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Byline: David Hoch (01) Author Affiliation: (01) Vanderbilt Divinity School, Nashville, TN, USA Article History: Registration Date: 24/12/2008 Accepted Date: 23/12/2008 Online Date: 09/01/2009

The importance of prophylactic implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), to prevent sudden deaths in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, is evaluated with the help of a study.

Recent developments in quantum computing and the growing interest in optomechanics and quantum optics need platforms that enable rapid prototyping and scalability. This can be fulfilled by on-chip integration, as we present here. The different nanofabrication steps are explained, and our automated measurement setup is discussed. We present an opto-electromechanical device, the H-resonator, which enables optomechanical experiments such as electrostatic springs and nonlinearities and thermomechanical squeezing. Moreover, it also functions as an optomechanical phase shifter, an essential element for our integrated quantum optics efforts. Besides this, the equivalent of a beam splitter in photonics-the directional coupler-is shown. Its coupling ratio can be reliably controlled, as we show with experimental data. Several directional couplers combined can realize the CNOT operation with almost ideal fidelity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the term "sports law" has been used to describe increasing numbers of sports-related disputes in litigation, no substantial definition has been forthcoming. Parameters are suggested through descriptive case analysis of four types of disputes frequently litigated. (Author/MT)

Rather than being inherently evil, business lobbying is a socially responsible activity which needs to be restrained by ethical standards. To be effective in a business environment, traditional ethical standards need to be translated into language which business persons can speak comfortably. Economical explanations must also be available to explain why ethical standards are appropriate in business. Eight such standards and their validating arguments are proposed with examples showing their use. Internal dialogues regarding the ethics of lobbying objectives and tactics will plausibly occur only in businesses which recognize social responsibility mandates. Public interest stakeholders could hasten this recognition by making use of information made available by the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1993 to institute external dialogues regarding lobbying by specific businesses and industry groups. Given practical ethical standards and the information on business lobbying provided by the law, the press, corporate activists, consumers, pension fund managers and the public can apply pressure for ethical lobbying practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of all public and private athletic directors in Maryland revealed that the greatest job frustrations were lack of time to do the job; increasing responsibilities and expectations; limited family time; low pay; limited resources to run programs; fatigue or burnout; and dealing with problem coaches. (MLH)