cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel method of estimating cost of therapy by using patient population characteristics: analysis of fluoroquinolones in various populations with different distributions of renal function.

INTRODUCTION Formulary decisions regarding a given drug class are often made in the absence of patient outcome and/or sophisticated pharmacoeconomic data. Analyses that consider factors beyond simple acquisition costs may be useful in such situations. For example, the cost implications of using manufacturers' recommendations for dosing in patients with renal dysfunction may be important, depending on the distribution of various levels of renal function within a patient population. METHODS Using four 1000-patient populations representing different renal function distributions and a fifth population of our medical center's distribution, we determined the costs of therapy for intravenous and oral levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, and moxifloxacin for a 10-day course of therapy for community-acquired pneumonia. Costs considered were average wholesale prices (AWPs), 50% of AWP, or same daily price, plus intravenous dose preparation and administration costs when applicable. Costs for each renal function distribution were examined for significant differences with an analysis-of-variance test. Also, costs of failing to adjust dosing regimens for decreased renal function were determined. RESULTS Differences in fluoroquinolone costs (AWP, 50% AWP, or when matched as the same daily price) among the populations were found. When considering same daily prices, differences among populations ranged from about 35,000 dollars with intravenous gatifloxacin to more than 51,000 dollars for intravenous levofloxacin (all fluoroquinolones, p>0.05). Within a population, differences in costs among the intravenous fluoroquinolones ranged from 47,000-99,000 dollars. Rank orders of the drugs and population costs of therapy were affected by the pricing structure used and varied by the specific population and drug. Differences among the fluoroquinolones or populations were much smaller (<2100 dollars) when considering oral regimens. Costs potentially incurred by failing to adjust dosing for renal function were substantial. CONCLUSION Formulary decisions can be facilitated by considering factors such as patient characteristics and related dosing in addition to simple acquisition costs. In our example, consideration of the distribution of renal function within a given patient population and related dosing for these fluoroquinolones revealed potentially important differences within the class.
Meteorological Consequences of Atmospheric Krypton-85

Nonradiobiological phenomena affected by /sup 85/Kr include environmental radioactivity, atmospheric electricity, and inadvertent weather modification. If release of /sup 85/Kr into the atmosphere continues unabated, global changes in the atmospheric electric circuit will occur within 50 years. Our present understanding of atmospheric processes is insufficient to determine the extent of consequent weather changes and whether they would be beneficial or harmful. Because of the 10-year half-life of /sup 85/Kr, global changes may last decades.
Chromatographic adsorption of polystyrene

The fractionation of polystyrene by adsorption column chromatography has been investigated at room temperature. The adsorbent used was activated carbon suspended on Celite. The experiments were carried out on mixtures of characterized polystyrene fractions using MEK (a poor solvent), toluene (a better solvent), and tetralin (a good solvent) as eluents. It was found that; (1) the better the solvent, the higher the molecular weight portion which can be eluted out; (2) the better the solvent, the greater the total amount of the polymer which can be recovered from the column; (3) the lower molecular weight homologs are eluted out before the higher molecular weight homologs; (4) by controlling certain factors, e.g., the moisture, the chromatograms obtained were satisfactorily reproducible in detail. By using successively MEK, toluene, and Tetralin, polystyrene can be fractionated in a single passage through a column with about 80% total recovery of the polymer on the column. Optimum fractionation in a single passage is obtained by eluting with appropriate mixtures of the above solvents in order of increasing solvent power of the mixture to the polymer. These results correlate with existing information on the adsorption of polystyrene from solution.
Tyrosine−Lipid Peroxide Adducts from Radical Termination: Para Coupling and Intramolecular Diels−Alder Cyclization

Free radical co-oxidation of polyunsaturated lipids with tyrosine or phenolic analogues of tyrosine gave rise to lipid peroxide-tyrosine (phenol) adducts in both aqueous micellar and organic solutions. The novel adducts were isolated and characterized by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy as well as by mass spectrometry (MS). The spectral data suggest that the polyunsaturated lipid peroxyl radicals give stable peroxide coupling products exclusively at the para position of the tyrosyl (phenoxy) radicals. These adducts have characteristic (13)C chemical shifts at 185 ppm due to the cross-conjugated carbonyl of the phenol-derived cyclohexadienone. The primary peroxide adducts subsequently undergo intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) cyclization, affording a number of diastereomeric tricyclic adducts that have characteristic carbonyl (13)C chemical shifts at ~198 ppm. All of the NMR HMBC and HSQC correlations support the structure assignments of the primary and Diels-Alder adducts, as does MS collision-induced dissociation data. Kinetic rate constants and activation parameters for the IMDA reaction were determined, and the primary adducts were reduced with cuprous ion to give a phenol-derived 4-hydroxycyclohexa-2,5-dienone. No products from adduction of peroxyls at the phenolic ortho position were found in either the primary or cuprous reduction product mixtures. These studies provide a framework for understanding the nature of lipid-protein adducts formed by peroxyl-tyrosyl radical-radical termination processes. Coupling of lipid peroxyl radicals with tyrosyl radicals leads to cyclohexenone and cyclohexadienone adducts, which are of interest in and of themselves since, as electrophiles, they are likely targets for protein nucleophiles. One consequence of lipid peroxyl reactions with tyrosyls may therefore be protein-protein cross-links via interprotein Michael adducts.
An MHD Code for the Study of Magnetic Structures in the Solar Wind

We have developed a 2.5D MHD code designed to study how the solar wind influences the evolution of transient events in the solar corona and inner heliosphere. The code includes thermal conduction, coronal heating and radiative cooling. Thermal conduction is assumed to be magnetic field-aligned in the inner corona and transitions to a collisionless formulation in the outer corona. We have developed a stable method to handle field-aligned conduction around magnetic null points. The inner boundary is placed in the upper transition region, and the mass flux across the boundary is determined from 1D field-aligned characteristics and a 'radiative energy balance' condition. The 2.5D nature of this code makes it ideal for parameter studies not yet possible with 3D codes. We have made this code publicly available as a tool for the community. To this end we have developed a graphical interface to aid in the selection of appropriate options and a graphical interface that can process and visualize the data produced by the simulation. As an example, we show a simulation of a dipole field stretched into a helmet streamer by the solar wind. Plasmoids periodically erupt from the streamer, and we perform a parameter study of how the frequency and location of these eruptions changed in response to different levels of coronal heating. As a further example, we show the solar wind stretching a compact multi-polar flux system. This flux system will be used to study breakout coronal mass ejections in the presence of the solar wind.
Monoamine Oxidase Activity in Various Parts of the Rat Brain during the Estrous Cycle

The activity of monoamine oxidase was estimated in the hypothalamus, amygdala, and frontal cortex of adult female rats during the estrous cycle.Enzymatic activity in all three areas of brain was at its lowest during the diestrus phase of the estrous cycle and progressively increased to its highest during estrus.Throughout the estrous cycle the greatest activity of monoamine oxidase was found in the hypothalamus, as compared with the other brain areas. The significance of the activity is discussed.
RGB-D edge detection and edge-based registration

We present a 3D edge detection approach for RGB-D point clouds and its application in point cloud registration. Our approach detects several types of edges, and makes use of both 3D shape information and photometric texture information. Edges are categorized as occluding edges, occluded edges, boundary edges, high-curvature edges, and RGB edges. We exploit the organized structure of the RGB-D image to efficiently detect edges, enabling near real-time performance. We present two applications of these edge features: edge-based pair-wise registration and a pose-graph SLAM approach based on this registration, which we compare to state-of-the-art methods. Experimental results demonstrate the performance of edge detection and edge-based registration both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Intravascular ultrasound appearance of normal and mildly diseased coronary arteries: Correlation with histologic specimens

Intravascular ultrasound imaging was performed in vitro on six histologically normal and 104 minimally diseased arteries in patients aged 13 to 83 years. This study tested the hypothesis that normal coronary arteries produce a three-layer image that corresponds to the histologic layers of intima, media, and adventitia. The results showed a very good correlation between area of the echolucent ultrasound layer with the media and the inner echogenic layer with intimal area. In addition, a three-layer appearance was consistently seen when the internal elastic membrane was present with or without intimal hyperplasia. If the internal elastic membrane was absent, a three-layer appearance was still seen if the collagen content of the media was low. However, a two-layer appearance was observed when there was absence of the internal elastic membrane as well as a high collagen content of the media.
Retention as a function of a preservice teacher education program design: The MESTEP case

Early in 1983, a group of University of Massachusetts faculty, school superintendents, and corporate managers formed a partnership to recruit talented college graduates into teacher education. Recruitment of diverse, talented graduates with majors in math, English, or a science was the central goal. Innovative program approaches and attention to career development were seen as necessary means to that goal. The resulting 15-month masters program, MESTEP (the Math English Science Technology Education Project), welcomed its first 17 students in June, 1983. Five years later, the 125th candidate entered. Recruitment goals have been met. The academic and experiential talent levels, and racial and cultural diversity of the 125 students have exceeded our hopes. When reviewing retention data for the five groups (classes of 1984-88) which have completed the program, three facts are salient: 1. Of 125 people who started, 100 have successfully completed the program, and 21 are currently enrolled. 2. Of the 100 who successfully completed the program, 91 entered teaching within 1 year of graduating. 3. As of January, 1989, 70 of these 100 were teaching, 10 had gone on to further graduate study, and 10 others were involved in education-related work.
Theory of the fuzzy controller

Abstract We first introduce notation in an attempt to standardize the description of a basic fuzzy controller. If r 1 , r 2 , …, r n are the real number inputs to the fuzzy controller and δ is its defuzzified output, then δ = F ( r 1 ,…, r n ) for some function F . By the ‘theory of the fuzzy controller’ we mean in this paper the study of the structure of F for elementary fuzzy controllers. Using this standardized notation we first survey the known results on the theory of the fuzzy controller and then discuss important future research topics in this area.
E-commerce security threats: awareness, trust and practice

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) has always been accompanied by security concerns. Despite numerous studies in the areas of security and trust, to date there is a dearth of research that addresses the impact of security trust and security awareness on the prevalence of online activities. This study investigates the relationships among awareness of security threats, security trust, frequency of e-commerce activities and security practices. The results presented herein suggest that security awareness level is positively correlated to security practices. The security trust level of frequent e-commerce users is higher than that of infrequent e-commerce users. The study also found that there was no significant correlation between trust level and awareness.
Respiratory insufficiency in a patient with mixed cryoglobulinemia.

(1981). Respiratory Insufficiency in a Patient with Mixed Cryoglobulinemia. Ultrastructural Pathology: Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 295-302.
Introduction: "Let there be (some) life"

The author introduces a meeting session about the origins of life by briefly reviewing theories of chemical and molecular evolution. The discussion focuses on structures of early life, sequences of chemical synthesis, and evolution of biomolecules.
Association of folic acid with rat liver microsomes.

Shin et al. (Biochim Biophys Acta 444: 794–801, 1976) described the subcellular location of [3H]folic acid after injection into rats. The microsomal fraction of the liver contained relatively large amounts of tracer initially but lower amounts at later times. Because of the heterogeneous nature of the microsomal fraction of the liver we re-examined the nature of the folate binding fraction. The location of injected [3H]folic acid resembled that of the microsomes derived from the plasma membrane, where ultracentrifugal analysis was conducted in the presence and absence of cesium ions. The location of the folate did not resemble that of microsomes derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). One of the marker enzymes of the ER was the vitamin K-dependent carboxylase. A simple method for reducing vitamin K is described.
Evoking and Resolving Quantal Neurotransmitter Release on a Microchip

A microchip that facilitates in-vitro electrical and electrochemical measurements of individual cells and cell clusters was fabricated using surface micromachining and thick film technologies. In the present study, the device was applied towards the detection of exocytotic events from electrically stimulated rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Using device microfluidics, cells were positioned in a recording chamber over a 5 μm × 10 μm gold working electrode (WE). Channel dimensions (10 μm deep × 10 μm wide) ensured a tight fit for the ∼12 μm diameter PC12 cells in the chamber resulting in direct contact of the cells with the WE. This proximity allowed for quantal resolution of catecholamine release events from the cells and corresponding analysis of release kinetics and quantal size. Cells were stimulated through the application of sinusoidal voltage waveforms across axially-positioned, extracellular electrodes. In this manner, patterned extracellular gradients were generated across the cell thereby resulting in membrane depolarization. To facilitate interpretation of the stimulating electric field in relation to the cell and subsequent dopamine release, quasi-static electromagnetic FEM models were generated using COMSOL Multiphysics software. Upon depolarization, simultaneous chronoamperometric recordings at the WE confirmed stimulus-triggered dopamine release from the cells with a small subset of cells exhibiting release that modulated with the depolarizing cycle of the sinusoidal stimulus. It is anticipated that such a chip could provide a semi-automated alternative to the conventional, labor-intensive carbon fiber electrode (CFE) approach to neurotransmitter measurement.This work was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health, NIDCD R01 DC04928 and by National Science Foundation, IGERT NSF DGE-9987616.
Anthropogenic influences on the sedimentary geochemical record in western Lake Superior (1800–present)

Abstract The sediments of western Lake Superior hold a record of environmental changes that have accompanied the settlement and urbanization of the surrounding watershed. Organic carbon concentrations are low (1.5%) with little variation in stable isotope composition (− 26.5 ± 0.5‰) prior to 1900. Organic carbon and nitrogen concentrations begin to rise after 1900, as increased anthropogenic disturbance led to enhanced inputs of terrigenous matter as well as nutrients (i.e., nitrogen and phosphorus) from the watershed. An episode of enhanced aquatic productivity from 1900 to 1970 is recorded in the sediments by the 13 C-enrichment of bulk organic carbon as well as the observed correlation between the bulk and aquatic molecular δ 13 C records, coinciding with the major developmental period of the Duluth-Superior harbor region. Decreasing organic carbon accumulation after 1925, prior to regulatory implementation of municipal discharges to the lake, is likely due to the construction of hydropower dams along the St. Louis River and a decrease in forest harvest within the immediate watershed. Recentshort-lived decreases in the accumulation rate of organic matter can be attributed to the implementation and operation of water treatment plants, but the 13 C-enrichment observed in the last ~ decade remains enigmatic, though we hypothesize that it may be attributable to climate change impacts on primary production.
Exploring germ-soma differentiation in Volvox.

Professor MOP Iyengar, a preeminent expert on the green algae in the order Volvocales, and particularly those that are found on the Indian sub-continent (Iyengar and Desikachary 1981), first described this forma (subspecies) ofVolvox carteri (Iyengar 1933) and provided criteria for distinguishing the various formas ofV. carteri from one another.
Partnering relationship activities: Building theory from case study research

Abstract Both qualitative and quantitative techniques are used to gain an understanding of partnering activities in manufacturer-distributor relationships. This article is a meta-analytic summary of data gained from semi-structured interviews conducted by multiple teams of researchers. The process of building theory from case study research is illustrated in the context of business marketing relationships using guidelines developed by Eisenhardt (1989). Based on the results of our analyses, partnering activities are generally geared more toward marketing, planning, and communication between firms. Surprisingly, there were few reported incidences of partnering activities in logistics and information exchange (i.e., electronic access to information between firms).
Reconstitution of active NADPH oxidase in nonhematopoietic cells: a milestone in the study of a complex system

Price and colleagues (page [2653][1]) have succeeded in reconstituting NADPH oxidase, the enzyme responsible for respiratory burst of phagocytes, by expressing its 4 main components in COS-7 cells, a cell line that is readily and efficiently transfected by a variety of vectors. In activated
Project Delivery System for Foreign Manufacturers in the United States

Foreign auto manufacturers and suppliers produce cars and parts in the United States not only in order to support the high demands of the U.S. market, but also to expand their market share in the largest market in the world. To produce their products, one of the first steps is to build a manufacturing plant while taking into account all the necessary rules and regulations and the different construction environment. Foreign auto manufacturers and suppliers therefore not only need to be familiar with the use of U.S. project delivery systems for the construction of new manufacturing plants and the expansion of existing manufacturing plants in the United States, but also to control potential additional risks associated with their construction caused by various factors such as cultural differences, changed laws, and regulations. This study applied a case study approach to demonstrate and compare the project delivery systems implemented for the construction of five automotive manufacturing plants in the Southea...
Synthesis of Duplex DNA Containing a Spin Labeled Analog of 2′ Deoxycytidine

Abstract We report the chemical synthesis of phosphoramidite 8, containing a spin labeled analog of deoxycytidine, C∗, and its incorporation into synthetic DNA. The EPR characteristics of the resulting DNAs indicated that the motion of the spin label was well-correlated with the uniform modes of the macromolecule, but that correlation of the spin label with internal motion was less effective than that achieved using a spin labeled quinolone, Q.
Professional development and inclusive schools: Reflections on effective practice

Abstract Increasingly, students with disabilities are being included in general education classrooms as inclusive school programs are developed and implemented. If inclusive programs are to be successful, teachers must be well prepared to accept new roles and responsibilities. To ensure that teachers support inclusive programs and are well prepared to meet student needs, high‐quality professional development programs are critical. This article provides a description of professional development programs that lead to the development of successful inclusive school programs. Initially, the authors argue that traditional “sit and get” professional development is often not effective. In contrast to this approach, if professional development is to result in significant changes in teachers’ classroom practices, these programs must be tailored to the individual needs of the local school and built into a school‐wide plan for school improvement. Finally, the authors contend that continuing professional development i...
Demonstration of androgen-binding components in rat epididymis cytosol and comparison with binding components in prostate and other tissues.

Rat epididymis cytosol, labeled by incubation with dihydrotestosterone-l,2-3H at 0 C or by injection of testosterone-l,2-3H sc, contained 2 androgen-binding components, one of which demonstrated a high affinity for dihydrotestosterone. The mean constant of dissociation (Kd) of the high affinity component was 7.0 × 109M as determined by methods of dextrancoated charcoal adsorption, sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation and Sephadex gel equilibrium. When epididymis cytosol labeled with dihydrotestosterone-l,2-3H, in amounts which are bound largely by the high affinity binding component, was fractionated by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation, the radioactivity migrated in a single peak with sedimentation coefficient of 4S in comparison with the 3.5S and 8S peaks of prostate cytosol. Acrylamide gel electrophoresis of similarly labeled epididymis cytosols revealed 2 peaks of radioactivity, while prostate contained only a single peak corresponding to the slower moving epididymis peak. Rat serum and cytosols of...
Two‐photon stimulated emission and pulse amplification

Threshold conditions are given for the sustained operation of standing‐wave and long‐pulse traveling‐wave two‐photon lasers. Pulse shortening in long‐pulse two‐photon amplification, a behavior absent in the one‐photon case, is also demonstrated analytically.
A computer program for comparing K samples with right-censored data

Abstract This program calculates a nonparametric test for testing whether the K samples, on hand, are from the same distribution. This test is an extension of the Kruskal-Wallis test. A prototype example is to compare K treatments for their ability to prolong life or maintain a patient in a well state. In such studies uncensored times are those from start of study to death and right censored times are those from start of the study to the time of withdrawal or time of loss to follow-up. When there are two samples, this test is same as the one by Robertson and Gehan, but the method of computation is different. This test can be used in those cases where the censoring has been applied in similar manner in all the samples.
Increasing Incidence of Adenovirus Disease in Bone Marrow Transplant Recipients

Adenovirus infections in 201 bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients over 4 years were retrospectively reviewed. Forty-two patients (20.9%) had positive adenovirus cultures after BMT. There was a higher incidence of adenovirus infections in pediatric patients than in adults (31.3% vs. 13.6%, P = .003). In addition, the time of onset of adenovirus infection after transplant was earlier in pediatric patients (mean, 90 days). Adenovirus type 35 was the most common serotype identified. One-third of adenovirus-positive patients had definite or probable adenovirus disease. Moderate to severe acute graft-versus-host disease and isolation of adenovirus from two or more sites were significant risk factors for adenovirus disease. This report documents a higher incidence of both adenovirus infection and disease than do previous studies. Adenovirus may emerge as a more frequent pathogen as more high-risk BMT transplants are done.
A Sas/Iml Program for Applying the James Second-Order Test in Two-Factor Fixed-Effect Anova Models

The SAS/IML computer program package performs the James second-order procedure in two-factor fixed-effect ANOVA models. Researchers can conveniently test main effects and interaction effects by applying the James second-order test, which can be applied regardless of the homogeneity restriction.
Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy-application to process control

A commercial FT-Raman instrument has been modified for use in on-line chemical composition analysis to control an industrial distillation column. Optical fibers are utilized to allow the placement of the instrument 35 meters from the process environment. Various process probes have been tested and compared. Computational algorithms are used to develop a mathematical model which correlates spectral characteristics to composition. Predictions from the model are presented at three minute intervals to allow statistical process control of a distillation column through operator intervention. Recent application studies and probe modifications are discussed.
Toward a theory of managing context in Six Sigma process-improvement projects: An action research investigation

Abstract In this paper, field studies, extant literature, and domain knowledge are used to develop a theory of managing context in Six Sigma process-improvement projects. By means of a participatory action research investigation involving ten projects in manufacturing and service firms, this paper examines the interrelationship among project context, elements, and success. Rich text-based information for each project was analyzed for the underlying patterns and relationships using the NVIVO 8 qualitative data analysis software package. The insights gained from this in-depth field investigation are presented in the form of 12 inductively derived research propositions that, when taken together, uniquely contribute to context-based theory-building in this area.
The effects of sign characteristics on sign acquisition and retention: an integrative review of the literature

Study of the influence of sign characteristics on sign acquisition and retention has resulted in the accumulation of a sizable body of literature over the past decade. This literature can be divided into three categories according to the type of sign characteristic under study: (a) phonological parameters, which describe the basic formational units of signs; (b) motoric dimensions, which describe other formational features of signs that do not have the status of parameters per se; and (c) conceptual features, which emphasize the semantic information conveyed by sign referents, although consideration may also be given to sign formation. The literature relevant to each category will be reviewed to determine the theoretical and the clinical import of characteristics subsumed by each. Of concern theoretically is the contribution each characteristic makes to the processes of learning and memory. Of concern clinically is the potential usefulness of each characteristic in selecting an initial lexicon for mentall...
Module Placement Based on Resistive Network Optimization

A new constructive placement and partitioning method based on resistive network optimization is proposed. The objective function used is the sum of the squared wire length. The method has the feature which includes fixed modules in the formulation. The overall algorithm comprises the following subprograms: optimization, scaling, relaxation, partitioning and assignment. The method is efficient because it takes advantage of net-list sparsity and has a complexity of O[n1.4 log n]. Another added special feature is that irregular-size modules within cell rows are allowed. Thus the method is particularly useful in standard-cell and gate-array designs. Experimental results on four 4K gate-array placements are illustrated, and they are far superior than manual placements.
Regulation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels by chronic glyburide and pinacidil administration.

Abstract Treatment of rats with the k + (atp) channel antagonist sulfonylurea, glyburide (3 mg/kg/day, i.p., every 12 hr for 9 days), increased the B max value of [ 3 H]glyburide binding to heart and whole brain total membranes by 30 and 24%, respectively. The ligand affinity was unaltered. Treatment with the K + channel activator, pinacidil (20 mg/kg/day, i.p., every 12 hr for 9 days), did not alter the B max value for cardiac [ 3 H]glyburide binding sites, but decreased the if B max value in the brain by 21%. Chronic administration of hydralazine, which caused an acute reduction in systolic blood pressure equivalent to that of pinacidil, did not alter [ 3 H]glyburide binding in either heart or brain. Treatment with glyburide, pinacidil or hydralazine did not alter L-type calcium channels, assessed by [ 3 H]PN 200 110 binding, in cardiac and brain membranes or small size Ca 2+ -activated K + channels in brain assessed by [ 125 I]apamin binding. These studies show that the ATP-sensitive class of K + channels can be regulated following chronic drug treatment in similar fashion to other receptor and channel systems.
Flowcharting: An effective teaching tool

Abstract The journalizing phase of the accounting cycle is flowcharted to provide a visual introduction to the journalizing process. This should aid students in understanding how journal entries are constructed.
Minimising medically unwarranted computed tomography scans

As computed tomography (CT) is such a superb diagnostic tool and individual CT risks are small, whenever a CT scan is clinically warranted, the CT benefit/risk balance is by far in the patient's favour. However, if a CT scan is not clinically warranted, this balance shifts dramatically. It is likely that at least 25% of CT scans fall into this latter category, in that they could either be replaced with alternative imaging modalities or could be avoided entirely. Use of clinical decision rules for CT usage represents a powerful approach for slowing down the increase in CT usage, because they have the potential to overcome some of the major factors that result in some CT scans being undertaken when they may not be clinically helpful.
Cost and cycle time reduction in the service industry: a field study of insurance claims operation

The issues of cycle time management and cost reduction in the service industry are the concerns of the empirical study presented in this paper. In specific, we study the claims handling process which is one of the most essential and critical functions of an insurance company. The objective of our study is to gain an understanding of the impact of various operational decisions, such as assignment of claims to claims analysts, choice of claims handling method and involvement of an attorney on the cycle time and cost performance of claims operation. The field study presented in this paper was conducted at a major insurance company where we collected and analysed a large dataset on claims characteristics, cost, cycle time and operational decisions of claims handling process. The paper identifies the important claim characteristics that drive the cost and cycle time performance in settling a claim and concludes with a discussion on the managerial implications of the field study.
Prognostic factors in the diagnosis and treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma

The authors describe the results of multimodality therapy in 27 patients with biopsy-proven primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma treated between 1976 and 1986. Treatment included surgical resection (15 patients), radiotherapy (27 patients), and chemotherapy (nine patients). Actuarial survival rates for the 27 patients at 1, 2, and 5 years after diagnosis were 70%, 54%, and 45%, respectively. Nine patients were recurrence-free at 8 to 106 months follow-up. A multivariate risk analysis identified five factors which had a favorable impact on survival: (1) age less than 60 years (P less than 0.02); (2) preoperative Karnofsky performance score greater than or equal to 70 (P less than 0.02); (3) presence of strictly hemispheric tumor (P less than 0.0003); (4) whole-brain radiation dose between 4000 and 5000 cGy (P less than 0.05); and (5) addition of chemotherapy to radiotherapy (P less than 0.002). Patients with complete tumor resolution on computed tomography 6 months after beginning treatment also had longer survival (P less than 0.01). The presence of malignant cells on cerebrospinal fluid cytologic examination correlated with an increased risk of distant metastasis (P less than 0.05). In those patients whose disease eventually recurred, the administration of an additional therapeutic modality significantly increased the length of postrecurrence survival (P less than 0.05). Although surgical resection provided no increase in survival, the addition of chemotherapy to postoperative cranial irradiation significantly enhanced the duration of survival. Our experience suggests that pretreatment clinical and diagnostic factors can help in predicting survival and in planning treatment.
Is cervicovaginal β-human chorionic gonadotropin a predictor of successful induction of labor at term?

Abstract Objective: To determine whether the level of β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) recovered from cervicovaginal secretions predicts successful induction of labor at term. Methods: Patients undergoing induction of labor at term at our institution were invited to participate. Those with ruptured membranes, multiple gestations, or vaginal bleeding were excluded. Prior to induction, a sample of secretions was collected from the posterior fornix of the vagina, and the cervix and samples were analyzed for β-hCG with an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Additional data included age, parity, Bishop score, indication for induction of labor, mode of induction, time to active phase of labor, time to delivery, and mode of delivery. The primary outcome variable was length of time from the start of induction to active phase of labor. Results: Forty-nine patients agreed to participate in the study. Twenty-five patients were multiparous. Indication for induction was postdates (n = 24), preeclampsia (n = 11), diabetes (n = 4), oligohydramnios (n = 4), or other (n = 6). Mode of induction was artificial rupture of membranes in 1, oxytocin in 14, and dinoprostone vaginal insert followed by oxytocin in 34 cases. Thirty-five patients delivered vaginally, 14 underwent cesarean delivery. Seven patients had cesarean delivery prior to entering the active phase of labor. Patients whose cervicovaginal β-hCG was greater than 25 mIU/mL, compared with those whose β-hCG required significantly less time to reach active labor (median number of hours: 3.50 versus 12.75, respectively, P = 0.02). We did not find significant correlation between a β-hCG of 25 mIU/mL and successfully entering active labor. Conclusion: β-hCG in cervicovaginal secretions predicts a shorter time interval to reach active labor when patients undergo induction of labor. Cervicovaginal β-hCG may be a useful tool in predicting successful induction of labor.
Computer evaluation of network S parameters

The letter describes a technique for evaluating the scattering parameters of a network by the use of a standard nodal-circuit-analysis program.
Solution softening and hardening in the IronCarbon system

The yield stress and the strain rate sensitivity (SRS) were determined over the temperature range from 78° to 318°K in ZrH2 purified and carburized single crystals grown from Battelle-AISI ultrapure iron and oriented for 〈111〉 {110} slip. Solid solution softening due to carbon was observed at intermediate temperatures near 200°K, while a solid solution hardening effect was found at the extremes of the temperature axes. At 197°K the yield stress decreased with the carbon concentration up to ∼ 150 atomic p.p.m., beyond which the yield stress increased with the concentration. The SRS of the ZrH2 purified iron increased gradually up to ∼ 250°K and then decreased rapidly with the temperature. The addition of carbon shifted the SRS - temperature relation to lower temperatures. This temperature shift with the addition of 185 atomic p.p.m. carbon was ∼ 50°K. In light of the present observation, the intrinsic mechanical behavior of pure iron and the effect of carbon atoms in pure iron are discussed.
To imagine, to recollect, per chance to discover: The modern Socratic dialogue and the history of philosophy

Abstract Modern Socratic dialogues, a species of philosophical counseling, have been structured and developed by the German philosopher, Leonard Nelson (1882–1927), and are currently enjoying success and popularity in intellectual and practical circles of Holland and Germany. They aim to bring useful knowledge to consciousness. In this paper, I argue that the origin of this knowledge is of two kinds: when dialogues are of a metaphysical nature—i.e. when they begin with a question of the kind, “What is symmetry?”—its origin is found in a form of innatism suggested by G. W. Leibniz (1646–1716); when dialogues are of a non-metaphysical nature—i.e. when they begin with a question of the kind, “What is friendship?”—its origin is found in a reproductive imagination suggested by I. Kant (1724–1804). A corollary of this view will be that philosophical counseling can now be distinguished from other forms of counseling, e.g. psychological and pastrol because of two reasons; one is that it appeals to faculties, whic...
Distributed GraphLab: a framework for machine learning and data mining in the cloud

While high-level data parallel frameworks, like MapReduce, simplify the design and implementation of large-scale data processing systems, they do not naturally or efficiently support many important data mining and machine learning algorithms and can lead to inefficient learning systems. To help fill this critical void, we introduced the GraphLab abstraction which naturally expresses asynchronous, dynamic, graph-parallel computation while ensuring data consistency and achieving a high degree of parallel performance in the shared-memory setting. In this paper, we extend the GraphLab framework to the substantially more challenging distributed setting while preserving strong data consistency guarantees.We develop graph based extensions to pipelined locking and data versioning to reduce network congestion and mitigate the effect of network latency. We also introduce fault tolerance to the GraphLab abstraction using the classic Chandy-Lamport snapshot algorithm and demonstrate how it can be easily implemented by exploiting the GraphLab abstraction itself. Finally, we evaluate our distributed implementation of the GraphLab abstraction on a large Amazon EC2 deployment and show 1-2 orders of magnitude performance gains over Hadoop-based implementations.
Projection systems for light valves

This paper classifies schlieren projection systems for light valves (LV's) into three groups according to the type of illumination. The requirements for uniform illumination and the tradeoffs between brightness, contrast, and resolution are discussed for different systems. Consideration is given to transmissive versus reflective LV's, black-on-white versus white-on-black, image overlay, color, and luminous efficiency.
Airway Epithelial Expression of TLR5 Is Downregulated in Healthy Smokers and Smokers with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The TLRs are important components of the respiratory epithelium host innate defense, enabling the airway surface to recognize and respond to a variety of insults in inhaled air. On the basis of the knowledge that smokers are more susceptible to pulmonary infection and that the airway epithelium of smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by bacterial colonization and acute exacerbation of airway infections, we assessed whether smoking alters expression of TLRs in human small airway epithelium, the primary site of smoking-induced disease. Microarrays were used to survey the TLR family gene expression in small airway (10th to 12th order) epithelium from healthy nonsmokers (n = 60), healthy smokers (n = 73), and smokers with COPD (n = 36). Using the criteria of detection call of present (P call) ≥ 50%, 6 of 10 TLRs (TLRs 1-5 and 8) were expressed. Compared with nonsmokers, the most striking change was for TLR5, which was downregulated in healthy smokers (1.4-fold, p < 10⁻¹⁰) and smokers with COPD (1.6-fold, p < 10⁻¹¹). TaqMan RT-PCR confirmed these observations. Bronchial biopsy immunofluorescence studies showed that TLR5 was expressed mainly on the apical side of the epithelium and was decreased in healthy smokers and smokers with COPD. In vitro, the level of TLR5 downstream genes, IL-6 and IL-8, was highly induced by flagellin in TLR5 high-expressing cells compared with TLR5 low-expressing cells. In the context that TLR5 functions to recognize pathogens and activate innate immune responses, the smoking-induced downregulation of TLR5 may contribute to smoking-related susceptibility to airway infection, at least for flagellated bacteria.
Waking Up! Mindfulness in the Face of Bandwagons

Economic and sociological theories explaining bandwagon behaviors, along with cognitive and behavioral theories of decision making, do not fully address the process whereby decision makers choose whether or not to jump on bandwagons. In this article we model the interactions between mindfulness as a decision-maker characteristic and the decision-making context, and we show the impact of those interactions on managers' ability to discriminate in the face of bandwagons. We illustrate the framework by applying it to recent integration and disintegration bandwagon behaviors in the U.S. health care market. Until recently, integration of hospitals, physician groups, medical groups, and health plans was generally perceived to be the answer to overcapacity, rising costs, and contracting challenges in U.S. health care markets. Health care leaders viewed it as a means of improving efficiency and effectiveness and of gaining market share (Weil, 2000). Such consolidation in the
Wireless temperature microsensors integrated on bearings for health monitoring applications

This paper reports the performance of a wireless MEMS bimorph temperature sensor integrated on a bearing for component health monitoring applications. The sensor consists of a robust array of bimorphs consisting of gold and thermally-grown oxide operable to at least 300°C. Fabrication details are included, as well as the hermetic packaging information. Speed of actuation results from a high-speed camera is included showing the actuation time is less than 600 µs. Reliability testing of the bimorph array up to 400 million thermal cycles is also shown, after which the bimorphs still yield consistent behavior. Finally, dynamic testing is performed showing actual bearing temperature values at different speeds on a real-world helicopter bearing
Synthesis of 1-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-5-fluorouracil-2-14C) (ftorafur-2-14C)

The synthesis of 1-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-5-fluorouracil-2-14C (Ftorafur-2-14C) has been accomplished by the condensation of 5-fluorouracil-2-14C and 2-chlorotetrahydrofuran using a procedure developed in our laboratory.
PREDICTORS OF STUDY RETENTION FROM A MULTISITE STUDY OF INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE

Evaluation of interventions for children exposed to violence is critical for informing dissemination of effective services nationally, but retention rates in such studies are typically low, jeopardizing intent-to-treat analytic approaches. We examine predictors of retention (demographics, violence exposure, child mental health, caregiver demographics, and engagement in intervention) in a large multisite national study of interventions for children exposed to violence. Our analyses found that families were more likely to be retained in the study at 6 months if caregivers rated their own physical health as poor or fair, the child experienced higher levels of maltreatment, or the family was assigned to the intervention group within the study. In models limited to those families in the study's intervention group, only receipt of services was significantly related to study retention. Methods with which to increase retention in family therapy programs for at-risk families are discussed.
Pressure-Immobilization Bandages Delay Toxicity in a Porcine Model of Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius fulvius) Envenomation

Study objectives Pressure-immobilization bandages are used in countries where neurotoxic snake envenomations are common. They impede lymphatic egress from the bite site and delay systemic venom toxicity. The effectiveness of these devices has not been evaluated in coral snake envenomations. We investigated the efficacy of pressure-immobilization bandages in delaying the onset of systemic toxicity in a porcine model of coral snake envenomation. Methods A randomized controlled trial of pressure-immobilization bandages was conducted in a university animal care center. Subjects were 12 anesthetized, spontaneously breathing pigs, ranging from 9.1 to 11.4 kg. After injection with 10 mg of Micrurus fulvius fulvius venom in the subcutaneous tissue of the distal foreleg, subjects were randomized to receive no treatment or application of a pressure-immobilization bandage at 1 minute after injection. Treated animals had elastic bandages applied to the extremity and splinting for immobilization. Vital signs and quality of respirations were recorded. Outcome was the onset of respiratory failure or survival to 8 hours. Necropsies and histologic analysis of the envenomation site was performed. Results One animal from each group was removed because of the discovery of pre-existing respiratory pathology. Four of 5 pigs in the treatment group survived to 8 hours, but none in the control group survived. Mean time to onset of respiratory compromise was 170.4 ± 33.3 minutes in the control group. None of the pigs had histologic changes at the envenomation site consistent with ischemia or pressure-related injury. Conclusion Pressure-immobilization bandages delayed the onset of systemic toxicity in our porcine model of M fulvius envenomation.