cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Genetic Algorithm for Scheduling and Decomposition of Multidisciplinary Design Problems

Complex engineering studies typically involve hundreds of analysis routines and thousands of variables. The sequence of operations used to evaluate a design strongly affects the speed of each analysis cycle. This influence is particularly important when numerical optimization is used, because convergence generally requires many iterations. Moreover, it is common for disciplinary teams to work simultaneously on different aspects of a complex design. This practice requires decomposition of the analysis into subtasks, and the efficiency of the design process critically depends on the quality of the decomposition achieved. This paper describes the development of software to plan multidisciplinary design studies. A genetic algorithm is used, both to arrange analysis subroutines for efficient execution, and to decompose the task into subproblems. The new planning tool is compared with an existing heuristic method. It produces superior results when the same merit function is used, and it can readily address a wider range of planning objectives.
The association between increased use of labor induction and reduced rate of cesarean delivery.

Abstract Aim: An association was recently reported between a low cesarean section delivery rate and a method of obstetrical care that involved the frequent use of risk-guided prostaglandin-assisted preventive labor induction. We sought to confirm this finding in a subsequent group of pregnant women. Methods: A retrospective cohort study design was used to compare the outcomes of 100 consecutively delivered women, who were exposed to the alternative method of care, with the outcomes of 300 randomly chosen women who received standard management. The primary outcome was group cesarean delivery rate. Secondary outcomes were rates of neonatal intensive care unit admission, low 1-minute Apgar score, low 5-minute Apgar score, and major perineal trauma. Results: Women exposed to the alternative method of obstetrical care had a higher induction rate (59% vs. 16.3%, p < 0.001), a more frequent use of prostaglandins for cervical ripening (32% vs. 13%, p < 0.001), and a lower cesarean delivery rate (7% vs. 20.3%, p =...
Tracheostomy Overlay System: An Effective Learning Device Using Standardized Patients

Abstract A team of students and faculty from engineering and nursing developed a wearable Tracheostomy Overlay System (TOS) for use with standardized patients. This device was designed to improve education of health professions students while learning assessment and care of a patient with a tracheostomy in clinical practice. The initial study of the TOS included nursing student participants (N = 57) who were tested on tracheostomy care and suctioning using either the traditional teaching method (a manikin) or the new TOS on a standardized patient to determine effectiveness of the TOS as a teaching method. Self-efficacy surveys were collected and identified clinical behavior was observed and quantified by two trained, independent observers. Survey results indicated significantly more positive clinical interaction (19.7 ± 8.34 TOS vs. 4.0 ± 4.80 manikin, p
Nonparametric changepoint procedures for repeated measures data

Let (Xi1,…,Xin), i = 1,…, m, be m mutually independent, identically distributed, continuous n-dimensional random vectors. The setting where (Xi1,…,Xir) is an exchangeable vector and (Xi,r+1,…,Xin) is an exchangeable vector but the complete vector (Xi1,…,Xin) is not exchangeable for i = 1, 2,…, m, and some unknown integer r, l < r < n - l, is referred to as a changepoint problem for repeated measures data with at most one change. In this paper we propose three nonparametric procedures to test for non-exchangeability in such data resulting from a change in location. Simulated small-sample null distributions for the three test statistics are obtained and asymptotic approximations for those null distributions are provided. When a change is detected to be significant by one or more of these tests, estimators for the changepoint r and the magnitude of the change are proposed and studied.
Hypoxemia/reoxygenation down-regulates interleukin-8-stimulated bactericidal activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophil by differential regulation of CD16 and CD35 mRNA expression

Background. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of hypoxemia/reoxygenation (H/R) on the regulation of interleukin-8 (IL-8)-stimulated human polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) bactericidal activity. Methods. Venous human whole blood was rendered normoxic (Pvo 2 saturation 60% to 80%), hypoxemic (Pvo 2 saturation, less than 15%), or H/R (Pvo 2 saturation more than 97%) by dialyzing the blood against a gas mixture of N 2 /H 2 /CO 2 ± 30% O 2 . Two hundred microliter aliquots from each study group were incubated with IL-8 (50 ng/ml) for 45 minutes before fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated mouse antihuman CD16 or CD35 antibodies were added. Bactericidal activity was measured with the release of 51 CT from labeled bacteria at 1 :1, 5 :1, and 10 :1 PMN-target ratios. Steady-state mRNA levels for CD16 and CD35 were quantified by Northern blot analyses. Results. H/R reduced PMN bactericidal activity compared with hypoxemic levels for staphylococcus aureus (48 ± 5.6 versus 27 ± 3.3) and Escherichia coli (58 ± 7.1 versus 33 ± 4.2). H/R reduced the surface expression of CD16 but not CD35 (mean channel fluorescence CD16, 610 ± 70 versus 310 ± 30 for hypoxemia versus H/R ; p < 0.01). After H/R was performed, IL-8 decreased mRNA levels for CD16 but not for CD35 compared with levels seen during hypoxemia + IL-8. Conclusions. H/R down-regulates IL-8-stimulated PMN bactericidal activity by decreasing steady-state mRNA levels and surface expression of CD16. PMN bactericidal capability after H/R + IL-8 is primarily complementary and not Fcγ receptor dependent.
Feedback Control of Biomolecular Systems Formed From Droplet-Interface Bilayers

Applying feedback control strategies to biological materials establishes a new paradigm for creating controlled biomolecular systems. Specifically, current tracking and feedback voltage amplification are demonstrated separately on bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) formed via the droplet-interface bilayer (DIB) method. Ion channel induced degradation of the bilayer is studied in order to provide a convenient method for causing changes to the bilayer which can be monitored using proportional-integral (PI) feedback voltage control. Alpha-hemolysin (αHL) from Staphylococcus aureus was shown to cause large scale reductions (+90%) to the resistance of the lipid bilayers formed at the interface of connected water droplets within 90 minutes of bilayer formation. Feedback integral current control was demonstrated on pure 1,2-diphytanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPhPC) DIBs not containing αHL and provided accurate current tracking of a 100pA desired current signal driven at a rate of 10mHz and less. Voltage amplification monitoring was achieved on DPhPC DIBs containing αHL, providing a way to detect decreasing resistance and capacitance of the bilayer and nonlinear current-voltage relationship.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
The Scanlon Plan: A Longitudinal Analysis:

This article examines the operation and effectiveness of the Scanlon Plan in a large manufacturing plant. The research combined a case-study approach with an interrupted timeseries design. The researcher assessed productivity (measured as output per hour) level of employment, and voluntary turnover on a monthly basis during a seven and one-half to nineyear period. The results of the regression analysis indicated an abrupt positive change in productivity, followed by positive trends for two product lines. The plant's employment and turnover remained stable, in contrast to wider shifts for the industry. The Scanlon Plan paid consistent bonuses, and the production committees generated more than 2,477 suggestions, of which 70% were implemented.
Languages in Which Self Reference is Possible

This paper treats of semantical systems S of sufficient strength so that for any set W definable in S (in a sense which will be made precise), there must exist a sentence X which is true in S if and only if it is an element of W. We call such an X a Tarski sentence for W. It is the sentence which (in a purely extensional sense) says of itself that it is in W. If W is the set of all expressions not provable in some syntactical system C, then X is the Godel sentence which is true (in S) if and only if it is not provable (in C). We provide a novel method for the construction of these sentences, which yields sentences particularly simple in structure. The method is applicable to a variety of systems, including a form of elementary arithmetic, and some systems of protosyntax self applied. In application to the former, we obtain an extremely simple and direct proof of a theorem, which is essentially Tarski's theorem that the truth set of elementary arithmetic is not arithmetically definable.The crux of our method is in the use of a certain function, the ‘norm’ function, which replaces the classical use of the diagonal function. To give a heuristic idea of the norm function, let us define the norm of an expression E (of informal English) as E followed by its own quotation.
Multi-orientation patterned deposition of BaTiO3 thin films using an Au buffer layer

Abstract The control of crystallographic orientation for ferroelectric oxide thin films grown on single crystal substrates has been investigated. We find that perovskite BaTiO 3 has unusual orientation distributions when deposited on (100)- and (110)-oriented SrTiO 3 single crystal substrates that have predeposited patterned Au regions. BTO areas deposited on gold islands were found to have a (111) orientation, whereas those deposited directly on STO had the same orientation as the substrate. Based on this method, we can select, locate, and pattern an oxide film to have different orientation distributions, and thereby engineer films with the complete property anisotropy in-plane.
Vasantotsava: The Spring Festivals of India: Texts and Traditions . By Leona M. Anderson. Reconstructing Indian History and Culture, No. 4. New Delhi: D.K. Printworld (P) Ltd., 1993. xi, 254 pp.

This study treats Vasantotsava as thematically unified generic whole embracing a range of spring festivals, pansectarian texts to explore the rituals, symbols and motifs of the Vasantotsava.
Computerized continuing care support for alcohol and drug dependence: A preliminary analysis of usage and outcomes

The central aim of this administrative data analysis was to examine usage of a Web-based disease management program designed to provide continuing recovery support to patients discharged from residential drug and alcohol treatment. Tailored clinical content was delivered in a multimedia format over the course of 18 months posttreatment. The program also included access to a recovery coach across the 18 months. Consistent with other disease management programs, program usage decreased over time. A small subsample of patients accessed a large number of program modules in the year following treatment; these patients had significantly higher abstinence rates and consumed less alcohol than patients accessing few or no modules. Regression analyses revealed a significant relationship between the number of modules accessed and substance use outcomes in the year following treatment when controlling for motivation, self-efficacy, and pretreatment substance use. Limiting the analyses to only the more compliant patients did not reduce the magnitude of these effects. These preliminary results suggest that computerized support programs may be beneficial to patients recently treated for drug and alcohol issues. Methods to increase program engagement need additional study.
Photodynamic therapy against intracellular pathogens: Problems and potentials

Abstract Treatment of intracellular bacterial infections remains both a medical and economic challenge. Pathogens thriving in cells, or simply taking transient refuge therein, are shielded from many of the humoral and cellular defense mechanisms. Their intracellular location ensures that they are less available for chemotherapeutic agents. This in turn can promote the selection of resistant mutants. All these considerations highlight the importance of alternative therapeutic approaches, among which the potential of photodynamic therapy is increasingly recognized.
Pulsar spin-down luminosity: Simulations in general relativity

Adopting our new method for matching general relativistic, ideal magnetohydrodynamics to its force-free limit, we perform the first systematic simulations of force-free pulsar magnetospheres in general relativity. We endow the neutron star with a general relativistic dipole magnetic field, model the interior with ideal magnetohydrodynamics, and adopt force-free electrodynamics in the exterior. Comparing the spin-down luminosity to its corresponding Minkowski value, we find that general relativistic effects give rise to a modest enhancement: the maximum enhancement for $n=1$ polytropes is $\ensuremath{\sim}23%$. Evolving a rapidly rotating $n=0.5$ polytrope we find an even greater enhancement of $\ensuremath{\sim}35%$. Using our simulation data, we derive fitting formulas for the pulsar spin-down luminosity as a function of the neutron star compaction, angular speed, and dipole magnetic moment. We expect stiffer equations of state and more rapidly spinning neutron stars to lead to even larger enhancements in the spin-down luminosity.
Impact of thiazolidenediones on serum lipoprotein levels.

The thiazolidinediones, acting through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), affect multiple areas of metabolism. Of increasing importance is the recognition that these agents affect lipoprotein metabolism and cause changes in serum lipid and lipoprotein levels. All three thiazolidinediones, including troglitazone (which was withdrawn in the year 2000), rosiglitazone, and pioglitazone, tend to increase highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, increase the size/decrease the density of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, and raise the level of lipoprotein(a). In addition, troglitazone and pioglitazone, but not rosiglitazone, lower triglyceride levels modestly, thereby further contributing to increases in LDL and HDL size. The mechanism for these effects is still being clarified, but may involve enhancement of triglyceride clearance (in the case of pioglitazone), alteration of apolipoprotein C-III levels, reduction of hepatic lipase, and increase in ATP binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) activity. The clinical implications of these effects need further exploration.
CMOS Compatible RF MEMS switch

Mobile technologies have relied on RF switches for a long time. Though the basic function of the switch has remained the same, the way they have been made has changed in the recent past. In the past few years work has been done to use MEMS technologies in designing and fabricating an RF switch that would in many ways replace the electronic and mechanical switches that have been used for so long. The work that is described here is an attempt to design and fabricate an RF MEMS switch that can handle higher RF power and have CMOS compatible operating voltages.
The proton affinity of hydrogen telluride

Abstract The proton affinity of H2Te was determined by pulsed ICR techniques to be 175.8±0.5 kcal mol−1. This value is in good agreement with ab initio calculations which were performed at the SCF and correlated levels. The trend observed in hydrogen chalcogenides, that the proton affinities increase as one moves down Group VIA of the periodic table, extends also to tellurium.
Relationship between Herbage Intake and Sward Structure of Grazed Temperate Grasses

Temperate grasses differ in sward structure, which may infl uence herbage intake of grazing cattle. We compared herbage intake of meadow fescue [Schedonorus pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv.], orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), quackgrass [Elymus repens (L.) Gould], and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) grazed by dairy heifers, and determined its relationship with sward structure. Grasses were grazed at vegetative stage for 24 h over 5-d periods in the spring, summer, and fall of 2 yr. Forage dry matter (DM) allowance was a minimum of two times expected daily intake (11 kg animal −1 d −1 ). Sward characteristics were measured before grazing (height, mass, vertical distribution of leaf and stem bulk density and nutritive value). Herbage DM intake was estimated daily (pregraze minus postgraze herbage mass). Despite species differences in pregraze sward height (range of 29–49 cm across seasons), herbage mass (range of 1480–2540 kg DM ha −1 ), and neutral detergent fi ber (NDF) digestibility (range of 713–843 g kg −1 NDF), no differences in leaf bulk density and herbage intake were found among grasses during four of six grazing seasons. Herbage intake differences during two seasons were related to either sward leaf bulk density (r = 0.79) or stem bulk density (r = −0.84), and the associated changes in leaf and stem mass of the canopy layers grazed by cattle, indicating that these sward characteristics were the primary determinants of grazed herbage intake in vegetative meadow fescue, orchardgrass, quackgrass, and reed canarygrass.
Integrating functional components into capillary electrophoresis systems using liquid-core waveguides.

Miniaturization and integration have become strong trends in the development of analytical devices, particularly over the past decade. Miniaturized total analysis systems (lTAS), lab-on-a-chip, and analytical microfluidics are all newly established concepts and methods of realizing such goals, which not only imply the production of portable and wearable analytical devices, but also dramatic enhancements in analysis speed and sample or reagent economy. Various platforms have been developed or adapted for achieving such aims, the most important of which are those based on MEMS (Micro-electromechanical Systems) techniques. However, MEMS techniques have still not quite fulfilled expectations in terms of fully integrating functional sample processing and detection components onto single microdevices. In particular, optical detection components, most commonly employed in analytical systems, have often proved to be too complicated, bulky, and/or costly to be microfabricated and integrated on a chip without sacrificing considerable analytical performance. This is especially true when minimum detection windows and volumes are vital for ensuring optimum performance, as in chip-based capillary electrophoresis (CE) separations, or when highly multiplexed detections are required. In fact, the first few generations of commercialized lab-chip CE products, albeit successful, have not yet attempted on-chip integration of detection components (except for the detection window itself). Among various possible routes towards complete integration, techniques based on liquid-core waveguides (LCW) have recently shown great promise. The state-ofart of CE with LCW is briefly reviewed in this article, and the potential for and perspectives on the miniaturization and integration of CE systems with light-emitting diode (LED)-excited fluorimetric detectors are discussed.
Synthesis of chiral mesoporous silicas with oligo(saccharide) surfaces and their use in separation of stereoisomers

Novel chiral mesoporous silicas (SBA-15 motif) with chemically bonded oligo(saccharides) (1, 3, and 7 glucose units) were obtained through the cocondensation of organosilicon derivatives of the oligo(saccharides) and silica precursors in the presence of polymer surfactant template under mild acidic conditions. The pore order and structure of the materials prepared were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption. The direct application of the oligo(saccharide)-grafted SBA-15 stationary phases in the HPLC separations of stereoisomers was demonstrated for the first time.
Fluoride stimulates the accumulation of inositol phosphates, increases intracellular free calcium, and inhibits parathyroid hormone release in dispersed bovine parathyroid cells.

The stimulation of polyphosphoinositide (PPI) turnover is associated with cellular activation and hormone secretion in numerous systems. GTP-binding proteins appear to couple receptors to phospholipase-C-mediated PPI breakdown. We assessed the effects of fluoride, an activator of GTP-binding proteins, on inositol phosphate accumulation, intracellular free Ca2+ [(2+)i], cAMP content, and PTH release in dispersed bovine parathyroid cells. Sodium fluoride (5-30 mM) produced marked dose-dependent increases in inositol phosphates. With anion exchange HPLC, we confirmed that 30 mM fluoride stimulated a rapid increase in 1,4,5-inositol trisphosphate, a potent 2+-mobilizing compound. Using the 2+-sensitive probe fura- 2, we determined that 30 mM fluoride increased [2+]i from 339 ± 9 to 650 ± 39 nM (n = 8) within 30-60 sec at 1 mM extracellular 2+. After the depletion of extracellular 2+ by the addition of 1 mM EGTA, 30 mM fluoride increased [2+]i 45 ± 9% (n = 4), indicating that fluoride can mobilize intracellula...
Evidence for locally derived, ultramafic intracrater materials in Amazonis Planitia, Mars

[1] We studied a dark, intracrater feature in Amazonis Planitia using visible, thermal, and spectral data from the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES), MGS Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC), and 2001 Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System (ODY THEMIS) instruments. Visible and thermal data indicate that there are heterogeneities within the dark feature at meter to kilometer scales and suggest that it represents eroded terrain containing inactive ripple-like bed forms (possibly armored or indurated) as well as loose, possibly actively saltating, sediment. In addition, part of the dark intracrater material may be covered with dust, either as an optically thin (few microns thick) layer or as thicker discontinuous patches. The thermal properties of the dark material are consistent with a mixture of sand, rock, and bedrock, whereas the rest of the crater floor has thermal characteristics of fine (∼35 μm) particulates. Spectral data indicate that the crater floor is covered by a layer of dust that is spectrally and compositionally similar to the globally homogenized surface dust in other high-albedo regions on Mars. The mineralogy of the dark materials is mafic (dominated modally by pyroxene and olivine); however, unlike other lithologies common in low-albedo regions (i.e., surface types I and II), its derived bulk chemistry indicates that it is an ultramafic lithology with the lowest silica content detected on Mars to date. Sheet silicates and glasses are not identified above detection limits, and as such, the materials do not display evidence for significant chemical weathering. The geomorphology and visible distribution of the dark, intracrater materials combined with the lack of an obvious source in the region outside the crater suggest they are the product of erosion of a local source.
Open-cell versus closed-cell stent design differences in blood flow velocities after carotid stenting

Objective The differential effect of open-cell vs closed-cell stent design configuration on carotid velocities detected by duplex ultrasound (DUS) imaging has not been established. To identify possible stent design differences in carotid velocities, we analyzed DUS studies obtained before and immediately after carotid artery stenting (CAS). Methods In a series of 141 CAS procedures performed during a 3-year period, data from the first postinterventional DUS images and carotid angiograms were evaluated for each patient. Peak systolic velocities (PSV), end-diastolic velocities (EDV), and internal carotid artery/common carotid artery (ICA/CCA) PSV ratios were compared according to stent design. Differences in carotid velocities were analyzed using nonparametric statistical tests. Results Completion angiograms revealed successful revascularization and Conclusions Carotid velocities are disproportionately elevated after CAS with closed-cell stents compared with open-cell stents. This suggests that the velocity criteria for quantifying stenosis may require modification according to stent design. The importance of these differences in carotid velocities related to stent design and the potential relationship with recurrent stenosis remains to be established.
Studies on the site of action of o,p'-DDD in the dog adrenal cortex. II. TPNH- and corticosteroid precursor-stimulation of o,p'-DDD inhibited steroidogenesis.

Abstract Further evidence is presented in support of the hypothesis that the principle acute effect of o,p′-DDD in the dog adrenal cortex is to inhibit an ACTH mediated step in steroidogenesis which occurs prior to pregnenolone formation. Also, a secondary site of action of this drug was uncovered through the use of steroid precursors to stimulate cortisol production in vitro . o,p′-DDD partially inhibits the intramitochondrial conversion of 11-deoxycortisol to cortisol. Consideration of reaction rates indicated that the partial blockade of 11β-hydroxylation cannot account for the overall effect seen on steroid biosynthesis. Both of the sites of action of o,p′-DDD appear to be intramitochondrial, and the inhibitions both can be partially reversed by the addition of TPNH. The results of steroid production in response to various steroid precursors and/or TPNH in adrenal slices from ACTH-suppressed and non-suppressed dogs suggest that o,p′-DDD treatment is comparable to ACTH suppression.
Radar signature of a 2.5-D tunnel

The effects of an infinitely long cylindrical void on short‐pulse cross‐borehole radar waveforms are modeled and analyzed. Pulsed electromagnetic sensing system (PEMSS) data are of particular interest. The PEMSS system developed by the Southwest Research Institute uses a vertically oriented electric dipole that emits a short electromagnetic pulse with peak power output centered around 30 MHz, which gives wavelengths of roughly 1.5 cavity diameters. The transmitter and receiver are typically located in boreholes separated by approximately 30 m. The model is based on field solutions for a vertically oriented point‐source electric dipole. A three‐dimensional (3-D) analytical frequency domain derivation of the Green’s function is found using a spatial Fourier transform over the cylinder axis. The resulting wavenumber integral is evaluated by a numerical integration over wavenumber. Time‐domain waveforms are produced by applying a Fourier transform to a 7-80 MHz band of frequencies in the Green’s function spec...
Prevalence and characteristics of depression and substance use in a U.S. child welfare sample

Abstract Purpose Estimate separate and combined prevalence of depression and frequent substance use (FSU), evaluate gender differences, and compare the severity of depression and substance use across groups in a sample of youth in the U.S. child welfare system. Methods Data on youth aged 11 to 15 years from the National Survey on Child and Adolescent Well-Being were used (N = 1179). Depression was assessed using the Children's Depression Inventory. Substances assessed included tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, inhalants, hard drugs, and use of prescription medication for non-medical purposes. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to estimate and compare prevalence rates. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the age-adjusted effect of gender on depression/FSU. Results Depression was more than twice as common in girls as boys (17% versus 7%, p Conclusions Although the prevalence of depression was significantly higher among girls than boys, there were no gender differences in FSU prevalence. Boys with comorbid depression and FSU had more severe depressive symptoms as those with depression only.
Iron loaded ferritin secretion and inhibition by CI-976 in Aedes aegypti larval cells.

Ferritin is a multimer of 24 subunits of heavy and light chains. In mammals, iron taken into cells is stored in ferritin or incorporated into iron-containing proteins. Very little ferritin is found circulating in mammalian serum; most is retained in the cytoplasm. Female mosquitoes, such as Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito, Diptera), require a blood meal for oogenesis. Mosquitoes receive a potentially toxic level of iron in the blood meal which must be processed and stored. We demonstrate by 59Fe pulse-chase experiments that cultured A. aegypti larval CCL-125 cells take up iron from culture media and store it in ferritin found mainly in the membrane fraction and secrete iron-loaded ferritin. We observe that in these larval cells ferritin co-localizes with ceramide-containing membranes in the absence of iron. With iron treatment, ferritin is found associated with ceramide-containing membranes as well as in cytoplasmic non-ceramide vesicles. Treatment of CCL-125 cells with iron and CI-976, an inhibitor of lysophospholipid acyl transferases, disrupts ferritin secretion with a concomitant decrease in cell viability. Interfering with ferritin secretion may limit the ability of mosquitoes to adjust to the high iron load of the blood meal and decrease iron delivery to the ovaries reducing egg numbers.
Research participant selection in non-English language questionnaire pretesting: findings from Chinese and Korean cognitive interviews

In survey research, cognitive interviewing has been widely used as a tool for pretesting to improve the quality of questionnaires. However, the cognitive interviewing method relies on interview participants’ ability to articulate their thought process by answering the probe questions asked during the interview. Including participants who exhibit difficulty in understanding the probe question as intended by the researcher and difficulty in providing the appropriate answer pertinent to the probes affects the quality of cognitive interview outcome. Using main interview and its paradata from 258 non-English language (Chinese and Korean) cognitive interviews which pretest the American Community Survey questionnaire, this paper examines how levels of participant difficulty exhibited during the non-English cognitive interview affect the interview outcome. Furthermore, this paper provides practical guidelines about participant selection to balance interview quality and cost for pretesting translated survey questionnaires. We found that interviews with participants who exhibited greater difficulty were lengthier and did not add more value to the findings; in addition, those participants were less likely to complete any questionnaires in the future.
Smarter rotor-blade composite ‘smart’ spar

One of the most exciting developments in fibre-resin composites for aerospace applications are smart structures. In the active embodiment of such structures computer-controlled piezoelectric microactuators are embedded between fibre plies. Suitably controlled by a central processing unit fed data such as pressure, air speed and structural strain, these microactuators can alter the shape of the structure under specific flight conditions. For example, twist-bend coupling could be artificially induced in a rotor-blade spar to minimize vibration or ameliorate excessive blade loading. However, such microactuators are incapable of imposing the loads required for the desired structural deformation and, moreover, behave as sharp discontinuities which can cause local delamination and possible structural failure. In response to these deficiencies a passive structure was developed which intrinsically exhibits the required twist-bend coupling as a result of the fibre architecture selected in the fabrication of the spar. Because the fibre architecture permits the use of continuous fibres, the spar would be highly practical for D-spars that could be incorporated into essentially conventionally rotor-blade construction.
Query vector projection access method

We present a new multidimensional access method for querying by similarity in databases of high-dimensional vectors. The query vector projection access method (QVPAM) addresses the shortcomings of other dimensionality reduction techniques by deriving the best transformation of the vectors at query time. QVPAM creates a projection library that contains building blocks for constructing the transformations. QVPAM rapidly searches the projection library at query time in order to select the set of projection elements that minimizes the work for processing the query. Since the selected set does not need to be complete, QVPAM effectively trades-off query precision and query response time. We describe QVPAM and demonstrate its performance in the content-based querying of a database of high-dimensional color histograms.
Proliferative and synthetic response of bovine growth plate chondrocytes to various capacitively coupled electrical fields

In vitro monolayer cultures of growth plate chondrocytes isolated from newborn calf costochondral junctions were subjected to capacitively coupled electrical fields for 48 h. In part A, the electrical signal was a 60-kHz sine wave applied at different voltages so as to produce electrical fields at the pericellular level of 7, 20, 50, and 126 mV/cm. Incorporations of [3H]thymidine and [35S]sulfate were assayed to determine the effect of the above fields on cells proliferation and matrix synthesis, respectively. Proliferation was increased by 47% in the 20 mV/cm field whereas the same field decreased [35S]sulfate incorporation by 21%. These changes were significant at p less than 0.05 in both instances. In part B, the 20 mV/cm field was applied in a pulsed fashion to produce daily duty cycles of 100, 25, 2, and 0.25%. Incorporation of [3H]thymidine, [35S]sulfate, and [14C]proline per DNA were assayed. Results indicated that the 100, 25, and 0.25% percent duty cycles showed significantly (p less than 0.01-0.05) increased proliferation, whereas the 0.25% signal (5 ms on/495 ms off for 6 h/day) significantly decreased [14C]proline incorporation. We conclude that the biologic response of cells in vitro is signal specific, and that the total amount of electrical energy required to stimulate the growth plate chondrocyte to increased proliferation is very small since the total time the 0.25% duty cycle signal was only 3.6 min of a 24-h period.
An Empirical Note on How Regional Urban Containment Policy Influences an Interaction between Greenbelt and Exurban Land Markets

Abstract This article summarizes the theory of how regional urban containment policy should influence the regional land market; it gives special reference to the interaction between greenbelt and exurban land markets separated by containment policies. I apply a model of the theory to a case study. I find first that the demand for exurban land shifts into exurban districts and away from farmland protected in greenbelts. Second, I find that exurban land value rises the closer it gets to greenbelt land, which suggests that it captures scenic and other benefits of greenbelts. Third, I find that nearby exurban development does not affect greenbelt land values adversely, which suggests that farmers and exurban residents may coexist if their respective districts are defined. Planners who wish to protect farmland from urban households seeking low density and rural residential lifestyles within commuting range of urban centers might consider the implications of this empirical note on their efforts.
On the theory of equivalent operators and application to the numerical solution of uniformly elliptic partial differential equations

This work is motivated by the preconditioned iterative solution of linear systems that arise from the discretization of uniformly elliptic partial differential equations. Iterative methods with bounds independent of the discretization are possible only if the preconditioning strategy is based upon equivalent operators. The operators A, B: W -> V are said to be V norm equivalent if @[email protected]?"[email protected][email protected]?"v is bounded above and below by positive constants for [email protected] D, where D is ''sufficiently dense.'' If A is V norm equivalent to B, then for certain discretization strategies one can use B to construct a preconditioned iterative scheme for the approximate solution of the problem Au = F. The iteration will require an amount of work that is at most a constant times the work required to approximately solve the problem [email protected]^ = \@^tf to reduce the V norm of the error by a fixed factor. This paper develops the theory of equivalent operators on Hubert spaces. Then, the theory is applied to uniformly elliptic operators. Both the strong and weak forms are considered. Finally, finite element and finite difference discretizations are examined.
Inhibition of Oxidized Flavor Development in Milk by Immobilized Trypsin

Abstract Bulk milks with copper added were treated with trypsin coupled to porous glass. Enzyme was removed after incubation. Thiobarbituric acid reaction and organoleptic evaluation showed retardation of oxidation.
Introducing the formation of the International Society of Addiction Journal Editors

In past editorials (Jerrells, 1999a, 1999b), I have indicated a strong commitment to publishing in Alcohol articles of the highest quality in terms of established criteria for the ethics of publishing scientific research findings. To that end, the editors of Alcohol have endorsed the tenets of The Farmington Consensus (see ‘‘Editorial,’’ Jerrells, 1999b, for details on The Farmington Consensus). The journal editors who, for the most part, were instrumental in framing The Farmington Consensus have taken their efforts to establish well-defined guidelines for publishing scientific reports in addiction journals to the most logical level; that is, to form an organized society of addiction journal editors. This was
Role of the gastroenterologist in managing obesity

Obesity has become a major public health problem as a consequence of its prevalence, negative impact on morbidity, mortality and quality of life and its associated direct and indirect healthcare costs. The etiology of obesity is multifactorial and reflects complex interactions of genetic, neurohumoral, environmental, behavioral and possibly, microbial factors. Available treatments for obesity include diet and exercise, behavioral modification, medications and surgery. Gastroenterologists are becoming increasingly involved in the care of obese patients. Although much of this care has historically centered on the preoperative and postoperative care of the bariatric patient, gastroenterologists are also evaluating and managing a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders that occur more commonly among obese individuals and are increasingly involved in the primary treatment of obesity. In this review, the gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders that are associated with obesity will be reviewed, the ga...
Social environment in families of children with juvenile arthritis

The Family Environment Scale (FES) was used to study 50 families of children with juvenile arthritis (JA). The FES was administered to all family members over age 10. Interpersonal relationships among family members were evaluated by the cohesion, expressiveness, and conflict subscales of the FES, and personal development was indexed by the FES independence subscale. The family scores in each subscale were compared with normative data from 1,125 families from the San Francisco Bay Area comparable with study families in age, education, number of children, and socio-economic status. No significant differences (t tests) were found in family cohesion, expressiveness, conflict, or independence in families of children with JA compared with control families when using the FES. These data do not support the hypothesis that psychosocial distress in families precedes or inevitably results from development of arthritis in a child.
The conservative code for bit synchronization

A novel coding scheme for bit synchronization, the conservative code, is presented and analyzed. Each codeword is characterized by having a predefined number of transitions, with a known delimiting transition at the end, i.e. the number of transitions is conserved. As a result, it is possible to decode the incoming serial bit-stream without explicitly recovering the receiving clock with a phase-locked loop. Thus, it is possible to receive messages from asynchronous sources without any training period. This code can be extremely useful in communication over a passive optical star. In the analysis, the efficiency or capacity of the code is computed with two additional constraints: limited run-length and balancing. It is shown that this coding scheme is efficient when both constraints are applied. The objective of this analysis is to show that the additional constraints imposed on the encoding do not cause a significant reduction in its efficiency. The design of a serial electronic interface is described. Its goal is to maximize the interface bandwidth (greater than 1/Gb/s with GaAs technology), which is usually the bottleneck of an optical communication system. It is achieved by reducing the critical timing path to one flipflop and one NOR gate, and by having a hierarchical interface design. >
Phase II trial of primary chemotherapy followed by reduced-dose radiation for CNS germ cell tumors.

PURPOSE: A prospective phase II study was initiated to assess the response rate, survival, and late effects of treatment in patients with newly diagnosed CNS germ cell tumors (GCT), using etoposide plus cisplatin followed by radiation therapy prescribed by extent of disease, histology, and response to chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients aged 8 to 24 years with histologically proven CNS GCT received etoposide (100 mg/m2/d) plus cisplatin (20 mg/m2/d) daily for 5 days every 3 weeks for four cycles, followed by radiation therapy. Nine patients had germinomas; eight had mixed GCT. Four patients (three with germinomas and one with mixed GCT) presented with leptomeningeal dissemination. RESULTS: Radiographically, 14 of 17 patients were assessable for response; 11 patients experienced complete regression, and three had major partial regression before radiation. Six of seven assessable patients with elevated CSF levels of alpha-fetoprotein or beta–human chorionic gonadotropin had normalization ...
Predictors of vigorous exercise adoption and maintenance over four years in a community sample

Very little is known about the correlates of adoption and maintenance of vigorous exercise. The purpose of this study was to understand the sociodemographic correlates of exercise adoption and maintenance in a community sample. 917 women and 229 men completed annual surveys as part of a community-based weight gain prevention trial over four years. Multivariate regressions evaluated predictive factors for maintenance of vigorous exercise over time in regular exercisers, and predictors of adoption of exercise in adults who were sedentary at baseline. Exercise maintenance at Years 2 and 3 was associated with ethnicity and exercise level at baseline, while exercise maintenance at Year 4 was associated with television watching, BMI and exercise at baseline. Exercise level at baseline was associated with exercise initiation at Year 2 and Year 3. Income level, marital status, and smoking status predicted exercise initiation at Year 4. Predictors of vigorous exercise maintenance were more consistent than predictors of vigorous exercise initiation. Results suggest that those who adopt vigorous exercise are a heterogeneous group and intervention messages could be more broadly focused. These data also suggest that exercise maintenance interventions should continue to target low-income populations with messages regarding smoking, weight and television. Clearly further research is needed to understand the factors that contribute to exercise initiation and maintenance, and to develop effective interventions to improve levels of physical activity levels.
Two exercises for exploring the relationships among jungian psychological types, organizational ideals, and organizational politics perceptions

This article describes two experiential exercises relating Jungian psychological types to organizational ideals and perceptions of office politics. The first exercise explores the relationship between Jungian psychological types and organizational ideals. The second exercise explores how these organizational ideals influence perceptions of organizational politics. The exercises can be used separately or combined and are appropriate for a variety of management education settings. Guidelines are presented for administering the exercises and interpreting results.
Polarimetric SAR image classification-exploiting optimal variables derived from multiple-image datasets

Polarimetric SAR image classification remains an important research area. Various methods continue to be developed for specific applications. Instead of focusing upon one specific problem, we have developed nonlinear dimensionality reduction techniques that extract information from inherently high dimensional datasets. We present computationally tractable, suboptimal extensions of the full nonlinear dimensionality reduction techniques. We apply these suboptimal techniques to polarimetric SAR image classification. Comparisons will be made between optimal and suboptimal techniques, and, as a reference, to standard statistical Wishart classifiers.
A prospective study comparing the sensed R wave in bipolar and extended bipolar configurations: the PropR study.

Background Progress in implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) technology has allowed for switching the sensing polarity for the detection of ventricular fibrillation (VF). However, whether one sensing polarity confers additional advantage over the other is not known. Objectives To determine whether one sensing polarity is superior to the other for the detection of VF. Methods Patients were enrolled into a prospective randomized study of sensing of VF and R waves in normal rhythm. Sensing of VF was determined by number of under sensed beats (USB), and time to detection of VF (TDVF). Each patient underwent ICD implantation followed by testing of the ICD. At each induction, patients were randomized to sensing in extended bipolar (EBP) or true bipolar (TBP) configuration. Additionally, R waves were compared at implant and at 1-month follow-up. Results A total of 50 patients were enrolled into the study. When evaluating the primary endpoint, no difference was found between USB in EBP or TBP configuration; 1.1 ± 1.2 beats versus 1.3 ± 1.3 beats; P = NS. Also, no difference was found between TDVF in EBP or TBP configurations; 5.9 ± 0.6 seconds versus 5.9 ± 0.6 seconds; P = NS. With regard to the secondary endpoints, there was no difference between R waves in EBP or TBP configurations at the time of implant 10.9 ± 4.8 mV versus 10.9 ± 4.8 mV P = NS; or at 1-month follow-up 12.4 ± 4.7 mV versus 12.0 ± 5.4 mV P = NS. Conclusions There is no difference in the detection of VF between EBP or TBP configurations in patients undergoing ICD implantation.