cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Let's Face It: Patient and Parent Perspectives on Incorporating a Facebook Group into a Multidisciplinary Weight Management Program

Abstract Background: Social media may have the potential to enhance weight management efforts. However, the acceptability of incorporating this entity into pediatrics is unknown. The objective of this project was to explore patients' and parents' perspectives about developing a Facebook group as a component of a pediatric weight management program. Methods: Semistructured interviews were performed between September, 2011, and February, 2012, with patients and parents in a multidisciplinary weight management program. Interviews explored participants' perceptions of potential benefits, concerns, and preferences related to a program-specific Facebook group. Transcripts were reviewed and themes identified. The study concluded when thematic saturation was achieved. Results: Participants (n=32) were largely enthusiastic about the idea of a program-specific Facebook group for adolescents. Most preferred a secret group, where only participants would know of the group's existence or group members' identity. No par...
Association between accounting performance measures and stock prices: A test of the life cycle hypothesis

Abstract This paper posits that stock market response to two accounting performance measures - sales growth and capital investment - is a function of firm life cycle stage. Firms are grouped into various life cycle portfolios using dividend payout, sales growth, and age. As predicted, the empirical results indicate a monotonic decline in the response coefficients of unexpected sales growth and unexpected capital investment from the growth to the stagnant stages. Additional analysis suggests that this relation is not driven by a firm size effect, risk differences, or measurement error in the proxies for performance measures.
Topographic and manometric characterization of the recto-anal inhibitory reflex.

INTRODUCTION (RAIR) Recto-anal inhibitory reflex is an integral part of normal defecation. The physiological characteristics of RAIR along anal length and anterior-posterior axis are unknown.
Web content caching and distribution: proceedings of the 8th international workshop

Web caching and content delivery technologies provide the infrastructure on which systems are built for the scalable distribution of information. This proceedings of the eighth annual workshop, captures a cross-section of the latest issues and techniques of interest to network architects and researchers in large-scale content delivery. Topics covered include the distribution of streaming multimedia, edge caching and computation, multicast, delivery of dynamic content, enterprise content delivery, streaming proxies and servers, content transcoding, replication and caching strategies, peer-to-peer content delivery, and Web prefetching. Web Content Caching and Distribution encompasses all areas relating to the intersection of storage and networking for Internet content services. The book is divided into eight parts: mobility, applications, architectures, multimedia, customization, peer-to-peer, performance and measurement, and delta encoding.
The impact of channel variation on integer-forcing receivers

Consider several single-antenna transmitters that wish to simultaneously communicate with a multiple-antenna receiver. Recent work has proposed the integer-forcing linear receiver architecture as an alternative to conventional linear receivers. The key idea is to first use linear equalization to obtain an integer-valued effective channel, then employ single-user decoders to recover integer-linear combinations of the messages, and finally solve these for the desired messages. For the special case where the channel matrix remains fixed for the duration of the codeword, it has been shown that integer-forcing can operate very close to the performance of optimal joint maximum likelihood decoding. In this paper, we investigate the impact of channel variation on the integer-forcing linear receiver and show it still retains an advantage over conventional linear receivers, despite the fact that the integer coefficients must remain fixed across the codeword duration.
Bioavailability enhancement of a BCS IV compound via an amorphous combination product containing ritonavir.

Objectives To evaluate the effect of ritonavir (RTV) co-administration on the bioavailability of an amorphous dispersion of acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) and to develop a pharmaceutically acceptable AKBA–RTV combination tablet. Methods A pharmacokinetic (PK) study in rats was conducted to evaluate the influence of RTV co-administration on the oral bioavailability of an AKBA amorphous dispersion. KinetiSol was utilized to enable production of an improved RTV formulation that facilitated the development of an AKBA–RTV combination tablet. Following in-vitro characterization, the PK performance of the tablets was evaluated in male beagles. Key findings Co-administration of RTV increased oral absorption of AKBA by about fourfold over the AKBA dispersion alone and approximately 24-fold over the pure compound. The improved RTV amorphous dispersion exhibited similar purity and neutral-phase dissolution to Norvir. The AKBA–RTV combination tablets yielded a substantial increase in AKBA's bioavailability in dogs. Conclusions Oral absorption of AKBA is substantially limited by intestinal CYP3A activity and poor aqueous solubility. Consequently, AKBA's oral bioavailability is maximized by administration from a supersaturating formulation in conjunction with a CYP3A inhibitor. The AKBA–RTV combination tablet presented herein represents a breakthrough in the oral delivery of the compound facilitating future use as a drug therapy for broad spectrum cancer treatment.
Who Do Firms Lay Off and Why?: Who Do Firms Lay Off and Why?

I develop and test a structural–historical account of corporate reductions in force (RIF) to assess whether this widespread process was redistributive or efficient. I argue that changes in the context of restructuring in recent decades, coupled with substantial changes in organizational compensation systems, lead to temporal variation in the likelihood of “broken-contract” RIF, in which firms terminate highly paid managers, and “trimming the fat” RIF, in which firms terminate low-performing managers. Analyses of personnel records from a Fortune 500 manufacturing firm indicate that low performance leads to increased risk of separation in each of the two RIF undertaken by the firm, with the effect becoming stronger over time in part because of changes in the firm’s performance management system. By contrast, high wages were a more important factor explaining departure during the firm’s RIF in the 1980s—when competitive pressures to default on bonded contracts were strong—than during its RIF in the 1990s.
What's Happened to the Price of College? Quality-Adjusted Net Price Indexes for Four Year Colleges.

In this paper we estimate hedonic models of the (consumer) price of college to construct quality-adjusted net price indexes for U.S. four-year colleges, where the net price of college is defined as tuition and fees minus financial aid. For academic years 1990–91 to 1994–95, we find adjusting for financial aid leads to a 22 percent decline in the estimated price index for all fouryear colleges, while quality adjusting the results leads to a further, albeit smaller, decline. Nevertheless, public comprehensive colleges, perhaps an important gateway to college for students from low-income backgrounds, experienced the largest net price increases.
Splice losses in step-index fibers: dependency on fiber-break angle.

Coupling has been measured for dry-spliced fibers as a function of break angle. The angles were measured interferometrically to about 0.1° accuracy. An analysis is performed, and the measurements are found to be within 1.0% RMS of the calculation.
Technical aids in investigation and management of urethral diverticula in the female

Three aids in the diagnosis and management of urethral diverticula are described. First, the technique of double-balloon urethrography has been modified. Diluted contrast medium is used to inflate the intravesical and external balloons so that improved delineation of the anatomy of the diverticular pouches is obtained with undiluted contrast medium. Second, for identification and irrigation with antibiotic solution of the nondraining pouches of compound diverticula, an angiographic catheter is placed in the most distal pouch using fluoroscopically guided manipulation, and then this catheter is replaced with a pigtail-shaped nephrostomy drainage catheter. Third, a 7 F Foley catheter balloon is placed in thin-walled and friable diverticular pouches to facilitate dissection.
Psychogeriatric services at certified home health agencies: Case reports and guidelines for psychiatric consultants.

Because of the unmet mental health needs of older persons in the community, Medicare-certified home health agencies are increasingly taking the role of health providers. Here the authors review their experience and argue that the pathology seen in home mental health care situations is similar to that seen by specialized mental health outreach teams. Also the relations between the home care team and the psychiatric consultant require skillful management even when the team are mental health specialists. The authors offer guidelines for psychiatric consultants, given the extent to which home care services survive in a volatile, cost-contained environment.
Probe of new physics in top-quark pair production at e-e+ colliders.

We describe how to probe new physics through examination of the form factors describing the $Z\ensuremath{-}t\ensuremath{-}\overline{t}$ couplings via the scattering process ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}{e}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}t\overline{t}$. We focus on experimental methods on how the top-quark momentum can be determined and show how this can be applied to select polarized samples of $t\overline{t}$ pairs through the angular correlations in the final state leptons. We also study the dependence on the energy and luminosity of an ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}{e}^{+}$ collider to probe a $\mathrm{CP}$-violating asymmetry at the ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ level.
Comparison of heat friction effects in narrow-bore columns packed with core–shell and totally porous particles

Abstract The mass transfer kinetic properties of 2.1 mm I.D. columns packed with core–shell (Kinetex) and totally porous (BEH) sub- 2 μ m particles, operated at high flow rates, under high pressure gradient, are investigated and discussed. The differences between their kinetic performance at low, intermediate, and high velocities are explained by the Kinetex column having a smaller longitudinal diffusion than the BEH column (due to the lower internal porous volume), a larger eddy diffusion (due to a less well-packed bed, with significant trans-column velocity biases), and a smaller amplitude of the radial temperature gradient across the column diameter generated by friction of the mobile phase percolating the bed at high flow rates. This last observation is accounted for by the heat conductivity of the Kinetex bed being three times larger than that of the BEH bed.
The role of solvent in conjugate additions leading to cis and trans‐1‐Alkyl‐2‐aryl‐3‐carbo(aroyl)aziridines

In the formation of cis- and trarn-1-alkyl-2-aryl-3-carbo(aroyl)aziridines a change in solvent from benzene to rnethanol in the α-bromochalone-primary amine reaction produced an increase in cic isotner. However, the same solvent change resulted in a decrease in the cis/trans ratio when these same aziridines were prepared by the ehalcone-halogen-primary amine reaction. These results are rationalized in terms of both an open and chelated enol intermediate thought to be crucial in the relative product formations. Other mechanistic considerations in the product formations are presented.
Culpable ignorance and excuses

L'A. souleve deux questions concernant la culpabilite par ignorance. La premiere, posee par H. Smith dans son article intitule «Culpable Ignorance» («Philosophical Review 92», 1983, pp. 543-571), consiste a se demander si l'ignorance, meme coupable, peut servir d'excuse a une action blâmable. La seconde concerne le probleme fondamental de la nature et de l'origine de l'ignorance coupable (croyance)
Diversity and distribution of photosynthetic bacteria in the Black Sea

Abstract Using an infrared fast-repetition-rate (IRFRR) fluorometer, we measured bacteriochlorophyll a (BChl a) fluorescence kinetics to examine the spatial pattern of the distribution of aerobic and anaerobic photosynthetic bacteria in the Black Sea in June 2001. Aerobic photosynthetic bacteria containing BChl a were distributed together with chlorophyll-containing phytoplankton in the upper, aerobic portion of the water column, confirming their exclusive requirement for oxygen. The BChl a to chlorophyll a ratio averaged 10−2 within the euphotic zone. Seven strains of aerobic photosynthetic bacteria were isolated and partially characterized. They belong to two subgroups closely related to Erythrobacter and Roseobacter genera. Green sulfur photosynthetic bacteria were detected in the central part of the basin, at the boundary between suboxic and anoxic (hydrogen sulfide) zone. However, the population of green sulfur bacteria was extremely small, and confined to a very narrow density layer deep in the water column.
A historical report on Robert Kienböck (1871-1953) and Kienböck's Disease.

Robert Kienbock was the first to identify and describe Kienbock's disease. Considered one of the early fathers of radiology, he was a prolific researcher who made an immense contribution to the early development of radiology. In addition to groundbreaking work in therapeutic radiology Kienbock had a special interest in diseases of the bones and joints, especially those that involved the hand. Kienbock's contribution to medicine, particularly the diagnosis of hand disorders, continues to resonate today.
On the Correlation Between Mechanical Degradation of Lubricating Grease and Entropy

Irreversible thermodynamic theory is employed to study the mechanical degradation of lubricating grease undergoing shearing action. A correlation between the mechanical degradation of grease and entropy generation is established, and the results are verified experimentally using a rheometer, a journal bearing test rig, and a modified grease worker machine. It is shown that the degradation rate is linearly related to the entropy generation and that it can be used for estimation of the mechanically degraded grease life.
G0 beam quality and multiple linear regression corrections

The G0 experiment measures parity-violating elastic e-p scattering asymmetries to probe the strange quark content of the nucleon. The goal is to measure the asymmetries with an overall uncertainty of 5% of the measured asymmetries which will be of order 10−5 to 10−6. In order to achieve the above precision, systematic effects which can induce false asymmetries must be controlled. One such systematic error is helicity-correlated changes in beam parameters, which, coupled with the sensitivity of the G0 spectrometer to such beam variations, can induce false asymmetries. Beam parameters monitored for helicity-correlation are beam current, beam position, beam angle, and beam energy. A feedback loop was successfully used to reduce the helicity-correlation in beam current and beam position. The sensitivity of the G0 spectrometer to fluctuations in beam parameters has also been measured, and the false asymmetries have been determined to be of order 10−8. This contribution will address the sensitivity of the G0 spectrometer to changes in beam conditions, the performance of the feedback loops as well as the resulting parity quality of the G0 beam, and the resulting false asymmetry.
A technique for generating atomic negative ion beams of the group IA elements

Abstract A technique has been developed which enables the direct sputter generation of atomic negative ion beams of all members of the Group IA elements (Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs). The method is based on the use of sputter samples formed by pressing mixtures of the carbonates of the Group IA elements and 10% (atomic) Cu, Ag or other metal powders. The following intensities are typical of those observed from carbonate samples subjected to ∼ 3 keV cesium ion bombardment: Li−:≥0.5 μA:Na−:≥0.5 μA; K−:≥0.5 μA; Rb−:≥0.5 μA; Cs−:≥0.2 μA.
Antigen-antibody diffusion-limited binding kinetics of biosensors: a fractal analysis.

Abstract A fractal analysis is made of antigen-antibody binding kinetics in various biosensor applications reported in the literature. Both sensor configurations are considered, wherein (a) the antigen is in solution and the antibody is immobilized on the fibre-optic surface, and (b) the antibody is in solution and the antigen is immobilized of the fibre-optic surface. For example when the antigen is immobilized, an increase in the fractal dimension value (anti-Ars) in solution leads to (a) an increase in the fractal dimension value and hence the state of disorder or roughness, and (b) a higher rate coefficient for binding on the fibre-optic surface. An analysis of the influence of different parameters on the fractal dimension values for a particular effect, such as a comparison of fresh and regenerated immunosensors, helps to clarify the conformational states and reactions occurring on the fibre-optic surface. Examination of the different cases presented together provides novel physical insights into the state of disorder or roughness on the surface. This research should contribute towards techniques for manipulating the reactions occuring on fibre-optic surfaces in desired directions.
Neural network based adaptive control via temporal pattern recognition

This paper presents a neural network approach to adaptive control through pattern recognition techniques. Two interconnected backpropagation networks are trained to translate error patterns resulting from sustained set point changes into predictions of mismatch between current internal model parameters, model gain and model time constant, and those which restore desired performance. The network predictions are then used to update a model based PI controller. The strategy is demonstrated on two simulations and a pilot scale process which are undergoing severe changes in model gain and time constant. The strategy compares favorably against a more traditional rule based pattern recognition approach. On presente dans cet article une approche par reseau neuronal du controle adaptatif au moyen de techniques de reconnaissance des modeles. Deux eeseaux de retropropagation interconnectes sont entrainees a traduire les types d'erreurs resultant de changements constants des points de consigne en prediction de discordance entre les parametres de modele internes courants, le gain de modele et la constante de temps de modele, et ceux qui retablissent la performance desiree. On utilise ensuite les predictions du reseau pour mettre a jour un controleur PI base sur les modeles. Cette strategie est demontree a partir de deux simulations et d'un systeme a l'echelle pilote qui subissent des changements severes dans le gain et la constante de temps de modele. Cette strategie se compare favorablement a une approche de reconnaissance des modeles a partir des regles traditionnelles.
The Operative Goals of Corporate Philanthropy: Contributions to the Public Broadcasting Service, 1972-1976

In the past decade American corporations have donated approximately one percent of their net profits to charitable causes, for a total exceeding one billion dollars annually since 1972. In an effort to understand the relationship of corporate wealth to corporate power, this paper infers the operative goals of such apparent generosity. It reviews four years of contributions to a significant recipient, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), and finds no support for explanations which emphasize the greater social responsibility of donor corporations. It finds support for the hypothesis that contributions to national cultural recipients such as PBS are efforts by corporations having difficulties with public relations to influence the opinions of their critics. Apparent philanthropy may be one way that profit is transformed into social influence.
Shared Objectives and IT Achievements: CIO and Business Manager Perspectives

A survey of 128 CIOs and 103 other top business managers explores whether these management roles share the same views of IT objectives and achievements. The authors then consider whether a shared vision helps organizations achieve those objectives.
Solwaric Acids A and B, Antibacterial Aromatic Acids from a Marine Solwaraspora sp.

Two novel trialkyl-substituted aromatic acids, solwaric acids A and B, were isolated from a marine Solwaraspora sp. cultivated from the ascidian Trididemnum orbiculatum. Solwaric acids A and B were isotopically labeled with U-13C glucose, and analysis of a 13C–13C COSY allowed for unambiguous determination of the location of the phenyl methyl group. The two novel compounds demonstrated antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA).
A comprehensive assessment of gray and white matter volumes and their relationship to outcome and severity in schizophrenia

Preliminary data suggest an association of posterior cortical gray matter reduction with poor outcome in schizophrenia. We made a systematic MRI assessment of regional gray and white matter volumes, parcellated into 40 Brodmann’s areas, in 104 patients with schizophrenia (51 with good outcomes, 53 with poor outcomes) and 41 normal comparison subjects, and investigated correlations of regional morphometry with outcome and severity of the illness. Schizophrenia patients displayed differential reductions in frontal and to a lesser degree temporal gray matter volumes in both hemispheres, most pronounced in the frontal pole and lateral temporal cortex. White matter volumes in schizophrenia patients were bilaterally increased, primarily in the frontal, parietal, and isolated temporal regions, with volume reductions confined to anterior cingulate gyrus. In patients with schizophrenia as a group, higher illness severity was associated with reduced temporal gray matter volumes and expanded frontal white matter volumes in both hemispheres. In comparison to good-outcome group, patients with poor outcomes had lower temporal, occipital, and to a lesser degree parietal gray matter volumes in both hemispheres and temporal, parietal, occipital, and posterior cingulate white matter volumes in the right hemisphere. While gray matter deficits in the granular cortex were observed in all schizophrenia patients, agranular cortical deficits in the left hemisphere were peculiar to patients with poor outcomes. These results provide support for frontotemporal gray matter reduction and frontoparietal white matter expansion in schizophrenia. Poor outcome is associated with more posterior distribution (posteriorization) of both gray and white matter changes, and with preferential impairment in the unimodal visual and paralimbic cortical regions.
Challenges and Opportunities for Research on Same-Sex Relationships

Research on same-sex relationships has informed policy debates and legal decisions that greatly affect American families, yet the data and methods available to scholars studying same-sex relationships have been limited. In this article the authors review current approaches to studying same-sex relationships and significant challenges for this research. After exploring how researchers have dealt with these challenges in prior studies, the authors discuss promising strategies and methods to advance future research on same-sex relationships, with particular attention given to gendered contexts and dyadic research designs, quasi-experimental designs, and a relationship biography approach. Innovation and advances in the study of same-sex relationships will further theoretical and empirical knowledge in family studies more broadly and increase understanding of different-sex as well as same-sex relationships.
Micromachined sol–gel carbon nanotube/SnO2 nanocomposite hydrogen sensor

Abstract A novel micromachined single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) reinforced nanocrystalline tin dioxide gas sensor has been developed. The presence of SWCNT in SnO 2 matrix was realized by a spin-on sol–gel process. The SWCNT/SnO 2 sensor's sensitivity for hydrogen detection has greatly increased by a factor of three, in comparison to that of pure SnO 2 sensor. The novel sensor also lowers the working temperature, response time and recovery time. The greatly improved performances are mainly attributed to the effective gas accessing nano passes through SWCNT plus the smaller distance between adjacent gas accessing boundaries formed by the distribution of tiny SWCNTs. Therefore, both the spatial requirement ( D ≤ 2 L , D is the distance between adjacent gas accessing boundaries and L is the space charge layer thickness) and surficial requirement (adequate gas activation area) are met and the maximum inherent sensitivity of SnO 2 is achieved.
Limitation of Tobacco Callus Tissue Growth by Carbohydrate Availability

Growth rate, maximum dry weight yield, and carbohydrate utilization were measured with pith callus derived from Nicotiana tabacum L. var. Wisconsin No. 38. Maximum tissue dry weights increased as carbohydrate (either glucose or sucrose) in the medium was increased. The time at which maximum growth was obtained coincided with the time at which carbohydrate was exhausted from the medium. The addition of carbohydrate to the medium before the end of log phase growth supported that amount of additional growth which would have been obtained if all of the carbohydrate had been added to the medium prior to planting the tissue. Maximum obtainable dry weights at logarithmic growth rates greater than 0.16 doubling per day depended on the amount of carbohydrate in the medium and not on a particular hormonal regime.
It's a good year for Blimp-1 (and plasma cells).

Abstract Immunoglobulin secreting plasma cells are critical mediators of an effective humoral immune response. In this issue of Immunity, an article by Shapiro-Shelef et al. defines an essential role for the transcription factor Blimp-1 in plasma cell differentiation and preplasma memory B cell formation.
"Motherhood Is Powerful": Embodied Knowledge from Evolving Field‐Based Experiences

My experience of learning that "motherhood can be powerful" began with my first field research in Barbados (1956 and 1957-58) when I was married but childless and went to the field by myself. The lesson was further elaborated when I gave birth to my son David in 1963 and later during subsequent research in the Caribbean and with the Yoruba of Nigeria (1976, 1977,1978-79). 1 went to Nigeria as an older wife and mother but without my husband and child, except for a one month visit from David. Finally, my visits to the Greek island ofKalymnos in 1992 and 1993, where David was then doing his doctoral research with his wife and baby son, dramatically shifted and further extended my experience of family life as it grew more and more intertwined with anthropology. Thus my story is about how family life and anthropology reciprocally informed each other in the unfolding of my life—in the field and at home.
SU‐HH‐AUD C‐01: Empirical Investigation of Flat‐Panel Imagers Incorporating High‐Efficiency, Segmented BGO and CsI:Tl Detectors for Radiotherapy Imaging

Purpose: Megavoltage active matrix flat‐panel imagers (AMFPIs) are routinely used for portal imaging in external beam radiotherapy. However, conventional MV AMFPIs are inefficient, utilizing only ∼2% of the incident radiation, which leads to a detective quantum efficiency (DQE) of only ∼1%. Recent theoretical studies have shown that incorporation of thick, segmented scintillating detectors in MV AMFPIs can significantly increase DQE performance, leading to improved image quality at low dose and the possibility for dose‐efficient, cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT).Method and Materials: Building upon the findings of our earlier studies, four prototype AMFPIs have recently been constructed, each consisting of a segmented BGO (11.3 mm thick) or CsI:Tl (11.4, 25.6 and 40.0 mm thick) detector coupled to an indirect detection flat‐panel array. Each detector consists of a matrix of 120 × 60 scintillator elements at 1.016 mm pitch, covered by a black or mirror top reflector. X‐ray sensitivity, MTF, NPS, DQE and phantom images were obtained for each prototype using a 6 MV photon beam at extremely low doses (e.g., 1 beam pulse, equivalent to 0.028 MU). Results: The BGO prototype shows better MTF (∼20% at the Nyquist frequency) than the CsI:Tl prototype at similar thickness. The measured DQE(0) at 1 beam pulse for the BGO and the three CsI:Tl prototypes were ∼19%, 12%, 19% and 23%, respectively. Moreover, the BGO prototype offers higher DQE values compared to the CsI:Tl prototypes over most of the spatial frequency range. Images of a contrast detail phantom using the BGO prototype at 2 beam pulses are comparable to that obtained from a conventional AMFPI with 18 times more dose.Conclusion: Prototype AMFPIs employing thick, segmented BGO and CsI:Tl detectors offer significant improvement in image quality at extremely low doses, leading to the possibility of soft tissue visualization using MV CBCT at clinically practical doses.
Relative abundance and demographic structure of Agassiz's desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) along roads of varying size and traffic volume

Abstract Roads are recognized as important contributors to wildlife population declines and are thought to pose greatest risk to vagile species with large home ranges and long generation times. We examined variation in the relative abundance and demographic structure of Agassiz’s desert tortoise ( Gopherus agassizii ) near roads that varied in traffic volume. We found that the abundance of tortoise sign (scat, tracks, pallets, burrows, and live and dead individuals) varied with traffic volume and distance from the road depending on traffic volume. The relative abundance of tortoise sign was greatest along roads with low traffic volume (
Apolipoprotein E Genotype and Rate of Decline in Probable Alzheimer's Disease

Background: The risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) appears to increase, and the age at onset to decrease, with the number of ϵ4 alleles. If this relationship is due to increased rate of pathophysiological change, the presence of ϵ4 would be expected to influence progression of disease, predicting a more rapid decline with increasing number of ϵ4 alleles. Objective: To determine if the frequency of the ϵ4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene affects the rate of clinical progression in AD. Setting: Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Subjects: One hundred one subjects meeting criteria of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for probable AD or of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) for definite AD; 78 of these subjects met the additional criterion of having a Mini-Mental State Examination score of at least 10 for analysis of rate of decline. Measurements: The subjects' characteristics and a neuropsychological battery, including the Mini-Mental State Examination, Spatial Delayed Recognition Span, Boston Naming Test, Category Fluency Test, and the Physical Capacity Subscale of the Psychogeriatric Dependency Rating Scale. Design: The subjects were followed up longitudinally for approximately one decade. Medical histories were taken and physical and neurologic examinations and neuropsychological testing were performed every 6 months. Three and a half years of data were available for most tests and 5.5 for the Psychogeriatric Dependency Rating Scale; thereafter, patients were no longer testable. A general linear model analysis of variance was used to assess the influence of ApoE on demographic characteristics and baseline performances on neuropsychological measures. A random-effects regression model was used to predict change over time associated with presence of ϵ4 on clinical and cognitive measures. Results: The age at onset was greatest for the ϵ4-heterozygous subjects and least for the ϵ4-negative subjects. The heterozygous subjects declined more rapidly on the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Category Fluency Test than the subjects without the ϵ4 allele or with ϵ4 homozygosity. The homozygous subjects declined faster on only one subscale: the Physical Capacity subscale of the Psychogeriatric Dependency Rating Scale. Covarying for age at onset did not affect the results. Conclusions: The ApoE genotype does not strongly influence the rate of decline in AD, implying that ϵ4 might predispose to the development of the disease without accelerating its pathogenesis or progression. The effects of ϵ4 on both age at onset and rate of decline need to be further investigated.
Developmental Patterns in Small and Large Groups

This study investigated developmental patterns in small and large groups. The research asked whether there were proportional differences in the kinds of verbal statements made in these group types ...
Planar HgCdTe quadrantal heterodyne arrays with GHz response at 10.6 μm

Abstract Planar quadrantal arrays of GHz response HgCdTe photodiodes for application in CO2 laser radar have been fabricated using ZnS as a diffusion mask for an indium-mercury diffusion. Quantum efficiencies over 50% have been obtained with a uniformity within the array of better than ± 3%. Electrical isolation between array elements was better than 35 dB out to 1.5 GHz, yet negligible optical dead space was found between the photodiodes.
MOCVD-derived highly transparent, conductive zinc- and tin-doped indium oxide thin films: precursor synthesis, metastable phase film growth and characterization, and application as anodes in polymer light-emitting diodes.

Four diamine adducts of bis(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)zinc [Zn(hfa)2·(diamine)] can be synthesized in a single-step reaction. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal monomeric, six-coordinate structures. The thermal stabilities and vapor phase transport properties of these new complexes are considerably greater than those of conventional solid zinc metal−organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) precursors. One of the complexes in the series, bis(1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentadionato)(N,N‘-diethylethylenediamine)zinc, is particularly effective in the growth of thin films of the transparent conducting oxide Zn−In−Sn−O (ZITO) because of its superior volatility and low melting point of 64 °C. ZITO thin films with In contents ranging from 40 to 70 cation % (a metastable phase) were grown by low-pressure MOCVD. These films exhibit conductivity as high as 2900 S/cm and optical transparency comparable to or greater than that of commercial Sn-doped indium oxide (ITO) films. ZITO films with the nominal c...
Interfacial, Boundary, and Size Effects at Critical Points

Exact results for the interfacial and boundary free energies (for free and for ferromagnetic boundaries) are presented for the square, triangular, and honeycomb Ising lattices. The boundary energies and specific heats diverge as $\mathrm{ln}|T\ensuremath{-}{T}_{c}|$ and ${({T}_{c}\ensuremath{-}T)}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, respectively. This behavior is interpreted generally in terms of the rounding and displacement of the specific-heat maximum in a finite system.
Acute Alcohol Consumption Elevates Serum Bilirubin, an Endogenous Antioxidant

Background Moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with both negative and favorable effects on health. The mechanisms responsible for reported favorable effects remain unclear. Higher (not necessarily elevated) concentrations of serum bilirubin, an antioxidant, have also been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. This study tests the hypothesis that single dose alcohol consumption elevates bilirubin providing a potential link between these observations.
RISK FACTORS IN PROGENY OF PARENTS WITH PREMATURE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

This case-control study, whose index cases are fathers who have had a documented myocardial infarction prior to the age of 50 yrs., tests the hypothesis that premature coronary disease is associated with an identifiable pattern of risk factors in the progeny of affected individuals. Fifty four families have been studied, (27 case families, 27 control families, 108 parents, age 30-50 yrs., 137 children, age 2–18 yrs.) Significantly higher values were found among progeny of cases than controls for standardized weight (p=.03), cholesterol (p<.01) and hyperlipidemia (p<.0004). These findings suggest that the increased risk of premature coronary heart disease among relatives of cases may be mediated by familial resemblances in levels of cholesterol. Among progeny, cholesterol levels rose during early childhood, peaked at 10.0–11.9 yrs., fell to levels of lower than those found during early childhood at 14.0–15.9 yrs., and rose subsequently. These findings suggest an association between onset of sexual maturity and level of cholesterol, raise questions of predictive values of cholesterol for future levels, and imply the need for age-specific means and confidence limits for cholesterol during childhood.
Mechanics of pulsus alternans in aortic valve stenosis

Differences in the mechanics of strong and weak contractions during sustained pulsus alternans were studied in 4 patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS). No significant difference was observed between strong (S) and weak (W) beats in M-mode echographic end-diastolic minor-axis dimension or end-diastolic meridional wall stress. Peak systolic meridional stress (S:225 X 10(3) dynes/cm2; W:205 X 10(3) dynes/cm2), the time integral of left ventricular (LV) meridional systolic stress (S:5,000 X 10(3) dynes/cm2; W:4,500 X 10(3) dynes/cm2) and the area of a stress dimension loop (S:202 X 10(3) dyne/cm; W 165 X 10(3) dyne/cm) were all greater for strong beats. However, end-systolic meridional stress (S:100 X 10(3) dynes/cm2; W:115 X 10(3) dynes/cm2) and end-systolic minor-axis dimension (S:4.75 cm; W:5.0 cm) were significantly greater for weak beats. Stress-length relations, derived from resting and postnitroglycerin determinations, revealed higher end-systolic dimensions for weak beats at any level of limiting afterload, suggesting diminished contractile performance of weak beats. Additionally, fractional minor-axis shortening for weak beats was diminished, at any level of end-systolic stress, in comparison with that for strong beats. The results are supportive of theories suggesting alternating contractile performance during pulsus alternans.
Reactions of acyclic enediones with menthofuran

Abstract Menthofuran has been treated with several enones and conjugated enediones in acidic ethanolic media. Substitutive addition was the predominant mode of reaction with enones, while condensation at an aldehyde carbonyl of an enedione occurred faster than substitutive addition, which was itself faster than condensation at a ketone carbonyl. The stereochemical orientation about the CC double bond in the enones seemed of little import.
Concurrent detection of secreted products from human lymphocytes by microengraving: cytokines and antigen-reactive antibodies.

Abstract Cell surface determinants, cytokines and antibodies secreted by hematopoietic cells are used to classify their lineage and function. Currently available techniques are unable to elucidate multiple secreted proteins while also assigning phenotypic surface-displayed markers to the individual living cells. Here, a soft lithographic method, microengraving, was adapted for the multiplexed interrogation of populations of individual human peripheral blood mononuclear cells for secreted cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-6), antigen-specific antibodies, and lineage-specific surface-expressed markers. Application of the method to a clinical sample from a recent-onset Type 1 diabetic subject with a positive titer of anti-insulin antibodies showed that ∼ 0.58% of circulating CD19+ B cells secreted proinsulin-reactive antibodies of the IgG isotype and 2–3% of circulating cells secreted IL-6. These data demonstrate the utility of microengraving for interrogating multiple phenotypes of single human cells concurrently and for detecting rare populations of cells by their secreted products.
Reversal of diet-induced glucose intolerance by hepatic expression of a variant glycogen-targeting subunit of protein phosphatase-1.

Glycogen-targeting subunits of protein phosphatase-1 facilitate interaction of the phosphatase with enzymes of glycogen metabolism. Expression of one family member, PTG, in the liver of normal rats improves glucose tolerance without affecting other plasma variables but leaves animals unable to reduce hepatic glycogen stores in response to fasting. In the current study, we have tested whether expression of other targeting subunit isoforms, such as the liver isoform GL, the muscle isoform GM/RGl, or a truncated version of GM/RGl termed GMΔC in liver ameliorates glucose intolerance in rats fed on a high fat diet (HF). HF animals overexpressing GMΔC, but not GL or GM/RGl, exhibited a decline in blood glucose of 35–44 mg/dl relative to control HF animals during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) such that levels were indistinguishable from those of normal rats fed on standard chow at all but one time point. Hepatic glycogen levels were 2.1–2.4-fold greater in GL- and GMΔC-overexpressing HF rats compared with control HF animals following OGTT. In a second set of studies on fed and 20-h fasted HF animals, GMΔC-overexpressing rats lowered their liver glycogen levels by 57% (from 402 ± 54 to 173 ± 27 μg of glycogen/mg of protein) in the fasted versusfed states compared with only 44% in GL-overexpressing animals (from 740 ± 35 to 413 ± 141 μg of glycogen/mg of protein). Since the OGTT studies were performed on 20-h fasted rats, this meant that GMΔC-overexpressing rats synthesized much more glycogen than GL-overexpressing HF rats during the OGTT (419 versus 117 μg of glycogen/mg of protein, respectively), helping to explain why GMΔC preferentially enhanced glucose clearance. We conclude that GMΔC has a unique combination of glycogenic potency and responsiveness to glycogenolytic signals that allows it to be used to lower blood glucose levels in diabetes.
Mathematical explanations of the rainbow

Abstract Explanations of three different aspects of the rainbow are considered. The highly mathematical character of these explanations poses some interpretative questions concerning what the success of these explanations tells us about rainbows. I develop a proposal according to which mathematical explanations can highlight what is relevant about a given phenomenon while also indicating what is irrelevant to that phenomenon. This proposal is related to the extensive work by Batterman on asymptotic explanation with special reference to Batterman's own discussion of the rainbow.
Association of ABO-mismatched platelet transfusions with morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: The transfusion of ABO-mismatched platelets has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality during induction therapy for acute leukemia and allogeneic progenitor cell transplantation. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Reported here is a cohort study of 153 patients undergoing primary coronary artery bypass graft or coronary valve replacement surgery by two surgeons in one institution during 1997 and 1998. All statistics employed nonparametric two-sided tests (Mann-Whitney; Fisher's exact test). RESULTS: Patients receiving at least one ABO-mismatched pool of platelets had a significantly longer hospital stay, more days of fever, greater total hospital charges, and more RBC transfusions. Mortality, hours in the intensive care unit, days on antibiotics, and numbers of platelet transfusions were also greater in recipients of ABO-mismatched platelets, but these differences were of less statistical significance. When the analysis was restricted to the 139 patients who received no more than two pools of platelets, the trends for increased morbidity and mortality (8.6% vs. 1.9%; p = 0.10) in recipients of ABO-mismatched platelets persisted. The number of RBC transfusions required in this latter cohort was 50 percent greater (mean, 6.1 vs. 9.2; p = 0.02), despite the fact that the number of platelet transfusions given was similar (mean, 1.2 vs. 1.3 pools; p = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS: ABO-mismatched platelet transfusions are associated with unfavorable outcomes in cardiac surgery, a relationship that remains unexplained. As this association has been found in three cohort studies in various clinical settings, further investigation of this association is warranted.
Bootlegging: A career caught between fantasy and reality*

This essay considers the seemingly opposing stances of basic knowledge-building and policy-driven research. It does so by reviewing the author's involvement in a series of criminological activities on both sides of the issue. He prefers to pose as a knowledge builder, but he admits to seduction by policy concerns.
TU-F-18C-01: Breast Tissue Decomposition Using Spectral CT After Distortion Correction

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of accurate breast tissue compositional characterization by using spectral-distortion-corrected dual energy images from a photon-counting spectral CT. Methods: Thirty eight postmortem breasts were imaged with a Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CZT)-based photon-counting spectral CT system at beam energy of 100 kVp. The energy-resolved detector sorted photons into low and high energy bins with a splitting energy of 42 keV. The estimated mean glandular dose (MGD) for each breast was approximately 2.0 mGy. Dual energy technique was used to decompose breast tissue into water, lipid, and protein contents. Two image-based methods were investigated to improve the accuracy of tissue compositional characterization. The first method simply limited the recorded spectra up to 90 keV. This reduced the pulse pile-up artifacts but it has some dose penalty. The second method corrected the spectral information of all measured photons by using a spectral distortion correction technique. Breasts were then chemically decomposed into their respective water, lipid, and protein contents, which was used as the reference standard. The accuracy of the tissue compositional measurement with spectral CT was evaluated by the root-mean-square (RMS) errors in percentage composition. Results: The errors in quantitative material decomposition were significantly reduced after the appropriate image processing methods.more » As compared to the chemical analysis as the reference standard, the averages of the RMS errors were estimated to be 15.5%, 3.3%, and 2.8% for the raw, energy-limited, and spectral-corrected images, respectively. Conclusion: Spectral CT can be used to accurately quantify the water, lipid, and protein contents in breast tissues by implementing a spectral distortion correction algorithm. The tissue compositional information can potentially improve the sensitivity and specificity for breast cancer diagnosis.« less
Finding the rib cage in chest radiographs

Abstract We describe a system of computer algorithms that finds the rib cage in chest radiographs. Our algorithms link the dorsal and ventral portions of the rib contours such that each rib is identified and can be displayed individually. In a preliminary application of our system to five adult chest radiographs, about 90% of the ribs were found, and ca . 15% of the computed rib contours were false.
Studies of red-cell volume and turnover using radiochromium; description of a new closed method of red-cell volume measurement.

THE successful management of many clinical problems depends on information regarding the total volume of the mass of red cells in the body. The concentration of these cells in the peripheral blood is widely used as an index of total volume. The value of this determination depends on the accuracy with which it measures the over-all distribution of cells and plasma in the circulation. Changes in the hematocrit percentage of the peripheral blood can only reflect alterations in the size of the red-cell mass if the plasma volume remains constant. Keith et al.1 showed in 1921 that the ratio of . . .