cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ab initio parameterized valence force field for the structure and energetics of amorphous SiO x (0⩽x⩽2) materials

We present a modified valence force field model for the structure and energetics of amorphous silicon suboxides (a-SiO${}_{x}$, 0 \ensuremath{\leqslant} $x$ \ensuremath{\leqslant} 2). The parameters are optimized to fit the results from cluster and periodic density-functional theory (DFT) calculations of various model structures. The potential model well reproduces the DFT energetics of various $a$-SiO${}_{x}$ systems for all O:Si composition ratios. We also examine how the choice of force fields affects the atomic-level description of phase separation in a-SiO${}_{x}$ and $a$-Si/$a$-SiO${}_{2}$ interfaces using a continuous random network model-based Monte Carlo approach. The results highlight the critical role of the relative rigidity between Si and SiO${}_{2}$ matrices in determination of the structural properties of the Si/SiO${}_{2}$ composite system, such as interface bond topology, degree of phase separation, and abruptness of the interface.
Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) partition equilibrium between St. Lawrence River sediments and supercritical fluids

Abstract New reliable and extensive polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) partition equilibrium data between real world PCB contaminated St. Lawrence River sediments (SLRS) and two supercritical fluids (SCFs), scCO 2 and scCO 2 /5 mol% MeOH, are presented. Three real world SLRS samples with similar physical properties and PCB congener distribution patterns but different PCB concentration levels were used to conduct experiments at 313, 323, and 333 K and SCF densities from 5.5 to 18 mol/l. The experimental results are presented as partition coefficients, K , for 16 PCB congeners and for the total PCBs in the SLRS. The presence of methanol in the SC phase increases PCB desorption, as expected. Two partition equilibrium models are employed to correlate these data sets for each of the two SCFs used. The effects of SCF density on K and the parameters of the models are presented for each PCB congener in both systems of scCO 2 and scCO 2 /MeOH. Preferential desorption is found among the PCB congeners and it is suggested that the partition coefficients increase roughly in the order of PCB molar weight. These models can be used in the design of large scale PCB desorption equipment.
Downregulation of catalase by reactive oxygen species via PI 3 kinase/Akt signaling in mesangial cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to many glomerular diseases by targeting mesangial cells. ROS have been shown to regulate expression of many antioxidant enzymes including catalase. The mechanism by which the expression of catalase protein is regulated by ROS is not precisely known. Here we report that increased intracellular ROS level by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) reduced the expression of catalase. H(2)O(2) increased phosphorylation of Akt kinase in a dose-dependent and sustained manner with a concomitant increase in the phosphorylation of FoxO1 transcription factor. Further analysis revealed that H(2)O(2) promoted rapid activation of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3 kinase. The PI 3 kinase inhibitor Ly294002 and expression of tumor suppressor protein PTEN inhibited Akt kinase activity, resulting in the attenuation of FoxO1 phosphorylation and preventing the downregulating effect of H(2)O(2) on catalase protein level. Dominant negative Akt attenuated the inhibitory effect of H(2)O(2) on expression of catalase. Constitutively active FoxO1 increased the expression of catalase. However, dominant negative FoxO1 inhibited catalase protein level. Catalase transcription was reduced by H(2)O(2) treatment. Furthermore, expression of dominant negative Akt and constitutively active FoxO1 increased catalase transcription, respectively. These results demonstrate that ROS downregulate the expression of catalase in mesangial cells by PI 3 kinase/Akt signaling via FoxO1 as a target.
Structural properties of CeRh3B2

Abstract Time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction data have been obtained for the intermetallic compound CeRh3B2 at four different temperatures and analyzed using the Rietveld profile refinement technique. The CeCo3B2 structure is confirmed. The thermal expansion is highly anisotropic and anisotropic effects are also found in the atomic thermal vibrations. An unusually small metallic radius of 1.55 A is observed for cerium in this compound.
Abstract alphabet distortion-rate functions*

Two definitions have been given for the distortion-rate function of a sourceuser pair—one involving test channel induced pair probability measures and the other involving general pair probability measures. It is established that both definitions are equivalent for all source-user pairs. Examples are given which exhibit some kinds of the possible pathological behavior of the distortionrate function for general source-user pairs.
Restenosis after directional coronary atherectomy. Effects of luminal diameter and deep wall excision.

BACKGROUNDDeep wall excision during directional atherectomy has been reported in one study to increase the risk of subsequent restenosis. On the other hand, we have observed that the probability of late (6-month) restenosis is reduced by maximizing postprocedure luminal diameter. Although such maximal luminal enlargement by directional atherectomy has not increased procedural complications in our experience, it might well increase the incidence of subintimal (deep wall component) recovery. We performed this study to evaluate the relative influences of luminal enlargement and deep wall component excision on postatherectomy restenosis.METHODS AND RESULTSAtherectomy resulted in a 7 +/- 15% residual stenosis with < 0.5% incidence of angiographic vessel perforation. The minimal luminal diameter of each lesion was measured before and after intervention in 413 lesions, 389 (94%) of which had histological analysis of the excised specimens. Specimens were categorized by the deepest layer retrieved: type I (recover...
Service system involvement and delinquent offending at system of care entry

This study examines correlates of delinquent offending among 2,554 youths presenting to community-based treatment in Center for Mental Health Services-funded systems of care. Variables in five key domains, including demographics, family risk, child clinical risk, school, and service system involvement, were examined in relation to severity of offending at treatment entry for early/middle (11-15 years) versus late (16-18 years) adolescents. Significant correlates of offending severity were identified in all domains except family risk for the 11 to 15 year olds and in demographics and child clinical risk for the 16 to 18 year olds. Service system involvement was a unique correlate of delinquency in the younger group. Findings add to other studies showing that correlates of offending appear to differ across stages of adolescence; specifically, school and service system involvement may be less important for older adolescents than for younger adolescents. Service system involvement should be included in longitudinal studies of risk for adolescent offending.
Differential algebra structures on families of trees

It is known that the vector space spanned by labeled rooted trees forms a Hopf algebra. Let k be a field and let R be a commutative k-algebra. Let H denote the Hopf algebra of rooted trees labeled using derivations in Der(R). In this paper, we introduce a construction that gives R a H-module algebra structure and show this induces a differential algebra structure of H acting on R. The work here extends the notion of a R/k-bialgebra introduced by Nichols and Weisfeiler.
The effect of stoichiometry on the fracture toughness of a liquid crystalline epoxy

The fracture toughness of a liquid crystalline epoxy was compared with that of a standard bisphenol-A based epoxy to understand how both the liquid crystalline structure and the crosslink density affect fracture toughness. For the liquid crystalline epoxy, the liquid crystalline domain size decreased with increasing temperature of cure and away from the stoichiometric formulation. Quantitative fractography showed that there is a competition between the liquid crystalline domain structure and the stoichiometry in determining the fracture toughness. At some cure conditions the effect of the domains is dominant. When the cure conditions are adjusted to reduce the domain size, the domains become too small to affect the fracture toughness, and thus the effect of the stoichiometry is dominant. The result is that the formation of liquid crystalline structure only increases the fracture toughness relative to that of a traditional epoxy at and near the stoichiometric formulation.
Dopant Incorporation Efficiency in CVD Silicon Carbide Epilayers

In order to ensure reproducible and reliable SiC semiconductor device characteristics, controlled dopant incorporation must be accomplished. Some of the many factors which greatly influence dopant incorporation are the site-competition effect, SiC(0001) substrate polarity, substrate temperature, and the dopant-source reactor concentration. In this paper, dopant incorporation is considered and compared for various dopants in the context of dopant incorporation efficiency. By using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), the relative dopant incorporation efficiencies were calculated by dividing the SIMS determined dopant concentration in the resulting epitaxial layer by the intentional gas phase dopant concentration used during the SiC CVD. Specifically, the relative magnitudes of dopant incorporation efficiencies for nitrogen, phosphorus, and boron in 6H-SiC (0001) Si-face epitaxial layers are compared as a function of the site-competition effect and the dopant-source reactor concentrations. This serves as a first approximation for comparison of the relative “doping potencies” of some common dopants used in SiC CVD epitaxial growth.
Automatic parallelization of a class of irregular loops for distributed memory systems

Many scientific applications spend significant time within loops that are parallel, except for dependences from associative reduction operations. However these loops often contain data-dependent control-flow and array-access patterns. Traditional optimizations that rely on purely static analysis fail to generate parallel code in such cases. This article proposes an approach for automatic parallelization for distributed memory environments, using both static and runtime analysis. We formalize the computations that are targeted by this approach and develop algorithms to detect such computations. We also describe algorithms to generate a parallel inspector that performs a runtime analysis of control-flow and array-access patterns, and a parallel executor to take advantage of this information. The effectiveness of the approach is demonstrated on several benchmarks that were automatically transformed using a prototype compiler. For these, the inspector overheads and performance of the executor code were measured. The benefit on real-world applications was also demonstrated through similar manual transformations of an atmospheric modeling software.
Resources for the Introductory Management Course

The article reviews several books pertaining to management including “Principles of Management,” 2nd ed., by L. E. Boone and D. L. Kurtz, “Principles of Modern Management: Functions and Systems,” 2nd ed., by S. C. Certo, and “Management,” by R. W. Griffin.
Unsteady Flowfield and Cavity Acoustics of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy is a 2.5-m-aperture Cassegrain telescope housed in an open cavity onboard a Boeing 747 aircraft. This e ying observatory operates in the Earth’ s stratosphere, at an altitude above 12.5 km, to view objects in the universe in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The location of the telescope in an open cavity during its operation presents some challenging aerodynamic and aeroacoustic problems. A combined computational e uid dynamics (CFD)and experimental investigation has been initiated to understand and resolve these issues. Different aircraft platforms, cavity apertures, aft ramp shapes, and telescope cone gurations have been considered in these studies. The present study focuses on the e ndings from a CFDstudy of a circularaperturecavity in the Boeing 747-200 aircraftplatform and a tub telescope. In particular, numerical solutions of Navier ‐Stokes equations on overset grid systems are presented at wind-tunnel and cruise e ight conditions for a freestream condition of M 1 = 0.85 and ® = 2.5 deg. Comparison of CFD results for windtunnel conditions show good agreement with experimental data for drag and time-averaged surface pressures and fair agreement for sound pressure levels and power spectra at various locations within the cavity and on the telescope. The open-cavity condition produces an increase in drag of 2%. However, the open-cavity impact on the effectiveness of aircraft control surfaces appears minimal.
A Hybrid Shared Memory/Message Passing Parallel Machine

Current and emerging high-performance parallel com puter architectures generally implement one of two types of communication mechanisms: shared memory (SM) or message passing (MP). In this paper we propose a hybrid SM/MP architecture together with a hybrid SM/MP programming model, that we believe effectively combines the advantages of each system. The SM/MP architecture contains both a high-performance coherence protocol for shared memory, and message-passing primi tives that coexist with the coherence protocol but have no coherence overhead. The SM/MP programming model provides a framework for safely and effectively using the SM/MP communication primitives. We illustrate the use of the model and primitives to reduce communication overhead in SM systems.
Managing the knowledge-based organization: five principles every manager can use

The post-industrial enterprise is knowledge-based organization whose wealth creation is based on innovation, creativity, discovery and inventiveness. What principles should guide managers in their efforts to make such firms successful in the global market-place? The author offers five: (1) conceptualize the business; (2) create high-value know-how; (3) organize around information; (4) productively mange knowledge workers; (5) transform work using information technology (IT). The author says that these principles are replacing those of the industrial age, when command and control management was demed necessary to implement the wealth-creating formula of efficiently allocating resources (labor, capital, materials and energy). While acknowledging that IT is an important tool, the author stresses that intellectual capital is the fundamental key to success of the modern firm.
Probing planet nurseries with rare isotopologues of CO

The properties of planet-forming midplanes of protostellar disks remain largely unprobed by observations due to the high optical depths of common molecular lines. However, rotational emission lines from rare isotopologues may have optical depth near unity in the vertical direction, so that the lines are strong enough to be detected, yet remain transparent enough to trace the disk midplane. We have computed chemical models of protostellar disks including different C and O isotopes and detailed photochemical reactions. The CO condensation front is in the giant planet-forming region, within 20 AU of the star. We show that the optical depths of low-order rotational lines of C 17 O are around unity, which suggests that it may be possible to see into the disk midplane using C 17 O. In lower-mass disks, the slightly more abundant C 18 O is a possible midplane probe. ALMA observations would provide estimates of the disk midplane temperature if CO ice line were spatially resolved. With our computed C 17 O/H 2 abundance ratio, we would also be able to measure disk surface densities from the fluxes of low-order C 17 O transitions.
Postlobectomy chest radiographic changes: a quantitative analysis.

Abstract Purpose To provide a quantative analysis of postlobectomy chest radiographic changes and to evaluate whether the scarring from prior sternotomy affects the size of the hemithorax and the duration of air leak in patients with subsequent lobectomy. Methods In this retrospective case-controlled series, 10 consecutive patients who had a lobectomy after a prior sternotomy and 30 controls, 3 for each case, matched for lobectomy site were identified. Pre- and postoperative chest radiographs were quantitatively analysed for diaphragmic elevation, size of each hemithorax, mediastinal shift, and the presence of pneumothorax. Charts were reviewed for air-leak duration, surgical complications, and duration of hospitalization. Results There was no difference between patients with lobectomy and with and without prior sternotomy for the following variables expressed as mean (SD): hemidiaphragm elevation (1.5 ± 2.5 vs 0.5 ± 2.0 cm; P = .2), change of hemithorax size (mean transverse, 0.99 ± 0.05 vs 0.97 ± 0.07; P = .5; craniocaudal, 0.93 ± 0.08 vs 0.91 ± 0.08; P = .4) and mediastinal shift (upper, 1.2 ± 0.4 vs 1.3 ± 0.6; P = .5; lower, 1.2 ± 0.4 vs 1.2 ± 0.3; P = .8), the latter 2 were expressed as the ratio of post- to preoperative measurements. These postlobectomy radiographic findings varied, depending on the resected lobe, and became progressively more pronounced during the first 12 months after surgery. There was no difference in pneumothorax duration (mean [SD]) (9.5 ± 21 days vs 6.4 ± 7.5 days; P = .5), air leak duration (mean [SD]) (0.7 ± 0.8 days vs 1.3 ± 3.9 days; P = .6), complication rate (20% vs 30%; P = .5), or hospital stay (mean [SD]) (6.0 ± 1.7 days vs 6.9 ± 4.7 days; P = .6). Conclusion There are specific patterns of volume loss, mediastinal shift, and hemidiaphragm displacement that can be quantified on postlobectomy chest radiographs. Prior sternotomy did not affect postlobectomy radiographic changes or patient outcome.
Utilization of Genetically Elite Holstein Cows

Merit of service sires for Holstein cows designated as genetically elite for yield in January 1990 was calculated to determine the contribution of these cows to genetic progress. Service sires were determined from sires of registered female progeny because male progeny were selectively registered. Primary data were 1295 elite cows (top 1%) that had a daughter produced from a mating in the 6 mo following the January 1990 evaluation and 209 service sires for those elite cows. Seven percent of the elite cows were mated to bulls that not only lacked an evaluation but also had generally low pedigree promise. The average economic index of evaluated service sires based on their genetic evaluations for milk, fat, and protein yields was at percentile 91 (ranking based on active AI bulls). Five percent of these bulls were below percentile 50. Although 71% of the bulls were at or above percentile 90, only 13% were at or above percentile 95, which was only slightly greater than the 12% for service sires of all registered cows. The lack of emphasis on yield traits was partially explained by a low or missing final score for type for the elite cow, which may have made her unacceptable as a bull-dam. The number of service sires and the modest service sire merit suggest that elite Holstein cows are underutilized. However, dependence on elite designation for selection of bulldams is decreasing, as evidenced by the many young cows without evaluations that were mated to produce sons for sampling.
Correlation analysis of the interconversion and nitrogen loss reactions of aryl pentazenes and pentazoles derived from aryl diazonium and azide ions

The pathways for the reaction of aryldiazonium cations with azide anion to arylazide and nitrogen are explored using the B3LYP/6-311+G(d) method. CCSD(T) calculations were performed on the RN5 (R = H, OH, Cl, CN) counterparts to verify the appropriateness of this density functional theory method to cases involving NN bond breaking. As in our prior MP2/6-31G(d) study, a pathway to direct formation of aryl pentazole in a concerted reaction was not found. Transition state structures were calculated for the cyclization reaction of 24 aryl pentazenes in the E configuration and syn conformation (Es) to pentazoles and for the loss of N2 from the Es, Ea (anti), and Za pentazenes and from pentazoles. Correlations were found between activation energies and both reaction energies and Hammett values for 24 aryl N5 cases. The activation energies for competing cyclization and N2 loss from Es pentazenes were both ca. 4 kcal/mol. The barriers for loss of N2 from Ea and Za pentazenes are both ca. 20 kcal/mol. The lowering of the barriers in the Es configuration is attributed to the nucleophilic assistance of the in-plane lone pair on the N1 atom and in-plane aromaticity. Competition between N2 loss from, and cyclization of the Es pentazene may provide for a synthesis of hitherto unknown arylpentazoles with electron withdrawing groups. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
The Dark Side of Online Knowledge Sharing (Retracted)

ABSTRACT : Given the growing trend of electronic networks of practice and the growing propensity of individuals to rely on the Internet for problem solving, we examine whether programmers in a hypothetical situation would be likely to disclose confidential information through an online forum in attempt to solve a programming problem. We hypothesize and find in a survey of 187 programmers that online forum commitment and trust lead to greater online forum participation, which in turn predicts a higher likelihood of confidential information disclosure. We also find that programmers with greater awareness of security policies exhibit a lower likelihood of deciding to risk disclosing confidential information. The study contributes to extant literature by raising and exploring the potentially negative, dark side of knowledge sharing through electronic networks of practice.
Prazosin for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Sleep Disturbances

An estimated 70-87% of patients who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience sleep disruption. These patients have distressing dreams or nightmares in which the traumatic event is reexperienced, and they also have difficulty in falling or staying asleep. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the treatment of choice for PTSD, but with the exception of fluvoxamine, they are often ineffective or only partially effective for sleep problems. Sedative-hypnotics may be helpful in the short term but are associated with tolerance and addiction potential. In the central nervous system, alpha(1)-adrenergic receptors are known to be important in both the startle and sleep responses. Stimulation of these receptors may contribute to PTSD-related trauma-content nightmares. Prazosin, a highly lipophilic alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor blocker that is traditionally used to treat hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia, has been shown to decrease the occurrence of trauma nightmares in both combat veterans and patients with non-combat-related PTSD. The available data, although mostly from open-label trials, suggest that this agent also improves sleep quality and patients' sense of wellbeing and ability to function in daily activities. The optimum dose is unknown; however, a dose-related response appears to be evident. Clinicians should monitor for orthostatic hypotension, usually seen early in therapy, when prazosin is started in patients with PTSD.
Floral Associations of Cyclocephaline Scarab Beetles

The scarab beetle tribe Cyclocephalini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) is the second largest tribe of rhinoceros beetles, with nearly 500 described species. This diverse group is most closely associated with early diverging angiosperm groups (the family Nymphaeaceae, magnoliid clade, and monocots), where they feed, mate, and receive the benefit of thermal rewards from the host plant. Cyclocephaline floral association data have never been synthesized, and a comprehensive review of this ecological interaction was necessary to promote research by updating nomenclature, identifying inconsistencies in the data, and reporting previously unpublished data. Based on the most specific data, at least 97 cyclocephaline beetle species have been reported from the flowers of 58 plant genera representing 17 families and 15 orders. Thirteen new cyclocephaline floral associations are reported herein. Six cyclocephaline and 25 plant synonyms were reported in the literature and on beetle voucher specimen labels, and these were updated to reflect current nomenclature. The valid names of three unavailable plant host names were identified. We review the cyclocephaline floral associations with respect to inferred relationships of angiosperm orders. Ten genera of cyclocephaline beetles have been recorded from flowers of early diverging angiosperm groups. In contrast, only one genus, Cyclocephala, has been recorded from dicot flowers. Cyclocephaline visitation of dicot flowers is limited to the New World, and it is unknown whether this is evolutionary meaningful or the result of sampling bias and incomplete data. The most important areas for future research include: 1) elucidating the factors that attract cyclocephalines to flowers including floral scent chemistry and thermogenesis, 2) determining whether cyclocephaline dicot visitation is truly limited to the New World, and 3) inferring evolutionary relationships within the Cyclocephalini to rigorously test vicarance hypotheses, host plant shifts, and mutualisms with angiosperms.
Wedge coupling of lasers into multimode fibers.

Design and experimental data for obtuse-angled wedges used in coupled configurations of diode lasers and multimode fibers are presented. An analytic definition of the connection between the wedge angle and the fiber acceptance half-angle is developed, along with a formula for the minimum half-angle. An inequality is defined for determining the bevel angle of the output end of the fiber to eliminate end reflections. The fiber parameters are accounted for in the bevel. The formulations were tested in comparison with the performance of a coupled CDH laser system and good agreement was found in the output spectrum.
Try to See It My Way: The Discursive Function of Idiosyncratic Mathematical Metaphor

What are the nature, forms, and roles of metaphors in mathematics instruction? We present and closely analyze three examples of idiosyncratic metaphors produced during one-to-one tutorial clinical interviews with 11-year-old participants as they attempted to use unfamiliar artifacts and procedures to reason about realistic probability problems. Our interpretations of these episodes suggest that metaphor is both spurred by and transformative of joint engagement in situated activities: metaphor serves individuals as semiotic means of objectifying and communicating their own evolving understanding of disciplinary representations and procedures, and its multimodal instantiation immediately modifies interlocutors' attention to and interaction with the artifacts. Instructors steer this process toward normative mathematical views by initiating, modifying, or elaborating metaphorical constructions. We speculate on situation parameters affecting students' utilization of idiosyncratic resources as well as how socio...
Experiments with the peripheral virtual component interface

The Peripheral Virtual Component Interface (PVCI) is a standard that is intended to simplify the interfacing of peripheral cores to on-chip buses in a system-on-a-chip, by standardizing the interface between a core's internals and its bus wrapper. We provide the results of experiments that are intended to determine the power, performance and size overhead associated with using a PVCI bus wrapper versus using a non-PVCI bus wrapper, and versus using no bus wrapper at all. The results demonstrate that using a bus wrapper may result in only small performance, power and size overhead versus using no wrapper, though even that performance overhead can be reduced or eliminated by using prefetching. The results also demonstrate that using a PVCI bus wrapper yields no significant additional power, performance or size overhead compared with a non-PVCI bus wrapper.
Fathers' Parenting Role Identity and Father Involvement A Comparison of Nondivorced and Divorced, Nonresident Fathers

This study explored a father's parenting role identity in nondivorced and divorced, nonresidential fathers and the relationship between role identity and involvement in child-related activities. Data were collected from 270 fathers (178 nondivorced and 92 divorced) by mail questionnaires. Differences were found between groups on three dimensions of identity: nonresidential fathers reported feeling less competent and satisfied in the role, and that the role was more salient. No differences were found on role investment. Higher scores on role identity typically were associated with more frequent involvement with children. The dimensions of father parenting role identity except salience and marital status made significant contributions to predicting involvement. Marital status moderated the relationship between competence and involvement, such that the relationship was stronger for divorced, nonresident fathers.
Amount of experience and prior illness affect the acquisition and persistence of conditioned food aversions in lambs

Abstract We studied the acquisition of food aversions in sheep. In the first experiment, we investigated how prior illness affected the formation of a conditioned food aversion. Lambs were offered small amounts (
What Qualities Are Most Important to Making a Point of Care Test Desirable for Clinicians and Others Offering Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing

Background: To investigate the possible effects of different levels of attributes of a point-of-care test (POCT) on sexually transmitted infection (STI) professionals’ decisions regarding an ideal POCT for STI(s). Methods: An online survey was designed based on a large-scale in-depth focus discussion study among STI experts and professionals. The last section of the survey ‘‘build your own POCT’’ was designed by employing the discrete choice experiment approach. Practicing clinicians from two venues, STI-related international conference attendees and U.S. STD clinic clinicians were invited to participate in the survey. Conditional logistical regression modeling was used for data analysis. Results: Overall, 256 subjects took the online survey with 218 (85%) completing it. Most of the participants were STD clinic clinicians who already used some POCTs in their practice. ‘‘The time frame required’’ was identified as a major barrier that currently made it difficult to use STI POCTs. Chlamydia trachomatis was the organism chosen as the top priority for a new POCT, followed by a test that would diagnose early seroconversion for HIV, and a syphilis POCT. Without regard to organism type selected, sensitivity of 90–99% was always the most important attribute to be considered, followed by a cost of $20. However, when the test platform was prioritized for early HIV seroconversion or syphilis, sensitivity was still ranked as most important, but specificity was rated second most important. Conclusions: STI professionals preferred C. trachomatis as the top priority for a new POCT with sensitivity over 90%, low cost, and a very short completion time.
Typical Electronic Health Record Use in Primary Care Practices and the Quality of Diabetes Care

PURPOSE Recent efforts to encourage meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) assume that widespread adoption will improve the quality of ambulatory care, especially for complex clinical conditions such as diabetes. Cross-sectional studies of typical uses of commercially available ambulatory EHRs provide confl icting evidence for an association between EHR use and improved care, and effects of longer-term EHR use in community-based primary care set- tings on the quality of care are not well understood. METHODS We analyzed data from 16 EHR-using and 26 non-EHR-using prac- tices in 2 northeastern states participating in a group-randomized quality improvement trial. Measures of care were assessed for 798 patients with diabe- tes. We used hierarchical linear models to examine the relationship between EHR use and adherence to evidence-based diabetes care guidelines, and hierarchical logistic models to compare rates of improvement over 3 years. RESULTS EHR use was not associated with better adherence to care guide- lines or a more rapid improvement in adherence. In fact, patients in practices that did not use an EHR were more likely than those in practices that used an EHR to meet all of 3 intermediate outcomes targets for hemoglobin A1c, low- density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood pressure at the 2-year follow-up (odds ratio = 1.67; 95% CI, 1.12-2.51). Although the quality of care improved across all practices, rates of improvement did not differ between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS Consistent use of an EHR over 3 years does not ensure success- ful use for improving the quality of diabetes care. Ongoing efforts to encourage adoption and meaningful use of EHRs in primary care should focus on ensuring that use succeeds in improving care. These efforts will need to include provision of assistance to longer-term EHR users.
Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and pre‐receptor regulation of steroid hormone action

Steroid target tissues regulate the local level of steroid hormone that can bind and trans-activate nuclear receptors (a process known as intracrine modulation). This pre-receptor regulation can be achieved by hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs). For each sex hormone there is a pair of HSD isoforms which act either as reductases or oxidases to convert potent steroid hormones into their cognate inactive metabolites, or vice-versa. In this manner, HSDs can function as molecular switches to regulate steroid hormone action. Because these HSDs show tissue-specific expression, inhibitors of these enzymes are predicted to cause tissue-specific responses to steroid hormones. These inhibitors would represent a new class of therapeutics called 'selective intracrine modulators' (SIMs). SIMs are expected to have the same tissue-specific effects as selective steroid receptor modulators but a different mode of action as their effects are enzyme- and not receptor-mediated. HSDs responsible for these interconversions belong to two protein superfamilies: the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases; and the aldo-keto reductases. Crystal structures exist for HSDs in both families, making rational design of SIMs a reality. Broad-based criteria have been established which must be fulfilled to validate each HSD isoform as a potential SIM target.
Culture and Causal Thinking: Diagnosis and Prediction in a South Indian Fishing Village

The research described here is the result of more than four years' fieldwork' among thejalaris, a Telugu fishing-caste people who live on India's southeast coast (see also Nuckolls 1991). Its purpose was to find out how the Jalaris explain the causes of events, using concepts and a methodology synthesized from recent work in culture theory and cognitive science. The findings indicate that the Jalaris, like several African tribes described in the literature (e.g., EvansPritchard 1937; Marwick 1982; Turner 1975), attribute ultimate causes of disruptions to social relations. Contributing to the social science literature on social systems and social explanations was not the project's only aim, however. Of principal interest were these questions: Given a cultural system that links the understanding of social relations with the explanation of events, what situations call
Con: Antifibrinolytics Should Not Be Used Routinely in Low-Risk Cardiac Surgery.

GROWING AMOUNT of evidence linking transfusion of allogeneic blood products with negative patient outcomes and increased cost continues to drive interest into strategies and technologies that limit patient exposure to this risk. The single largest consumer of this resource continues to be cardiac surgery, with 20% of the worldwide use of allogeneic blood products accounted for by this cohort. 1 In cardiac surgical patients, red blood cell transfusion is known to increase postoperative morbidity, incidence of infectious complications, early and late mortality, hospital length of stay, and hospital costs. 2 In addition to the negative impact of transfusion, there has been an independent association of massive blood loss with increased mortality in cardiac surgery, 3 as well as an association of increased postoperative chest tube drainage with adverse outcomes. 4 Bleeding in cardiac surgery is multifactorial and impacted by patient comorbidities and medications, surgical procedures, and acquired defects in coagulation due to cardiopulmonary bypass. Activation of the fibrinolytic system during cardiopulmonary bypass leads to excessive consumption of fibrin by plasmin and an increased risk of significant blood loss in these patients. Two classes of antifibrinolytic agents that attempt to arrest this process, the serine protease inhibitor aprotinin (AP) and the lysine analogs tranexamic acid (TXA) and epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA), have gained widespread use in cardiac surgery as blood-sparing agents. Multiple meta-analyses 5-7 have demonstrated the superiority of AP as compared to TXA or EACA in reducing postoperative blood loss, rates of transfusion, and need for surgical re-exploration in cardiac surgery. However, observational studies raised concern about the safety of aprotinin, 8-9 and the drug eventually was
Taxing Service Partners to Achieve Horizontal Equity

Argues that recent judicial and administrative decisions cause the federal income tax law to tax partners who receive their partnership interests in exchange for services more favorably than partners who acquire their partnership interests in exchange for money or property. Such dissimilar treatment undercuts the desired taxation objective of even-handed treatment of all taxpayers.
Uprighting Molars as an Adjunct to Restorative and Periodontal Treatment of Adults

AbstractThe interrelationship between form, function and stomatologic health is unclear. However, tooth positions that prevent bacterial plaque removal may predispose towards periodontal disease. A frequent problem in adults is loss of posterior teeth with subsequent tip and drift of the molars. Occlusal trauma, if superimposed on gingival inflammation, can result in rapid tissue destruction. Therefore, an indication for orthodontic treatment is the restoration of normal axial inclination and tooth position so that bacterial plaque control may be effected. Simple orthodontic appliances may be used to restore the position of tipped molars. The benefits of orthodontic treatment, prior to the restoration of the posterior occlusion, are improvement in occlusal loading, improvement of periodontal health and simplification of prosthetic design and fabrication.
Genetic and antigenic analysis of street strains of rabies virus in GuangxiP.R.China

Analyse the genetic and antigenic variant of rabies virus in Guangxi with epidemiological method, monoclonal antibodies reaction pattern and molecular biological technique. Rabies incidence has increase in recent three years in Guangxi, especially in mountainous areas. Investigation into the human rabies found that there are about 20% vaccinated defeat cases.On the basis of their reactivity to monoclonal antibodies against the viral nucleocapsid protein(mAb_N),4 street strains isolated from different areas where enzootic rabies is shown had different reaction patterns compared with Chinese vaccine strain(3aG).The nucleotide and amino acid sequence of street strain(GX89_1) G and N gene were compared with 3aG, the overall nucleotide homology of GX89_1 with 3aG was 84.5% and amino acid homology of GX89_1 with 3aG was 89.5% in G gene.The overall nucleotide homology of GX89_1 with 3aG was 86% in N gene and they were not in the same group.There are several amino acid replacement in AA 243_268 of G protein that can affect the antigenicity of rabies virus.The findings suggest that there are different street strains of rabies virus in Guangxi.
Shanghai Dialect in Mainland,Hong Kong and Taiwan Films

With the influence of Shanghai culture to be brought up to the whole world by way of Shanghai films and films about Shanghai,a re-reading and re-writing of Shanghai is becoming a hot spot of cultural research in Shanghai.The fact that Shanghai Dialect,mixed with Mandarin or any other dialects,is ingeniously using in films shows fully that a culture that is local,private and subjective is beneath what is national,public,and historically objective.
Isolation and Determination of Antioxidant Activity of Endophytic Fungi from Lycium barbarum

Objective To isolate and determine antioxidant activity of endophytic fungi from the healthy stems,leaves and fruits of Lycium barbarum.Methods The endophytic fungi were isolated by using tissue isolation method from the stems,leaves and fruits of Lycium barbarum and identified preliminarily based on morphological characteristics.The scavenging activity against·OH of 4 endophytic fungi selected randomly from all were investigated by Fenton reaction in this paper.Results 104 endophytic fungi were isolated from Lycium Barbarum,of which 42 isolated from stems,36 isolated from leaves,26 isolated from fruits,accounting for 40.3%,34.6% and 25% of total endophytic fungi respectively.The 67 fungi produced spores were classified to 7 genera under 5 families,3 orders and 2 classes.As follows: 12 belongs to Penicillium,accounting for 17.9%;5 belongs to Periconia,accounting for 7.5%;26 belongs to Alternaria,accounting for 38.8%;5 belongs to Fusarium,accounting for 7.5%;13 belongs to Aspergillus,accounting for 19.4%;3 belongs to Dendrophoma,accounting for 4.5%;3 belongs to Rhizopus,accounting for 4.5%.But Alternaria was dominant.4 endophytic fungi all could scavenge ·OH.Conclusion The rich endophytic fungi exist in Lycium Barbarum,which are novel resources with antioxidant activity.
Effect of monensin on the estrogen-induced LH surge in prepuberal heifers.

The effect of dietary monensin on the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge following estradiol-17 beta (E2) injection was investigated in prepuberal Simmental X Brahman-Hereford heifers. Ten heifers, weighing approximately 260 kg and approximately 10 mo of age, were equally divided by age and weight into two groups: control (C) heifers each received 1.8 kg/d of a concentrate diet plus Coastal bermudagrass hay ad libitum; monensin (M) heifers each received the same diet plus 200 mg monensin/d. All heifers were maintained in dry lots on their respective diets for 14 d before the E2 challenge. On d 15, all heifers were injected in with 5 mg of E2 in corn oil. Blood samples were collected via tail vessel puncture immediately before E2 injection and at 2-h intervals until 48 h after the E2 injection. The samples were processed for serum and stored at -20 degrees C until LH concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Mean concentrations of LH in serum differed (P less than .005) between C and M heifers and with time after E2 injection. A treatment X sampling period interaction (P less than .10) indicated that maximum serum concentrations of LH (LH surge) were detected earlier (P less than .001) for M (17.2 +/- 1.8 h) than C (27.0 +/- 6.0 h) heifers after the E2 injection. When the data were arrayed relative to the time of the LH surge, treatment (P less than .05) and sampling period (P less than .001) effects were significant, but a treatment X sampling period interaction was not detected. Peak LH concentration was 23.1 +/- 3.0 ng/ml for M heifers and 21.6+/- 4.2 ng/ml for controls (P greater than .10). Duration of the LH surge was 8.0 +/- .9 h in M heifers and 4.8 +/- 1.6 h in C heifers (P less than .001). Area under the LH surge was greater (P less than .001) in M heifers than in control heifers. We conclude that dietary monensin altered the estrogen-induced LH surge in prepuberal heifers.
A Single-Stranded DNA Binding Site in the Human A1 Adenosine Receptor Gene Promoter

Human A1 adenosine receptor gene expression is controlled by two independent promoters. The upstream promoter, promoter A, is subject to tissue specific regulation because not all cells express the mRNA associated with this promoter. One potential regulatory sequence located downstream of the TATA box is an AGG element appearing in a tandem repeat. In a previous study, transient transfection assays showed that mutations made in those AGG elements substantially reduced promoter activity. In the current study, DNase I footprinting indicated nuclear protein binding to this sequence between the TATA box and transcriptional start site. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay confirmed further the presence of an AGG element binding protein (AGBP) in human brain nuclear protein extracts. This binding protein has much higher affinity for single-stranded than for double-stranded DNA, and the binding is sequence specific. A series of assays also showed that AGBP is not related to the nuclear factor SP1 and the binding does not require metal cofactors. Therefore, AGBP is likely to be a specific single-stranded DNA binding protein that is required for the full expression of A1 adenosine receptor gene and particularly abundant in brain tissue.
Reconstruction of the East Africa and Antarctica continental margins

The Early Jurassic separation of Antarctica from Africa plays an important role in our understanding of the dispersal of Gondwana and Pangea. Previous reconstruction models contain overlaps and gaps in the restored margins that reflect difficulties in accurately delineating the continent-ocean-boundary (COB) and determining the amount and distribution of extended continental crust. This study focuses on the evolution of the African margin adjacent to the Mozambique Basin and the conjugate Antarctic margin near the Riiser-Larsen Sea. Satellite-derived gravity data have been used to trace the orientations and landward limits of fracture zones. A 3-D gravity inversion has produced a crustal thickness model that reliably quantifies the extent and amount of stretched crust. Crustal thicknesses together with fracture zone terminations reveal COBs that are significantly closer to the African and Antarctic coasts than previously recognized. Correlation of fracture zone azimuths and identified COBs suggests Antarctica began drifting away from Africa at approximately 171 Ma in a roughly SSE direction. An areal-balancing method has been used to restore the crust to a uniform prerift thickness so as to perform a nonrigid reconstruction for both nonvolcanic and volcanic margins. Both margins reveal a trend of increasing extension from east to west. Our results suggest Africa underwent extension of 60–120 km, while Antarctic crust was stretched by 105–180 km. Various models tested to determine the direction of extension during rifting suggest that Antarctica moved away from Africa in a WNW-ESE direction during the period between 184 and 171 Ma prior to the onset of seafloor spreading.
Emerging from their burrow: Hedgehog pathway inhibitors for cancer.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Cancer treatment is moving away from conventional cytotoxic drugs and towards agents that target specific proteins and mechanisms important to cancer development or survival. The Hedgehog Pathway (HhP) is a signal transduction pathway and its constitutive activation is tumorigenic in basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The HhP enables phenotypic flexibility, and channels tumor-stroma interactions. As a result, it is over-expressed in numerous cancers as well as in the tumor microenvironment and may represent a promising therapeutic target.Areas covered: In this article, we review the rationale for targeting HhP and its role as an oncogenic driver, in tumor epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and in the tumor microenvironment and describe the results of preclinical and clinical studies involving HhP inhibitors.Expert opinion: HhP activation plays an important role in both the tumor microenvironment and tumor EMT which can lead to treatment resistance for a number of different malignan...