cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A New Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Method for the Study of Proteins in Solution

Abstract An attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared method has been developed that allows collection of spectra from proteins in solution. This method eliminates any structural perturbations induced by the internal reflection element (IRE), and thus the spectra reflect the solution conformation of the protein. A key feature of the method is subtraction of the signal from any protein adsorbed to the IRE. The advantages of this method include the small amount of sample required and the high sampling rate. Attenuated total reflectance (ATR)-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is more versatile than transmission FTIR because it is possible to collect spectra of nontransparent samples, to use samples of very low protein concentration (≤0.3 mg/ml), and to study proteins in the presence of strongly absorbing solutes (such as denaturants). The experimental procedures and data processing routines developed were evaluated by collecting spectra from a set of 13 proteins and evaluating their accuracy with a partial least-squares analysis. The relative mean and standard deviation errors for the basis set analysis were 6.3% for α-helix, 5.9% for β-sheet/extended structure, and 4.4% for turn, which are similar to values from comparable analyses of transmission FTIR spectra. In addition, a detailed comparison between this solution ATR method and the hydrated thin-film ATR technique is presented.
New torsional actuator based on shear piezoelectric response

A torsional actuator generating angular displacement from the piezoelectric shear strain was developed. The actuator is a tube consisting of an even number of the segments poled along the length, which are adhesively bonded together, and the joints act as electrodes to apply the driving voltage. The experimental data measured on the prototype actuator: (i) prove the proposed concept of the torsional actuator, (ii) show that the actuator functions well under the torque load, and (iii) demonstrate that is has superior characteristics compared to previously reported designs of torsional actuators. In addition, one of the obvious advantages of the present design of the actuator is its simplicity: the piezoelectric shear strain is transformed directly into the angular displacement, whereas in the previously reported actuators, the conversion mechanism into the torsional motion was rather complicated which thus required a sophisticated design of the whole system.
Kinetics of the base‐catalyzed reactions of cyclo‐octameric and catenapolymeric sulfur with dithiol

The base-catalyzed sulfur-1,2-ethanedithiol reactions appear to follow pseudo first-order kinetics as determined by TGA. The activation energy has been determined to be 26.1 kcal/mol with either cyclo-octameric or catenapolymeric sulfur.
Oral Contraceptive Use and Psychiatric Disorders in a Nationally Representative Sample of Women

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between oral contraceptive use (any current use, duration, and type) and major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and panic disorder (PD) in a nationally representative sample of women in the USA. Data were drawn from 1,105 women aged 20–39 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 1999 to 2004. The associations between self-reported use of oral contraceptives in the past year and DSM-IV diagnosed and subthreshold MDD, GAD, and PD in the past year were assessed comparing oral contraceptive users to all non-users, former users, and former long-term users. Women using oral contraceptives had a lower past-year prevalence of all disorders assessed, other than subthreshold MDD. When adjusted for confounders, women using oral contraceptives in the past year had significantly lower odds of subthreshold PD, compared to former users (odds ratio (OR) = 0.34, 95 % CI 0.14–0.84). Effects estimates were strongest for monophasic (versus multiphasic) oral contraceptive users. Hormonal contraceptive use was associated with reduced risk of subthreshold PD. A potential mental health benefit of hormonal contraceptives has substantial public health implications; prospective longitudinal studies are needed to confirm whether hormonal contraceptive use improves mental health.
Symbolic Software for Soliton Theory

Four symbolic programs, in Macsyma or Mathematica language, are presented. The first program tests forthe existence of solitons for nonlinear PDEs. It explicitly constructs solitons using Hirota’s bilinear method. In the second program, the Painleve integrability test for ODEs and PDEs is implemented. The third program provides an algorithm to compute conserved densities for nonlinear evolution equations. The fourth software package aids in the computation of Lie symmetries of systems of differential and difference-differential equations. Several examples illustrate the capabilities of the software.
User's review of the Canon Colour Copier.

The ability to link the new Canon Colour Laser Copier to a computer opens up new boundaries of data manipulation. A report from the user's point of view, describes a system comprising the copier with computer input, slide scanner and flat copy capacity. Information is given on the types of materials produced, the types of users, the cost of purchase and maintenance, and the potential for generating profit.La possibilitye de relier le nouveau Canon Colour Laser Copier a un ordinateur permet de nouvelles limites aux manipulation de donnees. Ceci est un rapport d'utilisateur, decrivant un system comprenant le Canon Colour Laser Copier connecte a un ordinateur, un lecteur de diapositives et ayant la capacitye de photocopier n'importe quel original. Le type de materiel produit, le type d'utilisateurs, le coŭt a l'achat et a l'entretien ainsi que la possibilite de profit sont rapportes dans cette communication.La facilidad de conectar la fotocopiadora Canon Laser color a una computadora, ofrece nuevas posibilid...
Dynamics of the ozonation of phenol—II mathematical simulation

Abstract Several investigators have described the rate of ozonation of phenol in an ozone contactor by empirical equations which are system-specific and are limited in their applicability to other systems. In this paper, the rate of mass-transfer of ozone, the oxidation kinetics of phenol and the kinetics of formation and oxidation of the intermediates have been incorporated into a mathematical model which provides a more accurate picture of the process of oxidation of phenol by ozone under dynamic conditions.
Rawls and climate change: does Rawlsian political philosophy pass the global test?

Climate change and other global environmental problems constitute a significant challenge to contemporary political philosophy, especially with respect to complacency. This paper assesses Rawls’ theory, and argues for three conclusions. First, Rawls does not already solve such problems, and simple extensions of his theory are unlikely to do so. This is so despite the rich structure of Rawls’ philosophy, and the appeal of some of its parts. Second, the most promising areas for extension ‐ the circumstances of justice, the duty to maintain and promote just institutions, and his vision of social development ‐ are those that have not yet been explored. Third, unfortunately, Rawls’ views on these topics are both seriously underdeveloped, and largely stipulative. Hence, in trying to meet climate change, Rawlsians are more likely to add new theories to Rawls, and perhaps even to transform his original account, than to generate an approach “from the inside out”.
A Shared, Non-canonical DNA Conformation Detected at DNA/Protein Contact Sites and Bent DNA in the Absence of Supercoiling or Cognate Protein Binding

A hybrid protein (H144), consisting of Lac repressor and T7 endonuclease I, binds at the lac operator and cleaves relaxed double-stranded DNA at distal but distinct sites. These sites are shown here to coincide with a bacterial promoter, a phage T7 promoter, a site for gyrase and intrinsically bent DNA. The targets do not seem to share a particular DNA sequence, and in bent DNA, cleavage occurs at the physical center rather than at the common A-tracts. These results indicate that protein contact sites and intrinsic bends assume a non-canonical conformation in the absence of supercoiling or cognate protein binding. This feature may serve as a recognition signal or facilitate protein binding to initiate transcription and recombination.
Characterization of anti-D monoclonal antibody reagents based on their reactivity with the weak D phenotype

BACKGROUND: Anti-D monoclonal antibody (MoAb) reagents have improved D typing in routine tests. However, they exhibit a wide range of reactivity with the weak D phenotype depending on the characteristics of the different MoAbs used. We analyzed the reactivity of immunoglobulin (IgM) anti-D by cluster analysis to characterize MoAb that have similar reactivities with the weak D phenotype. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We used 36 consecutive samples with weak D phenotype in routine testing and determined their reactivity with different IgM and IgG anti-D MoAbs. The samples were characterized as belonging to a weak D type or category using commercial molecular biology kits. RESULTS: The various anti-D MoAbs showed a wide grade of reactivity with the weak D samples. Similarities and dissimilarities in the behavior of the anti-D MoAbs with the weak D phenotype samples were detected with cluster analysis and the multidimensional scaling analysis. These analyses indicated different families of MoAbs characterized as having a high degree of homogeneity in their reactivity with the weak D phenotype. Between these MoAb families, the most effective at reacting with the weak D phenotype were RUM-1 and 175-2. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that it is possible to classify the anti-D MoAbs on the basis of their reactivity with the weak D phenotype. This provides information about different MoAbs' properties on the basis of their belonging to a given of anti-D family.
The effectiveness of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (l-NAC) in the prevention of severe noise-induced hearing loss

Three groups of chinchillas were exposed to a nonGaussian continuous broadband noise at an Leq=10 5dB SPL, 8h/d for 5d. One group (N=6) received only the noise. A second group (N=6) received the noise and was additionally treated with L-NAC (325 mg/kg, i.p.). Treatment was administered twice daily for 2d prior to exposure and for 2d following the exposure. During exposure the animals received the L-NAC just prior to and immediately after each daily exposure. The third group (N=4) was exposed to the noise and received saline injections on the same schedule as the L-NAC treated animals. Auditory evoked potential recordings from the inferior colliculus were used to estimate pure tone thresholds and surface preparations of the organ of Corti quantified the sensory cell population. In all three groups PTS exceeded 50 dB at 2.0k Hz and above with severe sensory cell loss in the basal half of the cochlea. There was no statistically significant difference among the three groups in all measures of noise-induced trauma. Treatment with L-NAC did not reduce the trauma produced by a high-level, long duration, broadband noise exposure.
Can non-traded goods solve the “comovement problem?”

Abstract The inability to replicate positive international comovement of investment spending and employment remains one of the most vexing issues facing the international real business cycle (IRBC) research program. To attack this so-called “comovement problem,” I develop a multisector IRBC model highlighting the role of non-traded goods and international capital mobility. In addition to broadly replicating prior IRBC successes, the model more importantly delivers positive international investment and employment correlations. The model is also able to generate internally the observed result that variables associated with traded goods sectors exhibit higher volatility than those in non-traded sectors.
Vitamin D in HIV-Infected Patients

Observational studies have noted very high rates of low 25(OH)D (vitamin D) levels in both the general and HIV-infected populations. In HIV-infected patients, low 25(OH)D levels are likely a combination of both traditional risk factors and HIV-specific and antiretroviral therapy–specific contributors. Because of this unique risk profile, HIV-infected persons may be at greater risk for low 25(OH)D levels and frank deficiency and/or may respond to standard repletion regimens differently than HIV-uninfected patients. Currently, the optimal repletion and maintenance dosing regimens for HIV-infected patients remain unknown, as do potential benefits of supplementation that may be unique to the HIV-infected population. This paper reviews data published on HIV infection and vitamin D health in adults over the last year.
The Use of Insulated Ground Wires on a Transmission Line for Communication Channels

The need for additional reliable communication services in connection with a power transmission system has prompted a study into the use of carrier superimposed upon "ground wires" which are insulated at the points of suspension. This removes the communication channels from the power-carrying conductors and provides a more economical application, with greater potential capacity. This paper presents the design details for such construction and the tests for determining the characteristics, both for carrier and 60 cycles.
Microfibrillated cellulose/cellulose acetate composites: Effect of surface treatment

Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), which consists of a web-like array of cellulose fibrils having a diameter in the range of 10–100 nm, was incorporated into a cellulose acetate (CA) matrix to form a totally biobased structural composite. Untreated and a 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) surface treated MFC was combined with a CA matrix by film casting from an acetone suspension. The effectiveness of the surface treatment was determined by infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The Young's moduli of APS treated MFC composite films increase with increasing MFC content from 1.9 GPa for the CA to 4.1 GPa at 7.5 wt % of MFC, which is more than doubled. The tensile strength of the composite film increases to a maximum of 63.5 MPa at 2.5 wt % compared to the CA which has a value of 38 MPa. The thermal stability of composites with treated MFC is also better than the untreated MFC. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 153–161, 2010
A Planning Framework for Crafting the Required-Curriculum Phase of an MBA Program:

This article introduces a planning framework for designing that part of an MBA program during which students take the bulk, if not all, of their required courses. The framework highlights three student venues that can be jointly leveraged for enhanced student learning. Those venues are the required curriculum, students' affinity groups, and the career-related searches that they pursue. For each venue, the framework links three program design foci. These design foci are balance and pace, for sustaining student interest and effort; integration, for leveraging expanded and reinforced learning opportunities; and standards, for the quality design and delivery of the program components. Numerous specific practices used to plan and deliver the required-curriculum phase of the University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School MBA program are also presented.
A new mechanism for spin--lattice relaxation of heavy nuclei in the solid state: 207Pb relaxation in lead nitrate.

A detailed investigation of the spin−lattice relaxation time, T1, for 207Pb in solid lead nitrate has been undertaken in an effort to understand the mechanism of relaxation. The results show that the 207Pb T1is independent of magnetic field strength and inversely proportional to the square of the temperature. These are signatures of relaxation by a spin-phonon Raman scattering mechanism. Nuclear spin−lattice relaxation in solid lead salts is more efficient for sites with smaller magnetic shielding anisotropy. A coupling mechanism is proposed whereby phonons create a local magnetic field by modulating the valence electron shell motion relative to the nuclear/electron core. Literature data suggest that spin-phonon scattering is a common relaxation pathway for other spin-1/2 heavy nuclei in solids.
Solar energy storage reactions. Thermal and photochemical redox reactions of polynuclear rhodium isocyanide complexes

The binuclear Rh/sup 1/ complex Rh/sub 2/(bridge)/sub 4//sup 2 +/ (or Rh/sub 2//sup 2 +/) (bridge = 1,3-diisocyanopropane) reacts with 12 M HCl to form H/sub 2/ and (Rh/sub 2/(bridge)/sub 4/)/sub 2/Cl/sub 2//sup 4 +/ (or Rh/sub 4/Cl/sub 2//sup 4 +/). Air oxidation of 1 N H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ solutions of Rh/sub 2//sup 2 +/ produces (Rh/sub 2/(bridge)/sub 4/)/sub 2//sup 6 +/ (or Rh/sub 4//sup 6 +/). Irradiation (lambda > 520 nm) of this tetranuclear species in 12 M HCl solutions at 25/sup 0/C produces H/sub 2/ and Rh/sub 2/(bridge)/sub 4/Cl/sub 2//sup 2 +/ (or Rh/sub 2/Cl/sub 2//sup 2 +/). Product analyses and redox titrations (Rh/sub 2/Cl/sub 2//sup 2 +/ with Cr/sup 2 +/; Rh/sub 4//sup 6 +/ with Ce/sup 4 +/) have confirmed the following reaction scheme: Rh/sub 2//sup 2 +/ + HCl ..-->.. /sup 1///sub 2/Rh/sub 4/Cl/sub 2//sup 4 +/ + /sup 1///sub 2/H/sub 2/; /sup 1///sub 2/Rh/sub 4/Cl/sub 2//sup 4 +/ + HCl (h..nu..,550 nm) ..-->.. RH/sub 2/Cl/sub 2//sup 2 +/ + /sup 1///sub 2/H/sub 2/. Rh/sub 4//sup 6 +/ reacts photochemically (500 to 600 nm irradiation) with Fe/sup 3 +/ to give Rh/sub 2//sup 4 +/ + Fe/sup 2 +/ (Rh/sub 4//sup 6 +/ + 2Fe/supmore » 3 +/ (h..nu..) ..-->.. 2Rh/sub 2//sup 4 +/ + 2Fe/sup 2 +/). Controlled reduction of Rh/sub 4//sup 6 +/ in 10 M H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ produces a hexanuclear cation, (Rh/sub 2/(bridge)/sub 4/)/sub 3//sup 8 +/ (or Rh/sub 6//sup 8 +/) (lambda/sub max/ = 780 nm), and an octanuclear cation, (Rh/sub 2/(bridge)/sub 4/)/sub 4//sup 10 +/ (or Rh/sub 8//sup 10 +/) (lambda/sub max/:960 nm); Rh/sub 6//sup 8 +/ reacts with Ce/sup 4 +/ to form Rh/sub 4//sup 6 +/ (Rh/sub 6//sup 8 +/ + Ce/sup 4 +/ ..-->.. /sup 3///sub 2/Rh/sub 4//sup 6 +/ + Ce/sup 3 +/). Dimerization of Rh/sub 6//sup 8 +/ occurs to give Rh/sub 12//sup 16 +/ (lambda/sub max/ > 1300 nm). The following interpretation of the photoreactions of Rh/sub 4/Cl/sub 2//sup 4 +/ in HCl solutions is proposed. In 12 M HCl, Rh/sub 2//sup 2 +/ produced by irradiation reacts with HCl to give H/sub 2/. In 6 M HCl, however, photogenerated Rh/sub 2//sup 2 +/ is trapped by Rh/sub 4//sup 6 +/ to give Rh/sub 6//sup 8 +/.« less
Statistical research: Some advice for beginners

For new graduate students, we discuss issues and aspects of doing statistical research and provide advice. We answer questions that we had when we were beginners, like When do I start?, How do I start?, How do I find out what has already been done?, How do I make progress?, How do I finish?, and What else can I do?.
Assessing Departures from Log-Normality in the Rank-Size Rule

Abstract Archaeologists have used the rank-size rule, and deviations from it, to explain a number of different processes related to urbanism and social complexity. Frequently, hypotheses have been developed to account for these processes, and they depend on the existence of primate or convex settlement patterns for verification. When the rank-size rule has been used in these cases, most of the time no effort has been made to determine whether the observed settlement system is significantly different than the expected distribution; the two distributions are simply examined and a judgement is made. Some studies have used the Kolomogorov–Smirnov test to verify the statistical significance. The Kolomogorov–Smirnov test is not appropriate for a number of reasons, which will be described in this paper. Here, a Monte-Carlo method is presented; it empirically determines the probability that an observed Kolomogorov value may be equalled or exceeded in a random draw of sites from a population which conforms to the rank-size rule. This method allows statistical significance to be assessed for rank-size studies in settlement archaeology for the first time. Data from a series of Chalcolithic through Middle Bronze IIB/C sites in the Levantine coastal plain are examined with the simulation. The results indicate that, except for the Early Bronze III period, all of the periods examined present significant departures from the rank-size rule. Rank-size plots of the verified distributions indicate the possible existence of a relatively constant rural component in the coastal plain, which exhibits a central-place like distribution. Superimposed on this low-level rural component is a higher level urban distribution, which can be seen to develop, collapse, and redevelop during the periods in question, providing exciting new insights into the nature of Bronze Age urbanism in the Levant.
Cerebral degenerative disorders of infancy and childhood.

SUMMARY The article is a comprehensive review of the cerebral degenerative disorders in infancy and childhood. The place of clinical and biochemical investigation and biopsy in the diagnosis of the disorders is discussed, and some of the more recent methods of treatment are briefly described. RESUME L'auteur fait une revue d'ensemble des affections cerebrales degeneratives de la petite et seconde enfance. La place des bilans cliniques et biochimiques et de la biopsie dans le diagnostic des affections est discutee et quelques unes des methodes les plus recentes de traitement sont brievement decrites. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Der Autor gibt einen umfassenden Uberblick uber die degenerativen Hirnerkrankungen im Sauglings-und Kindesalter. Die Bedeutung klinischer und biochemischer Untersuchungen und der Biopsie bei der Diagnosestellung der Erkrankung wird diskutiert und einige der neueren Behandlungsmethoden werden kurz beschrieben. RESUMEN El autor revisa las alteraciones degenerativas cerebrates en la lactancia e infancia. Se discute el lugar de la investigacion clinica y bioquimica y de la biopsia en el diagnostico de las alteraciones, y se describen brevemente algunos de los metodos de tratamiento mas recientes.
The Effect of Atomic Order and Ferromagnetism on the Elastic and Anelastic Properties of Fe ‐ 25 atom % Al

Measurements of the temperature dependence of the dynamic elastic modulus E and internal friction Q−1 are reported from 25-900 °C at frequencies near 1 kHz for an alloy of Fe - 24.8 atom% Al. The influence of ferromagnetism on E and Q−1 is investigated using a variable direct current magnetic field of 0-1500 Oe. Ambient temperature measurements as a function of field strength exhibit an influence from macro-eddy current damping and magneto-elastic hysteresis in agreement with theory. A DL E effect, of maximum magnitude 0.06, is reported for measurements of E (for H = 0 and H = 1500 Oe) as a function of temperature. This modulus defect disappears at approximately 500 °C in agreement with reported measurements of the longitudinal magnetostriction. A small modulus maximum at 540 °C is reported with even the highest applied fields. Two possible explanations are presented. Anelastic measurements show three damping maxima: a Snoek peak due to interstitial carbon at ∼ 250° C, a Zener peak and a grain boundary peak near 700 °C. The values of Q for the first two are 23 kcal/mol and 61 kcal/mol respectively, and corresponding τ0 -values are 3.1 × 10−13 s and 3.9 × 10−18 s. Es wurde die Temperaturabhangigkeit des dynamischen Elastizitatsmoduls E und der inneren Reibung Q−1 zwischen 25 und 900 °C bei einer Frequenz nahe 1 kHz in einer Fe-Al-Legierung mit 24,8 Atomprozent Al-Gehalt gemessen. Der Einflus des Ferromagnetismus auf E und Q−1 wird mit Hilfe eines zwischen 0 und 1500 Oe variablen magnetischen Gleichfeldes untersucht. Messungen als Funktion der Feldstarke zeigen bei Raumtemperatur in Ubereinstimmung mit der Theorie einen Einflus der Wirbelstromdampfung und der magnetoelastischen Hysterese. Bei E-Messungen als Funktion der Temperatur mit dem Magnetfeld als Parameter wird fur Feldstarken = 0 eine Anderung Δ E des Moduls gefunden. Die maximale Anderung gegenuber dem Wert bei H = 0 betragt bei H = 1500 Oe Δ E = 0,06. Diese Modulanderung Δ E verschwindet bei etwa 500 °C in Ubereinstimmung mit bereits veroffentlichten Messungen der longitudinalen Magnetostriktion. Ein kleines Maximum des Moduls wird auch bei den hochsten benutzten Feldstarken bei 540 °C gefunden. Es werden zwei Deutungsmoglichkeiten angegeben. Unelastische Messungen ergeben drei Dampfungsmaxima: Ein durch Kohlenstoff auf Zwischengitterplatz hervorgerufenes Snoek-Maximum bei etwa 250 °C, ein Zener-Maximum und ein Korngrenzen maximum nahe 700 °C. Die Q-Werte fur die ersten beiden Maxima sind 23 kcal/mol bzw. 61 kcal/mol und die entsprechenden τ0-Werte sind 3,1 · 10−13 und 3,9 · 10−18 s.
Promoting Positive Youth and Community Development Through Outreach Scholarship: Comments on Zeldin and Peterson

The Development-in-Context Evaluation (DICE) model is an instance of outreach scholarship, that is, of the generation, transmission, preservation, and application of knowledge to address community-...
Postcardiotomy psychosis in non-English-speaking patients.

This paper presents another causative or additive factor in the production of post-cardiotomy delirium. Comparison of two matched groups of patients from the National Heart Institute reveals a marked difference in the incidence of psychosis between the group that is from the United States and speaks English and the group that is foreign and has no ability to communicate in English. The United States group had two patients with psychosis (3.9 percent), while the foreign group had fifteen (29.4 percent) (p<0.001). A higher incidence of delirium occurred in men than women, and there was suggestive evidence that the group with psychoses had more medical complications, with resulting delays in discharge. The importance of language and culture in the determination of this delirium are considered and methods of mitigating this reaction are presented.
Direct measurements of right and left heart outputs in a Valsalva-like maneuver in dogs.

SummaryWhile changes in systemic flow produced by Valsalva-like maneuvers in dogs closely resembled those of Valsalva maneuvers performed by humans, systemic arterial pressure fell much more in the Valsalva-like maneuvers as the pulmonary prssure—flow ratio rose markedly (+ 1100%). Right and left heart outputs decreased to 20 and 30% of control, respectively, while pulmonary blood volume decreased by 140 ± 45 ml or by approximately 40% in the Valsalva-like maneuver. The course of the atrial pressures, rapid fall in right heart output and development of acute right heart insufficiency suggest a hitherto unreported site of obstruction to flow in the Valsalva and Valsalva-like maneuvers, namely, at the small pulmonary vessels. Ventricular function curves and a phase shift between ventricular filling (atrial) pressures suggest that the Frank—Starling mechanism plays a role in restoration of cardiac balance after this maneuver.The authors thank Professor M. B. Visscher, Mr. Michael R. Tripp, Dr. Claude Swayze ...
Rationale, design, and protocol for the prevention of low back pain in the military (POLM) trial (NCT00373009)

Background There are few effective strategies reported for the primary prevention of low back pain (LBP). Core stabilization exercises targeting the deep abdominal and trunk musculature and psychosocial education programs addressing patient beliefs and coping styles represent the current best evidence for secondary prevention of low back pain. However, these programs have not been widely tested to determine if they are effective at preventing the primary onset and/or severity of LBP. The purpose of this cluster randomized clinical trial is to determine if a combined core stabilization exercise and education program is effective in preventing the onset and/or severity of LBP. The effect of the combined program will be compared to three other standard programs.
EST analysis of male accessory glands from Heliconius butterflies with divergent mating systems

Heliconius butterflies possess a remarkable diversity of phenotypes, physiologies, and behaviors that has long distinguished this genus as a focal taxon in ecological and evolutionary research. Recently Heliconius has also emerged as a model system for using genomic methods to investigate the causes and consequences of biological diversity. One notable aspect of Heliconius diversity is a dichotomy in mating systems which provides an unusual opportunity to investigate the relationship between sexual selection and the evolution of reproductive proteins. As a first step in pursuing this research, we report the generation and analysis of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from the male accessory gland of H. erato and H. melpomene, species representative of the two mating systems present in the genus Heliconius. We successfully sequenced 933 ESTs clustering into 371 unigenes from H. erato and 1033 ESTs clustering into 340 unigenes from H. melpomene. Results from the two species were very similar. Approximately a third of the unigenes showed no significant BLAST similarity (E-value <10-5) to sequences in GenBank's non-redundant databases, indicating that a large proportion of novel genes are expressed in Heliconius male accessory glands. In both species only a third of accessory gland unigenes were also found among genes expressed in wing tissue. About 25% of unigenes from both species encoded secreted proteins. This includes three groups of highly abundant unigenes encoding repetitive proteins considered to be candidate seminal fluid proteins; proteins encoded by one of these groups were detected in H. erato spermatophores. This collection of ESTs will serve as the foundation for the future identification and evolutionary analysis of male reproductive proteins in Heliconius butterflies. These data also represent a significant advance in the rapidly growing collection of genomic resources available in Heliconius butterflies. As such, they substantially enhance this taxon as a model system for investigating questions of ecological, phenotypic, and genomic diversity.
Multi-gigawatt thin film PV

Thin films are reaching 1-GW annual production because of the success of one company and technology, First Solar CdTe. Other thin films languish, with amorphous and thin film silicon still restrained by low efficiencies; and CIS yet to demonstrate sufficient volume production. Will the future of thin films be only the future of CdTe? Yet even with commercial success, CdTe must also compete with crystalline silicon, which has taken a big step forward with the end of the silicon feedstock problem. What then is the true competitive position of crystalline silicon and CdTe? Still, PV is not alone in providing us with alternative energy. Arguably, the key qualities are non-CO2 production and the potential to make terawatts. PV will compete with solar thermal electric, wind, nuclear, and carbon sequestered fossil fuels to ameliorate the greenhouse effect and energy dependencies. How does PV stack up? And how does intermittency make this competition even harder for PV? One thing is certain, PV costs must continue to drop, because true success in the marketplace will be hard won.
Power Hints for Query Optimization

Commercial database systems expose query hints to address situations in which the optimizer chooses a poor plan for a given query. However, current query hints are not flexible enough to deal with a variety of non-trivial scenarios. In this paper, we introduce a hinting framework that enables the specification of rich constraints to influence the optimizer to pick better plans. We show that while our framework unifies previous approaches, it goes considerably beyond existing hinting mechanisms, and can be implemented efficiently with moderate changes to current optimizers.
Transient behavior of the kink effect in partially-depleted SOI MOSFET's

The behavior of transients in the drain current of partially-depleted (PD) SOI MOSFET's down to L/sub eff/=0.2 /spl mu/m is examined as a function of drain bias, gate pulses of varying magnitude (V/sub GS/), pulse duration, and pulse frequency. At fixed V/sub DS/, the gate is pulsed to values ranging from 0.1 V above V/sub T/ to V/sub GS/=V/sub DS/. A slow transient is seen when the drain is biased at a V/sub DS/ where the current kink is observable. This slow transient can be on the order of microseconds depending on the relative magnitude of the impact ionization rate. For short times after the pulse edge or for very short pulses at low frequencies, it is shown that the subthreshold drain current value can be very different from the corresponding DC, and that the kink characteristic of PD MOSFET's disappears. However, the kink values can be approached when the pulse frequency and/or duration applied to the gate is increased, due to the latent charge maintained in the floating body at higher frequencies. No transient current effects were observed in fully-depleted SOI MOSFET's. >
SEX OF EXPERIMENTER AND EFFECTS OF PRETEST INTERACTIONS ON APPROACHING A SNAKE BY FEARFUL FEMALE SUBJECTS

-96 female students in introductory psychology were selected by a screening procedure to ensure moderate to strong fearfulness of snakes. Each subjecc was assigned to one of eight groups according to a 2 X 2 X 2 factorial design (attractive male or female experimenter; a modeling or nomodeling condition, and a pretest condition in which subjects either remained alone in a room or conversed with the experimenter for 7 min.). The only significant finding was that subjects showed significantly greater approach with modeling than without and with a male experimenter.
Concentration, Attention, and Hypnosis

Numerous investigations have studied the effects of a wide range of variables on susceptibility. Of particular interest was the influence of concentration on hypnotizability and the usefulness of hypnosis in increasing concentration and attention. Analysis suggested that a subject's ability to concentrate and focus attention is not related to susceptibility. Also, inconclusive evidence was gathered for the usefulness of hypnosis to increase a subject's ability to focus attention on specific stimuli. Recommendations for future research are provided.
ON LEAKAGE FROM GEOLOGIC STORAGE RESERVOIRS OF CO2

Large amounts of CO2 would need to be injected underground to achieve a significant reduction of atmospheric emissions. The large areal extent expected for CO2 plumes makes it likely that caprock imperfections will be encountered, such as fault zones or fractures, which may allow some CO2 to escape from the primary storage reservoir. Leakage of CO2 could also occur along wellbores. Concerns with escape of CO2 from a primary geologic storage reservoir include (1) acidification of groundwater resources, (2) asphyxiation hazard when leaking CO2 is discharged at the land surface, (3) increase in atmospheric concentrations of CO2, and (4) damage from a high-energy, eruptive discharge (if such discharge is physically possible). In order to gain public acceptance for geologic storage as a viable technology for reducing atmospheric emissions of CO2, it is necessary to address these issues and demonstrate that CO2 can be injected and stored safely in geologic formations.
Eigenvalue inequalities for fermions in gauge theories

We show that QCD with a sufficient number of fermions of zero bare mass has physical massless particles. That result also follows from triangle anomalies, so only our method is novel. Our method involves proving special cases of recently conjectured paramagnetic inequalities for fermions. The proofs are simple applications of the Atiyah-Patodi-Singer theorem on spectral flow.
Perceptions of Trauma and Loss among Children and Adolescents Exposed to Disasters a Mixed-Methods Study

The purpose of the current study was to extend knowledge of youth exposed to multiple disasters and the experience of cumulative childhood adversity by analyzing perceptions of trauma and loss in children and adolescents. A concurrent mixed-methods design was utilized to explore an ethnically diverse, predominantly low-income sample of youth (N = 4,154) aged 8–18 years from three parishes (counties) in Louisiana impacted by Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf Oil Spill. Youth completed assessments of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), hurricane exposure and oil spill stress, and responded to an open-ended question regarding lifetime trauma and loss. Independent coders assigned responses to 30 categories using a qualitative codebook based on both predetermined and emerging information. Codes were compared and contrasted for meaning and grouped into broader, organizing themes. Themes of trauma and loss included: death and loss of others, threats to life, family disruption, interpersonal trauma, and life transitions. Trauma and loss predicted PTSS when controlling for hurricane exposure and oil spill stress. Most trauma and loss conferred generalized risk regardless of event typology, although interpersonal trauma had unique effects. Findings improve understanding of the nature and extent of trauma and loss among youth exposed to multiple disasters. The use of a mixed-methods design clarifies prior findings in the broader trauma literature and child disaster studies. Through identification of vulnerable subgroups and patterns in perceptions of trauma and loss, findings have important implications for prevention and intervention strategies that promote long-term recovery.
Does the DSM-5 Threaten Autism Service Access?

The present paper addressed the question: how will the DSM-5 revisions impact access to autism services? While media commentators posited a straightforward link between DSM-5 changes and service access, we should consider the different strength of couplings between a DSM diagnosis and entitlement access by investigating the factors that result in a diagnoses translation into service access. The Article began by outlining the pre DSM-5 policy background for autism entitlements. This background helps contextualize the policy environment into which the DSM-5 changes entered. Rather than examining autism medical and educational services in isolation, we should conceive of these services as interdependent, and investigate how changes to the uptake or depth of medical service access affect changes to the uptake or depth of educational service access. Taking this interdependent perspective, the Article showed how the passage of private insurance mandates for autism services has led to more rapid uptake of special education services for autism, showing how one entitlement that creates a close DSM diagnosis-service link (an insurance mandate) increases uptake of another entitlement with a looser DSM diagnosis-service link (special education services). This shows that if DSM-5 revisions undermine access to medical entitlements there will be a corresponding impact on access to educational entitlements.
The Combination Problem: Subjects and Unity

Panpsychism has often been motivated on the grounds that any attempt to account for experience and consciousness in organisms in purely physical, nonexperiential terms faces severe difficulties. The “combination problem” charges that attributing phenomenal properties to the basic constituents of organisms (“microphenomenal” properties), as panpsychism proposes, likewise fails to provide a satisfactory basis for experience in humans and other organisms. This paper evaluates a recent attempt to understand, and solve, the combination problem. This approach, due to Sam Coleman, is premised on a distinction between mere aggregates and genuine unities, and the purported inability of subjects to constitute a unity. In response, I first argue that it may not be incumbent upon the panpsychist to explain how microphenomenal properties could constitute a unity in the way that Coleman supposes. I then argue that even if such a burden does fall on the panpsychist, it is far from clear that a plurality subjects cannot constitute such a unity. Finally, I argue that if one adopts a functionalist account of macrosubjects, as Coleman does, there is little reason to think that a plurality of subjects could not constitute a macrosubject. In these ways, I argue that the force of the combination problem does not turn on whether microphenomenal properties require minds or subjects that have them.
Ternary Matrix for the Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI–TOF MS) Analysis of Non-fuel Lipid Components in Biodiesel

Trace components present in biodiesel have been shown to contribute to the precipitation of solids at temperatures above the cloud point. These precipitates represent an operability problem for use of biodiesel in cold climates. Separation methods for analysis of trace lipid impurities, such as gas and liquid chromatography, have been problematic, and chromatographic signals for these compounds are often eclipsed by the signals for the fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), the major components of biodiesel. The method described herein has been developed as a rapid procedure for analyzing non-FAME lipid biodiesel components, which have been postulated to contribute to cold-weather operability problems. Representative standards of the non-FAME lipids present in biodiesel were analyzed with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF MS) using pure and mixed matrix systems. An optimized ternary matrix system consisting of dithranol, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and α-cya...
A Decision-Theoretic Approach to Network Fault Diagnosis and Follow-up Action

Fault management and security of computer networks present new challenges of increasing complexity. Decision procedures for fault diagnosis, security-related threats, and follow-up actions must, however, be evaluated on the basis of sound theoretical foundations and economic costs of various strategies. This paper presents a minimum expected cost solution for fault diagnosis and corrective actions. Several notions new to fault management are introduced. The methodology is applicable to both non-malicious and malicious faults. As a novel security-related application, the problem of choosing between two strategies for containing the spread of network worms is discussed.
Resilience of primary healthcare professionals working in challenging environments

The article by Matheson and colleagues in the July BJGP refers to the development of resilience through experience, learning from others, and training.1 I would …
Modern Urban Development and Revolution in Mexico: Hydraulic Infrastructure in Chihuahua City During the Porfiriato (1892–1911)

This paper examines the development of urban infrastructure in the Northern Mexican city of Chihuahua during a period known as the Porfiriato (1876–1911), especifically on the administrations of Colonel Miguel Ahumada and Enrique C. Creel.
Risk for spontaneous preterm birth among inter-racial/ethnic couples.

Objective: Approximately 10% of US couples are inter-racial/ethnic. Substantial variation in preterm birth (PTB) rates is seen when stratified by race/ethnicity, although most studies focused solel...
Mentally Ill, HIV-Positive, or Sexual Predator?: Determining Myths Perceived as Representative of Transgender People

The present study explored possible stereotypical beliefs, or myths, related to prejudice and discrimination toward transgender individuals in the US. In a 5 x 2 x 3 mixed factorial design, Amazon ...
Cesium release and transport in Biso-coated fuel particles

Theoretical and experimental aspects of cesium release from Biso-coated high-temperature gas-cooled reactor fuel particles are reviewed. Three types of transport are considered: diffusion through the pyrolytic carbon (PyC) coatings under conditions of a constant source potential, transport due to a continuously depleting source, and diffusion from a depleting source following constant source potential transport. Analysis of all of the release data obtained in this laboratory yields the following relations for the diffusion coefficient D/sub Cs/ characteristic of cesium transport through PyC coatings: For coatings deposited from propylene or propane at approximately 1250/sup 0/C (1523 K): D/sub Cs/ (LTI) = 1.68 x 10/sup 2/ exp (-4.74 x 10/sup 4//T), (cm/sup 2//s) (D/sub Cs/ (LTI) = 1.68 x 10/sup -2/ exp (-4.74 x 10/sup 4//T), (m/sup 2//s)), and for coatings deposited from methane at approximately 2000/sup 0/C (2273 K): D/sub Cs/ (HTI) = 5.7 x 10/sup -3/ exp (-3.50 x 10/sup 4//T), (cm/sup 2//s) (D/sub Cs/ (HTI) = 5.7 x 10/sup -7/ exp (-3.50 x 10/sup 4//T), (m/sup 2//s)), where t is the absolute temperature.
North Korea’s Strategic Culture and Its Evolving Nuclear Strategy

Shane Smith addresses one of the most opaque and inaccessible regimes on the planet, examining the regime’s voracious nuclear appetite. Smith assesses North Korean threat perceptions holding that the United States is bent on destroying the state and explains how North Korea’s identity narratives have increasingly featured nuclear weapons in a dominant role. Examining North Korean norms that include a history of “willingness to impose extreme deprivation on its people and to call on them to make great sacrifices,” Smith explains that the North Korean mindset is conditioned to expect “a final war against imperialism.” Smith warns that consistent exposure to these narratives may mean that North Koreans have internalized the bellicose nuclear discourse of the regime and hold an unreasonable degree of confidence in the state’s capacity for victory in a nuclear war. With these warnings as backdrop, Smith offers carefully constructed advice to would-be interlocutors on the nuclear question.
Obstetrical Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage is an increasingly prevalent and preventable cause of maternal death. We review practical obstetric techniques for management of postpartum hemorrhage. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of data to guide specific interventions for treatment.
Abductive completion of plan sketches

Most work on AI planning has focused on the development of fully automated methods for generating plans that satisfy user-specified goals. However, users in many domains want the ability to influence the nature of the solutions that are generated. With the objective of fostering increased user participation in the planning process, this paper presents an HTN-based framework for the abductive completion of plan sketches. Within this framework, user-supplied outlines of partial plans (possibly spanning multiple abstraction levels) are interpreted and completed. The processing of plan sketches employs an initial abductive plan recognition phase to formulate candidate sets of intended user goals, followed by a plan refinement stage that generates sketch-compliant final plans for those goals. A prototype sketch-based planner based on this approach has been implemented and applied to a crisis action planning domain.
Potassium and the Dyskalemias

Potassium (K+) is the most abundant monovalent mineral in the body and the major intracellular cation. Only about 2 % of total body K+ is extracellular and maintenance of a proper ratio of K+ concentration across the cell membrane is required for many cellular processes. Ion channels selective for K+ dominate the resting permeability of most cells, so this ratio is also the main determinant of the resting membrane potential, which is especially critical for normal function of nerve, muscle, and the cardiac conduction system. Overall K+ balance is accomplished through mechanisms that involve transfer of ingested K+ into cells (internal K + homeostasis) and transport of K+ out of the body (external K + homeostasis), the latter primarily via the kidney. This chapter reviews the cellular and molecular physiology of potassium homeostasis, the pathophysiology of hypokalemia and hyperkalemia, and the diagnosis and clinical management of the dyskalemias.