cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure of the Ag on Si(111) 7 × 7 interface by means of surface exafs

Polarization dependent surface extended X-ray absorption fine structure (SEXAFS) measurements are used to determine the structure of the Ag on Si(111)7 × 7 system at the early stages (< 3 monolayers (ML)) of interface formation. At room temperature (RT) Ag is found to initially (< 0.5 ML) chemisorb in the threefold hollow site, approximately 0.7 A above the outermost Si layer with an average Ag-Si distance of 2.48±0.05 A. Above monolayer coverage the SEXAFS spectrum is dominated by the Ag-Ag distance indicating Ag island formation on the surface. Upon heating (200 ⩽T⩽ 600°C) a (√3 ×√3)R30° LEED pattern is observed. At the lowest coverage ( < 0.7 ML) this pattern is determined to arise from Ag atoms which are embedded in the threefold hollows, ~ 0.7 A below the first and above the second Si layer, with a Ag-Si distance of 2.48 ± 0.04 A. At higher coverage ($1 ML) Ag clusters are found to grow on this interface with the same Ag-Ag distance as in Ag metal. Our results are discussed in the context of previous experimental and theoretical results.
Spatial Variations in the Associations Of Birth Weight with Socioeconomic, Environmental, and Behavioral Factors in Georgia, USA

Abstract Birth weight is an important indicator of overall infant health and a strong predictor of infant morbidity and mortality, and low birth weight (LBW) is a leading cause of infant mortality in the United States. However, the factors that affect birth weight remain unclear. A spatial statistical technique, Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) is applied to study the spatial variations in the associations of birth weight with six socioeconomic, environmental, and behavioral factors, including individual-level factors such as maternal smoking, maternal drinking, and prenatal care, as well as community-level family median income, educational attainment, and percentage of urban land. Data acquisition and analysis was limited to the State of Georgia, USA. Analyses of these data suggest considerable spatial variation in the associations between birth weight and these factors. Maternal smoking is the most spatially consistent factor and analysis indicated this behavior has adverse impact on birth weight in most parts of the study area. Moreover, the effects of other factors studied are only significant in some parts of the study area and the results are mixed depending on the socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of communities in which births occurred. The positive impacts of prenatal care and educational attainment, negative impacts of maternal smoking and drinking on birth weight are more significant in communities with lower income and lower educational attainment, typically characterized as more rural areas. The positive impact of family income is more significant in communities with higher educational attainment. The negative impact of urban land is more significant in rural communities. These findings suggest that targeting specific factors at a local level is more likely to reduce the risk of LBW. Therefore, health policies should be tailored to address the needs of community based on the factors relevant to that specific community. This study also suggests that GWR is a useful exploratory tool to study birth outcomes, and this technique has the potential to be applied to study other health outcomes.
State assignment for realizing modular input-free sequential logical networks without invertors

Appearance of integrated circuits has made of great importance a problem of working out a technique of synthesis which make it possible to form the resulting logic network from identical integrated units involving a minimum number of external links. The proposed assignment made for input-free sequential logical networks has the following features.o(1)The whole sequential logical network consists of n subnetworks, exciting each of n memory elements and having identical internal structure. Besides for any two input binary sets which set i-th and j-th memory elements, respectively, such a shift on s positions exists (s>=1) where i-th input set coincides with j-th input set. (2)i-th memory element logical network (i=1,...n) is identified as two-level logic specified by the following parameters , where @c"1 is a number of gates in the first level @c"2 is a number of inputs for each gate @c"3 is complete number of input variables (3)The i-th logical network (i=1,...n) does not contain any invertors.
Routine Screening of Young Athletes for Aneurysm: CON

The death of a young athlete is a particularly devastating moment in any society because these individuals represent our strengths and physical prowess as human beings. For this reason, the concept of preparticipation screening has captured attention. A routine screening program applied nonselectively to a particular population in the hopes of reducing morbidity and mortality from a disease must meet certain criteria to be useful. This article examines the scope of the problem from the perspective of acute aortic syndrome and aortic death; and reviews ways, if any, to systematically screen the population to help eradicate this wanton killer of gifted young athletes.
Overview of Corps of Engineers waste containment activities involving geosynthetics

Abstract Containment has proven to be a viable option for remediating many hazardous waste sites. The US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) has been involved in the design and/or construction of more than 40 landfill remediation projects for Superfund projects and military installations since 1982. Geosynthetics have played a major role in the success of these projects. This paper focuses on COE involvement in various environmental restoration programs which use geosynthetics and the activities being conducted to further advance the state-of-the-practice in geosynthetic engineering. Geosynthetic guidance development and training by the COE are discussed along with examples of geosynthetic containment applications. In addition, geosynthetic design and construction issues related to geomembrane seam testing, interface friction testing, test sections, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) and monitoring are discussed.
Milton’s Evolving Faculty of Conscience: ‘On the New Forcers of Conscience,’ A Treatise of Civil Power, and Paradise Lost

AbstractThis article considers the representation of conscience as it evolves throughout Milton’s canon, moving from an allegorical character in the Trinity Manuscript to a postlapsarian faculty in Paradise Lost. Where scholars have previously drawn upon Protestant casuistry to contextualize Milton’s understanding of the conscience, this essay finds that his engagement with the debates over ‘liberty of conscience’ in the 1640s and 1650s allowed him to define its role in the protection of certain religious Dissenters. Yet, to understand how his definition of the conscience shifts in relation to context and builds upon his earlier polemic, this essay explores three texts that feature the conscience as a subject or a key narrative element: Milton’s early sonnet, ‘On the New Forcers of Conscience under the Long Parliament’ (1646); his plea against church unification, A Treatise of Civil Power in Ecclesiastical Causes (1659); and the epic poem Paradise Lost (1667). By tracing Milton’s representations of the co...
Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the Danio rerio catalase gene.

Abstract Catalase is an antioxidant enzyme that plays a central role in the protection against oxidative stress through the metabolism of hydrogen peroxide. Catalase has been well studied in plants, bacteria, and mammals, but little work has been done in other vertebrate species. We have cloned the zebrafish (Danio rerio) catalase cDNA containing the complete coding region and analyzed expression by both reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot. The deduced amino acid sequence predicts a protein of 526 amino acids with both the primary DNA and amino acid sequences highly conserved among vertebrate species. The major protein-heme contact points in the catalase enzyme complex are also well conserved, although several amino acids associated with the second and third levels of the major substrate channel are not, suggesting potential differences in substrate access or specificity. The 3′ flanking region of the cDNA contains a dinucleotide repeat near the termination codon consisting of a near perfect CA array that is polymorphic. The rat and mouse catalase genes also contain a CA repeat sequence in the 3′ untranslated region, which, along with an adjacent 5′ stem-loop structure, has previously been shown to be a site for mRNA protein binding (Clerch, 1995, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 317 (1995) 267–274). A stem-loop structure is also predicted adjacent to the zebrafish CA repeat, suggesting a similar role in catalase gene regulation.
Maximising area-constrained partial fault tolerance in reconfigurable logic using selection criteria

As field programmable gate arrays find increasing use in aerospace and terrestrial applications, a number of methods of fault tolerance have been developed to ensure reliable operation. Most current techniques output the required circuit area based on the desired level of fault tolerance with some techniques increasing the area by over 200%. In deployed systems, however, the FPGA is fixed and the area available for adding fault tolerance is limited. As a consequence, protecting an updated, larger circuit using the same fault tolerance scheme may result in a design that no longer fits in the deployed FPGA. This situation dictates the need for area-aware techniques that can trade fault tolerance for lower area penalties. The open question with these approaches is partitioning the circuit into protected and unprotected subsets to maximise the fault coverage. This paper presents several methodologies for selecting subsets and analyses their performances on several circuits based on fault coverage provided, additional latency, and running times.
The uncarpentered world of Old English poetry

Cultural archaism is often thought of as a natural concomitant of oral tradition, and by extension, of a literature that is influenced by oral tradition. In the case of Old English poetry, archaism might include residual pagan religious beliefs and practices, such as the funeral rites in Beowulf or the use of runes for sortilege, and certain outmoded aspects of social organization such as the idea of a state dependent upon the comitatus for military security. An example often cited is the adaptation of heroic terminology and detail to Christian topics. The compositional method in Caedmon's ‘Hymn’, for instance, is regarded by many scholars as an adaptation of panegyric epithets to the praise of God, although N. F. Blake has noted that heroic epithets in the poem could have derived their inspiration from the psalms. In The Dream of the Rood, the image of Christ mounting the Cross as a warrior leaping to battle has been regarded variously as evidence of an artistic limitation imposed by oral tradition, or as a learned metaphor pointing to the divine and human nature of Christ and to the crucifixion as a conflict between Christ and the devil. The martyrdom of the apostles is represented as military conflict in Cynewulf's Fates of the Apostles, Christ and his apostles as king and comitatus in Cynewulf's Ascension, and temptation by devils as a military attack in Guthlac A; these illustrate a point made by A.B. Lord concerning the nature of conservatism in oral tradition: ‘tradition is not a thing of the past but a living and dynamic process which began in the past [and] flourishes in the present’.
Does Experience Matter? American Presidential Experience, Age, and International Conflict

This article demonstrates that the probability of an international crisis involving the United States declines as a presidential administration gains time in office. This finding invalidates three widely held theories about the relationship between the American democratic cycle and foreign policy that (1) there might be a honeymoon period immediately following election in which new presidents are unlikely to become involved in foreign crises, (2) presidents might systematically use the ``rally round the flag'' effect to bolster their electoral prospects, or that more generally, (3) foreign policy might be primarily tied to the democratic constraints of the electoral cycle. This finding also stands in partial contrast to recent work suggesting that, globally, leadership experience does not influence the likelihood of a militarized interstate dispute, while leader age does. The differing conclusions are the result of both the unique American case and the differing formulations of conflict.
What’s all the fuss about Ritalin?

with an equation describing a chemical equilibrium reaction, the presence of an extremely effective treatment (or of readily available reimbursement for a treatment of unproven efficacy) will not unexpectedly contribute both to an increase in the use of that treatment and possibly to more accurate diagnosis. Although not every child who qualifies for a diagnosis of an attention disorder needs a trial of medication, the prescription rate would need to significantly exceed the 10% level before it can be interpreted as prima facie evidence of overuse. Several decades ago, there was an “epidemic” of learning disabilities, and more recently, there has been a “pandemic” of autistic spectrum disorders. For the most part, these increases do not reflect faddish overdiagnosis but rather a recognition of cases that were previously misdiagnosed or just plain missed. Although Goldman et al 10 found little evidence of any “widespread overdiagnosis or misdiagnosis of ADHD or of widespread overprescription of methylphenidate,” Angold et al 11 uncovered some confusing discrepancies between prescription practices and accurate diagnoses in a community setting. Commenting on the latter article, Jensen 12 interpreted this mismatch as not inconsistent with undertreatment as the primary phenomenon.
Qualitative properties of nonlinear difference systems

This paper gives criteria for the existence and uniqueness of solutions to two and multipoint boundary value problems associated with a typical system of kth order nonlinear Lyapunov system. A variation of parameters formula for nonlinear kth order system is established. Using this formula, we also study various concepts of stability and establish sufficient conditions for the kth order difference system to be Lipschitz stable and uniform Lipschitz stable.
Impact of Priming on Explicit Memory in Spider Fear

There is inconsistent evidence for memory biases in anxiety disorders, perhaps because memory biases require activation of the relevant fear schema to be observable. Cognitive theories predict this will occur when exposure to the feared stimulus is combined with semantic and affective activation. The current study examined the impact of priming (having a live spider present) on explicit memory among individuals who were low (N = 53) or high (N = 51) in spider fear. As predicted, only participants who were both high in spider fear and primed (spider present) exhibited preferential recall of spider words (but not of other words). Findings are discussed in terms of how priming may enhance the expression of information processing biases among vulnerable individuals.
Near-IR spectroscopy as a method for studying the formation of calcium naphthenate

A method for studying the precipitation of calcium naphthenate particles by means of near-IR spectroscopy is presented. Naphthenic or fatty acids were dissolved in water at high pH (11.2–11.5). Upon addition of a Ca2+ solution the nucleation period and particle growth were monitored. The near-IR spectra experience a baseline elevation owing to the formation and growth of calcium naphthenate particles. The resulting change in optical density over time is discussed on the basis of supersaturation, particle sizes, agglomeration, Ca2+-to-carboxylic acid ratio and nucleation process. Solubility products, defined as the ion concentration products where no particle growth was detected, were estimated for the calcium soaps. The method showed some quantitative limitations since the particle sizes changed with supersaturation. Smaller particles will have less influence on the optical density and the larger particle will dominate the resulting scattering contribution. However, it is obvious that the method has qualitative value, for example, to study the efficiency of different calcium naphthenate inhibitors.
Silica-based Solid Photonic Band Gap Fibre with Attenuation Below 20 dB/km and Bandwidth Over 400 nm

We demonstrate a silica-based solid photonic band gap fibre with attenuation below 20 dB/km at 1520 nm. The bandwidth is over 400 nm and covers the entire telecom wavelength range from O-band to U-band.
Oyun: A New, Free Program for Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma Tournaments in the Classroom

Evolutionary applications of game theory present one of the most pedagogically accessible varieties of genuine, contemporary theoretical biology. We present here Oyun (oy-oon, http://charlespence.net/oyun), a program designed to run iterated prisoner's dilemma tournaments, competitions between prisoner's dilemma strategies developed by the students themselves. Using this software, students are able to readily design and tweak their own strategies, and to see how they fare both in round-robin tournaments and in “evolutionary” tournaments, where the scores in a given “generation” directly determine contribution to the population in the next generation. Oyun is freely available, runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers, and the process of creating new prisoner's dilemma strategies is both easy to teach and easy for students to grasp. We illustrate with two interesting examples taken from actual use of Oyun in the classroom.
Transient solution of chemical vapor infiltration/deposition in a reactor

A chemical vapor infiltration/deposition (CVI/CVD) reactor used to manufacture carbon/carbon (C/C) composites aircraft brakes has been simulated numerically. This simulation accounts for a homogeneous gas reaction mechanism as well as a heterogeneous surface reaction mechanism that is coupled with hydrogen inhibition effect and a pore model. Non-Boussinesq (low Mach number) equations are used to predict fluid flow, heat transfer, and species concentrations inside the reactor and within the porous brakes. In addition, we use an efficient quasi-steady state integration procedure to predict porosity distribution at different infiltration times. Results showing the flow, temperature and concentration fields, as well as the deposition rate of the pyrolytic carbon and porosity change with time, are presented. Optimized operating conditions for pressure and temperature are obtained through a parametric study that consists of 16 different cases. Recommendations are presented for improving performance.
Toward a Genealogy of the Holy: Rudolf Otto and the Apologetics of Religion

This article reads Rudolf Otto's thought, especially his classic book, Das Heilige (The Idea of the Holy), against the background of an intense, early struggle to reconcile the religiosity of his childhood with the claims of the natural and historical sciences. In doing so, it sees Otto as creatively continuing and combining two theological traditions : the neo-Lutheranism that he learned especially from F.H.R. Frank at Erlangen and the liberal theology that he learned from Hermann Schultz at Gottingen. Although it has become customary to see Otto's thought, including Das Heilige, as a classic contribution to the science of religion, Otto's work emerges from this reading as a late moment in the branch of systematic theology hnown as apologetics. In his best-known writings Otto developed an apologetics not of Christianity but of religion.
Patterns of Mother-Infant Behavior and Subsequent Childhood Psychosis: A Research and Case Report

This paper discusses and illustrates a case from research based on the analysis of home movies of the infancies of children wholater came to psychiatric attention and were diagnosed as suffering from early childhood psychosis. Examination of the infant's behavior in the first months of life indicated normal attachment modalities—clinging, gazing and smiling, feeding, and touching—although the infant was somewhat less than normally active compared to control babies. By contrast, the mother did not reciprocate the child's movements toward ventral-ventral contact and even prevented ventral-ventral closeness from occurring. Further correlation of the prospective-like film data was made with the mother-child phenomena observed and understood when the child was 4 and the family came to treatment. This indicated that the deviant behavior had complex structures embedded in the mother-child relationship that are visible in simpler form in the filmed mother-child interactions from the first months of the child's life. Examples from the child's therapy are presented along with paradigmatic sequences from the film record of the first year of life. The findings and associated hypotheses are discussed in connection with other recent research that delineates the profound, often biologically released, ways in which infants and mothers interact from the time of the infants' birth, with consequences for the development of nervous system, psychological, and behavior structures.
Hinduising India: secularism in practice

Abstract This paper challenges the academic and media consensus on the notion that India is a secular state. It does so by marshalling empirical evidence that, far from being a state practising neutrality between the religious affiliations of Indian society or equidistance from all religions, the Indian state is actually and directly involved in Hinduisation of the country. It does this by promoting Hinduism through ‘reform’ and favouritism at state expense. While the constitution guarantees educational and cultural autonomy as well as religious freedom, in practice there are widespread and systematic violations by state institutions. In public employment the state follows discriminatory policies to perpetuate the Hindu majority by restricting religious freedom. The discriminatory policies are most visible in affirmative action policies and recruitment in the army. Contrary to some academic writings, the paper establishes that the Hinduisation of the Indian state is not only associated with the votaries o...
A Source Of Metacomprehension Inaccuracy

In the present study we examined the basis of students' self-evaluations of comprehension performance. We manipulated text difficulty to maximize performance variability across reading trials and to minimize the likelihood of giving similar performance evaluations across trials. Students were allowed to acquire task (prior) experience across nine reading trials. A path model analysis was then used to examine the basis of students' self-evaluations within and across trials 10, 11, and 12. The results showed that despite nine learning trials, students did not assess performance based on each individual trial (proximal experience). Rather, self-evaluations were influenced by prior trials (distal experience). Thus, immediate self-evaluations are not assessments of immediate performance but assessments of generalized self-representations of ability formed from distal experience.
Projectile charge-state dependence of K -shell ionization by silicon ions: A comparison of Coulomb ionization theories for direct ionization and electron capture with x-ray production data

X-ray-production cross sections measured in $K$-shell ionization of $_{21}\mathrm{Sc}$, $_{22}\mathrm{Ti}$, $_{29}\mathrm{Cu}$, and $_{32}\mathrm{Ge}$ by 52-MeV $_{14}^{28}\mathrm{Si}^{+q}$ projectiles with $q=7 \mathrm{to} 14$ are reported, which demonstrate, through their charge-state dependence, the validity of a recently developed electron-capture theory with a reduced binding effect. Furthermore, the data provide evidence for the applicability of the perturbed stationary-state theory of direct ionization for values of $0.44\ensuremath{\le}\frac{{Z}_{1}}{{Z}_{2}}\ensuremath{\le}0.67$.
The Implications of Crossmodal Links in Attention for the Design of Multimodal Interfaces: A Driving Simulation Study:

The design of multimodal interfaces rarely takes into consideration recent data suggesting the existence of considerable crossmodal spatial and temporal links in attention. This can be partly explained by the fact that crossmodal links have been studied almost exclusively in spartan laboratory settings with simple cues and tasks. As a result, it is not clear whether they scale to more complex settings. To examine this question, participants in this experiment drove a simulated military vehicle and were periodically presented with lateralized visual indications marking locations of roadside mines and safe areas of travel. Valid and invalid auditory and tactile cues preceded these indications at varying stimulus-onset asynchronies. The findings confirm that the location and timing of crossmodal cue combinations affect response time and accuracy in complex domains as well. In particular, presentation of crossmodal cues at SOAs below 500ms and tactile cuing resulted in lower accuracy and longer response times.
Religiously Based Politics: Religious Elites and the Public

Will religion become a major source of political conflict in America? Wuthnow describes a growing conservative-liberal rift in American religion that threatens to fan the flames of political conflict. Warner agrees that there is a split in religion but feels it willfoster little political conflict because the two sides pursue nonopposing agendas. Among religious elites (seminary faculty) we find two political agendas (liberal and conservative), both linked to religion but only partly opposed to each other. Within the general public we find that the same two agendas are uncorrelated and only the conservative social-moral agenda is linked to religion. While important, religion will not soon become the major axis of political conflict in America.
The effects of biofilms formed on whey reverse osmosis membranes on the microbial quality of the concentrated product

The study investigated the development of bacterial biofilms on spiral wound reverse osmosis (RO) whey concentration membranes and their influence on the microbial quality and safety of concentrated whey (retentate). Used RO membranes, obtained from a commercial whey processing plant, were evaluated at intervals of 2 months for a total duration of 14 months using standard techniques. Results confirmed the presence of multi-species bacterial biofilms on whey RO membranes. Considerable variations were noticed in the distribution pattern of biofilms constitutive microflora as the membranes aged. A greater increase in retentate counts as compared to feed suggested the possibilities of cross-contamination from the membrane biofilms.
Tutoring with Technology.

Peer tutoring is an evidence-based strategy used across a wide range of age groups and settings. Teachers may find it challenging to successfully pair students for tutoring because the tutor must be able to evaluate the tutee's response as correct or incorrect. This article describes four examples of electronic devices that prompt tutors to provide accurate feedback during tutoring as well as the steps for preparing materials and using these devices for tutoring.
Dopamine Synthesis, Uptake, Metabolism, and Receptors: Relevance to Gene Therapy of Parkinson's Disease

This article gives a brief overview of the current understanding of the life cycle of the dopamine molecule, covering dopamine synthesis, storage, release, receptor and autoreceptor interactions, and reuptake. Special consideration is given to biochemical changes that occur in the nigrostriatal dopamine system in Parkinson's disease and how gene therapy may provide a new strategy for reversing parkinsonian biochemical deficits.
Analysis of Residuals for the Multinomial Item Response Model.

Using the item response model as developed on the multinomial distribution, asymptotic variances are obtained for residuals associated with response patterns and first-, and second-order marginal frequencies of manifest variables. When the model does not fit well, an examination of these residuals may reveal the source of the poor fit. Finally, a limited-information test of fit for the model is developed by using residuals defined for the first-, and second-order marginals. Model evaluation based on residuals for these marginals is particularly useful when the response pattern frequencies are sparse.
Scalable Analysis of Massive Graphs on a Parallel Data Flow System

The feasibility of using dataflow systems for running complex graph queries is studied in this paper. A general query optimization framework for parallel dataflow systems is also proposed. The proposed methods are used to optimize a suite of benchmark queries, and their effectiveness is evaluated. The performance of the optimized queries is measured on an actual parallel dataflow machine using a large semantic graph and compared to that of equivalent SQL queries on a high-end parallel relational database system. The study has revealed that dataflow system can achieve significant performance improvement over state-of-art database systems and can be a viable and scalable alternative to run large complex graph queries.
Time-dependent magnetic structures of the superconducting mixed ternary system Ho(Rh 1-x Ir x ) 4 B 4

Magnetic structures have been determined by netron diffraction for several compositions in the superconducting mixed ternary system Ho(${\mathrm{Rh}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ir}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${)}_{4}$${\mathrm{B}}_{4}$. Two features previously reported to occur in the heat capacity for some compositions are shown to correspond to successive magnetic transitions. For x=0.30 and 0.45, neutron diffraction peaks for the lowest temperature structure develop over a timescale of many hours. The results are discussed in terms of magnetic frustration.
Pharmacokinetic simulations of spect quantitation of the M2 muscarinic neuroreceptor subtype in disease states using radioiodinated (R,R)-41QNB

Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves selective loss of muscarinic M2, but not M1, subtype neuroreceptors in the posterior parietal cortex of the human brain. Emission tomographic study of the loss of M2 receptors in AD is limited by the fact that there is currently no available M2-selective radioligand which can penetrate the blood-brain barrier. However, by taking advantage of the different pharmacokinetic properties of (R,R)-[123I]IQNB for the M1 and M2 subtypes, it may be possible to estimate losses in M2. It has previously been hypothesized that the difference between an early study and a late study should provide information on the M2 receptor population. In order to test this hypothesis, we present here the results of pharmacokinetic simulations of the in vivo localization of (R,R)-[123I]IQNB in brain regions containing various proportions of M1 and M2 subtypes. These results permit us to conclude that SPECT imaging of (R,R)-[123I]IQNB localization can potentially be used to quantitate changes in the M2 subtype in a disease state within a brain region for which the ratio M2/M1 is sufficiently high in normal individuals.
Computerized direct mail to treat smokers who avoid treatment.

Abstract SMOKE, a computer program written in BASIC, uses interactive direct mail to assist smokers who do not wish to attend formal face-to-face smoking cessation therapy. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated in a yearlong study. Of 1044 smokers who expressed interest in smoking treatment, only 11.2% wished to participate in formal therapy. The rest received mail-based treatment. A total of 21.2% of the subjects who were assigned to the computerized direct mail group participated in this treatment. The abstinence rates of the participants in the computerized direct mail and face-to-face groups were similar. The results suggest that computerized direct mail could be a useful addition to smoking cessation campaigns.
Increased Risk of Posterior Glenoid Labrum Tears in Football Players

OBJECTIVE. This study was designed to test our hypothesis that football players with shoulder pain, shoulder instability, or both requiring MR arthrography for evaluation are at an increased likelihood relative to non-football players for having a tear of the posterior glenoid labrum.CONCLUSION. We conclude that posterior glenoid labrum tears are more prevalent in football players than in non-football players.
Frequency‐dependent depression of inhibition in guinea‐pig neocortex in vitro by GABAB receptor feed‐back on GABA release.

1. The mechanisms involved in the lability of inhibition at higher frequencies of stimulation were investigated in the guinea-pig in vitro neocortical slice preparation by intracellular recording techniques. We attempted to test the possibility of a feedback depression of GABA on subsequent release. 2. At resting membrane potential (Em, -75.8 +/- 5.2 mV) stimulation of either the pial surface or subcortical white matter evoked a sequence of depolarizing and hyperpolarizing synaptic components in most neurones. An early hyperpolarizing component (IPSPA) was usually only obvious as a pronounced termination of the EPSP, followed by a later hyperpolarizing event (IPSPB). Current-voltage relationships revealed two different conductances of about 200 and 20 nS and reversal potentials of -73.0 +/- 4.4 and -88.6 +/- 6.1 mV for the early and late component, respectively. 3. The conductances of IPSPA and IPSPB were fairly stable at a stimulus frequency of 0.1 Hz. At frequencies between 0.5 and 2 Hz both IPSPs were attenuated with the second stimulus and after about five stimuli a steady state was reached. Concomitantly IPSPs were shortened. The average decrease in synaptic conductance between 0.1 and 1 Hz was 80% for the IPSPA and 60% for the IPSPB. At these frequencies the reversal potentials decreased by 5 and 2 mV, respectively; Em and input resistance (Rin) were not consistently affected. 4. The amplitudes of field potentials, action potentials and EPSPs of pyramidal cells were attenuated less than 10% at stimulus frequencies up to 1 Hz, suggesting that alterations in local circuits between the stimulation site and excitatory input onto inhibitory interneurones may play only a minor role in the frequency-dependent decay of IPSPs. 5. Localized application of GABA produced multiphasic responses. With low concentrations and application near the soma an early hyperpolarization prevailed followed by a depolarizing late component. Brief application of GABA at low frequencies induced constant responses; at higher frequencies, the responses sometimes declined. The current-voltage relationships of the two GABA responses were similar to each other and to the early IPSP. An apparently fivefold higher conductance was estimated at lower Ems, suggesting that the GABA response had a voltage sensitivity. The slope conductance of IPSPs was decreased by up to 50% for tens of seconds after postsynaptically detectable effects of GABA had dissipated. 6. Application of the GABA uptake inhibitor nipecotic acid (50-500 microM) reduced the conductance of both components of orthodromically evoked inhibition and shortened the IPSP at low frequencies, but had no additional effects at higher stimulation rates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
p38 MAPK- and Akt-mediated p300 phosphorylation regulates its degradation to facilitate nucleotide excision repair

Besides the primary histone acetyltransferase (HAT)-mediated chromatin remodeling function, co-transcriptional factor, p300, is also known to play a distinct role in DNA repair. However, the exact mechanism of p300 function in DNA repair has remained unclear and difficult to discern due to the phosphorylation and degradation of p300 in response to DNA damage. Here, we have demonstrated that p300 is only degraded in the presence of specific DNA lesions, which are the substrates of nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. In contrast, DNA double-strand breaks fail to degrade p300. Degradation is initiated by phosphorylation of p300 at serine 1834, which is catalyzed by the cooperative action of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases and Akt kinases. In depth, functional analysis revealed that (i) p300 and CBP act redundantly in repairing ultraviolet (UV) lesions, (ii) the phosphorylation of p300 at S1834 is critical for efficient removal of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and (iii) p300 is recruited to DNA damage sites located within heterochromatin. Taken together, we conclude that phosphorylated p300 initially acetylates histones to relax heterochromatin to allow damage recognition factors access to damage DNA. Thereupon, p300 is promptly degraded to allow the sequential recruitment of downstream repair proteins for successful execution of NER.
Oxygen and renal metabolism

The most striking feature of the oxygen supply to the mammalian kidney is its inhomogeneity. The total flow of blood to the kidney per minute is high in relation to its weight. Oxygen extraction across the kidney is so low and mixed renal venous blood so oxygenated that it is often assumed that under normal circumstances kidney cells are plentifully supplied with more than enough oxygen to perform their work. However, the bulk of this supply is directed to the renal cortex, where it maximizes flowdependent clearance of wastes. By contrast, blood flow to the renal medulla is parsimonious. The supply of 02 to the renal medulla barely exceeds its 02 utilization, as illustrated in Table 1 [1]. The striking inhomogeneity of oxygen supply that characterizes the kidney has important implications for renal pathophysiology and disease [1—3].
No patient left behind: evaluation and design of intravenous insulin infusion algorithms.

Objective: To define the characteristics of performance evaluation, algorithm design, and regulation of insulin delivery by which professionals and the healthcare system might differentiate between methodologies for intravenous insulin infusion. Methods: Published performance criteria used in the assessment of intravenous insulin infusion algorithms are classified. The structure of intravenous insulin infusion formulae is reviewed, as are technologies that might lead to future improvement. Results: Among published reports, no standardization was discernable for description of algorithm characteristics or performance. Except for time-to-target and hypoglycemic episodes, measures using the patient as unit of observation are not employed consistently. Conclusion: The healthcare system needs criteria for evaluation and minimal acceptable standards for assessing performance of any algorithm, decision support system, or closed-loop system for intravenous insulin infusion. Inclusion of patient-based measures is ...
Surgical Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Obesity

Bariatric surgery is ubiquitous today. In the obese patient with comorbid gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), it is increasingly being used as an alternative to fundoplication because it not only has an effect on GERD but also on other comorbid illnesses. Traditional GERD surgery is designed to augment the mechanical barriers against reflux, decrease acid production in the stomach, improve gastric emptying, or divert bile from the stomach. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass addresses these issues in addition to resulting in profound weight loss in patients. Banding may have a positive influence in patients’ GERD, though to a lesser extent. The duodenal switch provides excellent control for patients with alkaline reflux. A revision of the 1991 National Institutes of Health guidelines for determining bariatric surgical candidates is overdue, and it may be feasible to consider expanding the body mass index and comorbidity requirements to reflect the benefits offered by these techniques for GERD patients.
Effect of Day Old Debeaking on Fertility in Male Chickens

Abstract Debeaking of broiler chicks has been a common commercial practice for several years. One of the earliest reports on this subject was by Quisenberry and Draper (1946) who reported on this as a means of controlling feather picking and cannibalism. More recently Camp et al. (1955) reported that day old debeaking of broiler chicks improved growth rate especially of males and also improved feed efficiency. In their work they removed from ⅓ to ½ of both the upper and lower beaks. Darrow and Stotts (1954) found that debeaking three week old broilers resulted in better feathering and slightly improved feed efficiency. So far as the authors are aware day old debeaking has not been recommended for starting chicks that are intended for breeding purposes. Chicks that have been thus debeaked sometimes grow out to have deformed beaks and practical poultrymen have been heard to state that male birds with such …
Staying at the cutting edge: a review and analysis of evidence reporting and grading; the recommendations of the American Urological Association

The American Urological Association (AUA), as the premier urological organization in the USA, has been a pioneering force in the development of practice guidelines. Recently the AUA evaluated their guidelines development procedures and implemented several changes that resulted in more scientifically rigorous, transparent and efficient processes. These changes include narrowing the scope of the guideline, strengthening the systematic literature review, updating data-analysis capabilities, altering panel members' roles to exclude laborious data extraction, and identifying and specifying levels of evidence for guideline recommendations. In addition to a more scientifically sound guideline, the outcome of these modifications is a timely, less costly document involving fewer burdens on panel members.
Perils and pitfalls of high-risk research.

Several issues in the design and interpretation of high-risk depression reseach are described. These include identification of symptoms and syndromes, categorical vs. dimensional scales, aspects of depression to be considered, specificity of effects, use of process measures, and conceptualization of risk and resilience. The aricles in this special section are used to exemplify the need to address these issues in studies of depression risk
Highly sensitive microscale in vivo sensor enabled by electrophoretic assembly of nanoparticles for multiple biomarker detection.

This paper describes a microscale in vivo sensor platform device for the simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers. We designed the polymer-based biosensors incorporating multiple active isolated areas, as small as 70 μm × 70 μm, for antigen detection. The fabrication approach involved conventional micro- and nano-fabrication processes followed by site-specific electrophoretic directed assembly of antibody-functionalized nanoparticles. To ensure precise and large-scale manufacturing of these biosensors, we developed a semi-automated system for the attachment of the 250-μm biosensor to a 300-μm catheter probe. Our fabrication and post-processing procedures should enable large-scale production of such biosensor devices at lower manufacturing cost. The principle of detection with these biosensors involved a simple fluorescence-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These biosensors exhibit high selectivity (ability to selectively detect multiple biomarkers of different diseases), specificity (ability to target generic to specific disease biomarkers), rapid antigen uptake, and low detection limits (for carcinoembryonic antigen, 31.25 pg mL−1; for nucleosomes, 62.5 pg mL−1), laying the foundation for potential early detection of various diseases.
PREY DENSITY AND THE BEHAVIORAL FLEXIBILITY OF A MARINE PREDATOR: THE COMMON MURRE (URIA AALGE)

Flexible time budgets allow individual animals to buffer the effects of variable food availability by allocating more time to foraging when food density decreases. This trait should be especially important for marine predators that forage on patchy and ephemeral food resources. We examined flexible time allocation by a long-lived marine predator, the Common Murre (Uria aalge), using data collected in a five-year study at three colonies in Alaska (USA) with contrasting environmental conditions. Annual hydroacoustic surveys revealed an order-of-magnitude variation in food density among the 15 colony-years of study. We used data on parental time budgets and local prey density to test predictions from two hypotheses: Hypothesis A, the colony attendance of seabirds varies nonlinearly with food density; and Hypothesis B, flexible time allocation of parent murres buffers chicks against variable food availability. Hypothesis A was supported; colony attendance by murres was positively correlated with food over a limited range of poor-to-moderate food densities, but independent of food over a broader range of higher densities. This is the first empirical evidence for a nonlinear response of a marine predator's time budget to changes in prey density. Predictions from Hypothesis B were largely supported: (1) chick-feeding rates were fairly constant over a wide range of densities and only dropped below 3.5 meals per day at the low end of prey density, and (2) there was a nonlinear relationship between chick-feeding rates and time spent at the colony, with chick-feeding rates only declining after time at the colony by the nonbrooding parent was reduced to a minimum. The ability of parents to adjust their foraging time by more than 2 h/d explains why they were able to maintain chick-feeding rates of more than 3.5 meals/d across a 10-fold range in local food density.
Globalization, Learning Outcomes, and Possibilities for Theological Education

Abstract Respecting religious diversity while also staying true to the role of faith in theological practice remains a challenge in contemporary education. This is made more complex by the role of learning outcomes to assess student learning. This article first emphasizes the role of faith in theological discourse and then raises questions about the nature of learning outcomes. As they are generally applied, learning outcomes have difficulty accounting for faith and might not lead to the contextual and relational learning that are strong motivators for student success. Finally, it is recognized that the globalized world provides a setting where relationships are vitally important. When theology and educational theory take relationships seriously, it becomes possible to conduct theology in an authentic way while also adapting to what current research suggests are best practices concerning learning outcomes.
The role of HetN in maintenance of the heterocyst pattern in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120

The gene hetN encodes a putative oxidoreductase that is known to suppress heterocyst differentiation when present on a multicopy plasmid in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. To mimic the hetN null phenotype and to examine where HetN acts in the regulatory cascade that controls heterocyst differentiation, we replaced the native chromosomal hetN promoter with the copper-inducible petE promoter. In the presence of copper, heterocyst formation was suppressed in undifferentiated filaments. When hetN expression was turned off by transferring cells to media lacking copper, the filaments initially displayed the wild-type pattern of single heterocysts but, 48 h after the induction of heterocyst formation, a pattern of multiple contiguous heterocysts predominated. Suppression of heterocyst formation by HetN appears to occur both upstream and downstream of the positive regulator HetR: overexpression of hetN in undifferentiated filaments prevents the wild-type pattern of hetR expression as well as the multiheterocyst phenotype normally observed when hetR is expressed from an inducible promoter. Green fluorescent protein fusions show that the expression of hetN in wild-type filaments normally occurs primarily in heterocysts. We propose that HetN is normally involved in the maintenance of heterocyst spacing after the initial heterocyst pattern has been established, but ectopic expression of hetN can also block the initial establishment of the pattern.