cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of System Parameters and Damping on an Optimal Vibration-Based Energy Harvester

The authors present a comprehensive study of the effects of damping and electromechanical coupling on the power optimality of a vibration-based energy harvester. The harvester under consideration utilizes a piezoceramic element operating in the {33} mode to scavenge mechanical energy emanating from a sinusoidal-base excitation. Under typical operating conditions, the piezoceramic element is subjected to small strains and low electric fields, which allows for the adaptation of the linear small-signal constitutive law to model its behavior. To optimize the harvested power, previous researches neglected the role of mechanical damping. This lead to results suggesting that the optimal-harvesting frequencies are not effected by mechanical damping. However, in this paper, exact expressions for the optimal frequency ratios that account for damping are derived. The results show that mechanical damping affects the optimal frequency ratios and optimal harvested power qualitatively and quantitatively. The effects of the electromechanical coupling coefficient is also explored. It is observed that there is an optimal value of the coupling coefficient beyond which the harvested power decreases. This result breaks the taboo suggesting that larger electromechanical coupling culminates in more efficient energy harvesting devices. Additionally, it is shown that at the optimal frequencies, and optimal load resistance, increasing the electromechanical coupling saturates the harvested power
EFFECT OF ALLOPURINOL ON FREE RADICAL FORMATION DURING CEREBRAL HYPOXIA IN NEWBORN PIGLETS. ▴ 247

Previous studies have shown that free radical production is increased during cerebral hypoxia in newborn piglets. The present study tests the hypothesis that the xanthine oxidase pathway is a significant source of free radical production during cerebral hypoxia in newborn piglets. Studies were performed in 15 anesthetized, ventilated piglets divided into 2 groups - 7 saline pretreated (Hx) and 8 pretreated with 20 mg/kg IV allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor (All-Hx). Piglets were exposed to an FiO2 of 5-7% for 1 hr to achieve a PaO2 of 18-20 mmHg. Cortical biopsies were obtained via cranial windows and homogenized in 100 mMα-phenyl-N-tert-butyl-nitrone (PBN). PBN adducts were extracted in a 2:1 mixture of chloroform:methanol and electron spin resonance spectroscopy performed. Signal height (intensity) of spectrum divided by tissue weight was expressed as mm/g tissue. Brain tissue ATP and phosphocreatine (PCr) concentrations were determined to document cellular energy `metabolism. Conjugated dienes (CD) were determined as an index of lipid peroxidation. Free radical intensity (mm/g brain) was lower in the All-Hx (161±71, mean±S.E.) than the Hx group (387±16) p<0.05. ATP concentrations were higher in the All-Hx than the Hx group (2.2±0.6 vs. 1.1±0.3 μmol/g brain) p<0.05 as were PCr concentrations(0.55±0.14 vs. 0.19±0.03 μmol/g brain) p<0.05. There was no difference in CD levels between the two groups (0.19±0.09 All-Hx vs. 0.19±0.09 nmol/g brain Hx). Results demonstrate that administration of allopurinol prior to hypoxia significantly decreases free radical production and preserves high energy phosphates in the newborn piglet brain during hypoxia. We speculate that the xanthine oxidase pathway is a significant source of free radical generation in the newborn brain during hypoxia and that allopurinol may attenuate free radical production and neuronal injury.(NIH-HD20337, MOD 6-FY94-0135, UCPR 506-93).
Laminomada, New Subgenus of Nomada (Hym.: Apoidea)

Type species, Nomada hesperia Cockerell 1903, present designation. Medium-sized (8–11 mm.), vernal (March-June), sexually monomorphic species of rather robust form. The type and only known species possesses the following peculiarities which distinguish it from Holonomada , in which it has formerly been included.
The restraint stress-induced decrease of the nocturnal prolactin surge and the physiology of pseudopregnancy and pregnancy in the rat.

Abstract Experiments were performed to determine whether the restraint stress-induced decrease of the nocturnal prolactin (PRL) surge affected the length of pseudopregnancy (PSP) and/or the outcome of pregnancy in rats. Vaginal cycles were monitored daily and animals were electro-mechanically cervically stimulated on the morning of metestrus to induce PSP. Animals were restraint stressed by tying the hind legs together with plastic coated bell wire beginning on day 1 of PSP from 0100–0700h with reapplication of stress at 0400h for 6–9 days and then blood sampled for PRL and progesterone plasma levels. Restraint stress significantly decreased plasma PRL (P In the pregnancy experiment, animals were mated upon arrival into the laboratory and assigned to one of our four groups. For the restraint group, stress was initiated on day 1 of pregnancy as indicated by the presence of sperm in the vaginal lavage. Animals were stressed for 6–9 days for 6 hours during the nocturnal PRL surge as described above. One control group had no treatment; a second control group was sampled only, and a third control group was injected daily with pimozide, a dopamine antagonist, and stressed for 6–9 days. The group which received no treatment had significantly greater (P 0.05) between the sampled, restraint and restraint + pimozide groups in the incidence of successful pregnancy. We conclude that restraint stress during the nocturnal PRL surge minimally affects the length of PSP and that the effect of stress on the outcome of pregnancy is not due to the decrease in nocturnal PRL surge.
Effects of intracellular antibodies to cGMP on responses of cortical neurons of awake cats to extracellular application of muscarinic agonists

Intracellular injection of specific antibody to cyclic 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP-Ab) produced substantial decreases in input resistance (Rm) selectively in neurons of the motor cortex that had responded with increased resistance to prior application of muscarinic agents. Intracellular injection of nonspecific immunoglobulins (IgG) did not produce this effect. (Some nonspecific effects on spike production occurred in cells given IgG or cGMP-Ab.) The decrease in Rm may be interpreted as being consequential to a reduction in baseline amounts of active cGMP due to binding of cGMP with the injected antibody. In cells which demonstrated a prior increase in Rm following extracellular application of the muscarinic agonist, aceclidine, or acetylcholine, injection of antibody to cGMP also resulted in suppression of the increase in Rm to subsequent applications of these muscarinic agents. Some increases in firing rate to these agents continued to be observed after injection of cGMP-Ab. The results support the hypothesis that cGMP mediates effects of muscarinic neurotransmission on the conductances of neurons of the motor cortex of awake cats. Intracellular injection of antibodies to specific cellular elements is shown to be feasible in cortical neurons of awake cats and may prove a useful adjunct to future studies of neurotransmitter mechanisms.
Multiple Linking in Equating and Random Scale Drift

Maintaining score stability is crucial for an ongoing testing program that administers several tests per year over many years. One way to stall the drift of the score scale is to use an equating design with multiple links. In this study, we use the operational and experimental SAT® data collected from 44 administrations to investigate the effect of accumulated equating error in equating conversions and the effect of the use of multiple links in equating. No equating error is directly observed or calculated in the study. Instead, we focus on the behavior of the equating conversions after a series of equatings under the nonequivalent groups with anchor test design and analyze the effect of equating error on conversions. It is observed that the single-link equating conversions drift further away from the operational ones as more equatings are carried out. Analysis of variance is used to decompose the scale score means and the conversion into two major factors: administration month and year for both single- and multiple-link equating results. Seasonality is seen in the data. In addition, the single-link conversions exhibit a certain instability that is not obvious for the operational data. A statistical random walk model is offered to explain the mechanism of scale drift in equating caused by random equating error.
Observation of enhanced diamagnetism above Tc in bulk superconductors due to thermodynamic fluctuations

Abstract Measurements of a temperature-dependent enhanced diamagnetism above Tc in pure bulk tin are presented whose behavior is in general agreement with that expected from the effects of thermal fluctuations.
An improved discrete dynamic programming algorithm for allocating resources among interdependent projects

Nemhauser and Ullmann 1969 proposed a discrete dynamic programming DP approach for several variations of the basic capital allocation model, including one in which the returns and resource consumption of projects are interdependent. For this case, we augment their DP approach with a branch-and-bound strategy as suggested in Morin and Marsten 1976. Computational results demonstrate that this enhancement significantly reduces required computation time and effectively removes any limit on the number of nonzero interaction terms allowed. We also demonstrate that our approach compares favorably to an alternative implicit enumeration approach proposed by Hansen 1972.
Comments on dielectric relaxation in solutions and moisture sorption in cellulose acetate

The model of Fuoss and Boyd which interprets the Stokes' radius rs of an ion in solution as a sum (r + s/e) of the ionic radius r and a dielectric interaction term s/e is shown to be at least semiquantitatively applicable to alkali halides in aqueous solutions. Possible applications of the model to amorphous hydrophilic polymers are suggested. This note also contains several corrections to a previous paper.
Shock tube measurements of JP-10 ignition

Ignition times and OH concentration time histories for JP-10/O 2 /Ar mixtures have been measured behind reflected shock waves. Experiments were performed over the temperature range of 1200–1700 K, pressure range of 1–9 atm, fuel concentrations of 0.2% and 0.4%, and stoichiometries of Φ=0.5, 1.0, and 2.0. Fuel concentrations were measured in the shock tube using laser absorption at 3.39 μm, ignition times were determined using CH emission, and OH concentration histories were inferred from narrow-linewidth cw laser absorption measurements near 306 nm. The laser measurements also revealed evidence for a long-lived JP-10 decomposition product with strong absorption near 306 nm. A kinetic model for JP-10 oxidation was developed using global decomposition reactions proposed by F. Williams in conjunction with the larger alkane mechanism of Lindstedt and Maurice. This modeling gave good agreement with the ignition times at higher pressures, and sensitivity studies using this model indicate the possible important role of C 2 chemistry in JP-10 decomposition.
Querying fashion professionals’ forecasting practices: the Delphi method

This study employs the Delphi method in probing forecasting practices of fashion professionals in product development and retailing. The study examines how fashion professionals acquire and use forecasting information by employing a two-round Delphi method. Specifically, the results reveal that colour is the most important fashion forecasting component, followed by style and textiles. The top three information sources for colour and style forecasting are customer feedback or requests, past sales, and own cumulative knowledge. In addition, the most used strategy for colour forecasting decisions is reliance on colour forecasting insights of companies with which the fashion professionals conduct business. The findings suggest that the Delphi method can be used as a qualitative research method for long-range future trend forecasting with advanced tools, such as online surveys, in the areas of fashion product development and retailing.
Saturation characteristics of gain guiding in index-antiguided waveguides

We investigate numerically and analytically the effects of gain saturation on the propagation of the fundamental mode in a gain-guided index-antiguided slab waveguide. The propagating mode adapts to gain saturation by becoming less confined, while at the same time its peak intensity increases more slowly. The modal gain coefficient is shown to scale linearly with the modal confinement in the cladding. At steady state, both the mode shape and power remain constant. We show that, at large index antiguiding, the field profile inside the core remains nearly constant during propagation, which allows an analytical description of the evolution of the optical power inside the core.
Lethal Levels of Sodium Chloride and Potassium Chloride for an Oligochaete, a Chironomid Midge, and a Caddisfly of Lake Michigan

Three species of aquatic invertebrates, sampled at sites in Lake Michigan, were subjected in the laboratory to known sodium chloride and potassium chloride concentrations in aqueous solutions. Lethal levels for each organism were observed and recorded for periods of 48 h. One hundred percent mortalities for NaCl concentrations were calculated from a regression line to be 3735 mg/liter for Nais variabilis (Piguet), 8865 mg/liter for Cricotopus trifascia Edwards, and 10,136 mg/liter for Hydroptila angusta Ross. KCl concentrations at 204 mg/liter for N. variabilis , 4896 mg/liter for C. trifascia , and 6317 mg/liter for H. angusta were calculated for the 100/ mortality level. The lethal aspects of these chloride salts are discussed.
Theory of the rod-to-coil transition in polydiacetylene

A theory is proposed for the rod to coil transition in polydiacetylene 4BCMU and related polymers which is based on the hypothesis that the high-temperature (yellow) phase consists predominantly of the cis structure, while the low-temperature (red) phase is trans. Because the occurrence of a cis-trans interface is energetically costly, the correlation length for either isomer remains long and the transition is sharp, much like the helix-coil transition in the theory of Zimm and Bragg. The transition is driven by the higher entropy of the cis isomer, which is free to coil, unlike the trans or butatriene forms. The theory gives excellent agreement with optical absorption measurements and is consistent with all other experimental data for this system.
Effect of linoleic acid metabolites on Na+/K+ pump current in N20.1 oligodendrocytes: Role of membrane fluidity

Abstract Metabolic derivatives of linoleic acid, both monoepoxides and diols, have been reported to be toxic in humans and multiple animal tissue preparations. A previous electrophysiological study has shown these compounds produce multiple effects on the electrical activity of rat ventricular myocytes. The hydrophobic nature of these compounds suggests the possibility that these effects may be due to nonspecific lipid interactions, i.e., changes in membrane fluidity. This study investigates membrane fluidity as a possible mechanism by which linoleic acid metabolites inhibit Na + /K + pump current ( I p ). This study showed that positional isomers 9,10- and 12,13-epoxy-octadecenoic acid (EOA) and 9,10- and 12,13-dihydroxy-OA (DHOA) inhibit I p in a dose-dependent manner in N20.1 mouse oligodendrocytes, with greater inhibition produced by EOAs. These compounds, at 10 μM, inhibited I p by 4.7 ± 1.6, 18.2 ± 0.5, 11.7 ± 0.5, and 25.1 ± 0.9% for 12,13-DHOA, 9,10-DHOA, 12,13-EOA, and 9,10-EOA, respectively, in oligodendrocytes. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching measurements showed that both DHOA isomers produced a 7–8% increase in diffusion coefficient of the probe at 10 μM, whereas the diffusion coefficient was decreased by 5 and 13% by 9,10-EOA and 12,13-EOA, respectively. There was no apparent correlation between membrane fluidity and inhibition of I p by these four linoleic acid metabolites. These results indicate that membrane fluidity alone cannot explain the effects of these compounds on I p and suggest that they have a specific interaction with the Na + /K + pump.
Activation theory for creep of matrix resin and carbon fibre-reinforced polymer composite

Activation theory used in metals and polymers has been used to model creep of unidirectional composite and resin matrix, using the concept of internal stress. The model fits the experimental creep curves very well for a range of materials. The results obtained for a brittle epoxy and its carbon fibre-reinforced composite with two fibre orientations are reported. The model parameters, such as internal stress, activation volume and activation energy, have been measured experimentally and compared with model-fit values, and their influence on creep is discussed. Finally, an approach to predict the creep rupture of unidirectional composites using internal stress is presented.
A single arm phase II study of a Far-Eastern traditional herbal formulation (sho-sai-ko-to or xiao-chai-hu-tang) in chronic hepatitis C patients

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Hepatitis C is a major public health problem internationally. Many patients cannot benefit from the current treatment regimen (interferon/ribavirin combinations) due to its side effects or ineffectiveness. Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang or Sho-sai-ko-to (SST), a compound of seven botanical extracts used for liver diseases traditionally in East Asia, was shown to reduce transaminases and the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis B patients. We conducted a phase II trial of SST in hepatitis C patients who were not candidates for interferon-based therapy to determine whether this agent is worthy of further study. Materials and Methods Twenty four chronic hepatitis C patients received SST at 2.5 g per os (p.o.) three times daily (t.i.d.) for 12 months. Liver function, hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral load and liver biopsy histology were assessed before and after the intervention. Results Improvement of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was observed in 16 (67%) of study participants. Improvement of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was seen in 18 (75%) patients. Viral load response was mixed, with 7 patients showing reductions, 10 increases and 7 indeterminate due to assay limitations. Among the 9 (38%) subjects who showed improvement per Knodell's histology activity index (HAI) scores in paired comparison of pre- and post-treatment liver biopsy (the primary endpoints of the study), 5 (21%) showed an improvement of 2 points or greater, meeting the pre-defined criteria for “response. Conclusions Sho-sai-ko-to (SST or Xiao Chai Hu Tang) may improve liver pathology in selected hepatitis C patients who are not candidates for interferon based treatment. Larger, controlled studies of this botanical formulation may be warranted.
Academic Writing, Genres and Philosophy

This paper examines the underlying genres of philosophy focusing especially on their pedagogical forms to emphasize the materiality and historicity of genres, texts and writing. It focuses briefly on the history of the essay and its relation to the journal within the wider history of scientific communication, and comments on the standardized forms of academic writing and the issue of ‘bad writing’.
The etiology, assessment, and treatment of fecal incontinence

Fecal incontinence is a common symptom that often impairs quality of life. It is generally caused by a variety of conditions that are associated with anorectal sensorimotor dysfunction and/or diarrhea. Assessment should be tailored to age and symptom severity. Modulation of disordered bowel habits is the key to management; biofeedback and surgery might also be beneficial.
Stimulation of erythropoiesis in sublethally irradiated rats by a plasma factor.

SummaryInjection of plasma from anemic donors into rats immediately following exposure to sublethal doses of X-rays produced a statistically significant increase in erythro-poiesis as measured by Fe59 incorporation. The factor present in anemic plasma was non-dialyzable and was not present in the supernatant obtained after precipitation of protein by heating. Normal plasma produced a variable response. Use of sublethally irradiated rat as a test animal in the study of regulation of erythropoiesis is suggested.
An experimental examination of demand reduction in multi‐unit versions of the Uniform‐price, Vickrey, and English auctions

Demand reduction in Uniform-price and English auctions are strategic reactions by participants to reduce price and thus increase potential profits. Laboratory experiments similar to the field experiments performed by List and Reiley (Am. Econ. Rev. 2000; 9(4): 961–972) in which two individuals with demands for two units vie for two units through a Uniform-price, English or Vickrey auction are conducted. We find strong support for demand reduction in both the English and Uniform-price auctions, with significantly more dramatic reductions in the English auction. However, there is significant overbidding in both the Vickrey and Uniform-price auction. This overbidding solves a puzzle found by List and Reiley in their field experiment data. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the Promise of Pharmacotherapies Targeted at Cognitive and Neurodegenerative Components of Down Syndrome

Down syndrome (DS) is the phenotypic consequence of trisomy 21 and is the most common genetically defined cause of intellectual disability. The most complete, widely available, and well-studied animal model of DS is the Ts65Dn mouse. Recent preclinical successes in rescuing learning and memory deficits in Ts65Dn mice are legitimate causes for optimism that pharmacotherapies for cognitive deficits in DS might be within reach. This article provides a snapshot of potential pharmacotherapies for DS, with emphasis on our recent results showing that the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist memantine can reverse learning and memory deficits in Ts65Dn mice. Because memantine has already been approved for the therapy of Alzheimer's dementia, we have been able to very rapidly translate these results into human research and are currently conducting a 16-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the efficacy, tolerability and safety of memantine hydrochloride on enhancing the cognitive abilities of young adults with DS. The design and current status of this clinical trial will be discussed, which will be followed by some speculation on the potential impact of this and future clinical trials in the field of DS.
Identification of the sex pheromone of Cochylis arthuri (Lepidoptera: Cochylidae)

La pheromone sexuelle de la Cochylis arthuri Dang est un melange 80:20 d'acetate de (Z)-11-tetradecenyle (Z11-14:OAc) et d'acetate de (E)-11-tetradecenyle (E11-14:OAc). Cochylis arthuri est un congenere de la cochylis rayee du tournesol, Cochylis hospes Walsingham, un ravageur important de tournesol, Helianthus spp. (Compositae), dans la region des Grandes plaines d'Amerique du Nord. Les deux especes cohabitent sur le tournesol de cette region, bien que C. arthuri semble beaucoup moins commune. L'essai de divers melanges en nature, au moyen de pieges collants, montre qu'un chargement de 80 μg Z11-14:OAc et de 20 μg E11-14:OAc sur un septum en caoutchouc rouge produit les meilleures captures. Dans des essais sur le terrain dans des cultures de tournesols, les pieges appâtes avec le melange de C. hospes ou le meilleur melange de C. arthuri n'ont capture en nombre significatif, par comparaison a des pieges temoins sans appât, que des mâles de leurs especes respectives; cela permet de croire que les pheromones sexuelles des deux especes sont specifiques dans ces conditions. L'identification d'un melange attractif de la pheromone sexuelle de C. arthuri donne aux chercheurs un outil supplementaire pour etablir le statut de ravageur de cet insecte sur le tournesol.
Generalizing quantum Hall ferromagnetism to fractional Chern bands

We study the interplay between quantum Hall ordering and spontaneous sublattice symmetry breaking in multiple Chern number bands at fractional fillings. Primarily we study fermions with repulsive interactions near half filling in a family of square lattice models with flat C=2 bands and a wide band gap. By perturbing about the particularly transparent limit of two decoupled C=1 bands and by exact diagonalization studies of small systems in the more general case, we show that the system generically breaks sublattice symmetry with a transition temperature $T_c>0$ and additionally exhibits a quantized Hall conductance of $e^2/h$ as $T \rightarrow 0$. We note the close analogy to quantum Hall ferromagnetism in the multi-component problem and the connection to topological Mott insulators. We also discuss generalizations to other fillings and higher Chern numbers.
Acute Exercise Does Not Attenuate Postprandial Oxidative Stress in Prediabetic Women

Individuals with impaired lipid and glucose metabolism are at increased risk for postprandial oxidative stress. Acute exercise can attenuate the rise in both blood triglyceride (TAG) and glucose, and increase antioxidant enzyme activity after food intake, which may decrease the oxidative stress response. This study investigated the effect of acute exercise on blood TAG and oxidative stress biomarkers in prediabetic women. Sixteen prediabetic women (30 +/- 3 years of age; fasting blood glucose, 107 +/- 3 mg x dL(-1); body mass index, 32 +/- 2 kg x m(-2)) consumed a high-fat meal with and without a session of aerobic exercise 15 minutes preceding the meal (45-minute duration, 65% heart rate reserve), in a random order cross-over design. Blood samples were collected premeal (fasted) and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours postmeal and assayed for Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), xanthine oxidase (XO) activity, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), TAG, and glucose. No interaction or condition main effects were noted (P > 0.05). However, time main effects were noted for XO, H2O2, MDA, and TAG (P 0.05). Acute exercise, performed at the intensity and duration of the present study, does not influence postprandial TAG and oxidative stress in obese prediabetic women. Such individuals may need a greater volume of exercise for measurable effects.
The ionization of clusters II. Pairwise isotropic interactions and individual site binding data

Evaluation of the parameters describing the binding of protons to clusters of interacting sites requires some reasonable assumptions and procedures because it is impossible to observe an unperturbed site in its interacting environment. When the unperturbed sites are not identical, individual site binding data allow for the evaluation of the differences (or ratios) between the unperturbed (or intrinsic) binding constants but not their actual values (or the interaction energies). In this paper we extend our previous treatment of the ionization of clusters in order to generalize pairwise isotropic interactions and take into account the present availability of individual site binding data.
Focus groups of Y–K Delta Alaska Natives: attitudes toward tobacco use and tobacco dependence interventions

Abstract Background. Tobacco dependence interventions developed for Alaska Natives are virtually nonexistent. Alaska Natives residing on the Yukon–Kuskokwim (Y–K) Delta in southwestern Alaska use a unique form of smokeless tobacco (ST) known as Iqmik. This study employed focus group methodology to explore attitudes toward tobacco use and tobacco dependence interventions among Alaska Natives residing on the Y–K Delta. Methods. Twelve focus groups of former and current tobacco users were conducted in four villages in the Y–K Delta. Participants were 35 adults (83% female) and 22 adolescents (27% female). Participants completed a brief demographic and tobacco use history form. Statements from the focus groups were transcribed for content coding and analysis of the major themes. Results. Use of Iqmik in the villages is thought to be ubiquitous. Y–K Delta Alaska Natives are introduced to Iqmik at a very young age. Iqmik is mostly used and prepared by young Alaska Natives and adult women. There are few perceived adverse health effects of Iqmik or other tobacco use. Although there is interest in stopping, there is a perceived lack of availability of tobacco dependence interventions. The major barriers to preventing the initiation of and stopping tobacco use are the social acceptance and widespread use and availability of tobacco. Conclusion. The attitudes toward tobacco and identified barriers to stopping will be useful in developing tobacco dependence interventions for Alaska Natives.
We Shall Overcome: Promoting an Agenda for Integrating Spirituality and Community Practice

Spirituality and social work practice are interwoven. The literature is robust with evidence for the importance of spirituality in direct practice. Although there is acknowledgement of the importance for spirituality in community practice, there is a paucity of research investigating how community practitioners incorporate spirituality into their work. This article explores the historical role of spirituality and community practice in the social work profession, provides an overview of the literature identifying the extent to which it addresses the integration of spirituality and social work community practice, and suggests implications for future research, practice and education.
Granulopoiesis in childhood aplastic anemia

The soft agar technique was employed to investigate factors involved in the regulation of granulopoiesis in ten children with aplastic anemia. Children with AA had greatly reduced numbers of granulocytic colonyforming cells in their bone marrow and in their peripheral blood when compared to “control” children. Colony-stimulating activity was decreased in five of the ten children tested. Serum from eight children with AA did not inhibit colony formation when added to normal adult bone marrow cells in culture. The defect in AA resides in the stem cell, with involvement of the CSA-producing cells in some cases. The serum of these patients does not contain an inhibitor of granulopoiesis.
High-Resolution Holographic Image Deblurring Methods

High resolution holographic image deblurring methods involving coherent optical analog processing and Fourier transform division filter
Analytic continuation by duality estimation of the S parameter

We investigate the reliability of the analytic continuation by duality (ACD) technique in estimating the electroweak S parameter for technicolor theories. The ACD technique, which is an application of finite energy sum rules, relates the S parameter for theories with unknown particle spectra to known OPE coefficients. We identify the sources of error inherent in the technique and evaluate them for several toy models to see if they can be controlled. The evaluation of errors is done analytically and all relevant formulas are provided in appendixes including analytical formulas for approximating the function 1/s with a polynomial in s. The use of analytical formulas protects us from introducing additional errors due to numerical integration. We find that it is very difficult to control the errors even when the momentum dependence of the OPE coefficients is known exactly. In realistic cases in which the momentum dependence of the OPE coefficients is only known perturbatively, it is impossible to obtain a reliable estimate. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
Observations on infiltration of silicon carbide compacts with an aluminium alloy

The melt infiltration of ceramic particulates permits an opportunity to observe such fundamental materials phenomena as nucleation, dynamic wetting and growth in constrained environments. Experimental observations are presented on the infiltration behavior and matrix microstructures that form when porous compacts of platelet-shaped single crystals of alpha- (hexagonal) silicon carbide are infiltrated with a liquid 2014 Al alloy. The infiltration process involved counter gravity infiltration of suitably tamped and preheated compacts of silicon carbide platelets under an external pressure in a special pressure chamber for a set period, then by solidification of the infiltrant metal in the interstices of the bed at atmospheric pressure.
Roles of ethylene and jasmonic acid in systemic induced defense in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) against Helicoverpa zea

Inducible defenses that provide enhanced resistance to insect attack are nearly universal in plants. The defense-signaling cascade is mediated by the synthesis, movement, and perception of jasmonate (JA) and the interaction of this signaling molecule with other plant hormones and messengers. To explore how the interaction of JA and ethylene influences induced defenses, we employed the never-ripe (Nr) tomato mutant, which exhibits a partial block in ethylene perception, and the defenseless (def1) mutant, which is deficient in JA biosynthesis. The defense gene proteinase inhibitor (PIN2) was used as marker to compare plant responses. The Nr mutant showed a normal wounding response with PIN2 induction, but the def1 mutant did not. As expected, methyl JA (MeJA) treatment restored the normal wound response in the def1 mutant. Exogenous application of MeJA increased resistance to Helicoverpa zea, induced defense gene expression, and increased glandular trichome density on systemic leaves. Exogenous application of ethephon, which penetrates tissues and decomposes to ethylene, resulted in increased H. zea growth and interfered with the wounding response. Ethephon treatment also increased salicylic acid in systemic leaves. These results indicate that while JA plays the main role in systemic induced defense, ethylene acts antagonistically in this system to regulate systemic defense.
Small ħ asymptotics for quantum partition functions associated to particles in external Yang-Mills potentials

To a gauge field on a principalG-bundleP→M is associated a sequence of quantum mechanical Hamiltonians, as Planck's constant ħ→0 and a sequence of representations π n ofG is taken. This paper studies the associated quantum partition functions, trace exp (−tH n ), and produces a complete asymptotic expansion, as ħ→0, ħ=1/n, of which the principal term, proportional to the classical partition function, is the familiar classical limit.
MEDICOLEGAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF BREAST CANCER

The fear of dying touches all persons, even the most devout. Despite successful cures for many previously fatal conditions, in the mind of most patients a diagnosis of cancer is a sentence of death or, at least, a diminution of life. Anger is a frequent emotional accompaniment to the realization that one’s days of life will be few, or fewer than they might have been. Such anger frequently is transfered to health care providers, especially physicians, when a patient believes his or her life will be cut short by a physician’s neglect. Anger arising out of perceived neglect often is the genesis for malpractice litigation. Failure to diagnose breast cancer is the most common basis for malpractice litigation in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, 182,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer occurred among women in the United States in the year 2000, with an expected 40,800 deaths. Breast cancer now ranks second among cancer deaths in women. 1 As the incidence of breast cancer increases in the United States, the number of liability claims brought against physicians for a delay in diagnosis will increase as well. Obstetrician/gynecologists are the second most prevalent specialist group named as defendants, representing 22.8% of the total claims. Primary care physicians are named as defendants in 26% of the claims made. 6 Moreover, legal doctrines, such as ‘‘lost chance for survival’’ and ‘‘combining and concurring negligence’’ increase the likelihood that a physician will be held liable. A lost chance claim seeks to compensate the plaintiff when the physician’s actions deprive the patient of a substantial possibility of recovering or living longer. A claim of combining and recurring negligence allows recovery against a negligent physician, even though another health care provider’s negligence
A structural examination of agrochemical processing by human carboxylesterase 1

Human carboxylesterase 1 (hCE1) is the primary carboxylesterase expressed in the liver. This critical member of the phase I drug metabolism pathway detoxifies a wide-range of endobiotics, xenobiotics, and agrochemicals. To date, more than a dozen X-ray crystal structures have been elucidated of hCE1 in complex with a broad spectrum of ligands, including organophosphates. These structures provide valuable insights into agrochemical binding and metabolism by hCE1. For example, variable binding pockets that frame the enzyme's catalytic triad and a long, flexible loop capping this region appear to regulate substrate affinity. Stereoisomers of organophosphates illustrate the substrate selectivity of these two pockets. In contrast, pyrethroid isomers likely impact the positioning of the oxyanion hole required to stabilize the negatively charged transition-state oxygen. Finally, it appears that rates of spontaneous hCE1 reactivation in the presence of organophosphates are significantly affected by alkoxy placement within the active site.
“It’s Not Okay”: FX’s Starved and Eating Disorders as Entertainment

In 2005, cable channel FX made the risky decision to air Eric Schaeffer’s Starved, a bold experiment that challenged preconceived notions about eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive eating. The show poses interesting questions about illness, forcing the viewer to consider whether eating disorders can ever be considered funny. The show ultimately received mixed reviews and was cancelled after just seven episodes. Through an exploration of this challenging show, the author examines what happens when eating disorders are explored through comedy rather than the more typical tragic narrative. By comparing the show to similar sitcoms such as Fat Actress as well as serious reality programming such as Intervention and made-for-television movies, it becomes clear that while Starved may push the viewer to confront the horror of the disease, it fails not only to create empathetic characters and situations but also is unable to make audiences laugh.
Family-Based Association of YWHAH in Psychotic Bipolar Disorder

YWHAH is a positional and functional candidate gene for both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BP). This gene has been previously shown to be associated with both disorders, and the chromosome location (22q12.3) has been repeatedly implicated in linkage studies for these disorders. It codes for the η subtype of the 14-3-3 protein family, is expressed mainly in brain, and is involved in HPA axis regulation. We investigated the association of YWHAH with BP in a large sample, consisting of 1211 subjects from 318 nuclear families including 554 affected offspring. We tested for association with the standard BP phenotype as well as subtypes defined by psychotic and mood-incongruent features. We genotyped five tag SNPs and the (GCCTGCA)n polymorphic locus present in this gene. Using a family-based association test, we found that rs2246704 was associated with BP (OR 1.31, P = 0.03) and psychotic BP (OR = 1.66, P = 0.002). The polymorphic repeat and two other SNPs were also modestly associated with psychotic BP. We have provided additional evidence for association of variants in YWHAH with major mental illness. Additional association analyses of larger sample sets will be required to clarify the role of YWHAH in schizophrenia and BP. The use of clinical sub-phenotypes such as psychotic features or other potential schizophrenia/BP overlap variables including cognitive abnormalities and poor functioning might shed further light on the potential subtypes of illness most closely associated with genetic variation in YWHAH. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Secretagogue-induced proteolysis of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in intact rat alveolar epithelial type II cells.

Abstract Stimulation of secretion from rat alveolar epithelial type II cells by the β-adrenergic agonist terbutaline activates cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). The same secretagogue also activates endogenous protease calpain in type II cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of calpain activation on PKA and its phosphorylation activity in stimulated type II cells. Type II cells were either pretreated with cell-permeable calpain specific inhibitor (N-acetyl-leucyl-methioninal) or untreated, and subsequently stimulated with terbutaline. Stimulus-induced phosphorylation activity was assayed using the PKA-specific substrate Kemptide. Maximum PKA activity was observed within 1–3 min of stimulation. Peak activity of the untreated cells was 20–25% higher and longer than that of the inhibitor-treated cells. The stimulus-induced phosphorylation activity of both cell groups was suppressable by PKA-specific inhibitor. Concomitant photoaffinity labeling with radioactive 8-azido-cAMP revealed that a 39 kDa proteolytic fragment was generated in response to stimulation by terbutaline. Stimulus-induced activation of PKA resulted in the phosphorylation of two endogenous proteins, p112 and p47. Phosphorylation of p112 and p47 was modulated in cells pretreated with calpain inhibitor or in the presence of PKA inhibitor. Aggregate results indicate that stimulus-induced proteolysis of pKA occurs in type II cells, suggesting that limited proteolysis of PKA by endogenous calpain may convert an initial transient signal to sustained and augumented phosphorylation activity for secretion.
Effects of coupling agent on the rheological behavior and processability of polypropylene

An investigation was made into the effect of coupling agents on the rheological behavior and processability of polypropylene. For the study, each of the following three commercially available coupling agents, a titanate coupling agent (Kenrich Petrochemicals, KR-TTS) and two silane coupling agents (Union Carbide, A1100 and Y9187), was melt-blended with polypropylene (PP). Melt blending was performed using a twin-screw compounding machine. It was found that the zero-shear viscosity of polypropylene was decreased by 1 order of magnitude after it had been extruded through the twin-screw compounding machine and that, when coupling agents were added to it, its viscosity was higher than that of the PP without the coupling agents, undergoing the same deformation history through the twin-screw compounding machine. Independent measurements of the molecular weight of the materials show that the weight-average molecular weight (MW) of the extruded PP is 3.77 × 105, whereas the MW of the virgin PP (before extrusion) is 4.80 × 105, indicating that considerable molecular degradation occurred during extrusion and the MW of the PP extruded with coupling agent is greater than that of the PP extruded without coupling agent. In other words, the molecular weight measurement supports the viscosity measurements of the PP investigated with and without coupling agent. Also measured were the elongational viscosity of the PP with and without coupling agent, which was then correlated to the melt drawability of the materials investigated.
Characterization of Earth observing satellite instruments for response to spectrally and spatially variable scenes

Earth-observing satellite sensors are calibrated in the laboratory against blackbody and lamp-based uniform optical radiation standards. These sources and additional characterization tests fail to approximate the spatially, spectrally, and temporally complex scenes viewed on-orbit by these sensors. The lack of appropriate diagnostic tools limits the ability of researchers to fully characterize and understand the radiometric performance of sensors before deployment. The consequences of these limitations are that problems in a sensor's performance, e.g. optical crosstalk, scattered light, earth-shine, are often first observed on-orbit. Advanced radiometric characterization artifacts, able to produce realistic spectral distributions and spatial scenes in the laboratory, would enable more complete instrument characterization, with the resulting potential benefit of improved on-orbit performance.
United We Lynch: Post-Racism and the (Re)Membering of Racial Violence in Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America

In 2000, antique dealers James Allen and John Littlefield amassed Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America, a collection of lynching images whose dates range from 1880 to 1960. The publication of this volume has facilitated considerable debate and challenges national conceptualizations of “post-racism” by offering a rhetorical space for the (re)construction of lynching public memory. Through an analysis of popular film and literature, we argue that Without Sanctuary provides counter-memory of lynching against post-racial discourses by enlarging the scope of racial violence, collapsing distinctions between spectators and the “mob,” and framing lynching through discourses of rationality. We conclude this essay by discussing the implications of Without Sanctuary's rhetorical intervention for public memory scholarship and the future of contemporary race relations.
Factors Related to Progression and Graduation Rates for RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs: Searching for Realistic Benchmarks

Measurement and analysis of progression and graduation rates is a well-established activity in schools of nursing. Such rates are indices of program effectiveness and student success. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (2008), in its recently revised Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Degree Nursing Programs, specifically dictated that graduation rates (including discussion of entry points, timeframes) be calculated for each degree program. This context affects what is considered timely progression to graduation. If progression and graduation rates are critical outcomes, then schools must fully understand their measurement as well as interpretation of results. Because no national benchmarks for nursing student progression/graduation rates exist, schools try to set expectations that are realistic yet academically sound. RN-to-bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) students are a unique cohort of baccalaureate learners who need to be understood within their own learning context. The purposes of this study were to explore issues and processes of measuring progression and graduation rates in an RN-to-BSN population and to identify factors that facilitate/hinder their successful progression to work toward establishing benchmarks for success. Usingdatacollectedfrom 14California schoolsofnursingwithRN-to-BSN programs,RN-to-BSN students were identified as generally older, married, and going to school part-time while working and juggling family responsibilities. The study found much program variation in definition of terms and measures used to report progression and graduation rates. A literature review supported the use of terms such as attrition, retention, persistence, graduation, completion, and success rates ,i n an overlapping and sometimes synonymous fashion. Conceptual clarity and standardization of measurements are needed to allow comparisons and setting of realistic benchmarks. One of the most important factors identified in this study is the potentially prolonged RN-toBSN timeline to graduation. This underlines the need to look beyond standardized educational norms for graduation rates and consider the realities of “persistence” by which these students are successful in completing their studies. It also raises the question of whether student success and program success/effectiveness are two separate measures or two separate events on one