cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alternative Weighting Approaches for Anchored Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparisons via a Common Comparator

Abstract Background Adjusted indirect comparisons (anchored via a common comparator) are an integral part of health technology assessment. These methods are challenged when differences between studies exist, including inclusion/exclusion criteria, outcome definitions, patient characteristics, as well as ensuring the choice of a common comparator. Objectives Matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) can address these challenges, but the appropriate application of MAICs is uncertain. Examples include whether to match between individual-level data and aggregate-level data studies separately for treatment arms or to combine the arms, which matching algorithm should be used, and whether to include the control treatment outcome and/or covariates present in individual-level data. Results Results from seven matching approaches applied to a continuous outcome in six simulated scenarios demonstrated that when no effect modifiers were present, the matching methods were equivalent to the unmatched Bucher approach. When effect modifiers were present, matching methods (regardless of approach) outperformed the Bucher method. Matching on arms separately produced more precise estimates compared with matching on total moments, and for certain scenarios, matching including the control treatment outcome did not produce the expected effect size. The entropy balancing approach was used to determine whether there were any notable advantages over the method proposed by Signorovitch et al. When unmeasured effect modifiers were present, no approach was able to estimate the true treatment effect. Conclusions Compared with the Bucher approach (no matching), the MAICs examined demonstrated more accurate estimates, but further research is required to understand these methods across an array of situations.
Exploring Soft Information Granules

Abstract The advent of big data characterized by 4V’s (i.e., volume, velocity, variety and veracity) imposes huge challenges to IT researchers and practitioners. In this paper, we review the basic concept of information granule (as studied in the field of granular computing), and discuss how this concept can be generalized to deal with new challenges imposed by big data. To accommodate 4 V’s, extensibility (the fundamental philosophy underlying extenics) is the desirable feature for information structure (represented by information granules), as elasticity the desirable feature for storage. We examine time-varying information granules, and the newly proposed concept of dynamic granule, to explain the need for considering soft information granules. We discuss how methodology offered by extenics can define soft boundaries for soft information granules, so that extensibility can play an effective role in dealing with unconventional features of big data. Examples are provided to illustrate our idea.
Analyzing Meanings of Identities

A set of identity words serves as data points for three approaches to analyzing meanings: (1) dictionary definitions; (2) a word’s collocates or nearby words; (3) word associations. In each approach, function words and other words with low semantic content are removed, and remaining words are converted to root forms to obtain a list of keywords constituting an identity explication. The lists are turned into a zero-one matrix with a column for each identity and a row for each keyword used in any definition. Mathematical manipulations result in a correlation matrix showing the extent of keyword overlap in the definitions, and this is the basis of a principal component analysis defining clusters of identities in terms of similarities in their explications.
Early Modern Mixtures in England, Spain, and the New World (1500s–1600s)

This chapter explores English Renaissance theatre in England, with all-male companies and the “university wits,” as well as Shakespeare, not following neoclassical rules, yet often drawing on classical comedies and tragedies, their own British history, and pastoral fantasies, with interwoven subplots. It considers various aspects of public, private, and court theatres, with playwrights using spoken decor to evoke spectators’ imaginations and revealing characters’ inner theatres with asides and soliloquies. It then looks at Spain’s late-developing religious dramas and secular “Golden Age” plays, with various aspects of corral (courtyard) theatres. It investigates Aztec god-actor sacrifices, which conquistadors and priests prevented in New Spain, yet documented, and a play by Sor Juana that allegorizes such cultural conflicts.
An Inter-Device Accuracy Comparison of Consumer Sleep Trackers

The ability to investigate sleep is of scientific and clinical interest. Polysomnography (PSG) has long been considered the gold standard assessment for sleep physiology; however, its cost and inconvenience have spurred the development of consumer devices capable of evaluating sleep outside the laboratory. The development of dedicated consumer sleep monitoring devices, e.g., the Zeo Personal Sleep Manager, smart bands, e.g., the Microsoft Band 2 (MB2), and activity trackers, e.g., the Fitbit Charge 2 (FC2), with the ability to automatically distinguish between sleep and wakefulness has important implications for sleep research and medicine.1–3Copyright © 2019 by ASME
Automatic Leg Regeneration for Robot Mobility Recovery

Automatic repair of mechanical structures would enable a robot to recover or improve functions after physical damage. Little work exists on real-world execution of automatic repair in robotic systems. State-of-the-art takes a modular approach where the robotic system is modular and a replacement module is available. However, the modular approach suffers from low granularity in repair even with tens of motors. In addition, there is a lack of quantitative evaluation of the effect of automatic repair on robot functionality. Here we propose a cooperative method for automatic repair in a robotic system. Our method is regeneration-based rather than module-based and does not assume availability of a replacement part. It integrates a fabrication process on the fly for robot structure regeneration. With a system that consists of a regenerating robot, a legged robot and a pre-engineered ribbon, we demonstrate end-to-end execution of automated repair of the legged robot’s leg by the regenerating robot in 335 seconds. Experiments on repeatability show a 100% success rate for sub-processes such as positioning, leg fabrication, and legged robot disengagement and a 90% success rate for leg detachment. We quantify the effect of leg regeneration on mobility recovery and found a 90% recovery of forward speed, a 19.7% increase of peak power and a 9.3% reduction of cost of transport with a regenerated leg.
Impacts of increased urbanization on surface temperature, vegetation, and aerosols over Bengaluru, India

Abstract Bengaluru is India's third largest city by population and has been noted as a prime example of rapid urbanization due to the increased presence of the information technology industry. Urban areas are typically characterized by (1) higher land surface temperatures (LST) when compared to their surroundings, known as the urban heat island (UHI) effect, and (2) lower vegetation spatial extent and density. However, an observational study exploring the impacts of increased urbanization on surface temperature and vegetation in Bengaluru during different seasons and time of day is lacking. Here, satellite products of LST, Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), aerosol optical depth, and land cover from the MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) were used to assess changes in EVI and daytime and nighttime LST over Bengaluru and surrounding non-urban areas from 2003 to 2018 for the dry (December–February) and wet (August–October) seasons. Results showed that the amount of urbanized land increased by 15% from 2003 to 2018. The mean UHI intensity was found to be of greatest magnitude during the dry season at nighttime, and an UHI was also observed for the wet season during both daytime and nighttime hours. The UHI intensity exhibited an increasing trend in the dry season nighttime and wet season daytime and nighttime, suggesting an enhanced UHI effect with increased urban area. Results further show an absence of a daytime UHI during the dry season with a significant daytime cooling trend most likely attributable to an increase in aerosols, which act to limit daytime surface warming. Understanding the relationships among urbanization, UHI intensity, vegetation, and aerosols, and how they change with time could be useful to project future UHI impacts in Bengaluru.
Do Fruit and Vegetable Policies, Socio-Environmental Factors, and Physical Activity Influence Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among Adolescents?

Abstract Purpose Several factors are known to influence the intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) among adolescents. However, few studies have examined the role that FV policies and associated factors (such as availability of food at home, parental support, and physical activity) play on consumption of FV, particularly among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Method Adolescent data (except for FV policy status) were obtained from the Global School-based Student Health Survey from 2004 to 2013. Information on FV policies was obtained from government ministries, World Health Organization databases, Scopus, and PubMed. Countries were designated as having the policy if the policy was issued at least a year before Global School-based Student Health Survey data collection (n = 13 LMICs). Countries without FV policies were based on the absence of a policy between 2004 and 2013 (n = 11 LMICs). The total analytic sample included 89,843 adolescents from 24 countries. Results Logistic regression models revealed a positive association between the presence of FV policy and the adequate consumption of FV (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.74–2.40; p-value Conclusion Adolescents' physical environment (presence of FV policies, unavailability of food), social environment (parental connectedness, supervision, and bonding), and physical activity behavior are all significant predictors of adolescents' intake of FV.
Hilbertian (function) algebras

A Hilbertian (co)algebra is defined as a (co)semigroup object in the monoidal category of Hilbert spaces. The carrier Hilbert space of such an algebra (H,μ) splits as an orthogonal direct sum of it...
Antisense oligonucleotides targeting Notch2 ameliorate the osteopenic phenotype in a mouse model of Hajdu-Cheney syndrome.

Notch receptors play critical roles in cell-fate decisions and in the regulation of skeletal development and bone remodeling. Gain–of–function NOTCH2 mutations can cause Hajdu-Cheney syndrome, an untreatable disease characterized by osteoporosis and fractures, craniofacial developmental abnormalities, and acro-osteolysis. We have previously created a mouse model harboring a point 6955C→T mutation in the Notch2 locus upstream of the PEST domain, and we termed this model Notch2tm1.1Ecan. Heterozygous Notch2tm1.1Ecan mutant mice exhibit severe cancellous and cortical bone osteopenia due to increased bone resorption. In this work, we demonstrate that the subcutaneous administration of Notch2 antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) down-regulates Notch2 and the Notch target genes Hes-related family basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor with YRPW motif 1 (Hey1), Hey2, and HeyL in skeletal tissue from Notch2tm1.1Ecan mice. Results of microcomputed tomography experiments indicated that the administration of Notch2 ASOs ameliorates the cancellous osteopenia of Notch2tm1.1Ecan mice, and bone histomorphometry analysis revealed decreased osteoclast numbers in Notch2 ASO-treated Notch2tm1.1Ecan mice. Notch2 ASOs decreased the induction of mRNA levels of TNF superfamily member 11 (Tnfsf11, encoding the osteoclastogenic protein RANKL) in cultured osteoblasts and osteocytes from Notch2tm1.1Ecan mice. Bone marrow-derived macrophage cultures from the Notch2tm1.1Ecan mice displayed enhanced osteoclastogenesis, which was suppressed by Notch2 ASOs. In conclusion, Notch2tm1.1Ecan mice exhibit cancellous bone osteopenia that can be ameliorated by systemic administration of Notch2 ASOs.
Persistent anthropogenic legacies structure depth dependence of regenerating rooting systems and their functions

Biotically-mediated weathering helps to shape Earth’s surface. For example, plants expend carbon (C) to mobilize nutrients in forms whose relative abundances vary with depth. It thus is likely that trees’ nutrient acquisition strategies—their investment in rooting systems and exudates—may function differently following disturbance-induced changes in depth of rooting zones and soil nutrient stocks. These changes may persist across centuries. We test the hypothesis that plant C allocation for nutrient acquisition is depth dependent as a function of rooting system development and relative abundances of organic vs. mineral nutrient stocks. We further posit that patterns of belowground C allocation to nutrient acquisition reveal anthropogenic signatures through many decades of forest regeneration. To test this idea, we examined fine root abundances and rooting system C in organic acid exudates and exo-enzymes in tandem with depth distributions of organically- and mineral-bound P stocks. Our design permitted us to estimate C tradeoffs between organic vs. mineral nutrient benefits in paired forests with many similar aboveground traits but different ages: post-agricultural mixed-pine forests and older reference hardwoods. Fine roots were more abundant throughout the upper 2 m in reference forest soils than in regenerating stands. Rooting systems in all forests exhibited depth-dependent C allocations to nutrient acquisition reflecting relative abundances of organic vs. mineral bound P stocks. Further, organic vs. mineral stocks underwent redistribution with historic land use, producing distinct ecosystem nutritional economies. In reference forests, rooting systems are allocating C to relatively deep fine roots and low-C exudation strategies that can increase mobility of mineral-bound P stocks. Regenerating forests exhibit relatively shallower fine root distributions and more diverse exudation strategies reflecting more variable nutrient stocks. We observed these disparities in rooting systems’ depth and nutritional mechanisms even though the regenerating forests have attained aboveground biomass stocks similar to those in reference hardwood forests. These distinctions offer plausible belowground mechanisms for observations of continued C sink strength in relatively old forests, and have implications for soil C fates and soil development on timescales relevant to human lifetimes. As such, depth-dependent nutrient returns on plant C investments represent a subtle but consequential signal of the Anthropocene.
Modalities of data colonialism and South Asian hashtag publics

In December 2018, Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, declared that data colonization was comparable to “previous forms of colonialization” and “India’s data must be controlled and owne...
Abstract PR007: Is sex an effect modifier for cancer immune checkpoint inhibitors? – A population-based study

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized melanoma management and are now standard of care. While sex is associated with immune function and immune-related diseases, the interplay between sex and ICIs is under-studied. Therefore, we examined whether cancer immunotherapy effectiveness varied between female and male patients with advanced melanoma who are on either ipilimumab plus nivolumab combination therapy or anti-PD1 therapy, namely nivolumab or pembrolizumab. Methods: Adults (age: 65+) with a record of melanoma diagnosis from 1991-2015 in the SEER-Medicare linked database were considered for the study. Only Stage III or IV melanoma patients whose claims records showed ipilimumab plus nivolumab (ipi/nivo) combination therapy or anti-PD1 therapy (i.e., nivolumab or pembrolizumab) as their last type of ICI prescribed were included in the analyses. Survival was defined as time from the first date of combination therapy or anti-PD1 therapy administration to death or loss of follow-up. We employed a Cox proportional hazards model to examine effect modification of sex on ICI while adjusting for prior use of ipilimumab, age at ICI initiation, Charlson Comorbidity Index, cancer stage at the time of diagnosis, and autoimmune disease diagnosis. Results: We identified 165 advanced melanoma patients on ipi/nivo combination therapy and 1,204 advanced melanoma patients on anti-PD1 therapy (426 on nivolumab and 778 on pembrolizumab). More than 70% of the patient cohort were male, and approximately 10% of the cohort were diagnosed with at least one autoimmune disease. Compared to the anti-PD1 therapy patients, there were more patients at age Conclusions: This retrospective observational study showed that the risk of mortality among patients treated with ipi/nivo combination therapy may depend on the sex of the patient. Further studies are warranted to validate the study results. This abstract is also being presented as PO052. Citation Format: Se Ryeong Jang, Nikita Nikita, Joshua Banks, Krupa Gandhi, Jennifer M. Johnson, Melissa Wilson, Scott W. Keith, Grace Lu-Yao. Is sex an effect modifier for cancer immune checkpoint inhibitors? – A population-based study [abstract]. In: Abstracts: AACR Virtual Special Conference: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2020 Oct 19-20. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2021;9(2 Suppl):Abstract nr PR007.
Infinity, Time, and Successive Addition

According to an influential line of argument, the past must be finite because no infinite series can be formed by successive addition. The present paper pinpoints the non sequitur at the heart of t...
A Note on the Convolution of Circle Impulses

We present a formula for the convolution $\delta_{C_1}*\delta_{C_2}$ of two circle impulses. The derivation uses a classical addition theorem for Bessel functions.
A simple approach for effective shearing and reliable concentration measurement of ultra-high-molecular-weight DNA

Pipetting and concentration measurement of viscous ultra-high-molecular-weight (UHMW) DNA samples is challenging and often highly imprecise. Effective guidelines for handling UHMW samples are missi...
Consumer Choice: The Practical Reason for Both Antitrust and Consumer Protection Law

This article is about the relationship between antitrust and consumer protection law. Its purpose is to define each area of law, to delineate the boundary between them, to show how they interact with each other, and to show how they ultimately support one another as the two components of a single overarching unity. That overarching unity is consumer choice. Antitrust and consumer protection law share a common purpose in that both are intended to facilitate the exercise of consumer sovereignty or effective consumer choice. Such consumer choice exists when two fundamental conditions are present: (1) there must be a range of consumer options made possible through competition; and (2) consumers must be able to select freely among these options.
Special Topic: Creativity in Christianity and Confucianism

By focusing on the Confucian ideal of forming one body with Heaven, Earth, and myriad things, I argue that the distinctive feature of Chinese cosmology is not the absence of cosmogonist concerns, but faith in the interconnectedness of all modalities of being as the result of the continuous creativity of the cosmic process.
Seismic reflection and refraction

The seismic-reflection and -refraction methods in near-surface geophysical investigations are based on the introduction of mechanical energy into the subsurface using an active source and the recording, typically using surface geophones, of the resulting mechanical response. Passive-source seismic methods also provide important information; these will be described in Chapter 7. The propagation of mechanical energy into the subsurface consists, to a large part, of elastic waves . The essential property of an elastic body is that it returns instantaneously to its original pre-deformed state with the removal of a mechanical force that changed its size and/or shape. A delayed return to the original state is termed viscoelasticity . Any permanent deformation, such as ductile deformation or brittle failure, is a measure of the inelasticity of the body. Significant permanent deformation of the ground surface can occur in the vicinity of large seismic disturbances such as earthquakes (e.g. Lee and Shih, 2011) but inelasticity can be safely neglected in most near-surface active-source or passive-source studies. An important characteristic of elasticity is the relationship between the strain, or deformation, of a body and the stress, or mechanical force, that produces the deformation of the body. An excellent review of the elementary physics of wave motion is found in French (1971). Introduction There are several possible types of elastic wave motion following the introduction of a seismic disturbance. The particle motion associated with compressional, or P-waves, is aligned with the direction of wave propagation (Figure 6.1a). The particle motion associated with shear, or S-waves, is aligned in a direction perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation (Figure 6.1b). Both vertically polarized (SV, as shown in the figure) and horizontally polarized (SH) motions are possible. The P- and S-waves are known as body waves since they are transmitted through the interior of the Earth. As shown by the shaded cells in the figure, P-waves are associated with a change in size and aspect ratio of an elementary material volume while S-waves are associated with a change in shape. With surface Rayleigh, or R-waves, discussed more fully in the next chapter, the particle motion near the surface is retrograde elliptical (Figure 6.1c, top) and only those particles in the region close to the surface of the Earth, at depths comparable to the elastic wavelength, are set into motion. A second type of surface wave motion (Figure 6.1 c , bottom) is characterized by horizontal particle motion that oscillates transverse to the direction of wave propagation. Such waves are termed Love waves.
Sales Force Strategy

Sales force strategy is defined as the set of strategic decisions that determine where the sales force will focus its attention and the role of the sales force in creating customer value that is consistent with the overall strategy of the firm. The sales force's ability to create superior customer value is based on its ability to perform a set of fundamental customer-focused capabilities: new customer acquisition, customer relationship development, customer trust building, and customer retention. To create a competitive advantage, the nature of these capabilities will depend on the types of customer relationships a firm has with its customer base, for example, transactional, consultative, and enterprise customer relationships. Likewise, sales force capabilities performance will be influenced by a firm's sales force support system which includes its sales force structure, management control processes, performance metrics, and motivation and talent development systems. Keywords: consultative relationships; customer prioritization; customer relationship types; enterprise relationships; management support system; motivation system; sales force capabilities; sales force structure; talent development; transactional relationships
Analyzing Afghanistan: The Wartime Culture of Migrants and Militants

Abstract Three recent texts provide a set of overlapping insights on Afghan culture and society as well as the relationship between militancy and migration, from the Soviet invasion to the present.
Use of Ultrafiltration To Isolate Viruses from Seawater Which Are Pathogens of Marine Phytoplankton

Viruses may be major structuring elements of phytoplankton communities and hence important regulators of nutrient and energy fluxes in aquatic environments. In order to ascertain whether viruses are potentially important in dictating phytoplankton community structure, it is essential to determine the extent to which representative phytoplankton taxa are susceptible to viral infection. We used a spiral ultrafiltration cartridge (30,000-molecular-weight cutoff) to concentrate viruses from seawater at efficiencies approaching 100%. Natural virus communities were concentrated from stations in the Gulf of Mexico, a barrier island pass, and a hypersaline lagoon (Laguna Madre) and added to cultures of potential phytoplankton hosts. By following changes in in vivo fluorescence over time, it was possible to isolate several viruses that were pathogens to a variety of marine phytoplankton, including a prasinophyte (Micromonas pusilla), a pennate diatom (likely a Navicula sp.), a centric diatom (of unknown taxa), and a chroococcoid cyanobacterium (a Synechococcus sp.). As well, we observed changes in fluorescence in cultures of a cryptophyte (a Rhodomonas sp.) and a chlorophyte (Nannochloropsis oculata) which were consistent with the presence of viral pathogens. Although pathogens were isolated from all stations, all the pathogens were not isolated from every station. Filterability studies on the viruses infecting M. pusilla and the Navicula sp. showed that the viruses were consistently infective after filtration through polycarbonate and glass-fiber filters but were affected by most other filter types. Establishment of phytoplankton-pathogen systems will be important in elucidating the effect that viruses have on primary producers in aquatic systems.
Feature tracking for wide-baseline image retrieval

We address the problem of large scale image retrieval in a wide-baseline setting, where for any query image all the matching database images will come from very different viewpoints. In such settings traditional bag-of-visual-words approaches are not equipped to handle the significant feature descriptor transformations that occur under large camera motions. In this paper we present a novel approach that includes an offline step of feature matching which allows us to observe how local descriptors transform under large camera motions. These observations are encoded in a graph in the quantized feature space. This graph can be used directly within a soft-assignment feature quantization scheme for image retrieval.
Numerical modeling of 3D weak turbulence driven by high‐power VLF pump waves in the topside ionosphere

[1] Nonlinear interactions have been suggested to account for the missing mechanism of energy losses in the current models of propagation of very low frequency (VLF) waves from powerful transmitters into the magnetosphere. This paper presents the results of study of weak- turbulent coupling between VLF electrostatic waves by means of a novel 3D numerical code, which includes so-called vector nonlinearity. The results virtually reproduce the Demeter satellite observations of intense broadband lower hybrid (LH) electrostatic waves generated by whistler-mode waves from the VLF transmitter NWC.
Female sexual dysfunction

Female sexual dysfunction is a common problem, yet it is often under-treated. Sexual function is an integral part of the human experience and sexual dysfunction can negatively impact quality of life, yet many patients suffer in silence with their problems. This article provides a common case scenario, along with information on prevalence of female sexual dysfunction, definitions and classifications of female sexual dysfunction as well as some of the treatment options available.
Should Antibiotics Be Prescribed to Treat Chronic Periodontitis

Although scaling and root planing is a cost-effective approach for initial treatment of chronic periodontitis, it fails to eliminate subgingival pathogens and halt progressive attachment loss in some patients. Adjunctive use of systemic antibiotics immediately after completion of scaling and root planing can enhance the degree of clinical attachment gain and probing depth reduction provided by nonsurgical periodontal treatment. This article discusses the rationale for prescribing adjunctive antibiotics, reviews the evidence for their effectiveness, and outlines practical issues that should be considered before prescribing antibiotics to treat chronic periodontitis.
Adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremity.

We have previously reported the results of a randomized trial that demonstrated the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with high-grade extremity sarcomas compared with no chemotherapy. This regimen included doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate. This report updates and extends our experience. The median follow-up of this trial is now 7.1 years and reveals a 5-year disease-free survival of 75% and 54% for chemotherapy and no chemotherapy groups, respectively (two-sided P [P2] = .037). The 5-year overall survival for patients in this trial was 83% and 60% for the chemotherapy and no chemotherapy groups, respectively, with a trend towards improved survival in the chemotherapy arm (P2 = .124). Because of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy we performed a subsequent randomized trial comparing this high-dose regimen to reduced cumulative doses of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide without methotrexate. Eighty-eight patients were entered into this trial which has a medi...
The relationship between external anal and external urethral sphincter activity in continent women

The relationship between the external anal sphincter and the periurethral sphincter muscles is an unresolved issue. Recordings of the external anal sphincter (EAS) are commonly used to indicate the responses of the urethral sphincter during urodynamic evaluations and in biofeedback procedures for the treatment of urinary incontinence. This study examined the validity of using anal sphincter training to teach control of the external urethral sphincter. Subjects were 5 continent women, aged 37–51 years, who reported being free of all urologic symptoms. Using visual biofeedback of anal sphincter pressure, subjects were trained to voluntarily contract the sphincter to four amplitudes: 5, 10, 15, and 20 mmHg (6.8, 13.6, 20.4, and 27.2 cmH2O). Then they were guided through a series of controlled anal sphincter contractions, while the response of the urethral sphincter was measured using surface electrodes embedded in a Foley catheter. At each of four bladder volumes, subjects performed 16 contractions (four contractions at each of the four amplitudes). The order of contractions was counterbalanced, using a Latin square design. The results show a strong, statistically significant, monotonic relationship between the magnitude of anal sphincter contraction (pressure) and the level of urethral sphincter electromyographic (EMG) activity. The results support the use of the external anal sphincter as an indicator of urethral sphincter activity for the purpose of conducting biofeedback in the treatment of urinary incontinence.
SPECTRAL FORMS FOR THREE-POINT FUNCTIONS.

Single- and double-spectral forms for three-point functions are studied, in a detailed manner, within the framework of source theory. The methods developed, which are applicable beyond the present problem, are based on causal considerations and appear to provide some simplifications and advances over the conventional analytic methods. The spectral variables are any one or two of the momentum scalar products (${{p}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}^{2}, {{p}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}}^{2}, {{p}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}}^{2}$) on which the three-point function depends, ${{p}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}^{2}$ and ${{p}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{{p}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}}^{2}$, to be specific. After studying the lowest-order nontrivial contributions, a source-theoretic calculational scheme for contributions of arbitrary order is qualitatively developed, and it is used in establishing the spectral forms for general order. In lowest order the spectral weight functions are explicitly given, while in general order the main concern is the existence of the spectral forms. The spectral forms considered here are only ones with normal thresholds, and the methods give regions of those variables not in spectral form (${{p}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{{p}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}}^{2}$ and ${{p}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}}^{2}$) for which such spectral forms of general order occur, with all particles being allowed different masses. For the single-spectral studies the region is in agreement with that obtained conventionally. The region for the double-spectral form is all spacelike values of ${{p}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}}^{2}$; double-spectral forms for three-point functions of general order do not appear to have been investigated previously.
Thin-film circuits for scalable interfacing between large-area electronics and CMOS ICs

Hybrid systems based on large-area electronics (LAE) and CMOS ICs aim to exploit the complementary strengths of the two technologies: the scalability of LAE for forming interconnects and transducers (for sensing and energy harvesting), and the energy efficiency of CMOS for instrumentation and computation. The viability of large-scale systems depends on maximizing the robustness and minimizing the number of interfaces between the LAE and CMOS domains. To maximize robustness, inductive and capacitive coupling has been explored, avoiding the need for metallurgical bonding [1]. To minimize the number of interfaces, a method to access and readout individual sensors via minimal coupling channels, is crucial. In this abstract, we present a thin-film transistor (TFT) based scanning circuit that requires only three capacitively-coupled control signals from the IC to sequentially access an arbitrarily large number of LAE sensors, enabling a single readout interface (Fig. 1). A key attribute of the presented circuit is the low power consumption, which remains nearly constant even as the number of sensors scales.
Seasonal pattern of melatonin excretion in humans: relationship to daylength variation rate and geomagnetic field fluctuations

In order to investigate the influence of various environmental parameters on melatonin excretion, the night-time urinary melatonin excretion of 16 healthy volunteers was measured in samples collected monthly over a period of one year. No significant interindividual differences were detected in the monthly rate of change of melatonin excretion. A seasonal bimodal pattern did, however, emerge. Peak values were observed in June and November. In these months a combination of high daylength stability and low values of the vertical component of the geomagnetic field was recorded. Trough values were found in April and August-October when low daylength stability was combined with high values of the vertical component of the geomagnetic field. We propose that the daylength variation rate, and the fluctuations of the vertical component of the geomagnetic field, interact to induce the changes in melatonin secretion which signalize the different seasons in humans.
An engineer's perspective of the intervention research workshop

As an engineer practicing in the area of engineering controls for the reduction of occupational exposures to hazardous agents, the Intervention Research Workshop studies appeared to be effective for the studied situations, yet the models may not be applicable across a wide range of intervention possibilities. A more generic model might be more appropriate, perhaps a business model. Dr. W. Edwards Deming has proposed a model for the production of goods and services. If we can view interventions as products which need to be sold to potential customers, perhaps this type of model would be more effective across a wide range of intervention strategies.
Theoretical description of the spatial dependence of sickle hemoglobin polymerization

We have generalized the double nucleation mechanism of Ferrone et al. (Ferrone, F. A., J. Hofrichter, H. Sunshine, and W. A. Eaton. 1980. Biophys. J. 32:361–377; Ferrone, F. A., J. Hofrichter, and W. A. Eaton. 1985. J. Mol. Biol. 183:611–631) to describe the spatial dependence of the radial growth of polymer domains of sickle hemoglobin. Although this extended model requires the consideration of effects such as monomer diffusion, which are irrelevant to a spatially uniform description, no new adjustable parameters are required because diffusion constants are known independently. We find that monomer diffusion into the growing domain can keep the net unpolymerized monomer concentration approximately constant, and in that limit we present an analytic solution of the model. The model shows the features reported by Basak, S., F. A. Ferrone, and J. T. Wang (1988. Biophys J. 54:829–843) and provides a new means of determining the rate of polymer growth. When spatially integrated, the model exhibits the exponential growth seen in previous studies, although molecular parameters derived from analysis of the kinetics assuming uniformity must be modified in some cases to account for the spatially nonuniform growth. The model developed here can be easily adapted to any spatially dependent polymerization process.
Sad mood reduces inadvertent plagiarism: Effects of affective state on source monitoring in cryptomnesia

In two experiments, we explored the influence of affective state, or mood, on inadvertent plagiarism, a memory failure in which individuals either misattribute the source of an idea to themselves rather than to the true originator or simply do not recall having encountered the idea before and claim it as novel. Using a paradigm in which participants generate word puzzle solutions and later recall these solutions, we created an opportunity for participants to mistakenly claim ownership of items that were, in fact, initially generated by their computer ‘partner.’ Results of both experiments suggest that participants induced into a sad mood before solving the word puzzles made fewer source memory errors than did those induced into a happy mood. Results of Experiment 2 also imply that sad mood reduces some item memory errors. Implications for appraisal theories, such as the affect-as-information hypothesis, are discussed.
Can the Committee Meet? A Markov Chain Analysis

If the 5-digit numbers have been generated at random, the test statistic is the value of an approximate chi-squared random variable having expected value 3. Values significantly greater than 3 indicate systematic departures from randomness. Our value of 1.837 shows a better than expected agreement. (A statistician would not consider rejecting the hypothesis of randomness unless the test statistic exceeded 6.25, the critical value for a level .10 test.) Thus the MINITAB data pass our test with flying colors. (Notes on this test: (a) The degrees of freedom are one fewer than the number of categories, which in our case is 4 1. (b) Not all authors agree on how large a sample is required for the chi-squared test to be appropriate. There is general agreement that all Eis should be at least one. Cochran [1] suggests that at least 80% of the expected cell frequencies should be 5 or greater. Moore [5] says this is too conservative.)
232 EFFECTS OF GASTRIC NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION ON UMBILICAL UPTAKE OF NUTRIENTS AND BLOOD FLOW,IN THE FETAL LAMB

Intrauterine, nutritional supplements might benefit the growth retarded fetus.We studied the effects of gastric infusions of nutrients on umbilical uptake(Umb U)of amino N,glucose,lactate and O2 and on lower body blood flow,using 14 fetal lambs(126-138 days gestation,6-17 days post surgery)with indwelling femoral arterial (FA),umbilical venous(UV),cranial mesenteric venous(CMV)and gastric catheters.Seven received 2 hr infusions of 8.5%,L-amino acids (Travasol,10-25mg/kg/min)and seven received 20% glucose(14-38mg/kg/min),Umb U and intestinal uptakes were calculated from measurements of FA,UV and CMV whole blood nutrient concentrations and microsphere blood flow measurements,made twice before the infusions and 2-3 times in the 2nd hr.During amino acid infusions,the intestine absorbed amino N,at a mean rate equal to 45% of Umb U of amino N.Umb U of nutrients did not change but O2 uptake decreased (p<.05).When glucose was infused,the intestine absorbed glucose, at a mean rate equal to 42% of Umb U of glucose.Umb U of amino N, lactate and O2 did not change.Umb U of glucose decreased,in inverse proportion to the rise in FA glucose concentration(p<.01). During the infusions,umbilical blood flow decreased(mean of 12%, p<.005),while intestinal blood flow increased(mean of 41%,p<.05). Conclusions: Fetal gastric supplementation with amino N is possible.Glucose supplementation is limited by the decrease in Umb U of glucose which occurs,when fetal glucose concentration rises.
In defense of classical foundationalism : a critical evaluation of Plantinga's argument that classical foundationalism is self-refuting

In numerous works, Alvin Plantinga argues that classical foundationalism is a failed theory of knowledge because of its self-referential incoherence. Plantinga's argument, however, fails to demonstrate that classical foundationalism is self-refuting. To bring this to light, I will review the form of Plantinga's argument in comparison with other examples of self-refutation. Upon closer inspection, it will be clear that classical foundationalism is not self-refuting, as Plantinga claims. Furthermore, I will expose another flaw in Plantinga's argument against classical foundationalism, which shows at best that Plantinga's argument cannot be reconstructed to demonstrate that classical foundationalism is improbable. While Plantinga's argument may highlight a challenge for classical foundationalism, his argument does not establish the falsity of classical foundationalism, nor does it offer any other overriding reason to reject it. Thus, Plantinga's criticisms of classical foundationalism by themselves are not sufficient to rule out the theory's viability.
Enhanced resolution of anisotropic rotational diffusion by multi-wavelength frequency-domain fluorometry and global analysis

Abstract Frequency-dependent differential polarized phase and modulation data were used to measure time-dependent anisotropy decays of 9-aminoacridine and Y-base. The data were obtained at various excitation wavelengths, at which the fundamental anisotropies ( r 0 ) varied from −0.17 to 0.373. The different values of r 0 result in different contributions of the multiple correlation times to the anisotropy decay. The multi-wavelength data were analyzed globally, revealing both molecules to be anisotropic rotators. The rotational motions of Y-base are more anisotropic than those of 9-aminoacridine. In propylene glycol at −5 ° C the two correlation times for Y-base were found to be 2.1 and 12.1 ns. For 9-aminoacridine the correlation times were 9.5 and 14.1 ns.
TV series on atmospheric science

Acid rain, climate change, air pollution, and the possible inadvertent depletion of ozone in the upper atmosphere will be among the subjects covered in an eight-part television series that premiers April 3, 1986, on public television. Part of a 32-lecture program entitled “Earth Science for Teachers,” this series will feature new developments in the physics, chemistry, and dynamics of the atmosphere and will focus on the role of anthropogenic activities that affect atmospheric composition and climate. Public television station WHRO-TV in Norfolk, Va., in cooperation with Virginia's Department of Education in Richmond, produced the series, which involved guest lecturers from across the country. Joel S. Levine, senior research scientist in the Atmospheric Science Division at the Langley Research Center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Hampton, Va., served as the organizer and coordinator of the series. Joseph D. Exline, Associate Director for Science, Virginia Department of Education, assisted with the development and production of the series.
Recent thymic emigrants and prognosis in T- and B-cell childhood hematopoietic malignancies.

The concentration of T-cell receptor rearrangement excision DNA circles (TRECs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is currently known to be a marker of recent thymic emigrants. We evaluated the hypothesis that TREC values would be lower in childhood T-cell hematopoietic malignancies than in childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or healthy controls because the former category may reflect compromised thymic function. From the Greek national childhood leukemia/lymphoma database we obtained all 30 available T-cell leukemia/non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cases, 30 age- and sex-matched childhood B-cell origin cases of ALL and 60 healthy hospital controls. We compared TREC levels in PBMCs using a real-time PCR assay. There was highly significant reduction of TREC values in children with T-cell malignancies (median 3,100 TRECs/106 PBMCs), whereas children with B-cell origin ALL had slightly but nonsignificantly lower TREC values compared to healthy children (medians 19,300 and 22,500 TRECs/106 PBMCs, respectively). During a median follow-up period of about 19 months, only 4 children died. All of them had a T-cell hematopoietic malignancy and relatively low TREC values. The number of TRECs was higher among healthy girls than among healthy boys, and a similar pattern was evident in T-cell malignancies. It appears that there is a pattern of concordance of high TREC values with better disease prognosis in hematologic childhood malignancies. This applies to specific disease entities with better prognosis (B-cell origin ALL having higher TREC values than T-cell leukemia/lymphoma) and to gender, another important predictor of prognosis conditional on disease entity (girls having higher TREC values than boys); however, it may also be true for the survival of individual patients. These preliminary findings can be used as hypothesis-generating indications that should be confirmed in larger data sets. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Is regional species diversity bounded or unbounded

Two conflicting hypotheses have been proposed to explain large-scale species diversity patterns and dynamics. The unbounded hypothesis proposes that regional diversity depends only on time and diversification rate and increases without limit. The bounded hypothesis proposes that ecological constraints place upper limits on regional diversity and that diversity is usually close to its limit. Recent evidence from the fossil record, phylogenetic analysis, biogeography, and phenotypic disparity during lineage diversification suggests that diversity is constrained by ecological processes but that it is rarely asymptotic. Niche space is often unfilled or can be more finely subdivided and still permit coexistence, and new niche space is often created before ecological limits are reached. Damped increases in diversity over time are the prevalent pattern, suggesting the need for a new ‘damped increase hypothesis’. The damped increase hypothesis predicts that diversity generally increases through time but that its rate of increase is often slowed by ecological constraints. However, slowing due to niche limitation must be distinguished from other possible mechanisms creating similar patterns. These include sampling artifacts, the inability to detect extinctions or declines in clade diversity with some methods, the distorting effects of correlated speciation-extinction dynamics, the likelihood that opportunities for allopatric speciation will vary in space and time, and the role of undetected natural enemies in reducing host ranges and thus slowing speciation rates. The taxonomic scope of regional diversity studies must be broadened to include all ecologically similar species so that ecological constraints may be accurately inferred. The damped increase hypothesis suggests that information on evolutionary processes such as time-for-speciation and intrinsic diversification rates as well as ecological factors will be required to explain why regional diversity varies among times, places and taxa.