cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduced density of adenosine A1 receptors and preserved coupling of adenosine A1 receptors to G proteins in alzheimer hippocampus: A quantitative autoradiographic study

Abstract Binding to adenosine A1 receptors and the status of their coupling to G proteins were studied in the hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus of Alzheimer individuals and age-matched controls. The binding to A1 receptors was compared with binding to the N-methyl- d -aspartate receptor complex channel-associated sites (labeled with (+)-[3H]5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate). In vitro quantitative autoradiography demonstrated a similar anatomical distribution of A1 receptors labeled either with an agonist ((−)-[3H]phenylisopropyladenosine) or antagonist ([3H]8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine) in the brains of elderly controls. In Alzheimer patients, significant decreases in the density of both agonist and antagonist binding sites were found in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. Decreased A1 agonist binding was also observed in the CA1 stratum oriens and outer layers of the parahippocampal gyrus, while reduced antagonist binding was found in the subiculum and CA3 region. Reduced density of the N-methyl- d -aspartate receptor channel sites was found in the CA1 region and parahippocampal gyrus. The reductions in binding to adenosine A1 and N-methyl- d -aspartate receptors were due to a decrease in the density of binding sites (Bmax), and not changes in receptor affinity (KD). In both elderly control and Alzheimer subjects, GTP substantially reduced the density of A1 agonist binding sites with a concomitant increase in the KD values, whereas antagonist binding was unaffected by GTP. The results suggest that adenosine A1 receptor agonists and antagonists recognize overlapping populations of binding sites. Reduced density of A1 receptors in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus most probably reflects damage of the perforant path input in Alzheimer's disease, while altered binding in the CA1 and CA3 regions is probably due to loss of intrinsic neurons. Similar effects of GTP on binding to A1 receptors in control and Alzheimer individuals suggest lack of alterations in coupling of A1 receptors to G proteins in Alzheimer's disease, thus supporting the notion of normal receptor coupling to their effector systems in Alzheimer's disease.
Noise Problems in Testing VLSI Hardware

Noise resulting from the switching of high-current, off-product drivers in VLSI circuits cause substantial problems during manufacturing test and may lead to zero yield. These problems, seldom addressed during product design, can be mitigated or eliminated either during the design phase or at mauufacturing test. In this article, we present some of our experiences with noise during manufacturing test, and discuss several solutions to the problem. These remedies include such manufacturing test options as relaxing the test specification, or ?guardbanding? which requires both substantial study of the impact on quality and continual tracking of the problem level; modifying the test program to eliminate the need for a guardband; or having the logic designer create a new set of functional test patterns specifically designed to avoid simultaneously switching drivers. We also examine alternative design methods for use during both product and tester design.
Calculation of temporary anion states using density functional theory.

Density functional theory (DFT) was examined for computing energies of temporary anions having negative electron affinities ranging from -8.0 to -0.2 eV. The calculated electron affinities are in good agreement with experiment for {pi}* states and low-energy {sigma}* states. The dependence of the DFT results on basis set was investigated. Comparisons are made with results from traditional ab initio molecular orbital theory based on Koopmans' theorem (KT) and energy difference methods ({Delta}HF and {Delta}MP2). It is shown that DFT methods provide an improvement over use of ab initio molecular orbital methods.
Effect of venting the periodic reverse vapor flow on the performance of a microchannel evaporator in air-conditioning systems

Abstract This paper proposes a novel solution to reduce the impacts of periodic reverse flow and induced boiling fluctuations on the performance of a microchannel evaporator used in an air-conditioning or other similar refrigeration system. Reverse vapor trapped within the inlet header is continuously vented bypassing microchannels. Simultaneous flow visualizations and measurements quantified the effects of venting the reverse vapor on the evaporator performance. The vapor–liquid interface in the inlet header is elevated above all the microchannel inlets, resulting in more uniform liquid distribution among channels. Evaporator surface temperatures measured by an infrared camera oscillate with reduced amplitude (less than 1 °C) compared to the situation without venting, indicating more stable boiling heat transfer and two-phase flow within the microchannels. The evaporator pressure drop is reduced up to about 15% due to removal of the reversed vapor flow. In addition, the reverse vapor flow is characterized for the first time through this method. Both its average flow rate and oscillation amplitude increase with average heat flux, while the oscillation period is reduced. Compared to the total refrigerant flow rate supplied to the evaporator, the average reverse vapor flow is in the range of 2–8% at the conditions explored.
"Depth-Profiling" and Quantitative Characterization of the Size, Composition, Shape, Density, and Morphology of Fine Particles with SPLAT, a Single-Particle Mass Spectrometer

A significant fraction of atmospheric particles are composed of inorganic substances that are mixed or coated with organic compounds. The properties and behavior of these particles depend on the internal composition and arrangement of the specific constituents in each particle. It is important to know which constituent is on the surface and whether it covers the particle surface partially or entirely. We demonstrate here an instrument consisting of an ultrasensitive single-particle mass spectrometer coupled with a differential mobility analyzer to quantitatively measure in real time individual particle composition, size, density, and shape and to determine which substance is on the surface and whether it entirely covers the particle. For this study, we use NaCl particles completely coated with liquid dioctyl phthalate to generate spherical particles, and NaCl particles partially coated with pyrene, a solid poly aromatic hydrocarbon, to produce aspherical particles with pyrene nodules and an exposed NaCl core. We show that the behavior of the mass spectral intensities as a function of laser fluence yields information that can be used to determine the morphological distribution of individual particle constituents.
RNA-and protein-synthesizing capacity of isolated oocytes of the sea urchin Lytechinus pictus.

Abstract Uridine-14C and valine-14C incorporation into macromolecules by suspensions of eggs of Lytechinus pictus containing varying proportions of oocytes were measured by scintillation counting and were localized within the cells by autoradiography. Mature eggs incorporated almost no uridine-14C while oocytes incorporated appreciable amounts. Valine-14C incorporation by suspensions of mature eggs in 9 experiments, ranged from 1.91 μμmoles to 3.39 μμmoles, and averaged 2.37 μμmoles per 104 eggs in 15 minutes. The corresponding values obtained in 10 experiments with suspensions containing various amounts of oocytes ranged from 6.12 μμmoles to 97.8 μμmoles and averaged 37.9 μμmoles, namely, approximately 16 times that of the mature eggs. Dactinomycin significantly inhibited uridine-14C incorporation but did not suppress valine-14C incorporation by the mature eggs or the oocytes. In four of the experiments (one with a mature egg suspension) dactinomycin stimulated valine-14C incorporation by three- to fourfold but in 10 others (two with mature egg suspensions) there was no significant difference from the control. Additional evidence that the incorporation of valine-14C represents synthesis rather than exchange or absorptive processes was provided by a demonstration that it takes place on polyribosomes. Autoradiographs confirmed that the mature eggs did not incorporate uridine-14C and incorporated only slight quantities of valine-14C, even in the mixed suspensions with oocytes. The oocytes incorporated uridine-14C primarily in the nucleolus, and this was prevented by dactinomycin. Valine-14C was incorporated, by the oocytes, principally in the cytoplasm and nucleolus. In sea urchins then, the oocytes appear to undergo a considerable amount of intrinsic protein and RNA synthesis. This is in contrast to the situation in many other organisms in which the oocyte apparently obtains much material from other tissues.
Clinical manifestations of ganglioneuroma

Ganglioneuroma may occur spontaneously or after therapy for neuroblastoma. This lesion may be metastatic or unresectable in the primary site. The rarity of this situation and lack of understanding of the biology of this benign condition may lead to extensive, potentially life-threatening attempts at surgical resection or the futile use of chemotherapy or radiotherapy to try to cause regression or control growth. The authors present here several cases which demonstrate the multiple presentations of ganglioneuroma and the potential problems which may arise in their management.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Ocimum basilicum and O. citriodorum

Transgenic basil (Ocimum spp.) was produced for the first time using an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation system. β-Glucuronidase (GUS) transient expression experiments showed a 96% or higher infection rate using Agrobacterium strains GV3101 and EHA105. Inoculated leaf explants were regenerated on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with thidiazuron, naphthaleneacetic acid and kanamycin. Two sweet basil (cvs SBA28 and Purple Ruffles, O. basilicum) and two lemon basil (cv Sweet Dani, O. citriodorum) plants were regenerated after in vitro cultivation. Stable transformation of both species was verified by polymerase chain reaction amplification (PCR) of both the gus (697 bp) and nptII (320 bp) gene fragments and by Southern blot analysis for the gus gene. Inheritance of the transgenes was verified by the GUS colorimetric assay and PCR analysis of the T1 generation of Ocimum transgenic plants, and the observed segregation ratio (3:1) indicated a single gene for GUS. Transgenic T1 plants exhibited identical phenotypic characteristics and accumulated high concentrations of linalool (118.98 µg g–1), 1.8-cineole (20.86 µg g–1), eugenol (69.3 µg g–1), neral (468.61 µg g–1) and geraniol (649.1 µg g–1) in volatile oil profiles similar to those of the non-transgenic controls.
AVIRIS Foreoptics, Fiber Optics And On-Board Calibrator

The foreoptics, fiber optic system and calibration source of the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) are described. The foreoptics, based on a modified Kennedy scanner, is coupled by optical fibers to the four spectrometers. The optical fibers allow convenient positioning of the spectrometers in the limited space and enable simple compensation of the scanner's thermal defocus (at the -23 C operating temp) by active control of the fiber focal plane position. A challenging requirement for the fiber optic system was the transmission to the spectral range 1.85 to 2.45 microns at .45 numerical aperture. This was solved with custom fluoride glass fibers from Verre Fluore. The onboard calibration source is also coupled to the spectrometers by the fibers and provides two radiometric levels and a reference spectrum to check the spectrometers' alignment. Results of the performance of the assembled subsystems are presented.
High-energy ballistic and avulsive injuries. A management protocol for the next millennium.

This article discusses high-energy ballistic and avulsive injuries, which are a formidable challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Management protocols are provided for the next millennium. Language: en
Die Bedeutung der Centering Theory für Fragen der Vorfeldbesetzung im Deutschen

The Vorfeld (prefield) of German declarative V2 main clauses is syntactically underdetermined: It is only required that one phrase stands there, but it is not determined what kind of phrase. This is consequently determined by information structure. The goal of this paper is to look whether Centering Theory can make any predictions; this question is addressed after an overview is given over potential forms in which the center can appear. It turns out that the Center is actually not out very often into the prefield; movement to the prefield seems to work in accordance with a ranking of the form: scene-setting elements outrank poset elements with respect to prefield movement, and poset elements outrank centers. If another part of Centering Theory is taken into account, namely coherence relations, we see that the more coherent the connection between two clauses is, the more often is the Center in the prefield. From that follows that one of the tasks of the prefield is to mark local coherence.
Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B

The goal of antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B is to prevent the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. End points, including viral suppression, alanine aminotransferase normalization, hepatitis B e antigen loss, hepatitis B surface antigen loss, and improvement in liver histology, are used to determine treatment success. Treatment is based on hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication status and stage of liver disease, modulated by the age of the patient, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status and patient preference. Seven therapies are approved, including two formulations of interferon and five orally administered nucleos(t)ide analogs. These therapies are effective in suppressing HBV replication and have also been shown to prevent disease progression.
Parathyroid (PTH) infusion test in hypo- (HP), pseudoshypo- (PHP) and pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (PPHP)

Ten healthy children, 3 children with HP, a child with PHP and a child with PPHP were infused with 250 U PTH over 15 min. The renal excretion of cyclic AMP, P, Ca, HCO3, Na and K was measured and compared to 28 adult volunteers. Excretion of healthy children did not differ from the adults' response: Cyclic AMP increased from a mean of 3 to 166nmol/dlGF. P increased from 5 to 16 mg/ dlGF. Ca decreased from 3.2 to 1.8ueq/mg cr.HCO3 from 6 to 170 ueq/mg cr. Na from 137 to 301ueq/mg cr. K from 80 to 197 ueq/mg or. The patients with HP had an exaggerated cyclic AMP, P, HCO3 and K response to PTH. Their Na response was normal. The PHP patient did not increased his cyclic AMP clearance. His P and K responded subnormally and he had a supranormal response of Na and HCO3. The PPHP patient had intermediate response between the normal and the PHP. We conclude that PTH infusion is usefull in the diagnosis of PTH secretion and its renal response. PPHP represents a partial defect in the renal response to PTH.
The Department of Energy Replacement for the 110-Gallon Specification 6M Shipping Container for Radioactive Contents

The Department of Energy (DOE) has been shipping university reactor fuels and other fissile materials in the 110-gallon Department of Transportation (DOT) Specification 6M container for over 20 years. The DOT 6M container has been the workhorse for many DOE programs. However, packages designed and used according to the Specification 6M (U. S. Code of Federal Regulations, 49 CFR 178.354; 2003) do not conform to the latest package safety requirements in 10 CFR 71, especially performance under hypothetical accident conditions. For that reason, the 6M specification containers are being terminated by the DOT. Packages designed to the 6M specification will no longer be allowed for in-commerce shipments after October 1, 2008. To meet on-going transportation needs, DOE evaluated several different concepts for replacing the 110-gallon 6M. After this evaluation, DOE selected the Y-12 National Security Complex for the project. The new Y-12 container, designated the ES-4100 shipping container, will have a capacity of four times the current 6M and will be certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The ES-4100 project began in September 2006 and prototypes of the new container are now being fabricated. Details on the design features and the upcoming regulatory testing of this new container are discussed in this paper.
Why Did Lagrange "Prove" the Parallel Postulate?

Introduction We begin with an often-told story from the Budget of Paradoxes by Augustus de Morgan: “Lagrange, in one of the later years of his life, imagined” that he had solved the problem of proving Euclid's parallel postulate. “He went so far as to write a paper, which he took with him to the [Institut de France], and began to read it.” But, De Morgan continues, “something struck him which he had not observed: he muttered ‘Il faut que j'y songe encore’ [I've got to think about this some more] and put the paper in his pocket” [ 8 , p. 288]. Is De Morgan's story true? Not quite in that form.But, as Bernard Cohen used to say, “Truth is more interesting than fiction.” First, according to the published minutes of the Institut for 3 February 1806, “M. Delagrange read an analysis of the theory of parallels” [ 25 , p. 314; italics added]. Those present are listed in the minutes: Lacroix, Cuvier, Bossut, Delambre, Legendre, Jussieu, Lamarck, Charles, Monge, Laplace, Hauy, Berthollet, Fourcroy—a most distinguished audience! Furthermore: Lagrange did not throw his manuscript away. It survives in the library of the Institut de France [ 32 ]. There is a title page that says, in what looks to me like Lagrange's handwriting, “On the theory of parallels: memoir read in 1806,” together with the signatures of yet more distinguished people: Prony and Poisson, along with Legendre and Lacroix. The first page of text says, again in Lagrange's handwriting, that it was “read at the Institut in the meeting of 3 February 1806.” It is true that Lagrange never did publish it, so he must have realized there was something wrong.
The changing face of the general surgeon: national and local trends in resident operative experience

Abstract Background The authors hypothesized that the increasing use of nonoperative management, percutaneous and endoscopic intervention, minimally invasive surgery, and endovascular surgery has radically altered case mix and resident training. Methods A review was performed of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education reports from 1993 to 2007 and of local resident operative logs for 2002 to 2008. Results For all nationwide procedures, there have been major increases in percutaneous interventions, angiographic embolizations, and endovascular surgery, with corresponding sharp declines in major open biliary, aortic, colon, and trauma cases. In training programs, there have been small decreases in total case numbers but major changes in the operative case mix at the expense of traditional open surgery. A profound decline in open vascular surgery is noted. At the authors' institution, similar radical changes in the operative case mix were demonstrated. Conclusions Nationwide trends toward the increased use of nonoperative, minimally invasive, endoscopic, and endovascular techniques are altering the operative experience of surgeons and residents in training. This may radically change the abilities and expectations for the field of general surgery and what it means to be a “general surgeon.”
"Fearful cognitions associated with eating pathology" psychometric properties of a new scale.

The psychometric properties of a new scale that measures fearful cognitions associated with eating problems were explored, using two independent samples of undergraduate females. In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted to revise and shorten the scale. Study 2 reproduced the factor structure and positive relationship between fearful cognitions and eating pathology. Additionally, regression analyses demonstrated discriminant and incremental validity, since the scale explained 27% of the variance in eating pathology, and was independent of the effects of anxiety and depression. Implications for treatment, and a cognitive model of fears associated with eating disorders are discussed.
Identification of a cardiac specific protein transduction domain by in vivo biopanning using a M13 phage peptide display library in mice.

Background A peptide able to transduce cardiac tissue specifically, delivering cargoes to the heart, would be of significant therapeutic potential for delivery of small molecules, proteins and nucleic acids. In order to identify peptide(s) able to transduce heart tissue, biopanning was performed in cell culture and in vivo with a M13 phage peptide display library.
Fertilization and Bioaugmentation for Oil Biodegradation in Salt Marsh Mesocosms

Biodegradation of crude oil is often dependent on the population sizes and metabolic activity of hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms in addition to nutrient supply. Fertilization with N and P and bioaugmentation of oil-contaminated soil with hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms may serve to enhance oil biodegradation rates. Glasshouse experiments were conducted to determine the impacts of fertilization and commercial bioremediation products on crude oil biodegradation and on changes in nutrient concentrations and populations of hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms in salt marsh mesocosms growing Spartina alterniflora. Experiments were conducted under continuously-flooded and alternately-flooded/drained conditions with and without N and P fertilization. MaxBac, a slow-release fertilizer, was applied at a rate of 100 kg N ha-1 and 20 kg P ha-1, while additional P was applied at 20 kg P ha-1. Commercial products failed to enhance total oil or total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) degradation under either continuously or alternately-flooded conditions. An average of 62% of TPH was degraded by 33 d under continuously-flooded conditions, while 59% was degraded by 41 d after oil application under alternately-flooded conditions. Products generally did not increase population sizes of heterotrophs orhydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms. Concentrations of NH4+ and P decreased during experimentation, and fertilization with N and P stimulated total oil and TPH degradation under continuously-flooded, but not under alternately-flooded conditions.
Vigilant: out-of-band detection of failures in virtual machines

What do our computer systems do all day? How do we make sure they continue doing it when failures occur? Traditional approaches to answering these questions often involve in-band monitoring agents. However in-band agents suffer from several drawbacks: they need to be written or customized for every workload (operating system and possibly also application), they comprise potential security liabilities, and are themselves affected by adverse conditions in the monitored systems.Virtualization technology makes it possible to encapsulate an entire operating system or application instance within a virtual object that can then be easily monitored and manipulated without any knowledge of the contents or behavior of that object. This can be done out-of-band, using general purpose agents that do not reside inside the object, and hence are not affected by the behavior of the object.This paper describes Vigilant, a novel way of monitoring virtual machines for problems. Vigilant requires no specialized agents inside a virtual object it is monitoring. Instead, it uses the hypervisor to directly monitor the resource requests and utilization of an object. Machine learning methods are then used to analyze the readings. Our experimental results show that problems can be detected out-of-band with high accuracy. Using Vigilant we demonstrate that out-of-band monitoring using virtualization and machine learning can accurately identify faults in the guest OS, while avoiding the many pitfalls associated with in-band monitoring.
2-Ethoxybenzoxazole as a bioisosteric replacement of an ethyl benzoate group in a human rhinovirus (HRV) capsid binder

Abstract A series of pyridazinylpiperidinyl capsid-binding compounds with novel bicyclic substituents were synthesized and screened against human rhinovirus (HRV). Several 2-alkoxy- and 2-alkylthio-benzoxazole and benzothiazole derivatives showed excellent anti-HRV activity. When tested against a panel of 16 representative HRV types the 2-ethoxybenzoxazole derivative 13 was found to have superior HRV activity (median EC50 3.88 ng/mL) to known capsid-binders Pleconaril and Pirodavir. Compound 13 illustrates that a 2-alkoxybenzoxazole group can be an effective bioisostere for a benzoate ester or benzaldehyde oxime ether functionality.
Impact of board configuration and shock loading conditions for board level drop test

An effort has been made in this study to evaluate the dynamics and characteristics of the test vehicle in a board level drop test. A thorough understanding of the behavior of the test vehicle is examined by characterizing its response under different test profiles and board dimensions. This is done in an attempt to optimize the test procedure used to qualify electronic products subjected to high strain rate drop/shock environment. The effects of peak acceleration and change in velocity of the impact pulse on the reliability of the test vehicle have been studied. In situ strain measurements have been used to aid us in characterizing the board response under high strain rate loading conditions. Also finite element analysis has been used to better understand the board response under different loading conditions. Based on the experimental results and analysis, ways to improvise the drop test setup have been discussed.
PP6C hotspot mutations in melanoma display sensitivity to Aurora kinase inhibition.

Recent whole genome melanoma sequencing studies have identified recurrent mutations in the gene encoding thecatalyticsubunitofserine/threoninephosphatase6(PPP6C/PP6C).However,thebiochemical,functional,and clinical ramifications of these mutations are unknown. Sequencing PP6C from patients with melanoma (233 primary and 77 metastatic specimens) with extended prospective clinical outcome revealed a large number of hotspot mutations in patients with both primary and metastatic melanoma. Despite minimal association between stage and presence of PP6C mutations in patients with primary melanoma, a subpopulation of cells within each tumor did contain PP6C mutations, suggesting PP6C mutation is an early, but non–tumor-initiating event in melanoma. Among patients with primary melanoma with PP6C mutations, patients with stop mutations had significantly shorter recurrence-free survival compared with patients without stop mutations. In addition, PP6C mutationswereindependentofcommonlyobservedBRAFandNRASmutations.Biochemically,PP6Cmutations could be classified as those that interact with PP6C regulatory subunits and those that do not. Mutations that did not bind to PP6C regulatory subunits were associated with increased phosphorylation of Aurora kinase, a PP6C substrate,andmitoticdefects.However,bothclassesofPP6CmutationsledtoincreasedsensitivitytoAurorakinase
Identification of Bacillus subtilis genes expressed early during sporulation

Summary Labelled cDNA transcribed in vitro from early-sporulation RNA was enriched for sporulation-specific sequences by subtractive hybridization to an excess of vegetative RNA and used to probe libraries of Bacillus subtilis chromosomal DNA. From the initial collection of clones that coded for RNAs transcribed preferentially during sporutation, several were subcloned and studied in more detail. It was found that two clones contained sequences (dciA and dciB) that had an undetectable level of transcription during vegetative growth but had transcripts that started to appear no later than eight minutes after induction of sporulation. A third DNA segment (dciC) was expressed at a low level in vegetative cells and increased within four minutes after induction of sporulation. The effects of spo0 mutations, i.e. mutations that prevent cells from reaching stage I of the sporulation process, were tested. Induction of the dciA and dciB transcripts was significantly reduced in strains carrying mutations in the spo0A and spo0H genes but not in a spo0B mutant strain. In addition, a product of the abrB locus, a locus in which mutations are known to partially overcome the pleiotropic effect of spo0A and spo0B mutations, seemed to be required for dciA and dciB expression.
Faith: a concept analysis.

dyess s.m. (2011) Faith: a concept analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing67(12), 2723–2731. Abstract Aim. This paper reports a concept analysis of faith. Background. There are numerous scholars who consider spirituality and religiosity as they relate to health and nursing. Faith is often implied as linked to these concepts but deserves distinct exploration. In addition, as nursing practice conducted within communities of faith continues to emerge, concept clarification of faith is warranted. Method. Qualitative analysis deliberately considered the concept of faith within the lens of Margaret Newman’s Health as Expanding Consciousness. Data sources used included a secondary analysis of stories collected within a study conducted in 2008, two specific reconstructed stories, the identification of attributes noted within these various stories and selected philosophical literature from 1950 to 2009. Findings. A definition was identified from the analysis; faith is an evolving pattern of believing, that grounds and guides authentic living and gives meaning in the present moment of inter-relating. Four key attributes of faith were also identified as focusing on beliefs, foundational meaning for life, living authentically in accordance with beliefs, and interrelating with self, others and/or Divine. Conclusion. Although a seemingly universal concept, faith was defined individually. Faith appeared to be broader than spiritual practices and religious ritual and became the very foundation that enabled human beings to make sense of their world and circumstances. More work is needed to understand how faith community nursing can expand the traditional understanding of denominationally defined faith community practices and how nurses can support faith for individuals with whom they encounter within all nursing practice.
A parameterized dataflow language extension for embedded streaming systems

Many embedded DSP systems can be characterized as streaming applications. Imperative programming languages are ill suited for describing the concurrency within these DSP systems. SPEX is a language extension designed to let the programmers describe the inherent parallelism within DSP systems. In this paper, we highlight SPEXpsilas language features for describing the streaming computation and communication patterns of DSP systems, and allowing the compiler to generate efficient code for embedded DSP architectures. This language extension is based on the parameterized dataflow computation model, with modifications to better describe DSP systemspsila complex streaming patterns. SPEX is applied as an extension onto the C++ programming language. It consists of a set of language constructs for describing the semantics of parameterized dataflow computations, and a set of language restrictions for helping the embedded compilation process. In this paper, the W-CDMA wireless protocol is used as our case study.
ParCrunchFlow: an efficient, parallel reactive transport simulation tool for physically and chemically heterogeneous saturated subsurface environments

Understanding the interactions between physical, geochemical, and biological processes in the shallow subsurface is integral to the development of effective contamination remediation techniques, or the accurate quantification of nutrient fluxes and biogeochemical cycling. Hydrology is a primary control on the behavior of shallow subsurface environments and must be realistically represented if we hope to accurately model these systems. ParCrunchFlow is a new parallel reactive transport model that was created by coupling a multicomponent geochemical code (CrunchFlow) with a parallel hydrologic model (ParFlow). These models are coupled in an explicit operator-splitting manner. ParCrunchFlow can simulate three-dimensional multicomponent reactive transport in highly resolved, field-scale systems by taking advantage of ParFlow’s efficient parallelism and robust hydrologic abilities, and CrunchFlow’s extensive geochemical abilities. Here, the development of ParCrunchFlow is described and two simple verification simulations are presented. The parallel performance is evaluated and shows that ParCrunchFlow has the ability to simulate very large problems. A series of simulations involving the biologically mediated reduction of nitrate in a floodplain aquifer were conducted. These floodplain simulations show that this code enables us to represent more realistically the variability in chemical concentrations observed in many field-scale systems. The numerical formulation implemented in ParCrunchFlow minimizes numerical dispersion and allows the use of higher-order explicit advection schemes. The effects that numerical dispersion can have on finely resolved, field-scale reactive transport simulations have been evaluated. The smooth gradients produced by a first-order advection scheme create an artificial mixing effect, which decreases the spatial variance in solute concentrations and leads to an increase in overall reaction rates. The work presented here is the first step in a larger effort to couple these models in a transient, variably saturated surface-subsurface framework, with additional geochemical abilities.
Scalable, efficient range queries for grid information services

Recent peer-to-peer (P2P) systems such as Tapestry, Chord or CAN act primarily as a distributed hash table (DHT). A DHT is a data structure for distributed storing of pairs (key, data) which allows fast locating of data when a key is given. To facilitate efficient queries on a range of keys, we propose a CAN-based extension of this DHT-functionality. The design of our extension suggests several range query strategies; their efficiency is investigated in the paper. A further goal is to enhance the routing aspects of current DHT-systems so that frequently changing data can also be handled efficiently. We show that relatively simple approaches are able to reduce the communication overhead in this case. The design of the system is driven by its application as a part of the information infrastructure for computational grids. Such grids provide an infrastructure for sharing computing resources; an information infrastructure is their inherent part which collects resource data and provides search functionality. Our approach complements current solutions such as MDS-2 by adding self-organization, fault-tolerance and an ability to efficiently handle dynamic attributes, such as server processing capacity. We evaluate our system in this context via a simulation and show that its design along with particular query and update strategies meet the goals of scalability, communication-efficiency and availability.
Stochastic Schrödinger Equations: What They Mean and What They Can Do

The quantum mechanics we use in quantum optics is rather different from that taught in the standard quantum mechanics course. It is, of course, the same quantum mechanics; but the emphasis is different. Two observations illustrate what I mean. First, quantum optics emphasizes dissipative systems, open systems. The most notable of these is the laser, but a rather long list could be given which would include close relatives such as the parametric oscillator and a litany of systems involving resonance fluorescence. Second, quantum optics has always had close ties to the issue of quantum measurement. This theme goes back to the beginnings of the subject and Glauber’s quantum theory of coherence, which is founded on the multi-coincidence rates measured in photoelectric detection.
Genetic algorithms: principles of natural selection applied to computation

A genetic algorithm is a form of evolution that occurs on a computer. Genetic algorithms are a search method that can be used for both solving problems and modeling evolutionary systems. With various mapping techniques and an appropriate measure of fitness, a genetic algorithm can be tailored to evolve a solution for many types of problems, including optimization of a function of determination of the proper order of a sequence. Mathematical analysis has begun to explain how genetic algorithms work and how best to use them. Recently, genetic algorithms have been used to model several natural evolutionary systems, including immune systems.
H OWARD R. T URNER , Science in Medieval Islam: An Illustrated Introduction (Austin: University of Texas Press, 1997). Pp. 262.

Scholars have been reluctant to undertake a comprehensive history of science in Islamic civilization when a great deal of original material still lies unedited, unpublished, unexplored, or partially investigated in spite of prolific research. Even extensive collaborative attempts at a synthesis (see the Encyclopedia of the History of Arabic Science , 3 vols. [1996]) reflect the level of research to date in specific areas rather than present a definitive survey within a cultural perspective. One therefore admires the courage of Howard Turner, who is not a historian of Arabic science, in taking on this ambitious publication, which extends beyond the limits suggested by its title. In fact, Medieval could be omitted from his title, as it does justice neither to the content of his book nor to the historical reality. The term refers, as we know, to some interim period of shifting chronological boundaries between the so-called Dark Ages and the Renaissance in European civilization. The comparable time period in Islamic civilization, however, encompasses the rise, a series of peaks, and the seeds of decline in the sciences. It is not a transitional phase between “dark ages” (the J―ahiliyya ) and a “rebirth.” The content of Turner's book is best conveyed simply as “An Illustrated Introduction to Science in Islam or in Islamic Civilization.”
Normal-mode small-signal analysis of traveling-wave directional couplers

The small-signal frequency responses of the 1*2 and 2*2 directional coupler traveling-wave modulators are analyzed in closed forms including the effect of both the optical/microwave velocity mismatch and microwave loss. When the microwave loss is negligible, the small-signal bandwidths of 1*2 and 2*2 directional coupler traveling-wave modulators are 20 and 28%, respectively, larger than that of an interferometric modulator with the same electrode length. However, when the microwave loss is large, the 1*2 coupler has a larger bandwidth. >
Spectral estimation for a magnetostrictive magnetic field sensor

Recently there has been increasing concern regarding the effects of low-frequency magnetic fields on humans and livestock. A portable magnetometer is essential for monitoring the field dose encountered. There are some devices currently available for this purpose which use the induced EMF technique. The field sensitivity for these devices depends on the number of turns of coil used. This limits the minimum size of devices with reasonable performance. The magnetometer considered in this paper overcomes this size limitation by using a highly magnetostrictive material, Terfenol-D, as the magnetic field sensor. The primary focus of this paper is to determine the magnetic field spectral characteristics using digital signal processing. A survey of spectral estimation techniques are presented, followed by their application to the Terfenol-D magnetic field signal. The estimators are compared using data obtained from a magnetometer hardware prototype. Using these methods it was possible to detect signal for a field strength of 20 milligauss. >
Symmetrically-coupled SOAs exhibit optical bistability

An optical switch based-on two electrically coupled SOAs is demonstrated. Experiments show switching frequencies in MHz range with 4 dB contrast ratio. The performance can be improved up to GHz range employing photonic integrated devices.
Tillage or no-tillage: Impact on mycorrhizae

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are ubiquitous in agricultural soils. These fungi play important roles in plant nutrition and soil conservation. The persistence of AM fungi in ecosystems depends on the formation and survival of propagules (e.g., spore, hyphae and colonized roots). While spores are considered to be resistant structure that may be view as “long-term” propagules when viable host plants are not present, hyphae are considered to be the main source of inocula when host plants are present and the soil is not disturbed. Tillage is an integral part of modern agriculture that can modify the physical, chemical and biological properties of a soil. Consequently, tillage practices may also affect AM fungi. The various tillage practices used in the management of soil for maximum crop production may negatively impact the survival of AM fungal propagules. In tilled soil, certain AM species may survive while others may disappear. Because AM fungi are more abundant in the topsoil, deep plowing may dilute ...
The Spanish peace movement in a European context

The sharp decline of the Spanish peace movement in the latter part of the 1980s paralleled quite closely the decline of similar movements elsewhere in Western Europe, particularly the United Kingdom and Germany. There has been considerable research carried out into the rise of the ‘new social movements’ in Western Europe but little attention has been given to southern Europe, particularly Spain. Also, most of the literature has focused on the period of ascendancy for these movements rather than the era of their decline in the later 1980s. This article seeks to fill that gap by focusing on the decline of the Spanish peace movement within the wider context of the European ‘new social movements’. It explores the common factors in the European‐wide decline while highlighting certain factors that were unique to Spain.
Psychosocial Stress and Its Relationship to Gambling Urges in Individuals with Pathological Gambling

We sought to explore a potential link between psychosocial stress exposure and pathological gambling (PG). Patients with PG displayed significantly higher scores on the daily stress inventory (DSI) than did healthy subjects. PG patients also displayed other heightened measures of stress, including the profile of mood states, the Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory, the Hamilton rating scale for depression and the Beck depression inventory. Multiple regression analysis revealed that only the DSI impact score was an independent predictor of gambling urges. These findings support the role of psychosocial stress in the course of PG and suggest that the former association with the urge to gamble is relatively specific to stressful events assessed with the DSI. (Am J Addict 2010;00:1–8)
The nature and timing of social deficits in child and adolescent offspring of parents with schizophrenia: preliminary evidence for precursors of negative symptoms?

Children with social dysfunction and a first-degree relative with schizophrenia are at elevated risk for schizophrenia; however, the nature of this dysfunction is unclear. It was hypothesized that familial high-risk (HR) children and adolescents (n = 17) would have social skill deficits relative to healthy controls (HC; n = 35). HR participants had a bimodal distribution of social skill scores (47% excellent; 53% poor). HR participants had worse social skills, assertion and empathy scores, suggesting possible developmental precursors to the social amotivation domain of negative symptoms. Characterizing HR children's social deficits could assist identification of those at risk for schizophrenia.
Dietary Calcium and Risk for Prostate Cancer: A Case-Control Study Among US Veterans

Intake of calcium from food was inversely related to risk for prostate cancer among all races in a comparison of cases and biopsy-negative controls (P = .05) and cases and healthy controls (P = .02). Total calcium was associated with lower prostate cancer risk among black men but not among white men in analyses of healthy controls. The highest tertile of calcium from food was associated with lower risk for high-grade prostate cancer in a comparison of highgrade cases and biopsy-negative controls (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.15-0.90) and high-grade cases and healthy controls (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.17-0.86). Conclusion Calcium from food is associated with lower risk for prostate cancer, particularly among black men, and lower risk for high-grade prostate cancer among all men.
Treating hepatitis C: current standard of care and emerging direct‐acting antiviral agents

Summary. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, major advances were made in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Interferon, combination interferon plus ribavirin (RBV) and pegylated interferon plus RBV increased sustained virologic response (SVR) rates from ~5% to ~40-80%, depending on the genotype of HCV infection. Advances in molecular biology have allowed investigators to begin to understand the mechanisms of HCV infection and replication. Advances in understanding of viral kinetics have provided tools to identify patients who are most likely to attain SVR. With the advances in the science of HCV infection, the first part of the 21st century has seen the development and early introduction of a number of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs. These novel medications interfere with critical steps in HCV replication and have the potential to significantly increase SVR rates. This article will review the key elements of HCV replication and evaluate the various classes of new and investigational DAA that have the potential to create a revolution in the management of patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Note from the section president

The new, less formal Section News format for Eos provides an opportunity to initiate discussions and provide information about the affairs and operations of our section. I intend to take advantage of this with occasional “Notes from the President,” which I hope will stimulate responses from readers. To facilitate communication in general, I urge any of you who have ideas that might be useful to use our Executive Committee Telemail address, OC.EXEC, as a comment/suggestion box. The change of Eos format and editorial approach itself makes a good first topic. Among other things, in order to make the Union's weekly newspaper more timely and of more general interest, the new approach discourages long articles for limited audiences. At the same time, by including space every week for short, section-related items, it is hoped that response times for bringing out new ideas will be improved. Our section has felt the result of the change more directly than others, since it meant the demise of the predictable, monthly Oceanography Report, which often consisted of longer items of interest primarily to groups within a part of the Ocean Sciences.
Genomics Education Training Needs of U.S. Health Educators A (Qualitative) Pilot Study

As genomic advances have turned the promise of personalized prevention and health promotion into a concrete possibility in the near future, scholars and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have begun to call for U.S. health educators to develop their genomic competencies. This advocacy, however, begs the question whether health educators feel the need for further genomic training. Using an emergent design, the authors analyze qualitative data obtained from in-depth interviews with 24 health educators in the United States. Data are searched for salient, emergent themes (salience is determined by the frequency of a theme’s occurrence across interviews). Findings indicate that although the majority (78.3%) of health educators have received minimal or no genomic education, 81.0% acknowledge the importance of adding some type of training to their future professional development. Participants suggest conference presentations, workshops, and symposia (54.5%) as the most preferable approach for deliver...