cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plaque accumulation on composite surfaces after various finishing procedures.

The rates at which plaque accumulates on the surfaces of composite restorations and on other restored surfaces were compared in this clinical study. None of the materials tested produced a smooth, finished surface on composite restorations, and most composite surfaces were coated with plaque after 24 hours. A clinical study was undertaken to determine the rate at which plaque accumulates on the surfaces of composite restorations on which four finishing techniques were used. Plaque on these surfaces was compared with that on control surfaces with polished metallic or glazed porcelain restorations, and unrestored enamel surfaces. Composite surfaces were covered with plaque after 24 hours regardless of the finishing technique used. Plaque did not collect on adjacent control teeth to this degree until the third day, although the difference remained statistically significant. Surface discrepancies on the polished composites were shown in scanning electron micrographs and with laboratory measurements.
Lateral interactions in the outer retina

Lateral interactions in the outer retina, particularly negative feedback from horizontal cells to cones and direct feed-forward input from horizontal cells to bipolar cells, play a number of important roles in early visual processing, such as generating center-surround receptive fields that enhance spatial discrimination. These circuits may also contribute to post-receptoral light adaptation and the generation of color opponency. In this review, we examine the contributions of horizontal cell feedback and feed-forward pathways to early visual processing. We begin by reviewing the properties of bipolar cell receptive fields, especially with respect to modulation of the bipolar receptive field surround by the ambient light level and to the contribution of horizontal cells to the surround. We then review evidence for and against three proposed mechanisms for negative feedback from horizontal cells to cones: 1) GABA release by horizontal cells, 2) ephaptic modulation of the cone pedicle membrane potential generated by currents flowing through hemigap junctions in horizontal cell dendrites, and 3) modulation of cone calcium currents (I(Ca)) by changes in synaptic cleft proton levels. We also consider evidence for the presence of direct horizontal cell feed-forward input to bipolar cells and discuss a possible role for GABA at this synapse. We summarize proposed functions of horizontal cell feedback and feed-forward pathways. Finally, we examine the mechanisms and functions of two other forms of lateral interaction in the outer retina: negative feedback from horizontal cells to rods and positive feedback from horizontal cells to cones.
Incidence of antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter species in freshwater wetlands.

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of Enterobacteriaceae (potential human and animal pathogens) in wetlands. Methods: Enterobacteriaceae, selected from the sediments and rhizosphere of wetland plant Juncus effusus L., were analysed using classical microbiological methods, API20E, API20NE, fatty acid analyses, and 16S rRNA sequencing. Assessed virulence factors include antibiotic resistance, presence of plasmids and capsules. Results: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae and Enterobacter asburiae, known human pathogens, were identified. K. pneumoniae 16S rRNA gene sequence showed the significant hit (E 10 to 20 μg ml−1) for kanamycin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol for all strains tested. Capsules were detected in all investigated strains. PCR detected membrane protein but not chromosomally encoded β-lactamase. Significance and Impact of the Study: The antibiotic resistance of tested strains and presence of capsules (protect micro-organisms from phagocytosis) suggest that wetland sediments and rhizosphere present a potential reservoirs for enteric human and animal pathogens.
Hypertensive cardiovascular disease in African Americans.

Hypertension is the most common public health challenge in the United States because of its prevalence and associated increase in comorbid cardiovascular diseases [1]. Yearly expenses related directly or indirectly to the treatment and detection of hypertension in the United States are approximately $10 billion, excluding the enormous yearly financial burden of $259 billion and the social burden from heart disease and stroke, which remain the first and third leading causes of death, respectively, in the United States [2]. Despite the importance of these observations, blood pressure is poorly controlled in the United States.
Characterization of the Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Assay for the Enterotoxins of Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli and for Antitoxin: Differential Inhibition by Gangliosides, Specific Antisera, and Toxoid

The morphologic change in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells that is associated with increased intracellular concentrations of adenosine 3':5'-cyclic phosphate (cyclic AMP) provided a highly sensitive assay for the heat-labile enterotoxins of Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli. The similarity between the responses of CHO cells and those of intestinal mucosa to the enterotoxins was demonstrated by the inhibition of these effects by the ganglioside galactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl [sialosyl] lactosyl ceramide (G,,,), as well as by specific antisera. The antisera against either enterotoxin were more effective in inhibiting the effects of homologous toxin than those of heterologous toxin, but cross-neutralization also occurred in both cases. When choleragenoid, the natural toxoid of cholera toxin, was incubated with the CHO cells, the subsequent effects of the toxin on the morphology of the cells were prevented as were the effects of the toxin on intestinal secretion. However, choleragenoid did not prevent the effects of E. coli toxin. The similarity between the action of enterotoxins on CHO cell morphology and on secretion by the small intestine suggests that there are similar binding sites in these tissues. The potential usefulness of the CHO cell assay in quantitative measurement of antitoxic immunity is thus demonstrated.
Response of Dorsomedial Prefrontal Cortex Predicts Altruistic Behavior

Human beings have an unusual proclivity for altruistic behavior, and recent commentators have suggested that these prosocial tendencies arise from our unique capacity to understand the minds of others (i.e., to mentalize). The current studies test this hypothesis by examining the relation between altruistic behavior and the reflexive engagement of a neural system reliably associated with mentalizing. Results indicated that activity in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex--a region consistently involved in understanding others' mental states--predicts both monetary donations to others and time spent helping others. These findings address long-standing questions about the proximate source of human altruism by suggesting that prosocial behavior results, in part, from our broader tendency for social-cognitive thought.
Classification of infrared spectra of organophosphorus compounds with artificial neural networks

We examine the use of artificial neural networks to classify IR spectra of organophosphorus pesticides and chemically related compounds. The spectra used were contributed from commercial libraries, government agencies, and government contractors and include spectra of pesticides, industrial precursors, hydrolysis products and other organophosphorus compounds. The data were pretreated to reduce artifacts arising from the variety of collection sources. The treated spectra were divided into spectral 'bins' of equal frequency width and transduced into data vectors whose elements consisted of the average absorbance value of the corresponding spectral bin. The spectral data vectors served as inputs to neural networks examined as spectral classifiers.
Serum Total Adiponectin is Associated with Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Asian Indian Females but Not in Males

Objective:Adiponectin may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, little is known about the relationship between adiponectin and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). We investigated the association between adiponectin and IGT and between adiponectin and cardiovascular risk factors among subjects with IGT.Research Design and Methods:Subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT)(n = 571) and impaired glucose tolerance (n = 167) were recruited from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study in south India. Serum total adiponectin levels were measured using a radioimmunoassay (Linco Research, St. Charles, MO). High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was estimated by nephelometry.Results:In sex-stratified analyses, adiponectin was significantly associated with IGT in females [odds ratio (OR): 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.872–0.991, p = 0.026] after controlling for age, waist circumference, blood pressure, alcohol consumption, smoking, lipid profile,...
Induction of novel protein synthesis by opsonized Histoplasma capsulatum ingested by murine peritoneal macrophages.

It is known thatHistoplasma capsulatum can resist the intraphagolysosomal environment and multiply inside macrophages. This resistance can be closly related to its pathogenicity. The mechanism of this resistance has been investigated, but it has not been clarified as yet. To learn about the metabolic condition of the yeast-form ofH. capsulatum (isolates G217B and CDC 105) when ingested by macrophages, we investigated protein synthesis by ingestedH. capsulatum with [35S]-methionine labeling. Cycloheximide at 5 to 10 µg/ml was used to preferentially inhibit macrophage uptake of [35S]-methionine without affectingH. capsulatum uptake. Protein synthesis byH. capsulatum in medium alone served as a positive control. The negative control consisted of macrophages with ingested heat-killedH. capsulatum. Analysis of cytosols with SDS-PAGE and fluorography disclosed that, respectively for G217B and CDC 105, ingestedH. capsulatum synthesized 4 and 5 novel proteins, increased the synthesis of 9 and 17 proteins and decreased the synthesis of 9 and 10 constitutive proteins. Ten of these novel or increased proteins were apparently common to both strains. These metabolic changes in ingestedH. capsulatum could reflect its adaptation to the intraphagolysosomal environment of macrophages and its ability to multiply there.
Expression of the bovine papillomavirus type 1 E5B gene reveals a protein-protein interaction of the E5A and E5B gene products.

Abstract The bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) genome has been shown to contain a small open-reading frame designated E5B (nucleotides 4013–4167) which is predicted to encode a hydrophobic, 52 amino acid protein. In order to detect and characterize the E5B protein, an 18 nucleotide sequence encoding a 6 amino acid epitope was added to the 3′ end of the E5B open-reading frame which was then expressed in COS-1 cells using a SV40 vector. Immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and cell fractionation studies identified the E5B protein as a 4-kDa protein and localized it primarily to membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and nucleus. Unlike the E5A protein of BPV-1, E5B did not form dimers (despite containing a cysteine residue) or form complexes with growth factor receptors such as the PDGF receptor or erb B-2 receptor. Interestingly, the E5B protein formed physical complexes with the hydrophobic E5A oncoprotein, apparently via transmembrane interactions. Additionally, expression of E5B inhibited the transforming capability of BPV-1 E5A. These observations suggest that the expression of this viral protein may play a significant role in BPV/host cell interactions.
Why Do Eyewitnesses Make So Many Mistakes

Previous research on eyewitness identification has demonstrated high rates of error. Subjects have frequently identified innocent targets as the “criminal” they had seen earlier (false identifications) or had falsely claimed that the criminal was not in the line-up (misses). The present study examines whether identification error rates are inflated by pressures in the typical experimental situation to “make a guess” regardless of one's confidence in the accuracy of the response. It was found that providing an explicit option for subjects to respond “don't know” significantly decreased false identifications and misses with no cost to the proportion of correct identifications. The addition of written and verbal instructions emphasizing the acceptability of the “don't know” option produced a marginally significant further decline in identification errors, again without cost to correct identifications. The discussion considered implications of the present results for experimental and actual police line-up procedures.
AN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE IN BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION

Summary.-A semester-long program in which 12 advanced undergraduates planned and executed a behavior-modification program for chronically hospitalized, psychotic patients is described. The course evolved out of an attempt to provide undergraduate students with a relevant, meaningful application (to a real-life situation) of theoretical and abstract concepts learned in expetimental and abnormal psychology. The course also provided a needed service to patients in an understaffed state hospital. Illustrative student projects ate presented. Benassi and Lanson ( 1972), in a survey of the teaching of behavior modification in colleges and universities, report a vigorous growth of such courses. From 1965 to the end of 1971 courses in behavior modification increased at an average rate of 22.6 courses per year. Of 290 schools replying to their questionnaire, 180 schools offer courses in behavior modification at both the undergraduate and graduate level. All but 23 of the 180 courses provided some practimm experience. The course that is being described in this paper was first offered in the spring of the 1971-72 academic year and consequently was not included in Benassi and Lanson's survey. However, it does share many of the characteristics of the undergraduate courses described in that survey and is probably representative of such courses. The objectives of the course were to provide undergraduate students with a relevant, meaningful application in the real world of theoretical and abstract concepts learned in experimental and abnormal psychology; to give the students a working knowledge of the principles and techniques of behavior modification; to help students crystalize career decisions by providing the opportunity to work in a clinical setting. In addition, the course was to provide a needed service to patients in an understaffed state hospital.
India Ink Pinprick Experiments on Surface Organization of Cricoarytenoid Joints

Collagen fiber organization in the articular surfaces of the cricoarytenoid joint (CAJ) was studied using a pinpricking technique used in biomechanical research in orthopedics. Four male human formalin preserved specimens (3 months to 20 years) and 6 male freshly autopsied specimens (19 to 30 yrs) were studied. Specimens were dissected using the stereomicroscope. Distinctive patterns of articular cartilage slits reflect the orientation of collagen fibers in the cricoid and arytenoid articular surfaces. The orientation of the collagen fibers reinforces the articular surfaces along the principle path of CAJ motion. No age related differences were found. This suggests that the orientation of collagen fibers in the CAJ articular surfaces is prenatally determined rather than significantly influenced by postnatal mechanical factors.
Rigid cyclophanes that illustrate stereochemical principles

Abstract All of the point groups common to organic chemistry except two are illustrated by known compounds that are rigid [2.2]paracyclophane derivatives. Examples are given of transannular directing effects by acetyl, nitro, and acetoxyl substituents attached to [2.2]paracyclophane. In bromination or chloromethylation, proton loss of a sigma complex is rate-determining, and the oxygens already in the molecule remove the proton being substituted. The synthesis of [2.2.2](1,2,4)cyclophane and [3.2.2](1,2,5)cyclophane, and their unusual chemical properties are described. Transannular hydride shifts out of methyl groups due to proximity effects are reported. Torsional racemizations and epimerizations of [2.2]paracyclophane derivatives are reviewed. The diradical intermediates formed have been intercepted by either H· donors, or by addition to substituted olefins. To account for the stereochemical course of addition and substitution reactions in the side-chains of [2.2]- and [4,2]paracyclophanes, new types of bridged carbonium ions are suggested. Conformational equilibria in the four-carbon side-chain of [4.2]paracyclophane derivatives are discussed.
Citizen Involvement in the U.S. Endangered Species Act

The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been controversial since it became law nearly 40 years ago. One of its most-debated provisions is citizen involvement in selecting species that become formally protected under the law (“listing”). Citizens can petition the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to list any unprotected species and can independently use litigation to challenge any FWS listing decision ( 1 , 2 ). Some contend that these provisions interfere with the ability of FWS to prioritize scarce resources for species that most need protection (e.g., 3 , 4 ).
On the zeros of solutions of Nth order linear differential equations

where -a 0, U(X) is said to have a zero at x = t. To say that y(x) has a simple zero, a double zero, or a triple zero at x = t means that [t; y] = 1, [t; y] = 2, or [t; y] = 3, respectively. A reference to the number of zeros
Practices that Influence Safety Performance on Power Plant Outages

Power plants cannot function indefinitely without having to shut down one or more of the power generation units to perform major maintenance or when some type of upgrade work is necessary. These power plant shutdowns are referred to as outages and are associated with serious safety concerns that stem primarily from the fact that the workforce buildup is very fast and the work schedule is very intense. The schedule intensity is mandated by utilities that want the power plant to be fully functional as soon as possible. It is common for outage work to be scheduled with a 7 day workweek, 12 h days, and two shifts to perform this work. Research was conducted to identify those practices employed on power plant outages that resulted in low injury rates. The results showed that safer performances were associated with cost plus projects, projects where the utility financially supported safety promotion, projects where bonuses were linked to safety performance, projects that were shut down for shorter periods, proj...
Migrating Fault Trees To Decision Trees For Real Time Fault Detection On International Space Station

Fault Tree Analysis shows the possible causes of a system malfunction by enumerating the suspect components and their respective failure modes that may have induced the problem. Complex systems often use fault trees to analyze the faults. Fault diagnosis, when error occurs, is performed by engineers and analysts performing extensive examination of all data gathered during the mission. International Space Station (ISS) control center operates on the data feedback from the system and decisions are made based on threshold values by using fault trees. Since those decision-making tasks are safety critical and must be done promptly, the engineers who manually analyze the data are facing time challenge. To automate this process, this paper present an approach that uses decision trees to capture the contents of fault trees and detect faults by running the telemetry data through the decision trees in real time. Decision trees (also called classification trees) are the binary trees built from data samples and can classify the objects into different classes. In our case, the decision trees can classify different fault events or normal events. Given a set of data samples, decision trees can be built and trained, and then by running the new data through the trees, classification and prediction can be made. In this way, diagnostic knowledge for fault detection and isolation can be represented as diagnostic rules; we call this tree the diagnostic decision tree (DDT). By showing the fault path in decision trees, we also can point out the root cause when a fault occurs. Since all the procedures and algorithms are available to build decision trees, the trees built are cost effective and time effective. Because the diagnostic decision trees are based on available data and previous knowledge of subsystem logic, the DDT can also be trained to predict faults and detect unknown faults. Based on this, the needs for on-board real time diagnostics can readily be met. Diagnostic Decision Trees are built based on the fault trees as static trees that serve as the fundamental diagnostic trees, and the dynamic DDTs are built over time from vehicle telemetry data. The dynamic DDT will add the functionalities of prediction, and will be able to detect unknown faults. Crew or maintenance engineers can use the decision tree system without having previous knowledge or experience about the diagnosed system. To our knowledge, this is the first paper to propose a solution to build diagnostics decision trees from fault trees, which convert the reliability analysis models to diagnostic models. We show through mapping and ISS examples that the approach is feasible and effective. We also present future work and development
Changes in Parental Adjustment and Communication During the Leaving-Home Transition

Self-report measures of personal adjustment, parent-adolescent communication and marital communication were administered, before and after college entrance, to a group of parents whose adolescents left home to reside at college and to a group of parents whose adolescents commuted to college from home. The family-stress model's hypothesis of increasing distress and changing communication patterns for parents of departing adolescents relative to parents of commuting adolescents was partially supported. Stress-model hypotheses concerning the birth position of the adolescent and the pile-up of other stressors during the launching/college entrance transition also were partially supported. Significant findings with regard to adolescents' gender suggested the need for refinements in existing family-stress models.
Effect of temperature on the development of anaerobic cultures from a contaminated subsurface soil

Abstract Sulfats reduction, methanogenesis, and denitrification were successfully initiated with subsurface soil inocula from a hazardouz waste site. The metabolic rates of all three processes were increased by raising the incubation ‘temperature from 5 to 20'C. Methanogenesis and to a lesser degree sulfate reduction were significantly affected by reduced temperatures (i.e., below 10°C). Denitri fication proceeded much faster than the other two processes and was limited by nitrate availability. Long lag times (over 65 days) were required for significant methane production at 15 and 20°C. Sulfate reduction required moderate lag times (less than 35 days) while denitrification did not show any appreciable lag.
Who Plans (Not) to Study Abroad? An Examination of U.S. Student Intent.

With the number of American students studying abroad increasing each year and the expected passage of a federal law that would increase and diversify study abroad participation and locations, U.S. colleges and universities likely will have to make changes related to curriculum, faculty involvement, institutional leadership, programming, and resources (both financial and human) to meet the mandate. Therefore, it is imperative that colleges and universities understand how the characteristics and backgrounds of their students influence intent to study abroad. This study examined factors that may affect U.S. student participation in study abroad, including parental income and education, gender, race, intended major, attitudes about other cultures, and distance of college from home. Data were collected from a large, public northeastern university in the United States that participated in the 2007 Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) survey, which provides information about incoming students’ backg...
Move it or lose it? The ecological ethics of relocating species under climate change

Managed relocation (also known as assisted colonization, assisted migration) is one of the more controversial proposals to emerge in the ecological community in recent years. A conservation strategy involving the translocation of species to novel ecosystems in anticipation of range shifts forced by climate change, managed relocation (MR) has divided many ecologists and conservationists, mostly because of concerns about the potential invasion risk of the relocated species in their new environments. While this is indeed an important consideration in any evaluation of MR, moving species across the landscape in response to predicted climate shifts also raises a number of larger and important ethical and policy challenges that need to be addressed. These include evaluating the implications of a more aggressive approach to species conservation, assessing MR as a broader ecological policy and philosophy that departs from longstanding scientific and management goals focused on preserving ecological integrity, and considering MR within a more comprehensive ethical and policy response to climate change. Given the complexity and novelty of many of the issues at stake in the MR debate, a more dynamic and pragmatic approach to ethical analysis and debate is needed to help ecologists, conservationists, and environmental decision makers come to grips with MR and the emerging ethical challenges of ecological policy and management under global environmental change.
Interactive effects of disturbance and dispersal directionality on species richness and composition in metacommunities

Dispersal among ecological communities is usually assumed to be random in direction, or to vary in distance or frequency among species. However, a variety of natural systems and types of organisms may experience dispersal that is biased by directional currents or by gravity on hillslopes. We developed a general model for competing species in metacommunities to evaluate the role of directionally biased dispersal on species diversity, abundance, and traits. In parallel, we tested the role of directionally biased dispersal on communities in a microcosm experiment with protists and rotifers. Both the model and experiment independently demonstrated that diversity in local communities was reduced by directionally biased dispersal, especially dispersal that was biased away from disturbed patches. Abundance of species (and composition) in local communities was a product of disturbance intensity but not dispersal directionality. High disturbance selected for species with high intrinsic growth rates and low competitive abilities. Overall, our conclusions about the key role of dispersal directionality in (meta)communities seem robust and general, since they were supported both by the model, which was set in a general framework and not parameterized to fit to a specific system, and by a specific experimental test with microcosms.
Do Neoliberal Policies Deter Political Corruption

This article probes the relationship between neoliberal economic poli- cies and political corruption, focusing in particular on the impact of trade and invest- ment policies, regulatory policy, and the overall size of the public sector on corruption+ Using a large cross-national data set from the mid- to late 1990s, we test the neolib- eral hypotheses that market-oriented economic policies are associated with lower lev- els of political corruption, and state intervention in the economy with higher levels+ Consistent with the neoliberal argument, we find that open trade and investment pol- icies and low, effective regulatory burdens do correlate with lower levels of political corruption+ However, we find no consistent relationship between the aggregate size of the public sector and political corruption+ While the neoliberal hypothesis on polit- ical corruption has initial empirical support, its lessons cannot be applied wholesale+ Market-oriented states may be less corrupt, but interventionist states, as measured by public spending, are not necessarily more corrupt+
Exploiting Sparse User Activity in Multiuser Detection

The number of active users in code-division multiple access (CDMA) systems is often much lower than the spreading gain. The present paper exploits fruitfully this a priori information to improve performance of multiuser detectors. A low-activity factor manifests itself in a sparse symbol vector with entries drawn from a finite alphabet that is augmented by the zero symbol to capture user inactivity. The non-equiprobable symbols of the augmented alphabet motivate a sparsity-exploiting maximum a posteriori probability (S-MAP) criterion, which is shown to yield a cost comprising the l2 least-squares error penalized by the p-th norm of the wanted symbol vector (p = 0, 1, 2). Related optimization problems appear in variable selection (shrinkage) schemes developed for linear regression, as well as in the emerging field of compressive sampling (CS). The contribution of this work to such sparse CDMA systems is a gamut of sparsity-exploiting multiuser detectors trading off performance for complexity requirements. From the vantage point of CS and the least-absolute shrinkage selection operator (Lasso) spectrum of applications, the contribution amounts to sparsity-exploiting algorithms when the entries of the wanted signal vector adhere to finite-alphabet constraints.
Sequence length required for homologous recombination in Cryptococcus neoformans

Abstract Cryptococcosis is a major threat to immunocompromised individuals. Isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii and var. neoformans are responsible for most of the infections in the United States and Europe. In depth analysis of the virulence phenotype of this organism requires the generation of specific gene disruptions. The minimum sequence requirements for efficient homologous recombination has not been determined in Cryptococcus. To investigate the flanking DNA length requirements for efficient homologous recombination in variety grubii, the rates of homologous recombination of constructs with different lengths of flanking sequence at two loci, CAP59 and CNLAC1, were examined. Five gene disruption constructs were prepared for each locus with symmetric lengths of sequence homologous to the target gene with approximately 50, 100, 200, 300 or 400 bp flanking the selectable marker for hygromycin resistance. In addition, two asymmetric constructs with 50 bp on one side and 400 bp on the other side were generated for each locus. Overall, symmetric constructs with 300 bp or more of flanking sequence on each side and the asymmetric constructs were efficiently targeted for gene disruption by homologous recombination in C. neoformans var. grubii. With one exception, the rate of recovery of homologous recombinants using the longer or asymmetric constructs as targeting vectors was greater than five percent of total transformants. Symmetrical constructs with 100 bp or less of homologous flanking sequence did not efficiently generate targeted gene disruptions because the rate of homologous recombinants was less than or equal to 1%.
A global estimate for the gradient in a singular elliptic boundary value problem

We investigate the singular problemwhere Ω is a bounded smooth domain, k a bounded, nonnegative measurable function and v Ω 0. For the solution u to this problem, which is shown to exist if k(x) > 0 on some subset of Ω with positive measure, a uniform bound for |∇u| in Ω is derived when k(x) ≧ ψ (dist (x, ∂Ω)) with ψ (s)/sv ∈ Lp(0, a) for some a > 0, p > 1.
Advances in combinatorial and high-throughput screening of biofunctional polymers for gene delivery, tissue engineering and anti-fouling coatings

The past ten years have witnessed the emergence of a new set of tools, combinatorial and high-throughput screening, in polymeric biomaterials development. These tools, developed initially in the drug-discovery industry, and later applied to catalysts and inorganic materials, allow orders of magnitude increases in the rate of exploration and characterization of new materials. This feature article covers recent examples of high-throughput and combinatorial studies of biofunctional polymers. Biofunctional polymers exhibit chemistry or physical properties specifically designed to function in a biological context. Examples include polymers with unique binding affinities or surface physical properties for gene and drug delivery, tissue engineering scaffolds, anti-fouling and anti-bacterial coatings, and biocatalytic applications.
Successful Management of Disruptive Behavior: A Descriptive Study

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to describe techniques nurses use to successfully manage disruptive behavior (DB) of colleagues. DB is any inappropriate behavior, confrontation, or conflict, ranging from verbal abuse to physical and sexual harassment. Nine RNs who had successfully managed DB in a nurse colleague participated in individual interviews. All participants felt it was important to confront in private unless patient safety was at risk. Participants’ described a deliberate approach that included delaying confrontation, approaching the colleague calmly, and acknowledging the colleague's point of view. Responses to the confrontation were positive. Participants also reported that the ability to confront DB improved their practice.
The Explicit-Cloud Parameterized-Pollutant hybrid approach for aerosol-cloud interactions in multiscale modeling framework models: tracer transport results

All estimates of aerosol indirect effects on the global energy balance have either completely neglected the influence of aerosol on convective clouds or treated the influence in a highly parameterized manner. Embedding cloud-resolving models (CRMs) within each grid cell of a global model provides a multiscale modeling framework for treating both the influence of aerosols on convective as well as stratiform clouds and the influence of clouds on the aerosol, but treating the interactions explicitly by simulating all aerosol processes in the CRM is computationally prohibitive. An alternate approach is to use horizontal statistics (e.g., cloud mass flux, cloud fraction, and precipitation) from the CRM simulation to drive a single-column parameterization of cloud effects on the aerosol and then use the aerosol profile to simulate aerosol effects on clouds within the CRM. Here, we present results from the first component of the Explicit-Cloud Parameterized-Pollutant parameterization to be developed, which handles vertical transport of tracers by clouds. A CRM with explicit tracer transport serves as a benchmark. We show that this parameterization, driven by the CRM’s cloud mass fluxes, reproduces the CRM tracer transport significantly better than a single-column model that uses a conventional convective cloud parameterization.
Self-Tuning Filter for Instrumentation

A microprocessor-controlled filter that tunes automatically to the fundamental of the input signal is described. Hardware and software implementation are shown, and the error in maximum amplitude selection is discussed. Filter performance using a switched capacitor tunable circuit is documented.
From Mind Perception to Mental Connection: Synchrony as a Mechanism for Social Understanding

Connecting deeply with another mind is as enigmatic as it is fulfilling. Why people ‘‘click’’ with some people but not others is one of the great unsolved mysteries of science. However, researchers from psychology and neuroscience are converging on a likely physiological basis for connection ‐ neural synchrony (entrainment). Here, we review research on the necessary precursors for interpersonal synchrony: the ability to detect a mind and resonate with its outputs. Further, We describe potential mechanisms for the development of synchrony between two minds. We then consider recent neuroimaging and behavioral evidence for the adaptive benefits of synchrony, including neural efficiency and the release of a reward signal that promotes future social interaction. In nature, neural synchrony yields behavioral synchrony. Humans use behavioral synchrony to promote neural synchrony, and thus, social bonding. This reverse-engineering of social connection is an important innovation likely underlying this distinctively human capacity to create large-scale social coordination and cohesion.
Synthesis of alkyne derivatives of a novel triazolopyrazine as A(2A) adenosine receptor antagonists.

Abstract A novel [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrazine core was synthesized and coupled with terminal acetylenes. The structure–activity relationship of the alkynes from this novel template was studied for their in vitro and in vivo adenosine A2A receptor antagonism. Selected compounds from this series were shown to have potent in vitro and in vivo activities against adenosine A2A receptor. Compound 12, in particular, was found to be orally active at 3 mg/kg in both a mouse catalepsy model and a 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat model.
The Growth of Homo-Epitaxial Silicon at Low Temperatures Using Hot Wire Chemical Vapor Deposition

The authors report on the first known growth of high-quality epitaxial Si via the hot wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) method. This method yields device-quality epitaxial Si at the comparatively low temperatures of 195 to 450 C, and relatively high growth rates of 3 to 20 {angstrom}/sec. Layers up to 4,500-{angstrom} thick have been grown. These epitaxial layers have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), indicating large regions of nearly perfect atomic registration. Electron channeling patterns (ECPs) generated on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) have been used to characterize as well as optimize the growth process. Electron beam induced current (EBIC) characterization has also been performed, indicating defect densities as low as 5 x 104/cm{sup 2}. Secondary ion beam mass spectrometry (SIMS) data shows that these layers have reasonable impurity levels within the constraints of the current deposition system. Both n and p-type layers were grown, and p/n diodes have been fabricated.
Mediating multiple accountabilities: variation in formal and perceived accountability among international and domestic actors in the health sector in Peru

AbstractBased on a comparative case study of bilateral and multilateral donors, this article examines individual and institutional accountabilities among donor officers, implementing agencies, government officials and intended beneficiaries. It explores how multiple accountability demands interact, the extent to which they conflict, and how development actors mediate among them when they do. Institutionally there was substantial alignment of objectives and little goal conflict between international donors and the state; however, there was poor harmonisation across the many donors and numerous projects they were pursuing. There was greater variation within rather than between bilateral and multilateral donor chains, with perceived accountability differing more based on individuals’ positions within their organisation than by the type of organisation for whom they worked. Most informants cited multiple entities to whom they felt accountable. They more frequently acknowledged outward accountability when ther...
Educating GIS Students about Online Marketing

Online marketing of module in a GIS course, covering the marketing of GIS organizations, products and services online.
Expression of APC in normal-appearing rectal mucosa differs between those with and without incident, sporadic colorectal adenomatous polyps and may be modulated by diet: Results from the markers of adenomatous polyps II (MAP II) case-control study.

Fifth AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, Nov 12-15, 2006 A13 Background : Mutation in the APC tumor suppressor gene, resulting in inactivation of the "APC pathway", occurs in 80% of sporadic colon carcinomas. Expression of APC in normal colonic mucosa may differ between subjects with and without adenomas, and serve as a potential biomarker for risk of adenomas and hence sporadic colon carcinoma. Methods : We conducted a colonoscopy-based case-control study, comprising 49 cases with adenomas and 152 controls between the ages of 30 and 74 years, in Columbia, South Carolina between January and December 2003. We measured APC using automated immunohistochemistry and quantitative image analysis software in a randomly selected subset consisting of 42 cases and 45 controls. We log transformed the values and used t-tests to compare differences in expression between cases and controls. We used multivariable logistic regression to explore associations of APC expression with environmental, clinical, and nutritional risk factors. Results : Mean levels of log-transformed APC expression were lower in cases than in controls; the proportional difference in mean values between cases and controls was -21% (p = 0.60). Cases had higher total intakes of fat than controls (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.005-1.03; p = 0.01). In a logistic regression model, controlling for age, sex, and total fat intake, cases had lower expression of APC than controls (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.49-1.19; p = 0.59). Among those with higher fat intake, cases had much lower APC expression than controls (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.20, 1.11; p = 0.08). Among men, controlling for age, total fat intake and family history of CRC, cases had a significantly lower expression of APC compared to controls (OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.18- 0.96; p = 0.04). There were trends in the direction of higher APC expression among those with higher total intakes of calcium (OR 1.28; 95% CI 0.82- 1.98; p = 0.3) and vitamin D (OR 1.21; 95% CI 0.78-1.89; p = 0.2). Conclusion: These results suggest that APC expression in normal-appearing rectal tissue in humans can be quantitatively measured, and that this potential biomarker is influenced by modifiable dietary and other lifestyle risk factors for colorectal cancer. Thus, it may serve as a biomarker of risk for colorectal neoplasms, and is a putative target for chemoprevention.
Methods of Preparing Axial Peak Field of Magnetic Rings for Travelling Wave Tube

In this paper, we discussed two methods of preparing axial peak field of magnet rings, or unsaturable magnetizing and saturable magnetizing followed by demagnetizing in a pulse field. The comparison of advantage and disadvantage was made between the two methods in temperature stability and magnetic properties .The results indicated that opposing pulse field can eliminate irreversible loss of magnetization of magnet rings. Magnet rings magnetized saturabily combined with demagnetizing by pulse field have better temperature stability.
Roots and Rituals

When Samuel Leighton died on 30 July 1832 he left behind a grieving widow and his membership in the South Cave Benefit Club, a local friendly society. Leighton’s death provoked fears that he had contracted cholera, which was endemic in much of Britain at the time. Village wags recalled the retired agricultural labourer’s fondness for porter, and a recent binge suggested that overindulgence caused his death. The absence of further cholera-related fatalities in the area proved the veracity of this spiritous interpretation. News of Leighton’s demise quickly reached Robert Sharp, village schoolmaster and secretary to the friendly society. To Sharp fell the sad duty of summoning the fifty surviving members to attend Leighton’s funeral. The clubmen assembled at the their meeting room in the Fox and Coney public house. From there they marched in mournful procession to Leighton’s cottage to accompany the body to the parish church for the funeral, paid for by his friendly society burial benefit. After this ceremony Sharp returned to the Fox and Coney with Mrs Leighton, where he presented her with the £12 death benefit that all members’ widows received.1
Ferroelectric PZT MEMS HF/VHF resonators/filters

This paper presents an overview of Lead-Zirconate-Titanate (PZT) and PZT-on-silicon MEMS resonator and filter technology at HF and low-VHF frequencies; highlighting the capability for bandwidth tuning, high coupling, high Q, and low-loss filter performance without external impedance matching.
Religion and Sports: an Introduction and Case Studies

Rebecca Alpert’s Religion and Sports: An Introduction and Case Studies fills a gap in this subfield by providing a strong set of tangible case studies for classroom use. The intersection of religio...
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, vascular imaging, and vulnerable plaque: more evidence to support trials of antiinflammatory therapy for cardiovascular risk reduction.

As demonstrated in a meta-analysis of 54 prospective cohort studies, increasing levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) associate with increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death, and the magnitude of hazard associated with hsCRP is at least as large as that of cholesterol and blood pressure.1 After publication of randomized trial data demonstrating that patients with low levels of low-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol but with elevated levels of hsCRP benefit greatly from statin therapy,2 screening guidelines in the United States and Canada have endorsed the use of hsCRP among intermediate-risk patients as a proven method to target lipid-lowering therapy.3,4 Based on this accumulating evidence-base, global risk algorithms, such as the Reynolds Risk Score, that include inflammatory biomarker data and family history are in common use in many preventive cardiology practices.5,6 Thus, hsCRP has fulfilled the following 3 main criteria for effectiveness as a novel clinical biomarker: (1) Its measurement independently predicts cardiovascular risk in diverse populations, (2) its measurement identifies a patient population that clearly benefits from a therapy it otherwise would not have received, and (3) its measurement leads to cost-effective (and in many circumstances, cost-saving) improvements in patient outcome.7 Article see p 201 Despite the consistency of these clinical data, the relationship between hsCRP and underlying atherosclerosis is complex. On the one hand, cross-sectional studies have reported no or minimal association between hsCRP levels and carotid intima-medial thickness measured by ultrasound8,9 or between hsCRP and total plaque burden as assessed by coronary artery calcification.10,11 However, hsCRP levels do associate with an increasing prevalence of thin-cap atheromas prone to plaque rupture and sudden death12; correlate with more advanced luminal lesions in …
Is a Tricyclic Antidepressant the Best First-Line Agent in Treating Neuropathic Pain?

Neuropathic pain can burden patients in multiple domains and remains a challenge to treat. The success in the treatment of neuropathic pain depends on evidence-based medicine and individualized patient care.