cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of Information Technology to Clinical Trial Evaluation and Enrollment: A Review.

Importance: As cancer treatment has become more individualized, oncologic clinical trials have become more complex. Increasingly numerous and stringent eligibility criteria frequently include tumor molecular or genomic characteristics that may not be readily identified in medical records, rendering it difficult to best match clinical trials with clinical sites and to identify potentially eligible patients once a clinical trial has been selected and activated. Partly because of these factors, enrollment rates for cancer clinical trials remain low, creating delays and increased costs for drug development. Information technology (IT) platforms have been applied to the implementation and conduct of clinical trials to improve efficiencies in several medical fields, and these platforms have recently been introduced to oncologic studies. Observations: This review summarizes cancer and noncancer studies that used IT platforms for assistance with clinical trial site selection, patient recruitment, and patient screening. The review does not address the use of IT in other aspects of clinical research, such as wearable physical activity monitors or telehealth visits. A large number of IT platforms (which may be patient facing, site or investigator facing, or sponsor facing) are now commercially available. These applications use artificial intelligence and/or natural language processing to identify and summarize protocol eligibility criteria, institutional patient populations, and individual electronic health records. Although there is an expanding body of literature examining the role of this technology, relatively few studies to date have been performed in oncologic settings. Conclusions and Relevance: This review found that an increasing number and variety of IT platforms were available to assist in the planning and conduct of clinical trials. Because oncologic clinical care and clinical trial protocols are particularly complex, nuanced, and individualized, published experience with this technology in other fields may not be fully applicable to cancer settings. The extent to which these services will overcome ongoing and increasing challenges in cancer clinical research remains unclear.
Antioxidant Properties of Plant Flavonoids

Natural antioxidants have been isolated from various plants. They are usually phenolic or polyphenolic compounds. The most important single group of phenolics in food are flavonoids, which consist mainly of flavones, flavanones, flavonols, flavanonols, isoflavones, flavanols, anthocyanidins and their glycosides. Although flavanols, also called catechins, seem to be widely distributed in plants, they are rich only in tea leaves, where catechins may constitute up to 30% of dry leaf weight. The antioxidative properties of green and black teas and their respective catechin constituents are well documented. Flavones, flavonols, isoflavones, and their glycosides also occur widely in the plant kingdom. Their structural variation and distribution have been the subject of several comprehensive reviews in recent years. It has been estimated that humans consuming high fruit and vegetable diets ingest up to 1 g of these compounds daily. Many of the flavones, flavonols, and isoflavones have strong antioxidant activity.
Assessment of the pharmacology and tolerability of PF-04457845, an irreversible inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase-1, in healthy subjects.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase-1 (FAAH1) and the subsequent elevation of fatty acid amides has been proposed as a strategy to induce the analgesic properties of cannabinoids without the accompanying negative side effects such as impairment in cognition, motor control and predisposition to psychoses. PF-04457845 is a potent and selective irreversible FAAH1 inhibitor which has been shown to elevate fatty acid amide concentrations in animal models and induce responses in behavioural models suggestive of analgesia. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • This study is the first to investigate a FAAH1 inhibitor in humans. PF-04457845 is well tolerated following single and multiple dosing to healthy volunteers and has pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties that make nearly complete inhibition of FAAH1 possible with once daily dosing. AIMS To evaluate the pharmacology and tolerability of PF-04457845, an orally available fatty acid amide hydrolase-1 (FAAH1) inhibitor, in healthy subjects. METHODS Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled single and multiple rising dose studies and an open-label, randomized, food effect study were conducted. Plasma and urine PF-04457845 concentrations, plasma fatty acid amide concentrations and FAAH1 activity in human leucocytes were measured. Tolerability, including effects on cognitive function, were assessed. RESULTS PF-04457845 was rapidly absorbed (median tmax 0.5–1.2 h). Exposure increased supraproportionally to dose from 0.1 to 10 mg and proportionally between 10 and 40 mg single doses. The pharmacokinetics appeared dose proportional following 14 days once daily dosing between 0.5 and 8 mg. Steady-state was achieved by day 7. Less than 0.1% of the dose was excreted in urine. Food had no effect on PF-04457845 pharmacokinetics. FAAH1 activity was almost completely inhibited (>97%) following doses of at least 0.3 mg (single dose) and 0.5 mg once daily (multiple dose) PF-04457845. Mean fatty acid amide concentrations increased (3.5- to 10-fold) to a plateau and then were maintained following PF-04457845. FAAH1 activity and fatty acid amide concentrations returned to baseline within 2 weeks following cessation of dosing at doses up to 4 mg. There was no evidence of effects of PF-04457845 on cognitive function. PF-04457845, at doses up to 40 mg single dose and 8 mg once daily for 14 days, was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS PF-04457845 was well tolerated at doses exceeding those required for maximal inhibition of FAAH1 activity and elevation of fatty acid amides.
Chapter 10 – Total Energy Expenditure of Free-Living Humans can be Estimated with the Doubly Labeled Water Method

This chapter describes the theory of the 2 H 2 18 O method, its assumptions, the analytical procedures and equations used in its calculation, and its validity compared to the energy balance method and indirect calorimetry when measuring the total energy expenditure (TEE) of humans. The 2 H 2 18 O method is validated as an accurate method for estimation of TEE in small mammals and birds. In spite of the violation of many of the assumptions associated with the isotope method, with proper corrections, TEE estimated by the 2 H 2 18 O method has proven accurate against TEE estimated by energy balance and indirect calorimetry in infants, children, and adults.The isotope method, being noninvasive, nonrestrictive, and does not expose the subjects to radiation, the 2 H 2 18 O method is considered as the method of choice by the nutrition community for the estimation of energy requirements during infancy, growth, pregnancy, and lactation.
The Minnesota Heart Health Program. Education for youth and parents

Within the Minnesota Heart Health Program, all schools have participated in these programs and most have been incorporated as part of the regular school curriculum. The involvement of parents in youth programs has been challenging, but we view it as essential to making significant changes. Further, a program with appropriate underlying behavioral theory and community involvement can be successful. Such efforts seem critical to primary prevention of cardiovascular disease risk and subsequent disease in a culture where these diseases are common.
Follicular dendritic cells and the persistence of HIV infectivity: The role of antibodies and Fcγ receptors

Large quantities of HIV are found trapped on the surface of follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), and virus persists on these cells until they ultimately die. We recently found that FDCs maintain HIV infectivity for long periods in vivo and in vitro. Because FDCs trap Ags (and virus) in the form of immune complexes and are rich in FcgammaRs, we reasoned that Ab and FcgammaRs may be required for FDC-mediated maintenance of HIV infectivity. To investigate this hypothesis, HIV immune complexes were formed in vitro and incubated for increasing times with or without FDCs, after which the remaining infectious virus was determined by HIV-p24 production in rescue cultures. FDCs maintained HIV infectivity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner but required the presence of specific Ab for this activity regardless of whether laboratory-adapted or primary X4 and R5 isolates were tested. In addition, Abs against either virally or host-encoded proteins on the virion permitted FDC-mediated maintenance of HIV infectivity. We found that the addition of FDCs to HIV immune complexes at the onset of culture gave optimal maintenance of infectivity. Moreover, blocking FDC-FcgammaRs or killing the FDCs dramatically reduced their ability to preserve virus infectivity. Finally, FDCs appeared to decrease the spontaneous release of HIV-1 gp120, suggesting that FDC-virus interactions stabilize the virus particle, thus contributing to the maintenance of infectivity. Therefore, optimal maintenance of HIV infectivity requires both Ab against particle-associated determinants and FDC-FcgammaRs.
A randomized trial of Lactobacillus acidophilus BG2FO4 to treat lactose intolerance

Background Lactose intolerance is the most common disorder of intestinal carbohydrate digestion. Lactobacillus acidophilus BG2FO4 is a strain of lactobacilli with properties of marked intestinal adherence and high beta-galactosidase activity. Objective This study was designed to determine whether oral feeding of Lactobacillus acidophilus BG2FO4 leads to a lactose-tolerant state. Design We studied 42 subjects with self-reported lactose intolerance and performed breath-hydrogen tests to determine whether they were lactose maldigesters. Subjects with established lactose maldigestion (n = 24) were invited to be randomly assigned to an omeprazole-treated (hypochlorhydric) group or a non-omeprazole-treated group, but 6 subjects chose not to participate. All randomly assigned subjects (n = 18) ingested Lactobacillus acidophilus BG2FO4 twice per day for 7 d and stool samples were collected. Breath-hydrogen tests were performed and symptom scores were recorded at baseline and after lactobacilli ingestion. Results Lactose maldigestion was established in 24 of 42 subjects (57%) with self-reported lactose intolerance. In 18 lactose-maldigesting subjects, overall hydrogen production and symptom scores after ingestion of Lactobacillus acidophilus BG2FO4 were not significantly different from baseline values. Live Lactobacillus acidophilus BG2FO4 was recovered in stool samples from 7 subjects. Conclusions Lactose intolerance is overreported in subjects with gastrointestinal symptoms after lactose ingestion. Treatment of lactose-maldigesting subjects with and without hypochlorhydria with Lactobacillus acidophilus BG2FO4 for 7 d failed to change breath-hydrogen excretion significantly after lactose ingestion.
Comparison of the nutritional status of pregnant adolescents with adult pregnant women. II. Anthropometric and dietary findings

Weight, triceps and subscapular skinfold measurements, and mean intakes of 11 nutrients and calories were evaluated for 102 pregnant women in four age groups. The increase in weight during the antepartum period was the only significant finding for anthropometric measurements. Comparison of antepartum group means showed the two younger groups, 12-17 and 18-19 years, had higher intakes of calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus, and iron than the two older groups, 20-24 and 25-32. The two older groups had higher mean intakes of vitamin A, thiamin, niacin, and ascorbic acid, most of them significantly so. In the postpartum period, there were no significant differences among age groups for mean intakes of calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, or phosphorus. The two older groups had the higher mean intakes of the remaining nutrients. There were no significant differences among age groups for any of the nutrients with respect to level of education. Regardless of age, the subjects attending the low-cost clinic had a mean intake of iron significantly higher than those having private physicians, while the latter had a mean ascorbic acid intake significantly higher than that of the clinic group.
Wppsi-r aDministration, Clerical, and Scoring Errors By Student Examiners:

The purpose of this study was to examine the most frequent clerical and scoring errors made by student examiners who administer the WPPSI-R. Besides reporting the various types of errors made, a further goal was to document the impact of these errors on the obtained IQ values. Also, because WPPSI-R items taken by a particular child may be partially determined by that child's age, an analysis of these errors by age group was performed.
Coherence effects in synchronously pumped mode‐locked dye lasers

A formalism is developed for describing the evolution of picosecond mode‐locked pulses in synchronously pumped dye lasers. The finite phase memory of the molecular wave functions is included, and it is found that the resultant coherence effects can be dominant for operation close to exact synchrony. Considerations of the isotropic molecular orientational distribution and the finite vibrational relaxation times are also essential in obtaining quantitative agreement with experimental results.
Literacy Level and Vocational Training for Substance-Using Hispanic Adults.

The Hispanic population has become the largest ethnic minority group in the United States. To successfully incorporate this population in adult vocational training, social service, and health programs, it is essential that programs design and implement materials at a reading level appropriate for the population served. This study determines the reading level in a population of Hispanic adult substance users receiving HIV prevention services in Long Beach, California. One hundred seven Spanish speakers were administered the Spanish Reading Comprehension Test. Spanish reading ability was determined to be at the third grade level for this sample. Results suggest that substance-using subpopulations of Spanish speakers in the Southwest United States face considerable language and literacy barriers. Findings have implications for adult vocational training as well as social service and health programs that include Hispanic subpopulations, and highlight the importance of designing materials that do not exceed the reading abilities of target populations.
ICS 205-930 and feeding responses to amino acid imbalance: a peripheral effect?

Abstract Serotonin 3 (5-HT 3 ) receptor antagonists (ICS 205-930 and MDL 72222) have been shown to block or ameliorate the anorectic response of the rat to amino acid imbalanced (IMB) diets. Two experiments were conducted to determine whether the effects of these antagonists are mediated through central or peripheral 5-HT 3 receptors. In Experiment One, ICS 205-930 (ICS) was injected centrally, into either the lateral ventricle (doses: 0.3 pmol to 10 nmol), or the cisterna magna (62 nmol). The intake of rats fed an isoleucine IMB diet was not affected by these injections. In Experiment Two, rats received an IP injection of either saline, ICS, or a quaternized derivative of ICS (Q-ICS) that should not cross the blood-brain barrier. Both ICS- and Q-ICS-injected rats ate significantly more ( p p >0.4) between ICS and Q-ICS groups. From these results, it appears that ICS restores intake of IMB through a peripheral component.
A new flexible coupler for earth system modeling developed for CCSM4 and CESM1

The Community Climate System Model (CCSM) has been developed over the last decade, and it is used to understand past, present, and future climates. The latest versions of the model, CCSM4 and CESM1, contain totally new coupling capabilities in the CPL7 coupler that permit additional flexibility and extensibility to address the challenges involved in earth system modeling. The CPL7 coupling architecture takes a completely new approach with respect to the high-level design of the system. CCSM4 now contains a top-level driver that calls model component initialize, run, and finalize methods through specified interfaces. The top-level driver allows the model components to be placed on relatively arbitrary hardware processor layouts and run sequentially, concurrently, or mixed. Improvements have been made to the memory and performance scaling of the coupler to support much higher resolution configurations. CCSM4 scales better to higher processor counts, and has the ability to handle global resolutions up to one-tenth of a degree.
Visualization of Taylor-Couette and spiral Poiseuille flows using a snapshot FLASH spatial tagging sequence

A new magnetic resonance imaging technique was applied to the Taylor-Couette and spiral Poiseuille (Taylor-Couette with superposed mean axial flux) flows for the first time. The experimental technique is a combination of spatial tagging methods and a snapshot FLASH imaging sequence, which allows the full-field visualization of 2-D slices of the flow field, with image acquisition times approximately half a second. By acquiring images every few seconds, direct visualization of flow patterns can be obtained in the form of cinematography. Tagged images of the Taylor-Couette flow were acquired in both the axial and transverse planes and confirmed previously reported numerical predictions of Taylor cell size. Tagged images of the spiral Poiseuille flows verified that the cells in this flow propagate at a higher velocity than the mean axial flow. In addition, intermittent cell formation was observed as the axial flow was increased.
Seeing Gravitational Waves

Gravity is responsible for the long-range order of the universe. Using Einstein's general relativity, we now think of gravity as the geometrical curvature of the four-dimensional fabric of space-time ( 1 ). Extreme cosmological events such as the merging of neutron stars or black holes induce ripples in the fabric of space-time (see the figure). However, these ripples, or gravitational waves, are extremely weak, and their detection has remained elusive. To measure the small signal, an interferometric detector is required that can detect strain to one part in 1021 (that is, a billionth of a nanometer for a kilometer-length interferometer). Such extreme gravity events are also rare, occurring only once every 10,000 years per galaxy ( 2 ). An advanced version of such a detector is designed to find gravitational waves on a regular basis (roughly tens of events annually) beginning in 2017 ( 3 ). This heroic experiment alone will be somewhat unsatisfying—gravitational wave interferometers will only be able to hear the wave and detect when something happens (literally “hear” as the operational frequency of tens to thousands of Hertz overlaps with the human auditory range). The interferometers will be blind to exactly where the merger occurs. To locate the source of the gravitational waves, collaboration between the physics and the astronomy communities together with extensive simulations are under way ( 4 ).
Karyosphere formation and synapsis in the beetle, phanaeus†

The parasynaptic union of chromosomes associated with the formation of a karyosphere is demonstrated in the spermatocytes of Phanaeus. The twelve V-shaped leptotene threads are polarized with their apices embedded in one plasmosome-like body, their distal ends in another (primary and secondary caps, respectively), and undergo a conjugation of the parasynaptic type. The distal ends of the chromosomes are freed from their attachment in the secondary cap. The six pachytene loops retain their polarized configuration. The basichromatin of the pachytene chromosomes appears ultimately to be withdrawn to form the karyosphere comprising six chromatic bodies within an oxychromatic «plasmosome,» the latter probably derived from the primary cap. The two caps are believed to arise from the chromosomes. The primary cap apparently becomes incorporated again in the chromosomes; the secondary cap, together with linin remnants of the pachytene chromosomes, disintegrates in the nucleus as residual chromatin. In the dissolution of the karyosphere six ring-shaped tetrads emerge arranged in a temporarily connected chain, giving under certain conditions, the misleading impression of twelve components arranged end to end. The entire content of the karyosphere appears to be employed in the formation of the chromosomes; no visible plasmosome remains.
CO Adsorption on Hydrated Ru/Al2O3: Influence of Pretreatment

The adsorption of CO on hydrated H2-, O2-, H2S-, and He-pretreated 5 wt % Ru/Al2O3 was investigated using attenuated total reflection IR spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to determine how the oxidation state of Ru influences CO-H2O interactions. The frequencies of the three IR bands (high frequency (HF), midfrequency (MF), and low frequency (LF)) that are observed when CO adsorbs on Ru/Al2O3 are influenced by (1) CO coverage (CO−CO interactions), (2) Ru oxidation state, (3) pretreatment gas, and (4) pretreatment time. Water red-shifts the CO features by as much as 116 cm−1and influences the MF/LF ratio in a complex mechanism involving both (1) blockage of CO adsorption on the LF site and (2) the formation of OH---CO interactions. While the LF band position is correlated to the adsorbate electronegativity and the MF band slightly correlates to CO coverage, the HF position is independent of either CO coverage or adsorbate electronegativity. These varying degrees of correlations can be rationalized using the extent of...
Modeling the effect of off-farm income on farmland values: A quantile regression approach

Abstract Using the farm household as a unit of analysis and farm-level data, this study examines the impact of off-farm income on farmland values. In contrast to previous studies that assume a homogeneous relationship across the entire distribution, in this study quantile regression is used to estimate the empirical model. Results of this study show the effect of land attributes—captured by regional location and farm program payments; off-farm income on value of farmland can be better explained by estimating quantile regression across farmland value categories. Results indicate that a 1 percent increase in off-farm income could increase per-acre farmland value between 0.15 and 0.21%.
ACUTE LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY IN YOUNG CHILDREN.

Presently available methods for the treatment of severe lead encephalopathy leavemuch to be desired, and the case fatality rate remains high. Measures employed to counteract severe cerebral edema are occasionally life saving but unpredictable. Extensive bilateral flap craniectomy has proved unsatisfactory in our experience; in fact the fatality rate has increased among patients so treated. Intensive corticosteroid therapy combined with moderate hypothermia has had no influence upon the over-all survival rate.
Oxygen permeability and mechanical properties of films from hydrolyzed whey protein.

The effects of whey protein hydrolysis on film oxygen permeability (OP) and mechanical properties at several glycerol-plasticizer levels were studied. Both 5.5% and 10% degree of hydrolysis (DH) whey protein isolate (WPI) had significant effect (p 0.05) occurred for film OP between unhydrolyzed WPI, 5.5% DH WPI, and 10% DH WPI films at the same glycerol content. Hydrolyzed WPI films of mechanical properties similar to those of WPI films had better oxygen barrier. Therefore, use of hydrolyzed WPI allowed achievement of desired film flexibility with less glycerol and with smaller increase in OP.
Mean and quasideterministic equivalence for linear stochastic dynamics

Abstract In linear, stochastic dynamics it is shown that the quasideterministic population size is equivalent to the mean population size. The quasideterministic dynamics are defined by the conditional infinitesimal mean of the process. The stochastic component of the dynamics includes both Gaussian and Poisson white noise, with amplitude coefficients proportional to the population size. Generalizations are given for nonautonomous coefficients and for distributed Poisson jump amplitudes. A counter example—an exactly integrable nonlinear jump model—shows that the equivalence result does not hold for nonlinear stochastic dynamics.
An epithelial cyst of the spinal cord. An electron microscopic study.

The fine structure of an intradural and extramedullary cyst compressing the spinal cord was examined. The cyst was lined by a single epithelial layer of both ciliated and non-ciliated cells. The non-ciliated cells differ from the former by the presence of secretory granules and a surface coating as well as other characteristics. The epithelial layer was bordered by a basement membrane and prominent interdigitation was found along the lateral borders. The origin of these cells is unknown but the similarity between them and the epithelium of the respiratory tract is noted.
A Study of Communication Modalities in a Virtual Collaborative Task

This paper examined the relative effectiveness of three communication modalities in a collaborative virtual environment. Communication modalities of verbal only (V), haptic only (H), and both (HV), were used in a 2D pointing task. A total of 36 participants were paired into 18 dyads. In each dyad, there was a supervisor and an acting agent. The supervisor used one of the three modalities to guide the acting agent to reach the target location. The time to task completion and the trajectory were recorded and analyzed. The results indicate that subjects using verbal only and haptic+verbal communication performed equally well in the collaborative pointing task. Subjects using haptic only communication spent more time and had longer path lengths than verbal only and haptic+verbal communication. Nevertheless, all three modalities were effective in communicating in a virtual collaborative task.
Parallel simulation: practice: contrasting distributed simulation with parallel replication: a case study of a queuing simulation on a network of transputers

As discrete event simulation programs become larger and more complex, the amount of computing power required for their execution is rapidly increasing. One way to achieve this power is by a employing a multiple processor network to run the simulation programs.Two approaches to the problem of assigning tasks to processors are described-environment partitioning distributed simulation, in which the tasks required to perform a simulation are assigned to processors in the network; and parallel replication, in which copies of the simulation program are assigned to processors, and the results of their execution aggregated. A simulation of an M/M/c queuing system has been implemented on networks of two and three transputers, using each approach. Heidelberger's statistical efficiency and the stabilization time of the system are used as metrics. The parallel replications tended to stabilize faster, but the statistical efficiencies were not significantly different.
The selective hydrogenation of linolenic acid

The hydrogenated samples were analyzed by ultraviolet specconditions produced mostly nonselective hydrogenation. The variables of catalyst, catalyst concentration, solvent, temperature, and pressure have very little effect on the selectivity. Large differences were found in the relative reactivities of the three double bonds in methyl linoleate. It appears that the initial reaction strongly favors the 12 position assuming a limited amount of shifting of double bonds during hydrogenation. The solvent has an appreciable effect on this selectivity, but the other variables have only minor effects.
Fullerton virtual twin study: An update

Virtual twins (VTs) are same-age unrelated siblings reared together from early infancy. These unique sibling sets replicate twinship, but without the genetic link. The first VT pair was identified and studied at the University of Minnesota in 1990, launching the development of the Fullerton Virtual Twin Study at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) in 1991. The registry currently includes 151 pairs, mostly children, with new pairs identified on a continuous basis. Research with VTs includes studies of general intelligence, body size, interpersonal trust, social coordination, social networks, and parenting. In some cases, VTs have been studied in conjunction with pairs of monozygotic twins, dizygotic twins, full siblings, and friends as part of TAPS (Twins, Adoptees, Peers and Siblings), a collaborative project conducted between CSUF and the University of San Francisco, 2002-2006. VTs will also serve as a comparison group for epigenetic analyses of young Chinese twins reared apart and together.
Laboratory characterization of silicon avalanche photodiodes (APD) for pulse position modulation (PPM) detection

Two commercially available large area silicon avalanche photodiodes (APD) were characterized in the laboratory. The response of the APD's to a sequence of 8-bit pulse position modulated (256-PPM) laser pulses, with and without additive background noise, was recorded and stored for post analysis. Empirical probability density functions (pdf's) were constructed from the signal and noise slot data and compared to pdf's predicted by an analytical model based on Webb+Gaussian statistics. The pulse sequence was used to generate bit-error rate (BER) versus signal photons per pulse plots, albeit with large error bars due to the limited number of signal pulses stored. These BER measurements were also compared with analytical results obtained by using the Gaussian and Webb+Gaussian models for APD channel statistics. While the measurements qualitatively reflect features predicted by theory, significant quantitative deviations were displayed between the measurements and theory. The source of these discrepancies is not currently well understood, but it is surmised that inaccurate knowledge of detector parameters such as gain and noise equivalent temperature models may explain the discrepancies.
Raster-network regionalization for watershed data processing

Difficulties exist in calculating watershed parameters from raster datasets over large regions because of the excessive computation time involved. A technique is presented which divides a large region into hydrologically distinct subregions, in each of which raster analyses are performed, in order to efficiently process large raster datasets. The results of raster analyses are stored as attributes on the resulting vector data. The vector data are then merged, and appropriate values accumulated to obtain regional parameter values for points of interest along the stream network. The technique, called Raster-Network Regionalization, uses the vector stream network as the backbone for the integration of subregions into a single region. A case study is presented which utilizes the technique to prepare geospatial inputs for the Water Rights Analysis Package simulation model.
Phase-coded waveforms for radar

This correspondence focuses on the use of phase-coded (PC) waveforms for radar. The authors present tradeoffs between the use of matched versus mismatched filters, loss in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), time sidelobe levels, and Doppler intolerance for random and cyclic codes. A multiple hypothesis approach is introduced for countering intrapulse Doppler intolerance
What are you going to do with a degree in that? Arguing for the humanities in an era of efficiency

In an era in which the imperatives of global economic competition prompt institutions of higher education to promote vocational practicality and efficiency over all else, advocates of the humanities have struggled to articulate the distinctive value and contribution of our disciplines. This article seeks to develop an argument directed not at fellow academics, but at friends and parents who ask incredulously, ‘What are you going to do with a degree in that?’ After discussing the historical shifts that have led to the present-day predicament in which majoring in English, philosophy, religion, art or a foreign language seems supremely impractical, I argue that the most important resource necessary to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace is a clear, eloquent, impassioned voice. The learning exercises at the foundation of excellent humanities-based education may appear to lack any utilitarian benefit, but their long-term effect is the development of each student’s individual voice, which is priceless.
Classics in pediatric hospital medicine.

We have decided to take a new look at 3 classics in hospital medicine. The first addresses the subject matter voted most likely to induce a Hospitalist versus Urologist thumb-wrestling match: antibiotic prophylaxis in urinary tract infection (UTI) with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Antibiotic prophylaxis has been prescribed for VUR for some time, and recent literature has sparked the debate .1 So, we thought this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was worth investigating. ### The study. This was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial to examine the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis after UTI on recurrence and renal scarring in patients with VUR over 12 months. The primary outcome was number of UTIs. Secondary outcomes included asymptomatic bacteriuria, UTI with resistant bacteria, antibiotic administration for concomitant infections, and worsening of scarring. ### The key findings. The authors randomized 93 children (66.7% boys) aged 1 to 12 years with febrile UTI and VUR grades I to IV (73% grades III–IV). Ten of the 47 in the antibiotic group and 3 of 46 patients in the placebo group developed symptomatic UTIs (absolute risk increase of 14.8% [–28.0 to –1.0], P = .03). There was no difference in any other outcomes, including scarring. The trial was stopped early. #### Why do we care? A large trial designed to definitively answer the question of prophylaxis unfortunately raised more questions than it answered.2 The trial by Hari et …
Modeling of Pu(IV) Extraction from Acidic Nitrate Media by Tri-n-butyl Phosphate

A thermodynamic model of the distribution of Pu(IV) between aqueous solutions of nitric acid and lithium nitrate and 30 % (by volume) TBP in n-dodecane was developed. The mean activity coefficients of the hydrogen ion, nitrate ion, and water were calculated using Bromley’s method of activity coefficients. The computation of the distribution ratios is based on a critical evaluation of the speciation of Pu(IV) under the solution conditions used. Five Pu(IV) species, Pu4+, Pu(OH)3+, Pu(OH)22+, Pu(NO3)3+, and Pu(NO3)22+, were considered to be present in (0.1 to 4) mol·L−1 aqueous solutions of HNO3. Because of the various extraction capabilities of the different oxidation states of Pu, disproportionation of Pu(IV) is the main factor controlling the distribution of Pu at low acidity. Two different Pu(IV) solvate adducts Pu(NO3)4·TBP2 and Pu(NO3)4·TBP2·HNO3 were considered as extracted species over a wide range of experimental conditions, and their extractions constants were determined. The correlation between e...
Diversifying internationally: disentangling hedging, valuation and capital cost effects

Abstract This introduction highlights the six papers competitively selected from papers presented at the 2003 Annual Conference of the Midwest Finance Association. This special issue deals broadly with the issues of diversification in an international setting. All the papers have a common thread. The firms that are analyzed are diversified along geographic (international) and/or industrial lines. They are involved in international business either through international acquisitions or (i) they have existing foreign currency debt or (ii) they align their foreign asset base with that of their foreign sales. Some of the firms in the studies covered cross-list their stock internationally to increase firm value. Others use international debt to reduce their cost of capital.
Fungi in healthy stems and branches of American beech and aspen: a comparative study

SUMMARY Fungi inhabiting healthy stems and branches of American beech and aspen were induced to develop within the wood by drying sections of these organs. The two tree species were similar in that tile water content of the wood strongly determined fungal development, with a high water content preventing fungal growth for at least 25 weeks, fast drying resulting in poor development and slow drying inducing very fast growth of fungi within the wood. Fungal assemblages thus obtained were strongly dominated by ascomycetes and coelomycetes. Although some fungal species appeared on both tree species, assemblages of fungi obtained from each tree species were clearly different, even though samples of each were obtained from the same site and all experimental conditions were identical for both. All the characteristics mentioned above strongly resemble those documented for endophytes on smaller aerial tree organs such as leaves, petioles and twigs, and for this reason the fungi obtained here were termed‘xylotropic endophytes'. Among the dominant species found on aspen, three species with presumed pathogenic abilities were isolated. These were Cryptosphaeria populina, Cytospora chrysosperma and Hypoxylon mammatum. Hypoxylon fragifarme was the most frequently and abundantly isolated species obtained from beech.
WE-C-AUD A-02: TG100 Methodology Applied to IMRT Process

Patient and employee safety is a critical concern in radiation oncology. All Radiation Oncology departments have a quality assurance program, most with an error reporting and analysis processes which are intended to monitor errors and modify treatment polices and procedures when necessary. Industry has been developing processes to improve quality and safety of their operations and products since the 1940s. These processes have become quite sophisticated and recently the AAPM has recognized that there is a need to develop such programs for radiation oncology QA programs. The AAPM subsequently formed TG‐100, charged with developing a structured systematic quality assurance program approach that balances patient safety and quality versus commonly available resources while striking a balance between prescriptiveness and flexibility. Based on industrial standards, the AAPM TG‐100 is going to provide examples and encourage the use of failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) method for quality assurance management in radiation therapy. Briefly, FMEA is a risk assessment technique for systematically identifying potential failure modes in a process or a system. Failure mode refers to the ways in which something may fail while failures are any errors or defects and can be potential or actual. Effects analysis refers to studying the consequences of those failures. In FMEA, the failures are ranked according to the severity of their consequences, the frequency of occurrence, and the ease of detection. This presentation provides an example of forthcoming TG‐100 recommendations by applying FMEA methodology to IMRTtreatment planning and delivery process. The example provides analysis of typical IMRT planning and delivery process and provides scores that have been developed by the TG‐100. Educational Objectives: 1. To describe development of an FMEA program. 2. To provide an example of FMEA for IMRT planning and delivery process. 3. To describe the process for scoring IMRT planning and delivery steps based on FMEA methods.
An Intercalation Revisited: Christology, Discipleship, and Dramatic Irony in Mark 6.6b-30

The intercalation in Mk 6.6b-30 deals with many themes, including suffering, discipleship and martyrdom. Its primary focus, however, has been overlooked by most commentators, namely Christ’s identi...
Sanitation privatization and sanitation employees’ wages

Despite the considerable attention recently given to privatization, important questions remain about its impact on public sector unions and collective bargaining. This study examines how the threat of sanitation contracting affects the wages of union and nonunion public sanitation employees. Results indicate that increases in the threat of sanitation contracting reduce sanitation employees’ union-nonunion wage differential.
XYY chromosomal complement, proven by fluorescence, in a child with trisomy 21:48,XYY,21+.

Clinical, cytogenetic, autoradiographic, fluorescence microscopic and dermatoglyphic data of a boy with 48,XYY,21+ karyotype are reported. The child had some clinical anomalies common in Down's syndrome. DNA replication of the 2 Y chromosomes was synchronous in all labelled metaphases. It was possible to distinguish the two Y's from the pairs No. 21-22 under the fluorescence microscope and single as well as double Y bodies were demonstrated in buccal mucosa cells. Dermatoglyphic investigation revealed some features typical for mongolism.
Impact of a Brief Intervention on Patient Anxiety Prior to Day Surgery

Patients anticipating surgical procedures experience significant anxiety, resulting in adverse outcomes and increased expenditures. Research has investigated the impact of anxiety-reducing interventions, frequently the provision of surgical information, with inconsistent results. The present study (N = 98) examined preference for information, or “monitor-blunter” coping style, and the impact of a pre-surgical phone call from an anesthesiologist on anxiety in which treatment group participants (n = 51) dictated the amount of information received. Monitors were hypothesized to desire more information than blunters, and changes in anxiety for monitors/blunters were hypothesized to be moderated by length of call. Monitors and blunters demonstrated equal call durations and anxiety levels remained equivalent across groups. Findings and implications for future research are discussed.
Parental Needs among Children with Birth Defects: Defining a Parent-to-Parent Support Network

The objective of this study was to explore how a parent-to-parent support network could impact parents of a child with a structural birth defect by specifically looking at parents’ continued needs, aspects influencing their participation in support networks, and their recommendations. Structural birth defects occur in approximately 3 % of all infants, representing a significant public health issue. For many reasons, parents are uniquely qualified to provide support to each other. Data were collected retrospectively through a qualitative approach of focus groups or one-on-one interviews. Thirty one parents of infants registered in the Utah Birth Defect Network participated in the study. Three themes emerged, “current sources and inconsistencies in parent-to-parent-support,” “aspects that influence participation in parent-to-parent network,” and “recommendations for a parent-to-parent program.” Health care providers need to be aware of the services and inform parents about these options. A statewide parent-to-parent network integrated into all hospitals would be a valuable resource to facilitate sharing of issues related to caring for an infant or child with a birth defect.
Taking a bite out of vector-transmitted infectious diseases.

Drs. Mark Klempner, Thomas Unnasch, and Linden Hu discuss interventions in the infectious cycles of vectorborne diseases that can reduce transmission to humans.
The cosmological constant (Λ) as a possible primordial link to Einstein’s theory of gravity, the properties of hadronic matter and the problem of creation

Einstein’s field equations with a cosmological constant (Λ) are explored in an isotropic, homogeneous, expanding universe which satisfies the principle of absolute quark confinement. What emerges from these requirements are new cosmologies free from singularities in physical quantities and with time-varying gravitational (G) and cosmological (Λ) parameters. For the caseG=const and Λ=Λ(t), it is suggested that hadronic matter was created in the early universe as a localized, quantum fluctuation of the vacuum, because |Λ| had an initial value ≈10−10/cm2. The localized fluctuation persisted and evolved into the universe visible today, because |Λ| decreased rapidly with cosmic time. In this sense, «creation» (i.e. «the beginning»)—a manifestly energy-nonconserving event—was linked to a time-varying Λ. which, in turn, was linked to the principle of absolute quark confinement. For the case Λ=Λ(t) andG=G(t), withG, |Λ| larger in the past, the maximum values ofG, |Λ| compatible with absolute quark confinement are those required by the principle of maximum strength,i.e.Gmax≈1040G (whereG=6.67·10−8 dyn cm2/g2) and ¦Λ¦max≈1030/cm2. In spite of the wide variations in the numerical values ofG, |Λ| for both cases, the new cosmologies give the same numerical values for the physical characteristics of the early universe,i.e. maximum hadronic mass density ≈1017 g/cm3, minimum radius ≈1013 cm, maximum temperature ≈1012 K (the limiting temperature for hadronic matter, first noticed by Hagedorn). This circumstance exists because the physical numbers depend only on the ratio |Λ|/G evaluated at cosmic timet=τ (where τ is defined as the «moment of creation»).
A systems level predictive model for global gene regulation of methanogenesis in a hydrogenotrophic methanogen

Methanogens catalyze the critical methane-producing step (called methanogenesis) in the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter. Here, we present the first predictive model of global gene regulation of methanogenesis in a hydrogenotrophic methanogen, Methanococcus maripaludis. We generated a comprehensive list of genes (protein-coding and noncoding) for M. maripaludis through integrated analysis of the transcriptome structure and a newly constructed Peptide Atlas. The environment and gene-regulatory influence network (EGRIN) model of the strain was constructed from a compendium of transcriptome data that was collected over 58 different steady-state and time-course experiments that were performed in chemostats or batch cultures under a spectrum of environmental perturbations that modulated methanogenesis. Analyses of the EGRIN model have revealed novel components of methanogenesis that included at least three additional protein-coding genes of previously unknown function as well as one noncoding RNA. We discovered that at least five regulatory mechanisms act in a combinatorial scheme to intercoordinate key steps of methanogenesis with different processes such as motility, ATP biosynthesis, and carbon assimilation. Through a combination of genetic and environmental perturbation experiments we have validated the EGRIN-predicted role of two novel transcription factors in the regulation of phosphate-dependent repression of formate dehydrogenase-a key enzyme in the methanogenesis pathway. The EGRIN model demonstrates regulatory affiliations within methanogenesis as well as between methanogenesis and other cellular functions.
New COCORP profiling in the southeastern United States. Part I: Late Paleozoic suture and Mesozoic rift basin

New COCORP profiling in the southeastern United States has revealed a broad zone of dipping reflections that extends downward through the crust beneath the coastal plain in western Georgia. The zone is over 50 km wide, and most of the reflections dip moderately steeply toward the south. Regional considerations suggest that this feature marks the late Paleozoic suture between North America and Africa. Where crossed by the COCORP survey, the suture occurs beneath the north flank of the Triassic-Early Jurassic south Georgia basin. The main depocenter of the south Georgia basin occurs about 90 km to the south and is formed by a large half graben containing more than 5 km of rift basin fill. Farther south, the Paleozoic Suwannee basin sequence beneath northern Florida is poorly imaged on the COCORP profiles. However, weak reflections suggest that these strata (including basal felsic volcanics) may have an aggregate thickness of about 6 km in north-central Florida. At the northwest end of the COCORP traverse, a prominent horizon imaged in the upper crust beneath the inner Piedmont probably marks the southern Appalachian detachment. The detachment appears to be cut off by the Towaliga fault, implying that the Towaliga fault is in part a down-to-the-north normal fault. Intermittent Moho reflections occur at 11–12-s two-way time along the length of the COCORP survey, indicating that the crust in the region has a roughly uniform thickness of about 33–36 km (assuming an average crustal velocity of 6 km/s).