cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
α7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist Ameliorates Nicotine Plus High-Fat Diet–Induced Hepatic Steatosis in Male Mice by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Stimulating AMPK Signaling

α7-Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) agonists confer protection against a wide variety of cytotoxic insults and suppress oxidative stress and apoptosis in various cell systems, including hepatocytes. We recently demonstrated that nicotine, when combined with a high-fat diet (HFD), triggers oxidative stress, activates hepatocyte apoptosis, and exacerbates HFD-induced hepatic steatosis in male mice. This study evaluates whether PNU-282987 (PNU), a specific α7nAChR agonist, is effective in preventing nicotine plus HFD-induced hepatic steatosis. Adult C57BL6 male mice were fed a normal chow diet or HFD with 60% of calories derived from fat and received twice-daily intraperitoneal injections of 0.75 mg/kg body weight (BW) of nicotine, PNU (0.26 mg/kg BW), PNU plus nicotine, or saline for 10 weeks. PNU treatment was effective in attenuating nicotine plus HFD-induced increase in hepatic triglyceride levels, hepatocyte apoptosis, and hepatic steatosis. The preventive effects of PNU on nicotine plus HFD-induced hepatic steatosis were mediated by suppression of oxidative stress and activation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) together with inhibition of its downstream target sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl-coenzyme A-carboxylase (ACC). We conclude that the α7nAChR agonist PNU protects against nicotine plus HFD-induced hepatic steatosis in obese mice. PNU appears to work at various steps of signaling pathways involving suppression of oxidative stress, activation of AMPK, and inhibition of SREBP1c, FAS, and ACC. α7nAChR agonists may be an effective therapeutic strategy for ameliorating fatty liver disease, especially in obese smokers.
On the future of macroeconomic models

Macroeconomics has been under scrutiny as a field since the financial crisis, which brought an abrupt end to the optimism of the Great Moderation. There is widespread acknowledgement that the prevailing dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models performed poorly, but little agreement on what alternative future paradigm should be pursued. This article is the elaboration of four blog posts that together present a clear message: current DSGE models are flawed, but they contain the right foundations and must be improved rather than discarded. Further, we need different types of macroeconomic models for different purposes. Specifically, there should be five kinds of general equilibrium models: a common core, plus foundational theory, policy, toy, and forecasting models. The different classes of models have a lot to learn from each other, but the goal of full integration has proven counterproductive. No model can be all things to all people.
Emerging nonmetabolic functions of skin fat

Although the major white adipose depots evolved primarily to store energy, secrete hormones and thermo-insulate the body, multiple secondary depots developed additional specialized and unconventional functions. Unlike any other fat tissue, dermal white adipose tissue (dWAT) evolved a large repertoire of novel features that are central to skin physiology, which we discuss in this Review. dWAT exists in close proximity to hair follicles, the principal appendages of the skin that periodically grow new hairs. Responding to multiple hair-derived signals, dWAT becomes closely connected to cycling hair follicles and periodically cycles itself. At the onset of new hair growth, hair follicles secrete activators of adipogenesis, while at the end of hair growth, a reduction in the secretion of activators or potentially, an increase in the secretion of inhibitors of adipogenesis, results in fat lipolysis. Hair-driven cycles of dWAT remodelling are uncoupled from size changes in other adipose depots that are controlled instead by systemic metabolic demands. Rich in growth factors, dWAT reciprocally signals to hair follicles, altering the activation state of their stem cells and modulating the pace of hair regrowth. dWAT cells also facilitate skin repair following injury and infection. In response to wounding, adipose progenitors secrete repair-inducing activators, while bacteria-sensing adipocytes produce antimicrobial peptides, thus aiding innate immune responses in the skin.
A framework for 2-stage global sensitivity analysis of GastroPlus™ compartmental models.

Parameter sensitivity and uncertainty analysis for physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models are becoming an important consideration for regulatory submissions, requiring further evaluation to establish the need for global sensitivity analysis. To demonstrate the benefits of an extensive analysis, global sensitivity was implemented for the GastroPlus™ model, a well-known commercially available platform, using four example drugs: acetaminophen, risperidone, atenolol, and furosemide. The capabilities of GastroPlus were expanded by developing an integrated framework to automate the GastroPlus graphical user interface with AutoIt and for execution of the sensitivity analysis in MATLAB®. Global sensitivity analysis was performed in two stages using the Morris method to screen over 50 parameters for significant factors followed by quantitative assessment of variability using Sobol’s sensitivity analysis. The 2-staged approach significantly reduced computational cost for the larger model without sacrificing interpretation of model behavior, showing that the sensitivity results were well aligned with the biopharmaceutical classification system. Both methods detected nonlinearities and parameter interactions that would have otherwise been missed by local approaches. Future work includes further exploration of how the input domain influences the calculated global sensitivity measures as well as extending the framework to consider a whole-body PBPK model.
The cyber deterrence problem

What is the role of deterrence in an age where adept hackers can credibly hold strategic assets at risk? Do conventional frameworks of deterrence maintain their applicability and meaning against state actors in cyberspace? Is it possible to demonstrate credibility with either in-domain or cross-domain signaling or is cyberspace fundamentally ill-suited to the application of deterrence frameworks? Building on concepts from both rational deterrence theory and cognitive theories of deterrence this work attempts to leverage relevant examples from both within and beyond cyberspace to examine applicability of deterrence in the digital age and for digital tools in an effort to shift the conversation from Atoms to Bits and Bytes.
Stratigraphic comparison of the Precambrian Wyman and Johnnie Formations in the Western Great Basin, California

OF THE THESIS Stratigraphic Comparison of the Precambrian Wyman and Johnnie Formations in the Western Great Basin, California
American Indians and 'Preferential' Treatment

Preferences and benefits for American Indians predate the American policy of affirmative action, and are grounded in a very different set of rationales. Nonetheless, Indian preferences are the latest targets in the battle against affirmative action. Opponents of Indian preferences and benefits have long deployed the rhetoric of "equal rights" to attack treaty rights and other manifestations of the special legal status that Indians enjoy under federal law. Today, however, the anti-Indian element has joined forces with the anti-affirmative action forces to produce the most intensive challenge yet to Indian rights. The tribes' most effective defense has been to emphasize the grounding of these special rights in their governmental status rather than in race or ethnicity. However, the changing nature of federal benefits, along with the changing demographics and politics of Indian country, has made this strategy difficult for tribes to sustain. This paper offers and assesses three alternative legal theories for tribal responses to the attack on special federal legislation benefiting Indians. Political philosophy and theory are deployed to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of each response.
Group Theory in Atomic Spectroscopy

Publisher Summary Group theory plays two roles in atomic spectroscopy. Its most obvious function is to take advantage of the symmetry possessed by the Hamiltonian for the electrons of an atom. For example, if the atom is free, the Hamiltonian must be invariant under rotations of the reference frame centered at the nucleus. The rotation group in three dimensions, O+(3), enters in a direct and physically significant way. It underlies the theory of angular momentum (l), and is central to those applications of group theory to atomic spectroscopy that are described by Wigner. The second role of group theory dates from the work of Racah. The fundamental idea is to consider the single-electron eigen-functions as basic functions for transformations of a much more general character than those of O+(3). This chapter discusses the Wigner–Eckart (W–E) Theorem, coupled tensors, the structure of the configuration (nl)N, and the Coulomb and spin-orbit interactions in fN.
Yesterday they marched, today they mobilised the vote: a developmental model for civic leadership among the children of immigrants

This article proposes a developmental model for the political incorporation of the adolescent and young adult children of immigrants. We assert that key politicising agents – including parents, edu...
Public Health Surveillance of Youth Suicide Attempts: Challenges and Opportunities.

Background Surveillance of youth suicide attempts presents many challenges. To assess common data sources that capture information about youth suicidal behavior, we compared counts of high school students who reported (a) a suicide attempt and (b) an injurious suicide attempt, requiring medical treatment in the previous twelve months, with counts of suicide deaths and intentional self-injuries obtained from administrative data sources. Method Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), high school enrollments, and vital statistics were used to estimate the ratio of suicide attempts to suicide deaths among Kentucky high school students. YRBSS and enrollment data were used to estimate the number of Kentucky high school students who received medical treatment following a suicide attempt, which was compared with hospital and emergency department (ED) discharges for intentional self-injury from administrative claim records. Results We estimated 943 students reporting a suicide attempt for every suicide death, a result that is higher than previous estimates for youth. Self-reported suicide attempts resulting in medical treatment were 7.5 times higher than self-injuries reported in claims records. Conclusion Future research should address concerns about undocumented cases of intentional self-injury in administrative claims systems; patient encounters in nonhospital settings for injuries resulting from a suicide attempt; and validity of Youth Risk Behavior Survey questions on suicidal behavior.
Engineered Stem Cells Provide Cancer-Killing iNKT Cells

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells have been tested for their potential use in cancer immune therapy, but their low frequency has limited their use. In this issue, Zhu and colleagues propose to overcome this by engineering hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to provide a continual source of iNKT cells. (Zhu et al., 2019).
Elements of Palliative Care in the Last 6 Months of Life: Frequency, Predictors, and Timing

Persons living with serious illness often need skilled symptom management, communication, and spiritual support. Palliative care addresses these needs and may be delivered by either specialists or clinicians trained in other fields. It is important to understand core elements of palliative care to best provide patient-centered care. To describe frequency, predictors, and timing of core elements of palliative care during the last 6 months of life. Retrospective chart review. Inpatient academic medical center. Decedents with cancer, dementia, or chronic kidney disease (CKD) admitted during the 6 months preceding death. We identified receipt and timing of core elements of palliative care: pain and symptom management, goals of care, spiritual care; and specialty palliative care utilization; hospital encounters; demographics; and comorbid diagnoses. We ran Poisson regression models to assess whether diagnosis or hospital encounters were associated with core elements of palliative care. Among 402 decedents, the mean (SD) number of appropriately screened and treated symptoms was 2.9 (1.7)/10. Among 76.1% with documented goals of care, 58.0% had a primary goal of comfort; 55.0% had documented spiritual care. In multivariable models, compared with decedents with cancer, those with dementia or CKD were less likely to have pain and symptom management (respectively, 31% (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.69; 95% CI, 0.56–0.85) and 17% (IRR, 0.83; CI, 0.71–0.97)). There was a median of 3 days (IQR, 0–173) between transition to a goal of comfort and death, and a median of 12 days (IQR, 5–47) between hospice referral and death. Although a high proportion of patients received elements of palliative care, transitions to a goal of comfort or hospice happened very near death. Palliative care delivery can be improved by systematizing existing mechanisms, including prompts for earlier goals-of-care discussion, symptom screening, and spiritual care, and by building collaboration between primary and specialty palliative care services.
Use of Geospatial, Hydrologic, and Geochemical Modeling to Determine the Influence of Wetland-Derived Organic Matter in Coastal Waters in Response to Extreme Weather Events

Flooding from extreme weather events (EWE), such as hurricanes, exports large amounts of dissolved organic matter (DOM) to both estuaries and coastal waters globally. Hydrologic connectivity of wetlands to adjacent river channels during flood events is potentially a major control on the DOM exported to coastal waters after EWEs. In this study, a geographic information system based flood model was used to: 1) determine the volume of flooded wetlands in a river corridor following Hurricane Matthew in 2016; 2) compute the resulting volume fluxes of DOM to the Neuse River Estuary-Pamlico Sound (NRE-PS), in eastern North Carolina and 3) use the flood model to quantify the wetland contribution to DOM export. The flood model-derived contributions were validated with a Bayesian Monte Carlo mixing model combining measurements of DOM quality: specific UV Absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA254), spectral slope ratio (SR), and stable isotope ratios of dissolved organic carbon (13C-DOC). Results indicated that 1) hydrologic connectivity of the freshwater riparian wetlands caused the wetlands to become the primary source of organic matter (OM) that was exported into the NRE-PS after Matthew and 2) this source lingered in these coastal waters in the months after the storm. Thus, in consideration of the pulse-shunt concept, EWE such as Hurricane Matthew cause pulses of DOM from wetlands, which were the primary source of the OM shunted from the terrestrial environment to the estuary and sound. Wetlands constituted ca. 48% of the annual loading of DOC into the NRE and 16% of DOC loading into the PS. Results were consistent with prior studies in this system, and other coastal ecosystems, that attributed a high reactivity of DOM as the underlying reason for large CO2 releases following EWE. Adapting pulse-shunt concept to estuaries requires the addition of a “processing” step to account for the DOM to CO2 dynamics, thus a new pulse-shunt process is proposed to incorporate coastal waters. Our results suggest that with increasing frequency and intensity of EWE, strengthening of the lateral transfer of DOM from land to ocean will occur and has the potential to greatly impact coastal carbon cycling.
Revolutionary Technologies for Bio Detection

The threat of attack on military and civilian targets with chemical and biological weapons is a growing national concern. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is developing technologies for detecting biological materials in the natural environment. While several technologies show promise as broadband detectors, there is no “silver bullet” that detects all chemical and biological materials at the requisite levels of sensitivity and specificity. DARPA is developing a systems approach whereby several different advanced detection schemes (based on different physical phenomena) are being integrated into a biological detection suite.
The influence of infection on phenotypic alterations of interstitial cells of Cajal in appendix

Objective To investigate the phenotypic alterations of interstitial cells of Cajal(ICCs) in children with appendicitis.Methods Appendectomy specimens and the levels of CRP and PCT from 64 patients with suppurative appendicitis(suppurative group),24 patients of perforated appendicitis with peritonitis(peritonitis group) and 17 patients with appendiceal abscess accepted conservative treatment and then with elective interval appendectomy 6 months later(abscess group) were respectively compared with appendectomy specimens and CRP and PCT from 15 control patients with congenital malrotation of intestine(control group).We investigated the ICCs distribution in 120 appendices of these patients using immunohistochemistry and anti-c-kit antibodies.Results Compared to control group,c-Kit+ICCs were abundant and showed a network structure in the appendices of abscess group and there was no significant difference between them.The number of c-kit+ ICCs was remarkably reduced or even disappeared and the network structures was destroyed in the both suppurative group and peritonitis group,and were significant less than those of the controls,there was a significant difference between suppurative group and peritonitis group in the distribution of c-Kit+ICCs.The CRP and PCT were significantly elevated in suppurative group (28.7±8.4mg/L,0.96±0.31ng/ml)and peritonitis group (116.1±34.3mg/L,2.08±0.59ng/ml),but maintained in normal levels in abscess group(2.8±0.6mg/L,0.32±0.09ng/ml).Conclusions Infection might lead to temporary losses of the phenotype and the network structure of ICCs,but these alterations can be recovered with recession of infection. Key words: Infection; Appendicitis; Immunohistochemistry
Expansion of PURA-Related Phenotypes and Discovery of a Novel PURA Variant: A Case Report:

Variants in PURA have recently been associated with an autosomal dominant form of PURA-related neurodevelopmental disorders. Using whole exome sequencing, patients with neurological phenotypes including hypotonia, developmental delay, learning disabilities, and seizures were identified to have de novo variants in PURA. We describe a proband with features similar to the previously described cases with PURA variants, but including additional features, such as short stature, delayed bone age, and delayed puberty. Exome sequencing revealed a novel pathogenic nonsense variant, c.190A>T (p.Lys64*; NM_005859), in PURA that was not inherited from the proband's mother. In the recent literature, a significant number of patients with variants in PURA have been described, but to our knowledge, none of these patients have the delayed bone age and growth plateau observed in the proband. It is therefore possible that the above PURA variant may be responsible for the novel features and thus expands the PURA-related phenotype spectrum.
Turkey in the UN Security Council during the Cold War: elections, voting motivations and alliance commitments

Turkey served for five years in the UN Security Council during the early Cold War period. Throughout its service, first in 1951–1952, then in 1954–1955, finally in 1961, Turkey joined 201 voting se...
Growth inhibition of ericaceous plants from metolachlor.

Abstract Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) is a major weed problem in many perennial woody crops. Dual 8E4 (metolachlor) at 4.5, 6.7, 9.0 and 13.5 kg/ha (4, 6, 8 and 12 lb/A) was evaluated in the field for 4 years to determine phytotoxicity to 11 varieties of azaleas. Also evaluated were Ericaceous species including coast leucothoe, compact Japanese andromeda, and Rhododendron × ‘PJM’. Fall or spring applications of metolachlor at rates up to 13.5 kg/ha (12.0 lb/A) caused no injury to the established azaleas ‘Delaware Valley White’, ‘Hershey Red’ and ‘Hinocrimson’. Some temporary injury occurred to newly planted ‘Hinocrimson’ azaleas treated with metolachlor at 6.7 kg/ha (6.0 lb/A). A July application at this same rate caused some temporary injury to established ‘Delaware Valley White’, ‘Double Pink’, ‘Hershey Red’, ‘Hot Shot’, ‘Karen’, ‘Lady Robin’, ‘Rosebud’ and ‘Tradition’ azaleas and ‘Coast lecothoe’ and ‘PJM’ rhododendron. No reduction in crop quality or size was observed with any species at ti...
Adjuvant effects of anti-4-1BB monoclonal antibody administration in adoptive T cell therapy of cancer involve host NK cells and the Stat 4 signaling pathway

634 We previously reported the polarization effects of 4-1BB during the in vitro generation of tumor-reactive T cells for cancer immunotherapy, as well as the adjuvant effects of anti-4-1BB antibody administration in dendritic cell-based vaccines. In this report, we studied the adjuvant effects of anti-4-1BB mAb administration in T cell therapy of cancer and evaluated the role of NK cells and the Stat 4 signaling pathway. In an adoptive immunotherapy model, effector cells were generated invitro by anti-CD3/anti-CD28 activation of tumor-draining lymph node (TDLN) cells. Tumor-bearing mice with macroscopic 10-day lung metastases were treated i.v with 5 x 10^6 anti-CD3/anti-CD28 activated TDLN cells with or without i.p. anti-4-1BB mAb administration (25 or 100 micrograms). While T cells or anti-4-1BB alone showed no therapeutic efficacy in this model, T cells plus anti-4-1BB administration mediated significant regression of pulmonary metastases in an antibody dose dependent manner. As a result, T cells combined with anti-4-1BB therapy prolonged the survival of these mice. In 3-day lung tumor-bearing animals, we evaluated the role of host NK cells during the T cell plus anti-4-1BB therapy. Three-day tumor-bearing mice treated with T cells alone demonstrated tumor regression which was significantly enhanced by anti-4-1BB administration. However, NK cell depletion with anti-NK1.1 antibody injection immediately following T cell and anti-4-1BB administration partially abrogated the augmented therapeutic efficacy rendered by anti-4-1BB. Using Stat 4-deficient mice, we examined the possible signaling pathway involved in anti-4-1BB-induced immunomodulation. Although T cells remained effective in mediating 3-day tumor regression as in the wild-type hosts, the simultaneous anti-4-1BB mAb administration failed to augment the therapeutic efficacy of T cell therapy in the Stat 4-deficient mice. These results indicate that administered anti-4-1BB mAb can serve as an effective adjuvant to augment the antitumor reactivity of adoptively transferred T cells. In addition, anti-4-1BB administration-enhanced therapeutic efficacy is partially mediated by host NK cells, and involves the Stat 4 molecular signaling pathway.
Health Needs Assessment In Inner Cities: Does Zip Code Analysis Reveal Better Results?

Health needs assessments can utilize information regarding perceived needs of the community in order to effectively disseminate resources to address these needs (Beverly, McAtee, Costello, Chernoff, & Casteel, 2005; Rohrer, 2009) , and to provide a snapshot of families in a service area and their economic well-being, educational status, health, and welfare (Moore, 2009) . A community health needs assessment is a dynamic process that involve the community to identify health problems and goals so that implementation of health priorities and systematic action planning can improve the quality and quantity of services needed for that community (Holt, 2008; Lee, Ackerson, Flodin, & Slatin, 2010). As a result, a community needs assessment can establish a basis for change wherein agencies can develop comprehensive strategic planning for health initiatives based on community needs. Proenca, Rosko & Zinn (2000) reported that community health assessments that are conducted by over 60 percent of hospitals were able to understand the health needs within their service areas and to identify gaps in service offerings and/or to improve current service offerings. The use of a community based approach allows for understanding the needs of the people that are served by the hospital, and the community from which the patients are drawn by focusing on the community as a whole (Proenca, Rosko, & Zinn, 2000) . By taking this view, a community becomes a recognized stakeholder and the health needs can be addressed in a strategic fashion. Despite evident progress in assessing the area’s unmet health care needs, it is important to point out one important caveat. Health needs assessment efforts in local communities often use methodologies such as surveys, focus groups, population based studies, or statewide data in which descriptive statistics are computed and confidence intervals are revealed. Results often represent the central tendency (average) of the population studied, and when there are significant economic and demographic differences amongst communities which may result in health disparities, descriptive statistics tend to be insignificant due to high variance. Generally, results showing insignificant confidence intervals may actually be a sign of health disparities, but it does not pinpoint specific concerns and needs of communities, and most importantly, where the most communities are in the boundaries of the studied population. This particular problem could be eliminated by analyzing health and health needs of local communities at a smaller geographic area such as zip codes; rather than overall community or average community. Therefore, this study is to examine differences and/or variances in results of the 2007 Long Beach Health Needs Assessment Survey by conducting an analysis of the data using various zip codes. Zip code analysis was undertaken to determine specific areas where there are gaps in health services, as perceived by the participants, and community organizations and hospitals.
A guard band configuration scheme for single-antenna vector OFDM systems

Vector OFDM was proposed by one of the authors for single-antenna systems as a generalization of OFDM. It converts an ISI channel into multiple "ISI-free" vector channels while involving channel matrices instead of channel coefficients in one-tap equalization. Over multipath fading channels, it benefits from signal space diversity. It either reduces the cyclic prefix data rate overhead or the peak-to-average power ratio. This paper addresses the issue of guard band configuration and provides a solution.
Titanium-porcelain system. Part II. Bond strength of fired porcelain on nitrided pure titanium

Commercially pure titanium (CPT) substrate was subjected to porcelain firing and bond strengths under three-point bending mode (span length: 15 mm; crosshead speed: 0.5 mm/min) were evaluated. Experimental variables included surface treatments of CPT and porcelain firing schedules. Variables for the surface treatments were (1) sandblasting, (2) mono- and triple-layered nitridation, and (3) mono-layered chrome-doped nitridation. Variables for the porcelain firing schedule included (4) bonding agent application, (5) bonding agent plus gold bonding agent application, and (6) Procera porcelain application. All together eleven sample groups were prepared with different combination of aforementioned experimental variables. Statistically all of them exhibited no significant differences. Hence, we employed two further criteria; (I) the minimum bond strength should exceed the maximum porcelain strength per se, and (II) the CPT substrate should not be heated close to the beta-transus temperature. After applying these criteria, it was concluded that mono-layered nitridation and mono-layered application of chrome-doped nitridation on both (with and without) sandblasted and non-sandblasted surfaces were the most promising conditions for a successful Titanium-Porcelain System.
The Study of Mechanisms of Superconductivity by NMR Relaxation

This chapter describes the use of NMR to study superconductivity. The focus is on the use of NMR measurements of spin-lattice relaxation (T1 )t o pro- vide insight into the possible mechanisms which give rise to superconductivity. The chapter begins with a review of NMR T1 in the normal state of metals, fol- lowed by an explanation of how, according to the theory of Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer (BCS), the situation is modified when the metal becomes superconduct- ing. These ideas are then applied in a discussion of several recent superconducting systems. Data presented for alkali fullerenes show that the fullerides are conventional BCS superconductors, while data for cuprate superconductors suggest a much dif- ferent type of superconducting pairing. The authors conclude with a discussion of some organic materials that exhibit superconductivity or, with slight modification in structure, antiferromagnetism. In the studies of the antiferromagnetism, it is found that NMR can detect the electron spin-spin interaction discovered by Dzialoshinskii and Moriya.
Routine, ceremony, or drama: an exploratory field study of the primary care clinical encounter.

BACKGROUND Practicing family physicians often find family systems theory and the biopsychosocial model attractive, but have difficulties applying them in a busy office practice. METHODS Two family physicians in a four-person group practice were identified as "exemplars" at managing daily office practice. A collaborative, qualitative methodology was used to explore their strategy. A series of semistructured key informant interviews with the two physicians and the head nurse identified themes later clarified using ethnoscience interviewing techniques. The resultant clinical encounter typology and decision-making taxonomy were evaluated using participant observation and key informant review. The final results were compared with the literature on physician-patient relationships. RESULTS Three clinical encounter types were identified. "Routines" were simple, single, and brief visits in which a contractual style and the biomedical model were used. "Ceremonies" were linked rituals that invoked a covenantal style. "Dramas" were a series of visits concerning situations of conflict and emotion and included psychosocial problems. The family was often convened for dramas. Determination of the presenting concern, the trigger for coming, the patient request, the illness prototype, and the type of communication allowed recognition of the clinical encounter type. CONCLUSIONS Identifying a clinical encounter as a routine, ceremony, or drama may help family physicians integrate family systems concepts into their busy office practices. These findings have numerous implications for future research, clinical practice, and teaching.
Can eTraining be beneficial means for training the staff in QA

The question is raised as to whether the staff of a company needs to be trained in quality assurance, especially what is relative to one's responsibilities. The answer is inferred to be in the affirmative, and thus training in general is discussed. Questions to be asked before deciding on the type of training that should be undertaken as well as representative areas to be covered in the training are given. The emphasis is on eTraining, giving its advantages and disadvantages; how it can be ensured the staff will accept the training; the effectiveness of the training from business and staff development standpoints; whether eTraining will have a sustained educational effect; how difficult it is to develop a proper curriculum; what start up and continuous costs and what cost/benefit ratio can be expected. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tilt table evaluation for control pediatric patients: comparison with symptomatic patients.

This study was designed to evaluate pediatric control patients during head-up tilt in comparison with symptomatic neurocardiogenic syncope patient head-up tilt responses. Twenty-three pediatric control (c) patients (13 females, 10 males ; 11.9 ± 3. years) were tested with head-up tilt (HUT) and compared with 66 symptomatic (s) patients. Baseline drug-free HUT (cHUT-1), a second drug-free HUT (cHUT-2), and a final HUT with isoproterenol infusion (cHUT-3) were each performed at 80° tilt angle for 30 min or until positive. For comparison, 66 symptomatic patients (41 females, 25 males ; 13.6 ± 2.5 years) underwent drug-free HUT (sHUT-1) ; negative responders during sHUT-1 underwent follow-up HUT with isoproterenol (sHUT-2). HUT data were compared for both groups at both 30 and 20 min tilt duration. Twelve control patients (52%) had a symptomatic response during cHUT-1 at 18 ± 8 min. During cHUT-2, 5 of 23 patients were positive at 13 ± 5 min ; each had previously tested positive during cHUT-1. Two patients, each positive in cHUT-1 and cHUT-2, refused cHUT-3. The only patient testing positive during cHUT-3 was test positive in cHUT-1 but negative for cHUT-2. In comparison, 43 of 66 (65%) symptomatic patients tested positive during drug-free sHUT-1 at 11 ± 6 min. Subsequently, 20 of the 23 negative patients underwent HUT with isoproterenol (sHUT-2), with 8 of 20 testing positive. Thus, 51 of 66 symptomatic patients (77%) were called true positives. Chi-square analysis for comparison of 30 min cHUT-1 (12/23 positive patients) versus sHUT-1 (43/66 positive patients) yielded no statistical difference. However, analysis of data limited to 20 min tilt duration showed 7 of 23 positive cHUT-1 versus 38 of 66 positive sHUT-1 patient responses (p = 0.025). It is concluded that (1) pediatric HUT is relatively nonspecific in a control population (52% false positive), (2) concordance for consecutive positive control tilts is low, (3) isoproterenol does not increase overall predisposition to positive pediatric control patient response, and (4) an 80° tilt protocol limited to 20 min duration may help differentiate between false and true positive responses.
Properties of SiO2 grown on Ti, Co, Ni, Pd, and Pt silicides

Successful utilization of silicides for VLSI applcations depends strongly on the formation of electrically insulating oxide on top of the silicide (1) . It is found that almost all silicides on a Si substrate can be oxidized to form an SiO2 layer on their surface. In this paper, we present some of the properties of such SiO2 layers formed on TiSi2, CoSi2, NiSi2, Pd2Si, and PtSi on a substrate following dry and wet oxidation. Electrical parameters that were investigated are the dielectric constant, dielectric strength (breakdown field), and pinhole density. The dielectric constant was found to be 3.49 ± 0.24, which is similar to the values reported for SiO2 grown on Si. The dielectric strength of the oxide layers depends on the polarity of the applied voltage, as is the case for oxide grown on poly-Si. Pinhole density in this oxide was also estimated and is less than 40 per cm2. The oxide density and stoichiometry were evaluated using Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) and DEKTAK, and compared to SiO2 grown on . The conclusion we have reached is that oxides grown on almost all the silicides investigated (except PdSi), hold promise for integrated circuit application. The main problem is the suicide roughness, induced by the thermal oxidation, that reduces the dielectric breakdown field.
A Theory of Secondary Electron Emission from Metals

A theory of secondary electron emission from metals is formulated on the basis of the Sommerfeld free-electron model, momentum transfer between electrons and lattice being included by introducing a finite mean free path for elastic scattering. The approach to the problem is similar to that of Kadyschewitsch, but the development is simpler and comparison with experiment is made in more detail. An understanding is reached of the influence of work function and the width of the conduction band, making it clear why, on the average, metals with large work function might be expected to be the best emitters. The observed effect of changing the work function of a given metal by surface layers of foreign atoms is interpreted, an inverse relationship between emission and work function being obtained which is in qualitative agreement with experiment. The theory also accounts for the velocity distribution of the secondaries, giving the general shape of the curve and determining the approximate position of the maximum, and is consistent with the observed angular distribution of the secondaries. The investigation is not carried far enough to give new theoretical information concerning the variation of secondary emission with primary energy. However, the relation of the present theory to some work of Bruining is indicated, and attention directed to an important empirical relationship.
Pregnant adolescents at risk: sexual behaviors and sexually transmitted disease prevalence.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of high-risk sexual behaviors and the prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhea among pregnant adolescents. Study Design: These analyses used data from 203 pregnant and 209 nonpregnant adolescents who were recruited from public health clinics. Data sources included interviewer-administered questionnaires, ligase chain reaction tests for chlamydia/gonorrhea in the third trimester of pregnancy, and state health department reports of chlamydia/gonorrhea. Statistical analyses included logistic regression. Results: Pregnant adolescents were significantly more likely to have not used condoms during sexual intercourse in the past 30 days compared with nonpregnant adolescents, although other sexual risk behaviors were reduced. Nineteen percent of pregnant adolescents had chlamydia or gonorrhea diagnosed during the pregnancy. Conclusion: Pregnant adolescents have high levels of sexually transmitted diseases during pregnancy, and many adolescents use condoms inconsistently. Prenatal care providers may be in a unique position to decrease sexually transmitted diseases among pregnant adolescents by encouraging the reduction of risk behaviors and aggressively screening for sexually transmitted diseases as part of routine prenatal care. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;188:63-70.)
The effect on neutral gene flow of selection at a linked locus

The effect on gene flow at a neutral locus of a selective cline at a linked locus is investigated. A diffusion approximation for a two-locus island model is derived in which only one locus is subject to selection. The moments of the stationary distribution are obtained and compared to the corresponding moments from a one-locus, neutral island model. This comparison yields an effective migration rate. The effective migration rate is always less than the actual migration rate, but this effect is seen to be small for weak selection and loose linkage in the case of adult migration. The importance of selection at linked loci to the question of genetic differentiation in a subdivided population is discussed.
Evidence for μ opiate receptors on inhibitory terminals in area CA1 of rat hippocampus

The mechanism of disinhibition produced by opioid peptides was studied using intracellular recording in area CA1 of rat hippocampal slices. The mu-selective opioid peptide [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly-ol5]-enkephalin (DAGO) reversibly depressed directly-activated, monosynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) evoked in the presence of the excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX) and D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV) in a naloxone-sensitive manner. Depression of monosynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) by DAGO was not prevented by 1-2 mM Ba2+. DAGO reversibly depressed monosynaptic IPSPs when applied locally close to the recording site, but was ineffective when applied close to the stimulating site in stratum radiatum. These results suggest that DAGO disinhibits pyramidal neurons in area CA1 of the rat hippocampus by activating mu opiate receptors located on the terminals of inhibitory neurons, and by a Ba(2+)-insensitive mechanism.
Should flood insurance be mandatory? Insights in the wake of the 1997 New Year’s Day flood in Reno–Sparks, Nevada

Abstract The USA faces major challenges from flooding, with more than 12% of its population (over 30 million people) living in areas of periodic inundation. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has offered flood insurance to renters, homeowners and businesses since the late 1960s, yet only about a quarter of those eligible have purchased policies that would reduce the risks caused by flooding. This research investigated why single-family homeowners do or do not choose to purchase flood insurance. The study was conducted within the context of the 1997 New Year’s Day flood in Reno, Nevada, an area with a long history of flooding. The paper discusses the evolution of the NFIP, focusing on the Reform Act of 1994 whereby the federal government attempted to mandate coverage and transfer decision-making responsibility from individuals to institutional lenders with links to the federal government. The most statistically significant variables in an individual’s decision to purchase flood insurance were found to include: (1) lender compliance; (2) perceptions of personal vulnerability to flooding relative to other hazards; (3) a concern that flooding will be a constant threat; and (4) concern that government assistance will not be adequate or forthcoming during a major flood disaster. While the Reform Act will no doubt increase flood insurance coverage, it has limitations; for example, not all dwellings fall under the purview of the new regulations (especially those outside of Special Flood Hazard Areas). Further, the paper questions whether the new regulations will, in fact, reduce risk, since the shift away from individual responsibility may cause some individuals to develop a ‘false sense of security’ and choose to forego any mitigation or preparation activity. Importantly, because the decision to purchase flood insurance as a form of hazard mitigation is still a voluntary choice for many individuals, it warrants continued study.
An evaluation of formal mentoring studies and a model for their improvement

Abstract New employees often learn an organization's unwritten rules— the “ropes”—through one-on-one relationships with workplace colleagues or mentors. Increasingly, organizations are implementing mentoring programs to foster supportive work relationships—and evaluators are being called on to assess them. This paper presents a systematic literature review of mentoring-type program evaluations and reveals wide gaps in what published studies report. The complex and long-term nature of mentoring programs presents unique challenges to evaluators. To meet these challenges we suggest an evaluation model that attends to local audience needs and addresses four evaluation stages: (1) context evaluation, for assessing needs, objectives and organizational support; (2) design evaluation, to assess mentor and protege characteristics, the process for pairing the mentor and protege, the program duration, activities and recognition/rewards for participants; (3) implementation stage evaluation, to monitor activities, feedback and revisions; and (4) product evaluation, to assess systematically the planned and unplanned outcomes that consist of program reactions, learning, behavior change, and impact.
Binary encounter electrons in ion-atom collisions☆

Abstract The theory of binary encounter electron production is reviewed. The elastic differential cross sections for electrons scattered from Au q + ( q = 9, 11 and 19) are compared for an impact energy of 329.1 eV. Some examples are presented where theory is compared to the experimental data of Au + -neon collisions for selected angles in the laboratory frame.
Facebook use and academic performance among college students

A mixed-methods study of academic performance and Facebook among U.S.-based college students.A qualitative account of how a U.S.-sample of college students conferred meanings to their academic lives on Facebook.Academic performance may determine college students' Facebook use, rather than the reverse.Those with lower GPAs may disclose negative affective states in their academic disclosure on Facebook. This paper uses a mixed-methods approach to examine the relation between online academic disclosure and academic performance. A multi-ethnic sample of college students (N=261; male=66; female=195; M age ź 22years) responded to open-ended questions about their Facebook use. Thematic analysis revealed that over 14% of the Facebook wall posts/status updates (N=714) contained academic themes; positive states were more frequent than negative and neutral states and students with lower GPAs expressed negative states more often. A path analysis suggested that academic performance may determine college students' Facebook use, rather than the reverse. Implications for student support services are discussed.
Regio- and Stereoselectivity of Particulate Methane Monooxygenase from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath)

The regiospecificity and stereoselectivity of alkane hydroxylation and alkene epoxidation by the particulate methane monooxygenase from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) was evaluated over a range of substrates. Oxidation products were identified by conventional GC analysis, and the stereoselectivity of oxidation was determined by a combination of chiral GC and HPLC methods, as well as 1H NMR analysis of the corresponding (R)-2-acetoxy-2-phenylethanoate ester derivatives in the case of alkanol products. Alkane hydroxylation was found to proceed favoring attack at the C-2 position in all cases, and the stereoselectivity for n-butane and n-pentane was characterized by an enantiomeric excess of 46% and 80%, respectively, with preference for the (R)-alcohol noted for both substrates. Epoxides were formed with smaller stereoselectivities. Together, the regio- and stereoselectivity results suggest that an equilibrium of competing substrate binding modes exists. A simple substrate-binding model that incorporates p...
MORPHOLOGICAL SPECIFICATION OF TRIGEMINAL NEURITES DEPENDS ON TARGET FIELDS

Abstract Primary sensory neurons bridge the sensory periphery to the central nervous system (CNS) via their two axonal processes. The morphological patterning of the teminals of each process in its respective target is unique. Whether the differences between peripheral and central axons result from an intrinsic developmental program of the ganglion cell body, or from target-derived signals is not known. To explore this issue, we have used an explant coculture system in which embryonic (E15) trigeminal ganglion explants were placed between a vibrissa pad and a brainstem explant, but the explants were rotated 180° relative to their normal orientation. In other experiments, individual ganglia were placed between two vibrissa pad explants or between two slices taken through the brainstem. The cultures were fixed after several days and ganglion cell processes were labeled with the lipophilic tracer DiI. Results of the ganglion rotation experiments suggest that trigeminal axons which would be directed centrally in vivo can regenerate into peripheral targets, and peripheral axons can grow into CNS tissue. Similarly, in cocultures with two peripheral or two central targets, both processes of trigeminal ganglion cells can simultaneously invade vibrissa pad explants or project into brainstem slices. Moreover, in all cocultures the differentiation of each set of processes is specific to the target innervated by it. These results show that the axons of embryonic sensory neurons are not selective in their choice of targets, and that their morphological patterning is dictated by target-derived signals.