cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treating rheumatoid arthritis to target: an international initiative

What do the following have in common: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), hemoglobin A1C, and blood pressure? Each is a parameter that is used as a therapeutic target in disease management: LDL for coronary artery disease (CAD), hemoglobin A1C for diabetes, and blood pressure for both diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The approach of “treating to a target” is not a new concept in clinical medicine. Indeed, such a goal-directed therapeutic strategy is already the standard approach in many specialties, and failure to achieve the set target predicts both morbidity and mortality. For example, the goal of reducing LDL is widely accepted and adhered to by both cardiologists and primary care physicians (PCPs), with the target LDL goal determined by the number of CAD risk factors that are present in an individual patient. The Joint National Commission (JNC) 7 blood pressure guidelines are also commonly followed by medical professionals. Physicians have come to recognize that blood pressures less than 140/90 mmHg must be targeted in otherwise healthy individuals and that blood pressures less than 130/80 mmHg must be the goal of treatment in all patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease (CKD) to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure. Finally, both endocrinologists and PCPs understand the importance of achieving a hemoglobin A1C level as close to 6% as possible, and use this parameter as an indicator of the success of their therapeutic strategy to achieve “tight” control of a patient’s diabetes in the outpatient setting. How is the concept of “treating to a target” relevant to rheumatology in general, and to the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in particular? In this article, we employ a question and answer approach to address the importance of treating RA to target, review the seminal studies supporting a treat to target approach in the management of RA, describe ongoing international treat to target initiatives, and discuss the practical issues related to using a treat to target approach in clinical practice.
Probable damage to tundra biota through sulphur dioxide destruction of lichens

Abstract Lichens, which are important components of many arctic ecosystems, are extremely sensitive to SO 2 pollution. Recent oilfield development in Arctic North America seems likely to eliminate lichens from large areas because of a unique combination of biological and meteorological factors. Probable future oilfield development in Greenland and the Soviet Union indicates that SO 2 pollution will become an increasingly serious threat to arctic ecosystems. Therefore, uncontrolled burning of crude oil, fuel oil, and natural gas, should be avoided, and adequate sulphur-extraction facilities should be installed.
Nonword repetition skills in young children who do and do not stutter.

The purpose of this study was to assess the nonword repetition skills of 24 children who do (CWS; n = 12) and do not stutter (CWNS; n = 12) between the ages of 3;0 and 5;2. Findings revealed that CWS produced significantly fewer correct two- and three-syllable nonword repetitions and made significantly more phoneme errors on three-syllable nonwords relative to CWNS. In addition, there was a significant relationship between performance on a test of expressive phonology and nonword repetition for CWS, but not CWNS. Findings further revealed no significant fluctuation in fluency as nonwords increased in length. Taken together, findings lend support to previous work, suggesting that nonword repetition skills differ for CWS compared with CWNS, and that these findings cannot be attributed to (a) weak language performance on the part of CWS, or (b) the occurrence of stuttering in the course of nonword production. Educational objectives: After reading this article, the learner will be able to: (a) describe one common means of assessing phonological working memory in children; (b) summarize the performance differences of children who stutter compared to peers on a nonword repetition task; (c) compare the results of the present study with previous work in this area.
EFFECTS OF SMALL RODENTS AND LARGE MAMMALS ON NEOTROPICAL SEEDS

The direct and indirect effects of seed predation by a Neotropical community of small rodents and large mammals were examined in a 1.5-year exclosure experiment in Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica. This park has an intact terrestrial mammalian community, including small rodents and large mammalian seed predators, an essential condition to quantify the dynamics of seed predation. To measure seed predation, three exclosure treatments (1.2 m radius × 1.5 m tall) in two forest types (primary vs. secondary forest) were monitored: (1) fenced exclosures that excluded large mammals, (2) fenced exclosures that excluded both large and small mammals, and (3) open controls. Tethered seeds were added from nine common species of canopy trees and lianas (seven families), and seed removal was measured from February 2001 to July 2002. Small rodents had significant negative effects on four of the nine seed species tested, and the effects of small rodents on seed predation differed significantly from the effects of large mammals and insect/fungal pathogens. Small-rodent seed predation (both rates and total proportion destroyed) did not differ between secondary and primary forest habitats. Throughout the exclosure study, small-rodent populations were marked and recaptured to document their community composition and densities. Small-rodent population fluctuations were observed, and shifts in composition directly affected species-specific and community-wide seed predation. Fewer seeds were destroyed when small-rodent abundance was low. Small-rodent population fluctuations also had an indirect effect, reversing the relative importance of small rodents and large mammals and resulting in large mammals becoming the primary seed predators. This change did not only decrease total seed predation for some species; it had the additional effect of moving from a primarily negative interaction (seed predation from the small rodents) to the varied interactions of seed predation and seed dispersal (scatter-hoarding). This research illustrated that small-rodent community fluctuations are a mechanism responsible for variability in the process of Neotropical seedling regeneration.
Stability of certain differential equations with homogeneous right hand sides

Consider the system i?ki -.: hi(X)X, (i = 1, 2), (‘1 where X = (X 1 , x,) and A, and A, are differentiable homogeneous functions of even degree 2m. We investigate the stability of the trivial solution X(t) = (0,O). THEOREM 1. The system (I) is asymptotically stable in the whole ;f (a) A,( 1, 0) < 0 and X,(0, 1) < 0, and (b) either h,(X) or h,(X) is negative whenever x f (0, 0). Proof. Differentiating A, A, along a trajectory yields
Titania-silica glasses using a colloidal sol-gel process

Abstract A colloidal sol-gel process has been developed to prepare a silica-10% titania glass for low thermal expansion substrates. The method utilizes titanium isopropoxide which is first reacted with ethylene glycol and citric acid at 120°C. This stabilizes the titanium isopropoxide against hydrolysis/precipitation so that it can be mixed with water and then used as the medium for dispersion of colloidal silica. This sol is then cast in tubes, sealed, and heated to 60–70°C to promote gelation. The gels are removed from the tubes after 2–3 days, dried in air for 24–36 h, and then sintered to 1230°C. The decomposition of the Ti-isopropoxide/ethylene glycol resin occurs at 300–350°C at which point the average pore-size increases to about 10.0 nm. The final density of the sintered gel is comparable to that reported for glasses of similar composition prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The glasses are translucent and TEM examination revales that this is due to the presence of uniformly distributed microcrystallites of anatase ( A ). The coefficients of thermal expansion are intermediate between those of fused silica and a commercial titania-silica glass (Corning 7971).
Modification of nickel silicide formation by oxygen implantation

Abstract A systematic study of the effects of implanted oxygen on the formation of Ni2Si has been carried out using 4He+ backscattering spectrometry and the 16O(d, α)14N nuclear reaction for the analysis. The effect of impurity oxygen is shown to differ depending on the initial location of the oxygen. For the oxygen initially in the Ni film, barrier formation and subsequent cessation of Ni2Si growth can occur by the accumulation of oxygen in the form of SiO2 at the interface NiNi2Si. Oxygen picked up during thermal annealing also plays a role in the build-up of this barrier. Once Ni2Si growth ceases the second phase NiSi forms. When oxygen is initially in the Si, the oxygen is incorporated into the Ni2Si layer without barrier formation. The relative reduction in oxygen density in the process parallels that of the Si density as Si forms Ni2Si. We model these observations in terms of the asymmetries that are present in this system with regard to the moving species in the Ni2Si formation and with regard to the chemical reactivity of oxygen with Ni and Si. Generalizing from these results, a model for impurity effects in metal silicide formation is discussed.
Characterization of thermal behavior of etoposide

Abstract Etoposide is a potent cytotoxic agent useful in the treatment of various malignancies. Earlier work in our laboratory with this drug as obtained from the source (etoposide I) revealed that it undergoes thermal transitions during the course of heating to 300°C. In this study these thermal events were characterized by subjecting etoposide I to differential thermal analyses, powder X-ray diffractometry, mass spectrometry, infrared analysis and HPLC. Etoposide I, a monohydrate, was found to undergo a dehydration reaction in the range of 85–115°C to yield etoposide Ia, which upon further heating melted at 198°C and crystallized to a new polymorph, etoposide IIa at 206°C. Etoposide IIa was found to melt at 269°C and converted to its hydrated form, etoposide II, when exposed to the atmosphere at room temperature. This hydrate was also found to undergo a dehydration reaction at 90–120°C to yield etoposide IIa. The X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the existence of etoposide I, Ia and II, IIa as two different crystal arrangements. Nearly identical infrared spectra and retention times with the HPLC indicated that the two forms were not chemically different. The polymorphic transition was found to be irreversible and a monotropic type of transition. TGA and mass spectral analyses of etoposide I and II suggested that the water was present in their crystal lattices. Etoposide II was found to have greater aqueous solubility than that of etoposide I at 0, 22, and 37°C.
Anaerobic biodegradation of the isoprenoid biomarkers pristane and phytane

Isoprenoids, a diverse class of compounds synthesized by all three domains of life, comprise many of the biomarker compounds used in paleoenvironmental and paleoecological reconstruction of Earth history. These biomarkers include hopanoids, sterols and archaeal membrane lipids. While changes in hydrocarbon profiles in anoxic sediments and oilfields indicate that anaerobic microbial metabolism is involved in the disappearance or alteration of isoprenoids, direct links between specific compounds and their microbial degraders are lacking. Here we describe pristane (Pr) and phytane (Ph) degradation associated with NO^-_3 reduction. We confirmed isoprenoid conversion to CO_2 using ^(13)C-labeled Ph. After 120 days, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) produced in incubations grown with ^(13)C-labeled Ph had a δ^(13)C value of +76.7 ± 11.9‰, significantly higher than values for incubations with unlabeled Ph (−35.7 ± 2.0‰) and those without an added carbon substrate (−30.0 ± 2.1‰). Additional incubations, displayed NO^-_3 reduction after amendment with archaeal diphytanyl glycerol diether (DGD) core lipids, but not in those amended with glycerol diphytanyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) core lipids. Both 16S rRNA clone libraries and whole cell rRNA-targeted fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) indicated that the likely Pr and Ph degrading Bacteria were Gamma proteobacteria, with > 99% similarity to Pseudomonas stutzeri.
Multiscale characterisation of weldments

In this review, a brief introduction to different multiscale characterisation techniques and their application to the characterisation of weldments is presented. The techniques are presented from a historical point of view. The techniques reviewed include optical microscopy, electron microscopy, atom probe field ion microscopy, microhardness mapping and nanoindentation. Although these techniques are discussed with examples from fusion welds, they can easily be applied to solid state welding processes. The paper also refers to other advanced characterisation techniques that are discussed in detail in other sections of this special issue.
A topological defect model of superfluid vortices

Abstract This paper introduces a nonlinear Schrodinger model for superfluid that captures the process of mutual friction between the superfluid and normal fluid components of helium II. Superfluid vortices are identified as topological defects in the solution of this equation. A matched asymptotic analysis of Neu is adapted to derive an asymptotic dynamics for the vortices in the case they are widely separated compared with their core size. This motion agrees with the classical Hall and Vinen motion in which phenomenological drag terms are added, ad hoc, to the motion of vortices in an inviscid fluid. Several simple examples are considered to illustrate the unique character of the motion of superfluid vortices. Finally, the motion of vortices in uniformly rotating helium II is considered, and a continuum approximation to their dynamics is obtained in the case of very many vortices.
Internal CO2 concentrations in onion bulbs at different storage temperatures and in response to sealing of the neck and base

Abstract Internal CO2 concentrations were measured in onion (Allium cepa L. cv. TG 1015Y) bulbs stored at 1, 7, 13, 20, 27, or 34°C for 12 weeks and their relationships with shoot growth and respiration rates were investigated. Maximum shoot growth was observed at 13 and 20°C. Respiration rates were greatest at 13 and 20°C for 8 weeks, then linearly increased with storage temperatures after 12 weeks. Internal CO2 concentrations ranging from 2 to 5% increased with increasing storage temperatures, while internal gas volume decreased. Bicarbonate concentrations in outer scales ranged from 130 to 190 μM and increased with increasing storage temperatures. The centre scale tissues contained 11–17% CO2 , which paralleled respiration rates. Sealing the neck area of onion bulbs stored at 1 or 27°C significantly increased internal CO2 concentrations, but had no effect on inhibiting shoot growth. Internal CO2 concentrations appeared to be regulated by gas exchange rates through the neck area and/or elevated HCO3− concentrations in outer scales. Elevated internal CO2 concentrations or high levels in centre scale tissues did not appear to be a primary reason for inhibited shoot growth at high storage temperatures. There seems to be thermo-dormancy controlling shoot growth and respiration in onion bulbs.
Separation of a 2-propanol/n-heptane mixture by liquid membrane perstraction

The effectiveness of perstraction separation of a 2 vol% 2-propanol-n-heptane mixture using dodecane as the strip liquid was studied using a hollow fiber contained liquid membrane permeator (HFCLMP). The liquid membranes used were pure water and 3 wt% water in sulfolane. Both liquid membranes yielded similar mass-transfer coefficients and 2-propanol removal rates. Pure water, however, exhibited 3 times higher selectivity for 2-propanol than 3 wt % water in sulfolane. Selectivities of 2-propanol over n-heptane as high as 447 were experimentally obtained. The observed fluxes and selectivities at 25C are close to those obtained in prevaporation of a 10% 2-propanol-n-hexane mixture through cellulose ester films at 60C. A first-order mathematical model was developed using partition coefficients that are functions of solute concentrations, and it predicts the observed behavior of the two systems relatively well.
Are the economics of pharmaceutical research and development changing?: productivity, patents and political pressures.

Pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) competition in the 1980s and 1990s was characterised by rising R&D expenditures, favourable returns to innovators and the introduction of many new classes of drugs with high social benefits. However, in the past 3 years, the number of new drug introductions has been well below the historical trend, while the cost per new drug continues to increase. In addition to lagging R&D productivity, the industry has been characterised by other economic and policy uncertainties. These include a wave of early patent challenges and growing political pressure to contain pharmaceutical expenditures. This paper examines the consequences of these developments.
Efficient chirp diagnosis algorithms for femtosecond laser pulses

We present new algorithms for implementing MOdified Spectrum Auto-Interferometric Correlation (MOSAIC). Ultrashort laser pulse chirp can be quantified quickly and with high sensitivity in real time.
GDL: A Geographic Distributed Localization Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks

Localization is a fundamental problem in sensor networks. This paper proposes a new distributed localization algorithm called GDL ("Geographic Distributed Localization") that is based on hop-counting. Although the idea of predicting node position from connectivity information in WSNs is not new, our algorithm improves on other localization algorithms of this type in several key ways. Results from extensive simulation in NS-2 show a significant improvement in the accuracy with which locations can be determined in WSNs with varying density and different number of nodes on irregular placements. In particular, when compared with the MDS-MAP series of algorithms, our algorithm achieves about a 30-40% improvement in accuracy. It also has a lower communication cost (0(n) versus O(nlogn)) than MDS-MAP(P), and has a low constant memory cost per node.
A laboratory method for studying zooplankton swimming behaviors

A laboratory method is presented for studying zooplankton swimming behaviors such as phototaxis and photokinesis. The method attempts to standardize laboratory conditions and to minimize the effects of several phenomena which modify zooplankton behavior. The role of angular light distribution in zooplankton behavior is discussed, and an apparatus which simulates a natural underwater light environment is described. The procedure minimizes the fluctuations in zooplankton swimming speed and vertical distribution that are caused by large light stimuli, noise, food deprivation, endogenous rhythms, and other factors. The experimental animals were viewed remotely with the aid of a light amplifier and video camera. A mathematical equation and computer program for calculating three-dimensional swimming speeds of zooplankton from video recordings are described in detail.
Low-Voltage Bulk-Driven Operational Amplifier With Improved Transconductance

This paper presents two low-voltage bulk-driven amplifier input stages with enhanced transconductance. The idea is to introduce auxiliary differential pairs into a conventional bulk-driven stage to boost its transconductance. A low-voltage cascode biasing circuitry based on EKV models is also employed to ensure proper operation of the proposed input stages. An operational amplifier is then implemented with the proposed input stages and biasing circuits as its core building blocks and including a modified low-voltage class AB output amplifier to guarantee rail-to-rail output voltage range. The overall amplifier was implemented in a 0.35 μm n-well CMOS process using 1-V power supply. The measurement results show significant improvement in the performance of the operational amplifier compared to prior arts.
Microsampling technique for EBSP inspection on the cross-sections of copper trench lines in ULSIs.

The crystal microstructure of copper interconnects in ultra large scale integrations (ULSIs), depends on factors such as the trench line width and patterns. Therefore, inner crystal characterisation of the desired trench lines composed of copper is required. Electron backscatter diffraction pattern (EBSP) inspection has become a powerful technique for analysing the crystal characterisation of interconnects. However, EBSP inspection is sensitive to surface conditions such as contamination and strain. In this study, we applied the focused ion beam (FIB) technology, particularly, the microsampling technique to the preparation of samples for EBSP inspection on the cross-sections of the copper trench lines. As a result, we demonstrate that a damaged layer composed of a crystalline substance is formed on the plane of the copper as revealed by the 30 kV Ga + FIB milling, but an EBSP signal is detectable. In conclusion, the cross-sectional sample preparation technique employing microsampling is found to be very powerful for analysing the inner crystal characteristics of the desired copper trench lines by EBSP inspection.
Nuclear data sheets for A = 158

Abstract Experimental nuclear data for nuclides with mass 158 are presented. All nuclei with Z between 62 and 72 with the exception of Lu (Z=71) have been reported for this mass number. Although gammas in 158Eu ground-state decay have recently been studied with better accuracy, there is uncertainty regarding β-feeding of 158Gd levels. The study of 157Gd(n,γ) reaction with a crystal diffraction spectrometer has enabled the determination of 158Gd levels with greater precision. However, there remain a large number of unassigned gamma transitions seen in (n,γ) reaction; also the conversion electron data from n-capture studies could not easily be correlated with other available data on 158Gd. There is ambiguity regarding the Q+-value in (e/β+)-decay of 158Ho. It is also not clear which of the gammas seen in 158Ho decay are due to the direct feeding of 158Dy levels by the 27-m 158mHo state. Unless indicated otherwise, all energies given in the following pages are in MeV. Every effort has been made to include all data available prior to July 1, 1973. Some of the older data have been omitted or referenced under “other measurements.”
Structural optimization with crashworthiness constraints

An automated structural design methodology has been devised which simultaneously considers design criteria associated with both linear elastic and crashworthiness loading conditions. This method is developed within the context of a nonlinear mathematical programming based structural optimization capability using an efficient two-phased crashworthiness analysis technique. Specially constructed nonlinear approximations for the crashworthiness constraints are employed to further reduce the computational burden during the optimization process. This methodology is demonstrated on an automobile structural design problem. It is shown that more mass efficient designs can be obtained by simultaneously considering elastic and crashworthiness design criteria as compared to a sequential approach in which the structure is first designed for the elastic loads and then modified to satisfy the crashworthiness criteria.
Use of glucagon for removal of an orogastric lavage tube

This report presents the first case in which glucagon administration enabled the removal of an impacted orogastric tube in a patient with distal esophageal spasm. For patients in whom the removal of a gastric tube is impeded, we suggest initially determining tube position and checking for any knotting or kinking of the tube using fluoroscopy. Provided that the gastric tube is distal to the mid-esophagus and is not kinked or knotted, we suggest that glucagon can be used as an adjunctive modality for gastric tube removal. This care provides an additional and previously unreported use for glucagon in emergency medicine.
Membrane formation techniques for gas permeation measurements for side-chain crystalline polymers

Abstract Modifications of traditional membrane support assemblies are described that permit accurate measurement of gas permeability coefficients for side-chain crystalline poly( n -alkyl acrylate)s or poly( n -alkyl methacrylate)s above and below the melting point. These modifications address the problems associated with the very brittle nature of these materials below the melting point and their fluid-like nature above the melting point. An Anopore™ porous ceramic disc coated with poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) masked with aluminum tape on the downstream surface was the support ultimately chosen to perform these measurements. The problems and concerns leading to the choice of this assembly are described. Crystallite orientation in solvent cast films of the side-chain crystalline polymers is demonstrated by wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). Melting the film and recrystallization on cooling effectively eliminates such orientation.
Superconducting instability in the infinite-U Anderson lattice in the presence of crystal electric fields.

We have studied the mean-field quasiparticle states and quasiparticle interactions in the infinite-[ital U] Anderson lattice in the presence of crystal electric field of cubic symmetry. We assume a lattice of 4[ital f] sites, each with a total angular momentum of [ital J]=5/2 that is split into a low-lying doublet of [Gamma][sub 7] symmetry and an excited quartet of [Gamma][sub 8] symmetry. Slave bosons on the 4[ital f] sites create and destroy 4[ital f][sup 0] configurations and Lagrange multipliers at each 4[ital f] site enforce the occupancy constraint due to the infinite Coulomb repulsion. The quasiparticle states are strongly peaked at the points where the Fermi surface intersects the axes of the cubic Brillouin zone, leading to what we call hot spots.'' We have calculated the effective magnetic moment and the Wilson ratio for these anisotropic quasiparticle states. Quasiparticle interactions are due to exchange of 4[ital f] density fluctuations. We use the analytic tetrahedron method to calculate the dressed (to order 1/[ital N]) boson Green functions. In weak coupling, the exchange of the dressed bosons gives rise to a superconducting instability of [ital T][sub 1[ital g]], [ital xy]([ital x][sup 2][minus][ital y][sup 2]), symmetry. The [ital A][sub 1[ital g]], [ital s]-wave,''more » channel has strongly repulsive interactions and hence no pairing instability. The [ital T][sub 2[ital g]] channel exhibits weakly repulsive interactions. Average quasiparticle interactions in the [ital E][sub [ital g]], [ital x][sup 2][minus][ital y][sup 2], 3[ital z][sup 2][minus][ital r][sup 2], channel fluctuate strongly as a function of the number of tetrahedra used to calculate the bosonic Green functions, lending only weak evidence for an instability of [ital E][sub [ital g]] symmetry.« less
Dynamics of weakly coupled random antiferromagnetic quantum spin chains

We study the low-energy collective excitations and dynamical response functions of weakly coupled random antiferromagnetic spin-1/2 chains. The interchain coupling leads to Neel order at low temperatures. We use the real-space renormalization-group technique to tackle the intrachain couplings and treat the interchain couplings within the random phase approximation (RPA). We show that the system supports collective spin wave excitations, and calculate the spin wave velocity and spectra weight within RPA. Comparisons will be made with inelastic neutron scattering experiments on quasi-one-dimensional disordered spin systems such as doped CuGeO3.
No short-term savings in health care expenditures for physically active adults.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of physical activity and health care expenditures in a nationally representative sample of non-disabled adults. Methods This was a secondary analysis of data from 8843 adults. Physical activity measures were derived from participants in the 2006 and 2007 National Health Interview Survey. Demographic and expenditure variables came from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data files for panels 12 (2007–2008) and 13 (2008–2009). Multivariable regression models were used to determine the association between levels of physical activity participation and total health care expenditures, drug expenditures, and out-of-pocket health care expenditures. Results Unadjusted data revealed lower health care expenditures among those whose activity level met the CDC guidelines with greater savings apparent among those who exercised above recommended guidelines. However, in the models that adjusted for age, sex, race, income and health status these differences disappeared. Conclusion In the short-term, the amount of physical activity undertaken by an adult may have little effect on the expenditures for health services, drugs and the money expended directly out-of-pocket. However, given the benefits of physical activity in terms of chronic disease prevention there are very likely long-term expenditure savings to be had.
Theory of the D. C. Motor Controlled by Power Pulses Part I - Motor Operation

This paper describes the theoretical relations between currents, fluxes and pulse duration in a DC motor energized by power pulses. From these values, the average torque and speed as well as their instantaneous variations are calculated. The non-linearity of the magnetic circuit is considered by a suitable approximation of the magnetization curve and the resulting error is evaluated. Numerical examples illustrate the characteristics of a shunt and series motor for several types of pulse control. A companion paper1 discusses in detail different braking methods, proprietory commutation phenomenons and additional iron and copper losses. Also, a Fourier analysis of the current pulses is presented.
The use of the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) in the delineation of open water features

The Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) is a new method that has been developed to delineate open water features and enhance their presence in remotely-sensed digital imagery. The NDWI makes use of reflected near-infrared radiation and visible green light to enhance the presence of such features while eliminating the presence of soil and terrestrial vegetation features. It is suggested that the NDWI may also provide researchers with turbidity estimations of water bodies using remotely-sensed digital data.
Olfactory receptor response characteristics: A reevaluation

The activity of single olfactory receptor cells previously reported was reexamined using Guttman-Lingoes multidimensional scaling, cluster analysis and factor analysis. These analyses were compared and contrasted with similar analyses using another olfactory unit data set and a color vision receptor data set. Questions were raised regarding the interpretation of the results of these analyses for any of the data sets employed.
Understanding senile “confusion”: Sources and stages

A psychological phenomenon frequently encountered in pastoral care is senile “confusion.” Disorientation can result from sensory deprivation, sociocultural stress, or organic processes. The major cause of confusion among the elderly is dementia resulting from primary neuronal degeneration. Social, psychological, and pastoral support may reduce the degree of confusion or retard its progress toward advanced stages.
Power of tests for comparing trend curves with application to national immunization survey (NIS).

To develop statistical tests for comparing trend curves of study outcomes between two socio-demographic strata across consecutive time points, and compare statistical power of the proposed tests under different trend curves data, three statistical tests were proposed. For large sample size with independent normal assumption among strata and across consecutive time points, the Z and Chi-square test statistics were developed, which are functions of outcome estimates and the standard errors at each of the study time points for the two strata. For small sample size with independent normal assumption, the F-test statistic was generated, which is a function of sample size of the two strata and estimated parameters across study period. If two trend curves are approximately parallel, the power of Z-test is consistently higher than that of both Chi-square and F-test. If two trend curves cross at low interaction, the power of Z-test is higher than or equal to the power of both Chi-square and F-test; however, at high interaction, the powers of Chi-square and F-test are higher than that of Z-test. The measurement of interaction of two trend curves was defined. These tests were applied to the comparison of trend curves of vaccination coverage estimates of standard vaccine series with National Immunization Survey (NIS) 2000–2007 data. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A touch of class? A case study of geriatric screening process.

That the poor, elderly and other “socially undesirable” people are at excessive risk of being sent to mental hospitals has been documented by a variety of studies. Once labelled, the person is likely to be almost automatically admitted. When specific screening criteria for admission are introduced to reduce inappropriate admissions, however, admission itself can no longer be automatic, for not everyone can be admitted. The present study suggests that, on one geriatric service, the relative repute of the potential mental patient is a decisive factor in his admission. Specifically, at an institution where the program is highly regarded by professional staff, patients with characteristics similar to the examiner are admitted, those dissimilar are rejected. The implications of this for control of persons needing mental health care are discussed.
Pharmacodynamics of 750 mg and 500 mg doses of levofloxacin against ciprofloxacin-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Abstract An in vitro pharmacokinetic model (IVPM) was used to evaluate the pharmacodynamics of the 750 mg and 500 mg doses of levofloxacin against 4 ciprofloxacin-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae . Levofloxacin MICs ranged from 1.4 to 3.2 μg/ml. Log-phase cultures (5 × 10 7 cfu/ml) were inoculated into the IVPM and exposed to the peak free-drug concentrations of levofloxacin achieved in human serum with each dose. Levofloxacin was dosed at 0 and 24 h, elimination pharmacokinetics were simulated, and viable counts were measured over 30 h. The 750 mg dose was rapidly bactericidal against all 4 strains, achieving eradication within 30 h. Against strains with levofloxacin MICs of 1.4 and 1.8 μg/ml, the 500 mg dose exhibited pharmacodynamics similar to the 750 mg dose. In contrast, against strains with levofloxacin MICs of 2.6 and 3.2 μg/ml, viable counts never fell below 10 4 cfu/ml. The rapid killing and eradication of these pneumococci by the 750 mg dose warrant the clinical evaluation of this new dose in the treatment of pneumococcal infections.
Effects of Azinphos-methyl on the Reproductive Success of the Bluegill Sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus, in Littoral Enclosures

Adult bluegills were exposed to a single application of azinphosmethyl in 12 littoral enclosures in a northern Minnesota pond. Responses measured were adult behavior and spawning, embryo hatchability, larval survival until swim-up, young-of-year (Y-O-Y) growth, and total biomass. Four enclosures each were treated at 1.0 and 4.0 micrograms/liter and four remained untreated. The half-life of azinphos-methyl was 2.3 and 2.4 days at each of the two treatment levels, respectively. Quantifiable residues remained in the water for 8 days. Concentrations of 4.0 or 1.0 microgram/liter did not cause any significant long-term (63 day) effects on bluegill reproduction, embryo hatchability, larval survival, growth, or biomass. Although important bluegill prey such as copepod nauplii and cladocerans were significantly or greatly reduced by Day 7 following treatment, they recovered to levels equal to or greater than some of the control enclosures by Day 35. The apparent lack of significant long-term effects on reproductive success can be partially explained by the relatively short half-life of azinphos-methyl in littoral enclosures.
Social Work and Transitions of Care: Observations from an Intervention for Older Adults

Making the transition from hospital to home can be challenging for many older adults. This article presents practice perspectives on these transitions, based on a social work intervention for older adults discharged from an acute care setting to home. An analysis of interviews with clinical social workers who managed 356 cases (n = 3) and a review of their clinical notes (n = 581) were used to identify salient themes relevant to care transitions. Concepts developed and discussed identify the role of surprises after discharge, an expanded view of the client system, and relationship building as instrumental in carrying out effective care transitions.
Estimating the loss factors of plates with constrained layer damping treatments

A method is developed and validated for the determination of approximate values of loss factors and frequencies of rectangular plates with general boundary conditions, fully covered on one side with a constrained layer damping treatment. The method, referred to as the method of equivalent lengths, is an extension for use on plates of the commonly used practice, through eigenvalue replacement, of applying the Ross, Ungar, and Kerwin analysis to the prediction of loss factors for beams with other than simply supported ends. Application of the method requires only that the modulus, thickness, and density of the substrate, constraining layer, and shear layer be known, as well as either the eigenvalue or natural frequency for the plate of aspect ratio and boundary condition to which the constrained layer treatment is to be applied. Predictions of the method are compared with results obtained by finite element methods for plates with various boundary conditions, including those with zero, one, two, three, and four free edges.
Theory of optical harmonic generation at a metal surface

It is shown that a light wave of the high intensity obtainable from lasers produces a sufficiently strong nonlinear polarization on a reflecting metal surface to result in an observable amount of second harmonic generation. The analysis is based upon a self-consistent set of Maxwell's equations and the classical Boltzmann equation, respectively, for the electromagnetic fields and the distribution function of the conduction electrons. The conduction electrons are considered to be completely free except for a potential barrier at the metal surface, and the equations are solved for the fields varying with the frequency $\ensuremath{\omega}$ of the incident wave, and also for the fields varying with the frequency $2\ensuremath{\omega}$ in the approximation where the surface barrier can be taken as a step potential. The effect of the incident light wave is treated as a perturbation to the motion of the electrons and the frequency $\ensuremath{\omega}$ is assumed to be less than half the plasma frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}$ so that neither the fundamental nor the second harmonic wave can lead to plasma resonance. The part of the polarization varying as ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}2i\ensuremath{\omega}t}$ which is quadratic in the incident field is found to have the form ${\mathrm{P}}_{2}(\mathrm{NL})=\ensuremath{\alpha}({\mathrm{E}}_{1}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathrm{H}}_{1})+\ensuremath{\beta}{\mathrm{E}}_{1}\mathrm{div}{\mathrm{E}}_{1},$ where ${\mathbf{E}}_{1}$ and ${\mathbf{H}}_{1}$ are, respectively, the electric and magnetic fields varying as ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}i\ensuremath{\omega}t}$ and where the magnitudes of the coefficients $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ and $\ensuremath{\beta}$ have been determined. Since div ${\mathbf{E}}_{1}$ differs from zero only near the surface of the metal, the second term in ${\mathbf{P}}_{2}$ (NL) can be considered as a surface contribution in contrast to the volume contribution of the first term. It is shown that these two terms give rise to comparable effects of second harmonic generation. The ratio of the average energy flux reflected with frequency $2\ensuremath{\omega}$ from the surface to the incident flux is found to be of the order of magnitude ${(\frac{e|{E}_{\mathrm{inc}}|}{\mathrm{mc}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}})}^{2}$, where ${E}_{\mathrm{inc}}$ is the amplitude of the incident electric vector.
Non-immunochemical complexing between hymenopteran venoms and rabbit sera☆

Abstract Certain low-molecular weight, basic proteins of Polistes exclamans, P. annularis, P. metricus, Vespula maculata (bald-faced hornet), and Apis mellifera (honey-bee) venoms are capable of complexing with normal (base line) rabbit serum. Precipitin lines form in agar (Ouchterlony double diffusion and immunoelectrophoresis) which have somewhat different qualities than true immunoprecipitin lines. They are less distinct and stain not only with protein stains but with lipophilic stains as well. The non-immunologic complexing involves a serum component (or components) other than Immunoglobulin G, perhaps lipoprotein.
Aging Voice or Vocal Fold Paresis: What Can I Do About It?

Hypothesis: Patients older than 60 years are frequently seen by the otolaryngologist for voice complaints including hoarseness, effortful voicing, and voice fatigue. Because most of these patients have alterations in the neuromuscular physiology of the larynx, principally vocal fold paresis, rather than age-related changes of the larynx, they can be managed using modern techniques of vocal fold medialization and/or augmentation.
One Quarter Million Pixel Arrays of AC Excited Si Microplasma Devices

Summary form only given. Microcavity plasma devices are a promising technology for generating optical emission with high efficiency and brightness within microcavities having volumes of nanoliters or less. Silicon-based microplasma devices are of particular interest because they can be integrated with other Si-based optoelectronic devices and systems and are amenable to mass production by processes that, in general, are well-developed. In this presentation, we report the design and performance of AC-excited Si microplasma arrays comprising as many as 250,000 (500middot500) devices. Each microplasma device has an emitting aperture of (50 mm)2 and the active area of 500middot500 arrays is 25 cm2. All of the arrays exhibit stable, reproducible behavior with AC(sinusoidal) or bipolar waveform excitation at Ne gas pressures above 500 torr. Operating voltages as low as 300 V of peak pulse potential are observed for a Ne gas pressure of 700 torr and a bipolar pulse excitation frequency of 15 kHz. The electrical characteristics of these arrays are consistently reproducible and the pixel-to-pixel emission is uniform over the entire array to within ~10%. The discharge properties and luminous efficiency of large Si arrays operating in Xe, Ne, or Ar/N2 gas mixtures will be discussed.
O-2A glial progenitors from mature brain respond to CNS neuronal cell line-derived growth factors.

During development, myelin-forming oligodendrocytes and type 2 astrocytes are believed to arise from bipotential (O-2A) glial progenitors. Previously we found that conditioned medium (CM) from the B104 rat CNS neuronal cell line promotes growth of neonatal rat O-2A progenitors in serum-free culture conditions with subsequent increases in differentiated progeny. We now report that O-2A progenitors are present in mature rat brains and that this CM promotes the growth, motility, and bipolar morphology of these cells from 30- and 65-day-old rat brains, as shown by quantitative studies using double immunostaining and [3H]thymidine-autoradiography. In addition, the growth-promoting action of B104 CM is not neutralized by antibodies to platelet-derived growth factor, a proposed progenitor mitogen. Subsequent to the proliferation of these O-2A progenitors, increases in oligodendrocytes and type 2 astrocytes occur. These data suggest a novel therapeutic strategy for some demyelinating diseases, e.g., multiple sclerosis, where there is a deficit in oligodendrocytes. Although it has been proposed by others that mature brain O-2A progenitors are less proliferative and thereby incapable of adequately replenishing lost oligodendrocytes in these diseases, we present in vitro evidence for continued response of mature brain O-2A progenitors to this neuronal cell line-derived mitogen.
Volunteers and the Care of the Terminal Patient

In a time of shrinking funds and growing demand for health services, volunteers are indispensable. Civic minded people from all walks of life, when properly trained, can play an important supportive role to health professionals in terminal care facilities. Beside enhancing the quality of life of patients, volunteers may also help educate professionals to cope with death and bereavement. More specifically, the article examines the different roles of the volunteer: companion/friend, advocate, and educator. It also draws a profile of the volunteer, lists qualifications and personal characteristics, offers suggestions on where to work, and discusses special training programs to prepare volunteers for work with the dying.
On the fusion of non-independent belief structures

We briefly review some aspects of the Dempster–Shafer theory of evidence. We suggest an approach to the aggregation of non-independent belief structures. This approach makes use of a weighted aggregation of the belief structures where the weights are related to the degree of dependence. It is shown that this aggregation is non-commutative, the fused value depends on the sequencing of the evidences. We then consider the problem of how best to sequence the evidence. We investigate using the measure of information content of the fused value as a method for selecting the appropriate way to sequence the belief structures.
Long-term effects of alcohol drinking on cerebral glucose utilization in alcohol-preferring rats.

The 2-[14C]deoxyglucose (2-DG) quantitative autoradiography technique was used to determine rates of local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) in discrete brain regions in alcohol-chronic (A-C), alcohol-deprived (A-D) and alcohol-naive (A-N) adult, male alcohol-preferring (P) rats. The hypothesis to be tested is that neuronal alterations occur as a result of chronic alcohol drinking and some of these alterations persist for long periods in the absence of alcohol. Following 6 weeks of daily 4-h scheduled access sessions to 15% (v/v) ethanol and water, group A-D received only water during the sessions over the next 2 weeks, whereas groups A-C and A-N continued to receive ethanol-water and water-water, respectively. On the 14th day of the deprivation interval, LCGU rates were measured 1 h prior to the scheduled access period. Mean ethanol intake for the A-D and A-C groups was 1.5+/-0.1 g ethanol/kg body weight per 4 h. LCGU rates were significantly decreased in 49 of 57 regions or subregions examined in the A-C group compared to the A-N group, including subregions of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and structures in the mesocorticolimbic and nigrostriatal systems. Following alcohol deprivation, LCGU values in the A-D group were partially or completely returned to A-N levels in many, but not all, regions. In several limbic regions (e.g., ventral tegmental area, olfactory tubercle, medial prefrontal cortex, ventral pallidum and lateral septum), no recovery of LCGU rates was observed after 2 weeks of alcohol deprivation. This study demonstrates that chronic alcohol consumption produces significant reductions in functional neuronal activity in P rats, some of which persist in the absence of ethanol. The extent to which LCGU rates returned to normal levels following 2 weeks of alcohol deprivation varied among brain regions, suggesting that there are imbalanced interactions among and within several CNS sites, which do not reflect either the alcohol-naive or chronic alcohol-exposed state. Such neuronal imbalances may underlie relapse of alcohol drinking following prolonged abstinence.