invitation, 5,557 screened eligible, 3,614 were recruited, 1,489 provided online informed consent, and 764 were confirmed eligible and enrolled. Of those who were at least curious about a cessation trial (n= 11,147), 6.9% enrolled. Of those who were eligible and recruited (n=3,614), 21.1% enrolled. Depending on the denominator selected, results suggest that 7% to 21% of smokers interested in cessation will enroll into a research trial. Internet recruitment provides unique challenges and opportunities for managing sample recruitment, analyzing subsamples to determine generalizability, and understanding the characteristics of individuals who participate in online research.
Infatuation and Attraction to a Dissimilar Other: Why is Love Blind?

Abstract The present experiment attempted to increase understanding of the “love is blind” phenomenon. White male American undergraduates exposed to an infatuation induction with an attitudinally dissimilar female confederate showed greater attraction to her than unexposed control subjects. The use of a misattribution-of-arousal manipulation eliminated this difference in attraction between the infatuation induction and control groups, thereby providing support for the role of positive emotional arousal in creating attraction toward the dissimilar other in the infatuation condition. Evidence was also found that suggested that attraction toward the dissimilar other was based not on a distortion by the subjects of her dissimilar attitudes, but rather on a more favorable evaluation of these attitudes.
Cat and monkey cortical columnar patterns modeled by bandpass-filtered 2D white noise

A simple algorithm based on bandpass-filtering of white noise images provides good quality computer reconstruction of the cat and monkey ocular dominance and orientation column patterns. A small number of parameters control the frequency, orientation, "branchedness", and "regularity" of the column patterns. An oriented (anisotropic) bandpass filter followed by a threshold operation models the macaque ocular dominance column pattern and cat orientation column system. An unoriented (isotropic) bandpass filter models the cat ocular dominance column pattern and the macaque orientation column system. The resemblance of computer graphic simulations produced by this algorithm and histological pattern data, is strong. Since this algorithm is very fast, we have been able to extensively explore its parameter space in order to determine filter parameters which closely match the structure of the various cortical systems. In particular, we have applied spectral analysis to our recent computer reconstruction of the macaque ocular dominance column system, and the model produced by the present algorithm is in close agreement with this detailed data analysis.
Gene segregation in autotetraploids: prediction from meiotic configurations

Current systems of estimating gene segregation in autotetraploids usually are based on two extreme methods: chromosome segregation with absolute centromere linkage, or maximum equational segregation with crossing over always occurring between the centromeres and marker genes. The hiatus between the two methods is unacceptable quantitatively, and segregation of the d gene in tomato shows that neither method predicts an acceptable fit. We present a new meiotic configuration (MC) method of analyzing tetrasomic inheritance in autotetraploids that allows more accurate estimations of all intermediate types of segregation. The method is based on a maximum of two chiasmata per bivalent and four per quadrivalent. The theoretically expected numbers of bivalents and chain and circle quadrivalents are derived first. Chromosome frequencies from these configurations are then used to determine relative contributions from each configuration to the gamete genotypes by way of newly developed tables for gene segregation in various autotetraploid genotypes. The large sample sizes from classic 4x tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) data are used to demonstrate the stepwise method of calculating gamete genotypes, and the method gives acceptable fits for the data tested. The interspecific tetraploid hybrid Solanum lycopersicum X S. pimpinellifolium had good fits to expected autotetraploid segregation, supporting its autoploid nature and the fact that taxonomic rank should not be a consideration in designating categories of polyploids. Autotetraploid allozyme segregation data for several genes in one genus of another family had acceptable and usually better fits to the MC expectations than to the standard methods.
The quality of upper extremity orthopedic care in liability claims filed and claims paid.

Purpose To review a series of closed liability claims for upper extremity conditions to guide improvements for upper extremity care and thereby reduce the frequency of paid claims. Methods The authors, a team of 3 orthopedic surgeons and 3 nonphysician investigators experienced in closed claims research, investigated 108 closed upper extremity liability claims from a large United States–wide insurer for events that occurred between 1996 and 2009. We sought to determine the types of conditions, treatments, and surgeon factors common to claims made and claims paid. Results Liability claims were primarily for the care of common problems, such as fractures (n = 52; 48%) or degenerative conditions (n = 24; 26%), rather than complex challenging conditions or disorders, such as deficiencies treated with replantations or tissue transfers. The most common adverse outcomes in these claims were nonunion or malunion of fractures (n = 29; 27%), nerve injury (n = 20; 19%), and infection (n = 13; 12%). Most claims (n = 57; 53%) involved a permanent injury. The surgeon's operative skills were more commonly an issue in paid claims (n = 13; 45%) than in claims without payment (n = 14; 19%). Claims for mismanagement of fractures (n = 52; 48% of all claims) were more likely to result in payment (n = 20; 38%) than nonfracture claims (n = 10; 18%). Conclusions This analysis suggests that the incidence of upper extremity claims made and claims paid may be reduced if surgeons acquire and maintain the knowledge and skills necessary for the care of the common conditions they encounter, including fractures. Type of study/level of evidence Prognostic II.
Effects of climate and landscape development on the terrestrial phosphorus cycle

Past variations in the terrestrial cycle of phosphorus (P), a biolimiting nutrient, are poorly understood. Detailed geochemical analysis of P in lake-sediment cores spanning the late Pleistocene to the present from the western Appalachian Plateau, the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, and the San Bernardino Mountains of southern California reveal large changes in terrestrial P cycling. P is transformed from a mineralized form to more bioavailable forms with increased soil development and landscape stability in the catchments. This process occurs relatively rapidly (i.e., within 3,000--5,000 yr) and can be reset quickly; the degree of transformation depends on local climate and the starting point of the soil system. The release of solid-phase P from these landscapes follows modeled patterns of high rates during the initial stages of soil development and low rates upon soil and landscape stabilization. Changes in weathering style were confirmed for the southern California catchment by analysis of Ge/Si ratios of lake diatoms, which revealed substantially higher values during an interval of high P release and low values at present. These records point to significant variability in the terrestrial P mass balance on glacial time scales, a feature that needs to be incorporated into models of nutrient andmore » carbon cycling in the past.« less
Ethical decisions in treating battered women.

Examines the ethical aspects of a recent treatment recommendation evolved out of the literature that suggests that battered women should be encouraged by their therapists to leave their abusive relationships. The American Psychological Association's (1981) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and 5 ethical principles--autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and fidelity--defined by T. Beauchamp and J. Childress (1979) are cited as helpful sources in determining whether the treatment recommendation is ethically justifiable. The psychological dynamics of battered women are described, and it is noted that these women may be particularly vulnerable to viewing an authority's (i.e., the therapist's) opinion as definitive. On one side of the issue is respect for the individual's autonomy and an assumption that the battered woman syndrome does not render a victim incompetent. On the other side of the dilemma, under the principle of beneficence, is a determination that, because these women have limited competence due to the battered woman syndrome, a weak paternalistic intervention must be made. It is concluded that the latter argument is weightier and that such treatment recommendations are ethically just. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Holocene sedimentation history of the major fan valleys of Monterey fan

Abstract There are three major fan valleys on upper Monterey fan. Deep-tow geophysical profiles and 40 sediment cores provide the basis for evaluation of the sedimentation histories of these valleys. Monterey fan valley leads from Monterey canyon to a major suprafan and is bounded by levees that crest more than 400 m above the valley floor. The valley passes through a large z-bend or meander. Monterey East fan valley joins Monterey fan valley at the meander at about 150 m above the valley floor, and marks an earlier position of the lower Monterey fan valley. Ascension valley, a hanging contributary to the Monterey fan valley, appears to have once been the shoreward head of the lower part of the present Monterey fan valley. The relief of Monterey fan valley appears from deep-tow profiles to be erosional. The valley is floored with sand. Holocene turbidity currents do not overtop the levees 400 m above the valley floor, but do at times overflow and transport sand into Monterey East valley, producing a sandy floor. An 1100 m by 300 m dune field was observed on side scan sonar in Monterey East valley. Ascension fan valley was floored with sand during glacial intervals of lowered sea level, then was cut off from its sand source as sea level rose. A narrow (500 m), erosional, meandering channel was incised into the flat valley floor; the relief features otherwise appear depositional, with a hummocky topography perhaps produced in the manner of a braided riverbed. The sand is mantled by about 6 m of probable Holocene mud. Hummocky relief on the back side of the northwestern levees of both Ascension and Monterey valleys is characteristic of many turbidite valleys in the northeast Pacific. The hummocky topography is produced by dune-like features that migrate toward levee crests during growth.
HPMMAP: Lightweight Memory Management for Commodity Operating Systems

Linux-based operating systems and runtimes (OS/Rs) have emerged as the environments of choice for the majority of modern HPC systems. While Linux-based OS/Rs have advantages such as extensive feature sets as well as developer familiarity, these features come at the cost of additional overhead throughout the system. In contrast to Linux, there is a substantial history of work in the HPC community focused on lightweight OS/R architectures that provide scalable and consistent performance for tightly coupled HPC applications, but lack many of the features offered by commodity OS/Rs. In this paper, we propose to bridge the gap between LWKs and commodity OS/Rs by selectively providing a lightweight memory subsystem for HPC applications in a commodity OS/R environment. Our system HPMMAP provides isolated and low overhead memory performance transparently to HPC applications by bypassing Linux's memory management layer. Our approach is dynamically configurable at runtime, and adds no additional overheads nor requires any resources when not in use. We show that HPMMAP can decrease variance and reduce application runtime by up to 50%.
Risk factors for epithelial defect formation during laser in situ keratomileusis.

Purpose To analyze the occurrence of epithelial defects during primary laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and identify predictive preoperative risk factors. Setting Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Methods The records of primary LASIK cases performed between January 2001 and May 2002 were retrospectively evaluated. Information abstracted included patient sex, age, and preoperative refraction (spherical equivalent) and the excimer laser used (Nidek EC-5000 or Alcon LADARVision). The primary outcome measure was the rate of intraoperative epithelial defect formation. Results A total of 6984 primary LASIK cases were analyzed; these included 6067 cases with myopia and 917 cases with hyperopia. In all cases, the flaps were created with a Hansatome microkeratome (Bausch & Lomb). Most cases (75.6%) were performed with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser; all hyperopia cases were performed with the LADARVision laser. Overall, 647 cases (9.3%) had epithelial defects. There were 323 cases (9.5%) of epithelial defect in men and 319 (9.0%) in women ( P = .4). The rate of epithelial defect increased with age; 124 (4.1%) occurred in patients younger than 40 years, and 523 (13.2%) occurred in patients older than 40 years ( P P P P = .00002, respectively), while sex was not. Conclusion Risk factors for epithelial defect formation during LASIK included increasing patient age, especially older than 40 years, and preoperative hyperopia.
Short RNA indicator sequences are not completely degraded by autoclaving

Short indicator RNA sequences (<100 bp) persist after autoclaving and are recovered intact by molecular amplification. Primers targeting longer sequences are most likely to produce false positives due to amplification errors easily verified by melting curves analyses. If short indicator RNA sequences are used for virus identification and quantification then post autoclave RNA degradation methodology should be employed, which may include further autoclaving.
The Need for Changes in the Nature of Christian Seminary Education

This article examines today's functioning of Christian seminaries. In contemporary America, the overwhelming percentage of seminaries focus on student intellectual development and theological accuracy. The author observes, however, that such an emphasis is a major departure from seminary historical practices in the United States and is contrary to the primary goals of the future ministers themselves and the congregations they serve. Evidence is presented that suggests that seminaries should return to more spiritually and practically based practices that are more in tune with the needs of both the future ministers themselves and their congregations. The author recommends steps that can be taken to accomplish this change.
Trends in emergency department visits attributable to acetaminophen overdoses in the United States: 1993-2007

PURPOSE: With the heightened concern over acetaminophen overdose induced liver toxicity, it is important to track the overdose incidences over time. We estimated the trends in emergency department (ED) visits attributable to acetaminophen overdoses and compared the risk across sociodemographic groups and geographic regions. METHODS: ED visits attributable to acetaminophen overdoses were identified using physician diagnosis codes and cause of injury codes from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (1993-2007). Annual rates of ED visits for acetaminophen overdoses per 100 000 persons in the U.S. population and by subgroups (age, gender, race, insurance coverage, geographic region, and presence of alcohol abuse and dependence) were calculated. Bivariate analysis and logistic regressions were used to examine the associations of patient demographic characteristics with ED visits for acetaminophen overdoses. Data were analyzed using STATA 9.2 accounting for complex survey design. RESULTS: From 1993 through 2007, an estimated 751 552 ED visits (0.05% of all ED visits) were attributable to acetaminophen overdoses. The annual rate per 100 000 persons was significantly higher prior to 2000 (21.0 visits in 1993-1999 vs. 15.2 visits in 2000-2007, p = 0.017). Rates were particularly high in young children under 5 years (72.4 visits, 95% confidence interval (CI): 49.1-95.8) and for adolescents between 15-17 years (61.8 visits, 95%CI: 35.4-88.3). Rates also varied cross gender, insurance coverage, and geographic regions. CONCLUSIONS: ED visits attributable to acetaminophen overdose decreased in recent years. Children less than 5 years of age, adolescents and young adults account for the overwhelming majority of these visits. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Language: en
Constructing a performance database for large-scale quantum chemistry packages

When several large-scale quantum chemistry packages interoperate through components and some components provide similar functionality, we are faced with many challenges such as efficiently selecting the component with the best efficiency, finding compromises between efficiency and accuracy, or constructing new computations from available components with minimum overhead. These challenges are core questions in Computational Quality of Service (CQoS) research, and exploring robust methods for these questions requires a performance database as the foundation for referencing historical performance data. However, these large-scale packages have a long history of development, provide many complex computations, and involve a large number of chemists in the development process. Building a database for these packages is thus not as straightforward as simply selecting a database engine and uploading data. In this paper, we present our efforts in fast prototyping a system to construct a performance database for quantum chemistry packages. We discuss the requirements for such a system, delineate the tasks in each building stage, evaluate how current tool technologies can facilitate the building process, and discuss the support required from the performance tools development community for future CQoS research.
Skin cancer risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers

Women with BRCA1/2 mutations have an elevated risk of breast and ovarian cancer. These patients and their clinicians are often concerned about their risk for other cancers, including skin cancer. Research evaluating the association between BRCA1/2 mutations and skin cancer is limited and has produced inconsistent results. Herein, we review the current literature on the risk of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. No studies have shown a statistically significant risk of melanoma in BRCA1 families. BRCA2 mutations have been linked to melanoma in large breast and ovarian cancer families, though a statistically significant elevated risk was reported in only one study. Five additional studies have shown some association between BRCA2 mutations and melanoma, while four studies did not find any association. With respect to nonmelanoma skin cancers, studies have produced conflicting results. Given the current state of medical knowledge, there is insufficient evidence to warrant increased skin cancer surveillance of patients with a confirmed BRCA1/2 mutation or a family history of a BRCA1/2 mutation, in the absence of standard risk factors. Nonetheless, suspected BRCA1/2 mutation carriers should be counselled about skin cancer risks and may benefit from yearly full skin examinations.
Determination of the critical micelle concentration of neutral surfactants by means of a coated wire ion-selective electrode

Abstract The critical micelle concentrations (CMC) of three neutral surfactants, Triton X-100, Triton X-165, and Triton X-305, were determined using wire electrodes coated with tetraheptylammonium chloride (THAC) or benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and a constant concentration of the appropriate chloride. The values determined with the THAC electrodes and 10−4.4M THAC solutions are in agreement with previously reported values. When 10−5.0M THAC, or 10−4.0 or 10−5M BAC was used, the measured CMC values were lower than expected.
New Indicator for the Complexometric Titration of Calcium with EDTA

A new indicator, hydroxy naphthol blue, A.R., has been evaluated for the complexometric titration of calcium. Procedures are presented for the determination of calcium salts, dosage forms containing calcium, and for mixtures of calcium and magnesium. The methods are simple, accurate, and more rapid than the conventional oxalate procedures.
On the Dark Side of Strategic Communication

Although clarity holds a privileged place within the field of business/management/corporate communication, adopting a strategic perspective suggests that ambiguity, and even deception, may be appropriate choices, depending on strategic intent. This article builds a framework for analyzing the dark side of strategic communication from both a strategic perspective and a linguistic perspective and then applies it to four business scenarios involving corporate finance; three involve public pronouncements from executives about future stock offerings, while the fourth involves a private statement made by a CEO to an important client and reported to the authors in an interview. The analysis of these scenarios leads the authors to propose that the intentional use of strategic ambiguity occurs along a continuum better represented by multiple shades of gray than a single hue of black.
Blocking of Disulfide Adsorption by Coadsorbing ω-Functionalized Alkane Thiols Revealed by Wet Stamping and Fluorescence Microscopy

When alkane thiols and disulfides coadsorb onto gold, they do not necessarily create a mixed monolayer. In particular, when thiols are terminated in groups capable of hydrogen bonding, they can altogether eliminate adsorption of disulfides. Such elimination can be observed directly by using fluorescently labeled disulfides and monitoring their adsorption (or lack of) by fluorescence microscopy. These experiments suggest a mechanism in which adsorption of thiols is facilitated by hydrogen bonding.
Inhibition of Na+/Ca2+ Exchange with KB‐R7943 or Bepridil Diminishes Mineral Deposition by Osteoblasts

Osteoblasts form new bone by secreting a complex extracellular matrix that has the capacity to mineralize when adequate amounts of calcium and phosphate are supplied. The studies reported here show that long-term treatment of cultured, primary osteoblasts with Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) inhibitors, bepridil and KB-R7943, impacts in a dose-dependent manner the ability of the cells to form a calcified matrix. Treatment of confluent osteoblast cultures for 14 days with low levels of bepridil (3.0 microM) or KB-R7943 (1.0 microM and 0.1 microM) resulted in a significantly diminished capacity of these cells to mineralize bone matrix, without significantly altering cell morphology, viability, or cell differentiation. The data indicate that inhibition of NCX reduces mineral accumulation in the bone matrix by blocking the efflux of Ca2+ from the osteoblast into the bone fluid. In addition, immunocytochemistry of type I collagen (COLI) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) suggests that inhibition of NCX by 1.0 microM KB-R7943 also may impair the secretion of bone matrix proteins by the osteoblasts. This study is the first to show that NCX is an important regulator of the bone fluid microenvironment and that NCX appears critical to the mineralization process.