cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Race, Education, and Gender Disparities in Transplantation of Kidneys From Hepatitis C Viremic Donors.

BACKGROUND Transplantation of kidneys from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-viremic donors into HCV-negative patients followed by direct-acting antiviral therapy was an important breakthrough to increase the number of life-saving kidney transplants. Data suggest that these transplants offer several benefits; however, it is unknown whether adoption of this practice has been shared equitably, especially among disadvantaged groups. METHODS We evaluated United Network for Organ Sharing data on HCV-seronegative adult deceased-donor kidney transplant recipients from January 1, 2017, to June 12, 2020. We compared recipients of a kidney from an HCV antibody- (Ab-)/nucleic acid test- (NAT-), HCV Ab+/NAT-, and HCV NAT+ donor. The primary covariates were as follows: (1) race/ethnicity; (2) female sex; and (3) highest level of education. Models included variables associated with being offered an HCV NAT+ kidney. We fit mixed-effects multinomial logistic regression models with the center as a random effect to account for patient clustering. RESULTS Of 48 255 adult kidney-alone deceased-donor kidney transplant HCV-seronegative recipients, 1641 (3.4%) donors were HCV NAT+-, increasing from 0.3% (January 2017-June 2017) to 6.9% (January 2020-June 2020). In multivariable models, racial/ethnic minorities, women, and those with less education were significantly less likely to receive a kidney from an HCV NAT+ donor relative to an HCV Ab-/NAT- and HCV Ab+/NAT- donor. The disparities were most pronounced among Hispanic and Asian patients with less educational attainment (grade school, high school, or some college/tech school). CONCLUSIONS Despite an increase in transplants from HCV NAT+ donors, we found substantial racial/ethnic disparities in transplantation of these kidneys. These data highlight how the benefits of a scientific breakthrough are often made less available to disadvantaged patients.
Disciplining the Martial Sikh: Physical Education, Youth Organisations, and Military at Khalsa College

Disciplining the Martial Sikh looks at the embodiment of knowledge in the fields of physical education, sports, and military and its negotiation through the complex relationship between subjectivity; gender; and religious, ethnic, and racial identity. It analyses imperial discourses of race that were used to distinguish a ‘martial’ Sikhism from (possibly ‘effeminate’) Hindu, Muslim, or Christian identities. It elaborates on the role bodily culture and military service took at Khalsa College, Amritsar, in the form of ‘manly games’ (football, hockey, cricket), the Boy Scouts movement, or modern scientific physical education. The chapter thus traces the re-formulation of martial and modern Sikh identity in the interplay between local, regional, imperial, and global flows and webs of knowledge.
Authentic leadership and relational power increasing employee performance: A systematic review of “leadership and power” as a positive dyadic relationship

The objective of this study was to explore the relationship of positive leadership and positive power on increasing employee performance in the context of small firms using authentic leadership and relational power as theoretical lenses. An evidence-informed review was provided to examine the proposed objective and a systematic literature review was conducted to determine the priori model, and to present an emergent model after a synthesis of the findings. The qualitative and quantitative studies revealed four thematic topics to represent the relationship: (1) employee engagement relies on perception and trust; (2) positive characteristics of a leader need to exist in order to enhance the positive use of power; (3) positive leadership and power relationship exists in the short term through empowerment; and (4) positive leadership and power together increase the long-term outcomes of organizational identification, organizational commitment, and firm performance. This research was intended to investigate and synthesize a small firm relationship with the leader, manager, and employees as described herein, and to provide a new lens for authentic leadership and relational power by adding positivity as a part of the moral framework.
Optimal Bayesian supervised domain adaptation for RNA sequencing data.

MOTIVATION When learning to subtype complex disease based on next-generation sequencing data, the amount of available data is often limited. Recent works have tried to leverage data from other domains to design better predictors in the target domain of interest with varying degrees of success. But they are either limited to the cases requiring the outcome label correspondence across domains or cannot leverage the label information at all. Moreover, the existing methods cannot usually benefit from other information available a priori such as gene interaction networks. RESULTS In this paper, we develop a generative optimal Bayesian supervised domain adaptation (OBSDA) model that can integrate RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data from different domains along with their labels for improving prediction accuracy in the target domain. Our model can be applied in cases where different domains share the same labels or have different ones. OBSDA is based on a hierarchical Bayesian negative binomial model with parameter factorization, for which the optimal predictor can be derived by marginalization of likelihood over the posterior of the parameters. We first provide an efficient Gibbs sampler for parameter inference in OBSDA. Then, we leverage the gene-gene network prior information and construct an informed and flexible variational family to infer the posterior distributions of model parameters. Comprehensive experiments on real-world RNA-Seq data demonstrate the superior performance of OBSDA, in terms of accuracy in identifying cancer subtypes by utilizing data from different domains. Moreover, we show that by taking advantage of the prior network information we can further improve the performance. AVAILABILITY The source code for implementations of OBSDA and SI-OBSDA are available at the following link. https://github.com/SHBLK/BSDA.
A 256-QAM Backscatter Transponder Architecture using Delta-Sigma Load Modulation for 6G Ultra-Low-Power IoT Devices

An energy-efficient and scalable vector backscatter transponder architecture utilizing delta-sigma digital-to-digital converter (DDC) based antenna load modulation is proposed. In contrast with the current state of the art (SoA) M-QAM backscatter transponder that uses multiplexer (MUX)-based antenna load modulation and requires M antenna loads, the proposed architecture can be scaled to e.g. 256-QAM using only 4 antenna loads. A 256-QAM, 86.7Mbps backscatter transponder design capable of forming RF channels is developed utilizing 1-bit delta-sigma DDCs. The proposed design achieves an estimated 30pJ/bit figure of merit which constitutes a 4.4x improvement over the SoA MUX-based architecture. An energy model of an IEEE 802.11 compatible IoT device is developed. A battery life of 40 years corresponding to an uplink (UL) transaction cycle of 1 hour is estimated for an IEEE 802.11 compatible IoT device employing the proposed backscatter transponder based UL. This constitutes an 8x improvement in battery life compared to an IoT device that uses a conventional direct-conversion transmitter based UL.
Automatic Kappa Weighting for Instrumental Variable Models of Complier Treatment Effects.

We propose debiased machine learning estimators for complier parameters, such as local average treatment effect, with high dimensional covariates. To do so, we characterize the doubly robust moment function for the entire class of complier parameters as the combination of Wald and $\kappa$ weight formulations. We directly estimate the $\kappa$ weights, rather than their components, in order to eliminate the numerically unstable step of inverting propensity scores of high dimensional covariates. We prove our estimator is balanced, consistent, asymptotically normal, and semiparametrically efficient, and use it to estimate the effect of 401(k) participation on the distribution of net financial assets.
Full Waveform Inversion of Seismic Interface Wave Data

A technique for inverting marine seismic interface wave data for shear wave attenuation parameters of ocean sediments is presented. Because of the difficulty in estimating spectral ratios of seismograms in the case when multiple modes are present, a linear perturbation technique that uses the recorded time series seismogram or its envelope as input data is proposed. The technique is stable for tests using synthetic data. Application of the technique to data collected in the Gulf of Mexico yields a model producing a good fit to the data. However, a simple source model is insufficient to correctly predict modal excitations, and the source must be parameterized as part of the inversion process.
Effects of store attributes on retail patronage behaviors: Evidence from activewear specialty stores

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify selected store attributes of activewear specialty retailers that impact consumers’ satisfaction, which in turn influence word-of-mouth (WOM) and retail patronage behavior. Design/methodology/approach – Using an on-site store intercept, 150 responses were collected to answer hypothesized relationships. An exploratory factor analysis was first performed followed by a confirmatory factor analysis and a structural equation analysis. Findings – Results revealed that sales employees and store atmosphere attributes of activewear specialty stores had a positive influence on consumer satisfaction, which in turn had a direct impact on WOM and repatronage intentions for activewear specialty stores. Therefore, in order to satisfy consumers, activewear specialty retailers need to ensure that they provide an attractive and pleasant shopping atmosphere. Furthermore, satisfied consumers are likely to spread positive WOM about the retailer and display their intention to r...
Geometrized Symbols and the Related Codes

In this paper geometry is studied with a novel approach. Every geometrical object is defined as a symbol which satisfies some properties. These symbols are then coded into a class of numbers which are named here as many dots numbers (MDN). The algebraic structure of MDN is established. Assuming the universe as a symbol, the existence of dark matter is explained qualitatively. Moreover, it is shown that dark matter increases as the universe expands.
Hospital Maternal Care Is Disruptive

"Breast-Feeding: Second Thoughts" by Gerrard,1 sets forth epidemiologic and immunological data on human and other mammalian species showing that colostrum and breast milk actively protect the infant from enterocolitis and respiratory infections when breast-feeding is begun immediately after birth and continued through at least most of the first year of life. Gerrard hypothesizes that breast-feeding provides a smooth transition for the baby from being entirely dependent on the mother for nutritional and immunological requirements to being completely independent from her.
Gene mapping with recombinant inbreds in maize

Recombinant inbred lines of maize have been developed for the rapid mapping of molecular probes to chromosomal location. Two recombinant inbred families have been constructed from F2 populations of T232 X CM37 and CO159 X Tx303. A genetic map based largely on isozymes and restriction fragment length polymorphisms has been produced that covers virtually the entire maize genome. In order to map a new gene, an investigator has only to determine its allelic distribution among the recombinant inbred lines and then compare it by computer with the distributions of all previously mapped loci. The availability of the recombinant inbreds and the associated data base constitute an efficient means of mapping new molecular markers in maize.
Heritability and familial aggregation of refractive error in the Old Order Amish.

Purpose— To determine the heritability of refractive error and familial aggregation of myopia and hyperopia in an elderly Old Order Amish (OOA) population. Methods— Nine hundred sixty-seven siblings (mean age, 64.2 years) in 269 families were recruited for the Amish Eye Study in the Lancaster County area of Pennsylvania. Refractive error was determined by noncycloplegic manifest refraction. Heritability of refractive error was estimated with multivariate linear regression as twice the residual sibling–sibling correlation after adjustment for age and gender. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the sibling recurrence odds ratio (ORs). Myopia and hyperopia were defined with five different thresholds. Results— The age- and gender-adjusted heritability of refractive error was 70% (95% CI: 48%– 92%) in the OOA. Age and gender-adjusted ORs and sibling recurrence risk (λs), with different thresholds defining myopia ranged from 3.03 (95% CI: 1.58–5.80) to 7.02 (95% CI: 3.41–14.46) and from 2.36 (95% CI: 1.65–3.19) to 5.61 (95% CI: 3.06–9.34). Age and gender-adjusted ORs and λs for different thresholds of hyperopia ranged from 2.31 (95% CI: 1.56–3.42) to 2.94 (95% CI: 2.04– 4.22) and from 1.33 (95% CI: 1.22–1.43) to 1.85 (95% CI: 1.18–2.78), respectively. Women were significantly more likely than men to have hyperopia. There was no significant gender difference in the risk of myopia.
High-dose rate intraoperative radiation therapy for pediatric solid tumors.

Background Sixteen pediatric patients with solid tumors received treatment on a protocol designed to test the feasibility and safety of high-dose rate intraoperative radiation therapy (IOHDR) via a remote afterloader. Patients and Methods Patients with Ewing's sarcoma (n = 5), rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 3), synovial cell sarcoma (n = 2), Wilms tumor (n = 2), osteosarcoma, immature teratoma, desmoplastic small round cell tumor, and inflammatory fibrosclerosis were included. IOHDR was used in the initial management of nine patients and at the time of recurrence in seven. Indications for treatment included gross residual disease in 5 and suspected microscopic disease in 11. The general sites treated were the abdomen (n = 3), chest-wall/thoracic cavity (n = 7), and pelvis (n = 6). All of the patients received multiagent chemotherapy prior to the IOHDR procedure, and 5 had been previously treated with external beam radiation therapy. Separate from the procedure during which IORT was performed, 9 patients underwent an attempt at resection at the time of their initial presentation. A dose of 1200 cGy was prescribed to a depth of 0.5 cm from the surface of a multichannel tissue-equivalent applicator. Complications ascribedto IOHDR included an abscess, delayed wound healing, and cytopenia. Four patients received supplemental external beam radiation therapy to the IOHDR site. At the time of IOHDR, 3 patients had disseminated disease within the pleural cavity and one had pulmonary metastases. Results With a median follow-up of 18 months, the actuarial rates of local control, metastasis-free, and overall survival at 2 years were 61%, 51%, and 54%, respectively. The patterns of failure were local (n = 1), distant (n = 1), and local + distant (n = 1). Two patients are alive with active disease. Nine are alive with no evidence of disease and the remaining 5 are dead from disease (n = 2), other causes (n = 1), or treatment (n = 2). Conclusions The potential to improve local control with high doses of radiation should be balanced against the risk of late effects. The ability to confine the dose of radiation to the primary site and decrease the dose to normal tissues makes IOHDR an important adjunct to external beam radiation therapy. IOHDR can be a safe and integral component in the management of pediatric solid tumors. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 30:34–39, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
On Attitude Change: Issue-Involvement and Demand Characteristics

The present investigation examined the effects of level of involvement, demand characteristics (via a bogus pipeline procedure) and a persuasive communication on attitude change toward the issue of comprehensive exams for graduating seniors. 107 student participants were randomly assigned to one of eight (2 × 2 × 2) experimental conditions and attitudes were assessed prior to the experimental manipulation and afterwards. Over-all, participants who received a persuasive communication were more agreeable toward the issue than those who received no communication; however, the participants who were highly involved and tested under a bogus pipeline showed minimal change. The same conclusion was reached from an analysis of change scores between attitudes pre- and post-manipulation. The results suggested that demand characteristics may exert a more powerful influence on change in attitude than the level of involvement in the issue.
A Categorical Imperative for Social Scientific Policy Evaluation

When social scientists are hired as consultants, they face several ethical dilemmas. This article presents a logical argument for an ethical principle regarding the behavior of social scientists conducting policy evaluation research for a client. Given the isolated nature of evaluation research and the lack of scientific consensus within social science, the article argues that an ethical social scientist should avoid the most common types of consultant work in policy evaluations. Because a social scientist's responsibilities as a scientist may' conflict with his or her responsibilities as a citizen some ethical compromises are necessary and two such compromises are presented. Both of these compromises involve social scientists acting as teachers rather than as contracted researchers.
Implementing the fast multipole method in three dimensions

The Rokhlin-Greengard fast multipole algorithm for evaluating Coulomb and multipole potentials has been implemented and analyzed in three dimensions. The implementation is presented for bounded charged systems and systems with periodic boundary conditions. The results include timings and error characterizations.
On the accuracy and reliability of predictions by control-system theory.

In three experiments we used control-system theory (CST) to predict the results of tracking tasks on which people held a handle to keep a cursor even with a target on a computer screen. 10 people completed a total of 104 replications of the task. In each experiment, there were two conditions: in one, only the handle affected the position of the cursor; in the other, a random disturbance also affected the cursor. From a person's performance during Condition 1, we derived constants used in the CST model to predict the results of Condition 2. In two experiments, predictions occurred a few minutes before Condition 2; in one experiment, the delay was 1 yr. During a 1-min. experimental run, the positions of handle and cursor, produced by the person, were each sampled 1800 times, once every 1/30 sec. During a modeling run, the model predicted the positions of the handle and target for each of the 1800 intervals sampled in the experimental run. In 104 replications, the mean correlation between predicted and actual positions of the handle was .996; SD = .002.
Geometry-Dependent Plasmonic Tunability and Photothermal Characteristics of Multibranched Gold Nanoantennas

Plasmon resonances of anisotropic multibranched nanostructures are governed by their geometry, allowing morphology-directed selective manipulation of the optical properties. In this work, we have synthesized multibranched gold nanoantennas (MGNs) of variable geometry by a one-step seedless approach using 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) as a capping and reducing agent. This approach enables us to modulate the MGNs’ geometry by controlling three different parameters: concentration of HEPES, concentration of Au3+, and pH of HEPES buffer. By altering the MGNs morphology with minimal increase in the overall dimensions, the plasmon resonances were tuned from the visible to the near-infrared. The MGNs plasmon resonances demonstrated a nonintuitive blue-shift when pH > pKa of HEPES which we attributed to emergence of charge transfer oscillations formed when MGNs cluster to dimers and trimers. Further, due to the presence of multiple sharp protrusions, the MGNs demonstrated a refractive ...
The Geotropic Conduct of Adult Rats

Resume LE COMPORTEMENT GEOTROPIQUE DES RATS ADULTES Des rats blancs adultes non entraǐnes testes sur une surface inclinee montrent un comportement ‘au hasard' d'un type qui ne donne pas de renseignements applicables au probleme de l'orientation dans un champ de gravitation. Cependant, quand des animaux entraǐnes a monter sur un sentier etroit a divers angles d'inclination son testes sur une surface inclinee, leur comportement obeit aux měmes lois generales etablies pour le comportement des jeunes rats et des cobayes. L'assertion que l'orientation dans un champ de gravitation est le resultat d'une reponse conditionnelle paraǐt insoutenable, puisque l'entraǐnement specifique ne reussit pas quand les animaux entraǐnes sont testes sur une surface qui enleve la contrainte imposee par un sentier etroit. Au lieu de monter sur le plan par un sentier vertical a la base du plan et correspondant au sentier “appris,” les animaux montent a un angle θ lequel est une fonction definie de l'inclination a du plan. Il paraǐ...
Evidence that bovine growth hormone treatment increases the rate of extrathyroidal 5′-monodeiodinase activity in cattle

Abstract This study examined the influence of bovine growth hormone (bGH) on liver and kidney thyroxine-5′-monodeiodinase activity (TMA) in growing beef cattle. In a preliminary trial (trial 1), tissue samples were obtained at slaughter from two placebo-injected and two bGH-injected (29.2 IU/day for 14 days before slaughter) Hereford heifers (398 kg avg slaughter wt), with one heifer on each treatment fed at either 1.0 or 2.0 times maintenance energy requirement. In a second trial, tissue and plasma samples were obtained from six placebo-injected and six bGH-injected (29.2 IU/day for 19 days) Hereford steers (331 kg avg slaughter wt) fed at 1.8 times maintenance energy requirement. In a third trial, liver tissue and plasma samples were obtained from 14 Angus × Hereford steers (270 kg avg wt) fed either an 8% protein, 1.96 Mcal-metabolizable energy/kg diet (8 steers) or a 14% protein, 2.67 Mcal-metabolizable energy/kg diet (6 steers) in association with acute administration of bGH. Half the steers in each group were given two injections per steer of either placebo or 37.8 IU bGH at 24-hr intervals and slaughtered 24 hr after the second injection. Units of tissue TMA in all trials were measured at slaughter; one unit defined as 1 ng T 3 generated/hr/mg protein during incubation with T 4 (1.3 fM). In trial 1, TMA in liver and kidney was 2.86 and 1.21 times greater, respectively, for bGH than for placebo treatments. In trial 2, units of TMA in liver homogenates were higher (P 4 (70.0 vs 73.5 ng/ml) and T 3 (1.08 vs 1.18 ng/ml) concentrations appeared slightly higher in bGH-treated steers (trial 2) and increased by 20 and .5 ng/ml, respectively, (P
Minimizing interference and false alarms from electrocautery in the Nellcor N-100 pulse oximeter

Because the Nellcor N-100 pulse oximeter is generally quite sensitive to electrocautery interference, erroneous oxygen saturation values may be displayed and an audible false alarm may sound. We have discovered, through trial and error, several techniques that may minimize both the interference and the false alarms. Keeping the pulse oximeter sensor and the oximeter unit as far as possible from the surgical site and the electrocautery grounding plate will usually decrease the interference. If this step is inadequate, the incidence of false alarms can be decreased by setting the high pulse rate alarm to approximately 160, operating the unit in mode 2 (the rapid-response mode), and setting the “alarm off” function to 120 seconds. These steps will usually markedly decrease the incidence of false alarms.
Density Fluctuations in Microscopic Volumes of Fluid Argon around its Critical Point

Density correlation between two microscopic volumes in argon fluid is given in terms of x-ray intensity data. Results show that the size of a region with maximum molecular correlation is approximately 40 \AA{} for every thermodynamic point studied here. For points nearer the critical point, the maximum has a larger and broader shoulder, indicating that equally large correlations exist for different-sized cells. This result agrees with a view on the use of arbitrary cell size in the scaling-law theory.
Thermodynamics of addition of CO, isocyanide, and H2 to Rh(PR3)2Cl

The enthalpies of the addition of CO, H-2, or Bu(f)NC to [Rh((PPr3)-Pr-i)(2)Cl](2) (1) to give the mononuclear complexes Rh((PPr3)-Pr-i)(2)Cl(CO) (2), Rh((PPr3)-Pr-i)(2)ClH2 (3), and Rh((PPr3)-Pr-i)(2)Cl(CNBu(t)) (4) are reported. 2-Ethylhexanal is decarbonylated by 1 to give n-heptane and 2; solution-phase calorimetric measurement of this reaction enables calculation of the enthalpy of addition of CO to 1. The coordinatively unsaturated dihydride 3 reacts with Bu(t)NC to give 4; measurement of the enthalpy of this reaction, and the direct reaction of 1 with Bu(t)NC, permits calculation of the enthalpy of addition of H-2 to 1. These results afford the relative enthalpies of addition to the hypothetical fragment Rh((PPr3)-Pr-i)(2)Cl. Although 1 was previously formulated as monomeric in solution, the complex is exclusively dimeric. Based on the observation that no measurable concentration of Rh((PPr3)-Pr-i)(2)Cl monomer exists in solution, a lower limit for the bridge strength of 1 is calculated which, in turn, affords lower limits for the exothermicity of additions to the hypothetical monomer: 48.2 kcal/mol for addition of CO (i.e, the Rh-CO BDE of 1), 42.4 kcal/mol for addition of Bu(t)NC, and 32.5 kcal/mol for addition of H-2. Although these values represent lower limits, the Rh-CO BDE and particularly the exothermicity of H-2 addition are quite high compared with previously reported values for second-row transition metals. These results are consistent with and help to explain the unusual ability of Rh(PMe(3))(2)Cl(CO) to efficiently catalyze photo- and thermochemical alkane functionalization reactions.
Interleukin-2 levels are associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness.

Abstract Objective: To show that serum interleukin levels are associated with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). Background: Inflammation is hypothesized to play a central role in atherogenesis, and serum markers of inflammation are predictive of cardiovascular disease. Interleukin-2, a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced largely by naive CD4 T cells and Th1 (pro-inflammatory) T cells, has been found in a high proportion of carotid plaques. Methods: High-resolution ultrasound of the carotid arteries and serum cytokine levels were measured in stroke-free participants. The mean of the maximum IMT in bilateral bifurcation, common and internal carotid artery segments was measured. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2, IL-6, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and TNF receptors were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: IL-2 levels were significantly correlated with IMT ( r = 0.33, P P = 0.0001). After adjusting for other atherosclerotic risk factors, the association was unchanged (mean increase in IMT per unit increase IL-2 = 0.18 mm, P Conclusion: Serum levels of IL-2, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, are associated with carotid artery IMT, a predictor of stroke and vascular disease. Serum inflammatory markers may provide a novel marker of atherosclerotic risk, and inflammation may provide a new therapeutic target for stroke prevention.
The tonic immobility reaction in chickens: Response characteristics and methodology *

A total of 379 chickens were run in five studies to assess the effect of different procedures on tonic immobility and to measure some of the response components of the reaction. The optimal period of manual restraint, by way of producing the most durable immobility response, was found to be 15 sec, and pretest holding conditions were shown to exert a significant influence on the reaction in naive birds. Birds who defecated during immobility or shortly after termination, remained immobile longer than comparable nondefecators. Duration of eye closure and latency of vocalization were also found to be good predictors of the duration of an immobility episode.
Trends in the development of system-level fault Dependency matrices

A Dependency matrix (D-matrix) is a consistent and systematic way to capture hierarchical system-level fault diagnostic information. The D-matrix is derived from a dependency modeling framework to capture the causal relationships between failure modes and symptoms. D-matrices are developed from various sources such as historical field failure data, service documents, engineering schematics, and Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) data. Here, we survey the existing research work on developing D-matrices from disparate data sources and data formats. We classify the D-matrices based on their data source and the imperfectness of symptoms for both boolean and real-valued [0,1] D-matrices. An industrial perspective is offered to describe the pros and cons of various types of D-matrices along with the challenges faced while developing and applying them for vehicle health management. 1 2
Factors predicting patient-reported functional outcome scores after humeral shaft fractures.

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to determine patient variables that are independent predictors of validated functional outcome scores after humeral diaphyseal fractures. Methods Adult patients with humeral shaft fractures were retrospectively recruited from a level 1 trauma centre over an 8-year period. Basic demographic information was obtained along with Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Simple Shoulder Test (SST) and Short Form 12 (SF-12) physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS). Regression analysis was performed to identify patient factors associated with satisfactory outcomes, defined as DASH Results Satisfactory DASH scores decreased with increase in age (odds ratio (OR) 0.95; P = 0.023). Satisfactory SST scores were more likely in patients without a history of psychiatric illness (OR 6.3; P = 0.01). Satisfactory SF-12 PCS scores were more likely with no psychiatric history (OR 12; P = 0.007) and in patients with private insurance (OR 11.4; P = 0.03), but these scores decreased with rising Charlson comorbidity index (CCI; OR 0.50; P = 0.023). Satisfactory SF-12 MCS scores increased in the absence of psychiatric history (OR 39; P = 0.003), and decreased with rising CCI score (OR 0.54; P = 0.035). Analysis of patients younger than 50 years of age ( n = 38) revealed that the absence of psychiatric history increased the odds of satisfactory DASH scores (OR 10.4; P = 0.04). Patients aged ≥50 ( n = 39) had worse DASH scores with increasing age (OR 0.89; P = 0.037), better SST scores with middle-third fractures compared to proximal (OR 7.8; P = 0.039), better SF-12 PCS with no psychiatric history (OR 16.1; P = 0.018) and worse scores with rising CCI (OR 0.50; P = 0.036), while rising CCI decreased the odds of satisfactory SF-12 MCS scores (OR 0.47; P = 0.046). Treatment modality, associated fractures and classification as “high energy” mechanism were not associated with outcome. Conclusion Patient age, history of psychiatric illness, insurance type, fracture location and Charlson comorbidity index scores had a statistically significant effect on patient-reported functional outcomes following treatment of humeral shaft fractures, regardless of treatment modality, injury mechanism and associated fractures. The impact of these variables may be age dependent.
World Bank agricultural policies, poverty and income inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa

The original logic underlying the World Bank's structural adjustment policies in Africa was that the removal of state-created distortions would not only improve efficiency in the operation of markets but also enhance income equality and reduce poverty. The paper explores the linkage between adjustment and the deteriorating income distribution and rising poverty in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on the rural sector where most of the population earns its livelihoods. The pattern observed is a logical outcome of the strategies embedded in World Bank policies that need to change if we are to counter the persistence of inequality and poverty on the continent. The paper outlines an alternative approach aimed at increasing rural incomes to reduce poverty and inequality.
Generalization of Recent Method Giving Lower Bound for No(T) of Riemann's Zeta-Function

Abstract Let h(s) = π-s/2τ(s/2). Then, h(s)ζ(s) ∼ h(s)H(s) + h(1 - s)H(1 - s) where H(s) = Σ(1 - (log n)/log t/2π)n-s, n ≤ t/2π, led to No(T) ≥ N(T)/3. Here the extension to H(s) ∼ Σ P (1 - (log n)/log t/2π) n-s is made where P(x) is a polynomial such that P(0) = 0 and P(x) + P(1 - x) = 1. The earlier case is P(x) = x. The relevant formulas in the general case can be obtained explicitly by the earlier method used for P(x) = x, and, indeed, in some respects there is greater simplicity for the general case.
Hemodynamic effects of captopril in patients with severe chronic heart failure

Abstract The hemodynamic effects of captopril (SQ 14225), an oral inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme, were measured in 10 patients with severe chronic heart failure poorly controlled by digitalis and diuretics. After administration of a 25 mg dose, the cardiac index increased from 1.82 ± 0.14 to 2.28 ± 0.30 liters/min/m 2 (p 5 (p
Creep and directional coarsening in single crystals of new γ–γ′ cobalt-base alloys

Single crystal tensile creep tests have been performed on L12-containing cobalt-based alloys loaded along the [0 0 1] orientation. Co–Al–W alloys with additions of Ni, Ta, Cr and Mo were crept at 900 °C. Four of five alloys investigated exhibited directional coarsening parallel to the applied stress, indicating a positive misfit between the γ and γ′ phases. Alloys containing a high volume fraction of γ′ exhibited superior creep properties compared to alloys with low volume fraction of precipitates.
Ultra-thin microporous–mesoporous metal oxide films prepared by molecular layer deposition (MLD)

Porous aluminium oxide films with precisely controlled thickness down to several angstroms are deposited on particle surfaces from dense aluminium alkoxide hybrid polymer films by molecular layer deposition. Porous structures are obtained by either mild water etching at room temperature or calcination in air at elevated temperatures.
Zn2GeO4:Mn alternating-current thin-film electroluminescent devices

Abstract Electrical, electro-optic, temperature, and aging characteristics of green-emitting Zn2GeO4:Mn alternating-current thin-film electroluminescent (ACTFEL) devices are presented. The Zn2GeO4:Mn phosphor layers are prepared by RF sputtering. A maximum luminous efficiency of 0.45 lm/W and luminance of 105 cd/m 2 at 60 Hz and 40 V above threshold are obtained. Field-ionization of impact-excited Mn2+ luminescent impurities is found to give rise to positive space charge within the Zn2GeO4 phosphor, leading to unusual device behaviors such as conduction current delay, anomalous positive polarity transient luminance annihilation, transferred charge being comprised of mainly relaxation charge, and a decrease in the 60 Hz threshold voltage with increasing temperature. Low temperature aging experiments suggest that aging is at least partially due to hot electron-induced degradation. Although most Zn2GeO4:Mn ACTFEL devices exhibit a moderate amount of aging, certain devices are found to exhibit no measurable aging at 1 kHz when aged for 24 h .
Cardiac sympathetic nerve function assessed by [131I]metaiodobenzylguanidine after ischemia and reperfusion in anesthetized dogs

Background Accumulation of 131I-labeled metaiodobenzylguanidine ([131I]MIBG), a radiolabeled norepinephrine analog, is reduced in infarcted myocardium, suggesting loss of cardiac sympathetic nerve viability. Histopathologic studies, however, indicate that the nerve endings are morphologically intact. Experiments were therefore designed to determine the mechanism of reduced MIBG accumulation.
Patient experience and preferences toward colon cancer screening: a comparison of virtual colonoscopy and conventional colonoscopy.

Abstract Background: Virtual colonoscopy has excellent sensitivity for the detection of cancer and polyps greater than 1 cm in diameter. For virtual colonoscopy to succeed as a screening test for colorectal neoplasia, it must be well tolerated and accepted by patients. Patients' experiences with virtual colonoscopy and conventional colonoscopy were assessed and compared. Methods: Patients referred to the GI clinic for colonoscopy for any indication were recruited to undergo virtual colonoscopy before conventional colonoscopy. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire twice: after virtual colonoscopy and after completing both tests. Three variables, overall pain, discomfort, and lack of respect, were assessed by using a 7-point Liken scale with higher scores denoting a worse experience. Patients' preferences for virtual colonoscopy versus conventional colonoscopy were determined with a time tradeoff technique. To verify response stability, patients were asked to return an additional questionnaire by mail at 24 hours. Results: Two hundred ninety-five patients completed the questionnaire immediately after the procedures, and 83 patients completed the questionnaire at 24 hours. At both 0 and 24 hours, patients reported more pain, discomfort, and less respect after virtual colonoscopy than conventional colonoscopy ( p p Conclusions: Patients tolerate both virtual colonoscopy and conventional colonoscopy, although they report more pain, discomfort, and less respect undergoing virtual colonoscopy. Efforts to improve patient experience during virtual colonoscopy need to be investigated. (Gastrointest Endosc 2001;54:310-5.)
Simultaneous left ventricular and aortic pressure measurements in the evaluation of aortic valve surgery.

Abstract Stenotic lesions of the aortic valve are now amenable to surgical correction. The present report deals with a practical method for the determination of the hemodynamic effectiveness of corrective aortic dilatation in patients with aortic stenosis. By comparing the pressures simultaneously obtained from within the left ventricle and the aorta at the operating table before and after surgery, two objectives may be achieved. It is possible (1) to appraise the physiologic significance of an aortic murmur, and (2) to assess the degree of relief afforded to the left ventricle by surgery.
Sleep and cognitive performance of flight nurses after 12-hour evening versus 18-hour shifts.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate rest can result in disastrous medical and aviation errors. Using a prospective within-subjects design, this study compared the amount of daily sleep and the cognitive performance in flight nurses working 12-hour evening versus 18-hour shifts during a 72-hour duty schedule. METHODS: Ten flight nurses who worked two different duty schedules participated in the study. The first duty schedule consisted of three back-to-back 12-hour (7:00 pm to 7:00 am) evening shifts. The second duty schedule consisted of two 18-hour (7:00 am to 1:00 am) shifts separated by a 24-hour rest period. Pre- and duty sleep times were monitored using actigraphy. The flight nurses were tested using a battery of neuropsychological tests before and immediately after completing 12- and 18-hour duty schedules. After the conclusion of both duty schedules, nurses were asked to rate the 12- versus 18-hour duty schedules via questionnaire. RESULTS: Daily sleep times for the 12- versus 18-hour were not different for the pre-duty schedule (8.9 +/- 2.3 vs. 9.0 +/- 2.3 hours) or during duty schedule (7.0 +/- 1.4 vs. 6.9 +/- 1.3 hours). A significant decline was seen in the amount of pre- versus duty sleep for both the 12-hour (8.9 +/- 2.3 vs. 7.0 +/- 1.4 hours; P 12 hours) or unusual duty shifts. Language: en
Morphology and thermal conductivity of yttria-stabilized zirconia coatings

Abstract An electron beam directed vapor deposition method was used to grow 7 wt.% Y 2 O 3 –ZrO 2 (7YSZ) coatings and the effects of substrate rotation upon the coating porosity, morphology, texture, and thermal conductivity were explored. As the rotation rate was increased, the texture changed from 〈1 1 1〉 to 〈1 0 0〉. Under stationary deposition, the coatings were composed of straight columns, while low-frequency rotation resulted in wavy columns. Increases in rotation rate resulted in a gradual straightening and narrowing of the growth columns. The pore fraction slowly decreased as the rotation rate increased. The thermal conductivity was found to be inversely related to the pore fraction. The structural and thermal conductivity alterations are a result of changes to flux shadowing associated with specimen rotation in a gas jet-entrained vapor plume. The minimum thermal conductivity at a low rotation rate is 0.8 W/(m K), well below that of conventionally deposited coatings.
Particle size effects in the FMR spectra of fine-grained precipitates in glass

The influences of small particle sizes are considered in analyzing the temperature dependences of the anisotropy-determined FMR linewidth and the integrated FMR intensity of magnetic precipitates in glass.
An ophthalmoscope is not a retinoscope. The difference is in the red reflex.

Both the retinoscope and the ophthalmoscope allow observation of the fundus and of the "red reflex." Retinoscopy, however, requires an effective light source that may be quickly moved off the visual axis. The ophthalmoscope is unable to provide this type of illumination. On the other hand, the retinoscope is unable to provide sufficient illumination of the retina to make it useful for ophthalmoscopy . Ophthalmoscopy requires the examiner's retina to be conjugate to the retina being examined, whereas the examiner's retina becomes conjugate to the peephole of the retinoscope in retinoscopy. The "red reflex" seen with either the retinoscope or the ophthalmoscope may be clear or blurred. The clear red reflex is more useful for ophthalmoscopy , while the blurred red reflex is primarily used for retinoscopy.
Nonlinear Dispersion of Surface Gravity Waves in Shallow Water

The nonlinear dispersion of random, directionally spread surface gravity waves in shallow water is examined with Boussinesq theory and field observations. A theoretical dispersion relationship giving a directionally averaged wavenumber magnitude as a function of frequency, the local water depth, and the local wave spectrum and bispectrum is derived for waves propagating over a gently sloping beach with straight and parallel depth contours. The linear, nondispersive shallow water relation is recovered as the first-order solution, with weak frequency and amplitude dispersion appearing as second-order corrections. Wavenumbers were estimated using four arrays of pressure sensors deployed in 2‐6-m depth on a gently sloping sandy beach. When wave energy is low, the observed wavenumbers agree with the linear, finitedepth dispersion relation over a wide frequency range. In high energy conditions, the observed wavenumbers deviate from the linear dispersion relation by as much as 20%‐30% in the frequency range from two to three times the frequency of the primary spectral peak, but agree well with the nonlinear Boussinesq dispersion relation, confirming that the deviations from linear theory are finite amplitude effects. In high energy conditions, the predicted frequency and amplitude dispersion tend to cancel, yielding a nearly nondispersive wave field in which waves of all frequencies travel with approximately the linear shallow water wave speed, consistent with the observations. The nonlinear Boussinesq theory wavenumber predictions (based on the assumption of irrotational wave motion) are accurate even within the surf zone, suggesting that wave breaking on gently sloping beaches has little effect on the dispersion relation.
Nitric oxide synthase is increased following small intestinal transplantation in the rat

Abstract Transplantation of the small intestine is a neural model that could include extrinsic denervation, loss of intrinsic enteric neurons, or loss of intrinsic neural pathways. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase activity was measured in normal rat ileum, ileum 3 months after resection of the jejunum, and ileum 3 months after isotransplantation of the ileum. The distribution of NADPH diaphorase activity and immunoreactive neuronal nitric oxide synthase were examined. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase activity was increased in transplanted ileum (16.5±3.5 mU/mg protein) compared to normal controls (6.6±0.7) and resection controls (6.8±0.6) ( P
Effects of Friction on Contact of Transverse Ground Surfaces

The two-dimensional plane-strain sliding contact of a smooth rigid roller on a transuerse ground rough surface is analyzed. The rough surface is idealized as an elastic half-space with periodic roughness modeled as cylindrical ridges oriented transverse to the sliding direction. The contact problem is solved using a numerical iterative method in which each asperity contact is treated as a micro-Hertz contact, and the exact treatment of asperity interaction is included. The subsurface stress field is calvulated using Westergaard stress fuuntions. The subsequent analysis compares the rough surface stress fields with the corresponding smooth Hertz contact to evaluate the influence of surface roughness and friction on the subsurface stress distributions
The type V bekesy pattern: the effects of loudness memory.

Ten trained, audiometrically normal young adults heard a 1K-Hz reference tone at 50-dB or 80-dB SPL. They were instructed to maintain the reference loudness throughout a three-minute 1K-Hz fixed-fr...
Correlation of photoluminescence and deep trapping in metalorganic chemical vapor deposited AlxGa1−xAs (0≤x≤0.40)

Shallow and deep level photoluminescence (PL) in metalorganic chemical vapor deposition grown AlxGa1−xAs (0≤x≤0.40) are studied. Two sets of samples grown under different conditions are compared. The growth conditions are chosen to produce a large density of deep levels in one case and to minimize the deep level density in the other case. The 0.82‐eV EL2 electron trap and four other dominant electron traps with activation energies ET ranging from 0.25 to 0.62 eV are identified. The concentrations of the four other traps are observed to increase with Al content in those samples grown under trap‐producing conditions, and the traps are nearly absent in the other set of samples. The PL intensity is inversely proportional to trap concentrations. The trap densities are related to background contamination in the growth ambient, most likely H2O and O2, leading to the speculation that two traps with ET=0.35 eV and ET=0.25 eV involve Al and O complexes. Hole traps have also been observed but show no definite trends...