cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Excerpts from research study ‘weapons of mass destruction and terrorism: Proliferation by non‐state actors’

In the wake of the Cold War, a new world disorder seems to be emerging wherein the legitimacy of many states is being challenged from within by increasing non‐state calls for self‐determination from the likes of religious cults, hate groups, isolationist movements, ethnic groups and revivalist movements. These movements often prey on the insecurities of the population, offering to fill psychological, sociological, political or religious security needs of those who would join them. Religious oriented groups appear to share a common ideological thread that rejects existing social, economic and political structure demanding a structural revision of the world, a world where they become the authoritarian, dominant influence. Emanating from these movements will be the ‘Post Modern Terrorists’ who possess a ‘ripeness’ to threaten use of weapons of mass destruction. This article concerns asymmetric warfare: terrorism, specifically Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) terrorism. It argues that the terrorist WMD threa...
Low temperature photo-oxidation of chloroperoxidase Compound II

Abstract Oxidation of the heme-thiolate enzyme chloroperoxidase (CPO) from Caldariomyces fumago with peroxynitrite (PN) gave the Compound II intermediate, which was photo-oxidized with 365 nm light to give a reactive oxidizing species. Cryo-solvents at pH ≈ 6 were employed, and reactions were conducted at temperatures as low as − 50 °C. The activity of CPO as evaluated by the chlorodimedone assay was unaltered by treatment with PN or by production of the oxidizing transient and subsequent reaction with styrene. EPR spectra at 77 K gave the amount of ferric protein at each stage in the reaction sequence. The PN oxidation step gave a 6:1 mixture of Compound II and ferric CPO, the photolysis step gave an approximate 1:1 mixture of active oxidant and ferric CPO, and the final mixture after reaction with excess styrene contained ferric CPO in 80% yield. In single turnover reactions at − 50 °C, styrene was oxidized to styrene oxide in high yield. Kinetic studies of styrene oxidation at − 50 °C displayed saturation kinetics with an equilibrium constant for formation of the complex of K bind = 3.8 × 10 4 M − 1 and an oxidation rate constant of k ox = 0.30 s − 1 . UV–Visible spectra of mixtures formed in the photo-oxidation sequence at ca. − 50 °C did not contain the signature Q-band absorbance at 690 nm ascribed to CPO Compound I prepared by chemical oxidation of the enzyme, indicating that different species were formed in the chemical oxidation and the photo-oxidation sequence.
The Integumental Perforation Pattern of the Pseudochirella Obesa Female (Copepoda, Calanoida)

The complement of integumental organs of the female of the calanoid copepod Pseudochirella obesa (fam. Aetideidae), is described and figured in the form of pore maps of the integument for purposes of comparison with the other genera contained in the subfamily Euchirellinae, such in addition to the comprehensive description of the morphology of the species reported upon elsewhere (cf. Von Vaupel Klein & Rijerkerk, 1996, 1997, and in press).
Transcriptional Control of the Human Sodium-coupled Neutral Amino Acid Transporter System A Gene by Amino Acid Availability Is Mediated by an Intronic Element

System A amino acid transporter (SNAT2) gene expression is up-regulated at the transcriptional level in response to amino acid deprivation. Functional analysis of genomic fragments 5' upstream of the transcription start site, for both human and mouse SNAT2 genes showed that these regions exhibit promoter activity, but were amino acid unresponsive. However, when the human and mouse constructs were extended to include intron 1, it was observed that the rate of transcription was increased following amino acid deprivation. Deletion analysis of the human gene identified an intron 1 sequence spanning 54 nucleotides that was sufficient for conferring amino acid-dependent regulation to a minimal SNAT2 promoter. Alignment of the corresponding region from the human, mouse, and rat genomes revealed three highly conserved sequences. From site-directed mutagenesis, it was concluded that one of these sites functions as an amino acid response element (AARE) to regulate transcription. The core sequence of this site is identical to the AARE in the human CHOP gene. The SNAT2 AARE, along with a nearby conserved CAAT box, has enhancer activity in that it functions in an orientation and position independent manner, and it confers regulated transcription to a heterologous promoter.
How do physicians talk with their patients about risks

To describe the communication about risk between community-based physicians and their patients, the authors audiotaped 160 physician-patient encounters in the private practices of 19 physicians. Coding was done using a structured scheme to identify the presence of talk about risk of future illness, and to describe its characteristics. Patient understanding and satisfaction were assessed through an interview. Risk discussion occurred in 26% (95% CI 19%–33%) of the visits, quantitatively in two cases and specifically with respect to outcome in 48% (95% CI 40%–56%) of the visits. The patients initiated only 16% of this discussion but were, in general, satisfied with their care and the information they had received, but they had poor recall of the specifics of the discussion.
Biochemical changes after hepatic injury by allyl alcohol and N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminoflourene

Administration of hepatotoxic doses of allyl alcohol and N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (N-OH-AFF) to adult male rats produced periportal necrosis and functional derangement of the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum within 24 h. The rates of N-demethylation of ethylmorphine and p-hydroxylation of aniline were decreased 6 h following allyl alcohol administration, but cytochromes P-450 and b5 were unchanged. In contrast, administration of NOH-AAF decreased cytochromes P-450 and b5 and the rate of aniline p-hydroxylation, but did not change the rate of N-demethylation of ethylmorphine or the activities of cytochrome c reductase and glucose-6-phosphatase. No decrease was observed in the activity of the cytosol enzyme, DT diaphorase, following allyl alcohol treatment. The changes by these periportal hepatotoxins were compared with those produced both by central and midzonal hepatotoxins and with changes occurring in the liver after surgical partial hepatectomy.
Validation of microsatellite markers for routine horse parentage testing

A parallel testing of 4803 routine Quarter Horse parentage cases, using 15 loci of blood group and protein polymorphisms (blood typing) and 11 loci of dinucleotide repeat microsatellites (DNA typing), validated DNA markers for horse pedigree verification. For the 26 loci, taken together, the theoretical effectiveness of detecting incorrect parentage was 99.999%, making it extremely unlikely that false parentage would fail to be recognized. The tests identified incorrect parentage assignment for 95 offspring (2% of cases). Despite fewer loci, DNA typing was as effective as blood typing and, in parentage exclusion cases, provided more systems to substantiate the genetic incompatibility. Five offspring presented potential genetic incompatibilities with their parents in only a single microsatellite system, but the parentage exclusions could not be confirmed with discordant results at additional loci. Two of these five incompatibilities could be explained as consequences of a null allele and three as fragment size increases or decreases (putative mutations). Provided that an exclusion assignment was based on at least two systems of genetic incompatibility, such rare genetic events did not lead to false exclusions. Notwithstanding the near 100% effectiveness estimations for either typing panel alone to identify incorrect parentage, this validation test showed an actual effectiveness of 97.3% for blood typing and 98.2% for DNA typing. The DNA-based test, however, may feasibly achieve higher efficacy than reported here by adding selected systems to the parentage test panel.
Evaluating the Crack-Tip Bridging Stress in a Bovine Cortical Bone

Recent experimental studies on human and bovine cortical bone shows that fracture strength of a cortical bone cannot be characterized by a single value of fracture toughness, but rather by variable crack growth resistance values. The mechanism of resistance of a crack extension in a bone is generally defined by R-curve behavior, which can be expressed as the relation between crack growth resistance values and crack extension. Crack bridging stress in front of a crack has been shown to be the main source of this resistance of the bone crack extension. The calculation of this bridging stress is important for predicting fracture stress in cortical bone material. In this study, a theoretical model based on weight function was developed to evaluate the bridging stress in front of a cortical bone crack tip. The main goal of this research was to investigate the role of specimen orientation on bridging stress. The hypothesis used was that specimen orientation has significant influence on the bridging stress. Two specific aims are developed to support this hypothesis: determination of the bridging stress along a crack length and investigation of the orientation effect on bridging stress. A weight function formulation was used to calculate crack opening displacements. The bridging stress along a crack can be found by minimizing the experimental and calculated crack opening displacements using a least square formulation. Finally, the bridging stress variation along a crack extension was examined in the specimen along two different orientations. The developed analytical model produces a gradually increasing trend of bridging stress with crack extension which depends on the orientation of the specimen extraction.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Development of a Computerized Method to Measure Cotton Tenacity at Different Extension Rates

Published research has indicated that cotton strength increases as the specimen loading rate increases when measured by Stelometer and Pressley methods. This report describes an instrument designed to test 1/8 gauge bundles at constant rates of extension from 0.05 to 50 cm/min. A computer analyzes voltage signals from force and dis placement transducers. Pressley jaws hold the fiber bundles, and a Stelometer vice is used to load them in the jaws. Specimens are selected with a mechanized sampling and combing procedure. The method provides measurements of strength, elongation, modulus, and two forms of toughness.
Expanding the Political Nation: Gorboduc at the Inns of Court and Succession Revisited

First performed at the Inner Temple in 1562, Gorboduc has usually been viewed as a topical comment on the Elizabethan succession. Drawing on an array of documents concerning the occasion, production, and reception of the play, I argue that this view is too narrow. Gorboduc responds to a specific occasion, the Inner Temple revels of 1561-2. Members of the inn also used the occasion to offer a challenging political comment on the nature of the English political nation, broadly defined as those individuals and institutions that could legitimately contribute to discussions of matters of state.
Darwin's ‘Angels’: the Women Correspondents of Charles Darwin

This paper examines a group of women united by one thing: their correspondence with Charles Darwin. Some of them are more widely known but most of them, even if known in their own day, have no pres...
Surface analysis of combustion-generated soot particles by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract Soot generated from an acetylene/air premixed flame stabilized over a flat flame burner and collected on a silver substrate was studied by ESCA. Effects of equivalence ratios on the surface-adsorbed oxygenated complexes were investigated. It was concluded that finer soot particles, generated at lower equivalence ratios (rich in oxygen), contained higher concentrations of these species and therefore were more reactive. The implications of these findings on the role of particulate carbon generated from various combustion sources are discussed.
Multiple proteins binding to a GATA-E box-GATA motif regulate the erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF) gene.

Erythroid Kruppel-like factor (EKLF) is a zinc finger transcription factor required for β-globin gene expression and is implicated as one of the key factors necessary for the fetal to adult switch in globin gene expression. In an effort to identify factors involved in the expression of this important erythroid-specific regulatory protein, we have isolated the mouse EKLF gene and systematically analyzed the promoter region. Initially, a reporter construct with 1150 base pairs of the EKLF 5′-region was introduced into transgenic mice and shown to direct erythroid-specific expression. We continued the expression studies in erythroid cells and have identified a sequence element consisting of two GATA sites flanking an E box motif. The three sites act in concert to elevate the transcriptional activity of the EKLF promoter. Each site is essential for EKLF expression indicating that the three binding sites do not work additively, but rather function as a unit. We further show that GATA-1 binds to the two GATA sites and present evidence for binding of another factor from erythroid cell nuclear extracts to the E box motif. These results are consistent with the formation of a quaternary complex composed of an E box dimer and two GATA-1 proteins binding at a combined GATA-E box-GATA activator element in the distal EKLF promoter.
Oxyhemoglobin affinity in acute pancreatitis

Abstract An altered oxyhemoglobin affinity is noted early in the course of patients with acute pancreatitis. This does not appear to correlate to routinely determined biochemical parameters. In vitro studies indicate that fatty acids of C 16 –C 20 length increase oxyhemoglobin affinity. Other circulating factors exert a variable effect which may in combination produce a significant effect on P 50 . The physiologic consequences of the altered P 50 is postulated to affect respiratory and cardiovascular function. Therapeutic efforts should not further insult the oxygen delivery system.
The effectiveness of opposing expert witnesses for educating jurors about unreliable expert evidence.

We tested whether an opposing expert is an effective method of educating jurors about scientific validity by manipulating the methodological quality of defense expert testimony and the type of opposing prosecution expert testimony (none, standard, addresses the other expert’s methodology) within the context of a written trial transcript. The presence of opposing expert testimony caused jurors to be skeptical of all expert testimony rather than sensitizing them to flaws in the other expert’s testimony. Jurors rendered more guilty verdicts when they heard opposing expert testimony than when opposing expert testimony was absent, regardless of whether the opposing testimony addressed the methodology of the original expert or the validity of the original expert’s testimony. Thus, contrary to the assumptions in the Supreme Court’s decision in Daubert, opposing expert testimony may not be an effective safeguard against junk science in the courtroom.
Fusarium avenaceum as a novel pathogen of spotted knapweed and its phytotoxins, acetamido-butenolide and enniatin B

Abstract Fusarium avenaceum is described as a novel fungal pathogen of spotted knapweed ( Centurea maculosa L.), a noxious range, park and pasture land pest of the Pacific Northwest, USA. Pathogenicity of this fungus was established via Koch's postulates. Two phytotoxins were isolated and characterized from the culture filtrate of this fungus, i.e., acetamido-butenolide and enniatin B. These compounds are not host selective, but do act in a synergistic manner to cause necrotic lesions on detached knapweed leaves. Both phytotoxins, acetamido-butenolide and enniatin B are active at 3.5 × 10 −3 M and are produced in culture in a ratio of 1:10.
Effects of a low intensity intervention to increase hearing protector use among noise-exposed workers.

Background Farm operators experience exposure to high noise and high prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss, but use of hearing protection in this worker group is low. The purpose of this study was to test a brief intervention to increase farm operators’ use of hearing protection. Methods In this one-group pre- and post-test study, a random sample of 32 members of a farmers’ organization was supplied a variety of hearing protectors. Participants received an assortment of hearing protectors by mail with manufacturer’s instructions for use. Results Mean pre-intervention hearing protector use when in high noise in this group was23%(SD29).Ofthe32participants,27(84%)wereexposedtohazardousnoiseduring the study period. Post-intervention mean use of HPDs was 64%, an increase of 41% (t ¼5.26, P <000). Conclusion Results of this study suggest that overall, hearing protectors were acceptable to farm operators, and that a brief mailed intervention is feasible. Am. J. Ind. Med. 54:210–215, 2011. 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Erythrocyte losses from pigs with experimental Trichuris suis infections measured with a whole-body counter

Abstract The losses of 59Fe labelled erythrocytes from pigs infected with 15 000, 40 000 or 100 000 T. suis ova have been measured using a whole-body counting technique. The average rate of loss of erythrocytes was approximately proportional to the infective dose of ova, ranging from 7 to 35 ml./d., but in none of the animals was anaemia observed. A transitory macrocytosis occurred in the animals infected with 40 000 ova, and a decrease in serum iron concentration in those infected with 100 000 ova. The clinical signs in the pigs infected with 15 000 ova were negligible, but infection with 100 000 was fatal. The losses of erythrocytes were not a major cause of the clinical disease.
Vitamin E amelioration of ethanol neurotoxicity involves modulation of apoptotis-related protein levels in neonatal rat cerebellar granule cells

Developmental ethanol exposure leads to a variety of abnormalities in the central nervous system (CNS). Mechanisms proposed as underlying these effects include alterations of protective antioxidant support, increased generation of harmful free radicals, and altered expression of apoptosis-related proteins. In prior studies, exogenous antioxidant application has been found to reduce ethanol neurotoxicity, but the mechanisms by which this protection is afforded have not been defined. This study was designed to investigate the interactions between ethanol and the antioxidant vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), with respect to neuronal survival and levels of proteins related to the Bcl-2 survival-regulatory gene family. Neonatal rat cerebellar granule cell cultures were used as a model system. It was found that ethanol significantly impaired neuronal survival in these preparations, and that survival in the presence of ethanol was enhanced by inclusion of vitamin E in the culture medium. This elevated survival was paralleled by increased levels of anti-apoptotic proteins (e.g., Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, activated Akt kinase), and concurrent downregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins (e.g., Bcl-xs). These results suggest that such alterations may represent an important mechanism whereby antioxidants protect against the neurotoxic effects of ethanol in the developing CNS. The possible manner by which these changes are effected are considered.
An algorithm for architecture partitioning in high-speed networks with bursty traffic

This paper analyzes the performance of a switching architecture. The performance measures include the elapsed time of packet transfer and the waiting time to begin transfer. The architecture is partitioned depending on the type of network used and the expected traffic in the network. Every partition has a switch with a buffer that can absorb surges of bursty traffic within the network partition. The buffer size depends on the type of the network and incoming traffic. The partition size depends on the network bandwidth, network traffic, packet size and buffer size. Examples of different networks are used to show the applications of the model. The results show that the elapsed time of packet switch transfer depends exponentially on the number of partitions in the network.
Service Academies of the United States: Issues of Context, Curriculum, and Assessment

An overview of the U.S. service academies is followed by a discussion of contextual dimensions that provide a useful framework for understanding the success of West Point's recent curricular and assessment initiatives. Some challenges for the service academies in the twenty-first century are noted, and suggestions are offered for further research on these unique institutions.
Van der Waals interaction between an atom and a solid surface

Abstract : This paper contributes to the theory of the long-ranged attractive polarization force between a neutral atom and a crystalline solid surface in the non-relativistic limit. The first two terms in the asymptotic expansion of the polarization energy are used to define an atom-solid potential of the form V(pol) = -C(Z - Zo) to the (-3) power. The constant C appearing in this expression is known from the earlier work of E. M. Lifshitz. The present paper gives a theory of the position of the 'reference plane,' Z(o), which is important in applications to physisorption. An explicit expression for Z(o) is first derived for atoms interacting with a jellium metal and with an insulating crystal consisting of atoms which interact via dipole-dipole forces. These model calculations are then incorporated into a computation of the polarization energies of rare gas atoms physisorbed on noble metal surfaces. The computed energies are found to be consistent with observed adsorption energies.
Estrogens for prevention of coronary heart disease. Putting the brakes on the bandwagon.

Eighty-two percent of 1383 cardiologists, internists, family doctors, and general practitioners surveyed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) reported that they prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Of those who prescribe it, 93% do so for relief of menopausal symptoms and 91% for osteoporosis. These are proven and accepted indications for estrogen replacement therapy. However, 41% also prescribe it for high blood cholesterol, and 66% prescribe it for coronary heart disease. These are not proven indications and should not be accepted as such until unequivocal clinical trial data are available. Why, then, have so many medical practitioners climbed aboard the HRT bandwagon? That bandwagon is clearly rolling, as anyone who reads newspapers or magazines, watches television, or talks to colleagues can attest. The bandwagon appears to be picking up in speed and volume. The putative benefits of HRT are being trumpeted to postmenopausal women, with only transient muting for reports of possible adverse effects. A short history of HRT is instructive. The use of postmenopausal estrogens first gathered momentum during the sixties under the banner of “feminine forever.” The promise to women that estrogens would hold back the ravages of time went unfulfilled, and instead they learned that they were being put at increased risk of endometrial cancer.1 Other disturbing news emerged: estrogens increased the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in men, and oral contraceptives increased the risk of CHD and stroke in middle-aged women.2 3 Result: from the midseventies onward, estrogen use declined precipitously.4 Better news started emerging in the eighties: estrogens prevented bone loss, and estrogen users appeared to be at lower risk of CHD.5 6 When it was demonstrated that concomitant administration of progestins removed the risk of endometrial cancer, the brakes were loosened and use of postmenopausal hormones has …
Themes in ssDNA recognition by telomere-end protection proteins

The ends of eukaryotic linear chromosomes are unique structures that require special management by the cell. If left unattended, the ends are inappropriately processed, leading to genomic instability and problems with proliferation. Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein structures that restore chromosome stability by protecting and maintaining chromosome ends. Proper telomere function is facilitated, in part, by the telomere-end protection (TEP) family of proteins, which targets the 3′ single-stranded (ss) overhang region of the telomere via a specialized ssDNA-binding domain (DBD). With the recent availability of the structures of these DBDs, the ssDNA-binding characteristics of TEP proteins can be compared and the common underlying mechanisms of ssDNA recognition identified, thus providing insights into telomere function.
Wild pigs and outlaws: The kindred worlds of policing and outlaw bikers

What are the similarities and differences between police officers and gang members? From a largely cultural and thoroughly critical perspective it is logical to develop a comparative analytical design that focuses on outlaw motorcycle clubs and police motorcycle fraternal organizations. Outlaw motorcycle clubs arose following the Second World War, and across the past 50 years have been targeted by law enforcement for their increasingly sophisticated involvement in violent criminal activity. They are characterized by hierarchical command structures, initiation rites and socialization processes, oaths of loyalty, codes of silence, a uniform mode of dress, and outwardly symbolic accoutrements of rank and achievement. Police organizations and cultures are not much different in these aspects of signification; comparative analysis based on naturalistic inquiry may hold the key to greater understanding of both subcultures.
Studio K: a game development environment designed for gains in computational thinking (abstract only)

Studio K is a game design curriculum constructed to provide middle school students an engaging entry into computer science and programming. Developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the program employs Microsoft's 3D programming environment, Kodu, in tandem with support and analytic tools for facilitators, and an online community that provides players with a support system. These key features are bolstered with incorporation of telemetry data gathered through design sessions that are used to improve site functioning, curriculum relevancy, and administrative tools. This program is applied across contexts, with applications in formal classrooms, informal extracurricular clubs or camps, and alternative learning environments such as library systems or home schools. Studio K provides a well-supported, unique entry into computer science in which programming knowledge becomes a tool that supports learners' goals in designing and developing games.
Bayesian Climate Change Assessment.

Abstract A Bayesian fingerprinting methodology for assessing anthropogenic impacts on climate was developed. This analysis considers the effect of increased CO2 on near-surface temperatures. A spatial CO2 fingerprint based on control and forced model output from the National Center for Atmospheric Research Climate System Model was developed. The Bayesian approach is distinguished by several new facets. First, the prior model for the amplitude of the fingerprint is a mixture of two distributions: one reflects prior uncertainty in the anticipated value of the amplitude under the hypothesis of “no climate change.” The second reflects behavior assuming“climate change forced by CO2.” Second, within the Bayesian framework, a new formulation of detection and attribution analyses based on practical significance of impacts rather than traditional statistical significance was presented. Third, since Bayesian analyses can be very sensitive to prior inputs, a robust Bayesian approach, which investigates the ranges of...
Selective inhibition of macromolecular synthesis in transformed mouse cells by means of ATP-treatment

Summary External ATP causes a rapid and reversible increase in passive permeability in transformed cells but not in untransformed 3T3 cells. By this technique certain impermeant inhibitors of protein or DNA synthesis were sealed into transformed cells. With 1-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine 5′-triphosphate the inhibition of DNA synthesis was maintained for at least 20 h. The present results suggest that treatment with ATP makes it possible to achieve selective toxicity for transformed cells in vitro and possibly in vivo .
René Le Fort 1869-1951.

Over a century ago, The French surgeon Rene Le Fort described the anatomical basis for fractures of the mid-face. His nomenclature is still used today using the eponym "Le Fort fractures." Although Le Fort's name is well known in association with the fractures that he described, little is known of his life. Therefore, the present article will discuss the background of this important individual in craniofacial trauma.
Changing Correlates of Job Involvement in Three Career Stages.

Abstract The nature of correlates of job involvement over three career stages (i.e., early, mid, and late career) was explored in order to account for the lack of consistency of past empirical work in the job involvement area. Data relating to perceptions of job involvement, job characteristics, job satisfaction, rewards, and individual differences were collected from 332 Canadian transportation ministry employees. Utilizing correlational analysis, support was found for the hypothesis that career stage moderated the relationship of job involvement and various situational, individual difference, and outcome measures. These results are discussed in light of the current literature.
A meaningful life is worth living: Meaning in life as a suicide resiliency factor

Given the high rate of suicide worldwide, it is imperative to find factors that can confer resiliency to suicide. The goal of the present study was to examine the search for and the presence of meaning in life as possible resilience factors. We hypothesized that the presence of, but not the search for, meaning in life would predict decreased suicidal ideation over an eight-week time period and decreased lifetime odds of a suicide attempt. We also examined a subsidiary hypothesis that the presence of, but not the search for, meaning in life would mediate the relationship between the two variables associated with the interpersonal psychological theory of suicide (i.e., perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness) and suicidal ideation. Our results were generally in support of our hypothesis: presence of meaning in life predicted decreased suicidal ideation over time and lower lifetime odds of a suicide attempt. Surprisingly, search for meaning in life also predicted decreased suicidal ideation over time. Finally, the search for, but not presence of, meaning in life mediated the relationship between the interpersonal psychological theory variables and suicidal ideation. These findings suggest that interventions that target meaning in life may be useful to attenuate suicide risk in individuals.
Axially Symmetric Electrostatic and Magnetic Fields for Ion Beam Focusing

The electric field between two oppositely charged concentric cylindrical conductors is proportional to 1/r where r is the radial distance from the axis of the pair of conductors. The magnetic field around a straight wire carrying a current is also proportional to 1/r. Both these fields can act as ion or electron beam lenses for hollow tubular beams. Coaxial with the conductors. For the beam moving close to the inner conductor, r small, the fields are strong and powerful focusing is possible. Some of the characteristics of these new systems are described, recent applications mentioned, and future uses suggested including the generation of synchrotion radiation.
Vascular complications after balloon and new device angioplasty.

BACKGROUNDDespite their potential advantages, new coronary angioplasty devices may be associated with more frequent vascular complications than noted after standard balloon angioplasty, theoretical...
Mirror Neurons, the Development of Empathy, and Digital Story Telling.

Abstract This article explores the intersection of work in media education, religious education, concerns about digital cultures’ impact on human relationality, and the possible role that mirror neurons might play in the development of empathy. Digital story telling—particularly as embodied in the work of the Center for Digital Storytelling (http://www.storycenter.org), and the Storytelling as Faith Formation project (www.storyingfaith.org)—is proposed as a mechanism within which to foster mirror neuron development, and thereby provide one promising route for deepening empathic learning within religious education.
FDA Recommendations for Nitinol Stent and Endovascular Graft Fatigue Characterization and Fracture Reporting

Intravascular stents and endovascular stent-grafts provide a minimally invasive option for treating vascular disease and injury. Medical device manufacturers typically conduct radial pulsatile fatigue testing of intravascular stents and endovascular grafts to demonstrate that these devices will maintain their durability for ten years of implant life. While they are useful indicators of device performance, these test regimens do not always predict device durability in the clinical setting with perfect accuracy. In this paper, we address some of the common issues that should be considered in the design of fatigue tests, including appropriate sample sizes for fatigue testing, sample selection, loading conditions, and test setup issues. We also discuss finite element analysis of long-term cyclic fatigue. In addition, we describe appropriate methods for reporting the incidence of stent fractures after implantation. Our goals are to assist manufacturers and test laboratories in refining their in vitro fatigue testing methods to allow more accurate prediction of clinical device fractures, and to maximize the amount of useful data contained in clinical fracture reports.
Plasma Corticosteroids Determined by Use of Corticosteroid-Binding Globulin and Dextran-Coated Charcoal

Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) and dextran-coated charcoal have been employed to measure the concentration of unconjugated corticosteroids in plasma. One ml of alkalinized plasma is extracted with methylene chloride and the extract is washed with water. The extract is dried, dissolved in a standard plasma pool containing 4-14C-cortisol, and then shaken with dextran-coated charcoal to separate protein-bound and unbound cortisol. The charcoal suspension is centrifuged. The radioactivity in the supernatant, which is extracted and counted, is inversely related to the amount of unconjugated corticosteroids in the original plasma. The specificity of the CBG-charcoal method as a measure of cortisol in plasma depends on 2 factors: the limited binding of most steroids other than cortisol by CBG and the low concentrations of all unconjugated steroids other than cortisol in normal human plasma. The method has a high degree of precision and accuracy. The results of analyses of plasma for corticosteroids using ...
Gender equitable boys in a gender inequitable world: reflections from qualitative research and programme development in Rio de Janeiro.

This article offers insights from a qualitative study with a group of more 'gender equitable' heterosexual young men in a low-income setting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and considers the implications...
Mycorrhizal pathogen of tobacco: cropping history and current crop effects on the mycorrhizal fungal community.

Abstract Mycorrhizal fungi may be involved in the effect of cropping history on productivity of soil for crops. The influence of long-term cropping history and the crop grown during the current season on populations of the tobacco stunt pathogen, Glomus macrocarpum, and other members of the mycorrhizal fungal community was determined. Stunt disease was much more severe in land with a history of sorghum-sudangrass hybrid than in land previously comprising fescue pasture. of 17 species in four genera of mycorrhizal fungi present, populations of only G. macrocarpum were related to stunt disease occurring on land previously growing sorghum-sudangrass hybrid. Fescue low in incidence of Acremonium coenophialum, that was planted during the current season, was a better host than tobacco for most mycorrhizal species. Some species, notably G. constrictum, that were prominent in land with a long-term history of fescue, declined during the season on both low-Acremonium fescue and tobacco. Cropping history significantly affected the composition of the mycorrhizal community, and crop rotation promises to be an effective means of controlling diseases caused by mycorrhizal fungi.
Comparison of theory-based and empirical modeling for the prediction of chromatographic behavior in the ion-pairing separation of benzodiazepine-derived pharmaceutical compounds

Abstract Two approaches were examined for predicting chromatographic behaviour during the reversed-phase ion-pairing separation of benzodiazepine-derived pharmaceutical compounds. The capacity factor for olanzapine and its resolution from a closely related compound, desmethylolanzapine, were studied as a function of the percentage of acetonitrile, the ion-pairing reagent concentration and the buffer pH. In the first approach, the results were analyzed using the theory-based software package DryLab I/mp. In the second approach, statistical analysis was used to derive empirical equations to predict the dependence of the chromatographic behavior on each of the experimental variables. At the lowest ion-pairing reagent concentration, DryLab I/mp was found to be a poor predictor of resolution. For this complex separation, the empirical equations derived from the statistical analysis were found to predict better the chromatographic behavior over the ranges tested. These equations were used to generate response-surface plots to evaluate the method ruggedness.
Evidence that calcium release-activated current mediates the biphasic electrical activity of mouse pancreatic beta-cells.

The electrical response of pancreatic β-cells to step increases in glucose concentration is biphasic, consisting of a prolonged depolarization with action potentials (Phase 1) followed by membrane potential oscillations known as bursts. We have proposed that the Phase 1 response results from the combined depolarizing influences of potassium channel closure and an inward, nonselective cation current (I CRAN) that activates as intracellular calcium stores empty during exposure to basal glucose (Bertram et al., 1995). The stores refill during Phase 1, deactivating I CRAN and allowing steady-state bursting to commence. We support this hypothesis with additional simulations and experimental results indicating that Phase 1 duration is sensitive to the filling state of intracellular calcium stores. First, the duration of the Phase 1 transient increases with duration of prior exposure to basal (2.8 mm) glucose, reflecting the increased time required to fill calcium stores that have been emptying for longer periods. Second, Phase 1 duration is reduced when islets are exposed to elevated K+ to refill calcium stores in the presence of basal glucose. Third, when extracellular calcium is removed during the basal glucose exposure to reduce calcium influx into the stores, Phase 1 duration increases. Finally, no Phase 1 is observed following hyperpolarization of the β-cell membrane with diazoxide in the continued presence of 11 mm glucose, a condition in which intracellular calcium stores remain full. Application of carbachol to empty calcium stores during basal glucose exposure did not increase Phase 1 duration as the model predicts. Despite this discrepancy, the good agreement between most of the experimental results and the model predictions provides evidence that a calcium release-activated current mediates the Phase 1 electrical response of the pancreatic β-cell.
The impact of the implementation of work hour requirements on residents' career satisfaction, attitudes and emotions

Background To assess the impact of work hours' limitations required by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) on residents' career satisfaction, emotions and attitudes.
Hypertension susceptibility loci and blood pressure response to antihypertensives: results from the pharmacogenomic evaluation of antihypertensive responses study.

Background— To date, 39 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with blood pressure (BP) or hypertension in genome-wide association studies in whites. Our hypothesis is that the loci/SNPs associated with BP/hypertension are also associated with BP response to antihypertensive drugs. Methods and Results— We assessed the association of these loci with BP response to atenolol or hydrochlorothiazide monotherapy in 768 hypertensive participants in the Pharmacogenomics Responses of Antihypertensive Responses study. Linear regression analysis was performed on whites for each SNP in an additive model adjusting for baseline BP, age, sex, and principal components for ancestry. Genetic scores were constructed to include SNPs with nominal associations, and empirical P values were determined by permutation test. Genotypes of 37 loci were obtained from Illumina 50K cardiovascular or Omni1M genome-wide association study chips. In whites, no SNPs reached Bonferroni-corrected α of 0.0014, 6 reached nominal significance ( P <0.05), and 3 were associated with atenolol BP response at P <0.01. The genetic score of the atenolol BP-lowering alleles was associated with response to atenolol ( P =3.3×10–6 for systolic BP; P =1.6×10–6 for diastolic BP). The genetic score of the hydrochlorothiazide BP-lowering alleles was associated with response to hydrochlorothiazide ( P =0.0006 for systolic BP; P =0.0003 for diastolic BP). Both risk score P values were <0.01 based on the empirical distribution from the permutation test. Conclusions— These findings suggest that selected signals from hypertension genome-wide association studies may predict BP response to atenolol and hydrochlorothiazide when assessed through risk scoring. Clinical Trial Registration Information— [clinicaltrials.gov][1]; Identifier: [NCT00246519][2]. [1]: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov [2]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT00246519&atom=%2Fcirccvg%2F5%2F6%2F686.atom
Adoptive Transfer of Delayed Wattle Reactivity in Chickens with a Dialyzable Leukocyte Extract Containing Transfer Factor

Delayed wattle reactions (DWR) to tuberculin, diphtheria toxoid (DT), and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) were transferred to chickens with dialyzable leukocyte extracts (DLE) prepared from splenic leukocytes of chickens sensitized and reactive by DWR to the tuberculin, DT, or KLH. A DLE prepared from chickens unsensitized and unreactive to tuberculin by DWR failed to transfer DWR to tuberculin in recipients. Only chickens injected with DLE from tuberculin sensitized and reactive chickens exhibited significant (P less than .01) DWR to tuberculin. Chickens that received DLE prepared from DT sensitized and reactive chickens exhibited significant (P less than .01) DWR to DT but not to KLH. Further, DWR to both DT and KLH was transferred with DLE prepared from chickens sensitized to both antigens. Adoptive transfer of DWR to KLH in comparison to DT was more successful. Finally, the serial transfer of DWR to KLH (P less than .05) but not to DT (P greater than .05) was accomplished using DLE prepared from chickens that previously were recipients of DLE prepared from chickens sensitized to KLH and DT. Results indicate that DLE prepared from chickens contain transfer factor (TF) responsible for adoptive transfer of DWR to tuberculin, DT, and KLH.
A Preliminary Investigation of the Effects of Giving Testimony and Learning Yogic Breathing Techniques on Battered Women's Feelings of Depression:

Researchers have shown that mood and sense of control over one's life are significantly affected by testimony and other forms of disclosure and that learning to control breathing has positive effects on mood and anxiety. This preliminary experiment tests whether African American and European American abused women who give testimony about their experiences of intimate partner violence and learn how to use yogic breathing techniques have reduced feelings of depression. Results indicate that learning yogic breathing techniques alone and combined with giving testimony significantly reduces feelings of depression. Recasting women as authorities on domestic violence and teaching them how to calm their minds by focusing on yogic breathing may be simple and effective ways to help women take control over their bodies and lives.
Motion compensated multiresolution transmission of HD video using multistage quantizers

Multiresolution (MR) transmission of compressed video is performed using subbands. The subband decomposition is used for both hierarchical estimation of the motion and encoding of the motion-compensated error frame. With this approach, the video at a given resolution embeds lower-resolution video. Frequency roll-off of higher-frequency subbands is used to obtain visually pleasing low-resolution videos at low-bit rates. It is well known that the transmission of higher-resolution video requires finely quantized low-resolution video. The necessary refinement of the coarsely quantized low-resolution video is made by using multistage quantization. A novel technique is introduced to improve the performance of conventional multistage quantization. Simulation of a three-resolution MR coding system were made on a monochrome MIT test HD (high-definition) video, which is 30 frames long at 30 frames/s with 1600*960 8-bit pixels per frame. >
The Use of an Ultra-Compact Combustor as an Inter-Turbine Burner for Improved Engine Performance

Abstract : An Inter-Turbine Burner (ITB) represents a novel mechanism for generating additional work from a gas turbine engine in applications where an afterburner would typically be used. An ITB can achieve higher thermal e ciencies over a typical afterburner while also generating shaft work versus only additional thrust. In an e ort to investigate the potential applications for the ITB, a numerical engine cycle comparison was made between the ITB cycle and a conventional afterburning cycle using the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS). In the case of thrust augmentation, the ITB model outperformed the afterburning model when Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption (TSFC) is compared to increased thrust, but resulted in decreased fan e ciency and High Pressure Compressor (HPC) stall caused by fan overspeed. In the case of Power Extraction (PX) augmentation the ITB engine achieves similar TSFC results without experiencing component e ciency loss or approaching HPC stall. For the PX augmentation model, the pressure drop across the ITB was varied from 4% to 20%. Large pressure drops were found to increase the TSFC and reduce the HPC stall margin for the ITB model. ITBs are expected to achieve pressure drops between 3% and 5% and for this range the ITB will continue to be more fuel e cient than the afterburning engine model. An experimental investigation was performed focused on integrating the AFIT ITB to accept a common flow source. Three common flow source di users with core to bypass inlet area percentage ratios of 80/20, 70/30, and 60/40 were tested. All three di user designs were found to su er from flow reversal in the bypass stream caused by instances of greater total pressure in the core flow than in the bypass flow. The baseline thrust performance for the JetCat P200 Small Turbine Engine (STE), which will serve as the AFIT ITB vitiated air source, was determined and found to be consistent with manufacturer specifications.