cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Robust Inference for the Cox Proportional Hazards Model

Abstract We derive the asymptotic distribution of the maximum partial likelihood estimator β for the vector of regression coefficients β under a possibly misspecified Cox proportional hazards model. As in the parametric setting, this estimator β converges to a well-defined constant vector β*. In addition, the random vector n 1/2(β – β*) is asymptotically normal with mean 0 and with a covariance matrix that can be consistently estimated. The newly proposed robust covariance matrix estimator is similar to the so-called “sandwich” variance estimators that have been extensively studied for parametric cases. For many misspecified Cox models, the asymptotic limit β* or part of it can be interpreted meaningfully. In those circumstances, valid statistical inferences about the corresponding covariate effects can be drawn based on the aforementioned asymptotic theory of β and the related results for the score statistics. Extensive studies demonstrate that the proposed robust tests and interval estimation procedures...
Proteasomal inhibition stabilizes topoisomerase IIα protein and reverses resistance to the topoisomerase II poison ethonafide (AMP-53, 6-ethoxyazonafide)

Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignancy of plasma cells. Although multiple myeloma patients often respond to initial therapy, the majority of patients will relapse with disease that is refractory to further drug treatment. Thus, new therapeutic strategies are needed. One common mechanism of acquired drug resistance involves a reduction in the expression or function of the drug target. We hypothesized that the cytotoxic activity of topoisomerase II (topo II) poisons could be enhanced, and drug resistance overcome, by increasing the expression and activity of the drug target, topo II in myeloma cells. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of the anthracene-containing topo II poison, ethonafide (AMP-53/6-ethoxyazonafide), in combination with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (PS-341/Velcade). Combination drug activity studies were done in 8226/S myeloma cells and its drug resistant subclone, 8226/Dox1V. We found that a 24-h treatment of cells with bortezomib maximally increased topo IIα protein expression and activity, and consistently increased the cytotoxicity of ethonafide in the 8226/S and 8226/Dox1V cell lines. This increase in cytotoxicity corresponded to an increase in DNA double-strand breaks, as measured by the neutral comet assay. Therefore, increasing topo IIα expression through inhibition of proteasomal degradation increased DNA double-strand breaks and enhanced the cytotoxicity of the topo II poison ethonafide. These data suggest that bortezomib-mediated stabilization of topo IIα expression may potentiate the cytotoxic activity of topo II poisons and thereby, provide a strategy to circumvent drug resistance.
Impedance imaging using interior and exterior measurements

Diagnosis and treatment of some disease states of the heart can be facilitated with knowledge of the electrical activity and resistivity properties within the heart muscle. A method of obtaining such information is through the use of electrical impedance tomography. Impedance imaging systems apply current patterns to the exterior of an object, measure the resulting voltages, and from these measurements construct an approximation to the spatially varying resistivity of the interior. By placing electrodes on the exterior of the heart or thorax as well as inside one of the heart chambers, using a catheter or by other means, it may be possible to construct images which reflect the resistivity distribution of the heart wall. In this work, we consider a simple model of the heart and thorax where electrodes are situated on both the interior and exterior boundaries of an annulus. The optimal current patterns to be applied are determined for the case of a homogeneous resistivity distribution and for the case of a single inhomogeneous layer. The question of the measurement precision required to distinguish between a homogeneous resistivity distribution and an inhomogeneous resistivity distribution is also discussed.
Crystal structures of some complex chlorides of trivalent and tetravalent plutonium

The compounds K2PuCl5, Rb2PuCl5 K2PuCl6, and Rb2PuCl6 have been prepared. The latter two compounds were verified to contain only Pu(IV) by chemical analysis and spectrophotometry in solid and solution. The crystal structure of these compounds were determined by x-ray powder (Debye-Scherrer and Guinier) diffraction. The results are as follows: • K2PuCl5: Orthorhombic, Pnma, K2PrCl5 type [1]. a = 12.67 ± 0.003, b = 8.728 ± 0.00202, c = 7.970 ± 0.002 A. • Rb2PuCl5: Orthrohombic, Pnma, K2PrCl5 type [1]. a = 13.078 ± 0.005, b = 8.908 ± 0.003, c = 8.177 ± 0.004 A. • K2PuCl6: Monoclinic, C2/m, C2/m, distorted K2PtCl6 type. a = 10.45 ± 0.03, b = 10.12 ± 0.03, c = 10.47 ± 0.05 A; β = 92.7 ± 0.2 ° (tentative assignment). • Rb2PuCl6: Hexagonal, P63mc, Rb2GeF6 type [2]. a = 7.374 ± 0.005, c = 11.91 ± 0.001 A.
Smooth pursuit eye movements under open-loop and closed-loop conditions

We measured smooth pursuit eye movement responses to sinusoidal target motion in the open-loop condition (target motion stabilized on the retina) and the closed-loop condition (target motion fixed in space). We also predicted the closed-loop response for each subject from the open-loop data, using the relationship for a linear system. Predictions made in this way were very accurate, for both gain and phase lag, even though responses of a given subject usually differed idiosyncratically from those of another. The accuracy of prediction was observed over a broad frequency range (0.5-3Hz) and a moderate range of target amplitudes (2-6 deg, peak-to-peak).
Physical model-based metal artifact reduction (MAR) scheme for a 3D cone-beam CT extremity imaging system

In Cone Beam CT Imaging, metallic and other dense objects, such as implantable orthopedic appliances, surgical clips and staples, and dental fillings, are often acquired as part of the image dataset. These high-density, high atomic mass objects attenuate X-rays in the diagnostic energy range much more strongly than soft tissue or bony structures, resulting in photon starvation at the detector. In addition, signal behind the metal objects suffer from increased quantum noise, scattered radiation, and beam hardening. All of these effects combine to create nonlinearities which are further amplified by the reconstruction algorithm, such as conventional filtered back-projection (FBP), producing strong artifacts in the form of streaking. They reduce image quality by masking soft tissue structures, not only in the immediate vicinity of the dense object, but also throughout the entire image volume. A novel, physical-model-based, metal-artifact reduction scheme (MAR) is proposed to mitigate the metal-induced artifacts. The metal objects are segmented in the projection domain, and a physical model based method is adopted to fill in the segmented area. The FDK1 reconstruction algorithm is then used for the final reconstruction.
Pressure studies of the Fermi surfaces of α-U and UGe3

Abstract Measurements of the effect of pressure on four cross sections arising from open sheets of the Fermi surface of α-U have been obtained at pressure ≥8 kbar generated in solid He. Also presented are preliminary values for the pressure dependence of two cross sections of the Fermi surface of UGe3.
Regression Tolerance Intervals

In this article, we discuss the utility of tolerance intervals for various regression models. We begin with a discussion of tolerance intervals for linear and nonlinear regression models. We then introduce a novel method for constructing nonparametric regression tolerance intervals by extending the well-established procedure for univariate data. Simulation results and application to real datasets are presented to help visualize regression tolerance intervals and to demonstrate that the methods we discuss have coverage probabilities very close to the specified nominal confidence level.
Letter to the Editor---Reduction of Letter Delays Between Post Offices

In a paper by Oliver and Samuel Oliver, R. M., A. H. Samuel. 1961. Reducing letter delays in post offices. Research Report 11, Operations Research Center, University of California, Berkeley, Opns. Res.10 839--892 1962., methods were developed for the minimization of the delay of letters in their flow through a post office in the city of origin. It was shown that this delay is a sensitive function of the time of the dispatch by which they leave the office. We shall now consider briefly an introductory treatment designed to minimize the total letter delay from collection to delivery.
IDEALS IN DIRECT PRODUCTS OF COMMUTATIVE RINGS

Let R and S be commutative rings, not necessarily with identity. We investigate the ideals, prime ideals, radical ideals, primary ideals, and maximal ideals of R ◊ S. Unlike the case where R and S have an identity, an ideal (or primary ideal, or maximal ideal) of R ◊ S need not be a ‘subproduct’ I ◊ J of ideals. We show that for a ring R, for each commutative ring S every ideal (or primary ideal, or maximal ideal) is a subproduct if and only if R is an e-ring (that is, for r 2 R, there exists er 2 R with err = r) (or u-ring (that is, for each proper ideal A of R, p A 6= R)), the Abelian group (R/R 2 , +) has no maximal subgroups).
A Comparison Study of Detection Limits Using Flame-Emission Spectroscopy with the Nitrous Oxide–Acetylene Flame and Atomic-Absorption Spectroscopy

The minimum detection limits using flame-emission spectroscopy with the nitrous oxide–acetylene flame and using atomic-absorption spectroscopy were determined under optimum instrumental and flame-operating conditions for 68 elements, using the same nebulizer system, the same instrument, and signal integration techniques. Based on these studies, 27 elements show equal detectability by the two methods, 15 are more sensitive by flame emission, and 26 are more sensitive by atomic absorption. Results are compared and discussed with respect to theoretical prediction.
Fundamental Frequency, Intensity, and Vowel Selection: Effects on Measures of Phonatory Stability

Measures of phonatory stability such as jitter, shimmer, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are increasingly used in clinics and laboratories, yet questions about the effects of various aspects of voi...
Existence of a Proton Transfer Chain in Bacteriorhodopsin: Participation of Glu-194 in the Release of Protons to the Extracellular Surface†

Glu-194 near the extracellular surface of bacteriorhodopsin is indispensable for proton release to the medium upon protonation of Asp-85 during light-driven transport. As for Glu-204, its replacement with glutamine (but not aspartate) abolishes both proton release and the anomalous titration of Asp-85 that originates from coupling between the pKa of this buried aspartate and those of the other acidic groups. Unlike the case of Glu-204, however, replacement of Glu-194 with aspartate raises the pKa for proton release. In Fourier transform infrared spectra of the E194D mutant a prominent positive band is observed at 1720 cm-1. It can be assigned from [4-13C]aspartate and D2O isotope shifts to the CdO stretch of protonated Asp-194. Its rise correlates with proton transfer from the retinal Schiff base to Asp-85. Its decay coincides with the appearance of a proton at the surface, detected under similar conditions with fluorescein covalently bound to Lys-129 and with pyranine. Its amplitude decreases with increasing pH, with a pKa of about 9. We show that this pKa is likely to be that of the internal proton donor to Asp-194, the Glu-204 site, before photoexcitation, while 13C NMR titration indicates that Asp-194 has an initial pKa of about 3. We propose that there is a chain of interacting residues between the retinal Schiff base and the extracellular surface. After photoisomerization of the retinal the pKa's change so as to allow (i) Asp-85 to become protonated by the Schiff base, (ii) the Glu-204 site to transfer its proton to Asp-194 in E194D, and therefore to Glu-194 in the wild type, and (iii) residue 194 to release the proton to the medium.
Predictors of mortality in nursing home residents with advanced dementia

This analysis uses data from the Care of Nursing Home Residents with Advanced Dementia (CareAD) study to investigate which factors increase the risk of death in patients who are in the advanced stages of dementia. The hypothesis of this analysis was that specific illnesses with known high mortality would be associated with increased risk of death in the population of nursing home residents with advanced dementia, after controlling for demographic variables and disease-stage variables. Baseline data on 123 end-stage dementia nursing home residents were analyzed with a Cox proportional hazards regression. Of the comorbidities studied, pneumonia was the only illness significantly associated with shortened survival. This information can help health care professionals assist surrogate decision makers in making medical decisions regarding the treatment of comorbid medical illness in persons with advanced dementia.
Do Protective Factors Reduce the Risk of Hospitalization in Infants of Teenaged Mothers

Objective To determine the risk of hospitalization associated with prenatal care use and indicators of socioeconomic status and social support among infants of teenage mothers. Design Population-based case-control study. Setting Nonfederal hospitals in Washington State. Participants Infants born from 1987 to 1995 to mothers younger than 20 years were identified using linked birth certificate–state hospital discharge data. Cases consisted of 8052 infants who were hospitalized during the first year of life at least 2 days after birth hospitalization discharge. An equal number of controls, frequency matched on birth year and maternal age group, were randomly sampled from among nonhospitalized infants. Main Outcome Measure Hospitalization in the first year of life. Results Infants with a father listed on the birth certificate or whose mothers had commercial health insurance had a decreased risk of hospitalization (adjusted odds ratios, 0.91 and 0.78, respectively; 95% confidence intervals, 0.83-0.99 and 0.71-0.85, respectively). Participation in state-funded pregnancy programs, adequacy of prenatal care, or marital status did not affect the risk of hospitalization, except among infants whose mothers received more than adequate prenatal care (adjusted odds ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.29). Conclusion Our results suggest that teenaged mothers who list a father on the birth certificate or who have insurance, indicative of higher socioeconomic status, may have a reduced risk of hospitalization for their infants. Teenaged mothers who receive more than adequate prenatal care may have pregnancy complications that place their infants at increased risk of hospitalization. The effect of these protective factors should be clarified in future studies.
Ionic conductivity in the poly(ethylene malonate)/lithium triflate system

A series of polymer salt complexes based on poly(ethylene malonate) and lithium triflate were prepared with polymer repeat unit to cation ratios of 8, 4, 2, 1. These were characterized and then mixed with lithium triflate. The CO stretching peaks in the IR spectra of these polymers became broad when salt was introduced, indicating complex formation between the polymer and the lithium cation. Pure poly(ethylene malonate) has a glass transition at 258 K and the glass transition temperature increases with increasing salt concentration. The maximum room temperature ionic conductivity for this polymer/salt complex is 1.6×10−6 S/cm for a polymer repeat unit to cation ratio of 8, and the temperature dependence of the conductivity follows the Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher (VTF) equation.
Temperature shock-induced specific visible mutations at the dumpy locus of D. melanogaster.

Abstract A low (10°) temperature shock treatment of 15-, 30-, 45- or 60-min duration can induce a significant frequency of dumpy mutations in D. melanogaster . There is no correlation between the duration of the shock period and the induced frequency of mutation. A high (37°) temperature shock treatment of 15-, 30-, 45- or 60-min duration is ineffective. The low-temperature shock treatment induces a high percentage (56%) of a normally rare dumpy phenotype designated “ comma ”. 66% of these F 1 comma individuals were sterile. The remaining F 1 comma individuals did not transmit a comma phenotype to the F 2 generation.
A Geometric Transversals Approach to Analyzing the Probability of Track Detection for Maneuvering Targets

There is considerable precedence in the sensor tracking and estimation literature for modeling maneuvering targets by Markov motion models in order to estimate the target state from multiple, distributed sensor measurements. Although the transition probability density functions of these Markov models are routinely outputted by tracking and estimation algorithms, little work has been done to use them in sensor coordination and control algorithms. This paper presents a geometric transversals approach for representing the probability of track detection by multiple, distributed sensors, as a function of the Markov model transition probabilities. By this approach, the Markov parameters of maneuvering targets that may be detected by the sensors are represented by three-dimensional cones that are finitely generated by the sensors fields-of-view in a spatiotemporal Euclidian space. Then, the problem of deploying a sensor network for the purpose of maximizing the expected number of target detections can be formulated as a nonlinear program that can be solved numerically for the optimal sensor placement. Numerical results show that the optimal sensor placements obtained by this geometric transversals approach significantly outperform greedy, grid, or randomized sensor deployments.
Is Hotelling's Rule Relevant to Domestic Oil Production?

.A model of oil supply from known reserves is developed to incorporate geological and engineering principles in the oil field operator’s decision problem. Oil production from existing wells within an oil field is isolated from the drilling of new wells. The geo-engineering . .
A Model Analysis of Tire Behavior Under Vertical Loading and Straight‐Line Free Rolling

Abstract A structural analog, consisting of a flexible circular ring under tension with a nest of radially arranged linear springs and dampers, is developed as a pneumatic tire model. The model is concerned with the prediction of the tire's vertical load‐deflection characteristics and its free rolling resistance. The mathematical formulation of the boundary of the model's region of contact with a smooth hard surface is based on approximations made using the theory of a tensioned string supported by an elastic foundation. Forces developed within the contact region are computed from geometrical considerations. The model's ring tension and radial foundation stiffnesses, as related to the tire's inflation pressure, are obtained experimentally by performing contact patch length measurements and static point‐load tests on the specific tire modeled. Further, by prescribing a loss factor in the radial dampers, the model's free rolling resistance characteristics may be computed. Experimental verification conducted...
Pediatric acetabuloplasty procedures: radiologic evaluation.

Hip dysplasia implies a deranged articular relationship between the acetabulum and the femoral head. Acetabular dysplasia has three possible components: maldirection, insufficiency, and incongruence I 11. The maldirected acetabulum generally faces more anteriorly and superolaterally than normal. The superolateral direction of the acetabulum can best be evaluated with an anteroposterior radiograph of the pelvis or with CT of the hip reconstructed in the coronal plane. With superolateral maldirection, the acetabular angle increases (the normal range is I4-39#{176} in newborns and 5_210 in children 5 years old) and Shenton’s line becomes disrupted. Superolateral displacement of the femoral head may be evaluated on the same images using Hilgenreiner’s and Perkin’s lines and the lateral center edge angle (Figs. I and 2A). The normal lateral center edge angle is 12-30#{176}in newborns and 18-40#{176}in children 5 years old. With lateral displacement of the femoral head, the lateral center edge angle decreases. Postoperatively, a lateral center edge angle of greater than 15#{176} is ideal. Axial CT is the method of choice to show anterior maldirection or antetorsion of the acetabulum (Fig. 2B). The normal amount of acetabular antetorsion has been reported to range from -2#{176} to +16#{176} in newborns and from +5#{176} to #{247}34#{176} in adults. Acetabular insufficiency is
Ground‐Water Modeling

An increasing number of managers of ground-water programs are finding themselves in the position of either promoting or supervising the use of ground-water models, but have only a rudimentary knowledge of what these models are and how they work or should be used. An increasing number of practitioners also find it necessary or desirable to use a model on a ground-water project, but have little understanding of models and have no idea where to begin to acquire the necessary knowledge. It is with these managers and practitioners in mind that Mercer and Faust wrote a series of five articles in Ground Water on introductory ground-water modeling. These articles were subsequently bound in one volume to become the book, Ground-Water Modeling.
Reinfection after successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori: a 2-year prospective study in Alaska Natives.

Summary Background Limited information exists regarding risk factors for reinfection after cure of Helicobacter pylori infection. Aim To determine the 2-year reinfection rate of H. pylori in a cohort of urban Alaska Natives. Methods Participants over 18 years of age undergoing oesophagogastroduodenoscopy had 13C urea breath test, culture, CLOtest and histology performed. Those diagnosed with H. pylori who tested urea breath test-negative at 8 weeks after treatment were followed prospectively at 4 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years. Subjects experiencing H. pylori reinfection as defined by a positive urea breath test were compared with those who did not become reinfected using univariable and multivariable analysis. Risk of reinfection over time was estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Results Helicobacter pylori reinfection occurred in 14 of 98 subjects successfully treated. The cumulative reinfection rate was 5.1% (95% CI: 0.7%–9.5%) at 4 months, 7.2% (2.0–12.3%) at 6 months, 10.3% (4.2–16.3%) at 1-year and 14.5% (7.5–21.6%) at 2 years. In multivariable analysis, a history of previous peptic ulcer disease or presence of ulcer at time of study oesophagogastroduodenoscopy were the only risk factors associated with reinfection (P = 0.01). Conclusions Based on the findings from our study, subjects with a history of or current peptic ulcer disease should be followed, after successful treatment for H. pylori, with periodic urea breath test to detect reinfection, as reinfection would put them at high risk for ulcer recurrence.
Evidence-based approach to the maintenance of laboratory and medical equipment in resource-poor settings

Much of the laboratory and medical equipment in resource-poor settings is out-of-service. The most commonly cited reasons are (1) a lack of spare parts and (2) a lack of highly trained technicians. However, there is little data to support these hypotheses, or to generate evidence-based solutions to the problem. We studied 2,849 equipment-repair requests (of which 2,529 were out-of-service medical equipment) from 60 resource-poor hospitals located in 11 nations in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Central America. Each piece of equipment was analyzed by an engineer or an engineering student and a repair was attempted using only locally available materials. If the piece was placed back into service, we assumed that the engineer's problem analysis was correct. A total of 1,821 pieces of medical equipment were placed back into service, or 72%, without requiring the use of imported spare parts. Of those pieces repaired, 1,704 were sufficiently documented to determine what knowledge was required to place the equipment back into service. We found that six domains of knowledge were required to accomplish 99% of the repairs: electrical (18%), mechanical (18%), power supply (14%), plumbing (19%), motors (5%), and installation or user training (25%). A further analysis of the domains shows that 66% of the out-of-service equipment was placed back into service using only 107 skills covering basic knowledge in each domain; far less knowledge than that required of a biomedical engineer or biomedical engineering technician. We conclude that a great majority of laboratory and medical equipment can be put back into service without importing spare parts and using only basic knowledge. Capacity building in resource-poor settings should first focus on a limited set of knowledge; a body of knowledge that we call the biomedical technician's assistant (BTA). This data set suggests that a supported BTA could place 66% of the out-of-service laboratory and medical equipment in their hospital back into service.
Limited role of Ki-67 proliferative index in predicting overall short-term survival in patients with typical and atypical pulmonary carcinoid tumors.

Pulmonary carcinoid tumors are currently classified as typical or atypical based on the mitotic index (2 per 10 hpf) and/or the presence of necrosis. Following incorporation of the Ki-67 index into the classification of GI carcinoid tumors, our oncologists have also been requesting this test as part of the work-up of pulmonary carcinoid tumors although there are currently no established criteria for interpreting Ki-67 index in these neoplasms. We utilized the Ariol® SL50 Image Analyzer system to measure the Ki-67 index in 101 pulmonary carcinoid tumors (78 typical and 23 atypical) and then correlated the Ki-67 index and the histological diagnoses in univariate and multivariable analysis with overall survival. The mean Ki-67 indices for the typical carcinoids (3.7 s.d.±4.0) and the atypical carcinoids (18.8 s.d.±17.1) were significantly different (P<0.001) although the frequency distributions of Ki-67 indices in the two groups overlapped considerably. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a Ki-67 index cutoff value of 5% provided the best fit for specificity and sensitivity in predicting overall survival. Histological diagnosis and the Ki-67 index cutoff of 5% were each independently strong predictors of survival (P<0.001 and P=0.003, respectively). When considered together in multivariable analysis, histological diagnosis was the stronger predictor of overall survival and a Ki-67 index cutoff of 5% did not provide additional significant predictive survival information within either the typical carcinoid or the atypical carcinoid patient group. A few typical carcinoid patients with Ki-67 indices of 5% appeared to have worse survival after 5 years than those with Ki-67 indices <5%, but the data set was insufficiently powered to further analyze this. These findings do not provide best evidence for the routine use of Ki-67 index to prognosticate overall short-term survival in patients with pulmonary carcinoid tumors.
Interaction of atrazine with Laurentian humic acid

Abstract Ultrafiltration fractionation and liquid chromatography have been applied to study the binding and hydrolysis of polar herbicide atrazine on a stoichiometrically well characterized Laurentian humic acid. The main advantage of this method over gas chromatography is the simultaneous determination of both free and bound atrazine, hydroxyatrazine and copper(II) ion with satisfactory accuracy and precision. Atrazine binding requires extensive carboxylate site protonation but the binding sites represent only a very small fraction of total carboxylate of humic acid. The results show that binding of atrazine is not competitive with binding of the hydrolysis product hydroxyatrazine, the binding capacity is reduced at higher ionic strength or by cation competition for carboxylate and the atrazine binding constant and free energy of binding can be fitted by a single value at all pH values. The differences between atrazine binding by fulvic acid and humic acid can be ascribed to the structure difference, one being a flexible linear polymer and the other a three-dimensional colloidal gel particle.
Urinary Hydrocodone and Metabolite Distributions in Pain Patients

Hydrocodone combined with acetaminophen is commonly used for moderate pain. Hydrocodone is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 into hydromorphone and by CYP3A4 into norhydrocodone. This was a retrospective study evaluating hydrocodone, hydromorphone and norhydrocodone distributions in urine. Urine specimens (n = 76,924) were obtained from patients on chronic opioid therapy during their first or single visit and were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). The patients were at least 16 years of age and had documented hydrocodone use via a medication list. There were 48,710 specimens that were positive for all three analytes. Mean hydrocodone, hydromorphone and norhydrocodone mole fractions (95% confidence interval) were 0.39 (0.38-0.39), 0.12 (0.11-0.12) and 0.49 (0.48-0.49), respectively. Hydromorphone fractions were lower in women compared with men (0.11 versus 0.13; P < 0.0001). Hydrocodone mole fractions were higher in the 65-year and older age group compared with the 16- to 39-year age group (0.4 versus 0.36; P ≤ 0.005). Concurrent use of a CYP2D6 and/or CYP3A4 inhibitor altered hydromorphone and norhydrocodone mole fractions, compared with the control group. Patient factors affect hydrocodone and metabolite mole fractions and suggest increased awareness of their contribution when attempting to interpret urine drug testing results.
Double-slot-fed microstrip antennas for circular polarization operation

Using the cavity model theory, simple design formulas are developed for double-slot-fed circularly polarized microstrip antennas. Equivalent magnetic current sources are assumed at the slot positions and then the electric field distribution under the patch is obtained in terms of cavity modes. By applying the circular polarization conditions to the far-field components of the electric field, the loci of the positions of the slots for the circular polarization operations are found. Experimental results are successfully demonstrated based on the theoretical designs.
Outcome of tarsoconjunctival flap dehiscence after eyelid reconstruction.

Abstract PURPOSE: To report the outcome of eyelid reconstruction with a tarsoconjunctival flap complicated by premature flap dehiscence. DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: In eight of approximately 100 patients who underwent unilateral lower eyelid reconstruction with a tarsoconjunctival (Hughes) flap during a 15-year interval, the procedure was complicated by premature flap dehiscence resulting from accidental trauma 1 to 11 days after the reconstructive procedure. Immediate surgical repair of the dehiscence was attempted in one case, but the tissues reopened within 1 day. Otherwise, the eyelids were permitted to heal spontaneously with the application of erythromycin ophthalmic ointment as the sole therapy. RESULTS: Although the reconstructed eyelids healed satisfactorily in each case, one patient, who had dry eyes from Sjogren syndrome, required secondary surgery to treat mild lagophthalmos and lower eyelid retraction. CONCLUSIONS: The ultimate functional and esthetic outcomes after premature, traumatic dehiscence of a Hughes flap were generally satisfactory, suggesting that elective division of the conjunctival pedicle in uncomplicated cases may be performed relatively soon after the primary reconstructive procedure.
Isolated low-normal amniotic fluid volume in the early third trimester: Association with adverse perinatal outcomes

AIMS: To test if an isolated finding of low-normal amniotic fluid index (AFI) in the early third trimester in low-risk patients is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies that had ultrasound studies between 28.0 and 31.9 weeks' gestation. Two cohorts with AFI 8.0-11.9 cm (low-normal, LN) and AFI 12.0-19.9 cm (mid-normal, MN) were compared. RESULTS: Patients with LN-AFI (n=99) were more likely to have early (<34 weeks) and late (<37 weeks) preterm birth (PTB) (relative risk 4.2 and 2.4, respectively) and a small for gestational age (SGA) infant (relative risk 1.8) than MN-AFI (n=834), corresponding to a higher NICU admission rate (relative risk 2.5). The risk of "spontaneous" PTB (preterm labor and rupture of membranes) did not differ between the cohorts, whereas the risk of "indicated" PTB (maternal or fetal indications) was significantly increased in LN-AFI. The incidence of abnormal antepartum testing, stillbirth, preeclampsia, placental abruption, fetal intolerance to labor, emergency cesarean delivery, umbilical artery pH <7.0, Apgar scores <7 at 5 min, and neonatal death was not increased in patients with LN-AFI. CONCLUSION: Low-normal AFI in the early third trimester increases the risk for subsequent delivery of an SGA infant and indicated PTB.
Episcleritis and scleritis: clinical features and treatment results.

Abstract PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical experience with episcleritis and scleritis at a tertiary care eye center. METHODS: Retrospective chart review. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-four patients with scleral inflammation were seen over a 12-year period. Thirty-seven patients had episcleritis, and 97 patients had scleritis. Ocular complications occurred in only 13.5% of patients with episcleritis but in 58.8% of patients with scleritis ( P P P = .020). Patients with necrotizing scleritis and posterior scleritis were more likely to be treated with oral corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs (90% and 100%, respectively) than were patients with diffuse anterior scleritis and nodular anterior scleritis (56.4% and 21.4%, respectively, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Scleritis is a severe ocular inflammation, often associated with ocular complications, and nearly always treated with systemic medications. Nearly 60% of these patients will need oral corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs to control the disease.
Bear Imagery and Ritual in Northeast North America: An Update and Assessment of A. Irving Hallowell's Work

AbstractOver seventy years ago, A. Irving Hallowell called attention to the widespread distribution of bear ceremonialism among boreal cultures of northern Eurasia and North America. He showed that reverence for the bear was governed primarily by sociopsychological factors of possible great antiquity. This study draws on Hallowell's insights and uses a holistic approach to interpret bear imagery and ritual found in archaeological contexts for northeastern North America. Various data demonstrate the antiquity and variability of bear ceremonialism including the communal feasting of bear brains, ritual use of skull masks, public display of skulls in elevated positions, various expressions of symbolism in art, ritual disposal of post-cranial remains, and widespread distribution of bear clans with their associated rituals and leadership roles. Cross-culturally, the bear may signify a dangerous predatory animal opposed to humans while simultaneously looking and behaving like a person, thus representing a source...
Minimum variance unbiased estimation in the Pareto distribution

Theorems are presented for finding the UMVU estimators of functions of the parameters of the Pareto distribution. Further, UMVU estimators are obtained for the geometric mean, median andr-th moment about zero of a Pareto distribution. These estimators are in the form of infinite series but truncations after only a few terms may perform adequately.
Promoting Active Learning in Teaching the Course of Design of Machine Elements

For certain topics in the curriculum the pendulum of engineering education is swinging from a full focus on pure theory to a balance between theoretical analysis and solid experiences. Undergraduate students are required to obtain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experiences to meet the need of job markets. Active learning/teaching has become a commonly-used instructional approach in response to this change of the balance. In the authors’ institute, the Design of Machine Elements (DOME) course has been used as a candidate for exploration on how to engage students in active learning in regular classroom settings through designed activities such as in-class-teams, think-pair-share, in-class-writing-assignments, problem-based learning, etc. If students are expected to perform well with open-ended and project-centered problems for their design courses and capstone senior design, then a pedagogical basis should be provided across the entire undergraduate design curriculum. This paper discusses how active learning/teaching techniques have been explored in teaching the course of Design of Machine Elements to build up such a basis. In this paper, active learning concepts applied in teaching the DOME course are discussed, including specific examples of integrating active learning techniques with traditional classroom lectures. Also presented are which active learning techniques have worked effectively, what experiences have been learned, and what issues need further improvements and exploration. In addition, the paper also discusses how course projects are assigned to line up with planned teaching and learning activities, and how project requirements have been designed to facilitate the integration of active learning techniques with instructional objectives. Anonymous student survey data and course assessments will be presented to show that these techniques indeed provide a promising solution to the integration of active learning/teaching methods into teaching the course of design of machine elements in the regular classroom setting.© 2007 ASME
Measuring Job-Related Situational Strength and Assessing Its Interactive Effects With Personality on Voluntary Work Behavior

Situational strength has long been viewed as a useful way of conceptualizing and predicting person–situation interactions. Some have recently argued, however, that more rigorous empirical tests of its behavioral influence are sorely needed. The current article begins addressing this literature gap by (a) developing the Situational Strength at Work (SSW) scale, (b) examining the ways in which individual differences influence perceptions of situational strength, and (c) testing situational strength’s moderating effects on two types of voluntary work behavior (i.e., organizational citizenship behavior and counterproductive work behavior). Results indicate strong psychometric properties for the SSW (thereby facilitating future organizational research on situational strength), support for theoretically based predictions regarding the role of individual differences in perceptions of situational strength, support for theoretically based moderator effects on organizational citizenship behavior, and the presence o...
Effects of ischemia and oxidative stress on bladder purinoceptors expression.

Objective To study the effects of chronic ischemia on bladder purinoceptors. A close correlation between bladder ischemia and lower urinary tract symptoms has been reported. Purinoceptors contribute to important aspects of bladder function including sensation, neural signaling, and voiding contraction. Our goal was to examine purinoceptors expression in the ischemic overactive bladder. Materials and Methods Moderate bladder ischemia was produced in rabbits by creating bilateral iliac artery atherosclerosis. After 8 weeks, bladder blood flow was measured, and cystometrograms were obtained. Bladder tissues from 8-week ischemic and age-matched control bladders were processed for the analysis of oxidative stress markers, P2X and P2Y purinoceptors expression, and transmission electron microscopy. Results Arterial atherosclerosis significantly decreased bladder blood flow. Markers of oxidative stress characterized by increased levels of advanced oxidation protein products and malondialdehyde were evident in the ischemic bladder tissues. Chronic ischemia and oxidative stress decreased the bladder capacity and increased spontaneous bladder contractions. Bladder pressure at micturition and intravesical pressure rise during contractions tended to be greater in the ischemic bladder but did not reach significance. Transmission electron microscopy showed smooth muscle cell and microvasculature structural damage and diffuse fibrosis. These changes in the ischemic bladder were associated with significant increases in purinoceptors P2X1, P2X2, P2X3, P2X4, P2X5, and P2X7 expression. The P2Y isoforms were not expressed in the rabbit bladder. Conclusion Structural and functional changes in the chronically ischemic bladder were associated with upregulation of P2X receptor isoforms. Increased P2X expression may play a role in ischemia-induced bladder overactivity and noncompliance.
Medicalization of unacceptable behaviors : Treatment, necessary or sufficient?

Approximately 65% of adolescents in the juvenile justice system have some type of mental disorder (Wasserman et al., 2003). Access to mental health treatment within juvenile justice requires a psychiatric evaluation, and a diagnosis to justify treatment. At times, behavior and symptoms may be exaggerated in order to secure services that are not available to families without adequate health insurance. Evaluations may be cursory and recommended interventions extreme, such as out of home placement without an attempt at family- or community-based treatment. This practice is illustrated by a case study of an adolescent's progression through dependency and the juvenile justice system. The need for treatments that are both issue-focused and empirically supported is discussed, as is the need to consider community- and family-based interventions as a first option.
Development and clinical overview of trastuzumab (herceptin)

Objectives : To provide a review of the two pivotal clinical trials evaluating trastuzumab in metastatic breast cancer, either in combination with chemotherapy or as a single agent. Data Sources : Research reports. Conclusions : Trastuzumab is indicated as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer who overexpress the HER2 protein. The toxicity profile of trastuzumab is favorable; cardiac dysfunction has been the primary dose-limiting toxicity, especially when combined with anthracyclines. Implications For Nursing Practice : Nurses will deliver trastuzumab in the clinical setting and must be familiar with its efficacy and toxicity profile.
The Integration of Cost and Capacity Considerations in Material Requirements Planning Systems

Within the sequential framework of material requirements planning (MRP), a master production schedule (MPS) of end-item production is prepared and a bill-of-material processor is used to convert the MPS into a plan for needed subassemblies, parts, and materials. This study examines the impact of different procedures for considering inventory-related costs and capacity limitations in the two phases of planning: master production scheduling and bill-of-material (BOM) processing. A total of nine procedures are considered for integrating the two phases of planning. The results indicate that the integrated procedures have a significant effect on the trade-offs among inventory-related costs, work load variations, over/under time costs, and excess work loads. Further, the results suggest that the method used to develop the MPS has the primary influence on these trade-offs, but the method used by the BOM processor can sometimes have a moderating effect.
Cataloging Internet Resources: Practical Issues and Concerns

Summary Getting ready to catalog Internet resources in a library's OPAC can be overwhelming. This article addresses the kinds of questions that must be answered in any project to catalog electronic resources (ERs). The article describes the process followed at one academic institution to develop appropriate procedures and put them into practice. It provides some strategies and cautions that should be useful to any cataloging unit preparing to undertake an ER cataloging venture. The process requires a lot of work, but is full of opportunities to build or cement relationships across functional work areas. It is possible to begin with limited experience cataloging electronic titles and build functional local expertise.
Responses of lymphocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis to IgG modified by oxygen radicals or peroxynitrite.

Objective We have previously demonstrated the presence of IgG aggregates modified by oxygen radicals (chlorinated IgG [Cl-IgG]) and peroxynitrite (nitrated IgG [N-IgG]) in synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A possible explanation for the longstanding chronic inflammatory process in RA is the establishment of an immune response to autoantigens. This study was undertaken to examine whether a T cell response to oxidatively modified IgG contributes to the inflammation in RA. Methods We studied in vitro lymphocyte proliferation and interleukin 2 (IL-2) secretion in response to a common antigen (mumps), N-IgG, Cl-IgG, and heat-aggregated IgG (H-IgG) (control) in 15 normal blood donors and 16 RA patients not receiving immunosuppressive drugs. Results The responses of RA lymphocytes to mumps antigen were significantly lower that those in controls (mean ± SEM 2,577 ± 217 versus 6,367 ± 365 counts per minute/well; P < 0.02). However, whereas in normal donors the cell responses to N-IgG and Cl-IgG were not significantly different than responses to H-IgG (N-IgG/H-IgG ratio 1.2 ± 0.2, Cl-IgG/H-IgG 1.5 ± 0.2), the RA lymphocyte responses to N-IgG and Cl-IgG were significantly higher than the responses to H-IgG (N-IgG/H-IgG 7.4 ± 2.5, Cl-IgG/H-IgG 4.8 ± 1.2). When ratios in RA cells were compared with normal cell responses as a group, there was a significant difference for both N-IgG (P < 0.017) and Cl-IgG (P < 0.014). When selected normal and RA lymphocyte culture supernatants were assayed for IL-2 secretion, the increase in IL-2 never exceeded 2-fold in normal cell cultures incubated with any of the IgG compared with unstimulated cultures, whereas responses of RA cells, particularly those incubated with N-IgG, were increased (range 2.6–15.7-fold) compared with unstimulated controls. Conclusion These results suggest that in RA there are circulating T cells that are responsive to oxidatively modified IgG, a possible pathogenic mechanism contributing to the chronic inflammatory process within the inflamed joint.
Assessment of Potential Impacts of Exotic Species on Populations of a Threatened Species, White Sands Pupfish, Cyprinodon tularosa

The potential impact of introduced species on rare taxa is of particular concern to conservation biologists. We evaluate the impacts of western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and virile crayfish (Orconectes virilis) on experimental populations of a threatened species, the White Sands pupfish (Cyprinodon tularosa). Forty experimental pupfish populations were exposed to one of four treatments; (a) 1 crayfish, (b) 4 crayfish, (c) 5 adult mosquitofish and (d) control. Pupfish population size and biomass was monitored over the duration of one breeding season. A repeated measure multiple analysis of covariance revealed a significant effect of treatments on response variables (population size and biomass) (P<0.0001). Mosquitofish had a significant effect on population size and biomass (P=0.0330). The effect of one crayfish was not significant (P=0. 0683). However, 4 crayfish had a significant effect (P<0.0001) on population size. We use these data, along with information on environmental tolerances of crayfish and mosquitofish, to evaluate risks for specific pupfish populations. Abbreviations: CF1 – treatment with one crayfish; CF4 – treatment with 4 crayfish; ESU – ecological significant unit; MANCOVA – multiple analysis of covariance; MANOVA – multiple analysis of variance; m – meter; MF – treatment with mosquitofish; PF – control treatment – just pupfish; R – finite growth rate; SD – standard deviation; SE – standard error