cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Smartphone imaging of subcutaneous veins.

Objective The identification of veins by medical personnel is a critical skill that is necessary to draw blood or administer intravenous fluids and medications. Because a normal consumer camera can act as a multispectral imaging apparatus, operating with three broadband detectors, we hypothesized that a standard smartphone camera might be employed for enhanced visualization of veins in human skin. Study Video and images of subcutaneous veins were acquired using the rear-facing iSight camera from an iPhone 6, with a fixed aperture of f/2.2, and Sony Exmor RS back-illuminated CMOS image sensor with pixel generation of 1.5 microns. A custom program was written for the iOS operating system that performs a scaled matrix subtraction of different spectral channels and displays results as a grayscale image. Results A scaled subtraction of green channel pixel values from red channel pixel values enabled greatly improved identification of subcutaneous veins. Wavelengths of light at which the green detector is most sensitive (520-580 nm) correspond to local absorption maxima of both oxyhemoglobin (542 and 576 nm) and deoxyhemoglobin (556 nm); consequently, the algorithm obtained images of light transport weighted toward deeper skin layers. Conclusion We identified and developed a simple algorithm by which a standard smartphone camera can be employed for enhanced video-rate visualization of veins in human skin. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:1034-1039, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment alternatives: Non-standardized procedures.

Presented in symposium, Broader dimensions of assessment: Uses in committees on the handicapped. Meetings of the National Association of School Psychologists, San Diego, March 1979.
Evaluation of Analgesic Mechanisms and NSAIDs for Acute Pain Using the Oral Surgery Model

The management of acute pain in dentistry is largely based on observations from the oral surgery model. Generalizations based on these data can be extrapolated to the treatment of acute pain following other forms of minor surgery and the use of analgesics for acute pain in ambulatory patients. The oral surgery model [1] has been used extensively over the past 20 years to evaluate the effects of NSAIDs, opioids, steroids, and other classes of drugs used for acute pain and inflammation. The ability to measure four of the five signs of inflammation and their suppression can be demonstrated over the first 2–3 days following oral surgery [2]. The release of inflammation mediators such as prostaglandin E2, bradykinin, substance P, leukotriene B4, and other products of the lipoxygenase pathway can be measured in the surgical wound [3] and their time course is consistent with the onset of post-operative pain and the effects of NSAIDs. Neuroendocrine responses to the stress of surgery and acute pain are reflected as changes during and following surgery in plasma levels of catecholamines [4] and 13-endorphin [5]. Oral surgery may also be useful as model of central hyperexcitability with levels of pain at 24–48 h reflecting local anaesthetic manipulations on the day of surgery [6,7] and the administration of antagonists of the N-methyl-D -apsartic acid receptor [8] thought to modulate the development of CNS plasticity following pain. These examples illustrate that the surgical extraction of impacted third molars is useful as a model for evaluating analgesic efficacy, the molecular events associated with acute inflammation, neurohumoral responses to surgical stress and acute pain, and central changes associated with neuronal plasticity.
Manufacturer–supplier relationships

Abstract Relational buyer–seller exchanges have been the focus of significant research in the past few years. In extending this recent research, the authors draw upon transaction cost analysis and symbolic interactionism to propose and test a model focusing on outcomes of manufacturer–supplier relationships from the perspective of the manufacturer. Data from 157 purchasing executives offer empirical support for the relationships proposed in the model. In the context of acquiring critical items, relational orientation is found to be negatively related to measures of acquisition and possession costs and positively related to perceived product quality, and these variables, in turn, are significantly linked to the buyer's satisfaction with the supplier. Model results also indicate that a relational orientation has both a direct and an indirect link to satisfaction. Implications for both marketing managers and researchers interested in collaborative relationships between buyer and supplier organizations are offered.
Clinical Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Oximetry using India Ink

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry can be used to provide direct absolute measurements of pO2 in living tissue using India ink as an O2 reporter. In vivo measurements are made using low frequency (1.2 GHz) EPR spectroscopy and surface loop resonators, which enable measurements to be made at superficial sites through a non-invasive (after placing the ink in the tissues) and repeatable measurement procedure. Ongoing EPR oximetry studies in human subjects include measurement of subcutaneous pO2 in the feet of healthy volunteers to develop procedures that could be used in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease and oximetry in tumors during courses of radiation and chemotherapy, to follow pO2 so oxygen-dependent therapies can be optimized. In each case, we aim to provide quantitative measurements of tissue pO2 which will aid physicians in the characterization of disease status and the effects of therapeutic measures, so that treatments can be applied with optimal effectiveness by taking into account the oxygen-dependent aspects of the therapy. The overall goal is to enhance clinical outcomes. Oximetry measurements of subcutaneous tissue on dorsal and plantar foot surfaces have been made in 9 volunteers, with measurements ongoing for each and the longest set of measurements carried out successfully over the last 5 years. Tumor oximetry measurements have been performed in tumor tissues of 10 patients during courses of radiation and chemotherapy. Tumor types include melanoma, basal cell, soft tissue sarcoma, and lymphoma, and measurement sites have ranged from the feet to the scalp. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of EPR oximetry in a clinical setting and the potential for more widespread use in the treatment of these and other oxygen-dependent diseases.
Predicting the probable outcome of treatment in HCV patients.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease infecting more than 170 million people worldwide. HCV produces a wide gamut of manifestations varying from mild self-limiting disease to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. A variety of viral, environmental and host genetic factors contribute to the clinical spectrum of patients infected with HCV and influence response to interferon (IFN) therapy. Predicting the probable outcome of treatment in patients with HCV infection has always been a challenging task. Treatment of HCV by pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) plus ribavirin eradicates the virus in approximately 60% of patients — HCV genotype 1 (42—51% response rates) and genotypes 2 and 3 (76—84% response rates); however, a significant number of patients do not respond to therapy or relapse following discontinuation of treatment or have significant side effects that preclude further treatment. Accurately predicting the patients who will respond to therapy is becoming increasingly important, both from the point of patient care and also with respect to the healthcare cost as clinicians need to continue treatment in patients who will respond and stop treatment in patients who are unlikely to respond. Viral RNA measurements and genotyping are used to optimize treatment as a low viral load and nongenotype 1 is more likely to be associated with sustained virological response (SVR). Rapid virological response (RVR) defined by undetectable HCV RNA at 4 weeks of treatment is increasingly being recognized as a powerful tool for predicting treatment response. A variety of host factors including single nuclear polymorphisms (SNPs) of IFN response genes, insulin resistance, obesity, ethnicity, human leukocyte antigens and difference in T-cell immune response has been found to modulate the response to antiviral treatment. The presence of severe fibrosis/cirrhosis on pretreatment liver biopsy predicts a poor response to treatment. Recent studies on gene expression profiling and characterization of the liver and serum proteome provide options to accurately predict the outcome of patients infected with HCV in the future. Future studies on the factors that predict treatment response and tailoring treatment based on this is required if we are to conquer this disease.
Seizure burden pre- and postresection of low-grade gliomas as a predictor of tumor progression in low-grade gliomas.

Background Low-grade gliomas (LGGs) are slow-growing, infiltrative tumors frequently associated with seizures. Predicting which patients will develop early tumor recurrence based on clinical indicators following initial surgical intervention remains a challenge. Seizure recurrence following surgery may be an early indicator of tumor recurrence, especially in patients presenting with increase in seizure frequency. Methods This study analyzed 148 patients meeting inclusion criteria (age >18 years, LGG diagnosis, at least 1 seizure event recorded before and after initial surgical intervention). All patients were treated at the Brain and Spine Center at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from January 2000 to March 2013. Seizure frequency in a 6-month period before and after tumor resection was categorized as none, 1, few (2 to 3 seizures) or several (>3 seizures). Immediately postoperative seizures (up to 48 hours from surgery) were not included in the analysis. Results A total of 116 (78.4%) patients had seizures at initial presentation and most (95%) were started on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). We found 2 clinical variables with a significant impact on progression-free survival (PFS): Higher seizure frequency during the 6-month postoperative period and seizure frequency increase between the 6-month pre- and the 6-month postoperative periods were both correlated to higher risk of early tumor recurrence (P = .007 and P = .004, respectively). Conclusion Seizure frequency following surgical resection of LGGs and the seizure frequency change between the 6-month preoperative and postoperative periods may serve as clinical predictors of early tumor recurrence in patients with LGGs who are also afflicted by seizures.
A Functional Analysis of Imagined Interaction Activity in Everyday Life

A program of research examining imagined interactions in everyday life is described. Imagined interactions are a type of cognition in which individuals imagine themselves having dialogue with others. They reflect a type of imagery in which communicators experience various message strategies with others. A multidimensional instrument reflecting imagined interaction characteristics has resulted in eight dimensions of imagined interaction features. Imagined interactions may serve a variety of functions including rehearsal, increasing self-understanding, and catharsis in the form of tension relief from anxiety-producing situations. Therapeutic benefits also accrue from imagined interactions.
Chagas Disease Prevalence in Colombia: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Abstract Background and Objectives: Chagas disease is a major public health problem in Latin America. A neglected disease of poor and rural Latin American populations, it has now emerged in other r...
The overlooked short- and ultrashort-chain poly- and perfluorinated substances: A review.

Abstract Poly- and perfluorinated substances (PFAS) comprise more than 3000 individual compounds; nevertheless, most studies to date have focused mainly on the fate, transport and remediation of long-chain PFAS (C > 7). The main objective of this article is to provide the first critical review of the peer-reviewed studies on the analytical methods, occurrence, mobility, and treatment for ultra-short-chain PFAS (C = 2–3) and short-chain PFAS (C = 4–7). Previous studies frequently detected ultra-short-chain and short-chain PFAS in various types of aqueous environments including seas, oceans, rivers, surface/urban runoffs, drinking waters, groundwaters, rain/snow, and deep polar seas. Besides, the recent regulations and restrictions on the use of long-chain PFAS has resulted in a significant shift in the industry towards short-chain alternatives. However, our understanding of the environmental fate and remediation of these ultra-short-chain and short-chain PFAS is still fragmentary. We have also covered the handful studies involving the removal of ultra-short and short-chain PFAS and identified the future research needs.
Using Containers to Create More Interactive Online Training and Education Materials

Containers are excellent hands-on learning environments for computing topics because they are customizable, portable, and reproducible. The Cornell University Center for Advanced Computing has developed the Cornell Virtual Workshop in high performance computing topics for many years, and we have always sought to make the materials as rich and interactive as possible. Toward the goal of building a more hands-on experimental learning experience directly into web-based online training environments, we developed the Cornell Container Runner Service, which allows online content developers to build container-based interactive edit and run commands directly into their web pages. Using containers along with CCRS has the potential to increase learner engagement and outcomes.
Active motion of multiphase oil droplets: emergent dynamics of squirmers with evolving internal structure

Synthetic soft matter systems, when driven beyond equilibrium by active processes, offer the potential to achieve dynamical states and functions of a complexity found in living matter. Emulsions offer the basis of a simple yet versatile system for identification of the physicochemical principles underlying active soft matter, but how multiple internal phases within emulsion droplets (e.g., Janus morphologies) organize to impact emergent dynamics is not understood. Here, we create multiphase oil droplets with ultralow interfacial tensions but distinct viscosities, and drive them into motion in aqueous micellar solutions. Preferential solubilization of select components of the oil both drives the droplet motion and yields a progression of internal phase morphological states with distinct symmetries. We find the active droplets to exhibit five dynamical states during morphogenesis. By quantifying microscopic flow fields, we show that it is possible to map the diverse droplet behaviors to squirmer models of spherical microswimmers in Stokes flow, thus showing that multiphase droplets offer the basis of a versatile platform with which to study and engineer the hydrodynamics of microswimmers.
Sri Chinmoy’s Philosophy of Nature

This paper offers a constructive account of Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy of Nature and the environment, in the context of the modern stream of Vedāntic thought that also includes Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekānanda and Sri Aurobindo. Sri Chinmoy affirms the ontological continuity of the Absolute and the manifested world, or “God the Creator” and “God the creation.” Nature is the universal and manifested aspect of God and the beauty of Nature is a revelation of the Divine. The paper explores Sri Chinmoy’s vision in relation to the views of Śaṅkara and Rāmānuja, focusing on an understanding of non-duality that does not devalue the world, and notes that Rāmānuja’s concept of the world as God’s “Body” is an image Sri Chinmoy also uses. The world is not an “illusion” but must be accepted and loved. Human destruction of the environment stems from ignorance of our oneness with the totality of existence and the resulting greed and desire for power. An ethics that embraces the intrinsic value of Nature and all beings requires that they must be loved and cared for, and celebrates the created world as the divine Līlā.
Role of International Business Finance

In this paper I expressed about the present and historical view of international finance. I expressed about the growing of international finance. I expressed about the Classic period of international finance. I expressed about the post classic period. I stated about the Boom of international finance in the age of modernization. I stated about the academic stance of international finance including in the universities and how the study is conducted in the age of globalization and modernization.
Features and Impact of Trust-Based Relationships Between Community Health Workers and Low-Resource Perinatal Women with Chronic Health Conditions.

OBJECTIVES Community health worker (CHW) programs are a promising strategy to improve maternal and child health outcomes, particularly among low-resource women. Yet, little is known about which aspects of CHW-client relationships are most salient for promoting positive change. This paper examines features of the CHW-client relationship that perinatal women with chronic conditions reported as being beneficial for their experience of prenatal care and pregnancy. METHODS Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 18 CHWs and 39 clients from three Merck for Mothers-funded programs in the Eastern United States. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory-informed thematic approach. RESULTS CHWs built trust-based relationships through emotional attendance, authenticity, and prioritization of clients' needs. They provided instrumental, informational, and emotional support that clients reported facilitated greater engagement with the healthcare system, improved health behaviors, and reduced stress. CHWs and clients alike viewed their relationships as having long-lasting impacts, made possible by the trust-based bond between them. DISCUSSION Strong, trusting relationships with CHWs may be one avenue through which to improve maternal and infant health for vulnerable perinatal women. Community health care programs should promote trust-building as an explicit program goal. Trust-based CHW-client relationships may serve as an exemplar for transforming traditional care relationships between providers and clients, leading to greater client engagement in care and improved health.
No Child Left Inside The Built Environment and Caregiver Strategies to Promote Child Physical Activity

In this study, 13 low-income African American caregivers of preschoolers were interviewed to explore neighborhood obstacles to children’s physical activity and the strategies caregivers used against these challenges. Built environment barriers included social and physical disorder, crime and violence, speeding traffic, and stray dogs. Recreational settings were few, inaccessible, and poorly equipped and maintained. In addition to high facility fees and few organized activities, recreational settings had high levels of disorder and violence. Despite barriers, caregivers used strategies to promote physical activity, including environmental appraisal, boundary enforcement, chaperonage, collective supervision, and local and extra-local resource-brokering. These findings document how caregivers’ strategies represent intervening processes in response to the built environment. The findings further provide place- and asset-based recommendations.
A killer micro attack on 3D neutron transport

The authors describe the deterministic solution of the neutron transport equation and the computation of the effective criticality of three-dimensional assemblies using the BBN TC2000 killer micros. They observe that the performance of the research code PTRAN running on 48 processors of the TC2000 is competitive with the partially vectorizable version running on a single Cray Y/MP processor. This performance scales well with the number of processors on real problems, including those that are not load balanced a priori. To obtain this performance, the authors explicitly specify and exploit data locality and data dependence using domain decomposition and dynamic job scheduling. >
Integration in ℝ N

In order to construct the theory of Riemann integration in ℝ N , we need to develop first a theory of volume for sets of points in ℝ N . This development is a straightforward generalization of the theory of area (Jordan content) given in Section 5.4. We shall outline the main steps of the the theory and leave the proofs of the theorems to the reader. We first recall the definitions of open and closed cells given earlier in Section 6.3.
The Large Coefficient Problem: Can We Make Sense Out of QCD Perturbation Theory?

There is the possibility of an impending crisis looming on the horizon for QCD. The problem is that in many processes, large coefficients arise in the perturbation series expansion leading to serious uncertainties concerning its predictive power. Until recently most of the examples of such a phenomenon occurred in the calculation of decay rates. These were, by and large, either ignored or dismissed using possible scheme-dependence arguments as a way out. However, more recently a calculation of the 3-loop contribution to the total e + e - annihilation cross-section was performed which gave an enormous coefficient of the order of 50 times that of the 2-loop term(1). If correct, this would imply that the 3-loop contribution actually exceeds that of the 2-loop! Thus, from a conservative viewpoint, the validity of the perturbation series expansion as an estimate for the total e + e - cross-section is called into question. Such a cautionary attitude should even be extended to the lowest order parton-model result, Σ (Q i 2 ); (Q i being the charge of the ith quark species). Since this process has played a key role in the development and understanding of QCD and since, in many ways, it is one of the cleanest methods for extracting α 3 (the conventional QCD fine structure constant) the problem can no longer be avoided. Furthermore, there is no reason to doubt (and, in fact, good reasons to believe) that this problem should occur in all physical processes. Coming to grips with it is, of course, not only important for testing QCD but also for extracting fundamental quantities such as α s . Clearly one needs to understand the nature and origin of such large coefficients before one can confidently continue to use perturbative estimates.
Using Asset Turnover and Profit Margin to Forecast Changes in Profitability

Financial statement analysis textbooks advocate disaggregating profitability into asset turnover and profit margin in performing financial analysis. In spite of the prominence of this technique, there is no evidence demonstrating its usefulness in a forecasting context. We provide evidence that disaggregating return on assets into asset turnover and profit margin does not provide incremental information for forecasting the change in return on assets one year ahead, but that disaggregating the change in return on assets into the change in asset turnover and the change in profit margin is useful in forecasting the change in return on assets one year ahead.
Cloning of the Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 acetyl coenzyme A acetyltransferase (thiolase; EC 2.3.1.9) gene.

Thiolase (acetyl coenzyme A acetyltransferase; EC 2.3.1.9) from Clostridium acetobutylicum is a key enzyme in the production of acids and solvents in this organism. The purification and properties of the enzyme have already been described (D. P. Wiesenborn, F. B. Rudolph, and E.T. Papoutsakis, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 54:2717-2722, 1988). The thl gene encoding the thiolase has been cloned by using primary antibodies raised to the purified enzyme. A bacteriophage lambda EMBL3 library of C. acetobutylicum DNA was prepared and screened by immunoblots with the antithiolase antibodies. Phage DNA was purified from positive plaques, and restriction enzyme digests identified an approximately 4.8-kb AccI fragment common to all positive plaques. A corresponding fragment was also found in AccI digests of C. acetobutylicum chromosomal DNA. The fragment was purified and EcoRI linkers were attached before being subcloned into pUC19. Maxicell analysis showed the production of an approximately 42-kDa protein, whose size corresponded to the molecular size of the purified thiolase, from the clostridial insert. Enzyme activity assays and Western blot (immunoblot) analysis of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-separated whole-cell extracts of Escherichia coli harboring the cloned thl confirmed the presence of the thiolase encoded within the cloned DNA.
Immunologic changes associated with the development of tolerance in children with cow milk allergy.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether cow milk-specific antibody responses correlated with the development of clinical tolerance in cow milk-allergic children. Double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges were performed annually in 29 patients with cow milk allergy. Clinical reactivity was lost in 11 (38%) of 29 patients. The median age for all patients at the time of diagnosis by these food challenges was 3 years; more than 80% of patients in each group had atopic dermatitis as part of their presenting symptoms. Casein-specific and β -lactoglobulin-specific IgE, IgG, IgG1, and IgG4 antibody concentrations were analyzed in all patients at regular intervals. In the patients becoming clinically tolerant to cow milk, the IgE-specific antibody concentrations and IgE/IgG-specific ratios for both milk proteins were lower initially and decreased significantly with time, in comparison with those in the group who retained clinical sensitivity. The concentrations of IgG1- and IgG4-specific antibody to casein and the IgE/IgG1 and IgE/IgG4 ratios for both casein and β -lactoglobulin were significantly less in the patients losing clinical reactivity. No differences in the IgG-specific concentrations were observed in either group at any of the evaluation times noted above. Monitoring similar casein-specific and β -lactoglobulin-specific IgE concentrations and IgE/IgG ratios may help predict which patients will ultimately lose their clinical reactivity to cow milk.
Impact of perceived racial discrimination and collective self-esteem on psychological distress among Vietnamese-American college students: Sense of coherence as mediator.

This study examined whether sense of coherence mediated relationships of perceived racial discrimination and of collective self-esteem to psychological distress (depression and anxiety) among 122 Vietnamese American college students. Higher levels of perceived racial discrimination (PRD) were associated with a reduced sense of coherence (SOC) and with higher levels of depression and anxiety. Path analysis found that SOC partially mediated the relationship of PRD to depression as well as to anxiety. Higher collective self-esteem (CSE) was associated with a stronger SOC, which in turn was associated with lower depression and anxiety. SOC mediated the relationship between CSE and depression, and part of the relationship between CSE and anxiety.
Conducting mixed analyses: A general typology

AbstractIn this article, we provide a typology of mixed analysis techniques, namely the Mixed Analysis Matrix, that helps researchers select a data analysis technique given the number of (a) data types collected (i.e. quantitative or qualitative; or quantitative and qualitative) and (b) analysis types used (i.e. quantitative or qualitative; or quantitative and qualitative)—yielding a 2 X 2 representation involving four cells that each contain specific analytical techniques, with two of these cells containing a total of 15 mixed analysis techniques. Furthermore, we describe the fundamental principle of mixed analysis, describe the steps in a mixed analysis, and delineate the rationale and purpose for conducting mixed analyses. For each technique, readers are directed to published studies that serve as illustrative examples. Outlining the mixed-analysis techniques available for researchers hopefully will increase awareness of the number of choices for analyzing data from mixed studies.
Hormones and breast cancer

The exact nature of the association between hormones and the development of breast cancer remains uncertain. Studies of endogenous hormone levels and breast cancer suggest a possible role of estrogens and androgens in the cause of breast cancer. Numerous studies have been conducted to assess the risk of breast cancer among women exposed to exogenous hormones. Several studies of women who have used oral contraceptives have shown a twofold increase in risk for the onset of breast cancer at an early age associated with 10 years of oral contraceptive use. One of the largest studies, the Cancer and Steroid Hormone Study, found no association between breast cancer and oral contraceptive use for women up to the age of 54. A meta-analysis combining the results of 31 published studies of the association between hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer revealed no increased risk of breast cancer associated with ever-use (risk ratio [RR], 1.02 ; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93-1.12). Use of oral contraceptives for more than 10 years was associated with a small increased risk (RR, 1.23 ; 95% CI, 1.08-1.40), but few studies have examined very long term use. A recent study of pregnancy and breast cancer outcome found no adverse influence of pregnancy shortly before or after diagnosis of breast cancer on prognosis. The results of a wide range of studies should be considered when weighing the benefits and risks of hormone use among women at increased risk of breast cancer or with a history of breast cancer.
Alluvial cycles, climate, and puebloan settlement shifts near Zuni Salt Lake, New Mexico, USA

Twenty-seven 14C dates from alluvial deposits and soils exposed in modern arroyos near Zuni Salt Lake, New Mexico, provide evidence for past episodes of piedmont and valley entrenchment by low-order ephemeral streams. We recognize two episodes of entrenchment at A.D. 900–1050 and A.D. 1300–1400 that correlate to other arroyo-cutting events in the region. Episodes of piedmont and valley entrenchment are followed by approximately 200–300 years of aggradation until arroyos are filled and shallow flooding with expansive sedimentation returns, completing an alluvial cycle. Many alluvial cycles appear synchronous across much of the southern Colorado Plateau and are likely linked to changes in climate and flood regime. Flooding on small basin drainages near Zuni Salt Lake is related to the Southwest summer monsoon, a meteorological event that is poorly linked to El Nino. Alluvial cycles on small basin drainages affected indigenous floodwater farming by locally lowering water tables and reducing irrigable area during phases of entrenchment and contributed to the aggregation of Puebloan communities on the southern Colorado Plateau in the A.D. 1300s. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Demographic and life history response of the cladoceranBosmina longirostris to variation in predator abundance.

Population dynamics, demography and body size of the cladoceranBosmina longirostris were examined in an experimental study in which the abundance of its predator (the cyprind fishPhoxinus eos) was varied in an unproductive lake. Four densities of fish were used, encompassing the biomass of fish in the lake.Bosmina was most abundant at low and medium fish densities (1.06 and 2.12 g fish biomass · m-3) and less abundant when fish were either absent or present at high density (3.71 g fish biomass · m-3). The unimodal response to predator abundance resulted from effects on both birth and death rates.Bosmina birth rates increased as fish biomass increased, in response to increasing food (phytoplankton) biomass. Death rates were highest at high fish biomass (because of fish predation) and in the absence of fish (because of predation by the dipteranChaoborus, which was most abundant in the absence of fish). Size-frequency distributions revealed that fish eliminated the larger size classes ofBosmina, and mean carapace length ofBosmina populations was inversely proportional to fish biomass.Bosmina initiated reproduction at smaller size in the presence of fish than in their absence, and size at maturity was inversely proportional to fish biomass. Size at birth also tended to decrease with increasing fish biomass, but this trend was not as strong as that of size at maturity. Decreased size at maturity apparently allowedBosmina individuals to reproduce before becoming vulnerable to fish predation. Flexibility in size at maturity, together with low abundance of invertebrate predators and large herbivores (which were preyed upon by fish), allowedBosmina to become abundant in low and medium fish treatments. In the high fish treatment, mortality due to fish predation was too severe to be offset by decreased size at maturity, andBosmina population density was low. The net response ofBosmina populations to fish predation results from interactive effects of predation on mortality, natality, and life history traits.
A MULTIPERIOD MEAN-VARIANCE MODEL OF OPTIMAL CAPITAL STRUCTURE

The continuing interest in the capital structure issue among financial researchers is evidenced by the stream of capital structure models that have appeared in the literature. Much of this research has used a risk-neutral and/or a single-period framework. In this paper, we develop a capital structure model for multiperiod firms and allow for the firm's cash flows to grow over time, for the firm to issue new debt, and for two types of bankruptcy costs to occur. The types of bankruptcy costs that occur are determined by the firm's uncertain operating cash flows and negotiations between the firm and creditors. Risk is priced via the Sharpe-Lintner capital asset pricing model. Multiperiod risk-priced models, we argue, realistically represent actual firms and are thus an important step toward the development of more testable and usable models of capital structure. We execute a demonstration example in which the value of the levered firm achieves a maximum and discuss the steps the firm would take to maximize shareholder wealth within this example. The example illustrates that the value of the firm passes through an interior optimum as the promised debt payment is increased. A simulation of the effect of changes in firm-specific parameters shows that the model exhibits expected and appealing relationships between these parameters and the value of the levered firm.
Macroterme Geophagy and Pregnancy Clays in Southern Africa

Field observations in five countries of southern Africa reveal that geophagy among pregnant women is very widespread in rural areas and that a geophagy trade exists in urban markets. Giant mounds built by the termite genus macrotermes are a major source of pregnancy clay. In terms of supplying essential minerals and trace elements to the fetus, in needy circumstances, it is argued that geophagy is pragmatic folk wisdom and environmentally adaptive behavior.
A visual modality for the augmentation of paper

In this paper we describe how we have enhanced our multimodal paper-based system, Rasa, with visual perceptual input. We briefly explain how Rasa improves upon current decision-support tools by augmenting, rather than replacing, the paper-based tools that people in command and control centers have come to rely upon. We note shortcomings in our initial approach, discuss how we have added computer-vision as another input modality in our multimodal fusion system, and characterize the advantages that it has to offer. We conclude by discussing our current limitations and the work we intend to pursue to overcome them in the future.
Abstract P6-07-09: What should be done after PHARE and HERA? Using value of information analysis as a guide

Background: Adjuvant trastuzumab therapy totaling 12 months (AT-12) is the current standard of care in the treatment of early-stage, HER-2/neu amplified breast cancer. Two studies, PHARE and HERA, examined whether the duration of adjuvant trastuzumab should be decreased safely to 6 months (AT-6) or increased to 2 years (AT-24), respectively. Could the implementation of value of information (VOI) analysis inform future clinical trial priority setting in this sphere? Methods: A Markov health-state transition model was employed to compare 3 adjuvant therapy options: AT-12, AT-6, and AT-24. Patients transitioned through 3 health states, disease free, metastatic recurrence, and death, over 3-month time intervals. The simulation was run using a lifetime time horizon. Transition probabilities of the health states in the AT-12 cohort were estimated from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-31 and North Central Cancer Treatment Group N9831 trials. Based on the efficacy assumptions that provided the foundation for HERA, the AT-24 probabilities were imputed. AT-6 transition probabilities were assumed to equal AT-12 probabilities. Health outcomes were measured in quality adjusted life years (QALY) and costs in 2012 United States dollars. Health outcomes and costs were discounted to the present value by 5% annually, compounded quarterly. Result: In the reference case, AT-24 had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $57,784/QALY. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis revealed that AT-24 was likely to be 0.3%, 11%, 58%, and 93% cost effective at a threshold willingness-to-pay (WTP) of $20,000, $40,000, $60,000, and $80,000/QALY, respectively. At a WTP threshold of 65,000, the expected VOI payoff from conducting the HERA trial was computed as $204,692 per patient treated per year. Conversely, AT-6 would be expected to cost $100,592 less than AT-12 over a patient9s life, corresponding to an expected $249,564 per patient per year payoff for the PHARE trial. Since neither PHARE nor HERA were able to achieve their primary objectives, a new trial testing the duration of trastuzumab could be considered. Employing the same model, AT for 9 months would be expected to save $50,596 per patient compared to AT-12. The VOI of such a trial is estimated to be $224,504 per patient treated per year. Conclusion: Despite the results of PHARE and HERA, VOI analysis suggests that a non-inferiority trial examining 9 months of AT compared to AT-12 should be considered. The actual value of such a trial may be even greater if new HER-2 targeted therapies may be added to AT in the future. However, determining the total net benefit to society of performing such research requires information on its associated budgetary outlays. Cooperative groups should make the their individual trial expenses public to facilitate improved collective decision-making on future trials. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P6-07-09.
Efficient MPPT control for PV systems adaptive to fast changing irradiation and partial shading conditions

Abstract This paper presents a novel high performance controller to track the maximum power point (MPP) of a photovoltaic (PV) module under fast irradiation change and partial shading conditions. A DC–DC boost converter is selected as the power conditioning unit (PCU) to coordinate the operating point of the system with the maximum power point of the PV module. The proposed algorithm uses a scanning technique to determine the maximum power delivering capacity of the panel at a given operating condition and controls the PCU to extract the same from the PV panel. The proposed method is implemented, analyzed and verified in MATLAB/Simulink software. The method proposed is compared with two other methods, perturb and observe (P&O) and incremental conductance (INC) under the same operating conditions. The proposed method is also experimentally verified using an Agilent Technologies E4362A solar array simulator integrated to the grid with the help of a digitally controlled high voltage DC–DC and DC–AC converters. Simulations as well as experimental results are presented for fast change in irradiation and partial shading conditions. The results obtained clearly show that the proposed method is simple to implement with minimum tracking time and high tracking efficiency proving superior to the other two methods.
Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Athletes

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral development disorder affecting an estimated 6% to 9% of youth in the United States. The typical manifestations of ADHD, attention difficulties and hyperactivity, cause impairment in social and academic functioning, while common comorbid conditions can add significantly to the disease burden. Diagnosing ADHD requires a comprehensive clinical approach. Many medications have been shown to provide benefit for patients with ADHD, and a positive response to medication can be an important factor in clarifying the diagnosis. Medical therapy is of particular interest when treating athletes, as competitive bodies ban many treatment options. This review provides the sports medicine provider with a framework for the treatment of ADHD in the athlete.
Inhibitor studies with adenohypophyseal granule membrane ATPase. Evidence for a membrane environment which modulates sensitivity to inhibitors

The limiting membranes of pituitary growth hormone and prolactin secretory granules contain a Mg2+-ATPase sensitive to anions. This enzyme is in many ways similar to mitochondrial ATPase. The enzyme was potently inhibited by oligomycin (Ki 6.5 · 10−9M), and was much more sensitive to the inhibitor than pituitary mitochondrial ATPase (Ki 2.7 · 10−7M). In contrast, the enzyme activity of intact secretory granules was only sparingly inhibited by oligomycin (maximal inhibition close to 30% at 5 · 10−4 M). However, oligomycin (5 μM) did diminish to basal levels the enhanced granule ATPase activity observed in the presence of a stimulatory anion (25 mM sodium sulfite). Other compounds known to inhibit the proton translocating mitochondrial ATPase were also tested for their ability to inhibit the secretory granule ATPase. A similiar pattern of limited inhibition in granules and greater sensitivity in isolated membranes was seen with the inhibitors N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and efrapeptin. In contrast, tri-n-butyltin chloride was a potent inhibitor of the ATPase of intact granules, and the susceptibility of the enzyme to inhibition by this compound was less after isolation of membranes. These observations suggest that pituitary secretory granule membrane ATPase may have a proton pumping function similar to that of the mitochondrial enzyme. In addition, the data imply that the inhibitor binding site(s) may be masked, inaccessible, or ineffective in intact granules, but exposed (or activated) in isolated membranes. The greater sensitivity of granule ATPase to tri-n-butyltin chloride, in contrast to the greater sensitivity of membrane ATPase to the other inhibitors, indicates that the tin compound may be effective at a membrane site(s) distinct from the others, or that the mechanism of inhibition is different.
Solar Photovoltaic Power for Residential Use

As fossil fuel prices increase along with concern for the environment, interest in converting sunlight directly into electricity using photovoltaic solar cells continues to mount. And a common question is — when will photovoltaics be economical for residential use? Phoenix, Arizona, was chosen as the site to evaluate the economics of photovoltaic application to an energy conservative home (7109 kwh/yr). The analysis shows that a large summer load exists — which is what the utility company has been telling us for years. With such a load profile, optimum tilt angle of the solar array is 10 deg from the horizontal facing south (of interest in design of the roof structure). Peak power loads can be most economically handled with an auxiliary power source — either by power from the utility grid or from a gasoline generator. The auxiliary source would handle 18 percent of the load in June, 34 percent in July, and 24 percent in August. For the remainder of the year, power would be supplied 99 percent by the solar array. The need to handle peak loads with auxiliary power considerably reduces the solar energy storage problem in 1979. However, auxiliary power and energy storage in 1989 becomes a major part of the cost when grid power is not available. Cost per kwh for PV power in 1989 is projected at 2.8¢ when using utility grid backup and 11¢ when using generator backup.Copyright © 1979 by ASME
The brightness temperature of a half-space random medium with nonuniform temperature profile

The problem of microwave thermal emission from a half-space random medium is solved. We consider a laminar structure which has a nonuniform temperature distribution in the vertical direction. A radiative transfer approach is applied. For constant absorption and scattering coefficients, the brightness temperature is determined by a simple closed-form formula. Physical interpretations and numerical results are illustrated and discussed for the various cases.
Development of reflective paper‐like display with triboelectrically charged‐polymer particles

Abstract We have developed a paper‐like display using polymer particles charged triboelectrically. By using a toner‐type display with a simple structure, we confirmed that polymer particle movement is controlled by only a voltage difference between scan and data electrode. We fabricated a diagonal 2.4 inch panel on the glass substrate and successfully produced an image by the passive driving method with operating voltages of about ± 120 V. The contrast ratio was 4:1.
Cloning, sequencing and phylogenetic/phenetic classification of an estrogen receptor alpha (α) subtype of sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus)

The estrogen receptor (ER) is a key component of the reproductive system of both teleosts and tetrapods. In this study, the sequence and evolutionary relationship of sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) ER were examined. Total RNA from livers of adult laboratory-reared gravid female C. variegatus was reverse-transcribed to prepare cDNA. Nested pairs of gene-specific degenerative primers derived from conserved amino acid sequences of the ER DNA binding domain were used to amplify an internal fragment of the ER cDNA of C. variegatus using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The amplified cDNA products were inserted into pGEM T-Easy Vector for cloning and sequencing. The cloned ER cDNA segments gave a 524-amino-acid ER sequence, which represents approximately 80% of the sequence. The use of PHYLIP for phylogenetic analysis with the maximum parsimony method and for phenetic analysis with the neighbor-joining method, along with bootstrap resampling, using 24 known sequences of alpha and beta ER subtypes (both teleosts and tetrapods) indicated that the ER cDNA sequence of C. variegatus has strong homology to the alpha-subtype (ER alpha) of other teleostean fish, especially the closely related killifish species, Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). Because ER alpha was the only subtype found, it appears that the alpha-subtype is predominant in C. variegatus liver.
Transdermal contraceptive patches: current status and future potential.

Transdermal contraceptive patches were first introduced in the USA in the spring of 2002. Approval in Canada and the EU followed soon thereafter. In the USA, sales of the patch were so robust that during the first months the manufacturer could not keep up with demand; by fall of 2002, the patch was the second highest selling combined hormonal contraceptive in the USA. This initial success reflected the strong demand that US women had for a more convenient delivery system that required less frequent dosing. Adolescent women in particular seemed to be more able to successfully use patches than they did pills. However, following a typical US pattern of boom-and-bust cycling and the initiation of litigation that claimed that there was a greater risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) with the patch, sales in the USA dropped significantly. This article describes the hormonal properties of the contraceptive patches that are currently available, the clinical experience with the patch, and the results of postmarketi...