cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolution of Threading Dislocation Density and Stress in GaN Films Grown on (111) Si Substrates by Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition

We have studied the evolution of threading dislocations (TDs), stress, and cracking of GaN films grown on (111) Si substrates using a variety of buffer layers including thin AlN, compositionally graded Al x Ga1-x N (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), and AlN/Al y Ga1-y N/Al x Ga1-x N (0 ≤ x ≤ 1, y = 0 and 0.25) multilayer buffers. We find a reduction in TD density in GaN films grown on graded Al x Ga1-x N buffer layers, in comparison with those grown directly on a thin AlN buffer layer. Threading dislocation bending and annihilation occurs in the region in the graded Al x Ga1-x N grown under a compressive stress, which leads to a decrease of TD density in the overgrown GaN films. In addition, growing a thin AlN/Al y Ga1-y N bilayer prior to growing the compositionally graded Al x Ga1-x N buffer layer significantly reduces the initial TD density in the Al x Ga1-x N buffer layer, which subsequently further reduces the TD density in the overgrown GaN film. In-situ stress measurements reveal a delayed compressive-to-tensile stress transition for GaN films grown on graded Al x Ga1-x N buffer layers or multilayer buffers, in comparison to the film grown on a thin AlN buffer layer, which subsequently reduces the crack densities in the films.
New perspectives on the geology and origin of the Florida Middle Ground carbonate banks, West Florida Shelf, USA

Abstract Bathymetric and seismic surveys of the Florida Middle Ground area on the West Florida Shelf, aid in identifying the structure and origin of these unusual banks. Recent cores recovered from the area by other workers provide a useful context for interpreting geophysical data. Data indicate that high-relief banks may be largely biohermal, whereas low-relief banks are likely composed of clastic sediments with a vermetid gastropod carbonate caprock. The most seaward ridges reveal subtle internal aggradational stratal geometries indicating a possible origin as a subtidal shoal, or paleoshoreline, deposited during or immediately following the Younger Dryas. Bank locations appear to be related to the antecedent geology, specifically the occurrence of the highly weathered Miocene surface. High-resolution multibeam bathymetry and backscatter data reveal varied morphologies that suggest the influence of karst processes, linear trends suggestive of wave-reworked intertidal hardbottom, poorly lithified and benthic fauna-mantled beach ridges or sand waves, or perhaps surface-water flow patterns during lowstand exposure. Circular depressions on low banks are of the same scale and morphology as modern shallow karst features in the Everglades. An episodically active sand-wave field occurs in the northern study area, and provides sediment to the system. Scoured depressions surrounding carbonate banks also indicate intense, episodic current activity originating from shelf and wave currents. A partial modern analog for some of the morphology of this system may be the Ten Thousand Islands and portions of the Florida Everglades. Data indicate that the banks represent a brief period of reef growth (possibly mixed coral and vermetid) constrained by two rapid sea-level rise events, and impacted by changing water quality and trophic conditions.
Substituted cyclobutanes: Substituent effects on the NMR spectrum from variations in conformation

Abstract In order to extend the available NMR data on cyclobutane compounds so that substituent effects on conformation can be elucidated, the NMR spectra of four 1,1-difluoro-2,2-dichlorocyclobutanes and a related cyclobutene-2 compound, all substituted at the 3-position, have been analyzed. The ring protons and fluorines give rise to an ABXY spectrum which markedly changes in complexity as the 3-substituents are varied. It is proposed that the qualitative degree of simplicity of each spectrum is directly related to the extent of puckering of the four-membered ring. In 1,1-difluoro-2,2-dichloro-3-carbomethoxy-3-methylcyclobutane the relative signs of all vicinal HF coupling constants have been determined by 1 H{ 19 F} double resonance to be the same as the sign of the FF coupling constant and probably opposite to the sign of the HH coupling constant. An analysis of the spectrum of this compound at 200°C is consistent with a conformation of the cyclobutane ring which is puckered so that the carbomethoxy group assumes a pseudo-equatorial position. The ring methyl group is coupled to the cis transannular fluorine by 1.5 Hz and to the trans ring proton which, though unresolved, results in line broadening.
A comparative study of database reduction methods for case-based computer-aided detection systems: preliminary results

In case-based computer-aided decision systems (CB-CAD) a query case is compared to known examples stored in the systems case base (also called a reference library). These systems offer competitive classification performance and are easy to expand. However, they also require efficient management of the case base. As CB-CAD systems are becoming more popular, the problem of case base optimization has recently attracted interest among CAD researchers. In this paper we present preliminary results of a study comparing several case base reduction techniques. We implemented six techniques previously proposed in machine learning literature and applied it to the classification problem of distinguishing masses and normal tissue in mammographic regions of interest. The results show that the random mutation hill climbing technique offers a drastic reduction of the number of case base examples while providing a significant improvement in classification performance. Random selection allowed for reduction of the case base to 30% without notable decrease in performance. The remaining techniques (i.e., condensed nearest neighbor, reduced nearest neighbor, edited nearest neighbor, and All k-NN) resulted in moderate reduction (to 50-70% of the original size) at the cost of decrease in CB-CAD performance.
The Effective Nucleon-Nucleon Interaction Deduced from Nuclear Spectra

The subject of this paper is the study of the effective interaction between nucleons as it exhibits itself in the spectra of some of the simplest nuclei. These are nuclei differing from closed shells by only two nucleons. In Fig. 1 we see schematically how the energy level schemes of such nuclei, when combined with the energy levels of adjacent single-particle nuclei, yield the matrix elements of the residual interaction between two nucleons.1
Association of a common nonsynonymous variant in GLUT9 with serum uric acid levels in old order amish.

Objective Uric acid is the primary end product of purine metabolism. Increased serum uric acid levels have been associated with gouty arthritis as well as with a variety of cardiovascular-related phenotypes. This study was undertaken to investigate associations between uric acid levels and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Methods A 500,000-SNP genome-wide association study of serum uric acid levels was performed in a cohort of Old Order Amish from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Results The scan confirmed a previously identified region on chromosome 4 to be strongly associated with uric acid levels (P = 4.2 × 10−11 for rs10489070). Followup genotyping revealed that a nonsynonymous coding SNP (Val253Ile; rs16890979) in GLUT9 was most strongly associated with uric acid levels, with each copy of the minor allele associated with a decrease of 0.47 mg/dl in the uric acid level (95% confidence interval 0.31–0.63 [P = 1.43 × 10−11]). The effect of this variant tended to be stronger in women than in men (P = 0.16 for sex–genotype interaction). The genotype effect was not modified by the inclusion of several cardiovascular risk factors, suggesting that GLUT9 is directly related to uric acid homeostasis. The SNP identified in the genome-wide scan in the Amish population (rs10489070) was also significantly associated with gout in the Framingham Heart Study (P = 0.004). Conclusion Our findings indicate that GLUT9, which is expressed in the kidney, may be a novel regulator of uric acid elimination and that a common nonsynonymous variant in this gene contributes to abnormalities in uric acid homeostasis and gout.
Deposition temperature dependence of the optical properties of aGe

Abstract The room temperature u.v. reflectance of 1000 A Germanium films (evaporated onto smooth amorphous substrates) has been measured and observed to vary with substrate deposition temperature Ts. Changes with increasing Ts are ascribed to gradual elimination of highly anisotropic voids for T s ⪕ 160°C , and to gradual film crystallization for Ts ⪖ 200°C.
Comparison of Backscattering Models at L-Band for Growing Corn

The impact of incoherent and coherent formulations on estimates of terrain backscatter (σterrain0) at L-band for a growing season of corn is examined. The average root mean square difference (RMSD) between the two formulations over the growing season ranged between 3-4 dB, with higher RMSDs at HH polarization (pol), indicating the presence of coherent effects. In the incoherent model, the direct scattering from stems was the primary mechanism, while in the coherent formulation, the interactions between the stems and soil were the primary mechanisms due to the coherent effects. Both incoherent and coherent formulations estimated equally high sensitivities of σterrain0 to soil moisture (SM) during early stage under low vegetation conditions. During the early and mid stages, the σterrain0 estimated by both formulations exhibited higher sensitivities during dry conditions than wet conditions. In contrast, during the reproductive stage, the σterrain0 by the incoherent formulation was more sensitive to the SM at wet conditions than at dry conditions. Based upon the ALOS/SMAP accuracy for σterrain0, the incoherent formulation exhibited the highest sensitivity during the early stage with detection of SM changes as low as 2 vol% for dry condition, whereas the coherent formulation exhibited the highest sensitivity during the mid stage with detection of SM changes as low as 2.5 vol%. The results of this study suggest that the coherent effects should be considered for defining accuracy of SM estimation algorithms for corn at L-band.
Psychiatric Symptoms in Huntington’s Disease before Diagnosis: The Predict-HD Study

Background Psychiatric disturbances are relatively common in manifest Huntington’s disease (HD), but less is known about these symptoms in the earliest phase of the illness. Methods This study examined self-reported psychiatric symptoms in a large sample (N = 681) of prediagnosed individuals who show the gene expansion for HD (“expansion-positive”) compared with a sample of individuals who do not show the gene expansion but are at risk for HD (“expansion-negative”). Results Using baseline Symptom Checklist 90—Revised (SCL-90-R) data from the Predict-HD study, expansion-positive individuals reported significantly more psychiatric symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, obsessive–compulsiveness) than expansion-negative individuals. Within the expansion-positive group, individuals with more motor signs had higher levels of psychiatric symptoms. The SCL-90-R scores had stronger relationships with reported abilities to perform activities of daily living than other markers of HD. Finally, when companions of the expansion-positive individuals also completed the SCL-90-R on the participants, there was considerable consistency in the ratings of psychiatric symptoms. Conclusions Subtle, subclinical psychiatric symptoms are present in this prediagnosed HD sample, even though most are estimated to be more than 10 years from HD diagnosis. As suggested by other research, these subtle symptoms might be the earliest markers of the disease; however, longitudinal data are needed.
Categorization of dispersion curves in the equatorward edge of the diffuse aurora

Abstract When viewed in spectrogram format, the latitudes of the equatorward cutoffs in the ion diffuse aurora as a function of energy form characteristic dispersion curves which vary with magnetic activity and local time, and which are more complex than the electron cutoff dispersion, which has hitherto been investigated. A study of a combined total of 503 auroral oval passes over either the dawn, dusk, or near midnight local time sectors reveals that the overwhelming majority (93%) of these curves can be classified into one of four categories of dispersion curves, with occurrence probabilities dependent on the particular local time sector. Certain features of these dispersion curves, including the coincidence of nearly zero energy electron and ion cutoffs, argue for the interpretation of these curves as the result of convection field dispersion. However, there is no existing single model of magnetospheric convection which can account for all the features of the observed energy dispersion in cutoff latitudes.
Increasing computer science participation in the FIRST robotics competition with robot simulation

The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition is an international program aimed at inspiring high school students to pursue careers in science and technology through a yearly challenge in which teams of students design and build robots with which to compete against other teams from all over the world. The teams are given 6 weeks to create a competitive robot; the greatest amount of time is dedicated to building the mechanical and electrical systems. Since the software cannot be tested and debugged until after the mechanical and electrical subsystems are functional and nearly complete, programmers have minimal time with the robot, and thus, encounter great difficulty in developing and optimizing their control code. Implementing the robot and the contest environment in a simulator such as Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio allows students to develop their software and hardware concurrently. This greatly improves individual team performance in the competition and provides students with increased exposure to software design, which should result in increased numbers of students entering into computing careers.
Critical loads as a policy tool for protecting ecosystems from the effects of air pollutants

Framing the effects of air pollutants on ecosystems in terms of a “critical load” provides a meaningful approach for research scientists to communicate policy-relevant science to air-quality policy makers and natural resource managers. A critical-loads approach has been widely used to shape air-pollutant control policy in Europe since the 1980s, yet has only rarely been applied in the US. Recently, however, interest in applying a critical-loads approach to managing sulfur and nitrogen air pollutants in the US has been growing, as evidenced by several recent conferences, a new critical-loads sub-committee within the National Atmospheric Deposition Program, and nascent efforts by several federal agencies to apply critical loads to land management. Here, we describe the critical-loads concept, including some of its limitations, and indicate how critical loads can better inform future air-pollutant control policy in the US.
E-Readers Are More Effective than Paper for Some with Dyslexia

E-readers are fast rivaling print as a dominant method for reading. Because they offer accessibility options that are impossible in print, they are potentially beneficial for those with impairments, such as dyslexia. Yet, little is known about how the use of these devices influences reading in those who struggle. Here, we observe reading comprehension and speed in 103 high school students with dyslexia. Reading on paper was compared with reading on a small handheld e-reader device, formatted to display few words per line. We found that use of the device significantly improved speed and comprehension, when compared with traditional presentations on paper for specific subsets of these individuals: Those who struggled most with phoneme decoding or efficient sight word reading read more rapidly using the device, and those with limited VA Spans gained in comprehension. Prior eye tracking studies demonstrated that short lines facilitate reading in dyslexia, suggesting that it is the use of short lines (and not the device per se) that leads to the observed benefits. We propose that these findings may be understood as a consequence of visual attention deficits, in some with dyslexia, that make it difficult to allocate attention to uncrowded text near fixation, as the gaze advances during reading. Short lines ameliorate this by guiding attention to the uncrowded span.
Physical structures of lipid layers on pyrite.

The physical structures of lipid layers on pyrite (FeS2), a ubiquitous sulfide mineral, were studied in air and in water by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Egg PC, a phospholipid that forms bilayer structures on atomically flat substrates, was investigated, and our experimental observations show that this lipid formed bilayers on an atomically rough pyrite surface, as inferred by a measured layer thickness of 5.0 ± 0.2 nm. The surface coverage of the lipid coating increased from approximately 15% to 80% when the concentration of the lipid suspension was increased from 0.014 to 0.15 mM. Although further increases up to 1.5 mM resulted in an incremental increase in surface coverage of only 5%, multilayer structures of 20- to 40-nm height formed on top of the first bilayer. The findings provide a structural explanation for the results of earlier kinetic studies showing that the presence of the lipid decreases the rate of pyrite oxidation in air and in water. Lipid coatings applied to iron-sulfide bearing mine...
Lobing of the disk flower corollas in North American Coreopsis (compositae)

Both 4-lobed and 5-lobed disk flower corollas have been found in species ofCoreopsis. A brief survey of several manuals for portions of the eastern and southern United States indicated that the 4-lobed condition is relatively rare in Compositae. A survey of the North American species ofCoreopsis suggests that the character has high taxonomic significance in the genus.
A comparative study of affibody, panitumumab, and EGF for near-infrared fluorescence imaging of EGFR- and EGFRvIII-expressing tumors

Aberrant overexpression and/or activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is associated with many types of cancers. EGFR variant III (EGFRvIII) is a common in-frame deletion mutant, which lacks a large part of the extracellular portion (exons 2-7), including components of the ligand-binding domain. Although EGFR has been extensively studied as a molecular imaging target, information about EGFRvIII-targeted molecular imaging is lacking. In this study, the EGFR-specific affibody, therapeutic antibody panitumumab, and ligand EGF were labeled with IRDye 800CW (Ex/Em: 774/789 nm), yielding Aff800, Pan800, and EGF800, respectively. The binding affinities of the labeled agents were compared in cell-based assays using a rat glioma cell line F98 parental (F98-p) lacking EGFR expression, and 2 F98-derived transgenic cell lines expressing EGFR or EGFRvIII (designated as F98-EGFR and F98-vIII, respectively). Results showed that all agents could bind to F98-EGFR, with Pan800 having the highest binding affinity, followed by Aff800 and EGF800. Pan800 and Aff800, but not EGF800, also bound to F98-vIII. In vivo animal imaging demonstrated that compared with F98-p tumors, F98-EGFR tumors generated higher signals with all three agents. However, in the case of F98-vIII, only Pan800 and Aff800 signals were higher. Analysis of tissue lysates showed that a large portion of Pan800 was degraded into small fragments in F98-EGFR and F98-vIII tumors, possibly due to proteolytic digestion after its specific binding and internalization. In conclusion, Pan800 and Aff800 could be used as imaging agents for both wild-type EGFR and EGFRvIII, whereas EGF800 only targets wild-type EGFR.
Comparison of strains, crossbreeds and hybrids of channel catfish for vulnerability to angling

Abstract Fee-fishing is a major outlet for commercially grown catfish in the United States. Success at these operations is partially dependent upon the vulnerability of catfish to angling. Genetic differences in catchability have been previously demonstrated. The interspecific hybrid produced by mating a channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, female with a blue catfish, I. furcatus, male was more catchable than its parent species. However, the effect of parental strain on heterosis was not evaluated. In the present experiment, several strains of channel catfish were compared for vulnerability to angling and strain differences were evident (P
The Predictive Validity of the Descriptive Tests of Language Skills for Developmental Students over a Four-Year College Program

The sample for this study included 496 students admitted to a large midwestern university through the special admissions program. Validity coefficients of the Descriptive Tests of Language Skills (DTLS), the Academic Tests of the ACT Assessment Program (ACT), and high school percentile rank were calculated with cumulative grade point average (CGPA) at the end of each of four years of college. The most valid predictor of CGPA was ACT composite, although selected ACT tests and DTLS tests yielded statistically significant validity coefficients. High school percentile rank, traditionally a significant predictor in other studies, was not predictive of CGPA at any time for this sample. Regression analyses for a subset of 138 of the special admissions students remaining in college after four years showed that, after the first year in college, the DTLS tests did not make a significant contribution to academic success in college over and above that of the ACT tests and high school rank. At the end of the first yea...
N-Methyl-DL-Aspartic Acid Lesions of the Medial Preoptic Area Disrupt Ongoing Parental Behavior in Male Rats

The effects of axon-sparing, neurotoxic lesions of the medial preoptic area (MPOA) with N-methyl-DL-aspartic acid (NMA) on previously established parental behavior in male rats were investigated. Adult, sexually-inexperienced male rats were gonadectomized and seven days later implanted sc with a single estradiol (E2)-filled Silastic capsule on treatment Day 1. Three progesterone (P4) capsules were implanted sc on treatment Day 3 and removed on Day 21, one day prior to the start of behavioral testing. Males were tested daily with foster pups in order to induce parental behavior, i.e., contacting the test pups, pup retrieval, grouping, and crouching over three foster pups. Full parental behavior appeared in these males after an average of 3 days. After testing on the third consecutive day of parental behavior, parental males were infused bilaterally with either NMA or vehicle into the MPOA. NMA infusions resulted in a significant decline in all components of parental behavior by the next test session, a deficit which persisted throughout the 5 days of post-infusion testing. In contrast, parental care continued to be displayed in animals given vehicle infusions. These findings demonstrate that the cells in the MPOA play an important role in regulating ongoing parental care in male rats and indicate that the neural substrates controlling parental behavior in male and female rats are similar.
Radiotracer method for measuring real-time piston-ring and cylinder-bore wear in spark-ignition engines

Abstract A radiotracer method was developed to measure wear rates of piston rings and cylinder bores in spark-ignition (SI) engines. Piston rings were made radioactive by neutron activation and blocks were activated by surface layer activation. With this radiotracer system, top compression ring wear can be determined to better than ±5 μg/h and cylinder-bore wear can be determined to better than ±1 nm/h simultaneously in a 1 h measurement period. This sensitivity is superior to any other real-time wear measurement system currently available. High-sensitivity wear data is necessary to develop engine hardware and lubrication systems that will prevent excessive wear over the life of the engine. Details of the design and operation of the wear measurement system are presented as well as representative data on a production V6 SI engine.
Syntheses and Structural Characterization of Tetrahedral Four-Coordinate Gold(I) Complexes of 1,3,5-Triaza-7-phosphaadamantane. An Example of a Hydrogen-Bond-Directed Supramolecular Assembly.

The synthesis and structural characterization of water-soluble four-coordinate gold(I) complexes containing monodentate phosphine ligands are described. The ligands used are 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (TPA) and its protonated and methylated derivatives, [HTPA]Cl and [MeTPA]I. Formation of the four-coordinate gold(I) species is favored by the small cone angle of the phosphine (102°) and its ability to form a hydrogen-bonded network between the nitrogen atoms of the ligand and solvent water molecules. The gold center in all four complexes has a nearly regular tetrahedral geometry with an average P−Au−P angle of 109.5°. [(HTPA)3(TPA)Au](PF6)4·4H2O·CH3CN (1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c (No. 14) with cell constants a = 20.719(3) A, b = 15.606(2) A, c = 17.854(2) A, β = 114.03(1)°, and Z = 4. Refinement of 4977 reflections and 650 parameters yields R = 0.0396 and Rw = 0.0500. [(TPA)4Au]PF6·1.5HCl·H2O (2), crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15) with cell constants a =...
WELL BEHAVED PRIME t-IDEALS

Abstract We call a prime t-ideal P , of an integral domain D , well behaved if PD P is a t-ideal of D P . It is known that some integral domains have prime t-ideals that are not well behaved. In this article, we characterize integral domains in which every prime t-ideal is well behaved and construct examples of those with badly behaved prime t-ideals.
Representing gender in the Chinese nation: Chinese sportswomen and Beijing's bid for the 2000 olympics

In recent decades, the international victories of Chinese sportswomen have defied Western stereotypes about the oppressed Asian woman. The Western interpretation of women's sports history begins with the introduction of women's sports in the 1890s by the YMCA as a part of a strategy for liberating Chinese women and saving the nation; it continues through the Marxist egalitarianism of the Maoist era; and concludes with the wholesale imitation of the East German sports medicine machine in the 1990's. Utilizing Marshal Sahlins’ notion of the structure of the conjuncture, this paper tells another story: women's sports were shaped by distinct Chinese cultural practices, and by the use of gender symbols by elites to distinguish regional and national identities (particularly in the symbolism of opening ceremonies at major sports events). This article illustrates how, amidst the propagation of the seemingly homogenizing idea of the nation‐state, distinctly Chinese constructions of gender‐in‐the‐nation nevertheles...
Material issues for the super neutrino beam and high-intensity spallation source (measurements using the multi-particle correlation)

Abstract I discuss the technology related to producing the high-intensity spallation neutron source, and the super neutrino beam for neutrino oscillation studied at Brookhaven National Laboratory, especially material integrity. The pitting problem for solid walled liquid mercury target, has been remedied by the Kolsterized target in some what, further study for required neutron source is needed. For neutrino source study, the low mass nuclei target such as carbon–carbon composite target is promising results and the use of the tacky gluey target composed with entangled string material for high mass nuclei seems to be desirable to get high integrity stand for large energy deposition by short proton injection. Recent developments in nano-technology, such as CCD, might alleviate the high demands of maintaining the integrity of the target material. I also describe the advantages of operating the many facilities including the fast-pulsed prompt super-critical reactor in a deep underground site.
JBW Redundancy-Allocation Algorithm

A very simple heuristic redundancy-allocation algorithm for serial-parallel configurations is presented which: 1. Yields near-optimal system reliability under multiple resource system constraints. 2. Economically achieves a given redundant system reliability goal. 3. Accommodates both linear and nonlinear resource complexity functions. 4. Allows relative weighting of system resources. 5. Allows heterogeneous stages; ie. each stage is treated as a k-out-of-n:G model. The algorithm is conceptually and computationally simple and can be implemented with pencil-paper procedures and operations. Computational simplicity is demonstrated through the application of a TI-59 hand-held calculator program used to solve 12 previously published problems. The results obtained with the algorithm compares favorably with previous results. The TI-59 program is available in a separately available supplement.
Religious struggle as a predictor of subsequent mental and physical well-being in advanced heart failure patients

Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) often report high levels of religiousness, which may mitigate the stressfulness of their condition. However, religious struggle, reflecting negative attitudes toward God and a strained meaning system, may be detrimental to well-being. Little is known about religious struggle in those with CHF, particularly in relation to physical health and well-being over time. We examined associations of religious struggle and subsequent mental and physical well-being in 101 endstage CHF patients who completed questionnaires twice over 3 months. Religious struggle predicted higher number of nights subsequently hospitalized, higher depression, and marginally lower life satisfaction. When controlling for baseline levels of well-being, effectively assessing change in those outcomes, religious struggle remained a significant predictor of hospitalization and also emerged as a marginally significant predictor of lower physical functioning. Struggle was unrelated to health-related quality of life. Post-hoc analyses suggest that these effects were particularly strong for those endorsing greater religious identification. Religious struggle appears to have a potentially negative impact on well-being in advanced CHF; therefore, helping patients to address issues of struggle may meaningfully lessen the personal and societal costs of CHF.
Highly Enantioselective Hydrogenation of α-Dehydroamino Esters and Itaconates with Triphosphorous Bidentate Ligands and the Unprecedented Solvent Effect Thereof

An X-ray diffraction experiment revealed an interesting triphosphorous bidentate coordination in a Pd(II) complex of a phosphine-phosphoramidite ligand 1, which showed excellent enantioselectivity ...
Cost considerations of medical therapy for glaucoma.

Abstract PURPOSE: To determine the calculated daily patient cost (cost minimization) of medical glaucoma therapy. METHODS: The actual volume of various glaucoma medications was determined for all commercially available sizes of the tested products. The drops per ml on the basis of the actual volume and the daily costs of the dosage schedules recommended by the manufacturers were compared. The cost of each bottle of medication was determined from the average wholesale price in the United States. RESULTS: The generic timolol products dosed twice daily and the once-daily gel-forming solutions (range, $0.30 to $0.46/day) were similar on a cost-per-day basis compared with the brand name metipranolol (Optipranolol; Bausch & Lomb Pharmaceuticals, Tampa, Florida, at $0.43/day) and timolol (Timoptic; Merck, West Point, Pennsylvania, at $0.46/day and Timoptic XE at $0.38/day). Betaxolol (Betoptic S; Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, Texas, at $0.65/day), carteolol (Ocupress; CibaVision, Duluth, Georgia, at $0.57/day), levobunolol ($0.61/day), and brand name levobunolol (Betagan; Allergan, Irvine, California, at $0.81/day) all were dosed twice daily and were more costly on a per-day basis. The topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors brinzolamide (Azopt; Alcon, at $0.96/day) and dorzolamide (Trusopt; Merck, at $1.02/day) were dosed three times daily and were similar on a cost-per-day basis. The combination product Cosopt (timolol 0.5% + dorzolamide 2.0%, Merck, at $1.12/day) was less costly than separate bottles of a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (three times daily dosing) and a beta-blocker ($1.26 to $1.83/day), often even if the topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor was dosed two times daily ($0.94 to $1.49). The selective alpha 2 -agonist brimonidine (Alphagan; Allergan, at $0.90/day) twice daily and the prostaglandin analog latanoprost (Xalatan; Pharmacia & Upjohn, Kalamazoo, Michigan, at $0.92/day) once daily were similarly priced. CONCLUSIONS: All generic timolol, Optipranolol, Timoptic, and Timoptic XE ranged between $0.30 and $0.46 per day. Betaxolol, Ocupress, generic levobunolol, and Betagan were more costly, ranging between $0.57 and $0.81 per day. Cosopt ($1.12/day) was less costly than separate bottles of a topical beta-blocker and a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor dosed three times daily ($1.26 to $1.83/day) and often twice daily ($0.94 to $1.49). Alphagan and Xalatan were similarly priced ($0.90/day and $0.92/day, respectively). This study is based on a best-case scenario for all medicines and does not account for wasted doses, the frequency of refills, or a medication's success or failure rate. New adjunctive glaucoma regimens exhibit similar costs per day compared with more traditional regimens.
Seeing the Sites: Latin American Studies Online: A Review of Free Peer-Reviewed Journals

Public services librarians seeking to assist researchers in Latin American studies are increasingly augmenting their searches to include online publications not generally indexed in typical library journal and newspaper databases. Allan Scherlen introduces us to this multifaceted world of Web publications in Latin American Studies, centering on two free online peer-reviewed journals that offer an alternative to the traditional subscription model of journal publishing in Latin American studies.
Oral methotrexate and alternate-day prednisone for low-risk Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Many treatments for low-risk Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) involve unpleasant side-effects or risks of late effects. To provide treatment with minimal toxicity and no known risk of late effects, we have used oral alternate-day prednisone (PDN, 40 mg/sq.m./day) and weekly methotrexate (MTX, 20 mg/sq.m. once weekly) in a series of 13 children with 17 episodes of LCH. Patients were monitored with monthly physical examinations, blood counts and chemistry panels, and radiographs and scans obtained at the treating physician's discretion. Patients who responded had the prednisone tapered and MTX discontinued after three months of treatment. Recurrences while treatment was being tapered, or after its discontinuation, were managed with resumption of MTX and PDN. Treatment was successful in 16 of the 17 episodes, meaning that symptoms resolved and abnormal physical or radiographic findings improved. Symptomatic relief occurred in two weeks or less in 14 of 17 episodes; objective improvement generally occurred within one month, and in all cases by three months. The median duration of treatment was 5 months. Toxicity was limited to slight, transient elevations in hepatic enzymes in three patients. We conclude that oral chemotherapy with alternate-day PDN and weekly MTX is effective and non-toxic in patients with low-risk LCH.
The effect of long-term diethylstilbestrol treatment or hyperprolactinemia on the response of the tuberoinfundibular dopamine neurons to elevated prolactin.

Abstract Adult male rats were rendered hyperprolactinemic by two different methods. Some animals received subcutaneous implants of diethylstilbestrol (DES) or empty capsules. After 2 months the capsules were removed. Other rats received 3 anterior pituitary homografts under the kidney capsule or had sham surgery. The DES-treated rats were killed 8 months after capsule removal, while pituitary-grafted rats were killed 4 or 12 months after surgery. The DES-treated rats had hyperplastic anterior pituitaries, and both the DES-treated rats and the rats with anterior pituitary homografts were hyperprolactinemic. The activity of the TIDA neurons, as evidenced by dopamine (DA) synthesis in the median eminence (ME), was markedly and comparably elevated in both of these experimental groups of rats when compared to their respective controls. These data: (1) show that the maintenance of hyperplastic pituitaries 8 months after DES withdrawal is not due to impaired function of the TIDA neurons; and (2) provide no evidence for a neurotoxic effect of prolonged hyperprolactinemia on the response of the TIDA neurons to elevated PRL.
Disability: Societal Responses to Difference and Interdisciplinary Interventions by Bioethicists

(2001). Disability: Societal Responses to Difference and Interdisciplinary Interventions by Bioethicists. The American Journal of Bioethics: Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 62-63.
Medicaid Enrollment Policy Increased Smoking Cessation Among Pregnant Women But Had No Impact On Birth Outcomes

Cigarette smoking during pregnancy is an important cause of poor maternal and infant health outcomes in the population eligible for Medicaid. These outcomes may be avoided or attenuated by timely, high-quality prenatal care. Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System for the period 2004–10, we examined the effects of two optional state Medicaid enrollment policies on smoking cessation, preterm birth, and having an infant who was small for gestational age. We used a natural experiment to compare outcomes before and after nineteen states adopted either of the two policies. The first policy, presumptive eligibility, permits women to receive prenatal care while their Medicaid application is pending. Its adoption led to a 7.7-percentage-point increase in smoking cessation but did not reduce adverse birth outcomes. The second policy, the unborn-child option, permits states to provide coverage to pregnant women who cannot document their citizenshi...
Type checking in an imperfect world

We present an algorithn for the determination of run-time types which functions in the presence of errors, and show that it provides more information than that obtained using a previously published algorithm.In Section 1 we define the problem and state the requirements for a practically useful type prediction algorithm. In Section 2 we introduce a model programing language and in Section 3 define type inference rules for that language. Section 4 presents a type prediction algorithm and Section 5 describes how to apply the results to solve the problems stated in Section 1. Section 6 presents an example of our procedure and demonstrates how previous work does not satisfy all requirements.
Raman Studies of Molecular Crystals at High Pressures. I. Tribromofluoromethane

The vibrations of solid tribromofluoromethane were studied by Raman scattering at room temperature and up to pressures of about 9 GPa. Changes in the low-wavenumber region of the Raman spectra reveal that freezing occurs near 1.0 GPa and that a solid-state phase transition occurs near 1.8 GPa. All of the internal modes are found to display splitting at elevated pressures, although only two modes (the CBr3 asymmetric stretch ν4 and the CF stretch ν1) display splitting at the lowest pressures of the solid phase. The wavenumbers of the lattice and internal modes increase with applied pressure, except for the CF stretch mode ν1, which decreases uniformly as the pressure increases.
Differential Effects of Peptidoglycan Recognition Proteins on Experimental Atopic and Contact Dermatitis Mediated by Treg and Th17 Cells

Skin protects the body from the environment and is an important component of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis are among the most frequent inflammatory skin diseases and are both determined by multigenic predisposition, environmental factors, and aberrant immune response. Peptidoglycan Recognition Proteins (Pglyrps) are expressed in the skin and we report here that they modulate sensitivity to experimentally-induced atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. Pglyrp3−/− and Pglyrp4−/− mice (but not Pglyrp2−/− mice) develop more severe oxazolone-induced atopic dermatitis than wild type (WT) mice. The common mechanism underlying this increased sensitivity of Pglyrp3−/− and Pglyrp4−/− mice to atopic dermatitis is reduced recruitment of Treg cells to the skin and enhanced production and activation Th17 cells in Pglyrp3−/− and Pglyrp4−/− mice, which results in more severe inflammation and keratinocyte proliferation. This mechanism is supported by decreased inflammation in Pglyrp3−/− mice following in vivo induction of Treg cells by vitamin D or after neutralization of IL-17. By contrast, Pglyrp1−/− mice develop less severe oxazolone-induced atopic dermatitis and also oxazolone-induced contact dermatitis than WT mice. Thus, Pglyrp3 and Pglyrp4 limit over-activation of Th17 cells by promoting accumulation of Treg cells at the site of chronic inflammation, which protects the skin from exaggerated inflammatory response to cell activators and allergens, whereas Pglyrp1 has an opposite pro-inflammatory effect in the skin.
Laguerre transformation as a tool for the numerical solution of integral equations of convolution type

A novel transform is presented which maps continuum functions (such as probability densities) into discrete sequences and permits rapid numerical calculation of convolutions, multiple convolutions, and Neumann expansions for Volterra integral equations. The transform is based on the Laguerre polynomials, associated Laguerre functions and their simple convolution properties. A second transform employs Erlang functions as elements of the basis. The limitations and advantages of the two transforms are discussed. Numerical inversion of Laplace transforms relates simply to the Erlang transform. The deconvolution of two functions, i.e., the solution of a(t) = x(t)*b(t), may also be obtained quickly in this way.
Correctional boot camps and change in attitude: Is all this shouting necessary? A research note

The number of correctional boot camp programs in the United States has increased steadily since the early 1980s. To determine the effect of military training on offenders, this study compared the attitudinal changes of 48 offenders participating in a 150-day boot camp program with those of 34 offenders in a 120-day treatment-oriented, presentencing evaluation program held in a regular prison. Findings show that attitudes in both groups of inmates became more prosocial. Results were interpreted as suggesting that rather than military training per se, the key elements in promoting individual change may be the commitment of the staff, the integrity of the programs, and the timing of the interventions.
Adjunctive high‐risk human papillomavirus DNA testing is a useful option for disease risk assessment in patients with negative Papanicolaou tests without an endocervical/transformation zone sample

BACKGROUND. Current guidelines recommend that women with negative Papanicolaou (Pap) test results and no endocervical/transformation zone (EC/TZ) sample return for screening within 12 months. For some women, this represents earlier follow-up than advocated in several routine screening guidelines. Controversy remains with regard to the correlation between sampling of the EC/TZ, Pap test quality, and disease risk assessment. METHODS. A retrospective study was conducted reviewing the results from 143,438 liquid-based cervical Pap tests performed at a large academic women's hospital between July 2005 and December 2006. Vaginal Pap tests were excluded from the study. Women with any Pap result, women with low–grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs), and patients with high–grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) Pap test results were stratified by 10-year age groups and according to the presence or absence of an EC/TZ sample (EC/TZS). Women with LSIL and HSIL Pap test results with and without an EC/TZS were also compared for rates of high–risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) DNA detection. RESULTS. Of the total of 143,438 cervical Pap tests performed, 27,359 (19.1%) were reported to be lacking an EC/TZS. The absence of an EC/TZS was found to be highest in adolescents and in mature women aged ≥50 years. The overall detection rate of LSIL was 4.29% and that of HSIL was 0.64%. Both the LSIL and HSIL rates were found to be significantly higher in Pap tests with an EC/TZS compared with Pap tests without an EC/TZS (LSIL: 4.51% vs 3.37% and HSIL: 0.72% vs 0.29%). However, when women with LSILs and HSILs were divided into a group in which EC/TZS was present and a group in which EC/TZS was absent, no significant differences were found to be present with regard to hrHPV DNA rates between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS. Adjunctive hrHPV DNA testing is effective in stratifying risk for the presence of SIL in women with and without an EC/TZS. This finding is consistent with recently reported data from >9000 patients with negative Pap results, which found that hrHPV DNA–positive test rates are independent of the presence or absence of an EC/TZS. hrHPV DNA results provide a useful new optional adjunctive tool for the objective stratification of disease risk in women with negative Pap tests and no EC/TZS. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
A comparison of four methods for measuring respiration in organic material

Abstract Four methods for measurement of respiration (CO 2 evolution) were compared on uniformly prepared, birch forest-floor organic matter; the methods included infrared gas analysis (i.r.g.a.), gas chromatography (g.c.), KOH absorption of CO 2 (b.a.) and the Gilson respirometer. Respiration estimates were made at a single temperature and also at variable temperatures at constant moisture contents. The i.r.g.a. and b.a. methods gave maximum estimates for respiration; the g.c. gave lowest, with the Gilson intermediate. Lower estimates for the g.c. are attributed to the closed system employed, which included no means of increasing gas diffusion (such as a KOH-CO 2 sink or continuous gas flow) out of the sample into the unoccupied space of the respiration chamber. At 25°C, the minimum sensitivity of the g.c. and Gilson were 3.8 and 3.6 μg CO 2 , respectively. The minimum sensitivity of the b.a. method (44 μg CO 2 ) could have been improved with use of a micro-liter burette for titrations. The least minimum sensitivity, 0.31 μg CO 2 , was attained with the i.r.g.a. Conditions under which any of the techniques may be used to estimate respiration should be carefully worked out. The relationship between sample size, gas flow rate (open system), chamber atmosphere composition (closed system), and chamber design should be established with sufficient confidence so that stimulation of respiration by excessive gas flow rate, or exhaustion of O 2 or CO 2 inhibition through extended chamber closure does not adversely affect respiration estimates.
Selective losses in binocular vision in anisometropic amblyopes

Abstract Human anisometropic amblyopes typically exhibit reduced contrast sensitivity in the amblyopic eye, especially at higher spatial frequencies. We determined whether this spatial frequency selective loss in contrast sensitivity is accompanied by selective losses in binocular function. Binocular summation (the improvement in one eye's detection performance produced by a subthreshold pattern presented to the fellow eye) was measured at several spatial frequencies. Normal observers exhibited equivalent binocular summation at all spatial frequencies, whereas all anisometropic amblyopes exhibited normal summation at low spatial frequencies but none at high spatial frequencies. Stereoacuity (minimum resolvable disparity) was also measured as a function of spatial frequency. For normal observers. Stereoacuity was best at the highest spatial frequency; for anisometropes Stereoacuity was normal at low spatial frequencies, subnormal at intermediate spatial frequencies, and unmeasurable at higher spatial frequencies. Anisometropia may represent a form of selective binocular deprivation that affects neural mechanisms underlying binocular summation and stereopsis.