Novel results in STM, ARPES, HREELS, Nernst, neutron, Raman, and isotope substitution experiments and their relation to bosonic modes and charge inhomogeneity, from perspective of negative-Ueff boson-fermion modelling of HTSC

This paper seeks to synthesize much recent work on the HTSC materials around the latest STM results from Davis and coworkers. The conductance diffuse scattering results in particular are used as point of entry to discuss bosonic modes, both of condensed and uncondensed form. The bosonic mode picture is essential to understanding an ever growing range of observations within the HTSC field. The work is expounded within the context of the negative-U, boson-fermion modelling long advocated by the author. This general approach is presently seeing much theoretical development, into which I have looked to couple many of the experimental advances. While the formal theory is not yet sufficiently detailed to cover adequately all the experimental complexities presented by the real cuprate systems, it is clear that it affords very appreciable support to the line taken. An attempt is made throughout to say why and how it is that these events are tied so very closely to this particular set of materials.Comment: 36 pages pdf with 3 figures and 1 table included, Submitted to J. Phys. Cond. Mat

The Difficult Case of Crystallization and Structure Solution for the ParC55 Breakage-Reunion Domain of Topoisomerase IV from Streptococcus pneumoniae

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the major cause of community-acquired pneumonia and is also associated with bronchitis, meningitis, otitis and sinusitis. The emergence and increasing prevalence of resistance to penicillin and other antibiotics has led to interest in other anti-pneumonococcal drugs such as quinolones that target the enzymes DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. During crystallization and in the avenues to finding a method to determine phases for the structure of the ParC55 breakage-reunion domain of topoisomerase IV from Streptococcus pneumoniae, obstacles were faced at each stage of the process. These problems included: majority of the crystals being twinned, either non-diffracting or exhibiting a high mosaic spread. The crystals, which were grown under conditions that favoured diffraction, were difficult to flash-freeze without loosing diffraction. The initial structure solution by molecular replacement failed and the approach proved to be unviable due to the complexity of the problem. In the end the successful structure solution required an in-depth data analysis and a very detailed molecular replacement search. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Crystal anti-twinning agents have been tested and two different methods of flash freezing have been compared. The fragility of the crystals did not allow the usual method of transferring the crystals into the heavy atom solution. Consequently, it was necessary to co-crystallize in the presence of the heavy atom compound. The multiple isomorphous replacement approach was unsuccessful because the 7 cysteine mutants which were engineered could not be successfully derivatized. Ultimately, molecular replacement was used to solve the structure by sorting through a large number of solutions in space group P1 using CNS. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The main objective of this paper is to describe the obstacles which were faced and overcome in order to acquire data sets on such difficult crystals and determine phases for successful structure solution

Mechanisms of compression in well-graded saprolitic soils

Soils originating from weathering processes present considerable heterogeneity in their composition, which can make it difficult to analyse their behaviour in a systematic way. For the granitic saprolites discussed in this paper, based on a trend between soil density and weathering degree, there appears to be two different domains of behaviour, a granular domain and a clay matrix one, according to the degree of weathering reached. Recognition of these domains can reduce the apparent scatter of data for the engineering behaviour of weathered soils. A number of one-dimensional compression tests are presented for saprolitic soils from Hong Kong having different weathering degrees. In addition, isotropic and one-dimensional compression tests from the literature on other saprolites from Hong Kong and around the world were reanalysed and used to identify possible trends in the mechanisms of compression for these two domains. From practical considerations, the trends considered were between compressibility and common engineering grading descriptors. An attempt was also made to provide the physical explanations behind the behaviour observed, and the particle breakage was investigated in detail, both from a quantitative and qualitative point of view. It was found that the values of relative breakage (Hardin in ASCE J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 111(10):1177–1192, 1985), for a same stress level, might be very similar for soils having different compressibility values and different initial gradings. When studying particle breakage in further detail, it can be observed that it is linked to the amount of large particles and their characteristics. The maximum particle size, rather than the amount of fines in a mixture, may be a better predictor for differences in compressibility and breakage

Assessment of the Sustained Financial Impact of Risk Engineering Service on Insurance Claims Costs

This research paper creates a comprehensive statistical model, relating financial impact of risk engineering activity, and insurance claims costs. Specifically, the model shows important statistical relationships among six variables including: types of risk engineering activity, risk engineering dollar cost, duration of risk engineering service, and type of customer by industry classification, dollar premium amounts, and dollar claims costs. We accomplish this by using a large data sample of approximately 15,000 customer-years of insurance coverage, and risk engineering activity. Data sample is from an international casualty/property insurance company and covers four years of operations, 2006-2009. The choice of statistical model is the linear mixed model, as presented in SAS 9.2 software. This method provides essential capabilities, including the flexibility to work with data having missing values, and the ability to reveal time-dependent statistical associations

Reducing the Risk of Suicide on an Inpatient Acute Behavioral Health Unit

Evidence suggest for those who have successfully committed suicide in the form of asphyxiation inside locked facilities are more than likely due to patient bathroom doors. The current unit consists of 30 inpatient medical-psychiatric beds serving the adult and geriatric populations. The goal is to ensure patient safety by removing patient bathroom doors and replacing them with breakaway shower curtains for those exhibiting direct signs and symptoms of suicidal ideations with a plan. The specific aim is to improve patient outcomes by decreasing the number of deaths or attempted suicides. With great results, this type of project has been implemented within other acute psychiatric settings, which is considered best practice in acute mental health. Suicide has ranked in the top five most frequently reported events to the Joint Commission since 1995 (Joint Commission, 2010). A random sample questionnaire was distributed to 20 fulltime behavioral health registered nurses, which yielded16 completed questionnaires. Of the 16 completed questionnaires, 13 of the nurses (81%) were in favor of this project. Nurses play a crucial role in making recommendations for the design of psychiatric units, not only in securing the units but also in creating a culture of safety. References American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing world. Florence Nightingale Pledge. Retrieved on October 28, 2015, from: http://www.nursingworld.org/FlorenceNightingalePledge Bowers, L., Dack, C., Gul, N., Thomas, B., & James, K. (2011). Learning from prevented suicide in psychiatric inpatient care: An analysis of data from the National Patient Safety Agency. International Journal Of Nursing Studies, 481459-1465. Cardell, R., Bratcher, K., & Quinnett, P. (2009). Revisiting \u27suicide proofing\u27 an inpatient unit through environmental safeguards: a review. Perspectives In Psychiatric Care, 45(1), 36-44. Hunt, I. M., Bickley, H., Windfuhr, K., Shaw, J., Appleby, L., & Kapur, N. (2013). Suicide in recently admitted psychiatric in-patients: A case-control study. Journal Of Affective Disorders, (1-2), 123. Joint Commission Resources. (2007). Suicide prevention: Toolkit for implementing national patient safety goal 15A. Oakbrook Terrace, IL: Author. Tishler, C., & Reiss, N. (2009). Inpatient suicide: preventing a common sentinel event. General Hospital Psychiatry, 31(2), 103-10

U.S.-Ukraine Military Relations and the Value of Interoperability

Ukraine\u27s destiny is critical to the security of the entire post-Soviet zone. It long has been the stated goal of Ukrainian defense policy to integrate with Euro-Atlantic structures like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and this goal has been one of the chief objectives of the United States, as well. However, to move from rhetoric to implementation is particularly difficult where the defense reform of a post-Soviet state has been concerned, and Ukraine is no exception. Ukraine has begun to make remarkable progress towards its self-professed goal of defense integration with Western structures. This monograph provides a comprehensive account of Ukrainian-American defense relations and of Ukraine\u27s defense reforms over the period since Ukraine became independent in 1991. It clearly points out both the obstacles and the successes that both partners have encountered in building a cooperation mechanism, in practical peacetime engagement, and in accomplishing missions together, as well as outlining the challenges ahead. Given that Ukraine is a major contributor to the stabilization forces in Iraq and a key player in any European and Eurasian security order, this monograph has real policy relevance, especially as the United States seeks to work with its allies and partners in other post-Soviet states to foster their defense and political integration with the West.https://press.armywarcollege.edu/monographs/1759/thumbnail.jp