cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of patients with scleritis for systemic disease

Abstract Objective To evaluate the relationship between associated medical conditions and scleritis—particularly, the timing of the diagnosis of these diseases. Design Retrospective case series. Participants Patients with scleritis presenting to a single center over an 18-year period. Methods Medical records were reviewed for the presence of an associated infectious or rheumatic disease and for the timing of the diagnosis of the systemic disease relative to the presentation for evaluation of the scleritis. Main outcome measures Presence of an associated medical condition and timing of diagnosis relative to that of scleritis. Results In a series of 243 patients with scleritis, 44.0% had an associated medical condition: 7.0%, an infection, and 37.0%, a rheumatic disease. The most frequent infection was herpes zoster, and the most frequent rheumatic disease was rheumatoid arthritis, present in 4.5% and 15.2% of patients, respectively. Of the 107 patients with an underlying disease, 77.6% had a previously diagnosed disease, 14.0% had their conditions diagnosed as a result of the initial evaluation, and 8.4% developed a systemic disease during follow-up. Systemic vasculitis was less likely to have been previously diagnosed than other rheumatic diseases (59.1% vs. 83.8%, P = 0.015) and more likely to be diagnosed by the initial diagnostic evaluation (27.3% vs. 8.8%, P = 0.027). Ten patients (4.1%) had a positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) test result without clinical evidence of a systemic vasculitis. Four of 5 patients with a positive cytoplasmic ANCA test result but no clinical evidence of systemic vasculitis required immunosuppressive drugs for control of the scleritis, whereas 1 of the 5 patients with a positive perinuclear ANCA test result required immunosuppressive drugs. Among patients with no evident systemic disease after the initial diagnostic evaluation, the rate of occurrence of a rheumatic disease was 4% per person-year. Conclusions Although associated systemic diseases are frequent among patients with scleritis, the majority are previously diagnosed. Systemic vasculitis is less likely than other rheumatic diseases to have been previously diagnosed. Because vasculitis is a potentially life-threatening disorder, it should be a focus of the diagnostic evaluation.
Questions of Ownership: Proprietorship and Control in a Changing Rural Terrain – A Case Study from Ghana

Using a case study of a rural town in the Ashanti Region, this article explores transformations in enterprise, property relations and informal governance that have occurred since Ghana embarked on a period of neo-liberal economic and political restructuring in the mid-1980s. Rather than a linear move away from state-controlled markets and authoritarian rule toward privatization and democratic decentralization, Ghana has witnessed a proliferation of authorities and economic enterprises, both formal and informal, that defy clear-cut distinctions between public and private property and institutions. In the town described here, as in many other localities in Ghana, chiefs have figured prominently as both instigators and examples of transformations in economic and governing practices and institutions.
Lack of association between childhood immunizations and encephalitis in California, 1998-2008.

Abstract Objective A number of new and combination vaccines have been introduced for children in the past two decades. Encephalitis cases occurring within defined time windows following administration of pertussis- or measles-containing vaccines are eligible for compensation by the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Due to increased parental concerns about vaccine safety and potential neurologic adverse events following immunization with new and multiple vaccines administered at the same visit, our aim was to determine whether immunizations are associated with an increased risk of encephalitis within defined risk windows. Methods We reviewed immunization records from 246 pediatric encephalitis cases referred to the California Encephalitis Project between July 1998 and December 2008. We included data on 110 cases who had been immunized in the year prior to the onset of encephalitis (observation period) and had complete immunization records. We used the case-centered method to test whether cases were more likely to have developed encephalitis in defined risk windows—42, 30 and 21 days after any vaccination, 3 days after pertussis-containing vaccines and 5–15 days after measles-virus containing vaccines—compared with the rest of the observation period. Results All vaccines recommended in the current immunization schedule were represented in our sample. No increased risk of encephalitis was seen following administration of pertussis-containing vaccines, measles-containing vaccines or any number of vaccines administered in a single visit (vaccine episode); the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for encephalitis after a vaccine episode were: 1.0 (0.6–1.8) in a 42-day risk window, 0.9 (0.5–1.6) in a 30-day risk window and 1.2 (0.7–2.2) in a 21-day risk window. Conclusion No association between receipt of currently recommended immunizations and subsequent development of encephalitis was observed in this study.
Storing medical images on high density digital tape recorders

AbstractInstrumentation magnetic tape recording systems have begun to appear which use digitalrecording techniques in place of frequency modulated (F.M.) analog methods. This is adirect result of the instrumentation users need for storing data with greater fidelity andwith better interfacing capabilities to digital computer based signal analyzers. These newrecorders, based on conventional longitudinal recording geometries, are currently in pro-duction and can be used for storing digital medical images. Using standard instrumentationmagnetic tape, high density digital recorders can store 35,000 images (512X512X8) at 60 images /sec rate. Rotary helical scan recorders based on industrial 1/2 inch video or 1 inch broadcastvideo machines have been demonstrated with capacities of up to 300,000 images at 120 images/sec rates.It is apparent that existing high density digital magnetic tape recorders can store largenumbers of images generated in digital radiography at reasonable cost, and using proven re-usable recording media, several recording systems are described which can make use of thiscapability.IntroductionThe instrumentation recorder business has long been directed at a customer base requiringthe storage of analog voltage waveforms. This need has been satisfied through the use ofmagnetic tape and frequency modulation recording techniques. The users of instrumentationrecorders are beginning to process this recorded analog data with digital computers to bothrefine and speed up their data analysis. However, they have found that analog tape record-ers add many undesirable artifacts to the original data which can take on significance intheir computerized data analysis.The analog signals stored on tape have typically been reproduced with about 1% to 2%error, which was satisfactory when subjected to visual examination on a CRT or chart record-
Agency, structure, and Jewish survival of the holocaust : a life history study

L'A. presente l'analyse de la biographie de deux freres juifs qui ont survecu a l'Holocauste. Il cherche a elaborer une sociologie des survivants et s'efforce de resoudre un des problemes les plus delicats de la theorie sociologique : celui de la relation entre l'autonomie individuelle et la structure sociale. Il s'attache a construire une theorie qui permette de rendre compte de cette relation. Il evalue les approches purement psychologique de ce phenomene. Les biographies des survivants permettent de comprendre comment les juifs sont parvenus a survivre aux conditions des camps d'extermination, que leur capacite de survie est liee aux schemas culturels interiorises avant la guerre
Detecting developing volcanic unrest

Global positioning system (GPS) records and seismic data are used to detect developing unrest near active volcanoes. Unrest detection thresholds are derived empirically for each monitoring discipline via outlier analysis of historic data from a given volcano. Unrest severity is estimated from the number of simultaneous cross-disciplinary detections. The algorithm is used to track developing unrest within the Yellowstone caldera between 2008 and 2010. Results show numerous instances of anomalous geologic activity throughout the evaluation period, which can be interpreted as precursors to verified magmatic unrest episodes occurring in early 2009 and early 2010.
Screening for children's exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in a pediatric primary care setting

Context The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that pediatricians assess their patients' environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure, but the specific questions most likely to identify children with high ETS exposure are not known. Cotinine, a nicotine metabolite present in hair, can be used to quantify months of ETS exposure. Objective To develop a brief screening tool that will accurately predict ETS exposure as defined by a child's hair cotinine level. Setting Columbus Children's Hospital Primary Care Center. Participants A convenience sample of healthy children age 2 weeks to 3 years of both self-reported smokers and nonsmokers. Interventions Screening questions regarding home ETS exposure. Main Outcome Measure Performance of the screening questions compared with child hair cotinine levels. Results Hair samples and questionnaire data were obtained from 291 children. Based on clinical applicability and statistical significance, 3 questions ("Does the mother smoke?," "Do others smoke?," and "Do others smoke inside?") were selected as a valid screening tool to determine children's ETS exposure risk. Maternal reports of smoking outside only or smoking only a few cigarettes per day had no impact on child hair cotinine levels. Conclusions It was possible to derive a simple, specific, and valid screening tool that can be used in pediatric offices to identify children at risk for ETS exposure. Further research is needed to test this tool prospectively.
An inverted cAMP response element mediates the cAMP induction of the ovine β1‐adrenergic receptor gene

We identified an inverted, functional cAMP response element (CRE) located at--1599 bp relative to the translation start site within the ovine beta 1-adrenergic receptor (beta 1 AR) gene promoter. In transfection studies with SK-N-MC cells, a 40-bp oligonucleotide containing the potential CRE, beta 1 AR-CRE, conferred a 3- to 4-fold increase in luciferase activity mediated by cAMP. The induction was mimicked by co-transfecting the cells with a vector overexpressing the alpha-catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) without treatment, and was blocked by overexpressing a PKA inhibitor (PKI). In electrophoretic mobility shift assays, a discrete binding pattern was shown in cell nuclear extract probed with the 40 bp beta 1 AR-CRE. The binding was shown to be specific and supershifted by addition of a CRE binding protein (CREB-1) antibody. These data demonstrate that cAMP mediates the induction of beta 1 AR gene expression by interacting with an inverted CRE within the promoter region. This is the first reported functional CRE among all beta 1 AR genes.
Subcellular [3H]digoxin distribution after temporary myocardial ischemia in dogs

Abstract Following a 90-min coronary occlusion and 2 h reperfusion in 11 dogs, total tissue and subcellular distributions of [ 3 H]digoxin in non-ischemic and various ischemictissues were measured. In the non-ischemic tissue, [ 3 H]digoxin in the crude homogenate, sediments obtained from 1000 × g, 10 000 × g and 100 000 × g centrifugations, and final supernatant fraction were 0.70 ± 0.05, 0.64 ± 0.04, 3.87 ± 0.34 and 0.19 ± 0.02 ng/mg protein, respectively. As in studies with total tissue [ 3 H]digoxin uptake, a reciprocal correlation was observed in reduction of digoxin binding in the crude homogenates and the 1 000 × g sediments with increasing severity of ischemic injury estimated from the loss of nitro-blue-tetrazolium (NBT) stain. A 20% and 80% loss of NBT stain was associated with a 13.3% and 63.5% decrease in digoxin binding, respectively. In contrast, digoxin binding in the 10 000 × g sediments increased progressively with the severity of ischemia. No significant change was observed in the final supernatant fraction. Digoxin binding in the 100 000 × g sediments, which generally represent specific binding and which are associated with the pharmacologic effect, was not altered in tissues with a loss of NBT stain up to 50%. In fact, a loss of 80% NBT was associated with only a 33.9% decrease in digoxin binding. Thus, it appears that measurement of total tissue digoxin uptake does not provide an accurate measure of the effects of acute ischemia on specific digoxin binding. The ability of the peri- and moderately ischemic tissues (with less than 50% loss of NBT stain) to specifically bind digitalis was not altered after temporary myocardial ischemia.
Are all Newcomers Judged Similarly? Distinctiveness and Time of Entry in Task-Oriented Groups

The present study investigated the effects of newcomerstatus and racial status on evaluations of target persons in task groups. Both the race and time of entry into the group were systematically variedfora targetperson in same-sex task-oriented groups. AfricanAmerican newcomers were judged as nmre open minded and their contributions were deemed as more useful than were those provided by other African Americans who were present at the outset and by Whites present as newcomers and old-timers. Moreover; time of entry mattered most for ratings of the African American target person. The implications of these findings for long-tern task group arrangements are discussed.
Investigating Business Schools' Intentions About Offering E‐Commerce Education Using an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior*

This study investigates business schools' intentions about offering e-commerce education (ECE) using an extended theory of planned behavior (ETPB). The need for an adequate match between future supply and demand of e-commerce skills constitutes the main motivation for the study. The results show that most business schools consider ECE important for an adequate preparation of their students for today's competitive labor market. In addition, the proposed ETPB fits well the empirical data and predicts 65.2% of the variances in the schools' intentions about offering ECE. The results can help business schools in their curriculum decisions in at least two ways: (1) through the likely effect of social contagion and (2) through the constructs in the ETPB. First, institutional theory clearly indicates that organizations tend to adopt a new behavior when there is evidence that other organizations in their population have adopted or are likely to adopt that behavior. Having provided such evidence for ECE, this study is likely to promote the adoption of this educational product innovation. Second, the fact that the postulated ETPB fits well the empirical data suggests that administrators of business schools may pay attention to the key constructs when making curriculum decisions. Overall, the study has both theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, it contributes to a growing literature on the adoption of innovative educational products like ECE. Practically, it provides valuable insights that administrators of business schools can use in their strategic curriculum decision making.
The role of anaerobic respiration in the immobilization of uranium through biomineralization of phosphate minerals

Although bioreduction of uranyl ions (U(VI)) and biomineralization of U(VI)–phosphate minerals are both able to immobilize uranium in contaminated sediments, the competition between these processes and the role of anaerobic respiration in the biomineralization of U(VI)–phosphate minerals has yet to be investigated. In this study, contaminated sediments incubated anaerobically in static microcosms at pH 5.5 and 7.0 were amended with the organophosphate glycerol-2-phosphate (G2P) as sole phosphorus and external carbon source and iron oxides, sulfate, or nitrate as terminal electron acceptors to determine the most favorable geochemical conditions to these two processes. While sulfate reduction was not observed even in the presence of G2P at both pHs, iron reduction was more significant at circumneutral pH irrespective of the addition of G2P. In turn, nitrate reduction was stimulated by G2P at both pH 5.5 and 7.0, suggesting nitrate-reducing bacteria provided the main source of inorganic phosphate in these sediments. U(VI) was rapidly removed from solution in all treatments but was not reduced as determined by X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. Simultaneously, wet chemical extractions and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy of these sediments indicated the presence of U–P species in reactors amended with G2P at both pHs. The rapid removal of dissolved U(VI), the simultaneous production of inorganic phosphate, and the existence of U–P species in the solid phase indicate that uranium was precipitated as U(VI)–phosphate minerals in sediments amended with G2P. Thus, under reducing conditions and in the presence of G2P, bioreduction of U(VI) was outcompeted by the biomineralization of U(VI)–phosphate minerals and U(VI) sorption at both pHs.
About the Web: Selected Magazines and Journals for Academic Librarians

ABSTRACT This article reviews selected magazines and journals of interest to academic librarians that include information about the Web. Reviewed titles include library science titles, general educational titles, and popular titles found on newsstands. The titles reviewed are aimed towards two groups of librarians: those most involved with developing content (such as reference librarians and bibliographers), and those involved with Web design, development, and policy issues.
Culture conditions for blastogenic responses of bovine mammary mononuclear cells.

Abstract Several experimental parameters were examined to determine optimal conditions for proliferative responses of mammary mononuclear cells (MMC) obtained from six nonlactating dairy cows. These parameters were: pre-incubation of cells in medium prior to assay, mitogen concentration, assay incubation time, and type of culture medium. Response variables included viability of cells and the rate of proliferation as assessed by tritiated thymidine incorporation. Pre-incubation of cells in medium had no effect on the proliferative response of MMC. Whereas Concanavalin A (ConA; 3.3 or 6.6 μg/ml) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA; 1, 5, 10 μg/ml) did stimulate proliferation of MMC, the higher doses did not stimulate greater proliferation than the lower doses of mitogens. The greatest mitogenic response was obtained on days 2 and 3 of incubation. Proliferative responses were significantly higher at all mitogen levels tested in a 50-50 mixture of Rosewell Park Memorial Institute medium 1640 and Liebovitz-15 medium (RPMI/L-15) than in RPMI alone. Viability of MMC was also significantly higher in the RPMI/L-15 medium. To test whether the significant effect of media on blastogenesis was specific for mononuclear cells from the bovine mammary gland, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from four dairy cows were cultured with ConA and PHA in a mitogen assay in both RPMI and RPMI/L-15. Viability was measured on day of collection and on all culture days. PBL were stimulated equally in both media. PBL viability decreased significantly on day 1 in both RPMI and RPMI/L-15. These results suggest that the optimal culture conditions for blastogenic responses of mammary mononuclear cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes may differ.
Outcomes, management, and potential mechanisms of interleaving deep brain stimulation settings

Abstract Introduction DBS is a therapeutic option for patients with Parkinson disease (PD), tremor and dystonia. In patients who experience suboptimal clinical results with conventional programming (monopolar, double monopolar or bipolar settings), interleaved pulses can sometimes be used to provide differential therapeutic benefits with the possibility of fewer side effects. Interleaving allows a clinician to define two “programs” that automatically alternate. The goal of this paper is to 1) present clinical scenarios where DBS interleaving was used across two clinics to provide improved symptom control in three patients with suboptimal results from conventional programming; 2) address the potential mechanisms of interleaving; and 3) provide practical tips on the use of interleaving. Methods Three patients were formally compared for therapeutic benefit on interleaved and conventional parameter settings. Results Interleaving is most likely to be useful in two clinical scenarios: 1) different contacts are beneficial for specific symptoms, but each at a different stimulation amplitude; or 2) symptoms are resolved incompletely, and further voltage increase is limited by side effects. The factors underpinning the differences in outcomes with interleaving are unknown but may be highly dependent on specific symptoms and to electrode positioning. Interleaving is a relatively new programming platform and there is no data to demonstrate long-term benefits. Conclusions Interleaving is a tool that may augment outcomes, and possibly obviate the need for surgical revisions, although in our experience across two large centers it has been effective for only a small number of patients.
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY OF A METALLIC STRIPE EMBEDDED IN AN ANTIFERROMAGNET

We study a simple model for the metallic stripes found in La${}_{1.6\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Nd}}_{0.4}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{x}{\mathrm{CuO}}_{4}$ a two chain Hubbard ladder embedded in a static antiferromagnetic environment. We consider two cases; a ``topological stripe,'' for which the phase of the N\'eel order parameter shifts by $\ensuremath{\pi}$ across the ladder, and a ``nontopological stripe,'' for which there is no phase shift across the ladder. We perform one-loop renormalization-group calculations to determine the low-energy properties. We compare the results with those of the isolated ladder and show that for small doping superconductivity is enhanced in the topological stripe, and suppressed in the nontopological one. In the topological stripe, the superconducting order parameter is a mixture of a spin-singlet component with zero momentum and a spin-triplet component with momentum $\ensuremath{\pi}$. We argue that this mixture is generic, and is due to the presence of an additional term in the quantum Ginzburg-Landau action. Some consequences of this mixing are discussed.
Use of the Finite-Difference Time-Domain Method in Calculating EM Absorption in Human Tissues

Although there are acceptable methods for calculating whole body electromagnetic absorption, no completely acceptable method for calculating the local specific absorption rate (SAR) at points within the body has been developed. Frequency domain methods, such as the method of moments (MoM) have achieved some success; however, MoM requires computer storage on the order of (3N) 2 and computation time on the order of (3N) 3 where N is the number of cells. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method has been employed extensively in calculating the scattering of metallic objects, and recently is seeing some use in calculating the interaction of EM fields with complex, lossy dielectric bodies. Since the FDTD method has storage and time requirements proportional to N, it presents an attractive alternative to calculating SAR distribution in large bodies. This paper describes the FDTD method and evaluates it by comparing its results to analytic solutions in two and three dimensions. The utility of the FDTD method is demonstrated by a 3D scan of the human torso. The results obtained demonstrate that the FDTD method is capable of calculating internal SAR distribution with acceptable accuracy. With the availability of supercomputers, such as the CRAY II, the calculation of SAR distribution in a man model of 50 000 cells (1.27 cm per cell) appears to be feasible.
Nucleation of partial dislocations at a crack and its implication on deformation mechanisms of nanostructured metals

Nucleation of partial dislocations at a crack is analyzed based a multiscale model that incorporates atomic information into continuum-mechanics approach. The crack and the slip plane as the extension of the crack are modeled as a surface of displacement discontinuities embedded in an elastic medium. The atomic potential between the adjacent atomic layers along the slip plane is assumed to be the generalized stacking fault energy, which is obtained based on atomic calculations. The relative displacements along the slip plane, corresponding to the configurations of partial dislocations and stacking faults, are solved through the variational boundary integral method. The energetics of partial dislocation nucleation at the crack in FCC metals Al and Cu are comparatively studied for their distinctive difference in the intrinsic stacking fault energy. Compared with nucleation of perfect dislocations in previous studies, several new features have emerged. Among them, the critical stress and activation energy for nucleation of partial dislocations are markedly lowered. Depending on the value of stacking fault energy and crack configuration, the saddle-point configurations of partial dislocations can be vastly different in terms of the nucleation sequence and the size of the stacking fault. These findings have significant implication for identifying the fundamental dislocation and grain-boundary-mediated deformation mechanisms, which may account for the limiting strength and the high strain rate sensitivity of nanostructured metals.
Hemorrhagic Necrosis of the Gastrointestinal Tract and Its Relation to Cardiovascular Status

Seventy-five cases of hemorrhagic necrosis of the gastrointestinal tract were analyzed and compared with the entire autopsy population as control. The disease occurred most frequently in association with shock, which was present in 80 per cent of the cases with the gastrointestinal lesions. The incidence of heart disease was higher in the cases of hemorrhagic necrosis than in the control group. The role of cardiac dysfunction in the etiology of hemorrhagic necrosis is emphasized as are the roles played by the bacterial toxins and shock. All three conditions have been shown to result in marked reduction of the intestinal blood flow and venous stasis. Hemorrhagic necrosis of the gastrointestinal tract probably represents a conglomeration of microinfarcts of the mucosa secondary to markedly decreased local blood flow. Vasopressor agents have produced no beneficial effect; the effect of vasodilators remains to be determined.
Hypothalamic catecholamine metabolism is increased by acute water imbalance

Disruption of water balance alters the metabolism of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) in specific regions of the hypothalamus in the rat. Rats received one of the following treatments: hypertonic saline injection (1 M NaCl, 15 ml/kg), polyethylene glycol (40% polyethylene glycol in normal saline, 15 ml/kg), intragastric water load (10 ml), or ligation of the inferior vena cava. Catecholamine metabolism was determined by measuring the concentrations of NE and DA in the hypothalamus after catecholamine synthesis inhibition by alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine methyl-ester hydrochloride (200 mg/kg). No two treatments affected catecholamine metabolism in the same region of the hypothalamus. Intracellular dehydration by hypertonic saline increased NE metabolism in the paraventricular nucleus. Caval ligation, which stimulates the renal renin-angiotensin system, specifically increased NE metabolism in the preoptic area. Water loading increased the metabolism of NE and DA in the dorsomedial/ventromedial region. The effectiveness of the various treatments in increasing catecholamine metabolism was independent of the magnitude of their effects on blood pressure or water intake. The results suggest that there are multiple noradrenergic systems in the hypothalamus which respond to different types of water balance disruption.
A survey of municipal anaerobic sludge digesters and diagnostic activity assays

Abstract A plant site survey was made of 30 municipal wastewater treatment plants concerning the operational characteristics of their anaerobic sludge digesters. Design information, operating data and analytical data were tabulated. Samples of each sludge were then assayed to determine the residual gas production rate, the maximum potential acetate and propionate utilization rates, the 5 and 30 day biochemical methane potential (BMP5) (BMP30) and the possible limitation in bioavailability of iron, cobalt or nickel. The average solids content of the raw sludge fed to the digesters was 4. 7%. Eight of the 30 sludges showed stimulation in the gas production rate when iron, cobalt or nickel was supplemented and acetate was unlimiting. Nine of the 30 sludges showed stimulation in the gas production rate when iron, cobalt or nickel was supplemented and propionate was unlimiting. The average BMP5 was 0. 7 volumes of methane per volume of sludge. The average BMP30 was 1.9 vol CH4/vol sludge. On average 87% of the biodegradable fraction of the sludge was converted to methane during digestion. The average maximum potential acetate utilization rate (MPAUR) was 0.93 vol CH4/vol sludge-day. The average maximum potential propionate utilization rate (MPPUR) was 0.18 vol CH4 /vol sludge-day. The average H2S in the digester gas was 2200 ppm. The average digester capacity was 0.14 million gallons/million gallons per day (MG/MGD) of raw wastewater. On average the raw sludge pumping rate was 4300 gal per MG of raw wastewater. The average digester gas production was 0.066 vol gas/vol of raw wastewater (8800 ft3 per MG). The average unit gas production rate was 0. 64 volumes of digester gas per volume of digester per day. The average volume of digester gas produced per volume of raw sludge feed was 15. 8 v/v. The average gas production per pound of volatile solids added was 0. 46 m3 kg−1 VS (7. 4 ft3 lb−1 VS). The average gas production per pound of volatile solids destroyed was 0. 94 m3 kg−1 VS (15. 0 ft3 lb−1 VS).
The doubly adaptive biased coin design for sequential clinical trials

Abstract A biased coin design is proposed for the allocation of subjects to treatments A and B in a clinical trial when the desired allocation proportions are unknown. The design is doubly adaptive in the sense that it takes account of the proportion of subjects assigned to each treatment and the current estimate of the desired allocation proportion. A strong law of large numbers is established for the proportion of subjects assigned to a treatment when subject responses are independent random variables from standard exponential families. The normal case is presented as an application.
Investigation of adenine, uracil, and ribose phosphate thin films prepared by electrospray in vacuum deposition using photoemission spectroscopy

Previous results showed significant ionization energy differences between thin films of the four ribonucleic acid (RNA) polynucleotides. The experiments reported here aim at the investigation of the origin of these differences. Since the ribose phosphate backbone is common to all RNA nucleotides, the nucleobases are the most likely candidate defining the ionization energy of RNA. Consequently, experiments were performed to investigate the electronic structure and ionization energies of thin films of two nucleobases (adenine and uracil, representative for purines and pyrimidines), and ribose phosphate. These experiments were performed using x-ray and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (XPS, UPS) in conjunction with an electrospray based in vacuum multi-step deposition technique. The presented results clearly demonstrate a significant ionization energy difference between the two nucleobases, qualitatively matching the previous results on the homopolymers of adenosine and uridine (poly rA, poly rU). As expected, the ionization energy of the prepared ribose phosphate thin films was much larger than those of the nucleobases.
Cytotoxic Saponins from the Chinese Herbal Drug Yunnan Bai Yao

Two cytotoxic saponins were isolated from the acetone extracts of the herbal preparation "Yunnan Bai Yao" by column chromatography. They were identified as a 3-([alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl()Rha leads to 2Glu)]-[alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl(1Ara leads to 4Glu)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-25(R)-spirost-5-en-3beta-ol (I) and 3-([alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1Rha leads to 4Rha)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1Rha leads to 4Glu)]-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1Rha leads to 2Glu)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-25(R)-spirost-5-en-3 beta-ol (VI). Both saponins exhibited significant cytotoxicity in the standard P-388, L-1210, and 9KB tissue culture screens.
The rise in bank failures from a macroeconomic perspective

In recent years, the rate of bank failures has risen to the highest level since the Great Depression. This article examines various possible explanations for the high failure rate. Although aggregate economic performance has been reasonably good, disparities in sectoral performance have widened, increasing the risks associated with inadequate diversification. The analysis suggests that a more consolidated, better diversified banking system might have survived the recent experience without an unusual increase in bank failures.
Partial purification and characterization of an aminopeptidase from the bean weevil larvae Acanthoscelides obtectus Say (Coleoptera, Bruchidae).

An aminopeptidase was partially purified by cation and anion-exchange chromatography from solubilized membranes of midguts from larvae of the bean weevil, Acanthoscelides obtectus. The aminopeptidase showed optimum activity toward the substrate l-leucine-p-nitroanilide at pH 7.0 and a temperature of 37–42°C. Evidence that the aminopeptidase was a metalloprotein included (i) enhancement of enzyme activity with Ca2+, Sn2+ and Mg2+, (ii) inhibition with a metal chelator, and (iii) tests with potential protease inhibitors. The enzyme was also inhibited by Hg2+ and Cd2+, while Co2+ had no effect on activity. Aminopeptidase activity was observed in the soluble gut fraction as well as in the solubilized gut membrane fraction. However, at least part of the activity in the soluble gut fraction was accounted for by the presence of aminopeptidase activity in the seeds on which the insects fed.
The internet-based composition classroom: A study in pedagogy

Abstract The authors describe a pedagogical experiment conducted in Spring 1994, in which they paired their composition classes, shared syllabi, and had their students communicate synchronously (on Diversity University MOO) and asynchronously (using an e-mail list) over the Internet. The authors compared student attitudes about writing and student performance as writers with a control class, also taught by one of the authors. Students in the experimental classes contributed to their journals more frequently, reported a greater increase in their enjoyment of writing, and demonstrated greater improvement on initial and final timed writing samples as compared with the control class. These results reveal the effectiveness of the Internet-based classroom design for the teaching of writing, in accordance with the view that writing involves an individual's participation in a discourse community.
CHILDREN'S ATTITUDES TOWARD THE ELDERLY: AN INTERGENERATIONAL TECHNIQUE FOR CHANGE

Abstract This investigation examined changes in children's perceptions of the elderly following an intervention in the frequency of contact that school‐aged children had with old people. Elderly persons served as tutors in a reading tutorial program for a period of two months. Pre‐and postintervention measures of attitudes and reading skills were taken from the children; measures of morale were obtained among the elderly sample. Evaluations of the program were also provided by the elderly, the children, school principals, and teachers. An analysis of variance revealed a significant interaction effect of group by test, suggesting that even a relatively brief intervention can modify children's perceptions of the aged. Although there were no significant changes in the responses of the elderly subjects as measured by objective questionnaires, the majority of the tutors reported that they were happier and felt more involved in the community while working in the program.
Superconducting terahertz mixer using a transition-edge microbolometer

We present a new device concept for a mixer element for THz frequencies. This uses a superconducting transition‐edge microbridge biased at the center of its superconducting transition near 4.2 K. It is fed from an antenna or waveguide structure. Power from a local oscillator and a rf signal produce a temperature and resulting resistance variation at the difference frequency. The new aspect is the use of a very short bridge in which rapid (<0.1 ns) outdiffusion of hot electrons occurs. This gives large intermediate frequency (if) response. The mixer offers ≊4 GHz if bandwidth, ≊80 Ω rf resistive impedance, good match to the if amplifier, and requires only 1–20 nW of local oscillator power. The upper rf frequency is determined by antenna or waveguide properties. Predicted mixer conversion efficiency is 1/8, and predicted double‐sideband receiver noise temperatures are 260 and 90 K for transition widths of 0.1 and 0.5 Tc, respectively.
Ground level signal strength of electromagnetic waves generated by pulsed electron beams in space

Abstract A theoretical study has been made of the signal strengths at ground level of waves generated by pulsed electron beams in space. Such beams might be generated by pulsed electron guns aboard either a satellite or a rocket. The radiated energy is first calculated by an improved version of a theory based on coherent spontaneous emission. This theory evaluates the electric and magnetic field strengths and power fluxes in the far field by applying asymptotic expansion techniques. With this information at hand, the power flowing out within a cone whose apex is located at the gun position is calculated. Finally, the intersection of the rays in this cone with the Earth's surface is determined by using Snell's law considerations. Ground signal levels are calculated for typical ionospheric conditions as a function of pulsing frequency for fixed beam voltage and for voltage adjusted for resonance between the waves and the particles. For short beams, the ground level signal strengths are relatively insensitive to the wave particle resonance condition, but for longer beams the associated peaking of the signal level begins to be observed. Finally, these results are compared against ambient noise levels to determine under which circumstances these ground signals can be detected.
Spatial dependence of weed seed banks and strategies for sampling

Abstract Weed management could be more efficient and require less herbicide if growers could afford to estimate the composition, density, and distribution of weed seed banks. Spatial distribution of a weed seed bank will affect the accuracy of both mean estimates and interpolated maps of density. Consequently, information about the general characteristics of spatial distributions of seeds in a seed bank is needed to identify the most efficient strategies for sampling. Seed banks were sampled on 8.4-m square grids in eight irrigated corn fields to identify the common features of distributions of seed banks of annual weeds. Spatial dependence was described with correlograms for four to eight species in each field. Spatial dependence was detected for 36 of 45 distributions, and seed counts were correlated to an average distance of 25 to 150 m for a distribution. Seed banks of different species and fields had common features of spatial correlation: spatial pattern accounted for less than half of the total var...
Ambiguous Measures of Unknown Constructs: The MMPI-2 Fake Bad Scale (aka Symptom Validity Scale, FBS, FBS-r)

The Fake Bad Scale (FBS; Symptom Validity Scale) has fundamental psychometric flaws, interpretive problems, and potentially adverse societal consequences that are not appreciated by Ben-Porath et al. (Psychological Injury and Law 2(1), 62–85, 2009a, b). The FBS was constructed without due consideration to scientifically based guidelines for scale development (Clark and Watson, Psychological Assessment 7, 309–319, 1995; Jackson, Psychological Review 78, 229–248, 1971; Nunnally 1978; Holden and Troister, Canadian Psychology 50, 120–130, 2009). After almost two decades in existence, its face, content, and construct validity have not been established in the empirical literature. Oft-cited discriminant studies that appear to support the FBS are premature because of the scale’s unestablished psychometric foundation. In addition, these studies have significant methodological weaknesses that preclude definitive conclusions about what the scale actually measures. We review these weaknesses and recent legal cases that challenge the scale. We recommend that the FBS’s validity and fairness be addressed in an independent scientific review by the Buros Mental Measurement Test Evaluation System, a non-profit center specializing in the evaluation of commercially available tests.
The title. What's in a name?

A rose by any other name may smell as sweet, but for medical titles, accuracy supersedes poetic license. As the first, and often the only, chance to capture the reader’s attention, the title is the author’s invitation to probe his full message. Faced with today’s print flood, the physician must be highly selective in his professional reading. His selection generally begins with the table of contents of a scientific journal, which he scans for subjects that pique his curiosity. If the title does not interest him, he will pass over it, and the author will have lost a potential reader. If the title stands that first test, the reader will usually proceed to the abstract or summary to decide whether the article warrants further perusal. Devising an accurate title of few words but much substance requires considerable verbal ingenuity and discipline [l-3]. Since, however, the title enjoys more exposure than any other part of the paper, it deserves whatever time and attention are needed to ensure its accuracy and appeal. A clear, concise, arresting title will enhance the distribution, and perhaps the durability, of your message. A dull, vague, or uninformative title, on the other hand, defeats the. very purpose of publication broad dissemination and may. relegate the article to oblivion. Since the physician often reads late at night, after a long, exhausting day, he is not likely to suffer unpalatable material. A title like “Operational Exploration of the Conceptual Self System and of the Interaction between Frames of Reference” or “On the Elicitation of Preferences for Alternative Therapies” is not likely to engage a mind wearied by a long day of elusive diagnoses, recalcitrant symptoms, critically ill patients, and importuning telephones.
Stabilization of the Z' form of poly(dGdC):poly(dGdC) in solution by multivalent ions relates to the ZII form in crystals.

Both multivalent ions and 85% ethanol are required to produce the original Z' form of poly(dGdC):poly(dGdC) in solution. When multivalent impurities are removed by dialysis against 0.5 M NaCl and 1 mM EDTA, the circular dichroism retains features of the standard Z form. Addition of Ca+2 nearly reverses this effect. Analysis by singular value decomposition of near-ultraviolet circular dichroism spectra collected during titrations of polynucleotide in 60% ethanol with multivalent ions reveal that, at concentrations below .5 per nucleotide, they stabilize Z'-like forms in a two-state equilibrium with the Z form. Differences among the Z' spectra produced by the different ions suggest that at least three families of Z' structures exist. Furthermore, comparison with crystal data indicates that the Z' form in solution is related to the ZII form in crystals.
Natural history and therapy of AL cardiac amyloidosis

The natural history of immunoglobulin light chain associated amyloidosis (AL) is determined by the extent of cardiac involvement. Patients with cardiac AL and symptomatic heart failure have a median survival of approximately six months without successful treatment of the underlying plasma cell disorder The outcome in cardiac AL is determined by both the severity of cardiac involvement and the response to treatment. Staging systems using cardiac biomarkers, including NT- proBNP and troponin, have been found to be powerful predictors of prognosis and are used to guide treatment. Arrhythmias are common in cardiac AL and may lead to acute hemodynamic compromise. Sudden cardiac death, often due to pulseless electrical activity, is an important cause of early mortality. Supportive therapy for heart failure is usually limited to diuretics. Beta-blockers, ACE-inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers are poorly tolerated in cardiac AL and should be avoided. Cardiac transplantation is controversial and reserved for highly selected patients with limited extracardiac involvement. The primary target of treatment in cardiac AL is obliteration of the plasma cell clone, using chemotherapy alone or combined with autologous stem cell transplantation. Despite the risk of early mortality, overall survival has improved with advances in disease modifying therapy. Earlier diagnosis and treatment of cardiac AL is crucial to improving survival.
V. Virtue Lost or Understanding MacIntyre

I take issue with two features of Alasdair MacIntyre's After Virtue: his premises and his conclusion. Now this may seem to leave very little to agree with. But I am quite taken with MacIntyre's argument. I focus, however, upon my disagreements here: with his premise that modern moral philosophy rests on a mistake, and on the ‘failure of the enlightenment project'; and with his conclusion that the future of the moral life rests upon ‘the construction of local forms of community within which civility and the intellectual and moral life can be sustained through the new dark ages which are already upon us’. To this end, I begin with the project of ‘Understanding MacIntyre’, continue with my historical critique of his historical critique of the ‘failure of the Enlightenment project’, and end with a sorting out of where MacIntyre and I respectively stand on the question: ‘After After Virtue, what?’
Salbutamol and the Conditioning of Latissimus Dorsi for Cardiomyoplasty

Abstract Background. Cardiomyoplasty is a new surgical alternative therapy for CHF. Although conditioning of muscle for cardiomyoplasty has a positive effect on fatigue resistance it also produces negative effects. In this study we assessed the effect of salbutamol, a β 2 -agonist, on both the positive and the negative effects of conditioning. Methods. In a control group of six animals one latissimus dorsi was subject to chronic, 1 Hz, low-frequency stimulation (CLFS) while the other served as a control. The experimental group of seven dogs received a continuous SC infusion of salbutamol and one latissimus dorsi was subjected to CLFS. The other muscle demonstrated the effects of salbutamol per se. After 42 days the animals were anesthetized and fatigue resistance, muscle mass, and mechanical properties of the muscles were evaluated. Results. Salbutamol increased muscle mass, tetanic tension, and rate of rise and fall of tetanic tension. It diminished fatigue resistance and had no effect on shortening velocity. Chronic stimulation decreased muscle mass, tetanic tension, rate of rise and fall of tetanic tension, and muscle shortening velocity in both groups of dogs. Salbutamol diminished the declines in muscle mass, rate of tension development, and rate of muscle shortening due to CLFS, but did not change the effects of CLFS on tetanic tension and the rate of fall of tetanic tension. Salbutamol did not alter the increase in fatigue resistance induced by CLFS. Conclusions. The favorable effect of CLFS on fatigue resistance was unaffected by salbutamol. The unfavorable effects of CLFS on loss of muscle mass, rate of tension development, and decline in shortening velocity were partially blocked by salbutamol, improving the ability of the latissimus dorsi to augment cardiac systole.