cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reimbursement Matters: Overcoming Barriers to Clinical Trial Accrual.

Background Accrual to cancer clinical trials is suboptimal. Few data exist regarding whether financial reimbursement might increase accruals. Objective The objective of this study was to assess perceptions about reimbursement to overcome barriers to trial accrual. Research design This was a cross-sectional survey. Subjects Oncologists identified from the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. Measures We report descriptive statistics, associations of physician characteristics with perceptions of reimbursement, domains, and subthemes of free-text comments. Results Respondents (n=1030) were mostly medical oncologists (59.4%), ages 35-54 (67%), and male (75%). Overall, 30% reported discussing trials with >25% of patients. Barriers perceived were administrative/regulatory, physician/staff time, and eligibility criteria. National Cancer Institute cooperative group participants and practice owners were more likely to endorse higher reimbursement. Respondents indicated targeted reimbursement would help improve infrastructure, but also noted potential ethical problems with reimbursement for discussion (40.7%) and accrual (85.9%). Free-text comments addressed reimbursement sources, recipients, and concerns about the real and apparent conflict of interest. Conclusions Though concerns about a potential conflict of interest remain paramount and must be addressed in any new system of reimbursement, oncologists believe reimbursement to enhance infrastructure could help overcome barriers to trial accrual.
Bad Individual Behavior

I call individual behavior bad when it does not conform to the conscience of the individual. Bad individual behavior can be active or passive, and so it will be well to say a word about each.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) approach to identifying factors that determine systolic blood pressure in type 2 diabetes (study from the LOOK AHEAD cohort).

Abstract Background and aims Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods have recently become critical for research in diabetes in the era of big-data science. Methods In this study, we used the data from the LOOK AHEAD and applied Random Forest to examine the factors determining SBP in persons with diabetes using the software R (version 4.0.3). Results Our analysis (that included 4723 participants) showed that maximal exercise capacity, age, albumin to creatinine ratio, and serum creatinine were the key variables that determined systolic blood pressure. Conclusions Maximum exercise capacity is an important predictor of systolic blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes.
A cautionary tale on proper use of branch-site models to detect convergent positive selection

Comparative genomics has become a powerful tool to elucidate genotype-phenotype relationships, particularly through the study of convergently acquired phenotypes. By identifying genes under positive selection specifically on branches with the convergent phenotype we can potentially link genes to that phenotype. Such gene scans are often done using branch-site codon models. However, we have observed a recent troubling trend of misinterpretation of branch-site models in which phylogeny-wide positive selection is not distinguished from positive selection specific to convergent branches. Here, we use simulations and real data to demonstrate how failing to discern between these two cases leads to false inferences of positive selection associated with a convergent trait. We then present a "drop-out" test solution to distinguish the two cases and thereby truly capture positive selection events associated with convergent phenotypes, thus allowing for further insights into both genetic and phenotypic evolution.
Simulation of cow-calf production systems in a range environment: I. Model development.

A mathematical computer model of beef cattle production systems was developed at Montana State University. The objective of this report was to describe the rationale and procedures used to simulate animal and system performance. The model was designed to simulate the dynamic relationships among cattle genotype, physiological state, forage quality, and management in range environments. Forage intake, energy and protein metabolism, growth, reproduction, lactation, and changes in chemical body composition are simulated for individual animals over complete life cycles. Expenses driven by animal performance, management decisions, and land resources are tabulated. Several biological and economic measures of system performance can be computed, including ratios of inputs (e.g., DM, CP, ME, dollars) to outputs (e.g., weight, lean), break even prices, and annual gross margin per cow or ranch. Primary uses of the model include the evaluation of system responses to changes in breeding strategies and management in range production/marketing systems.
Till Death Us Do Part

Epithelial cells need to remain firmly attached to each other and to the extracellular matrix. In the event that these cells become detached, they undergo apoptosis. In a Perspective, Hunt and Evan discuss new work that identifies the trigger that sets in motion the apoptosis program following detachment ( Puthalakath et al .). The trigger turns out to be the pro-apoptotic protein Bmf. This protein is attached to the myosin V motor complex of the actin cytoskeleton under normal conditions, but is set free once cells become detached.
Refinancing Trends among Lower Income and Minority Homeowners during the Housing Boom and Bust

This article examines trends in mortgage refinancing activity during the housing boom and bust, with a focus on homeowners in lower income and minority market (LIMM) areas. Unlike any other period in recent history, during the boom LIMM homeowners refinanced their mortgages more frequently than non-LIMM homeowners. This occurred primarily among borrowers for whom the refinance option was not in-the-money, and it is likely attributable to the concurrent growth of subprime, cash-out refinancing. Following the 2007 mortgage market collapse, however, LIMM homeowners were less likely to refinance. This can be explained in part by systematic differences in home equity levels across borrowers.
Social relationships and shifting languages in Northern Thailand1

This paper explores how speakers’ understandings of the conduct of social relationships mediate changing and socially distinctive syncretic language practices in a Northern Thai community. Although a shift away from vernacular (Kam Muang) speech styles to Standard Thai was emblematically tied to young and urban speakers in nostalgic discourses, syncretic speech styles and metalinguistic discourses also reflected local and socially positioned understandings of institutional roles and social relationships. I argue that scholars of language change and shift should foreground the mediating role of social relationships in speakers’ uses and understandings of their communicative repertoires across multiple timescales.
Ultrastructure of Brucella abortus L-forms induced by penicillin in a liquid and in a semisolid medium.

Abstract Brucella abortus L-forms were induced by 5.0 or 10.0 μg of penicillin/ml in a broth medium containing 0.3 m sucrose, and in a semisolid medium containing 10% calf serum and 20.0, 40.0, or 60.0 μg of penicillin/ml. After 96 hr of incubation, L-forms of various sizes and shapes were observed. Basic structures of the L-forms were similar whether induced in liquid or semisolid medium. L-forms had two “unit” membranes, each consisting of two outer dense layers separated by a lucent layer. A few large, irregularly shaped organisms in penicillin-treated broth cultures had additional surface material and were referred to as “transitional” forms. In contrast with L-forms, the bacterial cells were fairly uniform in size and shape, were smaller, and had a more complex cell wall structure. Small bodies limited by a “unit” membrane were present within and around numerous L-forms from liquid and semisolid medium cultures. Other internal membranous structures were also seen in some L-forms. Most Brucella L-forms described in this paper reverted to bacteria in the absence of penicillin and were structurally characteristic of unstable L-forms.
Specificity and mechanism of antitermination by Q proteins of bacteriophages λ and 82

Abstract Lambdoid phage late gene operons are positively regulated by genome-specific antiterminator proteins encoded by the Q gene of each phage. In this paper, we compare the activity of phage λ and phage 82 Q proteins. Q 82 -mediated antitermination, like that of Q λ , involves a transcription pause during which the regulator can modify RNA polymerase. We show that the activities of both Q 82 and Q λ are genome-specific in chasing RNA polymerase out of the early pause sites and in mediating antitermination. Finally, we show that the length of the RNA in the paused complex, or the exact position of the pause, affects the efficiency with which Q 82 chases RNA polymerase out of the pause.
Ultrafast computed tomography in the diagnosis of cardiac disease.

Abstract Ultrafast computer tomography (CT) is one of the major new imaging modalities that has become available for the evaluation of patients with heart disease. With cine CT it is possible to obtain high resolution images of the heart at 58-ms intervals. The inplane resolution is 0.7 to 1.5 mm, and the slice thickness is 3 to 9 mm. Images require the intravenous injection of nonionic contrast agents to obtain quantitative information about cardiac function. Cine CT has thus far been used in 3 general areas that relate to the evaluation of patients with heart disease: evaluation of cardiac structure and function, evaluation of vein bypass graft patency and flow reserve, and measurements of regional myocardial perfusion. Because of the outstanding spatial resolution of the images, it is possible to obtain very precise information about cardiac structure and function. The weight of the left ventricle and right ventricular walls can be measured to ± 5%, and the stroke volumes and end-diastolic volumes of all 4 cardiac chambers can also be measured with an accuracy of ± 5%. With this technology it is possible to determine the magnitude of aortic regurgitation within ± 5 to 8%. This modality has also proved useful in the diagnosis of surgically resectable left ventricular aneurysm and a multitude of other cardiac disorders that involve abnormalities in cardiac structure, including congenital heart defects, aortic aneurysms and constrictive pericarditis. These diagnostic procedures use the peripheral injection of usually about 100 ml of contrast media and can ordinarily be completed in less than 15 minutes. Ultrafast CT is also useful in the determination of vein bypass graft patency. A recent multicenter study indicated that the patency of bypass grafts could be determined with an accuracy of about 92%. Accuracy was not different in internal mammary artery conduits or saphenous vein grafts. Recent experimental studies with cine CT indicate that if one uses aortic route injection of contrast it will be possible to measure regional myocardial perfusion with outstanding accuracy. Studies in animals suggest that myocardial perfusion rates that vary from as low as 10 to as high as 600 ml/min × 100 g can be measured with an accuracy of about ± 15% with ultrafast CT.
Temperature-programmed microwave-assisted synthesis of SBA-15 ordered mesoporous silica.

The currently available microwave technology permits the development and implementation of a temperature-programmed microwave-assisted synthesis (TPMS) of ordered mesoporous silicas (OMSs). Unlike in previously reported syntheses of OMSs, in which only the final hydrothermal treatment was carried out under microwave irradiation, this work takes advantage of the existing capabilities of modern microwave systems to program the temperature and time for the entire synthesis of these materials. To demonstrate the flexibility of the proposed microwave-assisted synthesis, besides programming two consecutive steps involving initial stirring of the gel at a lower temperature and static hydrothermal treatment at a higher temperature, we explored the possibility of temperature programming of the latter step. A major advantage of microwave technology is the feasibility of temperature and time programming, which has been demonstrated by the synthesis of one of the most popular OMSs, SBA-15, over an unprecedented range...
Interaction of Mengo virus with L cells

Abstract The initial rate of adsorption of Mengo virus to L cells in suspension is 7.3 × 10 −8 cm 3 min −1 . All the cells in an exponentially growing population could be infected, and the number of cells infected corresponded to the number killed. Maturation of virus begins at 3.5 hours after infection. Release of virus from the cells begins at 4 hours and is complete at 7 hours.
Spectral denivelations: la mémoire du rail and topographical excess at the Jardins d'Éole

The cityscape's ability to cultivate intersubjective understanding is problematic today, when many citizens' sense of place is shaped by mobility and imagery, and the design of new urban places needs to reconcile contradictory imaginary geographies and avoid narrowly place-bound forms of memory. Tensions between the representation of solidarity and difference in the urban landscape are explored through analysis of a recently completed park in Paris. While the Jardins d'Eole's use of palimpsest-like railway traces to integrate various programmes seems to reinforce mutually exclusionary forms of memory and identity, recent socio-spatial transformations of the Ile-de-France suggest an alternative reading. Claire Denis's recent film 35 Rhums is used to understand the metropolitan-scale ‘solidarity of the mobile’ wrought by the RER rapid transit system and to speculate on how this park's railway-based design might map a multiplicity of ‘non-sites'. Notions of spectrality and topographical performance suggest t...
In Vitro Role of IL-1 in Heightened IgG, Anti-DNA, and Nephritogenic Idiotype Production by B Cells Derived from the Murine MRL/lpr Lupus Model

The MRL/lpr murine model resembles human lupus both in its serologic and immunopathologic features, and is characterized by high-level IgG and autoantibody production. The precise mechanisms for this B cell hyperactivity are poorly understood. This study explored the role of IL-1 in determining high-level IgG and autoantibody production in the MRL/lpr murine lupus model by blocking IL-1 activity with a recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). IgG and autoantibody production (anti-DNA ab and Id-H130 activity) by B cells derived from MRL/lpr mice was significantly suppressed by treating B cell cultures with IL-1Ra. In contrast, IgG and autoantibody production by B cells derived from young MRL/lpr, MLR/++, or normal C3H/HeJ mice showed virtually no suppression with IL-1Ra. Collectively, these findings indicate that IL-1 may be an important factor in determining the heightened production of IgG, anti-DNA, and id-H130 antibody production in lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice. Furthermore, heightened IL-1 activity appears to be influenced by both age and the presence of the lpr mutation.
Presentation of Integrins on Leukocyte Microvilli: A Role for the Extracellular Domain in Determining Membrane Localization

Adhesion of blood leukocytes to the endothelium involves multiple steps including initial attachment (tethering), rolling, and firm arrest. Presentation of adhesion molecules on leukocyte microvilli can substantially enhance tethering. Localization of L-selectin to microvilli and of CD44 to the planar cell body have been shown to depend upon their transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. We investigated the role of leukocyte integrin transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains in initiating adhesion under flow and in microvillous localization. Integrins alpha4beta7, alphaLbeta2, and alphaMbeta2 were heterologously expressed in K562 cells. alpha4beta7 initiated adhesion under flow and localized to microvilli, whereas beta2 integrins did not initiate adhesion and localized to the cell body. Chimeric integrins were produced by replacing the alpha4beta7 cytoplasmic and/or transmembrane domains with the homologous domains of alphaLbeta2 or alphaMbeta2. Unexpectedly, these chimeras efficiently mediated adhesion to the alpha4beta7 ligand mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 under flow and localized to microvilli. Therefore, differences between the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of alpha4 and beta2 integrins do not account for differences in ability to support attachment under flow or in membrane localization. Integrins alpha4beta1, alpha5beta1, alpha6Abeta1, alphavbeta3, and alphaEbeta7 also localized to microvilli. Transmembrane proteins known or suspected to associate with extracellular domains of microvillous integrins, including tetraspans and CD47, were concentrated on microvilli as well. These findings suggest that interactions between the extracellular domains of integrins and associated proteins could direct the assembly of multimolecular complexes on leukocyte microvilli.
In search of journalistic excellence: A comparative study of American and Chinese news reporting awards

This study compares the standard of journalistic excellence between the news reporting awards in the United States and China from 1979 to 1984, under a newsgatherer-analyst-narrator framework. The manifest criteria of selection in the Pulitzer Prize emphasizes analytical excellence while its Chinese counterpart emphasizes narrative excellence. However, when the latent attributes of the prize-winning stories are analyzed by content analysis, both awards emphasize narrative excellence. Prize-winning stories in both systems are characterized by opinionated reports. Objectivity is not treasured as a criterion for journalistic excellence.
Experimental Tests of the "INVISIBLE" Axion

Experiments are proposed which address the question of the existence of the "invisible" axion for the whole allowed range of the axion decay constant. These experiments exploit the coupling of the axion to the electromagnetic field, axion emission by the sum, and/or the cosmological abundance and presumed clustering of axions in the halo of our galaxy.
Nitric oxide decomposition on Pt(410)

Abstract The decomposition of nitric oxide on platinum (410) was studied by temperature-programmed desorption. The (410) surface was found to be unusually active for NO decomposition, decomposing more than 98% of the NO in the flash. Nitrogen desorption from an NO-covered Pt(410) surface was found to follow simple second-order kinetics, with an activation energy of 18 kcal/mol, and a preexponential (v) of 3 × 10−3 cm2/sec. The saturation coverage of NO at room temperature was found to be about half of that of CO on the same surface, suggesting that NO takes up two sites. These results show that m(110) × n(100) stepped surfaces with n > m + 1 are unusually active for NO bond breaking, as predicted by the orbital symmetry conservation model of W.F. Banholzer, Y. O. Park, K. M. Mak, and R. I. Masel (Surf. Sci. 128, 176 (1983)).
Bigendothelin-1 (1-21) fragment during early sepsis modulates tau, p38-MAPK phosphorylation and nitric oxide synthase activation

Earlier we have demonstrated that inhibition of endothelin biosynthesis ameliorates endotoxemia-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activation and phosphorylation of p38-mitogen activated protein kinase (pp38-MAPK). Therefore, in the present study, we tested the hypothesis that activation of endothelin (ET)-1 biosynthesis using bigET-1 during early sepsis would upregulate iNOS and affect myocardial function in the rat. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (350–400 g) were anesthetised using Nembutal® (50 mg/kg, i.p.) and jugular vein, tail artery (Mean arterial pressure, MAP) and right carotid arteries (advanced to left ventricle, LV) were cannulated. The rats were randomly divided into saline-, bigET-1- and C-terminal fragment of bigET-1(bigET-1(22-38))-treated groups. Sepsis was induced using i.p. injection of cecal inoculum obtained from a donor rat (200 mg/kg in 5 ml 5% sterile dextrose water, D5W). Sham animals received an i.p. injection of D5W (5 ml/kg). MAP and LVP were recorded and cardiodynamic parameters were calculated at 0, 2, 6, 12 and 24 h post sham or sepsis-induction. A significant elevation in LV isovolumic relaxation rate constant (tau), LV end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and rate pressure product (RPP) was observed in vehicle-treated septic group at 24 h. BigET-1 significantly increased concentration of LV ET-1 both in sham and septic groups. BigET-1 elevated tau and LVEDP both in sham and septic animals as early as 12 h which persisted through 24 h. However, bigET-1(22-38) elevated LVEDP in septic group at 24 h but not in sham group. BigET-1 accentuated the levels of plasma nitric oxide byproduct (NOx) levels in both sham and septic animals at 6, 12 and 24 h. Sepsis increased myocardial iNOS at 24 h. BigET-1 significantly upregulated expression of myocardial iNOS and pp38-MAPK. The data suggest that increased substrate availability for ET-1 at the time of sepsis-induction contributes in diastolic dysfunction, iNOS activation and p38-MAPK phosphorylation. (Mol Cell Biochem 271: 225–237, 2005)
Simulation studies for determining the response characteristics of a hydraulic hybrid powertrain subframe

Hydraulic drives are inherently heavy, and when such systems are combined with an internal combustion engine in a hybrid powertrain, the need to reduce mass becomes acute. This paper presents finite element models supporting weight reduction studies on a Hydraulic Power Assist (HPA) unit designed for use in a light-duty truck. Specifically, we determined the modal parameters and frequency response characteristics associated with critical structural components used to mount the HPA unit. Stress distributions, deformations, and strain energy distributions were computed for excitations arising from both vertical accelerations and harmonic forces. Results were used to evaluate weight-reducing design modifications.
Automated microstructure segmentation based on inverse diffusion methods

Image segmentation is the problem of partitioning a picture into several homogeneous regions. We describe a class of very effective image segmentation algorithms that have recently been shown to have potential for the analysis of microstructure imagery, where different homogeneous regions may correspond to different physical characteristics of the material. The methods treat image pixel intensities as an initial temperature distribution over a rectangular domain, and perform image filtering by solving a nonlinear heat diffusion equation forward in time. The nonlinear diffusion equation is designed to attract to a piecewise constant solution which provides an accurate segmentation of the initial input image. We illustrate our methods on several alloy micrographs.
Geographic information system localization of community-acquired MRSA soft tissue abscesses

Abstract Background Soft tissue infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose an ever-increasing risk to children in the community. Although historically these infections were limited to children with prolonged hospitalization, the authors have seen an increase in community-acquired infections in children without identifiable risk factors. The goal of this study is to determine the incidence of truly community-acquired MRSA soft tissue infections in our community and geographically map regions of increased risk. Methods After obtaining the institutional review board's approval, a retrospective chart review was conducted on 195 patients records who underwent an incision and drainage of soft tissue infections from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2003. Thirteen patients were excluded from the study because no cultures were taken at the time of incision and drainage. Results The most common organism isolated from wound culture was S aureus , 40% (73/182), of which 45% (33/73) were MRSA. Eighty-one percent (27/33) of MRSA infections were in Springfield, 1 of 18 towns represented in the patient population. Geographic information system analysis identified a significant MRSA cluster 1.96 km in diameter within the city of Springfield. Conclusions Geography proved to be a significant risk factor for presenting with MRSA infection. Geographic maps of antibiotic resistance can be used to guide physician antibiotic selection before culture results are available. This has significant implications for the health care provider in proper antibiotic selection within the community.
A proposal for including technical failure risk in market-based resource reallocation for spacecraft design

This paper summarizes past efforts to use market-based approaches to reallocate resources during the design of space systems, and it proposes an extension to these previous efforts that would include the risk of system failure as a tradable resource. The proposed approach builds from the Cassini Resource Exchange, a method used to allow instrument developers for the Cassini space mission to trade resources among themselves over the life of the project. Market-based design methods offer potential for increased efficiency in engineering design, and small-scale field trials would be a logical step in further testing and improving these approaches.
Differences between the tensile and compressive strengths of bovine tibial trabecular bone depend on modulus

The conflicting conclusions regarding the relationship between the tensile and compressive strengths of trabecular bone remain unexplained. To help resolve this issue, we compared measurements of the tensile (n = 22) and compressive (n = 22) yield strengths, and yield strains, of trabecular bone specimens taken from 38 bovine proximal tibiae. We also studied how these failure properties depended on modulus and apparent density. To enhance accuracy, trabecular orientation was controlled, and each specimen had a reduced section where strains were measured with a miniature extensometer. We found that the mean yield strength was 30% lower for tensile loading. However, the difference between individual values of the tensile and compressive strengths increased linearly with increasing modulus and density, being negligible for low moduli, but substantial for high moduli. By contrast, both the tensile and compressive yield strains were independent of modulus and density, with the yield strain being 30% lower for tensile loading. Thus, the difference between the tensile and compressive strengths of bovine tibial trabecular bone depends on the modulus, but the difference between yield strains does not. This phenomenon may explain in part that conflicting conclusions reached previously on the tensile and compressive strengths of trabecular bone since the mean modulus has varied among different studies. Realizing that our data pertain only directly to bovine tibial trabecular bone for longitudinal loading, our results nevertheless suggest that failure parameters based on strains may provide more powerful and general comparisons of the failure properties for trabecular bone than measures based on stress.
Barriers of and Facilitators to Physician Recommendation of Colorectal Cancer Screening

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) has been demonstrated to be effective and is consistently recommended by clinical practice guidelines. However, only slightly over half of all Americans have ever been screened. Patients cite physician recommendation as the most important motivator of screening. This study explored the barriers of and facilitators to physician recommendation of CRCS.
Two Decades of Charter Schools: Expectations, Reality, and the Future.

Abstract The first charter school law was passed in Minnesota in 1991 and with it, a new school reform movement began. After two decades, 41 states and Washington D.C. have adopted charter legislation. This special issue provides an opportunity for scholars to reflect upon the promises and limitations of charter schools and to offer policy advice for those in a position to influence future reforms. Together, the papers within this special issue examine the achievement effects of charter schools, their cost effectiveness, the competitive pressure created by charter schools, the degree to which charter schools are innovative and how some of the operational and policy features of charter schools may affect outcomes.
Novel multiagent chemotherapy for bone marrow relapse of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background Despite improvements in the treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, approximately one in five patients will develop recurrent disease. The majority of these patients do not survive. This limited institution study sought to improve event-free survival (EFS) by intensification of chemotherapy. Procedure Twenty-one patients with either an isolated marrow (n = 16) or a combined marrow and central nervous system relapse (n = 5) received treatment according to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia protocol CHP-540. Six patients had an initial remission of <36 months, and five patients had relapsed within 1 year of completion of phase III therapy. Induction and reinduction therapy consisted of idarubicin, vincristine, dexamethasone, asparaginase, and triple intrathecal chemotherapy. Consolidation and reconsolidation therapy employed high-dose cytarabine, etoposide, and asparaginase given in a sequential manner. Maintenance therapy included courses of high- or low-dose cytarabine followed by sequential etoposide and asparaginase pulse, moderate-dose methotrexate with delayed leukovorin rescue, and vincristine/dexamethasone pulses. Therapy continued for 2 years from the start of interim maintenance in the 16 patients who did not receive a bone marrow transplant (BMT). Two patients underwent an HLA-identical sibling BMT specified by protocol. Four received a nonprotocol-prescribed alternative donor BMT. Results The complete remission induction rate was 95%. With a median follow-up from date of relapse of 49 months in survivors, the actuarial EFS based on intent to treat is 75%. There were three toxic deaths in patients in CR and two deaths from relapse. Conclusions This regimen is toxic but effective and deserves study in a larger setting. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 34:313–318, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Monitoring and Evaluation of Public Sector Programs in Asia: Why are Development Programs Monitored but not Evaluated?

The article describes the organization of monitoring and evaluation (M/E) of public sector programs in South Asia and discusses how the information from the studies is actually used. While consider...
Darwin, Malthus, and selection.

Occasionally in history a matter of interpretation comes to be settled by the addition of new evidence. This is what is happening in the debate over Darwin's reading of Malthus-the time at which Darwin first read him and the extent to which he was influenced by him. Previously lost pages from Darwin's "Notebooks on Transmutation of Species" were published in 1967. These pages establish the dates on which Darwin was reading Malthus and record Darwin's immediate response to the importance of what he was reading for his own ideas on the origin of species. A passage dated September 28, 1838, taken from 'D." the third notebook on species, reads as follows:
The effects of skewed probability on decision making under ambiguity

Abstract Studies have shown that many decision makers knowingly contradict the Savage Postulates when event probabilities are ambiguous, typically displaying ambiguity aversion. For the purposes of this paper, ambiguity is defined operationally as a subjective second-order distribution on probabilities, f ( p ). Most studies to date on ambiguity have focused on symmetric second-order distributions, demonstrating preference effects of the mean and range or variance of f ( p ). This research asserts that choice behavior is also significantly and systematically impacted by the skewness of f ( p ). An experiment using 130 MBA students revealed that subjects are often ambiguity averse when f ( p ) is negatively skewed but ambiguity seeking when the skewness is positive, even though the mean and variance of f ( p ) remain constant. These skewness effects are incorporated into a model of choice under ambiguity.
Effects of storing soils at various temperatures on their capacity for denitrification

Abstract The effects of storing soils at various temperatures on their capacity for denitrification of nitrate were studied by determining the influence of storage of field-moist soils at −4, 4 or 30°C for 2. 10 or 30 days on their ability to reduce nitrate to nitrous oxide when incubated anaerobically with nitrate for various times in the presence of acetylene. The data obtained showed that storage of soils at 4°C for 2, 10 or 30 days did not significantly affect their capacity for denitrification, whereas storage at −4°C for 2, 10 or 30 days led to a marked increase in denitrification capacity. Storage at 30°C for 2 days did not have a significant effect on the denitrification capacity of the soils studied, but storage of these soils at 30°C for 10 or 30 days led to a decrease in their denitrification capacity. The effects of storing soils at −4°C on their capacity for denitrification cannot be attributed solely to changes in the availability of soil organic carbon to denitrifying microorganisms as a result of storage because they were evident even when soils stored at −4°C were treated with readily-available organic carbon (as mannitol) before anaerobic incubation with nitrate.
Physicochemical properties of chemically and enzymatically modified cellulosic surfaces

Surface characteristics of modified cotton fibers have been studied using electrokinetic analysis (EKA), inverse gas chromatography (IGC) and dynamic contact angle (DCA) determinations. Modifications of cotton surfaces included mercerization, water-proofing, cross-linking, dyeing with a bifunctional reactive dye and cellulase biopolishing. Comparisons are made to linen as an example of a natural cellulosic fiber other than cotton and to rayon as a representative of a regenerated cellulosic fiber. Generally all cellulosic surfaces were bipolar with a slightly higher acidic contribution in the case of the cotton samples. EKA indicated ion dissociation as the predominant mechanism for surface charge in aqueous medium for all cellulosic samples, with the exception of greige cotton and the cotton sample with the hydrophobic finish. Results from EKA and IGC showed good correlation, while DCA yielded unreasonably high basic contributions most likely due to fiber swelling.
Immunogenetic Studies of the Red Cells of Turkey-Chicken Hybrids

Abstract THROUGH the courtesy of Dr. M. W. Olsen, blood samples from four F1 hybrids from the mating of Beltsville Small White turkey hens with Dark Cornish cocks (Olsen, 1960) were made available to the author. It was of interest to determine whether the red cells of the hybrids might possess immunological properties not demonstrable on the red cells of the parental species. Such properties, often referred to as “hybrid substances,” were first demonstrated in F1 hybrids from the mating of ring dove females with pearlneck males (Irwin, 1932) and have since been demonstrated in a variety of hybrids as, for example, that obtained from the mating of the ring-necked pheasant with domestic fowl (Bacharach et al., 1960). This report is concerned with the results of attempts to demonstrate a hybrid property for the red cells of turkey-chicken hybrids. 1 Collection of blood samples. Blood samples from four F1 hybrids (1, 1865,…
Laboratory evaluation of dicyandiamide as a soil nitrification inhibitor

Abstract Laboratory studies to evaluate dicyandiamide (DCD) as a soil nitrification inhibitor showed that it is considerably more effective than several compounds that have been patented or proposed as fertilizer amendments for retarding nitrification of fertilizer nitrogen (N) in soil, but is considerably less effective than 2‐ethynylpyridine, nitrapyrin (N‐Serve), etridiazole (Dwell), 3‐methylpyrazole‐l‐carboxamide (MPC), or 4‐amino‐l,2,4‐triazole (ATC). Other findings in studies reported were as follows: a) DCD is more effective for inhibiting nitrification of ammonium‐N than of urea‐N; b) the effectiveness of DCD as a nitrification inhibitor is markedly affected by soil temperature and soil type and is limited by the susceptibility of DCD to leaching; c) DCD has very little, if any, effect on urea hydrolysis, denitrification, or seed germination in soil; d) products of DCD decomposition in soil (guanylurea and guanidine) have little, if any, effect on nitrification compared with DCD; e) in the absence...
Physician assistant model for lung procurements: a paradigm worth considering.

Background Thoracic procurements have traditionally been performed by surgical fellows or attending cardiothoracic surgeons. Donor lung procurement protocols are well established and fairly standardized; however, specific procurement training and judgment are essential to optimizing donor utilization. Although the predicted future deficits of cardiothoracic surgeons are based on a variety of analytic models and scenarios, it appears evident that there will not be a sufficient number of trained cardiothoracic surgeons over the next 2 decades. Over the past 5 years in our institution, lung procurements have been performed by a specifically trained physician assistant; as the lead donor surgeon. This model may serve as a cost effective, reproducible, and safe alternative to using surgical fellows and attending surgeons, assuring continuity, ongoing technical expertise, and teaching while addressing future workforce issues as related to transplant. Methods This is a single institution review of 287 consecutive lung procurements performed by either a physician assistant or fellow over 5 years. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Columbia University, which waived the need for informed consent (IRB#AAAL7107). Results From 2008 to 2012, fellows served as senior surgeon in 90 cases (31.4%) versus 197 cases (68.6%) by the physician assistant, including 12 Donations after Cardiac Death and 6 reoperative donors. Injury rate was significantly lower for the physician assistant compared with the resident cohort (1 of 197 [0.5%] vs 22 of 90 [24%], respectively). Rates for pulmonary graft dysfunction grade 2 and 3 were found to be significantly lower in cases where the physician assistant served as senior surgeon (combined rates of 32.2% [29 of 90] vs 9.6% [19 of 197] in the physician assistant group) ( p Conclusions Use of experienced physician assistants in donor lung procurements is a safe and viable alternative offering continuity of technical expertise and evaluation of lung allografts.
Component‐based hybrid mesh generation

This paper presents a method for generating computational meshes by building structured component grids and then connecting them with an unstructured mesh. The approach uses technologies from the overset grid community, specifically the Ogen overlapping grid generator from the Overture framework, to build a collection of overlapping structured grids for a given geometry. Overlapping regions between the component grids are automatically removed and replaced with an unstructured mesh that conforms to the boundaries of the holes in the structured grids. Large regions of high-quality structured grids comprise most of the domain and are connected by a comparatively small amount of unstructured mesh. A method for generating hybrid surface meshes from overlapping and intersecting surface grids is also described. These surface meshes preserve the geometry used to generate the structured grids by querying the original geometry database. An implementation of advancing front mesh generation creates the interstitial surface and volume unstructured meshes. Mesh spacing information is automatically computed from the original overlapping grid. The mesh is optimized by regeneration in areas of poor quality as well as vertex repositioning by non-linear optimization of a quality metric. Quality assessment is accomplished by incorporating the mesh spacing information into algebraic mesh quality metrics. A description of the approach and algorithms is presented followed by two- and three-dimensional demonstrations. Published in 2004 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distribution-free and link-free estimation for the sample selection model☆

Abstract The prevalent estimation methods for the sample selection model rely heavily on parametric assumptions and are sensitive to departures from the underlying parametric assumptions [see, e.g., Goldberger (1983)]. We propose an alternative estimation method, the corrected maximum likelihood estimate, which is consistent for the slope vector in the outcome equation up to a multiplicative scalar, even through the parametric model on which the estimate is based might be misspecified. As an important corollary, it follows from our result that Olsen's (1980) corrected ordinary least squares estimate is consistent if the outcome equation is linear, without requiring Olsen's assumptions on the joint error distribution.
On the damped vibratory response of curved viscoelastic beams

Abstract An analysis is given of the damped forced vibratory response of viscoelastic beams with small initial curvature in order to explore the interaction of initial curvature with both extensional and shear deformation, as they provide energy dissipation mechanisms for the damped response. A non-dimensional variational statement is developed which governs the problem of the forced vibratory response of slightly curved Timoshenko beams including in-plane deformation, and appropriate parameters are defined. In particular, initial rise and shear parameters are seen to play important roles in the results. Numerical results are presented for the first three modes for both simple and clamped support conditions. In general, even a slight amount of initial curvature has a significant effect in decreasing the damped response for the first mode, and the actual effect is influenced strongly by the shear parameter. Initial curvature has a smaller influence on the higher modes. An understanding of when extensional or shear energy dissipation is dominant for certain ranges of values of the curvature and shear parameters is obtained by actual plots involving the appropriate form of energy dissipation. In general, extensional energy dissipation tends to dominate in the first mode for both support conditions, although the clamped beam tends to favor shear dissipation over a certain range of parameter values. The dominance of the shear mechanism, however, increases markedly for the higher modes for both support conditions.
A layerless additive manufacturing process based on CNC accumulation

Purpose – Most current additive manufacturing (AM) processes are layer based. By converting a three‐dimensional model into two‐dimensional layers, the process planning can be dramatically simplified. However, there are also drawbacks associated with such an approach such as inconsistent material properties and difficulty in embedding existing components. The purpose of this paper is to present a novel AM process that is non‐layer based and demonstrate its unique capability.Design/methodology/approach – An AM process named computer numerically controlled (CNC) accumulation has been developed. In such a layerless AM process, a fiber optic‐cable connected with an ultraviolet (UV) LED and related lens is served as an accumulation tool. The cable is then merged inside a tank that is filled with UV‐curable liquid resin. By controlling the on/off state of the UV‐LED and the multi‐axis motion of the cable, a physical model can be built by selectively curing liquid resin into solid.Findings – It is found that the ...
Chiral NMR Shift Reagents: Mixtures of Lanthanide Tris (β-diketonates) with Chiral Carboxylate Anions

Chiral carboxylic acids such as N-(R)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylaminocarbonyl-L-tert-leucine, N-(R)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylaminocarbonyl-L-valine and N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)-L-leucine are solubilized in chloroform by the addition of triethylamine. The resulting ion pairs are useful chiral resolving agents for sulfoxides, amines and alcohols. For certain substrates, particularly amines, the ion pairs were more effective chiral resolving agents than the corresponding organic-soluble ester derivatives. Addition of lanthanide tris(β-diketonate) complexes to mixtures of the ion pairs causes enhancements in the enantiomeric resolution in the spectra of certain substrates. Evidence indicates that the chiral carboxylate compound bonds directly to the lanthanide tris(β-diketonate) to form an anionic species. Shifts in the spectra of substrates and enhancements in enantiomeric resolution in the presence of the anionic species appear to be dominated by bonding of the substrate to the carboxylate moiety of the lanthanide complex. These new reagents are therefore complementary to mixtures of lanthanide tris(β-diketonate) complexes with the ester forms of the resolving agents. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Link failure recovery in large arbitrary networks via network coding

Network coding-based link failure recovery techniques provide near-hitless recovery and offer high capacity efficiency. In this paper, we propose a simple column generation-based design algorithm and a novel advanced diversity (network) coding technique to achieve near-hitless recovery in large networks. The main problem is solved with Linear Programming (LP) and Integer Linear Programming (ILP), whereas the subproblem can be solved with different methods. Simulation results suggest that both the novel coding structure and the novel design algorithm lead to higher capacity efficiency for near-hitless recovery. The novel design algorithm simplifies the capacity placement problem which enables implementing diversity coding-based techniques in large networks with arbitrary topology.
Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Composites: Experiment and Analytical Modeling

New technology has been developed to obtain composite materials reinforced with pristine Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs). Introduction of metallic magnetic particles upon the open tips of MWCNTs has been performed in order to induce, with the assistance of a magnetic field, an out-of-plane orientation of MWCNTs in a composite material. Micromechanical modeling of such composites is compared with the results of tensile and compressive tests and good agreement is observed. Results of the compressive tests show that the elastic energy accumulated in through-the-thickness direction reinforced composites is about two orders of magnitude higher than one in the pure matrix material.
ON THE DETERMINATION OF TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OF DISORDERED SYSTEMS

We describe several methods of calculating transport properties of disordered systems. These include the effective-medium approximation (EMA) and the position-space renormalization group (PSRG) method. Both methods do not yield accurate estimates of transport properties of three-dimensional disordered systems near a percolation threshold. We propose a modified EMA which is relatively simple but is significantly more accurate than EMA for three-dimensional disordered systems. We also show that a simple combination of EMA and a PSRG method provides a powerful means of estimating transport properties of such systems. We use these methods to estimate the relative permeabilities to two-phase flow through porous media, containing a strongly-wet phase and a completely nonwet phase. The agreement between the predictions and the available experimental data is very good.