cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementation of Community-Based Resource Referrals for Cardiovascular Disease Self-Management.

PURPOSE Describe primary care practices’ implementation of CommunityRx-H3, a community resource referral intervention that utilized practice facilitators to support cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention quality improvement. METHODS Qualitative focus groups were conducted with practice facilitators to elicit perceptions of practices’ experiences with CommunityRx-H3, practice-level factors affecting, and practice facilitator strategies to promote implementation. Qualitative data were analyzed using directed content analysis. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was applied deductively to organize and interpret findings. RESULTS Fourteen of all 19 practice facilitators participated. Practice facilitators perceived that staff attitudes about connecting patients to community resources for CVD were largely positive. Practices were already using a range of non-systematic strategies to refer to community resources. Practice-level factors that facilitated CommunityRx-H3 implementation included clinician “champions,” engaged practice managers, and a practice culture that valued community resources. Implementation barriers included a practice’s unwillingness to integrate the intervention into existing workflows, limited staff capacity to complete the resource inventory, and unavailability or cost of materials needed to print the resource referral list (“HealtheRx-H3”). Practice facilitator strategies to promote implementation included supporting ongoing customization of the HealtheRx-H3 and material support. Practice facilitators felt implementation would be improved by integration of CommunityRx-H3 with electronic medical record workflows and alternative methods for engaging practices in the implementation process. CONCLUSIONS Practice facilitators are increasingly being utilized by primary care practices to support quality improvement interventions and, as shown here, can also play an important role in implementation science. This study yields insights to improve implementation of community resource referral solutions to support primary care CVD prevention efforts.
Learning how to eavesdrop in multiple modalities: a test of associative learning using unimodal and multimodal playback

Across animal taxa, individuals eavesdrop upon courting conspecific males, often in an attempt to steal mating opportunities. While multimodal signals can increase the likelihood that choosers respond to courters, such multimodal signals might also attract the unwanted attention of conspecific eavesdroppers. Previous studies of the brush-legged wolf spider, Schizocosa ocreata, demonstrate that field-experienced males court in response to visual displays of conspecific male courtship more than do laboratory-raised males. Furthermore, other studies demonstrate that males can learn to associate visual signals with the presence of a nearby female. Male S. ocreata, however, use a combination of vibratory and visual signals in their multimodal courtship display. Whether such associative learning varies based on which signal modality is experienced or whether multimodal signals result in enhanced learning remains unknown. Consequently, we examined eavesdropping on courtship behaviours of S. ocreata, with added emphasis on learning to respond to unimodal versus multimodal playback. We used vibratory and video playback techniques to test whether associative learning results in varied courtship levels when males associate unimodal or multimodal courtship signals with the presence of a nearby female. Results show that male S. ocreata associated courtship playback with the presence of a nearby female (i.e. courted at higher levels), regardless of whether courtship playback was unimodal or multimodal, demonstrating that male S. ocreata are capable of learning in multiple modalities. Multimodal playback, however, did not appear to enhance males’ ability to associate conspecific courtship signals with female cues. Courtship behaviours were greater in response to vibratory playback, though, suggesting that male S. ocreata weight modalities differently than females do. We further discuss the implications of this result regarding the communication network of S. ocreata.
A Case Study of Theorem Proving by the Knuth-Bendix Method: Discovering That x³=x Implies Ring Commutativity

An automatic procedure was used to discover the fact that x 3 = x implies ring commutativity. The proof of this theorem was posed as a challenge problem by W.W. Bledsoe in a 1977 article. The only previous atttomated proof was by Robert Veroff using the Argonne National Laboratory — Northern Illinois University theorem-proving system. The technique used to prove this theorem was the Knuth-Bendix completion method with associative and/or commutative unification. This was applied to a set of reductions consisting of a complete set of reductions for free rings plus the reduction x × x × x → and resulted in the purely forward-reasoning derivation of x × y = y × x. An important extension to this methodology, which made solution of the x 3 = x ring problem feasible, is the use of cancellation laws to simplify derived reductions. Their use in the Knuth-Bendix method can substantially accelerate convergence of complete sets of reductions. A second application of the Knuth-Bendix method to the set of reductions for free rings plus the reduction x × x × x → x, but this time with the commutativity of multiplication assumed, resulted in the discovery of a complete set of reductions for free rings satisfying x 3 = x. This complete set of reductions can be used to decide the word problem for the x 3 = x ring.
The Relative Importance of pH, Charge, and Water Solubility on the Movement of Organic Solutes in Soils and Ground Water

Water solubility and charge of the organic solute and the pH of the natural environment are three dominant factors in the movement of organic pollutants in soils, sediments, and ground-water aquifers. These factors are sometimes overlooked by soil scientists and hydrologists involved in pollution studies who are primarily inorganic chemically oriented. The major objectives of this paper are not only to demonstrate the importance of pH, charge, and water solubility for organic solute movement, but to emphasize that by considering these and a few other factors, a simplistic conceptual model of pollutant movement can be formulated with a limited data base and in a short period of time. Such first approximations of waste movement are imperative today relative to crisis management of pollutant spills, the urgency and relevancy of cleanup procedures, the potential of the spill to contaminate ground waters, and the relative human health hazard of the incident. A series of experiments in the movement of several organic solutes during ground-water recharge of the Ogallala aquifer near Stanton, Texas, by the U.S. Geological Survey will serve to demonstrate the stated objectives of this paper.
A single crystal silicon low-g switch tolerant to impact accelerations up to 24,000 g

This paper presents a novel MEMS single-crystal silicon low-g switch surviving acceleration loads 200 times greater than its designed trigger load. In accordance with beam dynamics theory for survivability to high-g acceleration levels (on the order of 10,000-g's), low-g (<150 g) switches were designed, fabricated and tested. Experiments have confirmed that the fabricated devices trigger in the ranges of 60–131 g and survive acceleration impacts of 24,000 g. Results were found to be in close agreement with the dynamic simulations of the fabricated device with the same acceleration profiles.
Two suppressor loci for gene 49 mutations of bacteriophage T4. I. Genetic properties and DNA synthesis.

Abstract Temperature-sensitive and amber mutations in T4 gene 49 were suppressed by a second mutation at either of two different loci on the T4 genome. We call these loci fds A and fds B. From a series of two and three factor crosses with amber mutations in known genes, fds A was located between genes 41 and 42, and fds B between genes 24 and 25. Phage mutated at both suppressor loci complemented their neighboring genes and, hence, are not likely to be mutant in those genes. The suppressor mutations occurred at a frequency two to three orders of magnitude greater than the reversion frequency of most amber mutants. Complementation results indicated that fds + was partially dominant over fds (both A and B). Also, fds A appeared defective in the synthesis of an early protein, and synthesized a new protein of a lower molecular weight. From these observations it appeared that the mutations resulting in 49-suppression caused the partial or complete inactivation of a gene product. Both suppressors either in the presence or absence of the 49-mutation displayed an arrest in the rate of DNA synthesis 15–20 min after infection. The expression of late phage functions appeared to be necessary for this turnoff of DNA synthesis. This DNA-arrest phenotype helps explain the small burst size of phage carrying the suppressors. In addition, the suppressors were found to be as sensitive to ultraviolet irradiation as phage isolated for such sensitivity.
Segmental expression of an engrailed-class gene during early development and neurogenesis in an annelid

ht-en protein, an annelid homolog of the Drosophila engrailed protein, is expressed during both early development and neurogenesis in embryos of the leech, Helobdella triserialis. In Helobdella as in Drosophila, early expression is in segmentally iterated stripes of cells within the posterior portion of the segment and later expression is in cells of the segmental ganglia. These findings suggest that dual expression of an en-class gene was present in a common ancestor of annelids and arthropods.
Verbal Artistry: A Case for Education

This article expands our understanding of how language-minoritized children's communicative competence interrelates with schooling. It features a verbal performance by a young Native American girl. A case is made for greater empirical specification of the real extent of children's non-school-sanctioned communicative competence. The case disrupts Euro-Western ideologies of language and corresponding instructional policies and practices that pervade U.S. schooling. It also offers productive ways of reframing and reforming language loss in language contact situations. [ethnography of communication, verbal art, language ideologies, language policy and planning, Indigenous language education, Lakota]
Comparison of canola oil conversion over MFI, BEA, and FAU

Abstract The catalytic conversion of canola oil was performed at atmospheric pressure with a weight hourly space velocity of 1.0 h −1 in a fixed-bed reactor at temperatures of 400 °C and 450 °C over MFI, BEA, and FAU, and with different SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 ratios for BEA and FAU. Simulated distillation of the organic liquid product showed that MFI gave the highest gasoline range product (39%, 450 °C) and lowest coke (3.2%, 450 °C) yields compared to the other zeolites. MFI produced the most C 3 hydrocarbons, while BEA produced the most C 4 s and FAU generated the most C 5 s. As SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 in BEA increased from 25 to 300, the gasoline fraction yield increased from 18.5% to 25.0% at 400 °C.
Delayed stress fiber formation mediates pulmonary myofibroblast differentiation in response to TGF-β

Myofibroblast differentiation induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and characterized by de novo expression of smooth muscle (SM)-specific proteins is a key process in wound healing and in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. We have previously shown that TGF-β-induced expression and activation of serum response factor (SRF) is required for this process. In this study, we examined the signaling mechanism for SRF activation by TGF-β as it relates to pulmonary myofibroblast differentiation. TGF-β stimulated a profound, but delayed (18-24 h), activation of Rho kinase and formation of actin stress fibers, which paralleled SM α-actin expression. The translational inhibitor cycloheximide blocked these processes without affecting Smad-dependent gene transcription. Inhibition of Rho kinase by Y-27632 or depolymerization of actin by latrunculin B resulted in inhibition TGF-β-induced SRF activation and SM α-actin expression, having no effect on Smad signaling. Conversely, stabilization of actin stress fibers by jasplakinolide was sufficient to drive these processes in the absence of TGF-β. TGF-β promoted a delayed nuclear accumulation of the SRF coactivator megakaryoblastic leukemia-1 (MKL1)/myocardin-related transcription factor-A, which was inhibited by latrunculin B. Furthermore, TGF-β also induced MKL1 expression, which was inhibited by latrunculin B, by SRF inhibitor CCG-1423, or by SRF knockdown. Together, these data suggest a triphasic model for myofibroblast differentiation in response to TGF-β that involves 1) initial Smad-dependent expression of intermediate signaling molecules driving Rho activation and stress fiber formation, 2) nuclear accumulation of MKL1 and activation of SRF as a result of actin polymerization, and 3) SRF-dependent expression of MKL1, driving further myofibroblast differentiation.
Reflections on the future of marketing

Restraints upon business institutions can be expected to grow more stringent in the latter part of the twentieth century and thereafter. Shortages of raw materials, pollution, and changes in salient societal attitudes are likely to force public policymakers to demand increased corporate attention to consumer welfare. The author examines what the role of the marketing function may be in this kind of milieu. Although significant changes in marketing practices, and shifts of emphases among the various marketing activities are anticipated, the author concludes that marketing will remain an essential force in an economy where the service sector will dominate.
CMOS-based VLSI design of a specific integrated circuit (ASIC) sensor interface IC chip (non-reviewed)

A CMOS-based application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) has been designed, simulated and fabricated for the application of carbon nanotube-based strain sensor interface circuit. The ASIC consists of high performance operational amplifier (OPA), low-pass filter, and 12-bit dual-slope analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC contains an integrator, a comparator, a counter, latch, and digital control logic. The low-pass filter was designed to remove the noise from the sensor. The ASIC was expected to be integrated with a carbon nanotube- based strain sensor to form a strain detection system. The Tanner design tools were used for the design and simulation of the mixed-signal integrated circuit, where L-Edit was used for the layout of circuit and T-SPICE was used for the simulation. Because of the limitation of the 2.2 mm times 2.2 mm chip size for fabrication in MOSIS, we modified the 12-bit ADC into a 4-bit ADC in the ASIC for the fabrication. After layout and post-simulation, the ASIC has been implemented on a 2.2 mm times 2.2 mm silicon chip die and fabricated by using MOSIS AMI 1.5 mum mixed- signal CMOS process technology available through MOSIS.
Immunohistochemical Expression of Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule in Wilms Tumors, Nephrogenic Rests, and Fetal and Postnatal Renal Cortices

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) has been suggested to be a marker for stem cells and progenitor cells in human fetal kidney and Wilms tumors. In this tissue microarray-based immunohistochemical study, we confirmed the expression of NCAM in Wilms tumors, nephrogenic rests, and metanephric mesenchyme and its early derivatives in fetal renal cortex. Neural cell adhesion molecule expression was noted in both favorable-histology and unfavorable-histology Wilms tumors. This indicates that NCAM may be an attractive therapeutic target in chemoresistant, high-risk Wilms tumors. In addition, we saw rare NCAM-positive interstitial stromal cells in postnatal kidney. It is not known if these persistent NCAM-positive interstitial cells might give rise to adult Wilms tumors and cases of pediatric Wilms tumors not associated with nephrogenic rests.
Anemotactic response threshold of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), to its sex pheromone

The effect of different concentrations of the sex pheromone (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate on the upwind anemotactic behavior of the malePlodia interpunctella (Hubner) was measured at 23 ± 1 ° C and 34 ± 1 ° C. The stimulus-response regression lines were analyzed by a new procedure that accounts both for control responses in the absence of pheromone and also for peak responses below 100% in the presence of concentrations considerably above the normal physiological levels. From the regression line for each temperature, the upwind anemotactic thresholds were calculated to be 1.34 × 106 molecules/cm3 at 23 ° C and 1.65 × 104 molecules/cm3 at 34 ° C, similar to other thresholds reported in the literature. Since departures from the two lines occurred at the highest concentrations tested, near 108 molecules/cm3, the upwind anemotactic behavior may change qualitatively above an altered-behavior threshold that is about two orders of magnitude higher than the upwind anemotactic threshold. The lower response at 23 ° C suggests that cool temperatures inhibit flight in response to pheromonal stimulation.
Conversion of biomass to 1,2-propanediol by selective catalytic hydrogenation of lactic acid over silica-supported copper

Abstract It is shown that it is possible to produce 1,2-propanediol (a high demand commodity chemical) in high yields via the vapor-phase catalytic hydrogenation of biomass-derived lactic acid. This catalytic process provides an environment-friendly route for the production of 1,2-propanediol from renewable resources. Reaction kinetics measurements were conducted for the vapor-phase hydrogenation of lactic acid over silica-supported copper at total pressures between 0.10 and 0.72 MPa and temperatures between 413 and 493 K. Lactic acid is hydrogenated over Cu/SiO2 under these reaction conditions to predominately 1,2-propanediol, with formation of smaller amounts of 2-hydroxy propionaldehyde, propionic acid, and propyl alcohols. Deactivation of the Cu/SiO2 catalyst does not appear to be significant under these reaction conditions. The production of 1,2-propandiol is favored at higher hydrogen partial pressures. At 473 K and a hydrogen partial pressure of 0.72 MPa, complete conversion of lactic acid was observed, with 88 mol% of the lactic acid converted to 1,2-propanediol. A reaction scheme for lactic acid conversion is proposed involving the dissociative adsorption of lactic acid to form an adsorbed α-hydroxy acyl species that undergoes successive hydrogenation steps to form adsorbed 2-hydroxy propionaldehyde species and then adsorbed α-hydroxy alkoxy species. These alkoxy species react with surface hydrogen to form 1,2-propanediol. The formation of 2-hydroxy propionaldehyde appears to be in equilibrium with 1,2-propanediol at the reaction conditions of the present study.
Prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response is disrupted by N-ethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDEA) in the rat.

Abstract N-Ethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDEA) is a derivative of methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), a substituted amphetamine with demonstrated abuse liability. MDA, MDEA and a third substituted amphetamine, methylenedioxymethmphetamine (MDMA), all produce a destructive action on central serotonin neurons and appear to induce some similar behavioral effects. The present study investigated the effects of racemic MDEA and its stereoisomers on prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response, a behavioral model of sensorimotor gating that is sensitive to psychostimulant drugs. Rats were subjected to 122 dB[A] acoustic noises, some of which were preceded by a weak 80 dB[A] prepulse noise. In vehicle-injected control rats, the prepulse induced a significant decrease in startle amplitude when compared to trials in which startle stimuli were not preceded by prepulses. Administration of racemic MDEA (0.3–10.0 mg/kg) and (+) MDEA (0.1–3.0 mg/kg) induced a significant attenuation in prepulse inhibition, while (−) MDEA (0.3–10.0 mg/kg) did not. Racemic MDMA (0.3–10.0 mg/kg) produced similar though not significant effects. These results confirm a stimulant-like behavioral effect of MDEA despite its relatively modest effects on dopamine markers, and support findings that the (+) stereoisomers of substituted amphetamines are more potent than the (−) stereoisomers in producing psychostimulant-like biochemical and behavioral effects.
Macrovascular and microvascular endothelium during long-term hypoxia: Alterations in cell growth, monolayer permeability, and cell surface coagulant properties

In bovine aortic or capillary endothelial cells (ECs) incubated under hypoxic conditions, cell growth was slowed in a dose-dependent manner at lower oxygen concentrations, as progression into S phase from G1 was inhibited, concomitant with decreased thymidine kinase activity. Monolayers grown to confluence in ambient air, wounded, and then transferred to hypoxia showed decreased ability to repair the wound, as a result of both decreased motility and cell division. Hypoxic ECs demonstrated a approximately 3-fold increase in the total number of high-affinity fibroblast growth factor receptors, and levels of endogenous FGF were suppressed. Consistent with the presence of functional FGF receptors, addition of basic FGF overcame, at least in part, hypoxia-mediated suppression of EC growth, and enhanced wound repair in hypoxia, stimulating both motility and cell division. Despite slower growth in hypoxia, ECs could achieve confluence, and the monolayers consisted of larger cells with altered assembly of the actin-based cytoskeleton and small gaps between contiguous cells. The permeability of these hypoxic EC monolayers to macromolecules and lower molecular weight solutes was increased. Cell surface coagulant properties were also perturbed: the anticoagulant cofactor thrombomodulin was suppressed, and a novel Factor X activator appeared on the EC surface. These data indicate that micro- and macrovascular ECs can grow and be maintained at low oxygen tensions, but hypoxic endothelium exhibits a range of altered functional properties which can potentially contribute to the pathogenesis of vascular lesions.
Experimental Verification of the Roles of Intrinsic Matrix Viscoelasticity and Tension-Compression Nonlinearity in the Biphasic Response of Cartilage

A biphasic-CLE-QLV model proposed in our recent study [2001, J. Biomech. Eng., 123, pp. 410-417] extended the biphasic theory of Mow et al. [1980, J. Biomech. Eng., 102, pp. 73-84] to include both tension-compression nonlinearity and intrinsic viscoelasticity of the cartilage solid matrix by incorporating it with the conewise linear elasticity (CLE) model [1995, J. Elasticity, 37, pp. 1-38] and the quasi-linear viscoelasticity (QLV) model [Biomechanics: Its foundations and objectives, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 1972]. This model demonstrates that a simultaneous prediction of compression and tension experiments of articular cartilage, under stress-relaxation and dynamic loading, can be achieved when properly taking into account both flow-dependent and flow-independent viscoelastic effects, as well as tension-compression nonlinearity. The objective of this study is to directly test this biphasic-CLE-QLV model against experimental data from unconfined compression stress-relaxation tests at slow and fast strain rates as well as dynamic loading. Twelve full-thickness cartilage cylindrical plugs were harvested from six bovine glenohumeral joints and multiple confined and unconfined compression stress-relaxation tests were performed on each specimen. The material properties of specimens were determined by curve-fitting the experimental results from the confined and unconfined compression stress relaxation tests. The findings of this study demonstrate that the biphasic-CLE-QLV model is able to describe the strain-rate-dependent mechanical behaviors of articular cartilage in unconfined compression as attested by good agreements between experimental and theoretical curvefits (r2 = 0.966 +/- 0.032 for testing at slow strain rate; r2 = 0.998 +/- 0.002 for testing at fast strain rate) and predictions of the dynamic response (r2 = 0.91 +/- 0.06). This experimental study also provides supporting evidence for the hypothesis that both tension-compression nonlinearity and intrinsic viscoelasticity of the solid matrix of cartilage are necessary for modeling the transient and equilibrium responses of this tissue in tension and compression. Furthermore, the biphasic-CLE-QLV model can produce better predictions of the dynamic modulus of cartilage in unconfined dynamic compression than the biphasic-CLE and biphasic poroviscoelastic models, indicating that intrinsic viscoelasticity and tension-compression nonlinearity of articular cartilage may play important roles in the load-support mechanism of cartilage under physiologic loading.
Generalizing the Fischer inequality

Abstract If q ⩾ 1, let A q denote the complex vector space whose elements are the complex-valued alternating q -linear functions on C m . If A ∈ A n , B ∈ A p are decomposable, then the classical Fischer inequality for partitioned positive semidefinite Hermitian matrices implies that n + p n ‖ A ⋀B‖ 2 ⩽‖A‖ 2 ·‖B‖ 2 . We show that this inequality holds if only one of A and B is decomposable or if A ∧ B is decomposable. We introduce the concept of relative decomposability and show that the above inequality continues to hold if A is decomposable relative to B . Also, an example is presented to demonstrate that the above inequality does not hold in general.
Sustainability Indicators for Finishing Operations based on Process Performance and Part Quality

Abstract Production engineers need to focus increasingly on the sustainability of manufacturing processes. Unfortunately, there are a confusingly high number of sustainability indicators available and they mostly focus on energy and material efficiency. These indicators are, however, not all appropriate for finishing operations. For example, many efficiency indicators relate to the material volume processed, but since the volume is very small in finishing operations, the material removal rarely is the best indicator. This paper discusses more appropriate efficiency indicators for finishing operations which are calculated as ratio of change in process performance or part quality divided by the needed resources. Three efficiency indicators based on average roughness, average peak-to-valley height and subjective part quality are then used in a case study on vibratory grinding. This study provides a starting point to apply more diverse performance and quality-oriented indicators for finishing processes.
Mediation by nitric oxide of the stimulatory effects of ethanol on blood flow.

The contribution of nitric oxide (NO) to the hemodynamic effects associated with alcohol oxidation was assessed in rats given either ethanol or water by gastric tube, with and without pre-treatment with either the NO synthase inhibitor N(omega)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 15 mg/Kg i.p.) or the alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP; 82 mg/Kg i.p.). Alcohol increased plasma NO (measured with chemiluminescence) by 63%. This was prevented by either L-NMMA or 4-MP. Cardiac output and regional blood flows were determined with 57Cobalt-labeled microspheres. Alcohol markedly enhanced portal blood flow (130 +/- 6 ml/min/Kg vs. 62 +/- 4, in controls; p < 0.01) with no changes in the hepatic, splenic or pancreatic arterial blood flows, indicating that the vasodilatation is mainly mesenteric. In addition, it quadrupled the coronary blood flow, doubled the renal flow and increased cardiac output by 38%, with no significant changes in pulmonary, cerebral or testicular flows. All the stimulatory effects of ethanol on flow, as well as the rise in NO levels, were prevented by L-NMMA, incriminating NO as the mediator of the hemodynamic effects of ethanol oxidation, acting probably via acetate and adenosine.
Finger pulse volume as a measure of anxiety: further evaluation.

The present investigation further explored the utility of Finger Pulse Volume (FPV) as a measure of anxiety. Male and female subjects were exposed to threatening and nonthreatening situations and measures of FPV, pulse rate (PR), and self-report of anxiety (AACL) were collected. Results indicate that: a) FPV was sensitive to changes in experimentally manipulated anxiety, and b) FPV and PR were temporally, differentially responsive as measures of anxiety: FPV was more responsive initially and recovered more quickly than PR following the introduction of threat. Implications of these data to the often noted low intercorrelations among physiological measures and the relevance of these findings to anxiety management are discussed.
AB INITIO INCLUSION OF ELECTRON-HOLE ATTRACTION : APPLICATION TO X-RAY ABSORPTION AND RESONANT INELASTIC X-RAY SCATTERING

This work demonstrates a numerically feasible, yet realistic, calculational method for incorporating electron-core-hole interactions (core-hole effects) in the Bethe-Salpeter equation in solids, without recourse to tight-binding or analogous basis-set approximations. The method includes ab initio treatments of separate electron and hole dynamics and electron-hole interactions. The method is used to treat x-ray absorption (XAS), resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS), and core-hold excitons. Materials studied include LiF, NaF, KF, graphite, diamond, and $h\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{BN}$.
Effect of magnetic fields on drug induced contractility and mortality in spirostomum

Abstract The influence of homogeneous magnetic fields up to 5.5 T on contractile frequency and mortality in the ciliate protozoan spirostomum ambiguum stimulated by 2,2′ PDS is reported. Magnetic fields are observed to decrease contractile frequency and to significantly increase mortality.
Engineering nanostructured electrodes away from equilibrium for lithium-ion batteries

Boosted by the rapid advances of science and technology in the field of energy materials, Li-ion batteries have achieved significant progress in energy storage performance since their commercial debut in 1991. The development of nanostructured electrode material is regarded as one of the key potentials for the further advancement in Li-ion batteries. This feature article summarizes our recent efforts in the synthesis and characterization of nanostructured electrode materials for high-performance Li-ion batteries. The electrode materials include manganese oxide nanowall arrays, vanadium oxide nanofibers and films, vanadium oxide–carbon nanocomposites, lithium iron phosphate–carbon nanocomposite films, and titanium oxide nanotube arrays. Enhanced Li+ intercalation capacities, improved rate capabilities and better cyclic stability were achieved by constructing micro- or nanostructure, controlling materials crystallinity and introducing desired defects on the surface and/or in the bulk. The fabrication of binderless and additive-free nanostructured electrodes for Li-ion batteries via sol–gel processing is also highlighted.
Differential conductance of point contacts between an iron-based superconductor and a normal metal

We present a theoretical description of the differential conductance of point contacts between a normal metal and a multiband superconductor with extended ${s}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$ pairing symmetry. We demonstrate that the interband impurity scattering broadens the coherent peak near the superconducting gap and significantly reduces its height even at relatively low scattering rates. This broadening is consistent with a number of recent experiments performed for both tunnel junctions and larger diffusive contacts. Our theory helps to better evaluate the energy gap of iron-based superconductors from point-contact Andreev spectroscopy measurements.
Analytic solutions for some basic problems in electricity involving intersecting sphere and circular cylinder pairs

The method of electrical inversion in classical electrostatics is employed to obtain exact solutions for basic electrostatic problems pertaining to overlapping spheres/cylinders. The problems considered here include (1) a pair of overlapping conducting spheres, intersecting at a vertex angle π/n, n an integer, placed in a constant potential field; (2) a pair of infinitely long conducting circular cylinders, intersecting at a vertex angle π/n, n an integer, placed in a uniform field; and (3) a composite hybrid geometry consisting of two orthogonally intersecting infinitely long circular cylinders whose boundary is a combination of conducting and dielectric surfaces (with mixed boundary conditions) submerged in a uniform field. Applying the basic idea of Kelvin’s inversion repeatedly, solutions for the electric potentials are derived in each case. An exact expression for the capacitance in terms of the two radii, center-to-center distance, and the vertex angle is found for the twin sphere geometry. The capacity is then used to find the steady-state rate coefficient of a perfectly absorbing body placed in a thermally conducting environment of lower temperature. The equipotentials are plotted using the exact solutions of the two-dimensional problems and their features are discussed as well. The simple method illustrated here can be useful both as a teaching tool and as a building block for further computations.
fac-Tricarbonyl[bis(2-pyridylmethyl) ether-N, O, N']molybdenum(0)

Reaction of bis(2-pyridylmethyl) ether with [Mo(CO)3­(Me­CN)3] in MeCN gives the title compound, [Mo(C12H12-N2O)(CO)3], (I), as a yellow crystalline product. Compound (I) has been characterized by 1H NMR and IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In contrast with other examples of low-valent early transition metal complexes of ethers, the ether linkage of (I) appears relatively inert. Nevertheless, the weak donor property of the ether ligand is evidenced by a trans effect manifested as a short Mo—CO bond length for the carbonyl ligand trans to the ether ligand.
The role of perception in crisis planning

Abstract This article reveals that a company’s perceptions of crises have a profound effect on primary crisis management activities. Although briefly reviewing the technical aspects of crisis management, the research examines the effects that threat and opportunity constructs have on crisis planning. The article concludes with some recommendations concerning the communication of a crisis’s dual nature before, during, and after a crisis situation. John M. Penrose is professor of business communication and chair of the Information and Decision Systems Department in the College of Business Administration at San Diego State University.
The relative roles of bipolar disorder and psychomotor agitation in substance dependence.

Previous studies have shown that both bipolar disorder (BPD) and psychomotor agitation (PMA) are associated with substance dependence. These two findings have yet to be integrated, despite evidence that PMA is closely linked with the bipolar spectrum. Accordingly, the current study examined whether BPD and PMA had unique or overlapping associations with substance dependence disorders. Participants were 2300 individuals seeking outpatient psychiatric treatment. Before treatment, participants were assessed using structured clinical interviews, which yielded DSM-IV psychiatric diagnoses and clinical ratings of mood symptoms. Current PMA and lifetime BPD were present in 483 and 172 (Bipolar I, n = 71; Bipolar II, n = 101) participants, respectively. Current PMA and lifetime BPD each were associated with increased prevalence of lifetime nicotine, alcohol, and drug dependence (ORs ≥ 1.52, ps ≤ .0004). These associations remained significant when controlling for demographic characteristics and comorbid psychiatric disorders, except the link between agitation and alcohol dependence, which was reduced to a trend (p=.058). Although BPD and PMA were associated with each other, these two factors demonstrated unique, non-overlapping relationships to nicotine, alcohol, and drug dependence. Individuals with both PMA and BPD exhibited especially high rates of comorbid substance dependence. The present results replicate and extend previous findings documenting the relations of BPD and PMA to substance dependence. BPD and PMA may represent independent psychopathological correlates of substance dependence. Future research should explore the theoretical and clinical significance of these potentially distinct relations to substance dependence.
Method for calculating solid-solid phase transitions at high temperature: An application to N2O.

Two similar techniques for calculating solid-solid phase transitions at high temperatures are developed, where the contribution of the entropy may be a decisive factor. They utilize an artificial reversible path from one phase to another by application of a control parameter. Thermodynamic averages are calculated using constant-volume and constant-pressure Monte Carlo techniques. An application to ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$O at room temperature shows that the cubic Pa3 to orthorhombic Cmca transition occurs near 4.9-GPa pressure, very close to the value calculated at very low temperatures. These results support experimental evidence that the transition pressure is virtually independent of temperature.
Zinc Status of Infants with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Plasma and urinary zinc levels were examined in 6 infants with fetal alcohol syndrome to determine whether zinc deficiency, if present in fetal alcohol syndrome patients, is secondary to an increased urinary zinc excretion. Six infants born to nonalcoholic mothers served as controls. There was no significant difference in creatinine clearance, urine flow rate, or plasma albumin concentrations between the two groups. Plasma concentrations of zinc were significantly lower in fetal alcohol syndrome patients (62.5 +/- 2.8 micrograms/dl) in comparison to controls (71 +/- 1.8 microgram/dl), (p = 0.0001). Urinary excretion of zinc in fetal alcohol syndrome patients averaged 646 +/- 125 micrograms/24 h, significantly higher than in control subjects (76.6 +/- 22 micrograms/24 h), (p = 0.0001). Thus (1) lower plasma zinc levels are present in infants with fetal alcohol syndrome and (2) increased urinary zinc excretion appears to be responsible for decreased plasma zinc concentrations.
High-resolution x-ray-scattering study of charge-density-wave modulation in chromium.

We present a high-resolution x-ray-scattering study of the charge-density-wave modulation in chromium. The wave vector at 2Q was found to vary continuously between 170 and 10 K, consistent with the results of earlier neutron-diffraction studies of the magnetic wave vector at Q. Lock-in transitions, such as have been observed in rare-earth magnets, are apparently not present in chromium.
Using cellular network diagrams to interpret large-scale datasets: past progress and future challenges

Cellular networks are graphs of molecular interactions within the cell. Thanks to the confluence of genome sequencing and bioinformatics, scientists are now able to reconstruct cellular network models for more than 1,000 organisms. A variety of bioinformatics tools have been developed to support the visualization and navigation of cellular network data. Another important application is the use of cellular network diagrams to visualize and interpret large-scale datasets, such as gene-expression data. We present the Cellular Overview, a network visualization tool developed at SRI International (SRI) to support visualization, navigation, and interpretation of large-scale datasets on metabolic networks. Different variations of the diagram have been generated algorithmically for more than 1,000 organisms. We discuss the graphical design of the diagram and its interactive capabilities.
Access to and Utilization of Flexible Work Options

Many workers do not utilize the flexible work options to which they have access nor do they necessarily have access to all options officially provided by their organizations. This study sheds light on these gaps using probit models with sample selection to predict access to and utilization of fourteen flexible options. The findings highlight the roles of supervisor support, occupation, and work-life culture. The influence of each of these factors on access and utilization differs.
RECOVERY OF ZINC OXIDE AND EUGENOL IMPRESSION PASTE FROM THE MAXILLARY SINUS.

Abstract An interesting and unusual case in which impression material was apparently forced into the maxillary sinus during the making of the final impression for complete upper and partial lower dentures has been reported.
Nano-scale roughness effects on hysteresis in micro-scale adhesive contact

Abstract A multi-scale model enables investigation of the effect of surface roughness on energy loss in adhesive contact. Fully atomistic simulation of nano-scale indentation predicts size-dependent force–distance trends that are introduced as roughness into a micro-scale finite element model through randomly distributed non-linear hysteretic springs. The multi-scale model predicts that the energy loss, quantified by the hysteresis loop formed by loading and unloading data, increases with increasing indentation depth and surface roughness. This behavior is discussed in terms of an analytical model of a simply connected system.
Field Emission as a Probe of the Surface Density of States

Field-emission measurements of the total-energy distribution from a clean metal surface are shown to provide information about the density of states near the surface. Specifically, we find the field-emitted current per unit energy at energy $\ensuremath{\omega}$ to be given approximately by $j(\ensuremath{\omega})\ensuremath{\simeq}(\frac{2\ensuremath{\hbar}}{m})S{\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}(\ensuremath{\omega})\ensuremath{\Sigma}{m}^{}{D}_{0}^{2}({E}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}^{m})\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{|{\ensuremath{\psi}}_{m}({x}_{m})|}^{2}\ensuremath{\delta}(\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{m})$, where ${D}_{0}^{2}$ is the usual barrier-penetration probability with image potential corrections, ${E}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}^{m}=\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{-}\frac{{\ensuremath{\hbar}}^{2}{k}_{\ensuremath{\parallel}}^{2}}{2m}$, where ${k}_{\ensuremath{\parallel}}$ is the electron momentum parallel to the surface, $|{\ensuremath{\psi}}_{m}({x}_{m})|$ is the amplitude of the metal electron at the classical turning point (${x}_{m}\ensuremath{\sim}1\ensuremath{-}2$ \AA{}A), $\ensuremath{\lambda}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ is a slowly varying function of $\ensuremath{\omega}$, and $S$ is the metal surface area. The ${D}_{0}^{2}$ factor in $j(\ensuremath{\omega})$ strongly weights electron states with small ${k}_{\ensuremath{\parallel}}$ and consequently $j(\ensuremath{\omega})$ measures the density of states at ${x}_{m}$ arising from the component of the bulk band structure normal to the surface. Measurements of $j(\ensuremath{\omega})$ for several single-crystal planes of tungsten will be presented and compared to the relevant photoemission data.
Effect of Surface Preparation and Thermoplastic Adhesive Structure on the Adhesion Behavior of Peek®/Graphite Composites

Adhesion behavior of APC-2/AS4 PEEK/Graphite composite has been studied by varying the surface preparation techniques such as acetone washing, grit blasting and several plasma gas etching treatments. Poly(imide-siloxane) segmented copolymer prepared in our laboratory and Ultem® 1000 were utilized as adhesives. Single lap shear samples were prepared from the PEEK/Graphite composite and compression molded adhesive films. Excellent single lap shear strength values were obtained at room temperature. The morphology and elemental change by surface preparation of the adherend were monitored by scanning electron microscope(SEM) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). Plasma etch treatments were effective for improving the adhesion characteristics.
The SOS regulatory system: control of its state by the level of RecA protease

Our current understanding of the SOS regulatory system suggests that it can exist in two extreme states: in the repressed state, LexA protein is active, and it represses a particular set of genes called SOS genes. In the induced state, which results from various impairments to DNA replication, LexA repressor is cleaved by the specific protease activity of the RecA protein; in consequence, the SOS genes are derepressed and they express various functions that are believed to aid cell survival in induced cells. Since high levels of RecA protease activity turn on this system, it seems plausible that the level of protease activity will also control the transitions between the two states of the system. In order to assess the in vivo level of protease activity, antibody techniques were used to study the stability of LexA repressor during various phases of the SOS regulatory cycle. Repressor was reasonably stable in the repressed state, but it was degraded within a few minutes after an inducing treatment. Cleavage depended upon the RecA protease activity and resulted in the same products as seen in vitro. Cleavage preceded, and did not depend upon, derepression of any SOS gene. During the transition to the repressed state, LexA repressor became increasingly stable with time, suggesting that as DNA damage was repaired the level of protease declined. This decline depended upon derepression of the regulatory system, consistent with the belief that an inducing signal, resulting from DNA damage, reversibly activates the RecA protease and is removed by the action of one or more SOS functions. At low levels of DNA damage, a subinduced state was observed in which repressor level was reduced by a low level of cleavage. These data indicate that the level of RecA protease activity controls the state of the system and the transitions between its two states.
Dissociation of POMC peptides after self-injury predicts responses to centrally acting opiate blockers.

Apparent insensitivity to pain, ritualistic patterns of behavior, and improvement in symptoms after administration of opiate receptor blockers implicated the endogenous opioid system in the initiation and maintenance of SIB. This study was designed to determine whether plasma levels of proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides, beta-endorphin-like activity (beta E), ACTH, and adrenal cortisol immediately after an episode of SIB predicted subsequent response to an opiate blocker. Blood samples were collected from 10 patients with mental retardation within minutes of a self-injuring act and during an SIB-free control period. On another day, morning and afternoon samples were collected at least one week apart from the other samples. Effects on SIB of naltrexone hydrochloride (NTX) were examined in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. After an SIB episode, beta E, but not ACTH, was elevated compared with morning levels, p < .003. Patients with increased plasma levels of beta E after SIB had the most positive response to 2 mg/kg NTX, p < .03. Results suggest that changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis after SIB may predict differences in individual patient response to opiate blockers.
Response to letter to the editor by Gomez-Cabrera et al.

to the editor: In their Letter to the Editor regarding our paper [Higashida K, Kim SH, Higuchi M, Holloszy JO, Han D-H. Normal adaptations to exercise despite protection against oxidative stress ([4][1])], Gomez-Cabrera et al. ([3a][2]) say, “Higashida et al. compared their data with ours and came