cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Image-based spectral distortion correction for photon-counting x-ray detectors

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of using an image-based method to correct for distortions induced by various artifacts in the x-ray spectrum recorded with photon-counting detectors for their application in breast computed tomography (CT). Methods: The polyenergetic incident spectrum was simulated with the tungsten anode spectral model using the interpolating polynomials (TASMIP) code and carefully calibrated to match the x-ray tube in this study. Experiments were performed on a Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CZT) photon-counting detector with five energy thresholds. Energy bins were adjusted to evenly distribute the recorded counts above the noise floor. BR12 phantoms of various thicknesses were used for calibration. A nonlinear function was selected to fit the count correlation between the simulated and the measured spectra in the calibration process. To evaluate the proposed spectral distortion correction method, an empirical fitting derived from the calibration process was applied on the raw images recorded for polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantoms of 8.7, 48.8, and 100.0 mm. Both the corrected counts and the effective attenuation coefficient were compared to the simulated values for each of the five energy bins. The feasibility of applying the proposed method to quantitative material decomposition was tested using a dual-energy imaging technique with a three-material phantom that consisted of water, lipid, and protein. The performance of the spectral distortion correction method was quantified using the relative root-mean-square (RMS) error with respect to the expected values from simulations or areal analysis of the decomposition phantom. Results: The implementation of the proposed method reduced the relative RMS error of the output counts in the five energy bins with respect to the simulated incident counts from 23.0%, 33.0%, and 54.0% to 1.2%, 1.8%, and 7.7% for 8.7, 48.8, and 100.0 mm PMMA phantoms, respectively. The accuracy of the effective attenuation coefficient of PMMA estimate was also improved with the proposed spectral distortion correction. Finally, the relative RMS error of water, lipid, and protein decompositions in dual-energy imaging was significantly reduced from 53.4% to 6.8% after correction was applied. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that dramatic distortions in the recorded raw image yielded from a photon-counting detector could be expected, which presents great challenges for applying the quantitative material decomposition method in spectral CT. The proposed semi-empirical correction method can effectively reduce these errors caused by various artifacts, including pulse pileup and charge sharing effects. Furthermore, rather than detector-specific simulation packages, the method requires a relatively simple calibration process and knowledge about the incident spectrum. Therefore, it may be used as a generalized procedure for the spectral distortion correction of different photon-counting detectors in clinical breast CT systems.
Literature Webbing Predictable Books: A Prediction Strategy That Helps Below-Average, First-Grade Readers.

Abstract This study examined the effect of using a literature webbing strategy lesson and predictable books with 22 below‐average first‐grade readers. Because below‐average readers often require direct instruction to identify the way in which the structure of text can enhance comprehension, a literature webbing strategy lesson was tested as a means of helping these readers. Results from a designed regression analysis indicated that the literature webbfng strategy lesson was significantly more helpful in improving below‐average readers’ comprehension as measured by miscues in oral reading and answers to comprehension questions than was a DL/RTA approach. The literature webbing strategy lesson accounted for between 5% and 25% of the variance among the below‐average readers performance on oral reading miscues and answering comprehension questions. In consequence of these findings, the authors cautiously advocate the use of literature webbing strategy lessons to improve below‐average first‐grade readers’ oral...
Structure of distortion equilibria and welfare in a multiregional economy

We consider a convex economy with multiregions, each region facing different specific tax-subsidies. The model reduces to a model of a closed economy with an aggregate production set when there is a single region. It can also represent a model of an international economy through a reinterpretation of variables. We show that there is a unique path of allocations from a distortion equilibrium to the optimum that can be followed by proportionate changes of price distortions. Welfare monotonically increases as one follows the path towards optimum. The information on the structure of equilibria reduces multidimensional comparative statics into a one dimensional problem. The global Newton method of Smale can be used to follow the path in the direction of increasing welfare, allowing us to do comparative statics computationally. Global considerations directly show that, under a sign condition of the Jacobian of a tax function, piecemeal proportional reductions of price distortions improve welfare. A variation of the condition unifies other such conditions in the literature.
Aphthous ulcers : A difficult clinical entity

Recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) are the most common oral ulcerative disease, affecting 10% to 20% of the population. There are 3 clinical subtypes-minor, major, and herpetiform. Minor aphthous ulcers are the most common subtype, representing 80% to 90% of all recurrent aphthous ulcers. Clinically, RAU present as extremely painful, shallow ulcerations with an erythematous halo on unattached oral mucosa. The primary differential diagnosis is oral herpes simplex. The etiology of RAU is unknown. Topical corticosteroids are the mainstay of therapy.
Synthesis and characterization of crosslinked polyvinylalcohol/polyethyleneglycol blend membranes for CO2/CH4 separation

Abstract Both zeolite 5A filled and unfilled, crosslinked polyvinylalcohol (PVA)/polyethyleneglycol (PEG) blend membranes were synthesized and characterized for CO2/CH4 separation. The polar ether segments of PEG interact favorably with CO2, thus resulting in a high solubility selectivity, while PVA provides a mechanically strong polymer matrix. The crosslinking time, molecular weight of PEG and PEG (MW 200) content were found to significantly affect the gas transport property of resulting membranes, including gas permeability and CO2/CH4 selectivity. At 64 wt.% PEG (MW 200), the membranes showed good CO2 permeability of 80.2 Barrers (1 Barrer = 10−10 cm3 (STP) cm/cm2 s cmHg) and CO2/CH4 selectivity of 33 at 30 °C. Effects of the zeolite 5A loading, temperature and feed pressure were investigated for the gas separation performance of both zeolite-filled and unfilled PVA/PEG membranes. It was found that CO2/CH4 selectivity decreased as the zeolite 5A content increased, while CO2 permeability first decreased and then drastically increased. Increasing temperature enhanced CO2 permeability but sacrificed their selectivity for both zeolite-filled and unfilled PVA/PEG membranes. As temperature decreased, the unfilled PVA/PEG membranes could perform beyond the Robeson's upper bound. Compared to the unfilled PVA/PEG membrane, the zeolite-filled PVA/PEG membrane showed improved performance as feed pressure increased.
Rediscovery of the Late Pleistocene Punung hominin sites and the discovery of a new site Gunung Dawung in East Java

In the 1930svon Koenigswald collected a fauna from two Pleistocene deposits, close to the village of Punung, East Java, in which hominin remains were found in association with mammals which clearly indicate the presence of a tropical rainforest, like orang-utans (Pongo) and gibbons (Hylobates). Although the Punung fauna is of scientific importance for understanding the distribution and evolution of mammals, including hominins, in Australasia, the location of the deposits was unknown. In the late 1990sBosscha Erdbrink, who was present during the excavations in the 1930s, released photographs made by him and he expressed his willingness to help locate the original sites. In 2003 a joint Dutch-Indonesian team of Naturalis at Leiden and the Geological Museum at Bandung visited the region of Punung and rediscovered the two original Punung sites. In addition, we found and documented fossilsin situ stemming from a tropical rainforest at a new site, Gunung Dawung.
Quantitative determination of conjugated linoleic acid isomers in beef fat

The amounts of 14 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers (t12t14, t11t13, t10t12, t9t11, t8t10, t7t9, t6t8; 12,14 c/t, t11c13, c11t13, t10c12, 9,11 c/t, t8c10, t7c9-18:2) in 20 beef samples were determined by triple-column silver-ion high-performance liquid chromatography (Ag+-HPLC). Quantitation was performed using an external CLA reference standard consisting of cis9,trans11-18:2,trans9,trans11-18:2 and cis9,cis11-18: 2. Linearity was checked as being r > 0.9999 between 0.02 × 10-3 to 2 mg/ml. The determination limit (5-fold signal/noise ratio) of the CLA reference was estimated to be 0.25, 0.50, 1.0 ng/injection for the cis/trans, trans,trans and cis,cis isomers, respectively. As expected, cis9,trans11-18:2 was the predominant isomer (1.95 ± 0.54 mg/g fat) in beef, followed by trans7,cis9-18:2 (0.19 ± 0.04 mg/g fat); cis,cis isomers were below the determination limit in most beef samples. Total CLA amounts determined by Ag+-HPLC were compared to total CLAs determined by gas chromatography (GC, 100 m CPSilTM 88 column). The amounts obtained by GC were generally higher than those determined by Ag+ -HPLC due to co-eluting compounds.
Isolation of histone TH1-xB from rat testis.

Summary The lysine-rich histones TH1-xA and TH1-xB, previously detected in rat testis nuclei by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis ( Levinger et al . (9) ), have been isolated and partially characterized. Histone TH1-xB has an unusually high arginine content for a H1 histone. Although TH1-xA is present in small amounts in testes of rats at 5 d after birth, TH1-xB is not detectable at 5 d or 14 d, but is present at 18 d. Both TH1-xA and TH1-xB are present in nuclei of pachytene primary spermatocytes and early spermatids.
Characterization of GlucosyltransferaseB, GtfC, and GtfD in Solution and on the Surface of Hydroxyapatite

GlucosyltransferaseB, GtfC, and GtfD were purified by hydroxyapatite column chromatography, followed by ultrafiltration from the culture supernatant fluids of three Streptococcus milleri constructs (gift from Dr. H.K. Kuramitsu) which harbored individual gtf genes of Streptococcus mutans GS5. GtfB, GtfC, and GtfD were enzymatically active both in solution and in an experimental pellicle (HA-CWS-Gtf) formed by adsorbing Gtf onto the surface of clarified human whole saliva (CWS)-coated hydroxyapatite (HA). The Km values for sucrose for all three enzymes were lower when the enzyme was adsorbed to a surface, compared with when it was in solution. In solution phase assays, and in the absence of primer dextran, glucan production was enhanced 75% when both GtfB and GtfD were present in the reaction mixture, compared with the sum of the individual enzyme activities (p < 0.005). This enhancement did not occur when GtfC was additionally present, or when the GtfB+GtfD enzyme pair was adsorbed onto HA-CWS. In additional experiments, glucan formed by GtfB or GtfC, but not by GtfD, on a HA-CWS-Gtf surface increased adherence of Streptococcus mutans GS5 and Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 by seven- to nine-fold compared with adherence when no glucan was present on the pellicle surface (p < 0.001). Further, treatment of the HA-CWS-GtfB-glucan or HA-CWS-GtfC-glucan pellicle with alpha-1,6 dextranase significantly reduced adherence of both streptococcal strains (p < 0.001). These results show that GtfB, GtfC, and GtfD are enzymatically active in an adsorbed state and that the nature of their product glucan can influence the adherence of cariogenic oral streptococci to an experimental pellicle.
Manipulating articulatory demands in non-word repetition: A 'late-8' non-word repetition task

The purpose of this paper was to examine the psychometric properties of a non-word repetition task (NRT), the Late-8 Non-word Repetition Task (L8NRT). This task was designed similarly to the NRT, but contains only Late-8 consonants to increase articulatory demands and avoid ceiling effects in studies with adolescents and adults. Thirty college students were administered the Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests-Revised/Normative Update WRMT-RNU, L8NRT and NRT. Results showed that inter- and intra-rater reliability of the L8NRT were high; split-half reliability was significant and comparable to that of the NRT. Average L8NRT scores were significantly lower than NRT scores overall and at all non-word lengths but the shortest (1 syllable). Both measures correlated significantly, at similar levels, with Total WRMT-RNU score. We conclude that the psychometric properties of the L8NRT were acceptable, but an error analysis suggested ways in which the task might be improved to better control perceptual demands and articulatory feature overlap.
The Young Geographers And Their Research: 1936–1943∗

The Young Geographers, an informal organization of American geographers, flourished from 1936 to 1943. One of its projects in 1940 and 1941 was the compilation and publication of lists of contemplated research by some 170 Young Geographers. Their listed research interests were relatively narrow in subject and geographical area. The successor of the Young Geographers was the American Society for Professional Geographers which merged with the Association of American Geographers in 1948 under a democratic constitution which assured that young geographers and their research would be recognized.
Intra-articular distal radius fractures: Arthroscopic assessment of radiographically assisted reduction

The optimal means of assessing articular displacement during closed reduction of distal radius fractures is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vivo accuracy of fluoroscopy (C-arm) and plain radiographs (XR) in measuring articular step-off and gap and to determine if postreduction arthroscopy can identify malreduced intra-articular fractures that would benefit from reduction. Fifteen intra-articular distal radius fractures underwent closed manipulation and percutaneous pinning. Reduction was assessed sequentially by C-arm, XR, and wrist arthroscopy. The width of gapping between articular surface fragments was underestimated to a statistically significant degree by both C-arm and XR. The magnitude of articular step-off measured with arthroscopy was not statistically different than that measured radiographically. In 5 (33%) cases, the optimal reduction obtained using C-arm and XR was found to have an articular displacement of >1mm by adjunctive arthroscopy. Complete reduction and pinning was performed with satisfactory results. These results suggest that adjunctive arthroscopy may detect residual gapping of the articular surface that is not seen by C-arm or XR. Residual displacement noted by adjunctive arthroscopy may prompt another reduction effort and result in an improved articular alignment of intra-articular distal radius fractures.
Sex, Work, and the Feminist Erasure of Class

AbstractIn this essay, I trace the contemporary feminist debate on prostitution to the period in which Catharine MacKinnon and Gayle Rubin deemed Marxism inadequate to the task of theorizing women’s oppression. In seeking to surmount this perceived inadequacy, both thinkers counterposed alternative theoretical frameworks for analyzing women’s oppression that nonetheless relied upon certain of Marxism’s central tenets. In a reliance that took the form of strikingly similar translations of Marxism foregrounding what came to be known as radical feminism (in the case of MacKinnon) and queer theory (in the case of Rubin), both theorists problematically render class as, respectively, gender and heterosexuality. Missing what an analysis of sex work as a site of the metamorphosis of the commodity has to tell us about the lived intersectionality of capitalism and patriarchy in individual and collective lives, feminists writing in MacKinnon and Rubin’s wake typically frame their discussions of sex work—including th...
A computational evaluation of the structure and heat of formation for FOCl and Cl2O

Abstract The structure of FOCl and Cl2O have been investigated using state-of-the-art ab initio methods. Electron correlation methods that have been used are second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory, configuration interaction with single and double excitations (CISD), singles and doubles coupled-cluster theory (CCSD), and quadratic configuration interaction with single and double excitation along with perturbative corrections for triple excitation (QCISD(T)). The equilibrium structure has been determined for FOCl and Cl2O. The heat of formation for Cl2O is estimated as 19.3±2 kcal mol−1 and compares well with the experimental determinations; for FOCl it is 13.4±2 kcal mol−1 at 298 K. There is a major discrepancy between the theoretical estimate of the heat of formation of FOCl and that determined experimentally from electron-impact/mass spectrometry.
Chronic exercise and cardiac vascularization.

Male albino rats were trained on a motorized treadmill for 8 weeks, using eight training regimens which varied in severity from 0.313 m·s−1, 3 days/week for 30 min each day, to 0.447 m·s−1, 5 days/week for 60 min each day. At the end of the 8 week training period, the animals were anesthetized and Pelikan ink infused retrogradely through the aorta, into the coronary arteries and capillaries of the heart. The hearts were sectioned, stained and examined for the number of capillaries per mm2and the capillary/muscle fiber (C/F) ratios. Six of the eight exercise groups had capillary densities significantly lower than the density in the sedentary control group of 3,022 cap mm−2. Likewise, five of the exercise groups had significantly lower C/F ratios than the sedentary group ratio of 1.077. The difficulties inherent in identification of cardiac muscle fibers make the C/F ratio a weaker measurement for determining cardiac vascularity. The lower capillary density in the trained hearts could be produced by muscle fiber hypertrophy which would push the capillaries farther apart. It is concluded that exercise training does not stimulate the multiplication of cardiac capillaries. The beneficial effect of exercise on the heart is probably a result of enlargement of the coronary arteries or the collateral circulation.
Natural human antibodies to amyloid beta peptide

Properties of human, natural anti-Abeta antibodies and commercially available intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) have been examined in light of the beneficial effects of passive immunotherapy with IVIg for patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). Anti-Abeta antibodies in IVIg recognize conformation-specific epitopes as well as linear epitopes from different regions of the Abeta peptide. Anti-Abeta antibodies in circulation, especially those with high avidity, are often masked by ligands and the avidity of these antibodies increases upon dissociation of the bound ligands from the antibodies. Such natural anti-Abeta antibodies have the capacity to prevent Abeta oligomer-induced neurotoxicity in N2A neuroblastoma cells. This neuro-protective effect may reflect the therapeutic potential of the natural anti-Abeta antibodies found in IVIg for the treatment of patients with AD.
The concept of rights in the justification of the “just war”

The theory of “just war” of Walzer, is a theory about the justification of states to go to war, as presented in his book: Just and unjust wars, whose central thesis is based on the following proposition: the only justification for going to war is the defense of two fundamental human rights, the right to life and the right to freedom, thus proving that in the theory of “just war”; the problem of jus ad bellum , i.e. the justification for going to war; and the problem of jus in bello, the justification for specific actions in the war, are separate, though related logically together. However, I will demonstrate that that logical relation, that Walzer gives these two topics has a major deficiency, which in spite of everything, can be remedied. Key words: rights, right to life, right to freedom, “just war”, jus ad bellum , jus in bello .
Continuation of the Theme: Outcomes of Climate Literacy Efforts (Part 2)

This issue of the Journal of Geoscience Education includes the second installment of a two-part special theme issue on Outcomes of Climate Literacy Efforts. In the editorial that introduced the fir...
Multiple Imputation of Baseline Data in the Cardiovascular Health Study

Most epidemiologic studies will encounter missing covariate data. Software packages typically used for analyzing data delete any cases with a missing covariate to perform a complete case analysis. The deletion of cases complicates variable selection when different variables are missing on different cases, reduces power, and creates the potential for bias in the resulting estimates. Recently, software has become available for producing multiple imputations of missing data that account for the between-imputation variability. The implementation of the software to impute missing baseline data in the setting of the Cardiovascular Health Study, a large, observational study, is described. Results of exploratory analyses using the imputed data were largely consistent with results using only complete cases, even in a situation where one third of the cases were excluded from the complete case analysis. There were few differences in the exploratory results across three imputations, and the combined results from the multiple imputations were very similar to results from a single imputation. An increase in power was evident and variable selection simplified when using the imputed data sets.
Pharmacokinetic interaction between zidovudine and valproic acid in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Zidovudine is metabolized to an inactive 5'-glucuronide and has a short plasma half-life requiring frequent dosing. The present study in six patients without symptoms who were infected with human immunodeficiency virus was undertaken to determine if coadministration of valproic acid which, like zidovudine, is metabolized by glucuronidation, would alter zidovudine disposition. Under steady-state conditions for both drugs, the plasma area under the curve for zidovudine increased twofold with a corresponding decline in its oral clearance when given with valproic acid. The mean 5'-glucuronide/zidovudine urinary excretion ratio was reduced by more than 50%, and the amount of unconjugated zidovudine recovered in urine increased by more than twofold. There was no significant increase in the plasma half-life of zidovudine. The effects of valproic acid on zidovudine glucuronidation were related to plasma valproic acid concentrations. Valproic acid inhibits glucuronidation of zidovudine and increases its oral bioavailability.
Characteristics of an extraction and purification procedure for chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in soil and liver.

Abstract Liver is extracted with chlorofor—methanol to give essentially quantitative transfer of endogenous chlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins (CDDs) and dibenzofurans (CDFs) into the organic phase. A new procedure involving LH-20 Sephadex is used to remove most of the lipids from the extract. Soil es extracted by a simple, rapid and economical procedure giving very high recoveries of CDDs and CDFs from sandy soil, various types of clay, and humus-rich loam. Subsequent cleanup on basic and acidic alumina complete the preparation for gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis. The use of propylene glycol as a “keeper” and of 2,3,7-trichlorodibenzo- p -dioxin as a carrier minimizes losses during evaporation of solvents and on glass surfaces. Interactions of 2,3,7,8-CDD with organic material in loam slightly reduce recovery but thre is no indication of high affinity binding sites, the losses being apparently associated with simple distribution coefficients. Special precautins needed to avoid losses of CDFs on alumina chromatography are described, and the effect of “aging” spiked soil is discussed.
Protective Coatings for Tooth Crowns

Transfer of technology to the dental office could provide thin polymeric coatings over tooth crowns and accessible root surfaces. These coatings can be prepared from relatively inexpensive, commercially available materials in one-step reactions. When the monomer technique becomes available, it will provide caries protection for all of your patients.
Computer Simulation Of The Cross-Sectional Morphology Of Thin Films

Two macroscopic two-dimensional geometrical models have been developed to describe the cross-sectional morphology of thin films which exhibit columnar microstructure. Using simple geometrical assumptions and assumptions based on experimental results, these models trace the evolution of cone-like clusters from their point of nucleation within the film to their emergence at the top surface. The simulated films are then characterized by calculating their roughness as a function of film thickness for different input parameters.
Assessing Deer Hunter Attitudes Toward Regulatory Change Using Self-Selected Respondents

State wildlife agencies are charged with managing wildlife populations of harvestable species. Opinions regarding how species should be managed differ dramatically and decisions are often made with...
Primary Care and Health Insurance among Women Released from New York City Jails

Factors associated with primary care utilization and health insurance coverage were examined among 511 women leaving jail in New York City from 1997-2001. One year after release, roughly half of the sample reported primary care utilization (47%) and health insurance coverage (56%). Neither outcome was more likely among those reporting diabetes, asthma, or depression. Primary care utilization was more likely among those reporting receipt of public benefits, health insurance coverage, moderate social support, avoidance of illegal activity, and HIV seropositivity. Health insurance coverage was associated with receipt of public benefits, hospitalization, primary care, and avoiding re-arrest. This study demonstrated that a majority of women leaving jail, including those with chronic diseases, lack primary care. These data highlight the need to plan for continuity of care from corrections to the community and suggest further that this can be facilitated with provision of health benefits and social support.
Absorption of ammonia from atmospheric plumes by natural water surfaces

A simple model is presented that incorporates the major features of atmospheric transport and diffusion of a NH3 plume together with aqueous absorption as the plume traverses a water surface. The model is based on the well-known concept of the deposition velocity, although empirical data concerning the latter is quite meager. A specific application is considered to the gas release from a NH3 stripper of a hypothetical sewage treatment plant, and it is concluded that NH3 absorption by adjacent water masses could be considerable.
Biochemical study for gold and silver nanoparticles on thyroid hormone levels in saliva of patients with chronic renal failure

Noble metal nanoparticles were synthesized directly by pulsed laser ablation (Nd:YAG, λ=1064 nm) of gold and silver plates immersed in pure water. Concentrations of the nanoparticles were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy measurement. Atomic force microscope and transmission electron microscope analysis were used to characterize the size and size distributions of the metals nanoparticles. The objective of this work is studying the effects of presence gold and silver nanoparticles on the levels of tri-iodothyronine hormone (T3) in saliva of patients with chronic renal failure their thyroid had disorder (hypothyroidism). Also the study characterized the binding between the anti-T3antibody with its antigen i.e., T3 in saliva patients in the presence affixed size concentration of nanoparticles to improve and modify a competitive ELISA method. It is found that both gold and silver nanoparticles demonstrated activation effect on the binding between anti-T3 antibody and antigen (T3) in the saliva of patients and these effects increased with increasing the concentrations and size for both nanoparticles (gold was more activation effect than silver). Optimization of experimental conditions for the binding in the saliva were: 40 μL and 20 μL of saliva (T3) in presence both silver and gold nanoparticle, respectively, pH = 7.4 of 0.2 M phosphate buffer was selected as the detection solution, the temperature of incubation was 22 °C while the incubation time were 30 min, 90 min for silver and gold nanoparticles, respectively.
Validation of a Physiologic Stability Index for Use in Critically Ill Infants and Children

Summary: We developed a physiology-based scoring system, the Physiologic Stability Index (PSI) to assess severity of acute illness in the total population of pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. Thirty-four variables from seven physiologic systems were chosen, and the degree of abnormality of each variable was assigned a score reflecting the clinical importance of the derangements. Validity was demonstrated by comparing PSI to hospital mortality and to two other methods that reflect severity of illness, the Clinical Classification System (CCS) and the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS). Four hundred and twenty three consecutive admissions to a multidisciplinary ICU were followed daily. Patients classified into higher CCS classes had significantly higher PSI scores (P < 0.001), and there was a highly significant correlation (P < 0.001) between PSI and TISS scores. The linear-logistic regression of observed mortality versus PSI was highly significant (P < 0.0001) and provided an excellent fit. Highly significant differences between survivors and nonsurvivors were observed for PSI scores (P < 0.001), as well as for composite slopes of the regression of PSI scores versus days of care (P < 0.001). These data demonstrate validity of the PSI scoring system.
The importance of gene–environment interactions and exposure assessment in understanding human diseases

The importance of gene–environment interactions and exposure assessment in understanding human diseases
Calorimetry at the International Linear Collider

Abstract The physics potential of the International Linear Collider depends critically on the jet energy resolution of its detector. Detector concepts are being developed which optimize the jet energy resolution, with the aim of achieving σ jet = 30 % / E jet . Under the assumption that Particle Flow Algorithms (PFAs), which combine tracking and calorimeter information to reconstruct the energy of hadronic jets, can provide this unprecedented jet energy resolution, calorimeters with very fine granularity are being developed. After a brief introduction outlining the principles of PFAs, the current status of various calorimeter prototype construction projects and their plans for the next few years will be reviewed.
Intracellular Responses to Light from Cat Pigment Epithelium: Origin of the Electroretinogram c -Wave

NOELL1 first showed that the c-wave of the vertebrate-electroretinogram (ERG) probably originates in the pigment epithelium because the c-wave disappeared in the rabbit after selective poisoning of the pigment epithelium by sodium iodate. Brown and Wiesel showed that the c-wave of the cat's local ERG attained maximum amplitude when the electrode was immediately adjacent to the pigment epithelium2. They also obtained more direct evidence during brief intracellular recordings from pigment epithelial cells, which revealed larger potentials of similar time course but opposite polarity to the c-wave2. We have now obtained stable intracellular recordings which permit the slow light-evoked responses of pigment epithelial cells to be described in detail and identified positively as the origin of the c-wave.
An investigation into the leadership practices of volunteer leaders

Purpose – While numerous studies of leadership have been conducted in the corporate and public sectors, there are lots of people leading in civic, social, and community service organizations and little is known about either how they lead or how their leadership practices are similar to or different from those leading in other sectors. The purpose of this paper is to fill that gap by examining leadership practices unique to leadership that occurs within organizations where both leaders and followers are volunteers. Design/methodology/approach – The sample involved surveying over 60 percent of the volunteer (n=569) leaders across a national youth sports organization based in the USA. Findings – Volunteer leaders engaged more frequently in leadership behaviors than did paid leaders. Some differences in leadership behaviors were found on the basis of respondent gender, age, educational level, and employment status. Leadership behaviors were systematically related to quality of respondents’ volunteer leadershi...
Economic forces and hospital technology. Lessons from the United States experience.

This paper considers economic forces on the organization and use of technology in hospitals from a U.S. perspective. U.S. hospitals are moving from a period of very loose financial constraints to one in which the demand side of the market is likely to exert much greater discipline. Theory and limited evidence suggest some important effects on the adoption and use of technology, leading in general to more emphasis on cost reduction and less emphasis on costly quality improvements. Also discussed are economic influences on the movement of technology out of the hospital and on the development of new technologies. Finally, some peculiarities of very high cost technologies are noted.
Crisis Management, LDP, and DPJ Style

This article asks the questions: Did the DPJ engage in crisis response and management differently than the LDP did? If so, why? If not, why not? In order to try to answer these questions systematically I use an inductive comparative method of choosing three equivalent ‘cases’ each under the LDP and the DPJ in which they responded to a similar type of crisis. The crises selected were Okinawa bases issues in 1995 (LDP) and 2009 (DPJ), Senkaku Islands under the LDP (2008) and DPJ (2010), and the Hanshin quake in 1995 (LDP) and Fukushima in 2011 (DPJ). This gave me a nice mix of intense, short-term cases to compare; one domestic (disaster-related), and two foreign (Okinawa bases with US; Senkaku/Daiyou conflict with China); coalition governments under LDP and DPJ (2009) of different kinds vs. single-party (other DPJ). A very brief description of each crisis will be followed by some generalizations comparing the two parties’ responses. I find that both parties had similar problems with information management, but that there were characteristic and predictable trade-offs of their different party decisionmaking structures and relations with the national bureaucracy. Finally, I mention some of the inherent structural problems of Japanese politics and policymaking that inhibit effective response regardless of the party in power.
Packaging Effects on Applesauce in Multilayer Polymeric Films and Glass

Four different multilayer polymeric films were assessed for suitability as packaging materials for hot-filled fruit products, by determining the effect of storage time and temperature on applesauce packaged in each film type, as compared to glass. Applesauce from each package type was assessed at S wk intervals for changes in sensory and analytical characteristics during 15 wks storage at 20°, 30°, 37° and 43°C. Films containing an ethylene vinyl alcohol or polyvinylidine chloride layer performed similarly to glass. Applesauce packaged in a nylon/ linear low density polyethylene film was less acceptable and had significantly greater browning at all temperatures.
Characteristics of THz carrier dynamics in GaN thin film and ZnO nanowires by temperature dependent terahertz time domain spectroscopy measurement

Abstract We present a comprehensive study of the characteristics of carrier dynamics using temperature dependent terahertz time domain spectroscopy. By utilizing this technique in combination with numerical calculations, the complex refractive index, dielectric function, and conductivity of n-GaN, undoped ZnO NWs, and Al-doped ZnO NWs were obtained. The unique temperature dependent behaviors of major material parameters were studied at THz frequencies, including plasma frequency, relaxation time, carrier concentration and mobility. Frequency and temperature dependent carrier dynamics were subsequently analyzed in these materials through the use of the Drude and the Drude–Smith models.
Positive and negative methanol cluster ions using a direct fast atom bombardment technique

Positive and negative cluster ions in methanol have been examined using a direct fast atom bombardment (FAB) probe technique. Positive ion (CH3OH)IIH + clusters with n = 1-28 have been observed and their clusters are the dominant ions in the low-mass region. Cluster-ion reaction products (CH3OH)II(H2O)H+ and (CH3OH)II(CH3OCH3)H+ are observed for a wide range of n and the abundances of these ions decrease with increasing n. The negative ion (CH3OH)II(CH3O)− clusters are also readily observed with n = 0-24 and these form the most-abundant negative ion series at low n. The (CH3OH)II(CH2O)−, (CH3OH)II(HIIO)(CH2O)− and (CH3OH)II(H2OXCH3O)− cluster ions are formed and the abundances of these ions approach those of the (CH3OH)II(CH3O)− ion series at high n. Cluster-ion structures and energetics have been examined using semi-empirical molecular orbital methods.
A weighted least-norm solution based scheme for avoiding joint limits for redundant joint manipulators

It is proposed to use weighted least-norm solution to avoid joint limits for redundant joint manipulators. A comparison is made with the gradient projection method for avoiding joint limits. While the gradient projection method provides the optimal direction for the joint velocity vector within the null space, its magnitude is not unique and is adjusted by a scalar coefficient chosen by trial and error. It is shown in this paper that one fixed value of the scalar coefficient is not suitable even in a small workspace. The proposed manipulation scheme automatically chooses an appropriate magnitude of the self-motion throughout the workspace. This scheme, unlike the gradient projection method, guarantees joint limit avoidance, and also minimizes unnecessary self-motion. It was implemented and tested for real-time control of a seven-degree-of-freedom (7-DOF) Robotics Research Corporation (RRC) manipulator. >
Convective stability in the presence of a catalytic chemical reaction. Part I. Stationary instability

A linear analysis of hydrodynamic stability has been applied to a problem in which a fluid mixture is contained between two horizontal planes. One species diffuses to the lower plane where it is destroyed by a rapid exothermic or endothermic catalytic reaction. Results show that important coupling takes place between thermal and concentration fields. This coupling gives rise to unusual stabilizing or destabilizing effects, depending upon the value of Lewis number. Several examples are discussed. It is also shown how the results can be applied to other problems involving heat and mass transfer.
Wideband Envelope Tracking Power Amplifiers With Reduced Bandwidth Power Supply Waveforms and Adaptive Digital Predistortion Techniques

This paper presents a new technique to reduce the bandwidth of the dynamic power supply waveform used in wideband envelope tracking power amplifiers (PAs). When the envelope tracking technique is applied to broadband signals such as WCDMA and 3GPP LTE, the wide bandwidth of the envelope signal makes it difficult to implement the dynamic supply modulator efficiently and accurately. We show here a technique to reduce the bandwidth of the power supply waveform, thereby allowing better efficiency for the supply modulator; and a linearization method for correcting the nonlinearity caused by the bandwidth reduction. The feasibility of this technique is demonstrated for a single carrier WCDMA signal with a 7.6-dB peak-to-average power ratio using a GaAs high-voltage HBT PA. The bandwidth of the power supply waveform is reduced from 20 to 4 MHz. After linearization, the reduced bandwidth envelope tracking PA exhibits an average output power of 28 W, an average gain of 12 dB and an overall power-added efficiency of 49%. The measured normalized rms error is as low as 0.67% with an adjacent channel leakage ratio of -53.9 and -54.2 dBc at offset frequencies of 5 and 10 MHz, respectively.
Increased Lithium Dose Requirement in a Hyperglycemic Patient

OBJECTIVE:To report a case of apparent increased lithium clearance in a patient with persistent hyperglycemia.METHODS:Lithium doses, blood glucose concentrations, and lithium plasma concentrations were evaluated in a patient during a 53-day inpatient admission for exacerbation of bipolar disorder. The lithium dose required to increase the lithium plasma concentration by 0.1 mEq/L was computed from the lithium dose and corresponding lithium plasma concentration. This value was correlated with the blood glucose concentration.RESULTS:A plot of the lithium dose required to increase the lithium plasma concentration by 0.1 mEq/L versus the blood glucose concentration exhibited a direct linear relationship (r2 = 0.62). This plot indicates that higher lithium doses are needed during hyperglycemic states compared with euglycemic states to achieve equivalent plasma concentrations.CONCLUSIONS:Glycosuria associated with hyperglycemia induces an osmotic diuresis that increases the renal clearance of lithium, necessita...
A content analysis of the Meaningful Use clinical summary: do clinical summaries promote patient engagement?

Aim This study analyzed Meaningful Use (MU) clinical summaries (CS) given to 100 older adults (⩾65) from 10 family physicians in an urban primary care practice. Background In the United States, MU was designed to promote and enhance patient engagement in hospitals and clinics across the country, providing financial incentives to physicians attesting to the Meaningful Use of a certified Electronic Health Record by meeting a series of measures and objectives. The CS is intended to support patient and family engagement by communicating elements discussed during the clinical encounter including an updated medication list, problem list, and plan of care (POC). Despite the $27.7 billion spent distributing MU payments to more than 418,000 Eligible Professionals in ambulatory care to date, there is little discussion in the scholarly literature supporting the use of the CS to facilitate patient engagement. Methods Ten CS were accessed from each of 10 family physicians during a regular practice week. Directed content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the summaries. Key variables of analysis included diagnoses, medications, plan of care content, availability, completeness, health literacy, format, and readability. Findings CS contained an average of 5.2 diagnoses and 10 medications. Summaries contained vital signs (98%), lab results (9%), smoking status (88%), professional care team members (4%), follow-up appointments (46%), and POC (67%); 37% of CS were judged to be incomplete. Readability scores indicated that a university education was required to understand the CS. CS support patient engagement by supplying information that supports behavior change and self-management, however barriers to patient engagement exist, including (a) access, (b) poor document readability, and (c) a lack of customization to the patient’s experience.
A Hidden Markov Model for Transcriptional Regulation in Single Cells

We discuss several issues pertaining to the use of stochastic biochemical systems for modeling transcriptional regulation in single cells. By appropriately choosing the system state, we can model transcriptional regulation by a hidden Markov model (HMM). This opens the possibility of using well-known techniques for the statistical analysis and stochastic control of HMMs to mathematically and computationally study transcriptional regulation in single cells. Unfortunately, in all but a few simple cases, analytical characterization of the statistical behavior of the proposed HMM is not possible. Moreover, analysis by Monte Carlo simulation is computationally cumbersome. We discuss several techniques for approximating the HMM by one that is more tractable. We employ simulations, based on a biologically relevant transcriptional regulatory system, to show the relative merits and limitations of various approximation techniques and provide general guidelines for their use.
Protest or Conform: Some Social Psychological Perspectives on Legitimacy

This is an edited version of a paper given at the September i, 1968, meeting of the American Psychological Association in San Francisco, California. Since Richard Flacks's paper is both timely and provocative, we feel it a privilege to publish it here.The Editor
Universalism and cultural relativism in social work ethics

EnglishGiven globalization and increasing multiculturalism, growing numbers of social workers face the challenges of respecting culture while upholding professional ethics. This article examines the perspectives of universalism and cultural relativism as applied to ethical decision-making in social work. A moderately universalist stance is recommended for social work, as valuing both diversity and human rights.FrenchFace a la mondialisation et a l'augmentation du multiculturalisme, un nombre croissant de travailleurs sociaux font face a des defis dans un contexte qui demande de tenir compte a la fois du respect culturel et de l'ethique professionnelle. Cet article examine l'application de prises de decisions ethiques dans des perspectives universalistes et de relativisme culturel en travail social. Une position universaliste moderee est recommandee pour le travail social, valorisant a la fois la diversite culturelle et les droits humains.SpanishDada la globalizacion y el multiculturalismo creciente, los t...
Surface chemistry variations among a series of laboratory-produced biochars

article While the idea that adding pyrogenic carbon (referred to as 'biochar' when used as a soil amendment) will enhance soil fertility and carbon sequestration has gained widespread attention, understanding of its chemical and physical characteristics and themethods mostappropriate to determine them havelagged behind. Thistype ofinformationisneededtooptimizethepropertiesofbiocharforspecificpurposessuchasnutrientretention,pH amelioration or contaminant remediation. A number of surface properties of a range of biochar types were examinedtobetterunderstand how these properties were related to biocharproductionconditions, aswellasto eachother.Amongbiocharsmadefromoak(Quercuslobata),pine(Pinustaeda)andgrass(Tripsacum floridanum) at 250 °C in air and 400 and 650 °C under N2, micropore surface area (measured by CO2 sorptometry) increased with production temperature as volatile matter (VM) decreased, indicating that VM was released from pore- infillings.TheCEC,determinedusingK