cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Native and non-native perceptions of appropriateness in the French second-person pronoun system

This article explores perceptions of appropriateness in the French second-person pronoun system in relation to various sociopragmatic factors among native and nonnative speakers of French between the ages of 18 and 29. Participants completed an online survey in which a series of five social-interactive situations were presented. Analysis focused on the similarities and differences among native, near-native, advanced and intermediate speakers in their perceptions of formality, social distance, power/equality and appropriate tu/vous use, as well as correlations between the sociopragmatic factors and selection of tu or vous. Results indicate a high degree of variation within and across participant groups, with nonnatives tending to be more conservative (e.g., more formality, higher frequencies of vous) in their choices than their native-speaker counterparts. In concluding, the findings are discussed in relation to pedagogical implications.
Plasma “angiotensinase” activity as a determinant of angiotensin pressor action and tachyphylaxis in the rat☆

Abstract Dose response curves in the rat to angiotensin homologs (Des-Aspi-hepta-peptide and Des-Asp 1 -Arg 2 hexapeptide) that are known to be more readily inactivated by circulating “angiotensinases” were recorded and compared with those previously published for aspartyl 1 and asparginyl 1 octapeptides. Presser responses to equipressor doses of all four angiotensin peptides were also recorded in normal and nephrectomized rats. Plasma angiotensinase activity of adrenalectomized rats in whom a failure to develop tachyphylaxis to aspartyl 1 octapeptide is observed was compared with that of normal rats which readily demonstrate the phenomenon. Angiotensinase activity was studied as (a) per cent destruction of added aspartyl 1 octapeptide, quantified by presser bioassay; (b) hydrolysis of aspartyl β-naphthylamide. The results show that the heptapeptide homolog (derivative) of angiotensin, unlike the asparginyl 1 octapeptide, demonstrates tachyphylaxis at biologically equivalent doses. The presser response curves to equipressor doses of three different angiotensin peptides with different rates of inactivation in vivo were similar in form and duration. Plasma angiotensinase activity in adrenalectomized animals was not increased above normal at a time when tachyphylaxis was not demonstrable. The observations presented and discussed discount a principal role of plasma angiotensinase activity in the development of tachyphylaxis.
Preserving End-of-Life Autonomy: The Patient Self-Determination Act and the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act

As medical technology continues to advance and health care choices become more complicated, the preservation of end-of-life autonomy is an increasingly important issue faced by various client populations. This article examines two legislative efforts aimed at preserving end-of-life autonomy: The Patient Self-Determination Act and the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act. The enactment of both acts will provide a more comprehensive approach to advance directive planning. The article advocates for passage of the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act in all 50 states. Implications for social work practice are discussed from a research, community action, and clinical perspective.
Natural history of alcoholic hepatitis. I. The acute disease.

One hundred and sixty-nine patients with alcoholic hepatitis were identified on the basis of a blind review of 1260 consecutive liver biopsies. All of these patients consumed large amounts of alcoholic beverages. Drunkenness was common, although alcoholic hepatitis occurred without recurrent overt inebriation. The duration of excessive drinking ranged from 3 months to 36 years. In 7.7% of patients, excessive drinking was of less than 1 year's duration. The most common complaints were anorexia in 77%, nausea and vomiting in 55%, abdominal pain in 46% and weight loss in 43%. On admission, 81% had hepatomegaly, 55% were malnourished, 37% were jaundiced, 35% had ascites, 22% had gastrointestinal bleeding, 56% had fever, but in half of these, the fever was explained by reasons other than alcoholic hepatitis. In 43%, the hematocrit was less than 30%, and leucocytosis was seen in 34%. Three-fourths of the livers had significant steatosis, and 27.2% had septa or cirrhosis. The clinical course of 15% of patients deteriorated soon after hospitalization, but after several weeks of increasing illness, they improved. For the 169 patients, the mortality rate was 4%.
Pericardial effusion leading to acute renal failure: two case reports and discussion of pathophysiology.

We describe two patients who developed acute renal failure secondary to severe pericardial effusion. In one patient, the pericardial effusion was due to coxsackievirus infection, and in the other patient, it was due to lung cancer. One patient was in cardiac tamponade, and the other was not yet in tamponade, as per echocardiographic criteria. Kidney function was relatively normal in both patients before the pericarditis episodes. In both patients, pericardiocentesis caused immediate massive diuresis with quick recovery of renal function back to baseline. In the first patient, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine decreased from 82 mg/dL and 7.6 mg/dL to 71 mg/dL and 4.6 mg/dL in the next 48 hours, then to 23 mg/dL and 1.3 mg/dL 5 days after the pericardiocentesis. In the second patient, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine decreased from 109 mg/dL and 2.9 mg/dL to 40 mg/dL and 0.9 mg/dL in the next 48 hours and 17 mg/dL and 0.7 mg/dL 3 days after release of tamponade. Pericardial effusion can affect renal hemodynamics in many different ways, including increased atrial natriuretic peptide secretion, increased renal efferent nerve activity, and increased secretion of renin and vasopressin. Although pericardial effusion is a complication of uremia, acute renal failure per se can occur in nonuremic cases of pericardial effusion. Two cases of acute renal failure resulting from pericardial effusion were reported in the literature in the past. Pericardial effusion should be included in the broad list of prerenal causes of acute renal failure.
Two-way tables listing irritant or allergen versus occupation

Background: The relationships between irritants, allergens, and occupations are difficult to keep in mind because of their sheer numbers. Objective: The objective of this study was to facilitate relating of irritants and allergens to specific occupations. Methods: A table of common irritants versus occupations and a table of common allergens versus occupations were prepared. Results: The two tables facilitate relating common irritants and allergens with occupations. Conclusion: Arranging irritants and allergens in columns and occupations in rows within tables permits a rapid two-way approach to relating irritants and allergens and occupations.
Effects of thermoplastic preforming binder on the properties of S2-glass fabric reinforced epoxy composites

Abstract The effect of a thermoplastic polyester binder on the thermophysical and mechanical properties of an S2-glass/epoxy–amine system was investigated. The purpose of the polymeric binder is to bond the individual fabric layers together during preforming prior to composite fabrication. This paper will address the significance of the binder chemistry, i.e., the compatibility of the binder with the matrix polymer, on the composite properties. The peel strength of preforms consolidated with various concentrations of binder was evaluated using the T-peel test. The highest peel resistance was obtained from preforms that have full coverage of the binder on the glass fabric. Further increase of the concentration of the binder does not change the peel strength. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on peel test fracture surfaces revealed mostly adhesive-type failure between binder and fiber. Double cantilever beam (DCB) and short beam shear (SBS) test results of the composite showed that the presence of about 2.6 wt% of the polyester binder reduces the Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness and apparent interlaminar shear strength of the S2-glass/SC-15 epoxy-amine system by about 60% and 25%, respectively. Moreover, the Tg of the matrix polymer within the interlaminar region decreases about 6°C due to the presence of the binder. The dissolution of the polyester binder within the reacting matrix resin is limited for the standard cure cycle.
Existence and Uniqueness Results for Some Nonlinear Boundary Value Problems

u a s u b s0 Dirichlet 2 Ž . Ž . Ž . Ž . u9 a s u9 b s 0 Neumann 3 Ž . Ž . Ž . Ž . u a s u b and u9 a s u9 b Periodic 4 Ž . Ž . Ž . Ž . Ž . Ž . w x Here f : R a R is an odd increasing homeomorphism, k: a, b a R, and w x 2 Ž . Ž . < < py2 f : a, b = R a R. Equation 1 with f s s s s, where p ) 1, and Ž . Ž . k t s n y 1 rt arises in the study of radial solutions for the p-Laplacian equation on an annular domain in n dimensions, < < py2 < < < < < < n div =u =u q f x , u , =u s 0, a x b , x g R , 5 Ž . Ž . Ž . w x and has been studied extensively; see, for instance, 1]4, 6 . Ž . In this paper, we shall establish existence results for 1 with each of the Ž . Ž . Ž . above boundary conditions, 2 , 3 , and 4 under various growth conditions on f. In particular, our results give the existence of radial solutions
Analyzing the Utility of Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS) Warm-Up Segments

Analogue behavioral observations are an important component of multi-modal, multi-informant assessments. The Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS) is a structured behavior observation system developed to assess the frequency and quality of parent and child behaviors during a structured dyadic interaction. The DPICS includes two, five-minute warm-up (WU) segments before coded segments; these WU segments are thought to allow dyads time to acclimate to observation instructions and improve the representativeness of sampled behavior. To date, there are no published studies addressing the usefulness of warm-up (WU) segments in a community-based treatment setting. This study analyzed the contribution of including WU segments in DPICS observations by comparing mean parent and child behavior composite frequency counts obtained from a community sample of 13 mother-child dyads. Comparisons were made between pre- and post-treatment DPICS WU and typically-coded (TC) segments. No significant differences were found between WU and TC segments at pre- or post-treatment DPICS observations. The implications of our findings for the utility of WU segments are discussed, along with suggestions for future directions in research.
Improving High-Frequency Performance of an Input Common Mode EMI Filter Using an Impedance-Mismatching Filter

This letter investigates into the impedance interaction between the electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter and the noise propagation path, and its influences on the filter design. It proves that the impedance resonance in the propagation path decreases the filter's high-frequency in-circuit attenuation. This letter proposes a method to improve the filter's high-frequency performance using an impedance-mismatching filter. The impedance-mismatching filter damps the resonance in the common mode (CM) noise propagation path and eliminates the high-frequency noise spike. By applying this method in the filter design, the CM inductor of the EMI filter can be significantly reduced since the EMI filter avoids the overdesign caused by its high-frequency performance degradation, and the filter can potentially achieve high power density. This letter also proposed a design procedure for this impedance-mismatching filter. An improved EMI filter design method considering this impedance mismatching is also proposed in this letter.
Genetic variants of CYP2B6 decrease rate of efavirenz metabolism in vitro

Background/Aims Our previous work has shown that CYP2B6 is the principal catalyst of efavirenz 8-hydroxylation, a major route of clearance of the drug. Here, we tested the effect of genetic variants of CYP2B6 on the metabolism of efavirenz in human liver. Methods Rate of efavirenz (10μM) metabolism was determined in 91 human liver microsomes (HLMs) genotyped for CYP2B6 alleles *1,*2, *4, *5 and *6. Results All 91 HLMs catalyzed efavirenz 8-hydroxylation (mean±SD, 15.14±15.59 pmol/min/mg protein), but with high interindividual difference (~50-fold). Compared to CYP2B6*1/*1, carriers of variant alleles had rates of efavirenz metabolism reduced by 32 to 45%, but only variant alleles in exon 9 and exon 5 reached statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion Genetic polymorphisms of CYP2B6 might contribute to the interindividual variability in efavirenz pharmacokinetics and response. Efavirenz is likely to be a suitable in vivo probe of CYP2B6. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P24–P24; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.11.093
Use of the augustine stylet anticipating difficult tracheal intubation in treacher-collins syndrome

Treacher-Collins syndrome is a familial and congenital condition often associated with a difficult airway. Although the condition is rare, the anesthesia care provider may encounter it on occasion. This report describes a patient with Treacher-Collins syndrome scheduled to undergo facial reconstruction (fore-head plasty, brow lift, and rhinoplasty) as the sixth of multiple operations. A nasotracheal intubation using the stylet component of a recently introduced airway device, the Augustine Guide, was successfully performed. This is believed to be the first reported use of this method using the Augustine stylet.
Mechanism of glucocorticoid-mediated inhibition of murine erythroid colony formation in vitro.

The mechanism by which glucocorticoids influence erythroid colony formation by murine bone marrow cells was studied in a plasma clot culture system. All glucocorticoids tested, including 9α-fluorocortisol (> 10−8M), cortisol (≥ 10−8M), dexamethasone (> 10−7M), and corticosterone (≥ 10−7M), inhibited erythroid colony formation; none enhanced colony formation. Inhibition by a prototypic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, was evident at all concentrations of erythropoietin (25–200 mU) in the clots. The percent dexamethasone-sensitive cells killed by high specific activity [3H]-TdR (∼ 78%) was the same as the percent erythroid colony-forming cells killed by this treatment, and the inhibition appears to represent a direct effect on the erythroid colony-forming cell since: (1) Cells exposed (1 hour) to dexamethasone, washed, and cultured in steroid-free medium formed a reduced number of colonies (67% of control); (2) dexamethasone decreased colony formation by marrow depleted of adherent cells or obtained from either nude or neonatally thymectomized mice; and (3) co-cultivation studies of normal marrow with that obtained from glucocorticoid-treated mice, which forms a reduced number of colonies in vitro, indicated that this inhibition was not the result of enhanced suppressor cell or reduced stimulatory cell activity. The proliferative rate of colony-forming cells obtained from dexamethasone-treated mice, as determined with high specific activity [3H]-TdR, was reduced ( ∼ 38% of control), suggesting that a reduction in the proliferative rate of the colony-forming cell is the major mechanism of the glucocorticoid-mediated inhibition of erythroid colony formation. In addition, dexamethasone, added 24 hours after the initiation of the cultures, inhibited the growth of developing erythroid colonies, indicating a potential inhibitory action on the proliferation of the progeny of the colony-forming cell.
Terrestrial sensitivity to abrupt cooling recorded by aeolian activity in northwest Ohio, USA

article i nfo Article history: Received 7 May 2010 Available online 21 February 2011 Optically stimulated luminescence dated sand dunes and Pleistocene beach ridges in northwest Ohio are used to reconstruct landscape modification more than 5000 yr after deglaciation. Four of the OSL ages (13.3-11.1 ka) cluster around the Younger Dryas cold event, five ages (10.8-8.2 ka) cluster around the Preboreal, one young age (0.9-0.7 ka) records more recent aeolian activity, and one age of 15.1-13.1 ka dates a barrier spit in Lake Warren. In northwest Ohio, both landscape instability recorded by aeolian activity and a vegetation response recorded by pollen are coeval with the Younger Dryas. However, the climate conditions during the Preboreal resulting in aeolian activity are not recorded in the available pollen records. From this, we conclude that aeolian dunes and surfaces susceptible to deflation are sensitive to cooler, drier episodes of climate and can complement pollen data. Younger Dryas and Preboreal aged aeolian activity in northwestern Ohio coincides with aeolian records elsewhere in the Great Lakes region east of the prairie-forest ecotone.
Real-time scheduling of multiple segment tasks

The authors study the problem of on-line non-preemptive scheduling of multiple segment real-time tasks. Task segments alternate between using CPU and I/O resources. A task model is proposed which encompasses a wider class of tasks than models proposed earlier. Instead of developing new scheduling algorithms, the authors develop a class of slack distribution policies which use varying degrees of information about task structure and device utilization to budget task slack. Slack distribution policies are shown to improve the performance of all scheduling algorithms studied. Two key observations are: slack distribution is helpful beyond a certain threshold of task arrival rate, and algorithms which normally perform poorly are helped to a greater degree by slack distribution. A study of various scheduling algorithms for a constant value function reveals that all of them favor tasks with a large number of small segments to tasks with a small number of large segments. It is shown that the Moore ordering algorithm is not optimal for multiple segment tasks. >
El impacto internacional de la ley Helms-Burton

La llamada ley Helms-Burton ha atraido la atencion no solamente de los especialistas en Derecho Internacional, sino tambien de los politologos y los analistas de las relaciones internacionales. Las expectativas de duros litigios ante los tribunales (que se suponia podrian llegar hasta la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos), de momento no se han visto confirmadas, a causa de la suspension temporal por el presidente Clinton del titulo III, que permitiria a los antiguos propietarios de bienes confiscados en Cuba que demandaran a los que "traficaran" con ellas. El transitorio compromiso firmado entre Washington y Bruselas congelo el proceso de enfrentamiento transatlantico y el alivio del dano infligido a la OMC, aunque las medidas adicionaies del Congreso de los Estados Unidos amenazan con mantener la tension y con ella la latente posibilidad de litigios judiciales. Como legado, dos dimensiones se mantienen como firmes candidatos para el analisis, todavia abierto a los especialistas. En primer lugar, se destaca el impacto ejercido por las motivaciones politicas de la ley en las relaciones internacionales de los Estados Unidos con el resto del mundo; en segundo lugar, el tema de la ley Helms-Burton seguira atrayendo la atencion de los juristas por la complejidad de sus medidas, las interpretaciones sobre su constitucionalidad, o la aparente violacion de las normas internacionales. En este trabajo se presta especial atencion a esta segunda dimension, en intima relacion con la primera.
Breakdown and Formation of Connective Tissue in the Pupal Stage of an Insect

Changes occurring in the connective-tissue elements in the pupae of some Diptera Cyclorrhapha are described. The larva and the adult are characterized by an organically continuous system of investing membranes. The pupa is, on the whole, characterized by the absence of investing membranes. Early in the pupa most of the larval membranes are destroyed. In some cases the associated cells also disappear; in others the cells remain. Disappearance is not simultaneous throughout an organ; usually the anteriormost segments of the organ disappear first. The adult membranes are formed in the late pupa, after the processes of growth, cell-division, and differentiation are completed. Fusion of membranes would appear to result from co-ordinated secretion, and be a delicately timed process. It is suggested that the larval membranes are similarly produced in the embryo, at the end of differentiation and organ formation, and that in the case of both larva and adult, the invested cells are concerned with the secretion of, and the destruction of, the investing membranes.
Congenital Anomalies and In Utero Antiretroviral Exposure in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Exposed Uninfected Infants

Importance Most studies examining the association of prenatal antiretroviral (ARV) exposures with congenital anomalies (CAs) in children born to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected women have been reassuring, but some evidence suggests an increased risk with specific ARV agents. Objective To evaluate the association of in utero ARV exposures with CAs in HIV-exposed uninfected children. Design, Setting, and Participants Prospective cohort study design. The Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study’s Surveillance Monitoring of ART Toxicities (SMARTT) Study was performed at 22 US medical centers among 2580 HIV-exposed uninfected children enrolled in the SMARTT Study between March 23, 2007, and June 18, 2012. Exposures First-trimester exposure to any ARV and to specific ARV medications. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was a CA based on physician review of infant physical examinations according to the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry modification of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program. Rates of CAs were estimated overall and by birth year. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association of CAs with first-trimester ARV exposures, adjusting for demographic and maternal characteristics. Results Congenital anomalies occurred in 175 of 2580 children, yielding a prevalence of 6.78% (95% CI, 5.85%-7.82%); 242 major CAs were confirmed, including 72 musculoskeletal and 55 cardiovascular CAs. The prevalence of CAs increased significantly among successive birth cohorts (3.8% for children born before 2002 and up to 8.3% for those born 2008-2010). In adjusted models, no association of first-trimester exposures with CAs was found for any ARV, for combination ARV regimens, or for any drug class. No individual ARV in the reverse transcriptase inhibitor drug classes was associated with an increased risk of CAs. Among protease inhibitors, higher odds of CAs were observed for atazanavir sulfate (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.95; 95% CI, 1.24-3.05) and for ritonavir used as a booster (aOR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.11-2.20). With first-trimester atazanavir exposure, risks were highest for skin (aOR, 5.23) and musculoskeletal (aOR, 2.55) CAs. Conclusions and Relevance Few individual ARVs and no drug classes were associated with an increased risk of CAs in HIV-exposed infants after adjustment for calendar year and maternal characteristics. While the overall risk remained low, a relative increase was observed in successive years and with atazanavir exposure. Given the low absolute CA risk, the benefits of recommended ARV therapy use during pregnancy still outweigh such risks, although further studies are warranted.
Scale lengths of heterogeneities under Tibet

Important information about small-scale heterogeneities is hardly accessible by the traditional deterministic seismic tomography. Fluctuations of the phase and the logarithmic amplitude of direct teleseismic plane P waves can be used to characterize small-scale heterogeneities. Seismic data recorded by the Hi-CLIMB array are used to analyze the average power spectrum of the small-scale velocity heterogeneities under Tibet. Coherence functions of the logarithmic amplitude and the phase fluctuations due to different earthquakes from different back azimuths show consistent characteristics, indicating that fluctuations are due to heterogeneities under the stations. Assuming that the heterogeneities are statistically stationary and distributed within a layer, we invert for the average heterogeneity spectrum by fitting both the logarithmic amplitude and the phase coherence data. Multiscale nature of the heterogeneity is evident. The inverted power spectrum is “red” at the large-scale end, meaning that the power spectrum decreases as the length scale decreases. Such a decreasing trend stops at smaller scales ∼20–50 km and 10 km. This may indicate that mantle convection is not effective in destroying smaller heterogeneities.
Solar cycle variation of stratospheric ozone: Multiple regression analysis of long‐term satellite data sets and comparisons with models

This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation Climate Dynamics program under grant ATM-0424840. Additional support from NASA under a grant from the Living With a Star research program is also gratefully acknowledged.
Current and future methods to aid in wound healing

Wound healing involves multiple simultaneous biologic processes that are redundant. Difficulties with wound healing often present following overwhelming disease processes or multiple physiologic insults. Management of a nonhealing wound focuses on diagnosis of the factors that contribute to poor wound healing, including the presence of infection, malignancy, foreign body, tissue ischemia due to macrovascular or microvascular disease and aggravating systemic disorders, such as hyperglycemia or rheumatologic disease. Debridement of necrotic tissue, establishment of blood flow and offloading are the cornerstones of therapy. More recent (and rediscovered) treatment modalities, including hyperbaric oxygen, vacuum-assisted closure and maggot therapies, complement established techniques and add to the armamentarium of the treating physician. Attention to associated medical problems and to symptoms that might suggest undiagnosed comorbidities becomes increasingly important in the recalcitrant wound.
Injuries and blemishes in a semi-feral herd of ponies

SUMMARY With the goal of characterizing the type and degree of injuries and blemishes incurred by horses living under natural social conditions, all members of a semi-feral herd of ponies were inspected on 4 occasions over a period of 28 months. Two occasions were during breeding/foaling season and 2 during non‐breeding/foaling season months. On each occasion, each animal was examined (N = 47‐65) and all injuries or blemish marks were recorded. Based on the types and number of injuries or blemishes, an injury/blemish grade was assigned for each inspection, ranging from 1 for no blemishes to 6 for more than 1 open wound. Almost all injuries and blemishes recorded were extremely mild. Only 12 of the 213 inspections and 14 of the 858 total injuries and blemishes involved wounds affecting tissues other than hair and skin. Males had significantly greater mean injury/blemish grade than females (P < .0001). For all social categories and ages, the mean injury/blemish grade was significantly greater in the breeding/foaling season months than during the non‐breeding/foaling season (P < .0001). All foals were blemish-free at the non‐breeding/ foaling season inspections (n = 24) and relatively blemish-free (9 of 14) at the breeding/foaling season inspections. The rump and the barrel areas were the most common site of injuries or blemishes, both as a percentage of the total injury count and as a percentage of inspections involving those areas. These findings are consistent with the seasonal and gender patterns of aggressive behavior seen in this herd. Compared with reports of truly feral horse populations, it appears that injuries are fewer and less severe in this semi-feral herd. In addition, there appear to be fewer leg injuries in this semi-feral herd than has been described for truly feral horse populations.
Impact of Peer Support on PTSD, Hope, and Functional Impairment: A Mixed-Methods Study of Child Soldiers in Nepal

The experience of child soldiers during postwar civilian reintegration is recognized as a major contributor to mental health. For some children, postwar social relations may be more important than war trauma in determining psychosocial well-being. Mixed methods incorporating epidemiology and qualitative case studies were employed to evaluate the effects of family, peer, and community relations after reintegration on psychosocial outcomes: hope, functional impairment, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants were 142 child soldiers, including 9 qualitative case studies. Peer support predicted increased hope, decreased functional impairment, and decreased PTSD symptoms. Conversely, problems with peer relations predicted less hope and more PTSD symptoms. Maximizing peer support and minimizing stigma from peers should be prioritized within psychosocial reintegration programs, especially among former child soldiers with PTSD.
GOES‐R satellite solar panels ready for space

An array of five photovoltaic panels has been approved and is ready to be incorporated into the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) new Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites-R (GOES-R). GOES-R, a collaborative effort between NOAA and NASA, aims to provide more timely and accurate weather forecasts once in orbit. The satellite is scheduled to launch in early 2016.
Corrected Fresnel coefficients for lossy materials

The Fresnel Equations that describe the transmitted and reflected waves at an interface between materials with different dielectric and/or magnetic properties are re-examined. A subtle error is discovered in the well known derivation of these formulas for lossy materials. Correcting this subtle error changes these formulas and results in replacing the complex valued angle by a real valued angle and in changing the reflection and transmission coefficients.
Bandwidth of linearized electrooptic modulators

Many schemes have been proposed to make high dynamic range analog radio frequency (RF) photonic links by linearizing the transfer function of the link's modulator. This paper studies the degrading effects of finite transit time and optical and electrical velocity dispersion on such linearization schemes. It further demonstrates that much of the lost dynamic range in some modulators may be regained by segmenting and rephasing the RF transmission line.
Attachment style in married couples: Relation to current marital functioning, stability over time, and method of assessment

We examined several aspects of attachment in marriage, including the association among attachment style, mental models of the spouse, satisfaction, affect regulation within the marriage, the stability of attachment style, and its operationalization. Fifty-three married couples completed initial assessments, and 44 participated in a 24-month follow-up. Attachment style was related to positive and negative affect immediately preceding a potentially stressful event and to the mental model of the spouse. Approximately 35% of the subjects changed their attachment style rating over a 2-year period; later attachment style was related to changes in mental models of the spouse. Categorical and dimensional measures of attachment style did not yield equivalent results. The implications of these findings for future research are discussed.
Timesharing, Ideomotor Compatibility, and Automaticity

This research concerns timesharing, the simultaneous performance of decision responses, and ideomotor (IM) compatibility, an arrangement in which the stimuli for a decision task resemble closely the stimuli generated as feedback from performing their required responses (Greenwald, 1970). (An illustration of IM compatibility is saying a word in response to hearing it.) IM compatibility is a special case of stimulus-response (S-R) compatibility, which is the more general category of task arrangements in which stimulus-response assignments are such as to facilitate the choice process. The present research explored the special characteristics of IM compatibility by examining timesharing efficiency for S-R compatible tasks that possess IM compatibility and ones that lack it. Language: en
Fairness of Bank Rules for Compensating Balances

Insufficient balances can be traded off for higher interest rates in equivalent basis points that are easily computed. Bankers, however, are not likely to be aware of the complexity and possible "unfairness" of these arrangements when consideration is given to the replenishment period of the customer account. For example, say a bank customer collects receivables to be deposited in its business checking account at the end of its sales credit term period, maybe 120 days. With the account replenished, the customer then draws down balances as business expenses are paid out over the next four months, whereupon receivables are then collected and the account is again replenished. The problem arises when the bank averages client balances monthly, for example, and assesses deficiency fees (especially in the third and fourth months) even though, on average, the customer might be providing the required balances. These fees can be considered unfair to the customer because the bank averaging period differs from the customer replenishment period.
Did We Really Take Advice from a Chicken?: The Failure of the Dodd-Frank Act Say-on-Pay Provision

This Comment critiques the say-on-pay law and the repercussions that resulted during the 2011 proxy season. Part II of this Comment discusses the events leading up to the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act. Part III examines the say-on-pay precursors along with the Dodd-Frank Act say-on-pay provision. Part IV analyzes the results from the 2011 proxy season and the critiques that arose from its completion. Part V discusses the say-on-pay litigation resulting from negative say-on-pay feedback, including whether Congress intended for shareholders to pursue this type of action. Part VI and VII conclude this Comment by analyzing the impact of the poorly drafted law and proposes that Congress should repeal it. If, however, Congress refuses to repeal the law, Congress should amend it and insert new language that provides guidance for corporations and limitations on abusers of the law, such as shareholders.
Evaluation of Strawberry Species and Cultivars for Powdery Mildew Resistance in Open-field and High Tunnel Production Systems

Many breeders have turned to wild relatives in search of beneficial traits such as disease resistance. In strawberry, the wild octoploid species Fragaria virginiana and F. chiloensis are fully interfertile with the cultivated species, F. 3ananassa, and are therefore potential sources of resistance. Powdery mildew may increase in economic importanceinFloridainthenearfutureasaresultoftheuseofhightunnelsandrowcovers for freeze protection, which limit free water and provide a favorable environment for disease development. The objective of this study was to screen an elite group of wild strawberry accessions for resistance to powdery mildew under two production systems. In 2010-11 and 2012-13, wild accessions, commercial standard cultivars, and susceptible controls were planted in open-field and high tunnel environments at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm, FL. Although there was a significant year 3 genotype effect, some taxa showed high levels of resistance that were consistent across years. There was a high correlationfor ratings of powderymildew between the high tunnel andthe openfieldfor all genotypes (r =0 .89,P< 0.001).Thisinformationmay beusefulfor breeders, because sources of resistance to powdery mildew are available within the tested genotypes. However, some accessions are highly susceptible to powdery mildew, and this must be considered when using these genotypes in breeding programs.
Self-interaction-free approaches for self-consistent solution of the Maxwell-Liouville equations

We propose two complementary approaches for solution of the coupled Maxwell-Liouville equations within the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) framework. The two methods are specifically designed to eliminate self-interaction, which often appears spuriously in simulation of the coupled Maxwell-Liouville equations, and hence can be used for modeling of single as well as ensembles of quantum emitters (such as molecules or quantum dots) in an arbitrary dielectric environment. One approach borrows from the familiar total field--scattered field technique that has been applied in the past in a different context. The second recognizes an opportunity to average over the electric field at a set of specifically chosen points around the quantum emitter. The methods introduced are applied to two problems of growing current interest that also present useful test cases. One is the modeling of spontaneous emission, where comparison with an analytical solution illustrates the accuracy and efficiency of the methodology. The second is quantum-emitter-induced transparency in a resonator formed by two gold ellipsoids, where Fano interferences suggest interesting potential applications.
Trends in Clinical Pharmacokinetics

The field that we now call clinical pharmacokinetics started many decades ago to achieve a quantitative understanding of the time course of drug action and the factors that influence dose-response and intensity of drug effect. The motivation for this was to gain the information needed to solve real and important clinical problems. Problems of this nature will continue to appear with both new and old drugs. In addition, new kinds of problems related to the movement of drug molecules within and through the human body are of major clinical importance. Solving them will require continued progress and research in clinical pharmacokinetics.
AB0833 An Internet Survey of Common Treatments Used by Patients with Gout

Background Little is known about patients with gout with regards to the use of complimenatry and non-pharmacological approaches to treatment of gout. Qualitative work has shown that patients are interested in these treatment options. To our knowledge, there are no other studies of characteristics of patients who use supplements for gout. Objectives To assess the frequency of use of urate-lowering therapy (ULT) and natural supplements including cherry extract by patients with gout. Methods A pop-up on the website the Gout and Uric Acid Education Society9s website (http://gouteducation.org) informed people about the optional survey from 11/20/2013 to 01/15/14. The survey queried people regarding the use of ULT and supplements. Results Of the 162 survey respondents, 121 (74%) reported gout. Mean age of survey responders was 55.4 years (standard deviation, 14.5), 69% were men and 71% were White. Gout disease duration was ≤1 year in 29%, 1-5 years in 22%, 5-10 years in 22% and >10 years in 21% (missing, 6%). Gout flares were common, with 89% with ≥1 gout flare in the last month (i.e. >3/year). 51% had been prescribed allopurinol of febuxostat, 78% missed it for Conclusions Use of cherry extract and natural supplements is not uncommon in patients with gout. Only half of all gout patients were prescribed ULT by their providers. Acknowledgements We thanks gouteducation.org for displaying our survey. Disclosure of Interest J. Singh Grant/research support: Takeda, Savient, Consultant for: Takeda, Savient, Novartis, Allergan, Regeneron, A. Bharat: None declared, L. Edwards: None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.4846
Nanotechnology for antimicrobial textiles

Nanotechnology for antimicrobial textiles is primarily done by the application of silver nanoparticles to fibers and fabrics. Silver has long been known to impart antimicrobial properties to water containers and air filters. Silver nanoparticles work by the change from free silver to ionic, with resulting penetration of the microbial cell membrane. Textiles are the second leading category of consumer items that use nanosilver to create antimicrobial properties. Although no definite problems have been identified with nanosilver use in textiles, some concern has been expressed regarding their eventual residence in the larger environment.
The application study of micropressure senor

Based on manual and auto methods,analysising micropressure senor 5551-003-D and acquiring linear relation between input and output.Application for liquid level measure in drainage holes and ditches from galleries inside damand foundation galleries.
Purine nucleoside formation in rat skeletal muscle fiber types

To determine the capacity for purine nucleotide degradation among skeletal muscle fiber types, we established energy-depleted conditions in muscles of the rat hindlimb by inducing muscle contractio...
Efficient Methods of Estimating a Regression Equation with Equicorrelated Disturbances

In this chapter we continue the discussion which we initiated in subsection 1.2(a). We consider a linear regression model whose disturbances have a constant variance and pairwise equal correlation. In analyzing this model we exploit the fact that if the off-diagonal elements of the variance-covariance matrix of the disturbances in a regression are all equal, then there is an orthogonal matrix that transforms the problem into one of heteroskedasticity. One of the transformed observations will have a variance different from those of the remaining transformed observations, which will all have the same variance. When these variances are unknown, the choice is open to drop the observation with the higher variance, and that if the variance is enough higher it should be dropped.
Radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by KHSO 5 – BTBAC system - a kinetic study

Kinetics of free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate using potassium peroxomonosulfate as initiator in the presence of benzyltributylammonium chloride (BTBAC) as phase transfer catalyst was studied. The polymerization reactions were carried out under nitrogen atmosphere and unstirred conditions at a constant temperature of 60°C in ethyl acetate/water bi-phase system. The role of concentrations of monomer, initiator, catalyst, temperature, acid and ionic strength on the rate of polymerization (Rp) was ascertained. The orders with respect to monomer, initiator and phase transfer catalyst were found to be 1.5, 0.5 and 0.5 respectively. The rate of polymerization (Rp) is independent of ionic strength and pH. Based on the kinetic results, a suitable mechanism is proposed.
Case Study as Interpretative Research: An Example and Commentary

This paper proposes that the case study can be a useful methodology in expanding qualitative research. The paper provides conceptual justification for this proposition and provides a case study of a French manufacturer of surgical supplies who establishes a production facility near Ho Chi Minh City as an example. The case explores the difficulties the company experiences in its dealings with the Vietnamese government, and a variety of cross-cultural management issues are addressed as well. The qualitative side of assessing the desirability of an emerging market is the focus of the case study. The case allows an exploration into many qualitative research issues.
Uncommon and Relatively Uncommon Lesions of the Female Reproductive System

This chapter will be devoted to infrequently encountered lesions of the female reproductive tract. Some of these will be lesions that are rarely seen, while others will be lesions that you may anticipate seeing from time to time, although certainly not everyday.
Single Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Using Busulfan and Cyclophosphamide as Conditioning Regimen in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has been shown to improve survival in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). High-dose melphalan is considered the current standard of care among the preparative regimens used in ASCT for MM patients. We report the results of ASCT in 79 consecutive MM patients using a conditioning regimen with busulfan and cyclophosphamide (Bu/Cy), given as single ASCT and without maintenance therapy. Peripheral blood stem cells were mobilized with cyclophosphamide 5,000 mg/m2 IV + etoposide 1,000 mg/m2 IV, followed by granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) 5 mg/Kg/day until the end of stem cell collection. A median of 41.1 × 106 CD34+ cells/Kg (range, 2.1–139.7 × 106) of ideal body weight were mobilized. The conditioning regimen consisted of busulfan 1 mg/Kg PO or 0.8 mg/Kg IV every 6 hours x 16 doses (days -7 to -3), and cyclophosphamide 60 mg/Kg/day IV for 2 days (days -3 to -2). Patients achieved neutrophil engraftment (absolute neutrophil count >500/μL) at a median of +13 days (range, +6 to +21 days), and platelet engraftment (platelets >20,000/μL unsupported by transfusion) at a median of 14 days (range, +11 to +24). Using a transfusion threshold of hemoglobin <8.0 g/dL and platelets <10,000/μL, patients required a median of 2 units of RBC transfusions (range, 0–8), and 1 platelet transfusion (range, 0–15) until hematologic engraftment. Forty-eight and 20 patients reached PR and CR, respectively, for an overall RR of 86%. At a median followup of 41 months (range 2–132 months), the estimated median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 45 months [95% confidence interval (CI) = 38–92] and 20 months (95% CI = 15–25), respectively. Veno-occlusive disease developed in 4 pts, and it was lethal in 1 of them. The Bu/Cy regimen was overall well tolerated, and transplant-related mortality was 4%. No statistically significant difference in terms of OS and EFS were observed between the group of patients receiving oral (n=13) vs IV busulfan (n=66). OS was not statistically different between the group receiving ASCT in first remission (n=62) and the group receiving ASCT as salvage therapy, i.e., upon MM progression (n=17), either calculating OS from the day of ASCT or from the day of MM diagnosis. We conclude that our reported clinical outcomes of the Bu/Cy regimen are equivalent to those obtained in historical controls with high-dose melphalan followed by a single ASCT. Thus, given the equivalent effectiveness but greater complexity of administration of the Bu/Cy regimen compared with that of single agent melphalan, we believe the latter should remain the agent of choice for ASCT in MM.
Rise and fall of Ross Sea emperor penguin colony populations: 2000 to 2012

There are seven emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) colonies distributed throughout the traditional boundaries of the Ross Sea from Cape Roget to Cape Colbeck. This coastline is c. 10% of the entire coast of Antarctica. From 2000 to 2012, there has been a nearly continuous record of population size of most, and sometimes all, of these colonies. Data were obtained by analysing aerial photographs. We found large annual variations in populations of individual colonies, and conclude that a trend from a single emperor penguin colony may not be a good environmental sentinel. There are at least four possibilities for census count fluctuations: i) this species is not bound to a nesting site like other penguins, and birds move within the colony and possibly to other colonies, ii) harsh environmental conditions cause a die-off of chicks in the colony or of adults elsewhere, iii) the adults skip a year of breeding if pre-breeding foraging is inadequate and iv) if sea ice conditions are unsatisfactory at autumn arrival of the adults, they skip breeding or go elsewhere. Such variability indicates that birds at all Ross Sea colonies should be counted annually if there is to be any possibility of understanding the causes of population changes.
Rapid, Mild, and Selective Ketone and Aldehyde Hydroboration/Reduction Mediated by a Simple Lanthanide Catalyst

Rapid, clean hydroboration of ketones and aldehydes with HBpin is achieved using the homoleptic rare-earth catalyst La[N(SiMe3)2]3 (LaNTMS). The reaction employs low catalyst loadings (0.01–1 mol % LaNTMS), proceeds rapidly (>99% in 5 min) at 25 °C, and is moderately air-tolerant. Additionally, this hydroboration has good functional group compatibility, including halides, nitro groups, and nitriles, and is exclusively carbonyl-selective in the presence of alkenes and alkynes.