cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Observation of nematic-texture in a diblock copolymer melt

We have observed nematic textures in polarized optical microscopy and "plus" (+) patterns in depolarized light scattering (four lobes parallel to polarizer/analyzer axes) from a deeply quenched diblock copolymer melt with a cylindrical microstructure. Both of these features are similar to those found in nematic liquid crystalline polymers. In contrast, this same polymer sample exhibits a more conventional grain structure at shallower quench depths, characterized by an "X" pattern in depolarized light scattering (lobes at 45° to polarizer/ analyzer axes). A theoretical model is used to analyze the "plus" scattering patterns obtained from nematic textures in the single scattering limit. This model is used to quantify the nature of local correlations in our deeply quenched block copolymer melt. We show that the nematic texture is easy to align by shear flow while the granular structure is not.
Pharmaceuticals and medicare managed care: pharmacoeconomic considerations

This supplement includes papers from a conference titled "Pharmaceuticals and Medicare Managed Care: Pharmacoeconomic Considerations," held January 19-21, 1998, in Tucson, Arizona. The topic was selected because of the rapidly expanding enrollment of Medicare beneficiaries in managed care plans and the fact that the majority of these plans provide an outpatient prescription drug benefit. Although data indicating large disparities in satisfaction levels with Medicare health maintenance organizations (HMOs) are emerging, 1 the number of enrollees has increased by more than 100% since 1993, with 5 million individuals enrolled as of February 1997. 2 The implications of this shift for managed care organizations and the pharmaceutical industry have not been adequately explored. Enrollment in managed care plans by Medicare beneficiaries has been attractive partly because of the expanded services provided. In addition to the basic Medicare services, most of the managed care plans enrolling Medicare patients also provide some level of coverage for prescription drugs and preventive health services such as eye exams, routine physicals, and immunizations. Coverage for outpatient prescription drugs is especially appealing given that a majority of these costs are paid out of pocket by Medicare beneficiaries) It has been estimated that approximately 80% of HMOs with Medicare contracts offer outpatient prescription drug coverage and that most plans offering drug coverage use copayments, closed formulades, and/or annual dollar limits, or caps, to manage benefit costs. 4 However, prescription drug benefits for Medicare beneficiades are being eliminated or significantly reduced by some HMO plans. 5 Given that Medicare recipients account for a disproportionate share of total pharmaceutical expenditures, cost-effective prescription drug use in this population is essential. Questions being asked include: What are the procedures, programs, and policies that could be implemented to ensure access to and promote the appropriate use of prescription drugs by Medicare beneficiaries? How can the prescription
In-vitro activity of cefprozil (BMY 28100) and loracarbef (LY 163892) against pathogens obtained from middle ear fluid

We compared the in-vitro activities of cefprozil, a novel oral cephalosporin, and of loracarbef, a new oral carbacephem, with other agents against middle ear fluid isolates obtained from children with acute otitis media. These included Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Branhamella catarrhalis. Cefprozil activity (MIC50 and MIC90) against S. pneumoniae was 0.25 and 0.50 mg/l; against H. influenzae 8 and 16 mg/l; against B. catarrhalis 2 and 2 mg/l. Loracarbef activity (MIC50 and MIC90) against S. pneumoniae was 1 and 2 mg/l; against H. influenzae 8 and 16 mg/l; against B. catarrhalis 1 and 8 mg/l. Cefprozil was four-fold more active against S. pneumoniae than loracarbef but similar to amoxycillin, amoxycillin/clavulanate, cefaclor, cefixime, cefuroxime and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX). Against H. influenzae, cefprozil was similar to loracarbef and other agents through less active than TMP/SMX and cefixime. Against B. catarrhalis, cefprozil was four-fold more active than loracarbef, cefaclor and cefixime but similar to the comparative antibiotics. Cefprozil and loracarbef activities were unaffected at pH 6 and 8 or in the presence of human serum, but there was a major diminution of activity for both agents at pH 5 and at inoculum sizes greater than or equal to 10(7) cfu/ml. Cefoprozil and loracarbef have consistent activity against middle ear pathogens and further pharmacokinetic and clinical studies appear warranted.
Feasibility and effectiveness of a pilot health promotion program for adults with type 2 diabetes: lessons learned.

Purpose The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of an intense health promotion program in older adults with diabetes. The program combined individually prescribed and supervised exercise with nutrition and education programs on glycemic control and aerobic fitness. Methods Various recruitment and retention strategies were analyzed for effectiveness. Out of 28 potential subjects assessed for eligibility, 6 subjects with type 2 diabetes (2 male and 4 female; all white; age, 60.2 +/- 4.7 years) participated in the 10-week intervention. Aerobic and resistance exercise was performed on alternate days (3-4 days per week), with individualized nutrition counseling and diabetes health education sessions once weekly. The primary outcome measures were aerobic fitness and glycemic control (A1C), and secondary outcome measures included body mass index (BMI), self-efficacy, and symptoms of neuropathy. Changes in outcomes were assessed using descriptive statistics and paired t test analysis (alpha = .05). Results Following the intervention, subjects had improvements that approached significance in A1C and pain, with significant improvements in self-efficacy. Conclusions A systematic approach to analysis of feasibility revealed issues with recruitment and retention that would need to be addressed for future studies or clinical implementation of this program. However, for the subset of subjects who did complete the intervention, adherence was excellent, and satisfaction with the program was confirmed by exit interview comments. Following participation in this pilot health promotion program, subjects had meaningful improvements in glycemic control, pain, and self-efficacy.
The time-keeping anomaly of energy-saving sensors: Manifestation, solution, and a structural monitoring case study

Saving energy is one of the principal challenges in wireless sensor networks. Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) is often used to reduce energy consumption in systems where sleep is not an option. We show that changing the CPU frequency introduces sudden changes in clock behavior, thereby affecting the time-keeping functionality. This anomalous phenomenon is observed in different sensor platforms and causes a loss of time synchronization among nodes that is unacceptable to applications such as structural health monitoring that require tightly synchronized clocks over extended periods. The paper provides experimental measurements of the clock value shift anomaly in three widely used wireless sensor platforms and its impact on clock synchronization costs. A general framework balancing the need to save energy against the need to keep clocks synchronized is developed. Our system is implemented and evaluated on a network of sensors deployed on a truss bridge and running a high-fidelity structural health monitoring application. Experimental measurements confirm the efficacy of the solution in saving energy while maintaining an acceptable level of synchronization.
Neutralizing Antibodies to Adenylate Cyclase Toxin Promote Phagocytosis of Bordetella pertussis by Human Neutrophils

A previous study showed that opsonization with human immune serum could either promote or antagonize phagocytosis of Bordetella pertussis by human neutrophils depending on whether the bacteria expressed adenylate cyclase toxin. Opsonization of the wild-type strain inhibited phagocytosis relative to unopsonized controls. In contrast, mutants lacking adenylate cyclase toxin were efficiently phagocytosed when opsonized with human immune serum. In this study, we examined opsonization in the presence or absence of monoclonal antibodies to adenylate cyclase toxin. Addition of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to adenylate cyclase toxin converted a serum that previously inhibited both attachment and phagocytosis of the wild-type strain to one that increased both attachment and phagocytosis compared to the no-serum control. Monoclonal antibodies that recognize the adenylate cyclase toxin but fail to neutralize activity were without effect. These results suggest that adenylate cyclase toxin inhibits both Fc receptor-mediated attachment and phagocytosis of B. pertussis by neutrophils.
Improved efficacy of high-dose versus medium- and lowdose diltiazem therapy for chronic stable angina pectoris

Abstract The efficacy of therapy with diltiazem, 360 mg/day, was studied in 11 men with chronic, stable angina pectoris. An initial dose-titration schedule in which diltiazem was increased weekly from placebo to 120, 240 and 360 mg/day (Period I) was followed by a randomized, double-blind, 1-month crossover trial of placebo vs diltiazem at 360 mg/day (Period II). A computer-assisted treadmill exercise test was performed at the end of each dose and each 2-week crossover period. Diltiazem at 360 mg/day, compared with placebo (Period II), significantly improved exercise performance. Exercise duration to onset of chest pain increased 40% from 5.3 ± 2.1 to 7.4 ± 2.7 minutes (p
Type 2 Diabetes and Genetics, 2010: Translating Knowledge into Understanding

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is epidemic, but much has been learned about its molecular etiology in recent years. In this review, we present the substantial evidence for the contribution of genetic variation to the development of T2D that has accumulated over the past decade, emphasizing the respective contribution of candidate gene, linkage analysis, and genome-wide association approaches. We then discuss how this emerging knowledge is informing and reshaping the understanding of T2D biology and how, in the near term, genetics may be used clinically to identify individuals who are at risk of disease or who may derive benefit from specific treatment modalities. In the final section, we address common questions posed to T2D geneticists and highlight the future approaches that will continue to improve our understanding of T2D genetics.
Acute effects of tobacco smoking on blood flow in the cutaneous micro-circulation

Abstract An experimental model has been designed to help study the acute effects of tobacco smoking on the cutaneous micro-circulation. Arterioles in the nude mouse ear are directly visualised by intravital microscopy and the blood flow is quantified. Arteriolar vasoconstriction and decreased blood flow are seen in response to smoking. The implications of post-operative smoking for the patient undergoing flap surgery are discussed.
AMS-radiocarbon dating of organic-poor lake sediment, an example from Linnévatnet, Spitsbergen, Svalbard

AMS-radiocarbon dating of specific organic fractions is used to evaluate sources of errors in dating of organic-poor lake sediment from Linnevatnet, a proglacial arctic lake. Dates on un differentiated (bulk) organic matter are much too old because of contamination from detrital coal. Attempts to remove coal from other organic matter were only partially successful, a consequence of the wide grain-size distribution of the coal. Even if coal contamination is fully removed, the bulk of the remaining organic matter is of aquatic origin and is unsuitable for 14C dating because the lake waters are depleted in 14 C due to dissolution of carbonate minerals. Terrestrial plant macrofossils provide the only reliable material to date the lake sediment; however, this material is present in sufficient quantity for AMS-radiocarbon dating only in cores proximal to the main inlet streams. Paired dates on terrestrial plants and aquatic insects from the same core level and paired dates on modern aquatic and terrestrial vege...
772. Inhibition of Ovarian Tumor Growth Following Treatment with an Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus

Top of pageAbstract Background: Recombinant vaccinia virus is currently being explored as a potential replicating oncolytic virus for cancer virotherapy due to its exceptional ability to replicate in tumor cells. Vaccinia tropism is not limited to tumor tissues, but also other tissues including ovarian follicles, possibly due to the presence of angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We therefore investigated the utility of vaccinia virus as an oncolytic therapy in a murine model of ovarian cancer. Methods: A murine ovarian surface epithelial cell (MOSEC) line was employed for this model. Intraperitoneal inoculation of the MOSEC cell line leads to a highly malignant neoplasm containing both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components as well as production of hemorrhagic ascitic fluid. These mice were treated with a thymidine kinase (TK) and vaccinia growth factor (VGF) double-deleted virus with the cytokine deaminase (CD) gene inserted into the TK locus. This recombinant virus (vvddCD) was found to be equivalent to the native WR strain in tumor tropism with minimal systemic growth. Results: Following intraperitoneal (i.p.) inoculation with 7.5x106 cells, mice were treated with 109 pfu of the vvddCD strain of vaccinia virus i.p. on the same day (concurrent treatment). In vivo studies appeared to show complete inhibition of tumor growth as compared to the control group (median mouse weight with ascites at 88 days: 40.7+/-1.49 (control [n=10]) vs 27.43+/-1.12 (virus [n=10])) (p<0.01). Hemorrhagic ascites formation was completely abrogated through treatment with the virus. All untreated mice either died or were sacrificed due to overwhelming ascitic fluid burden by 94 days following tumor inoculation. Treatment with virus was able to prevent or delay establishment of tumor and/or ascitic fluid with all treated mice viable and healthy at 161 days. Delayed treatment strategies with injections of 109 pfu of vvddCD at thirty (30) or sixty (60) days post tumor cell inoculation again appeared to show significant inhibition of tumor growth compared to control. For the 30 day treatment group the median mouse weight with ascites at day 75 was 39.3+/-1.65 (control [n=10]) vs 29.87+/- 1.54 (virus [n=10])) (p<0.05). All control mice either died or were sacrificed by 88 days; for animals treated at 30 days, 90% were viable at 88 days. By day 105, 50% of the 30 day treatment group were still viable. For the 60 day treatment group, 50% of treated animals were viable at day 88. All animals in the 60 day treatment group died or were euthanized by day 125. Conclusions: Treatment with a double-deleted recombinant vaccinia virus has been demonstrated to either completely abrogate (concurrent treatment) or significantly inhibit (delayed treatment) tumor progression in a murine ovarian model. The therapeutic application of vaccinia vectors expressing recombinant gene products in ovarian cancer represents a potential avenue of use given its biological safety, tumor selectivity and oncolytic potential.
Turbulence in Imploding Cylindrical Electrostatic Ion-Acoustic Shocks

"Turbulent" electrostatic shocks with imploding cylindrical wave fronts were produced in a modified double-plasma device. The growth rate of turbulence is found to be less than for planar shocks produced in the same device. This behavior is attributed to the fact that for sufficiently small radii of curvature only cylindrically symmetric ion-acoustic modes will exhibit substantial growth while in the planar case maximum growth can occur for off-axis (three-dimensional) modes.
The effects of reduced caloric intake and increased insulin-induced caloric intake on the cell growth of muscle, liver, and cerebrum and on skeletal collagen in the postweanling rat.

Extract: Following weaning, Sprague Dawley rats were given 60% of a normal Purina chow intake until 7 weeks of age. There was a reduced DNA content in the cerebrum at 49 days of age. Previous failure to demonstrate reduced DNA content in rat brain during undernutrition could relate to preoccupation with whole brain analysis. The present study indicates that cerebral DNA increases in normal rats after weaning. The cell size or the ratio of protein: DNA increased in the muscle tissues of rats subjected to the caloric restriction, while the ratio of RNA: DNA increased in all tissues studied. These findings are contrary to those found in protein deficiency per se. Carcass weight, fat, and water were below expected levels, but skeletal collagen was less affected. Rats from 26 to 38 days of age, given an increased insulin-induced caloric intake, showed an excess weight gain per gram of food consumed per day and an excess growth of muscle and fat. In contrast, cerebral weight, water, protein, DNA, and RNA content were reduced possibly because of periodic hypoglycemia. Speculation: Following weaning, rats subjected to sustained caloric restriction have reduced cell numbers for age and are said not to reach expected cell populations on rehabilitation. With caloric restriction, growth hormone may no longer be effective at the cellular level, but insulin activity continues. Although the ratio of cytoplasm: nucleus is maintained, DNA replication is minimal. Alternatively, since DNA content in the cerebrum decreases, hypothalamic or acidophilic cells may be lost, and growth hormone production may be insufficient for adequate DNA replication and somatic growth. When protein is restricted, the failure of cells to increase in size may be associated with atrophy of the pancreas and a decrease in insulin production.
Etched castings: An improved retentive mechanism for resin-bonded retainers

Summary A technique was described for a retentive mechanism that etches the inner side of cast fixed partial denture frameworks. The etched metal ceramometal restoration was then bonded to the enamel surface utilizing the technique for acid etching enamel. Improved resin-bonded retainers provide innovative, conservative, and viable alternatives to traditional fixed prosthodontics.
Varying the wear time of the methylphenidate transdermal system in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

ABSTRACT Objective: Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder often have varying needs for coverage of their symptoms throughout the day. The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy, duration of action, and safety of methylphenidate transdermal system worn for variable times by children (ages 6-12) diagnosed with ADHD. Method: Methylphenidate dose was optimized over 5 weeks using 10-, 15-, 20-, or 30-mg patches worn for 9 hours. The efficacy of 4- and 6-hour wear times was then assessed in an Analog Classroom setting during a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, three-way crossover phase. The main efficacy measures were the Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn, and Pelham Rating Scale deportment scale and the Permanent Product Measure of Performance math test. Results: All of the efficacy measures indicated that 4- and 6-hour wear times improved ADHD symptoms and that medication effects on the Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn, and Pelham Rating Scale deportment scale and Permanent Product Measure of Performance math test decreased between 2 and 4 hours after patch removal. The majority of adverse events were transient and mild to moderate in severity. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the duration of medication effect is related to the wear time of the patch and may be tailored to accommodate the schedules of patients.
Rod‐like polyelectrolyte adsorption onto charged surfaces in monovalent and divalent salt solutions

We analyze the adsorption of strongly charged polyelectrolytes onto weakly charged surfaces in divalent salt solutions. We include short-range attractions between the monomers and the surface and between condensed ions and monomers, as well correlations among the condensed ions. Our results are compared with the adsorption in monovalent salt solutions. Different surface charge densities (σ), and divalent (m) and monovalent (s) salt concentrations are considered. When the Wigner-Seitz cells diameter (2R) is larger than the length of the rod, the maximum amount of adsorption scales like nmax ∼ σ4/3 in both monovalent and divalent solutions. For homogeneously charged surfaces, the maximum adsorption occurs at s* ∼ σ2 when s* > ϕ, where ϕ is the monomer concentration, the counterpart for divalent salt solution, m* roughly scales as σ2.2 when m* > ϕ. The effective surface charge density has a maximum absolute value at m′ < m*. A discrete surface charge distribution and short-range attractions between monomers and surface charge groups can greatly enhance surface charge inversion especially for high salt concentration. The critical salt concentration for adsorption in divalent salt solution roughly scales as mc ∼ bσ1.9, where b is the distance between two neighboring charged monomers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3642–3653, 2004
A trusted web services assessment model based on six dimensional QoS framework and end-to-end monitoring

To objectively assess quality of Web services, we propose a six-dimensional QoWS framework which includes expected QoWS, agreed QoWS, delivered QoWS, perceived QoWS, transmitted QoWS, and statistic QoWS. Then a new style Web services assessment model is presented. It consists of SLA (service level agreement) register module, monitor module and assess module. Agreed QoWS is described in SLA and declared to SLA Register. SNMP (simple network management protocol) -based monitor respectively captures delivered QoWS, perceived QoWS, and transmitted QoWS. In a comprehensive assessment method, agreed QoWS acts as a reference point against which delivered QoWS and perceived QoWS respectively represent the relative quality of the given service deliver. Additionally, statistic QoWS is computed periodically and represents the long-term quality of the given service.
Evaluating the complex chronic pain patient

The evaluation of the complex chronic pain patient should be different than for the patient with a simple pain problem. The former requires a team approach. It is important that the neurosurgeon contemplating a pain-relieving operation get the best information that is likely to have an impact on outcome. This should include the following: 1. Some way to extract the appropriate information contained in the patient's medical records. 2. Physical factors that have a negative impact on prognosis. 3. Psychologic information, including return-to-work decisions, medication use issues, meaning of prior successes, negative environmental factors, codependency issues, secondary gains and their impact, presence of pain games, negatively acting financial considerations, impact of depression, presence of poor role models, impact of pain on general functioning, and the patient's future plans. Consider that just like a successful operation is a symphony of relatively simple harmonious parts, so, too, is the assessment of the complex chronic pain patient. The complexity of the patient and her or his predicament should not impair your ability to understand her or his real needs. The appropriate assessment of the patient requires that issues other than the pain itself be factored into the decisions about interventions. In the end, it is not appropriate to suggest afterward that psychosocial factors were the major cause for a poor result when nothing had been done about the same factors that had been present before the procedure.
A Hybrid Real-Time System for Fault Detection and Sensor Fusion Based on Conventional Fuzzy Clustering Approach

Multiple sensor integration and fusion is essential to increasing sensor accuracy and reliability in control systems. Most popular fusion methods depend on the sensors models and signals statistics, where a previous knowledge about the sensors is required 21s in Kalman filtering based approaches. In this paper, an efficient new hybrid approach for multiple sensor fusion and fault detection is proposed, addressing the problem with multiple faults in different directions, which is based on conventional fuzzy soft clustering, and requires no prior knowledge or information about the used sensors. The proposed hybrid approach consists of two main phases. In the first phase a single fuser for the input sensor signals is generated using the fuzzy clustering c-means algorithm. In the second phase a fault detector was generated based on the artificial immune system (AIS)
The Relationship Between Sex Roles, Fertility, and Family Size Preferences

Interview data collected from a sample of 583 currently married women living in Los Angeles county in Calinornia was used to assess the impact of sex role attitudes and behavior on fertility and the impact of fertility on sex role attitudes and behavior. 61% of the respondents were Anglos 23% were Hispanic and 9% were black. Correlation analysis was performed separately for each racial grouping and path analysis was applied to the data obtained from Anglo respondents. Correlation analysis revealed that 1) the relationship between sex roles and fertility was not strong; 2) the relationship was strongest among blacks and weakest among Hispanics; 3) sex role attitudes for blacks were more closely related to fertility than sex role behavior within the family; and 4) past and present employment was closely related to fertility for all 3 groups. Path analysis revealed that Anglowomen with more traditional attitudes wanted more children than those with non-traditional attitudes but that women who performed most of the housework in their families desired fewer children than those women who shared housework with their husbands. For Anglo women the number of children they currently had had a strong influence on the number of children they desired to have. The number of children they had also had an influence on sex role attitudes and behavior.
The Use of Effective Contraception among Young Hispanic Women: The Role of Acculturation

Purpose Culture may play an important role in contraceptive preference among young Hispanic women. We examined whether acculturation predicted the use of different contraceptives, grouped by level of efficacy in preventing pregnancy.
Bovine hemoglobin (glutamer-250, Hemopure)-specific immunoglobulin G antibody cross-reacts with human hemoglobin but does not lyse red blood cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Bovine hemoglobin (Hb)-based oxygen carrier (HbOC-201; Hb glutamer-250, Hemopure, Biopure Corp.) is a blood replacement and augmentation drug that increases oxygen-carrying capacity of circulating blood in patients with anemia and acute blood loss. The objective of this study was to assess the biologic significance (cross-reactivity, hemolysis) of humoral immune responses in humans receiving repetitive HbOC-201 administrations. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum samples containing immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-HbOC-201 (n = 146) or no antibody (n = 16) were collected from subjects receiving HbOC-201 in clinical studies. IgG anti-HbOC-201 levels were quantified and the extent of cross-reactivity to human hemoglobin (HuHb) was assessed in direct-binding and competitive-inhibition immunoassays. Serum samples containing the highest levels of IgG anti-HbOC-201 were studied in a complement-mediated hemolysis assay for their ability to lyse human red cells (RBCs). RESULTS: The IgG anti-HbOC-201 levels in the antibody-positive serum samples ranged from 0.7 to 86.8 μg per mL. Of the 146 IgG anti-HbOC-201–positive serum samples, 88.4 percent contained IgG antibodies whose binding to solid-phase HbOC-201 was competitively inhibited by incubation with soluble HuHb (11.6% [ 81% inhibition]). Direct-binding analysis to solid-phase HuHb confirmed that 74 percent contained IgG antibodies reactive with HuHb. Dichotomous competitive inhibition and direct-binding IgG anti-HuHb data correlated significantly (r2 = 0.77, p < 0.001). Serum samples with the highest levels of IgG anti-HuHb, as identified from clinical studies, did not lyse human RBCs in the presence of exogenous complement or induce the direct sensitization of RBCs with human IgG or complement. CONCLUSION: These analyses indicate that HbOC-201 administration elicits IgG antibodies in humans that react with bovine and HuHb, but do not cause hemolysis in vitro.
Measurement of the Dielectric Properties of Wyoming Soils Using Electromagnetic Sensors

We developed soil-specific calibrations for a time domain reflectometry (TDR) sensor, a water content reflectometer (WCR), and an impedance sensor for 19 soil moisture monitoring sites in Wyoming. The main objective was to calibrate the WCR sensors that form a statewide distributed soil moisture network. A secondary objective was to use the TDR and impedance sensor data to better understand the WCR readings. All calibrations were conducted in the laboratory by mixing different amounts of water in the soils to obtain a range of soil water contents and by packing the soils in a bucket. The observed apparent permittivity as a function of soil water content was relatively high for the WCR and impedance sensors (up to 187 and 150% higher, respectively, than TDR). This was attributed to the relatively low operating frequency ( 0.643) were developed for the WCR and impedance sensors that relate the slope of the soil water content vs. permittivity relationship to the bulk soil EC (WCR and impedance sensors) or the imaginary permittivity (impedance sensor).
Computer Assistance in Experimental Area Operations at the ZGS

An on-line computer system is being used to monitor and control various devices. Progress has been continual although slow at times. Our primary difficulties have been in interfacing to a variety of devices which were brought into existence without thought of digital control or monitoring. Efficient use of a computer clearly requires considerable preplanning of the hardware that is to be attached and a thorough understanding of the operation of the hardware in order to implement useful software. One should expect to expend considerable programming effort.
Psychotic ideation and receipt of government entitlements among homeless persons in New York City.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared changes in receipt of government entitlements by homeless persons with and without psychotic ideation in New York City between January 1997 and July 1998, a period characterized by changing state government policies and greater bureaucratic monitoring of eligibility. METHODS: In conjunction with an experimental study of the efficacy of social work services provided to homeless persons in Manhattan by a mobile medical van, 25 persons who were assessed as having experienced psychotic ideation in the previous year and 134 nonpsychotic persons were followed up after four months to identify changes in their receipt of Medicaid benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), food stamps, and home relief (state welfare for single persons). The social work intervention was designed to help eligible clients gain access to entitlements and substance abuse treatment. RESULTS: The proportion of clients with psychotic ideation who received Med...
Phase I trial of a Toll-like receptor 9 agonist, PF-3512676 (CPG 7909), in patients with treatment-refractory, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Background Mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome are a class of lymphomas of skin-trafficking T cells, and they are the most common forms of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome are chronic, frequently incurable diseases with limited therapeutic options. PF-3512676 (formerly CPG 7909) is a Toll-like receptor 9 agonist that is being investigated for treatment of patients with advanced cancer. Objective This study was conducted to determine the safety and tolerability of single-agent PF-3512676 in patients with CTCL. Methods In this phase I dose-escalation study, patients (N = 28) with treatment-refractory, stage IB to IVA CTCL were enrolled in 6 sequential cohorts and treated with PF-3512676 (0.08, 0.16, 0.24, 0.28, 0.32, or 0.36 mg/kg) administered as 24 weekly subcutaneous injections. Primary end points were safety and tolerability. Results Common adverse events (fatigue, rigors, injection-site reactions, myalgia, lymphopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and pyrexia) were mostly grade 1 or 2, and no patient developed specific symptoms associated with autoimmune disease. Clinical response rate to PF-3512676, as determined by both Composite Assessment of Index Lesion Severity and Physician Global Assessment, was 32% (3 complete clinical responses, 6 partial responses); the majority of responses (7/9; 78%) were ongoing at the end of study. Limitations This trial was not designed to rigorously assess efficacy. Conclusion Single-agent PF-3512676 was well tolerated and demonstrated antitumor activity in patients with refractory CTCL.
Teaching Inventory Management Simulation Using E-Learning Software: Blackboard, Elluminate Live!, and Jing

Introducing the nuances of inventory manage- ment systems to undergraduate business students can be a daunting task. Beyond the traditional focus of the selection of order quantity and reorder point lie more murky consid- erations such as the impact that stockout cost and supplier selection have on these key parameters, including profit. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how students can cultivate insights of business simulation settings through easy-to-run, downloadable Excel spreadsheet templates from within their Blackboard-driven course website beyond merely grinding out "answers." This paper shows not only how the simulation templates are employed but also how students can use them to self-correct problems they might encounter during the learning process, how to examine more subtle issues, and how the instructor can use online software to guide students in real time, regardless of the dis- tance that may separate them. Further, while these interac- tions are taking place, a video software file can be made to memorialize the online learning and can be easily uploaded to the student for their later use should they wish to practice the process. A hypothetical case example of AT&T's man- agement of the Apple iPhone inventory is used to illustrate the process.
Analytical Solution for a Pressurized Thick-Walled Spherical Shell Based on a Simplified Strain Gradient Elasticity Theory

The problem of a pressurized thick-walled spherical shell is analytically solved using a simplified strain gradient elasticity theory. The closed-form solution derived contains a material length scale parameter and can account for microstructural effects, which qualitatively differs from Lame’s solution in classical elasticity. When the strain gradient effect (a measure of the underlying material microstructure) is not considered, the newly derived strain gradient elasticity solution reduces to Lame’s classical elasticity solution. To illustrate the new solution, a sample problem with specified geometrical parameters, pressure values and material properties is solved. The numerical results reveal that the magnitudes of both the radial and tangential stress components in the shell wall given by the current strain gradient solution are smaller than those given by Lame’s solution. Also, it is quantitatively shown that microstructural effects can be large and Lame’s solution may not be accurate for materials ...
A performance evaluation of RAID architectures

In today's computer systems, the disk I/O subsystem is often identified as the major bottleneck to system performance. One proposed solution is the so called redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID). We examine the performance of two of the most promising RAID architectures, the mirrored array and the rotated parity array. First, we propose several scheduling policies for the mirrored array and a new data layout, group-rotate declustering, and compare their performance with each other and in combination with other data layout schemes. We observe that a policy that routes reads to the disk with the smallest number of requests provides the best performance, especially when the load on the I/O system is high. Second, through a combination of simulation and analysis, we compare the performance of this mirrored array architecture to the rotated parity array architecture. This latter study shows that: 1) given the same storage capacity (approximately double the number of disks), the mirrored array considerably outperforms the rotated parity array; and 2) given the same number of disks, the mirrored array still outperforms the rotated parity array in most cases, even for applications where I/O requests are for large amounts of data. The only exception occurs when the I/O size is very large; most of the requests are writes, and most of these writes perform full stripe write operations.
Higher order mode analysis of the APT superconducting cavities

In another contribution to this conference the design of superconducting cavities for low velocity proton beams will be reported. Besides an optimization of the rf properties of the accelerating /spl pi/-mode, other modes, possibly excited by the traversing proton beam, need to be regarded. The full spectrum of modes in /spl beta/=0.64 and /spl beta/=0.825-cell cavities, as proposed for the Accelerator Production of Tritium (APT) facility, has been calculated up to frequencies higher than 2.0 GHz. These have been evaluated for their potential to affect the beam. The presence of "trapped" modes has also been investigated. In addition to the specific mode spectrum, the total power deposited into the cavities by the beam has been determined from the induced wake-fields. Due to the operation with beams below the velocity of light, extreme care was required to prevent incorrect results by wave reflections from the boundaries of the calculation volume. The simulations indicate that a power deposition of up to 17 W per cavity can be expected in the worst case. This power might have to be removed by higher order mode couplers, which is a technically feasible task. Transporting this power out to a room temperature dump does not even noticeably increase the requirements to the cryogenic system. Also for the prevention of beam break-up effects and for suppression of resonant excitation of specific higher order modes (HOMs) it is of interest to investigate the removal of this HOM-power. Different approaches to implement this removal technically are entertained.
Repeat Revascularization After PCI Are We Reinventing the Wheel or Redefining Achilles’ Heel?

In the modern era of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), drug-eluting stents are commonly used to reduce the risk of restenosis.1 With the development of second-generation drug-eluting stents, there has been a significant reduction in the incidence of restenosis with rates ranging from 6% to 10% in most clinical trials,2 with emerging evidence for a reduction in late myocardial infarction (MI). Numerically, the rate of clinical restenosis is now close to the rate of MI, 1 to 2 years after a PCI.1 However, among patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) there remains uncertainty regarding the risk of restenosis, stent thrombosis (ST), and possible late MI.3 Interventional cardiologists are, therefore, faced with a dilemma in trading off the various risks of adverse events (such as the need for repeat revascularization and periprocedural MI) during decision-making for the most appropriate use of PCI. Article see p 772 In this issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions , Stolker and colleagues4 report on the use and need for repeat revascularization in a large contemporary registry. The EVENT Registry was a prospective observational registry designed to study PCI in clinical practice in 55 US centers. A total of 10,144 patients were included; ≈5%, ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); 40% other acute coronary syndromes; and 49% with stable CAD. Analysis of 4 main outcomes was undertaken; ST, target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization, or other vessel revascularization. TLR was defined as repeat PCI or bypass graft placement for restenosis at the lesion treated during index PCI, or occurring within 5 mm of the PCI site (edge effect) as determined clinically by the investigator at each site. Target vessel revascularization …
Polarization Resolved Near-IR Imaging of Sound and Carious Dental Enamel

A thorough understanding of how polarized near-IR light is reflected from and transmitted through sound and carious dental hard tissues is important for the development of optical imaging devices. New optical imaging tools employing non-ionizing radiation are needed for the detection and assessment of dental caries. In this investigation, an automated system was developed to collect images for the full 16-element Mueller Matrix. The polarized light was controlled by linear polarizers and liquid crystal retarders and the 36 images were acquired as the polarized near-IR light is reflected from the occlusal surface or transmitted through thin sections of extracted human whole teeth. Previous near-IR imaging studies suggest that polarization imaging can be exploited to obtain higher contrast images of early dental caries due to the rapid depolarization of incident polarized light by the highly scattering areas of decay. In this study, the reflectance from tooth occlusal surfaces with demineralization and transmitted light through tooth thin sections with caries lesions were investigated. Major differences in the Mueller matrix elements were observed in both sound and demineralized enamel. This study suggests that polarization resolved optical imaging could be exploited to obtain higher contrast images of dental decay.
Classification of multispectral images based on fractions of endmembers: Application to land-cover change in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract Four time-sequential Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images of an area of Amazon forest, pasture, and second growth near Manaus, Brazil were classified according to dominant ground cover, using a new technique based on fractions of spectral endmembers. A simple four-endmember model consisting of reflectance spectra of green vegetation, nonphotosynthetic vegetation, soil, and shade was applied to all four images. Fractions of endmembers were used to define seven categories, each of which consisted of one or more classes of ground cover, where class names were based on field observations. Endmember fractions varied over time for many pixels, reflecting processes operating on the ground such as felling of forest, or regrowth of vegetation in previously cleared areas. Changes in classes over time were used to establish superclasses which grouped pixels having common histories. Sources of classification error were evaluated, including system noise, endmember variability, and low spectral contrast. Field work during each of the four years showed consistently high accuracy in per-image classification. Classification accuracy in any one year was improved by considering the multiyear context. Although the method was tested in the Amazon basin, the results suggest that endmember classification may be generally useful for comparing multispectral images in space and time.
External phase autozero loop to extend the voltage and/or current capabilities of a digital phase standard

After reviewing the phase autozero concept used in existing phase standards the authors demonstrate how to extend the technique so as to include an external voltage amplifier and/or an external current amplifier within an external phase autozero loop. A suitably configured phase verification bridge is used as the output phase measuring device in all external cases. The calibration of voltage and current sampling circuits is discussed, and the results for several practical systems are presented. In one case, the available voltage from the phase-controlled system is extended from 100 V RMS to 350 V RMS while the available output current is increased from 15 mA to 7.5 A. This system operates satisfactorily from 50 Hz to at least 5000 Hz. In another case, the system is used for phase measurements of a 50-ohm load at 50 kHz and 90 kHz with an output combination of 40 V and 800 mA (32 W). In all cases, the accuracy of the phase standard is maintained. >
Predicting Bankruptcy After The Sarbanes-Oxley Act Using Logit Analysis

Our study proposes firm bankruptcy prediction using logit analysis a fter the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act using 2008-2009 U.S. data. The results of our logit analysis show an 80% (90% with one year before bankruptcy data) prediction accuracy rate using financial and other data from the 10-K report in the post-SOX period. This prediction rate is comparable to other data mining tools. Overall, our results show that, as compared to the prediction rates documented by other bankruptcy studies before SOX, firm bankruptcy prediction rates have improved since the passage of SOX. Our findings shed light on the benefits of SOX by providing evidence that legislation makes the financial reporting more informative. This study is important for regulators to implement public policy. Investors may be interested in our findings to better assess company risk when making portfolio decisions.
The Changing Role of the High Court of Australia

In this paper, we examine several aspects of the High Court of Australia and demonstrate the changing nature of this tribunal. Specifically, in three separate sections, we examine the agenda-setting role of the Court, the decision-making process, and policy trends.
Minimally invasive surgery and sphincter preservation in rectal cancer.

Abstract Background National adoption of sphincter-preserving surgery (SPS) and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has not been well documented. We examined national trends in use of SPS and MIS. Materials and methods The National Inpatient Sample was used to evaluate open, laparoscopic, and robotic low anterior resection (LAR) or abdominoperineal resection (APR) for patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery from 2009 to 2011. Trends in SPS and MIS were stratified by hospital volume. Propensity score matching was used. Results A total of 24,999 (62.0%) patients underwent LAR, and 15,288 (38.0%) underwent APR from 2009 to 2011. A total of 22,310 (89.2%) LARs were open and 2689 (10.8%) MIS. A total of 11,600 (75.9%) APRs were open and 3688 (24.1%) MIS. Most procedures were at high-volume centers. In propensity-matched analysis, length of stay for LAR was longer in open surgery (6 versus 5 d; P = 0.01); in APR, MIS patients were less likely to have wound, infectious, urinary, and gastrointestinal complications, and length of stay was shorter (6 versus 8 d; P Conclusions SPS and MIS rates have increased nationally, especially in high-volume centers. In addition, the perioperative benefits seen in randomized clinical trials are maintained in a national database. Further studies should focus on understanding differences in survival and oncologic outcomes with MIS techniques.