cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and properties of monodisperse polydimethylsiloxane networks

α,ω-Divinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane polymers with low polydispersivity were synthesized via anionic polymerization of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (D3). Five “monodisperse” polymers with different molecular weights were hydrosilylated with tetrakisdimethylsiloxysilane in the presence of platinum catalysts and inhibitors to form crosslinked networks. Control studies to determine the effect of platinum, silicon hydride, and heat were performed to verify that no redistribution occurred during hydrosilylation. The properties of these cured samples were characterized chemically by degradation with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid in the presence of hexamethyldisiloxane, infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic spectroscopy. Mechanical properties were studied by measurements of Shore A hardness, dynamic shear modulus, and tensile modulus. The relationship between the molecular weight of the vinyl polymer and the final properties of the cured networks was measured. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The lipopolysaccharide adjuvant effect on T cells relies on nonoverlapping contributions from the MyD88 pathway and CD11c+ cells.

Bacterial LPS is a natural adjuvant that induces profound effects on T cell clonal expansion, effector differentiation, and long-term T cell survival. In this study, we delineate the in vivo mechanism of LPS action by pinpointing a role for MyD88 and CD11c+ cells. LPS induced long-term survival of superantigen-stimulated CD4 and CD8 T cells in a MyD88-dependent manner. By tracing peptide-stimulated CD4 T cells after adoptive transfer, we showed that for LPS to mediate T cell survival, the recipient mice were required to express MyD88. Even when peptide-specific CD4 T cell clonal expansion was dramatically boosted by enforced OX40 costimulation, OX40 only synergized with LPS to induce survival when the recipient mice expressed MyD88. Nevertheless, these activated, but moribund, T cells in the MyD88−/− mice acquired effector properties, such as the ability to synthesize IFN-γ, demonstrating that effector differentiation is not automatically coupled to a survival program. We confirmed this notion in reverse fashion by showing that effector differentiation was not required for the induction of T cell survival. Hence, depletion of CD11c+ cells did not affect LPS-driven specific T cell survival, but CD11c+ cells were paramount for optimal effector T cell differentiation as measured by IFN-γ potential. Thus, LPS adjuvanticity is based on MyD88 promoting T cell survival, while CD11c+ cells support effector T cell differentiation.
Grazing on filamentous cyanobacteria by Daphnia pulicaria

I conducted short-term grazer-gradient experiments to asess direct mortality effects of Daphnia pulicaria on phytoplankton species in natural lake phytoplankton assemblages that contained 20-80% filamentous cyanobacteria by biovolume. Filamentous cyanobacteria often interfere with feeding by large cladoceran zooplankton such as D. pulicaria and can limit their distribution, yet some D. pulicaria populations coexist with filamentous cyanobacteria. In my trials, D. pulicaria from Oneida Lake and Cazenovia Lake, New York, consumed three species of filamentous cyanobacteria (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Anabaena flos-aquae, Anabaena wisconsinense) but avoided three other species of Anabaena. Despite high filament concentrations, Daphnia consumed diatoms, flagellates, and chloroccales and reduced overall phytoplankton abundance. Coexistence of Daphnia and filamentous cyanobacteria in these lakes apparently is facilitated by undeterred consumption of some species and avoidance of others, without substantial interference.
Dominant Gating Governing Transient GABAA Receptor Activity: A First Latency and Po/oAnalysis

Steady-state, single-channel gating of GABAAreceptors (GABARs ) is complex. Simpler gating may dominate when triggered by rapid GABA transients present during fast inhibitory synaptic transmission and is critical to understanding the time course of fast IPSCs. We studied the single-channel activity of expressed α1β1γ2 GABARs in outside-out patches from human embryonic kidney 293 cells triggered by rapidly applied GABA (10–2000 μm) pulses (2–300 msec). Activation was analyzed with the time to first channel opening after GABA presentation, or first latency (FL). FL distributions are monoexponential at low GABA concentrations and biexponential above 30 μm GABA. The fast rate increases supralinearly to a plateau of ∼1100 sec−1, the apparent activation rate. The slow rate and amplitude are insensitive to GABA concentration. The results argue that doubly liganded receptors can rapidly desensitize before opening. Gating after the first opening was quantified with analysis of open probability conditioned on the first opening ( P o/o). P o/o functions are biexponential, dominated by a fast component, and insensitive to GABA concentration. This suggests that open channels convert primarily to fast but also to slow desensitized states. Furthermore, dual modes of fast desensitization may influence IPSC amplitude and thereby synaptic efficacy. The findings provided for the construction of a mathematical gating model that accounts for FL and P o/o functions. In addition, the model predicts the time course of macroscopic current responses thought to mimic IPSCs. The results provide new insights into dominant gating that is likely operational during fast GABAergic synaptic transmission.
BEYOND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR REASONABLENESS

This paper is a critique of Norman Daniels' and James Sabin's 'Accountability for Reasonableness' framework for making priority-setting decisions in health care in the face of widespread disagreement about values. Accountability for Reasonableness has been rapidly gaining worldwide acceptance, arguably to the point of becoming the dominant paradigm in the field of health policy. The framework attempts to set ground rules for a procedure that ensures that whatever decisions result will be fair, reasonable, and legitimate to the extent that even those who would be adversely affected will have reason to abide by them. I argue that the framework's four conditions are inadequate to this task. While we certainly require a fair and legitimate procedure for making priority setting decisions in health care despite a lack of consensus on relevant ethical and political issues, we must significantly revise the four conditions, and we cannot avoid facing our substantive disagreements head on if we hope to arrive at decisions that would (and should) be acceptable to everyone. I offer two suggestions. First, there is need for greater public involvement in all stages of deliberation. Second, we should give up on the idea that we can simplify the task of democratic deliberation by disallowing particular kinds or reasons and types of reasoning. Reasons of all kinds should be on the table, but then should be judged on their merits, such as consistency, plausibility and explanatory power, without any regard for their alleged sources of authority.
Cerebroplacental Doppler ratio and adverse perinatal outcomes in intrauterine growth restriction: evaluating the impact of using gestational age-specific reference values.

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of using gestational age-specific reference levels of the cerebroplacental Doppler ratio (CPR) with categorical threshold in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes in growth-restricted pregnancies. Methods A retrospective cohort study of cases of intrauterine growth restriction over a 3-year period was conducted. The umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery pulsatility indices were converted to CPRs. The efficacy of using gestational age-specific reference levels of CPRs in predicting adverse outcomes was compared with the use of a CPR of less than 1.08. Adverse perinatal outcomes evaluated included cesarean delivery for nonreassuring fetal heart tones, umbilical artery pH less than 7.0, 5-minute Apgar scores less than 7.0, intraventricular hemorrhage greater than grade 2, periventricular leukomalacia, respiratory distress syndrome, and perinatal death. Results Of 183 pregnancies meeting our inclusion criteria, there were 70 with at least 1 adverse outcome. With the use of a CPR ratio below the 5th percentile for gestational age, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for predicting an adverse outcome were 65%, 73%, 73%, and 65%, respectively, with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 5.2 (1.4-19.4; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.69). With a CPR threshold of less than 1.08, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 72%, 62%, 68%, and 67%, with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 4.2 (1.2-15.3; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.67). Conclusions An abnormal CPR is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in growth-restricted fetuses. The accuracy of using gestational age-specific reference levels was similar to that of using a categorical threshold.
Submicrosecond speed optical coherence tomography system design and analysis by use of acousto-optics

A novel high-speed no-moving-parts optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is introduced that acquires sample data at less than a microsecond per data point sampling rate. The basic principle of the proposed OCT system relies on use of an acousto-optic deflector. This OCT system has the attractive features of an acousto-optic scanning heterodyne interferometer coupled with an acousto-optic (AO) variable optical delay line operating in a reflective mode. Fundamentally, OCT systems use a broadband light source for high axial resolution inside the sample or living tissue under examination. Inherently, AO devices are Bragg-mode wavelength-sensitive elements. We identify that two beams generated by a Bragg cell naturally have unbalanced and inverse spectrums with respect to each other. This mismatch in spectrums in turn violates the ideal autocorrelation condition for a high signal-to-noise ratio broadband interferometric sensor such as OCT. We solve this fundamental limitation of Bragg cell use for OCT by deploying a new interferometric architecture where the two interfering beams have the same power spectral profile over the bandwidth of the broadband source. With the proposed AO based system, high (e.g., megahertz) intermediate frequency can be generated for low 1/f noise heterodyne detection. System issues such as resolution, number of axial scans, and delay-path selection time are addressed. Experiments described demonstrate our high-speed acousto-optically tuned OCT system where optical delay lines can be selected at submicrosecond speeds.
Authentic Professional Competence in Clinical Neuropsychology

Authentic Professional Competence in Clinical Neuropsychology was Dr Denney's 2009 presidential address at the Annual Conference of the National Academy of Neuropsychology. In his address, he highlighted the need for clinical neuropsychologists to strive for authentic professional competence rather than a mere pretense of expertise. Undisputed credibility arises from authentic professional competence. Achieving authentic professional competence includes the completion of a thorough course of training within the defined specialty area and validation of expertise by one's peers through the board certification process. Included in the address were survey results regarding what the consumer believes about board certification as well as survey results regarding the experiences of recent neuropsychology diplomates. It is important for neuropsychologists to realize that the board certification process enhances public perception and credibility of the field as well as personal growth for the neuropsychologist. Lastly, he urged all neuropsychologists to support the unified training model and pursue board certification.
Privacy-Aware RNN Query Processing on Location-Based Services

This paper addresses how to answer the reversed nearest neighbor (RNN) queries in the location-based services when the privacy of users needs to be protected. We assume that the users' exact locations have been blurred into spatial regions based on user-specified privacy requirements. Inspired by the concept of Voronoi cell of point data, we introduce the concept of Voronoi cell for regions (VCR) and propose the framework to answer the privacy-ware RNN queries based on computing the VCR. We also propose the techniques to compute the VCR under L1 metric efficiently.
Crystal Structure and Molecular Orientation in Phthalocyanine Thin Films

Abstract In a recent series of papers, Ashida et al.1 investigated the crystal structures of several metal phthalocyanine thin films. Ashida obtained two types of films which he assumed had identical crystal structures but in different orientations. A comparison of Ashida's data with other published data (Honigman2) suggest that the structures in the two types of thin films may be different and have different space groups.
Allosteric Activation of PTEN Phosphatase by Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate

Phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a tumor suppressor that is lost in many human tumors and encodes a phosphatidylinositol phosphate phosphatase specific for the 3-position of the inositol ring. Here we report a novel mechanism of PTEN regulation. Binding of di-C8-phosphatidylinositol 4,5-P2 (PI(4,5)P2) to PTEN enhances phosphatase activity for monodispersed substrates, PI(3,4,5)P3 and PI(3,4)P2. PI(5)P also is an activator, but PI(4)P, PI(3,4)P2, and PI(3,5)P2 do not activate PTEN. Activation by exogenous PI(4,5)P2 is more apparent with PI(3,4)P2 as a substrate than with PI(3,4,5)P3, probably because hydrolysis of PI(3,4)P2 yields PI(4)P, which is not an activator. In contrast, hydrolysis of PI(3,4,5)P3 yields a potent activator, PI(4,5)P2, creating a positive feedback loop. In addition, neither di-C4-PI(4,5)P2 nor inositol trisphosphate-activated PTEN. Hence, the interaction between PI(4,5)P2 and PTEN requires specific, ionic interactions with the phosphate groups on the inositol ring as well as hydrophobic interactions with the fatty acid chains, likely mimicking the physiological interactions that PTEN has with the polar surface head groups and the hydrophobic core of phospholipid membranes. Mutations of the apparent PI(4,5)P2-binding motif in the PTEN N terminus severely reduced PTEN activity. In contrast, mutation of the C2 phospholipid-binding domain had little effect on PTEN activation. These results suggest a model in which a PI(4,5)P2 monomer binds to PTEN, initiates an allosteric conformational change and, thereby, activates PTEN independent of membrane binding.
Corticospinal tract degeneration associated with TDP-43 type C pathology and semantic dementia

Four subtypes of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 immunoreactive inclusions have been described (types A–D). Of these four subtypes, motor neuron disease is more commonly associated with type B pathology, but has also been reported with type A pathology. We have noted, however, the unusual occurrence of cases of type C pathology having corticospinal tract degeneration. We aimed to assess the severity of corticospinal tract degeneration in a large cohort of cases with type C ( n = 31). Pathological analysis included semi-quantitation of myelin loss of fibres of the corticospinal tract and associated macrophage burden, as well as axonal loss, at the level of the medullary pyramids. We also assessed for motor cortex degeneration and fibre loss of the medial lemniscus/olivocerebellar tract. All cases were subdivided into three groups based on the degree of corticospinal tract degeneration: (i) no corticospinal tract degeneration; (ii) equivocal corticospinal tract degeneration; and (iii) moderate to very severe corticospinal tract degeneration. Clinical, genetic, pathological and imaging comparisons were performed across groups. Eight cases had no corticospinal tract degeneration, and 14 cases had equivocal to mild corticospinal tract degeneration. Nine cases, however, had moderate to very severe corticospinal tract degeneration with myelin and axonal loss. In these nine cases, there was degeneration of the motor cortex without lower motor neuron degeneration or involvement of other brainstem tracts. These cases most commonly presented as semantic dementia, and they had longer disease duration (mean: 15.3 years) compared with the other two groups (10.8 and 9.9 years; P = 0.03). After adjusting for disease duration, severity of corticospinal tract degeneration remained significantly different across groups. Only one case, without corticospinal tract degeneration, was found to have a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9ORF72 gene. All three groups were associated with anterior temporal lobe atrophy on MRI; however, the cases with moderate to severe corticospinal tract degeneration showed right-sided temporal lobe asymmetry and greater involvement of the right temporal lobe and superior motor cortices than the other groups. In contrast, the cases with no or equivocal corticospinal tract degeneration were more likely to show left-sided temporal lobe asymmetry. For comparison, the corticospinal tract was assessed in 86 type A and B cases, and only two cases showed evidence of corticospinal tract degeneration without lower motor neuron degeneration. These findings confirm that there exists a unique association between frontotemporal lobar degeneration with type C pathology and corticospinal tract degeneration, with this entity showing a predilection to involve the right temporal lobe. * Abbreviations : CSTD : corticospinal tract degeneration FTD : frontotemporal dementia FTLD : frontotemporal lobar degeneration MND : motor neuron degeneration
Bit error rate analysis on iterative two-stage decoding of two dimensional codes by importance sampling

We present a bit error rate analysis for iterative two-stage hard decision decoding of product codes and proposed a concatenated codes suitable for optical communication. Our method is based on an importance sampling technique characterized by recursive calculation of cumulative binomial probabilities and direct biasing of error patterns. We can accelerate the Monte Carlo simulations by several orders of magnitude such as 10/sup 8/ and estimate the coding gains at the BERs as low as 10/sup -15/ required in optical communications. We apply the method for comparative BER analysis of product codes and proposed concatenated codes and show that product codes of small minimum distance have error floors at low BERs while the proposed concatenated codes of large minimum distance do not.
LOCATING ALL AZEOTROPES IN HOMOGENEOUS AZEOTROPIC SYSTEMS

A global optimization based approach for finding all homogeneous azeotropes in multicomponent mixtures is presented. The global optimization approach is based on a branch and bound framework in which upper and lower bounds on the solution are refined by successively partitioning the target region into small disjoint rectangles. The objective of such an approach is to locate all global minima since each global minimum corresponds to an homogeneous azeotrope. The global optimization problem is formulated from the thermodynamic criteria for azeotropy, which involve highly nonlinear and nonconvex expressions. The success of this approach depends upon constructing valid convex lower bounds for each nonconvex function in the constraints. The convex lower bounding procedure is demonstrated with the Wilson activity coefficient equation. The global optimization approach is illustrated in an example problem.
Spatial coherence of a Gaussian-beam wave in weak and strong optical turbulence

A generalized Huygens–Fresnel integral, valid for optical wave propagation through random inhomogeneities in the presence of any complex optical system characterized by an ABCD ray matrix, is used to derive a general expression for the mutual coherence function (MCF) associated with a Gaussian-beam wave in the weak-fluctuation regime. The mean irradiance obtained from this expression shows excellent agreement with all known asymptotic relations. By introducing a pair of effective beam parameters Θt and Λt that account for additional diffraction on the receiving aperture, resulting from turbulence, the normalized MCF and the related degree of coherence are formally extended into the regime of strong fluctuations. Results for the normalized MCF from this heuristic approach compare well with numerical calculations obtained directly from the formal solution of the parabolic equation. Also, the implied spatial coherence length from this analysis in moderate-to-strong-fluctuation regimes generally agrees more closely with numerical solutions of the parabolic equation than do previous approximate solutions. All calculations are based on the modified von Karman spectrum for direct comparison with established results.
The construction of the Maxwell representation for a cylindrically symmetric spherical harmonic of arbitrary order

Abstract The general structure of the sets of characteristic directions in the Maxwell invariant representation (vide infra) of spherical harmonics which have the symmetry of those defined by the moments of a cylindrically symmetric distribution has been determined. These results, valid for arbitrary orders, have been used to derive an algorithm for the construction of the characteristic directions. The calculations in the new algorithm are significantly simpler than those in the algorithm for the general spherical harmonic and in test calculations comparing the two algorithms the new one gave more accurate sets of characteristic directions. Previous work has established the convenience of the invariant representation for: (i) the calculation of the interaction energy of either a finite set or a crystal lattice of charge distributions; (ii) the construction of algorithms for problems which require partial derivatives of the electric field (e.g., mutual torques or induced multipoles and their contribution to the net electrostatic energy).
Vectorlike fermions and Higgs couplings

New vectorlike fermions that mix with the third generation can significantly affect the tau and b Yukawa couplings. Consistent with precision electroweak measurements, the width of the Higgs boson to tau tau, b b can be reduced by O(1) with respect to the Standard Model values. In the case of the b quark, a reduced width would result in an enhanced branching ratio for other final states, such as gamma gamma. New leptons can also substantially modify the Higgs boson branching ratio to photons through radiative effects, while new quarks can contribute to g g fusion. The combined effect can be as much as a factor of two on the branching ratio to gamma gamma. The new quarks and leptons could be light, which would allow discovery at the LHC. In the case of significant suppression of h -> tau tau, searches for new leptons decaying to tau-rich final states, perhaps in association with Higgs bosons, are motivated.
Cardiovascular and fluid responses to atrial natriuretic factor in sheep fetus

Presently little is known about the effects of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in the fetus. In this study we explored the effects of ANF on vascular pressures and fluid dynamics in the chronically catheterized sheep fetuses averaging 133 days gestation (term = 145-150 days). Under resting conditions plasma ANF concentration was positively correlated with fetal heart rate (P less than 0.001) and was not correlated with arterial pressure, venous pressure, or plasma osmolality. The weight-normalized fetal urine flow rate correlated positively with ANF concentration (P less than 0.01). After a bolus injection of 8 micrograms/kg of synthetic human ANF into the inferior vena cava, fetal arterial pressure decreased by 2 mmHg and remained at this level for 60 min, venous pressure was unchanged, and heart rate increased transiently by 15 beats/min. Urine flow rate increased to 250% of control 5 min after the injection and returned to control at 20 min even though ANF was four times control levels. Fetal blood volume decreased significantly by 5% within 10 min and remained low for 60 min. This decrease in blood volume was greater than the increase in urine flow. A kinetic analysis revealed that ANF disappearance from the plasma could not be adequately characterized with a single rate constant due to exchange between plasma and interstitial fluid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Dental Applications of the Laser

The teeth and oral cavity have been included in the study of tissues accessible to the laser beam. Although the possibilities of the development of laser dentistry appear to us to be excellent, there has been too little interest in the clinical and applied phases of laser dentistry by dentists and dental research groups. Research in laser dentistry by relatively few investigators has included the laser spectroscopy, laser impacts of teeth and oral cavity of experimental animals, impacts of extracted teeth of man, and rarely, the actual impacts of teeth in patients.
A Classifier for the Latency-CPU Behaviors of Serving Jobs in Distributed Environments

End-to-end latency of serving jobs in distributed and shared environments, such as a Cloud, is an important metric for jobs' owners and infrastructure providers. Yet it is notoriously challenging to model precisely, since it is affected by a large collection of unrelated moving pieces, from the software design to the job schedulers strategies. In this work we present a novel approach to modeling latency, by tracking how it varies with CPU usage. We train a classifier to automatically assign the latency behavior of methods in three classes: constant latency regardless of CPU, uncorrelated latency and CPU, and predictable latency as a function of CPU. We use our model on a random sample of serving jobs running on the Google infrastructure. We illustrate unexpected and insightful patterns of latency variations with CPU. The visualization of latency-CPU variations and the corresponding class may be used by both jobs' owners and infrastructure providers, for a variety of applications, such as smarter latency alerting, latency-aware configuration of jobs, and automated detection of changes in behavior, either over time, during pre-release testing, or across data centers.
Using Classical Planners for Tasks with Continuous Operators in Robotics

The need for high-level task planning in robotics is well understood. However, interfacing discrete planning with continuous actions often requires extensive engineering of the solution. For instance, picking up an object may require removing many others that obstruct it. Identifying the exact obstructions requires geometric reasoning which is prohibitively expensive to precompute, with results that are difficult to represent efficiently at the level of a discrete planner. We propose a new approach that utilizes representation techniques from first-order logic and provides a method for synchronizing between continuous and discrete planning layers. We evaluate the approach and illustrate its robustness through a number of experiments using a state-of-the-art robotics simulator, accomplishing a variety of challenging tasks like picking objects from cluttered environments, where the planner needs to figure out which other objects need to be moved first to be able to reach the target object, and laying out a table for dinner, where the planner figures out effective tray-loading, navigation and unloading strategies.
High Frequency Loss Mechanism in Polymers Filled with Dielectric Modifiers

We analyzed the high frequency dielectric relaxation mechanism in high-k composite materials using film substrates made of low loss organic resin filled with ferroelectric ceramics and with single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT). We performed broadband permittivity measurements of high-k film substrates at frequencies of 100 Hz to about 10 GHz. In order to analyze the effect of the dielectric thickness, dielectric constant, loss and conductive loss on the impedance characteristics, we used a High Frequency Structure Simulator to perform a full wave numerical analysis of several power planes. Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) was used to probe the dispersion of SWNTs in polymer matrices. It was found that organic-ceramic composites exhibit an intrinsic high frequency relaxation behavior that gives rise to frequency dependent dielectric loss. The highest frequency relaxation process dominates the overall loss characteristic. In the case of polymers modified with SWNTs, we observed that 2% mass fraction of p-doped semi-conducting SWNTs increases the dielectric constant by 3 orders of magnitude, in apparent violation of the mixing-rule. The hybrid material appears to have preferential coupling within the dispersed phase. The experimental data and numerical simulation indicate that these materials can play a significant role as embedded passive devices with functional characteristics superior to that of discrete components.
Integrated Guidance Navigation and Control for a Fully Autonomous Indoor UAS

This paper describes the details of a Quadrotor miniature unmanned aerial system capable of autonomously exploring cluttered indoor areas without relying on any external navigational aids such as GPS. A streamlined Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithm is implemented onboard the vehicle to fuse information from a scanning laser range sensor, an inertial measurement unit, and an altitude sonar to provide relative position, velocity, and attitude information. This state information, with a self-generated map, is used to implement a frontier-based exhaustive search of an indoor environment. To ensure the SLAM algorithm has sucient information to form a reliable solution, the guidance algorithm ensures the vehicle approaches frontier waypoints through a path that remains within sensor range of indoor structures. Along with a detailed description of the system, simulation and hardware testing results are presented.
Religious Enthusiasm and Separatism in Colonial New England

Thomas Underhill, a citizen of London during the Commonwealth, described that period of English history as “Hell Broke Loose.” Partly as a result of Anabaptist influence, and partly as a continuation of the indigenous Lollard movement, large numbers of persons in every part of England separated themselves from the Established Church and formed themselves into independent religious societies. Some of these groups were very eccentric in their beliefs and practices. Thomas Edwards, their bitter opponent, made a Catalogue of “the Errors, Heresies, Blasphemies and Pernicious Practices … vented and acted in England” between the years 1642 and 1646, which he called, Gangraena. In it he distinguishes no less than two hundred and ten errors which were held by one or other of the sixteen groups into which he divides the sectaries. The sixteen were, “Independents, Brownists, Chiliasts or Millenaries, Antinomians, Anabaptists, Manifestarians or Arminians, Libertines, Familists, Enthusiasts, Seekers and Waiters, Perfectists, Socinians, Arians, Anti-Trinitarians, Anti-Scripturalists, Sceptics and Quietists.” The Parliamentary army especially abounded with men whose “great religion” was “liberty of conscience and liberty of preaching.” G. P. Gooch and others have shown how deeply the roots of modern democracy are embedded in the religious struggles of these seventeenth century sects. Most of them disappeared with the Commonwealth, or were absorbed in the rising Quaker movement, but certain fundamental principles for which they stood continued to exist and to mold public opinion.
House Fly Resistance to Diazinon

House flies from a barn where a dairyman reported failure of fly control and from four barns where excellent control was obtained in 1957 were found resistant to Diazinon in laboratory tests. Resistance was proportional to the amount of Diazinon used in the barns during the several years previously. The most resistant strain was reared in the laboratory for four generations without appreciable loss in resistance. From this strain two other strains were developed by selecting 4-day-old and 1-day-old flies each generation on deposits of Diazinon of 1.0 mg. per sq. in. and rearing from survivors. Resistance increased very rapidly when 1-day-old flies were used for the selection since these flies had not mated before selection and less rapidly with selection of 4-day-old flies All three strains of flies showed resistance to Diazinon, DDT, methoxychlor, chlordane, dieldrin, lindane, parathion, malathion, dicapthon, Dow ET 57, Dipterex, and Bayer 21/199 in comparison with a non-resistant laboratory strain.
Descriptions of First and Second Instars of Praecocaspis diversa Ferris (Homoptera: Diaspididae)

The 2nd-stage males and females of Praecocaspis disversa Ferris are described and illustrated. Sexual dimorphism is reported in the 2nd instar. The first instar is described and illustrated but the sexes appeared identical in this stage.
Influence of group interventions on tobacco control knowledge,attitude and behavior among bus crew

Objective To investigate the influence of group interventions on tobacco control knowledge,attitude and behavior among bus crew. Methods Group interventions of tobacco control were implemented for six months to bus crew in Xiangyang. The comprehensive measures included establishing leading organization,introducing internal management,creating atmosphere of tobacco control,training knowledge,carrying out discussion,offering assistance to quit tobacco and exchanging experience,etc. Results Among all 364 respondents,the score of tobacco control knowledge,attitude awareness rates and smoking rates were( 45. 1 ± 6. 7),68. 9% and 68. 0% respectively before interventions,and reached( 70. 6 ± 7. 2),86. 3%and 32. 7% after interventions. There were significant differences before and after intervention( P 0. 05). Conclusion The implementation of group interventions effectively improved staff's knowledge and enhanced their tobacco control initiative.Meanwhile,smoking rates also decreased significantly. Group interventions of tobacco control should be encouraged.
What Determines the Degree of Earning Management Difference:Corporate Governance or Performance?—Empirical Evidence from the Chinese Securities Market

This paper,using the data of the listed firms during 2003—2005 in the Chi- nese Securities Market,and measuring the discretionary accruals by the adjusted Cross-sec- tional Jones Cash Model,analyzes the difference of the degree of earning management be- tween the private corporate and the state-owned corporate and the determinate factors of it. We find that,the degree of earning management of the private corporate is obviously higher than the state-owned corporate.Further analysis indicates that,it's the performance deter- mines the degree of earning management difference,not the corporate governance.Among all the indexes expressing performance,the return of the main operation has the most important effect on the degree of earning management.
Thyroid function in human pregnancy. IX. Development or retardation of 7-year-old progeny of hypothyroxinemic women

Progeny of women, whose thyroid function was studied gestationally, had psychological and/or neurologic examinations at 8 months, 4 years and 7 years of age. In more than 100 pregnancies (at least 3 per cent of total pregnancies) hypothyroxinemia occurred and was treated adequately or inadequately. Children were delivered after uncomplicated pregnancies (except hypothyroxinemia), had birth weights of at least 2,500 grams, and were excluded when postnatal insults intervened. At 8 months and 4 years progeny of inadequately treated hypothyroxinemic women had the lowest psychological scores. Now 246 7-year-old children have been examined psychologically and neurologically (earlier data on only 101). Definite trends and a few statistically lower psychological scores of progeny of inadequately treated hypothyroxinemic pregnant women are compared with better psychological scores of 7-year-old children born to euthyroid and adequately treated hypothyroxinemic women. In six sibling sets outcome was better when hypothyroxinemic women were treated with adequate thyroid replacement therapy. If a woman has a poor reproductive history, early in a subsequent gestation, thyroid status should be examined and adequate thyroid medication considered seriously.
Fatigue differences between Asian and Western populations in prolonged mentally demanding work-tasks

Abstract Introduction With an increase in the number of mentally demanding jobs, as well as the increase in work performed while sedentary, there is a growing imbalance in the use of body resources. This often results in an increase in fatigue in the working population. The diversity of the workforce is also increasing, whereas physiological differences based on culture are important to consider. The objective of this study was to identify the differences in the levels of fatigue in the workplace experienced by Asian and Western workers in mentally demanding jobs. Method Eight Asian and eight Western participants completed an observation-based study. Each participant was observed for four hours in their workplace while they were working on highly mentally demanding work-tasks either computer programming or mathematical simulations. To balance the effect of time, half of the participants from each ethnic group were observed in the morning session and the other half in the afternoon session. Perceived fatigue was measured every 30 min using the single dimensional Borg and multidimensional SOFI scales. Workload was measured using NASA-TLX, and as a change in resting heart rate. Result Ethnicity and time interacted to significantly affect the perceived fatigue measured by Borg (F (9,126) = 2.03, p = 0.0412) and SOFI (F(9,126) = 3.28, p = 0.0013) scales. Asian participants reported significantly higher workload measured by NASA-TLX scores (F(1, 14) = 3.68, p = 0.0024) and change in resting heart rate (F(1, 14) = 7.77, p = 0.0145) was measured higher compared to Western participants. Unlike fatigue, no significant interactions were observed between time and ethnicity to affect either NASA-TLX scores or change in resting heart rate. Post-hoc analyses show that the rate of fatigue was higher for Asian participants. Correlations between the dependent variables were significant (p Conclusion As compared to the Western participants, Asian participants reported higher values in all dependent measures, including fatigue in both scales, NASA-TLX scores, and change in resting heart rate. Relevance to industry The significant growth in white-collar as well as mentally demanding jobs requires more cognitive resources, while reducing physical activities. The consequences of the imbalances in the use of body resources have yet to be studied. This study has been designed to investigate the issues of imbalance in the workplace.
Natural Selection, Introduction to

Natural selection is one of the primary processes shaping evolving populations. The basic premise of selection rests on trait variation, differences of reproductive success, and heritability, but other factors can affect the efficacy of selection, such as mutational effects and random events. We discuss the causes and consequences of selection, and highlight a number of factors that complicate the link between the number of offspring and the long-term measure of reproductive success.
Insights into the management of erectile dysfunction: Part I.

For the estimated 30 million men in the United States with erectile dysfunction (ED), treatment options are varied. What may be the best choice for one individual is not necessarily the right choice for someone else. It is essential that health care professionals have a thorough understanding of all available options so they can help their patients and partners make the best treatment choice for successful sexual satisfaction. A variety of available ED treatment options are outlined here.
Measuring Clinical Decision Support Influence on Evidence-Based Nursing Practice.

Purpose/objectives To measure the effect of clinical decision support (CDS) on oncology nurse evidence-based practice (EBP). . Design Longitudinal cluster-randomized design. . Setting Four distinctly separate oncology clinics associated with an academic medical center. . Sample The study sample was comprised of randomly selected data elements from the nursing documentation software. The data elements were patient-reported symptoms and the associated nurse interventions. The total sample observations were 600, derived from a baseline, posteducation, and postintervention sample of 200 each (100 in the intervention group and 100 in the control group for each sample). . Methods The cluster design was used to support randomization of the study intervention at the clinic level rather than the individual participant level to reduce possible diffusion of the study intervention. An elongated data collection cycle (11 weeks) controlled for temporary increases in nurse EBP related to the education or CDS intervention. . Main research variables The dependent variable was the nurse evidence-based documentation rate, calculated from the nurse-documented interventions. The independent variable was the CDS added to the nursing documentation software. . Findings The average EBP rate at baseline for the control and intervention groups was 27%. After education, the average EBP rate increased to 37%, and then decreased to 26% in the postintervention sample. Mixed-model linear statistical analysis revealed no significant interaction of group by sample. The CDS intervention did not result in an increase in nurse EBP. . Conclusions EBP education increased nurse EBP documentation rates significantly but only temporarily. Nurses may have used evidence in practice but may not have documented their interventions. . Implications for nursing More research is needed to understand the complex relationship between CDS, nursing practice, and nursing EBP intervention documentation. CDS may have a different effect on nurse EBP, physician EBP, and other medical professional EBP.
Physiologic and pathologic alterations associated with ultrasonically generated shock waves.

Abstract Kidneys of 25 dogs were treated with ultrasonic shock waves and examined for both physiologic and pathologic changes. The number of pulses ranged from 2,000 to 8,000. The rate of the shock waves varied from one to 20 pulses per second. The difference in pulse rate did not affect the changes seen either acutely or in the delayed examination of the kidneys during the repair process. The physiologic and pathologic changes which occurred involved the renal tubule to a greater degree than the glomerulus. These alterations were resolving by one week following exposure to the shock waves.
The Influence of Cytokines on the Central Nervous System of Transgenic Mice

Cytokines are peptide regulatory factors which have been known for more than 40 years. In the past, extensive studies have contributed to a large body of data concerning their structure and their activities. The study of their function included the addition of cytokines to selected cell lines in vitro and the use of inhibitory antibodies and recombinant molecules in vivo. Recently, the production of mice transgenic for cytokine genes, or of mice whose genes encode either cytokines or their receptors, inactivated by homologous recombination (knockout mice), allowed new insight into the function of cytokines in vivo and revealed a whole network of related biological interactions. In contrast to the normal situation, in which the production of cytokines is mostly localized and transient, in the transgenic animals the presence of a transgene, or the complete absence of a targeted gene product, throughout the life of an animal often has consequences different from those that follow the repeated injection of cytokines, which have a short half-life in vivo, or the administration of antibodies, which may not reach every site of cytokine production.
Tumor-derived vaccines containing CD200 inhibit immune activation: implications for immunotherapy

There are over 400 ongoing clinical trials using tumor-derived vaccines. This approach is especially attractive for many types of brain tumors, including glioblastoma, yet so far the clinical response is highly variable. One contributor to poor response is CD200, which acts as a checkpoint blockade, inducing immune tolerance. We demonstrate that, in response to vaccination, glioma-derived CD200 suppresses the anti-tumor immune response. In contrast, a CD200 peptide inhibitor that activates antigen-presenting cells overcomes immune tolerance. The addition of the CD200 inhibitor significantly increased leukocyte infiltration into the vaccine site, cytokine and chemokine production, and cytolytic activity. Our data therefore suggest that CD200 suppresses the immune system's response to vaccines, and that blocking CD200 could improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
( In x Ga 1 − x ) 2 O 3 alloys for transparent electronics

In${}_{2}$O${}_{3}$ and Ga${}_{2}$O${}_{3}$ are both transparent conducting oxides with advantageous properties, but differing crystal structures. Alloying the two together could permit the tuning of materials properties such as band gaps, but raises the question of what the stable crystal structure would be. Using state of the art first principles calculations, the authors predict alloy properties as a function of composition, finding the structure with the lowest formation barrier. They also report natural band alignments which can aid in the design of heterostructures.
Exploring the Origins of Ecological Forestry in North America

The use of ecological forestry to achieve management objectives, such as the maintenance of native biodiversity, has become increasingly common on public and private ownerships in North America. These approaches generally use natural disturbance processes and their structural and compositional outcomes as models for designing silvicultural prescriptions that restore or sustain complex structural and compositional conditions in actively managed forests. Although the origin of ecological forestry is generally credited to approaches developing out of the Pacific Northwest in the 1980s (Franklin 1989), there is a great richness and tradition in applying ecological principles to guide forest management in North America that far predates these important contributions. This Roots article explores the early history of ecological forestry, culminating in the contributions of early scientists at the Harvard Forest that resulted in the first use of this term in the North American forestry literature by Steven Spurr and Al Cline in their 1942 Journal of Forestry article (Spurr and Cline 1942).
CMOS-based florescence biosensor with integrated nanoplasmonic filters

Fluorescence-based bimolecular sensing is one of the most prevalent methods for diagnostics, but typically requires complex optical instrumentation to detect weak fluorescence signal in presence of excitation light for sensitive assays. In this work, we present the first integrated biosensor chip, fabricated in standard complementary-metal-oxide (CMOS) technology with integrated copper-based nanoplasmonic filters that allows elimination of all external optical instruments and encompasses the sensing platform, sensors, scanner in a mm-sized CMOS chip.
Direct Methods of Stability Analysis in Dynamic Security Assessment

Abstract Direct methods of stability analysis have been intensely investigated over the past two decades and are now found practicable in obtaining accurate critical breaker clearing times for a given fault. Obtaining this information on-line is only an indirect way of ascertaining robustness of the system. In this paper we propose to convert this information into more realistic criteria such as simultaneous interchange capability (SIC) or maximum load capability (LSC) of the system subject to the system surviving thp contingencies in a transiently stable manner. A fast transient stability algorithm combined with sensitivity of the energy margin to the LSC or SIC is proposed. Verification of the methodology on a 1O-machine system lends confidence in this technique as a tool for dynamic security assessment.