cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Organizing and managing supplier relationships in information technology procurement

This paper begins exploration of the broad question: how should the relationship between IT suppliers and customers be organized and managed? It reports the results of an empirical, exploratory study which investigates the organization and management of IT supplier relationships in large North American firms. A sample of 518 large corporations was surveyed to determine the degree of formalization of IT supplier-management practices, the extent of discretionary collaborative behavior (DCB) on the part of information technology customers, and the relationship between formalization, DCB and perceived effectiveness in influencing supplier performance. Findings indicate that most companies surveyed continue to manage their supplier relationships in a relatively informal way. Formalization of the supplier management function appears, unsurprisingly, to be a function of the size of the organization and the number of suppliers it utilizes. Relatively high levels of reported discretionary collaboration indicate that IT buyers find value in taking positive, relationship-building action toward their suppliers. Discretionary collaboration appears unrelated to supplier management formalization, company size, or number of suppliers. Thus these results suggest that companies may employ two independent strategies for managing supplier relationships, formal and informal, which both lead to perceived influence over suppliers.
The Modality Effect: What Happens in Long-Term Memory?.

Abstract Auditorily and visually presented lists were either recalled (R) or not recalled (NR) immediately after input and were later tested on a delayed recall test. For lists given the immediate free recall test, auditorily presented items were better recalled than visually presented items, but only for the last few serial positions, thus replicating the standard modality effect. In delayed recall, recall of items in the R lists was superior to the recall of items in the NR lists. More importantly, for R lists, auditory presentation led to superior recall for the last few serial positions whereas for NR lists visual presentation led to superior recall for the last few serial positions. The fact that modality of presentation had opposite effects on the delayed recall of R and NR recency items was discussed in terms of a prelinguistic auditory store and that store's effect on the depth to which material is processed.
Reliability across studies from the functional assessment of cancer therapy-general (FACT-G) and its subscales: a reliability generalization

The aim of this study was to conduct a reliability generalization of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) and its subscales to examine variation in score reliability across all published studies. We reviewed 344 publications based on predetermined criteria. About 78 published studies reported Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficients from their study in which data were collected. Sample size based weights were applied, and studies were coded on several scale and demographic characteristics. Using independent samples t tests, we examined associations between study characteristics and internal consistency variability. Average FACT-G score reliability was .88 (subscales ranged between .71–.83). Three variables produced small, statistically significant (P ≤ .05) eta squared effects (ranging between .06–.21) due to different sources of variation in the FACT-G and subscales: ethnicity, cancer type, and study type-all of which appeared to be related to disproportionate representation of studies with the majority including Caucasian samples, mixed cancer samples, and validation type studies. The FACT-G and its subscales demonstrated acceptable reliability evidence across observed studies, without substantial variability due to scale or demographic characteristics.
Induction chemotherapy prior to definitive radiation for Stages IIIA and IIIB non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract To improve outcome in patients with Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), both local macroscopic disease and distant micrometastases must be controlled. Conventional thoracic radiotherapy for Stage III disease is associated with a high rate of local failure and cannot address micrometastatic tumor already present outside the irradiated field during treatment. Combination chemotherapy regimens produce higher objective response rates in Stage III patients than in patients with obvious Stage IV disease. When used as initial therapy, chemotherapy may decrease the bulk of intrathoracic disease, which facilitates eradication of local disease by subsequent radiotherapy, in up to 50% or more of treated patients. The chemotherapy may also delay or decrease macroscopic metastastic disease formation. Use of sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy appears to provide a measurable survival benefit for selected patients with Stage III non-small cell lung cancer.
TRAIT AND BEHAVIORAL THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP: AN INTEGRATION AND META-ANALYTIC TEST OF THEIR RELATIVE VALIDITY

The leadership literature suffers from a lack of theoretical integration (Avolio, 2007, American Psychologist, 62, 25–33). This article addresses that lack of integration by developing an integrative trait-behavioral model of leadership effectiveness and then examining the relative validity of leader traits (gender, intelligence, personality) and behaviors (transformational-transactional, initiating structure-consideration) across 4 leadership effectiveness criteria (leader effectiveness, group performance, follower job satisfaction, satisfaction with leader). Combined, leader traits and behaviors explain a minimum of 31% of the variance in leadership effectiveness criteria. Leader behaviors tend to explain more variance in leadership effectiveness than leader traits, but results indicate that an integrative model where leader behaviors mediate the relationship between leader traits and effectiveness is warranted.
THE ASSOCIATION AMONG GENDER, COMPUTER USE AND ONLINE HEALTH SEARCHING, AND MENTAL HEALTH

Research investigating the impacts of computer and Internet use is increasing; however, few sociologists explore how this use may impact on mental health outcomes. The authors use data from the 2004 General Social Survey to examine the relationship among gender, computer and Internet use for health purposes and mental health. Their findings are mixed in that computer and Internet use are both positively and negatively related to mental health. They find evidence that there may be a selection bias occurring in which those with the greatest well-being problems are the ones searching online for health information. When computer and the Internet use variables were included in the models, the effect of gender on likelihood of experiencing poor mental health was attenuated, which suggests that particular types of Internet use may mediate gender disparities in mental health.
Bacteriophage antimicrobial-lock technique for staphylococcus aureus central venous catheter-related infection: an in-vivo evaluation

Purpose Bacteriophages are viruses that selectively infect and kill bacteria. The purpose of this project was to determine whether a bacteriophage antimicrobial lock technique can reduce bacterial colonization and biofilm formation on indwelling central venous catheters in a rabbit model. Materials and Methods This study was performed in 10 female New Zealand white rabbits (weight range 3-4 kg). Broviac catheters (4.2 French, BARD access systems, NJ) were inserted into the jugular vein under image guidance and tunneled in an intrascapular position. Catheters were then inoculated for 24h with broth culture of Methicillin sensitive staphylococcus aureus (0.5 McFarland standard). The inoculate was aspirated and rabbits were randomized into two equal groups for 24h: (i) untreated controls (heparinized saline lock), (ii) Bacteriophage antimicrobial-lock (Staphylococcal Bacteriophage K, propagated titer > 10 8 ). At the completion of the experiment blood cultures were obtained via peripheral veins, the catheters were removed for quantitative culture and scanning electron microscopic analyses, and the animals were sacrificed. Statistical testing for substantial differences in distal catheter segment colonization was carried out using the rank sum test. Results Mean distal catheter segment colony forming units (CFU) per cm 2 as a measure of biofilm was significantly decreased in experimental animals compared to controls (control 1.2 × 10 5 CFU/cm 2 , experimental 7.58 × 10 3 , P=0.016). Scanning electron microscopic analysis of the catheter segments demonstrated qualitative reduction of biofilm in treated catheter segments compared to untreated controls. Blood culture results were not significantly different between the groups (control 3/5 positive (60%), experimental 4/5 positive (80%), (p=1.0). Conclusion In a rabbit model, treatment of infected central venous catheters with a bacteriophage antimicrobial-lock technique significantly reduced bacterial colonization and biofilm presence. Our data suggests that bacteriophage lock solution may be a feasible strategy for prevention and treatment of central venous catheter infections.
Spontaneous, But Not Induced, Puberty Permits Adequate Bone Mass Acquisition in Adolescent Turner Syndrome Patients

Lumbar L2-L4 bone mineral density (BMD) values were measured in 37 adolescent and young adult Turner syndrome patients. Nine had developed spontaneous puberty and had had regular menses since menarche (12.55 years ± 1.17 years) to the time of BMD evaluation (14.96 years ± 1.26 years). In the other 28, puberty was induced with increasing doses of oral ethinyl estradiol (2.5-10.0 μg/day, for 2 years) and later administration of estrogen/gestagen therapy up to the time of BMD evaluation. In 18, the adolescent group, menarche appeared at 14.68 years ± 0.63 years and BMD was evaluated at 17.77 years ± 0.70 years, and in the other 10, the young adult group, menarche appeared at 14.47 years ± 0.53 years and BMD was evaluated at 20.90 years ± 0.68 year. BMD values were in the normal range in those who had developed spontaneous puberty (Z score values, −0.24 ± 0.22) and in the osteopenia range in those in whom puberty was induced (Z score values, −2.09 ± 0.79 and −2.18 ± 0.32 for the adolescent and young adult groups, respectively) p < 0.0001. Height Z score values were similar in all three groups (−3.45 ± 0.77, −3.15 ± 0.83, and −3.08 ± 0.33, respectively). No significant differences in calcium intake or physical activity were found among groups. Neither the karyotype distribution nor growth hormone (GH) therapy (five in the spontaneous puberty and six in the induced puberty groups had been treated for a 3.5- to 4.4-year period) explained the differences in BMD values. Because the main difference between groups was the availability of estrogens to bone tissue from infancy to menarche and of estrogens/gestagens from then on up to the time of BMD evaluation, our results suggest that normal gonadal function from infancy to adulthood may be required for adequate bone mass peaking. Early detection of osteopenia and improvement in general measures for adequate bone mass peaking (calcium intake and physical activity) should be considered mandatory in the health care of these patients.
Comparisons of home blood glucose testing and glycated protein measurements

Abstract We examined the relationships between 4 glycated protein assays and home blood glucose monitoring (HBGM) in 26 children with poorly-controlled insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) during a period of improved management. At 2 week intervals for 6 visits (12 weeks in total), HBGM records were collected and a blood sample was obtained for measurement of glycated proteins and glucose. Assays included glycated hemoglobin (GHb) and glycated serum proteins (GP) by boronate affinity chromatography, hemoglobin A 1 C by PolyCAT A high performance liquid chromatography (HAC) and fructosamine (FA). All 4 glycated protein levels declined significantly over the 12 week period. Significant correlations between the glycated proteins and HBGM were observed over 2 week intervals. None of the 4 assays were affected by the glucose level in the sample. Changes in mean HBGM readings over 2 week intervals were correlated with both FA and GP with wide prediction intervals. Over cumulative 2 week intervals, which may more accurately reflect longitudinal trends, all 4 glycated proteins were correlated with mean HBGM readings. At each cumulative interval, GHb and GP showed the largest variation with MBG, while FA showed the least variation with MBG. Our data indicate that of the 4 assays tested, FA has limited clinical value as compared to other glycated protein assays, whereas assays based on boronate affinity chromatography (GHb and GP) provide the most useful clinical indicators of short-term changes in glycemic control. The clinical utility of a new HPLC method for determination of glycated hemoglobins is also demonstrated.
Distribution and Abundance of Corn Rootworm Species as Influenced by Topography and Crop Rotation in Eastern Nebraska

Over the past 30 yr the western corn rootworm (WCR) Diabrotica virgifera LeConte, largely displaced the northern corn rootworm (NCR), D. longicornis (Say), as the dominant rootworm species in eastern Nebraska. Only in the northeast cropping district has the NCR exhibited significant persistency. Here a comparative study of the ecology and behavior of the 2 species disclosed specific distributional and behavioral differences. The avg no. and percentage of the 2 species varied according to whether the samples were from “upland” or “lowland” fields. The NCR was significantly more abundant in upland fields. The NCR dispersed more readily from cornfields to weedy oat stubble and soybean fields, whereas the WCR for the most part moved from corn to other cornfields. These behavioral differences, coupled with prevailing farming practices (continuous corn vs corn in short rotations), partially explain the displacement phenomenon and varying degrees of coexistence now observed between the NCR and WCR in different areas of Nebraska. The southern corn rootworm (SCR), D. undecimpunctata howardi Barber is of minor importance as a pest of corn in Nebraska.
A Tensegrity Model of the Cytoskeleton in Spread and Round Cells

Measurements on adherent cells have shown that spreading affects their mechanics. Highly spread cells are stiffer than less spread cells. The stiffness increases approximately linearly with increasing applied stress and more so in highly spread cells than in less spread cells. In this study, a six-strut tensegrity model of the cytoskeleton is used to analyze the effect of spreading on cellular mechanics. Two configurations are considered: a "round" configuration where a spherically shaped model is anchored to a flat rigid surface at three joints, and a "spread" configuration, where three additional joints of the model are attached to the surface. In both configurations a pulling force is applied at a free joint, distal from the anchoring surface, and the corresponding deformation is determined from equations of equilibrium. The model stiffness is obtained as the ratio of applied force to deformation. It is found that the stiffness changes with spreading consistently with the observations in cells. These findings suggest the possibility that the spreading-induced changes of the mechanical properties of the cell are the result of the concomitant changes in force distribution and microstructural geometry of the cytoskeleton.
Improving the quality of healthcare delivery to homeless tuberculosis patients: a new approach.

"Doing things the same old way" can lead to complacency and eventually to a breakdown in the healthcare system. Such is the case with the deadly disease tuberculosis (TB). While TB was thought to be a disease of the past, the United States is experiencing an alarming rise in the incidence of the disease, especially among those least likely to get help or to stick with a treatment program. This article explores a more creative approach for reaching out to treat homeless people who have TB.
Estimating equivalent dipole polarizabilities for the inductive response of isolated conductive bodies

Away from a conductive body, secondary magnetic fields due to currents induced in the body by a time-varying external magnetic field are approximated by (equivalent) magnetic dipole fields. Approximating the external magnetic field by its value at the location of the equivalent magnetic dipoles, the equivalent magnetic dipoles' strengths are linearly proportional to the external magnetic field, for a given time dependence of external magnetic field, and are given by the equivalent dipole polarizability matrix. The polarizability matrix and its associated equivalent dipole location are estimated from magnetic field measurements made with at least three linearly independent polarizations of external magnetic fields at the body. Uncertainties in the polarizability matrix elements and its equivalent dipole location are obtained from analysis of a linearized inversion for polarizability and dipole location. Polarizability matrix uncertainties are independent of the scale of the polarizability matrix. Dipole location uncertainties scale inversely with the scale of the polarizability matrix. Uncertainties in principal polarizabilities and directions are obtained from the sensitivities of eigenvectors and eigenvalues to perturbations of a symmetric matrix. In application to synthetic data from a magnetic conducting sphere and to synthetic data from an axially symmetric elliptic conducting body, the estimated polarizability matrices, equivalent dipole locations, and principal polarizabilities and directions are consistent with their estimated uncertainties.
Replacing diagnostic catheterization with coronary CT angiography: the final frontier.

Since the inception of coronary multi-detector-row computed tomography (MDCT) angiography a decade ago, authors of scholarly articles worldwide have hypothesized, theorized, and prophesied, that non-invasive coronary CT angiography (CTA) will largely replace invasive diagnostic coronary catheterization in the near future. Even in the early days, with limited technology, such as 4-slice or 16-slice CT, there was sound reason for this belief. Comparison of 4-slice coronary CTA with invasive coronary angiography yielded a spectacular negative predictive value of 97%.1 In later years, even the most scrupulous comparative trials on 16-slice coronary CTA confirmed the almost perfect performance of this test for ruling out significant stenosis.2 While earlier studies commonly involved the impractical approach of excluding patients, vessels, or vessel segments that were not well visualized from the analysis, it has been demonstrated that more recent scanner generations can safely rule out significant stenosis without any exclusions.3 The overwhelming need for a non-invasive, economical test that can safely rule out significant coronary artery stenosis is unquestioned. Ad nauseam , articles on coronary artery imaging invariably belabour the socio-economic importance of heart disease and the fact … *Corresponding author. Tel: +1 843 792 2633; fax: +1 843 792 0275. E-mail address : schoepf{at}musc.edu
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF PARALLEL OPERATION OF DIRECT AND ALTERNATING CURRENT GENERATORS

With the increasing use of alternating current in shipboard installations, it behooves every marine engineer to have as clear a picture as possible of a few of the basic operations accompanying its use. Of these, the paralleling of alternating current generators has always been extremely puzzling to the average engineer, accustomed to the simple single switching of D.C. shunt machines, and the almost equally positive manipulation of D.C. compound machines. Alternating current generators go into a new dimension of complication; and fluttering lights, or swinging indicator needles do not adequately explain the difference between success and failure in the “pull in.” So, with a series of relatively simple vector analyses, and a painstaking effort to clarify each step as he progresses, the author in this article covers the possibilities and the difficulties of the paralleling operation in an effort to bring out the reasons for the simple rules which must be followed.
Non-commutative subsequence principles

We prove that if ℳ is a hyperfinite semi-finite von Neumann algebra equipped with a normal semi-finite trace τ and (x n ) n = 1 ∞ is a bounded sequence in L 1 (ℳ τ) then there exists a subsequence (y n ) n = 1 ∞ of (x n ) n = 1 ∞ such that for any further subsequence (z n ) n = 1 ∞ of (y n )∞ n = 1 and e > 0, there exists a projection p∈ℳ with τ(1−p)<e and $${{\lim \limits_{{N \to \infty}} {{\left\|{{ p {{\left({{{{N}}^{{-1}} \sum^{{N}}_{{n=1}} z_n - y}}\right)}} p }}\right\|}}_{{\infty}} = 0,}}$$ thus providing a non-commutative analogue of the classical Komlos’s subsequence theorem. We also extend a classical result of Menchoff and Marcienkiewicz on convergence almost everywhere of subseries of orthogonal functions in L 2 [0,1] to orthogonal operators in the non-commutative L 2 -space associated to the type II 1 hyperfinite factor.
Sporicidal efficacy of genipin: a potential theoretical alternative for biomaterial and tissue graft sterilization

Terminal sterilization of musculoskeletal allografts by gamma radiation minimizes the risk of disease transmission but impairs allograft mechanical properties. Commonly employed crosslinking agents can sterilize tissues without affecting mechanical properties adversely; however, these agents are toxic. Genipin is reported to be a benign crosslinking agent that strengthens mechanical properties of tissues; however, the antimicrobial capacity of genipin is largely unknown. The present study’s aims were: (1) to assess the sporicidal potential of genipin, (2) to improve antimicrobial capacity by changing chemical and physical treatment conditions. To establish genipin’s sterilization potential Bacillus subtilis var. niger spore strips were treated with 0–10 % genipin in PBS or in 1:1 DMSO:PBS up to 72 h at room temperature (RT). Sterilizing doses and concentrations of genipin were used to treat B. pumilus and Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores to assess broader spectrum sporicidal activity of genipin. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to evaluate gross morphological changes after genipin treatment. Optimal sterilization conditions were determined by evaluating the effects of temperature (RT-50 °C), DMSO:PBS ratio (0:100–100:0), and treatment duration (24–72 h) on B. subtilis. Genipin penetration of full thickness bovine patellar tendon and cortical bone specimens was observed to assess the feasibility of the agent for treating grafts. Initial studies showed that after 72 h of treatment at RT with 0.63–10 % genipin/DMSO:PBS B. subtilis spore strips were sterilized; 0.63 % genipin/PBS did not sterilize spore strips at 72 h at RT. Genipin doses and concentrations that sterilized B. subtilis spore strips sterilized B. pumilus and G. stearothermophilus spore strips. SEM revealed no gross morphological differences between untreated and treated spores. Treatment optimization resulted in sterilization within 24 h with 100 % PBS, and DMSO facilitated sporicidal activity. Genipin penetrated full thickness patellar tendon specimens and 3.72 ± 0.58 mm in cortical bone specimens. Genipin sterilizes B. subtilis, B. pumilus, and G. stearothermophilus spore strips. It penetrates soft and hard tissues at doses previously shown to be non-toxic and to improve mechanical strength in collagen-rich soft tissues. Further studies are indicated to assess genipin’s effects on the mechanical properties of genipin-sterilized grafts, the ability of genipin to eradicate infectious species other than spores, and to assess whether sterilant activity persists after penetrating tissues and biomaterials.
Teen pregnancy and the achievement gap among urban minority youth.

OBJECTIVES: To outline the prevalence and disparities of teen pregnancy among school-aged urban minority youth, causal pathways through which nonmarital teen births adversely affects academic achievement, and proven or promising approaches for schools to address this problem. METHODS: Literature review. RESULTS: In 2006, the birth rate among 15- to 17-year-old non-Hispanic Blacks (36.1 per 1000) was more than three times as high, and the birth rate among Hispanics (47.9 per 1000) was more than four times as high as the birth rate among non-Hispanic Whites (11.8 per 1000). Compared with women who delay childbearing until age 30, teen mothers’ education is estimated to be approximately 2 years shorter. Teen mothers are 10-12% less likely to complete high school and have 14-29% lower odds of attending college. School-based programs have the potential to help teens acquire the knowledge and skills needed to postpone sex, practice safer sex, avoid unintended pregnancy, and if pregnant, to complete high school and pursue postsecondary education. Most students in US middle and high schools receive some kind of sex education. Federal policies and legislation have increased use of the abstinence-only-until-marriage approach, which is disappointing considering the lack of evidence that this approach is effective. CONCLUSIONS: Nonmarital teen births are highly and disproportionately prevalent among school-aged urban minority youth, have a negative impact on educational attainment, and effective practices are available for schools to address this problem. Teen pregnancy exerts an important influence on educational attainment among urban minority youth. Decisions about what will be taught should be informed by empirical data documenting the effectiveness of alternative approaches.
Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan is a toll-like receptor 2 activator: a reevaluation.

Since the ability of peptidoglycan (PGN) to activate Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) was recently questioned, we reevaluated activation of TLR2 by PGN. Polymeric soluble or insoluble Staphylococcus aureus PGN, repurified by sodium dodecyl sulfate or phenol extraction, activated TLR2 at 0.1 to 1 or 10 μg/ml, respectively, and induced tumor necrosis factor alpha production. The TLR2 activation by PGN, but not by lipoteichoic acid, was abolished by muramidase digestion. We conclude that polymeric S. aureus PGN is a TLR2 activator.
Disturbance observer-based hysteresis compensation for piezoelectric actuators

We present a novel hysteresis compensation method for piezoelectric actuators. Instead of using any particular mathematical model of hysteresis, we consider the hysteresis nonlinearity as a disturbance over a linear system. A disturbance observer (DOB) is then utilized to estimate and compensate for the hysteresis nonlinearity. In contrast to the existing inverse model-based approaches, the DOB-based hysteresis compensation does not rely on any particular hysteresis model, and therefore provides a simple and effective compensation mechanism. Experimental validation of the proposed hysteresis compensation is performed on a PMN-PT cantilever piezoelectric actuator.
Identification of a point mutation in an esterase gene in different populations of the southern cattle tick, Boophilus microplus

Two esterase cDNA sequences were obtained from susceptible and organophosphorus resistant strains of Boophilus microplus. Both sequences have a high degree of homology to carboxylesterase B. One gene has identical sequences in both strains and the other showed two point mutations. One mutation produces an amino acid substitution when the amino acid sequence is deduced, this mutation was detected in six different populations susceptible and resistant to insecticides, but a pyrethroid resistant strain was the only one that showed only the mutant allele. Identification of this mutation and the strong signal detected in southern blot with this strain, suggest that esterases are contributing to detoxification of pyrethroid compounds, as a resistant mechanism in Mexican strains of the southern cattle tick.
Short surface waves on surface shear

The problem of short wind waves propagating on surface wind drift is considered here. Under the assumption of small monochromatic surface waves on a steady and horizontally uniform surface shear of an inviscid fluid, the governing equation becomes the well-known Rayleigh instability equation. Perturbation solutions exist for the surface-wave problem; however, the conditions for these approximations are violated in the case of short wind waves on wind drift shear. As an alternative approach, the piecewise-linear approximation (PLA) is explored. A proof is given for the rate of convergence of the piecewise-linear approximation for solving the Rayleigh equation without limitations on boundary conditions. The artificial modes of the piecewise-linear flow system are also discussed. The method is numerically efficient and highly accurate. Applying this method, the linear instability of various boundary-layer flows is examined. Short waves propagating with surface shear-flows are stable, while it is possible for waves that are travelling against a shear current to become unstable when the surface speed of the shear is greater than the wavespeed in stagnant fluid. PLA is also applied to examine the applicability of other perturbation approaches to the problem of propagation of short waves on wind drift shear. It is found that the existing approximations cannot fit the whole range of short wind waves. To bridge the gap, new approximations are derived from an implicit form of the exact dispersion relation based upon the variational principle.
Gonadotropin responses to estrogen-positive and -negative feedback are identical in African-American and Caucasian women.

Context: Gonadotropin levels are similar in African-American women (AAW) and Caucasian women (CW), despite higher preovulatory estradiol (E2) levels in AAW, suggesting that AAW may be less sensitive to E2 feedback than CW. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine whether responsivity to estrogen feedback differs in AAW and CW. Design and Setting: Subjects were studied in the early follicular phase using a 5-d, graded E2 and progesterone infusion. Subjects: Healthy, normal-cycling AAW (n = 10) and CW (n = 13) aged 23–30 yr participated in the study. Main Outcome Measures: Blood samples were collected every 4 h and assayed for LH, FSH, E2, and progesterone. Results: There was no difference in E2-negative feedback on LH (nadir, 3.8 ± 0.4 vs. 5.4 ± 0.9 IU/liter; time of nadir, 33.2 ± 3.3 vs. 32.3 ± 2.7 h) or FSH (nadir, 3.1 ± 0.4 vs. 3.1 ± 0.3 IU/liter; time of nadir, 48.8 ± 2.7 vs. 50.5 ± 3.1 h) in AAW compared to CW. The two groups also demonstrated similar positive feedback responses of E2 on LH (p...
Photolytic determination of charge state for large proteins and fragments in an ion trap mass spectrometer.

RATIONALE: One of the major shortcomings of linear ion trap mass spectrometers is poor resolution. Failure to resolve isotopic peaks makes charge state determination for large proteins very difficult, hindering the ability to perform top-down proteomics. METHODS: Peptides, proteins and corresponding fragments modified with para-iodobenzoate were trapped and irradiated with 266 nm light from an Nd:YAG laser. Loss of iodine due to photodissociation was then used to assign charge states by measuring the corresponding m/z shifts. RESULTS: Initial experiments on small peptides illustrate the feasibility of the method. Further studies performed on larger proteins in higher charge states yielded similar results, revealing that fragment ions over a significant mass range either remain in or are quickly cooled to the laser overlap region of the ion trap. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid charge state assignment for both whole molecules and collision-induced dissociation (CID) fragments can be obtained by photoactivation of chromophores with labile carbon–iodine bonds. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Approximate matching algorithms for music information retrieval using vocal input

Effective use of multimedia collections requires efficient and intuitive methods of searching and browsing. This work considers databases which store music and explores how these may best be searched by providing input queries in some musical form. For the average person, humming several notes of the desired melody is the most straightforward method for providing this input, but such input is very likely to contain several errors. Previously proposed implementations of so-called query-by-humming systems are effective only when the number of input errors is small. We conducted experiments which revealed that the expected error rate for user queries is much higher than existing algorithms can tolerate. We then developed algorithms based on approximate matching techniques which deliver much improved results when comparing error-filled vocal user queries against a music collection.
Symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms in long-term survivors of cardiac transplantation

Abstract Herein we report the only two long-term survivors of cardiac transplantation who underwent successful repair of symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms since the advent of cyclosporine therapy in 1983. Review of the world's literature indicates that the only two recorded cases of repair of symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms after cardiac transplantation occurred before the use of cyclosporine. The presentation and clinical course of our patients recently treated are presented, and perioperative care and immunosuppressive management are outlined. As the number of long-term survivors after cardiac transplantation increases, the incidence of other atherosclerotic complications including abdominal aortic aneurysm is likely to become more common, requiring extended cardiovascular follow-up. (J VASC SURG 1990;11:476-9.)
A simple model that identifies potential effects of sea-level rise on estuarine and estuary-ecotone habitat locations for salmonids in Oregon, USA

Diadromous aquatic species that cross a diverse range of habitats (including marine, estuarine, and freshwater) face different effects of climate change in each environment. One such group of species is the anadromous Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.). Studies of the potential effects of climate change on salmonids have focused on both marine and freshwater environments. Access to a variety of estuarine habitat has been shown to enhance juvenile life-history diversity, thereby contributing to the resilience of many salmonid species. Our study is focused on the effect of sea-level rise on the availability, complexity, and distribution of estuarine, and low-freshwater habitat for Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), steelhead (anadromous O. mykiss), and coho salmon (O. kisutch) along the Oregon Coast under future climate change scenarios. Using LiDAR, we modeled the geomorphologies of five Oregon estuaries and estimated a contour associated with the current mean high tide. Contour intervals at 1- and 2-m increments above the current mean high tide were generated, and changes in the estuary morphology were assessed. Because our analysis relied on digital data, we compared three types of digital data in one estuary to assess the utility of different data sets in predicting the changes in estuary shape. For each salmonid species, changes in the amount and complexity of estuarine edge habitats varied by estuary. The simple modeling approach we applied can also be used to identify areas that may be most amenable to pre-emptive restoration actions to mitigate or enhance salmonid habitat under future climatic conditions.
Ionic basis for action potential prolongation by phenylephrine in canine epicardial myocytes.

INTRODUCTION In canine ventricle, alpha-adrenergic agonists prolong action potential duration (APD) without any effect on the action potential notch, suggesting that, in this species, the effect on repolarization might be independent of inhibition of I(to). The present study investigated the action of the alpha-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine on the action potential and the repolarizing currents I(to) and I(K) in isolated canine epicardial myocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS Isolated cells from canine epicardial tissue, and Purkinje fibers, were studied with the whole cell, voltage clamp method. Phenylephrine 0.1 microM increased APD by 13% +/- 4% at 90% repolarization without affecting the notch or amplitude. Under voltage clamp, concentrations of phenylephrine as high as 10 microM had no effect on I(to) in canine epicardial myocytes. However, I(to) of isolated canine Purkinje myocytes was reduced to 69% +/- 7% of control by 1 microM phenylephrine. Further studies in canine epicardial myocytes revealed an action of phenylephrine to inhibit I(K), and in particular I(Ks). Using a voltage protocol that included a two-step repolarization to separate I(Ks) and I(Kr) tail components, the largely I(Kr) component was not significantly affected by 1 microM phenylephrine, whereas the largely I(Ks) component was reduced to 81% +/- 5% of control value. CONCLUSION Alpha-adrenergic prolongation of repolarization in canine epicardium does not result from inhibition of I(to). Rather, it appears that reduction of I(Ks) contributes to the action of phenylephrine. The unresponsiveness of epicardial I(to) is not a general characteristic of the canine heart, because Purkinje myocyte I(to) was inhibited, suggesting regional differences in the molecular basis of I(to) and/or alpha-adrenergic signaling in the canine heart.
Decreased Efficacy of Inhaled Pentamidine in the Prevention of Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia Among HIV-infected Patients With Severe Immunodeficiency

Study Objective : To determine the relationship between the degree of immune deficiency and the risk of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) among HIV-infected patients receiving inhaled pentamidine prophylaxis. Design : Retrospective chart review. Setting : AIDS clinic of inner-city hospital. Patients : Patients attending inhaled pentamidine clinic between 1989 and 1991. Intervention : Review of medical records of patients receiving inhaled pentamidine, 300 mg/month, via nebulizer (Respirgard II) as primary or secondary prophylaxis of PCP. Statistical analysis of lymphocyte subset results and selected clinical data. Results : Ten of 57 patients developed PCP during the period of analysis. Patients with CD4 counts less than 60/mm 3 were significantly more likely to develop PCP (p=0.01; Fisher's exact test) with a relative risk of 7.55 compared to patients with CD4 lymphocyte counts greater than 60/mm 3 . Conclusion : Failure of inhaled pentamidine prophylaxis is seen almost exclusively among patients with CD4 lymphocyte counts below 60/mm 3 .
Love of Gold and Other Ruling Passions: The legal Papers of Daniel Webster

Few of us, in this final and rather present-minded quarter of the twentieth century, would be inclined to name Daniel Webster as one of the two or three outstanding figures in our national past. Back in 1900, however, Webster tied Abraham Lincoln for second place on the initial ballot taken by the electors of New York University's new Hall of Fame.' By profession, Webster was just what Lincoln once emphatically claimed not to be-an "accomplished" lawyer famed for "rare powers of speaking." Certainly Webster's legal career had more of an impact on the American legal system than Lincoln's, although Lincoln's may bulk larger in popular folklore. Historical reputations rise and fall, as do the fortunes of historical editors, but the Legal Papers, which are Series 2 of The Papers of Daniel Webster, 3 cannot fail to be recognized as monumental scholarship fully justified by the importance of their subject matter. This series is also a very good example of how such a scholarly enterprise may be conducted without allowing the imperatives of "big business" (as a few years ago the late Whitney North Seymour characterized the publication
Genetic predisposition to high blood pressure associates with cardiovascular complications among patients with type 2 diabetes: two independent studies.

Hypertension and type 2 diabetes (T2D) commonly coexist, and both conditions are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to examine the association between genetic predisposition to high blood pressure and risk of CVD in individuals with T2D. The current study included 1,005 men and 1,299 women with T2D from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and Nurses’ Health Study, of whom 732 developed CVD. A genetic predisposition score was calculated on the basis of 29 established blood pressure–associated variants. The genetic predisposition score showed consistent associations with risk of CVD in men and women. In the combined results, each additional blood pressure–increasing allele was associated with a 6% increased risk of CVD (odds ratio [OR] 1.06 [95% CI 1.03–1.10]). The OR was 1.62 (1.22–2.14) for risk of CVD comparing the extreme quartiles of the genetic predisposition score. The genetic association for CVD risk was significantly stronger in patients with T2D than that estimated in the general populations by a meta-analysis (OR per SD of genetic score 1.22 [95% CI 1.10–1.35] vs. 1.10 [1.08–1.12]; I2 = 71%). Our data indicate that genetic predisposition to high blood pressure is associated with an increased risk of CVD in individuals with T2D.
Directional mean shift and its application for topology classification of local 3D structures

In this study, we introduce a new directional nonparametric clustering algorithm for 3D medical structure topology classification. This paper proposes directional mean shift (DMS) which extends the well known mean shift-based clustering, for handling directional statistics, toward analyzing directional/circular-domain data with phase-wraparound boundary conditions. Our overall approach transforms the 3D topology classification problem into a clustering analysis of a 2D image, following the work by Bahlmann et al. [2] in the context of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD). The proposed DMS replaces the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm for Gaussian mixture model (GMM) fitting used in the previous method addressing the shortcomings of the Bahlmann's method. Results from our experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of DMS in contrast to the original EM-based approach in solving the clustering problem with a 2D image unwrapped from a 3D spherical data, leading to better accuracy in the topology classification task.
NAIVE SET THEORY AND NONTRANSITIVE LOGIC

In a recent series of papers, I and others have advanced new logical approaches to familiar paradoxes. The key to these approaches is to accept full classical logic, and to accept the principles that cause paradox, while preventing trouble by allowing a certain sort of nontransitivity. Earlier papers have treated paradoxes of truth and vagueness. The present paper will begin to extend the approach to deal with the familiar paradoxes arising in naive set theory, pointing out some of the promises and pitfalls of such an approach.
The birth of the International Geophysical Year

In his essay “Six Cautionary Tales for Scientists,” Freeman Dyson warns against “the game of status seeking, organized around committees.” (Dyson, 1992). It is not that committees are the root of evil, he writes, but that when presented with a choice between incremental, practical solutions and grand schemes that attract attention, committees have every incentive to choose the latter—even if the choice has a high probability of failure. Often the committees present the grand scheme as the only choice, an all-or-nothing proposition.
Microstructure Reconstruction and Direct Evaluation of Li-Ion Battery Cathodes

High-capacity Li-ion batteries are among the best candidates for next generation, clean, and potentially fossil fuels independent electric vehicles. One of the major challenges in Li-ion batteries is to improve mass transport across multiple phase interfaces within complex electrode structures. The goal of this work is to study the role of interfacial interaction in Li-ion battery electrodes through physical microstructure reconstruction and direct evaluation. It has been found that macro electrochemical properties of the numerically reconstructed electrodes depend critically on nanoscale physical characteristics of electrode components and their interfacial interactions. This work also revealed the localized nanoscale electrode complexity and transport processes in great details, which are currently impossible to investigate experimentally or by alternative models.
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey

Numerous studies across different health systems have documented that many patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) do not receive disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Relatively little is known about correlates of DMARD use and whether there are socioeconomic and demographic disparities. We examined DMARD use during 2001 to 2006 in the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS), a longitudinal US survey of randomly selected Medicare beneficiaries. Participants in MCBS with RA were included in the analyses, and DMARD use was based on an in-home assessment of all medications. Variables included as potential correlates of DMARD use in weighted regression models included race/ethnicity, insurance, income, education, rheumatology visit, region, age, gender, comorbidity index, and calendar year. The cohort consisted of 509 MCBS participants with a diagnosis code for RA. Their median age was 70 years, 72% were female, and 24% saw a rheumatologist. Rates of DMARD use ranged from 37% among those <75 years of age to 25% of those age 75 to 84 and 4% of those age 85 and older. The multivariable adjusted predictors of DMARD use include: visit with a rheumatologist in the prior year (odds ratio, OR, 7.74, 95% CI, 5.37, 11.1) and older patient age (compared with <75 years, ages 75 to 84, OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37, 0.92, and 85 and over, OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.02, 0.31). In those without a rheumatology visit, lower income and older age were associated with a significantly reduced probability of DMARD use; no association of DMARD use with income or age was observed for subjects seen by rheumatologists. Race and ethnicity were not significantly associated with receipt of DMARDs. Among individuals not seeing rheumatologists, lower income and older age were associated with a reduced probability of DMARD use.
NEEDED RESEARCH ON ADOPTION MODELS1

Summary Needed Research on Adoption Models This paper outlines the development and present conventional form of the models of adoption. The five stage model of awareness, information, evaluation, trial and adoption, has been logically derived from assumptions about the process by which the human personality develops and how man responds to stimuli received: man is a telic being, an acting being and an organising being. The consequent operational model of adoption is also, for heuristic purposes, presented in five stages although it should not be concluded that the actual processes duplicate this. After dealing with characteristics of practices which affect their adoption, the paper concludes by considering the limitations of the model, and consequently suggesting required research. In particular, the model is too general for universal application, while its emphasis on a process leading to adoption has obscured the significance of optimum adoption and the factors related thereto. More research is also required concerning the detailed nature of each stage.
Stage I Vitamin D-Deficiency Rickets Mimicking Pseudohypoparathyroidism Type II

The clinical presentation and biochemical features of stage I vitamin D-deficiency rickets (VDR) and pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) type II are quite similar. These 2 entities have therefore often been mistaken for one another. We report our experience with 2 cases of stage I VDR that were originally diagnosed as PHP type II. The report provides an insight into the pathophysiology of VDR and PHP and thus allows for better differentiation between the 2 disease entities. It has become essential for pediatricians to recognize VDR owing to its resurgence in developed countries.