cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laparotomy- and groin-associated complications are common after aortofemoral bypass and contribute to reintervention

Abstract Background Despite endovascular advancements, aortofemoral bypass (AFB; aortounifemoral and aortobifemoral bypass) remains the most durable option for aortoiliac occlusive disease. Whereas AFB reduces vascular aortoiliac reintervention, the impact of laparotomy-associated and groin wound complications on morbidity and reintervention is unclear. The aim of this study was to establish the incidence of nonvascular complications after AFB and to determine their effect on reintervention. Methods Institutional data for AFB (2000-2017) were queried. Primary end points included laparotomy-associated and groin wound complications. Total reintervention was defined as the composite outcome of reinterventions for laparotomy and groin wound complications and graft patency. Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated freedom from reintervention. Fine-Gray method for competing long-term risk determined predictors of laparotomy complications. Logistic regression, adjusting variability for patient-level clustering, determined predictors of wound complications. Results There were 553 limbs in 281 patients (272 aortobifemoral and 9 aortounifemoral bypasses; age, 67.6 ± 11.0 years; 50.5% female). Ninety (32%) patients had prior abdominal surgery, 3.2% had prior ventral hernia (VH) repair, 2.9% had untreated VH, and 0.7% had history of small bowel obstruction. The majority of patients underwent AFB for claudication (66.2%); 87.2% had TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) D lesions, 31.4% required a suprarenal clamp or higher, 16.4% had concomitant renovisceral revascularization, and 6.4% were receiving anticoagulation. Sixty-seven (12.1%) limbs had redo femoral artery exposures, 32.4% required femoral outflow adjunct, and 1.8% had simultaneous lower extremity bypass. The 30-day mortality was 2.9%. During median follow-up of 5.3 years (interquartile range, 7.3 years), 21% had laparotomy complications (VH, 15.3%; small bowel obstruction, 7.5%; other, 2.1%), including 10.0% requiring operative intervention. Sixty-seven (12%) groins had a wound complication; 4.9% required intervention. Unadjusted 1-, 3-, and 5-year freedom from graft reintervention was 93.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.1%-96.5%), 85.3% (80.7%-90.2%), and 79.6% (74.1%-85.5%), respectively. Freedom from total reintervention at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years was 82.1% (95% CI, 77.4%-87.1%), 73.6% (68.0%-79.6%), and 65.1% (58.7%-72.2%). Predictors of laparotomy complications were untreated VH (P = .01) and hypertension (P = .01). Protective factors were thoracoabdominal approach (P Conclusions Whereas AFB is a durable reconstruction with infrequent need for graft reintervention, laparotomy- and groin wound-associated complications contribute significantly to morbidity and reintervention after AFB. Predictive factors for laparotomy and groin wound complications should be considered in preoperative planning and selection of patients for AFB and in the discussion of outcomes.
An interface integral equation method applied to a crack impinging upon a bimaterial, frictional interface

A crack impinging upon a frictional, bimaterial interface is studied theoretically. Specifically we consider the problem of an infinitely long, cracked, two-dimensional fiber, which is embedded in an infinite plane with distinct elastic properties. The composite is subjected to tensile loading parallel to the fiber. An interface integral equation method is developed to solve this problem. This method, involving to-be-determined distributions of line forces, reduces the specific problem considered here to four coupled integral equations which are solved numerically. The bimaterial effect appears to be significant with respect to the length of the slip zone along the interface and the interfacial shear stress. However, the blunting of the crack by the frictional interface is virtually independent of the bimaterial effect.
Numerical Treatment of Delay Salmonella Fractional Model with Atangana–Baleanu Derivative

Mathematical modelling of Salmonella disease played a significant role in the understanding of the transmission of this epidemic. In this article, we study numerically a fractional dynamical, with time-delay, Salmonella disease model. The introduced model is written as a system of fractional-order delay differential equations. The fractional operator is defined in the Atangana–Baleanu–Caputo sense, where the parameters are varied regarding the fractional-order derivative. We study, for any time delay, the stability of the disease-free equilibrium point and the endemic equilibrium point. Implicit nonstandard finite difference method is introduced to simulate numerically the proposed model. The obtained schema was unconditionally stable. Some comparison with our numerical simulations is introduced to show the effectiveness and applicability of the introduced approach for approximating the solutions of such stiff problems of fractional delay differential equations. Our simulations confirm the theoretical studies in this paper.
Anterior–Posterior Patterning in Lepidopteran Wings

The color patterns on the wings of butterflies and moths are among the most complex manifestations of pattern formation in nature. The complexities of these patterns arise from the diversification of a conserved set of homologous elements known as the Nymphalid Ground Plan that can change color, shift position, expand, or disappear altogether. Recent work has shown that the anterior-posterior axis of the butterfly wing may also have an important role in the development and evolution of wing-pattern diversity. Here we characterize the anterior-posterior axis by mapping expression domains of key regulatory genes onto the wing. We show that the butterfly wing can be subdivided into four primary regions, with the boundaries of these domains arising at the positions of the M1, M3, and Cu2 wing-veins. We find that the correlation among variation in the border ocelli is strongest for those within the same domain. We show how these domains may be used to determine phenotypic outcomes by surveying the frequency of color boundaries, tail development, and wing shape discontinuities across five major butterfly families: Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, and Riodinidae. Of the more than 200 genera we surveyed in this study, color pattern discontinuities emerge most often at the boundary veins M1, M3, and Cu2, and shape discontinuities and tails at veins M3 and Cu2. These findings reveal a hitherto unrecognized mode of evolution of patterning in the Lepidoptera.
The mutability of demographic noise in microbial range expansions

Abstract Demographic noise, the change in the composition of a population due to random birth and death events, is an important driving force in evolution because it reduces the efficacy of natural selection. Demographic noise is typically thought to be set by the population size and the environment, but recent experiments with microbial range expansions have revealed substantial strain-level differences in demographic noise under the same growth conditions. Many genetic and phenotypic differences exist between strains; to what extent do single mutations change the strength of demographic noise? To investigate this question, we developed a high-throughput method for measuring demographic noise in colonies without the need for genetic manipulation. By applying this method to 191 randomly-selected single gene deletion strains from the E. coli Keio collection, we find that a typical single gene deletion mutation decreases demographic noise by 8% (maximal decrease: 81%). We find that the strength of demographic noise is an emergent trait at the population level that can be predicted by colony-level traits but not cell-level traits. The observed differences in demographic noise from single gene deletions can increase the establishment probability of beneficial mutations by almost an order of magnitude higher than the wild type. Our results show that single mutations can substantially alter adaptation through their effects on demographic noise and suggest that demographic noise can be an evolvable phenotype of a population.
Matching for Strategic Organizations: Theory and Empirics from Internal Labor Markets

Organizations have recently embraced the tools of market design to address job assignment and internal mobility problems. However, matching objectives within an organization are distinct from those in other settings. We model firm-optimal job assignments and the tradeoffs of using different matching institutions. Our results illuminate where preference-respecting mechanisms (such as those developed for stable matching) perform well for organizational purposes. We then turn to a large organization's internal labor market for empirics. We find that optimal matching is highly productive. Using the organization's preferred metric, the optimal match is 36% more productive than randomly assigned matches within job categories. However, it achieves this through negative assortative matching, placing a majority of workers and managers with assignments they did not rank. By contrast, preference-based matches (using deferred acceptance) are much less productive. They are only 3% more valuable to the firm than the average random match, 24% less than the firm's optimal, and feature positive assortative matching. However, workers and managers are significantly more likely to be assigned to a preferred partner; only 25% are assigned to a match they did not rank.
A review of alternative intravenous acetylcysteine regimens for acetaminophen overdose.

Introduction Acetylcysteine is the standard treatment for preventing hepatotoxicity caused by acetaminophen overdose. Several novel approaches to the management of acetaminophen overdose have been suggested to improve patient safety by reducing adverse drug reactions and dosing errors. This article reviews these alternative treatment regimens and intends to offer a detailed assessment of the available options to assist providers in managing cases of acetaminophen overdose. Areas covered This review article covers observational and experimental studies that assessed the efficacy and safety of alternative intravenous acetylcysteine regimens for acetaminophen overdose. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, ProQuest, and Scopus to identify the studies, which included results through April 2021. The assessment of alternative regimens consists of a discussion on the limitations and benefits, barriers to implementation, and important considerations for each regimen. Expert opinion Several alternative regimens have been studied and implemented in various institutions. Many of these dosing regimens have supporting safety data but most lack robust data. A reduction in infusion-related side effects is an important outcome, but established efficacy, local poison center familiarity with the regimen, institutional resources, and patient-specific factors should be equally considered when deciding on implementing and using an alternative dosing strategy.
Criminal Populations and Substance Abuse

Publisher Summary The link between substance abuse and criminal behavior is well-recognized and has become better understood during the past 20 years as the courts, jails, prisons, and community corrections have been inundated with growing numbers of drug-involved offenders. In many cases, criminal behavior such as property crime, prostitution, and drug sales results directly from attempts to support a drug habit. There are multiple challenges in developing substance abuse treatment services within the criminal justice system. Many prisons and jails are not architecturally or environmentally conducive to effective treatment, neither are they staffed at appropriate levels. Illicit drugs are available in many correctional facilities despite existing security measures and periodic drug testing. Accumulating research evidence over the past two decades, however, indicates that treatment provided within the criminal justice system reduces substance abuse and recidivism. Research indicates that the most successful offender treatment programs are those that combine treatment in the institution with treatment for at least three months following release to the community. Within the international community, there are a wide variety of civil and criminal approaches to providing substance abuse treatment services for those with drug and alcohol problems. A number of countries, especially in Europe and Scandinavia, employ civil commitment to substance abuse treatment and court-ordered treatment as a result of a criminal offense.
Choroid Plexus and Immune Response of the Brain

Publisher Summary The choroid plexuses (CPs), located within the ventricles of the brain, produce the cerebrospinal fluid and form an interface between the peripheral blood and the CSF. Key functions related to brain homeostasis that have been ascribed to CP include processes that establish, survey, and maintain the biochemical and cellular status of the brain under normal and pathological conditions. Therapeutic strategies exploiting the growth factor secretion and immune regulatory properties of CP may prove directly relevant to treating brain disorders. Indeed, the transplant studies conducted to date lend support to the use of CP for repairing the diseased and/or aging brain. Subsequent studies are needed to clearly elucidate the mechanisms of action by which these therapeutic benefits are achieved with CP, in order to further improve the functional outcomes. Envisioned mechanism-driven experiments include determining whether CP functions within parenchymal tissue in the same manner as within the CSF, and conducting vis-a-vis comparisons between native ability of CP to secrete a physiologically balanced and temporally adjusted cocktail of bioactive compounds versus delivery of single agents. Critical to advancing CP cell therapy are translational research issues such as examining the potential clinical indication with emphasis on optimizing the donor source and age of the transplanted cells, determining whether specific cell types within the are most beneficial, and identifying the optimal postinjury timing, transplant location and dosage, of cells to be grafted into the CNS.
The Effect of Trauma Cue Exposure on Cocaine Cravings among Cocaine Dependent Inpatients with and without Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Exploring the Mediating Role of Negative Affect and Discrete Ne

This study examined the effect of personalized trauma cue exposure (relative to neutral cue exposure) on cocaine cravings within a sample of trauma-exposed cocaine dependent patients with and witho...
Twice-Told Tale: Plausibility and Narrative Coherence in Judicial Storytelling

What makes the stories told in court believable, and thus convincing? Part of the answer, this article suggests, lies in narrative coherence. Stories “make sense” and are plausible, not because they necessarily correspond in a direct way to “what really happened,” but rather because they seem structurally whole, consistent, and complete. They have achieved narrative coherence. After considering the role of narrative coherence in the plausibility of narratives, the article presents a typology for narrative coherence, breaking it down into external and internal coherence, with further component parts to each one.The article then turns to the Supreme Court case of Scott v. Harris, a fascinating opinion in which members of the Court construct two different versions of the underlying story of the case. Each side is wholly convinced of the plausibility of its own version and equally incredulous that the other side could see and tell the story so differently. How could respective members of the Court sincerely believe in such different versions of the story? How could they regard their version as the only plausible one? The answer lies partly in the ways in which their respective stories achieve narrative coherence.
Hijacked in cancer: the KMT2 (MLL) family of methyltransferases

Histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 (KMT2) family proteins methylate lysine 4 on the histone H3 tail at important regulatory regions in the genome and thereby impart crucial functions through modulating chromatin structures and DNA accessibility. Although the human KMT2 family was initially named the mixed-lineage leukaemia (MLL) family, owing to the role of the first-found member KMT2A in this disease, recent exome-sequencing studies revealed KMT2 genes to be among the most frequently mutated genes in many types of human cancers. Efforts to integrate the molecular mechanisms of KMT2 with its roles in tumorigenesis have led to the development of first-generation inhibitors of KMT2 function, which could become novel cancer therapies.
Solution of high dimensional transient Fokker-Planck equations by tensor decomposition

A tensor decomposition approach combined with Chebyshev spectral differentiation is developed to solve the transient Fokker-Planck equation (FPE) in high dimensional cases. This method drastically reduces the degrees of freedom required to maintain accuracy in the approximation as dimensionality increases. The transient solution is sought in a single CANDECOMP/PARAFAC decomposition form for all times by the alternating least squares algorithm. This is accomplished by decoupling the spatial dimensions as well as the separation of temporal domain from spatial domain. As a result, the transient solution is obtained without resorting to expensive time-stepping schemes. In addition, a new approach for imposing the vanishing boundary condition in the tensor product framework is proposed, improving the quality of the approximation. Numerical transient solutions for systems up to 14 dimensional state space are successfully obtained on a regular personal computer to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method.
Target classification through time-reversal operator analysis using ultrawideband electromagnetic waves

We study the scattering matrices employed in time-reversal (TR) imaging algorithms in an attempt to provide additional classification information for scatterers with different shapes and characteristics. Specifically, we apply the eigenspace analysis to the so-called TR operator (TRO) and singular value analysis to the recently introduced space-frequency scattering matrices obtained for metallic and non-metallic objects with different cross-sections, aspect ratios and orientations. It is reported that for scatterers with cross sections less than half wavelength and unity aspect ratios, singular value distributions do not provide enough shape distinguishing information. On the other hand, when the cross-sections are larger and while operating at the higher portion of the frequency spectrum, singular value distributions deviate from each other providing shape distinguishing characteristics.
Theoretical study of the noble metals on semiconductor surfaces and Ti-base shape memory alloys

The electronic and structural properties of the ({radical}3 {times} {radical}3) R30{degrees} Ag/Si(111) and ({radical}3 {times} {radical}3) R30{degrees} Au/Si(111) surfaces are investigated using first principles total energy calculations. We have tested almost all experimentally proposed structural models for both surfaces and found the energetically most favorable model for each of them. The lowest energy model structure of the ({radical}3 {times} {radical}3) R30{degrees} Ag/Si(111) surface consists of a top layer of Ag atoms arranged as ``honeycomb-chained-trimers`` lying above a distorted ``missing top layer`` Si(111) substrate. The coverage of Ag is 1 monolayer (ML). We find that the honeycomb structure observed in STM images arise from the electronic charge densities of an empty surface band near the Fermi level. The electronic density of states of this model gives a ``pseudo-gap`` around the Fermi level, which is consistent with experimental results. The lowest energy model for the ({radical}3 {times} {radical}3) R30{degrees} Au/Si(111) surface is a conjugate honeycomb-chained-trimer (CHCT-1) configuration which consists of a top layer of trimers formed by 1 ML Au atoms lying above a ``missing top layer`` Si(111) substrate with a honeycomb-chained-trimer structure for its first layer. The structures of Au and Ag are in fact quite similar and belong to themore » same class of structural models. However, small variation in the structural details gives rise to quite different observed STM images, as revealed in the theoretical calculations. The electronic charge density from bands around the Fermi level for the ({radical}3 {times} {radical}3) R30{degrees}, Au/Si(111) surface also gives a good description of the images observed in STM experiments. First principles calculations are performed to study the electronic and structural properties of a series of Ti-base binary alloys TiFe, TiNi, TiPd, TiMo, and TiAu in the B2 structure.« less
Assessing root death and root system dynamics in a study of grape canopy pruning.

Defining root death in studies of root dynamics is problematic because cell death occurs gradually and the resulting effects on root function are not well understood. In this study, metabolic activity of grape roots of different ages was assessed by excised root respiration and tetrazolium chloride reduction. We investigated changes in metabolic activity and patterns of cell death occurring with root age and changes in root pigmentation. Tetrazolium chloride reduction of roots of different ages was strongly correlated to respiration (R2 = 0.786). As roots aged, respiration and tetrazolium chloride reduction declined similarly, with minimum metabolic activity reached at six weeks. Tetrazolium chloride reduction indicated that the onset of root browning corresponded to a 77% reduction in metabolic activity (P < 0.001). Anatomical examination of roots at each pigmentation stage showed that even though some cells in brown roots were still alive, these roots were functionally dead. The effect of using different definitions of root death in relation to root survivorship was determined in a study of ‘Concord’ grapes with two pruning treatments, using three criteria for root death: browning, blackening or shriveling, and disappearance. There was no effect of vine pruning on root life span when life span was defined as the time from first appearance to the onset of browning. However, if death was judged as the point when roots either became black or shriveled or disappeared, vine pruning decreased root life span by 34% and 40%, respectively (P < 0.001), and also increased the decay constant for root decomposition by about 45% (P < 0.001). We conclude that the discrepancy among determinations of root life span assessed with different definitions of death might be partly caused by the latter evaluations of root life span incorporating a portion of root decomposition in definitions of root death.
Automatic vehicle location system implementation

Since August, 1994 the Phoenix Fire Department's new computer-aided dispatch system has been making dispatch recommendations based on current unit locations. This has been made possible by tightly integrating an automatic vehicle location (AVL) system with the dispatch system. This paper describes how the Phoenix Fire Department (hereinafter referred to as Department) has integrated the two systems and the benefits that it has realized. Planned enhancements are also described.
Functional interaction of hexokinase with ATP requires participation by both small and large lobes of the enzyme: implications for other proteins using the actin fold as a nucleotide binding motif.

The actin fold is a structural motif involved in binding of ATP to an otherwise diverse family of proteins that includes hexokinase, actin, and the 70 kDa heat shock protein. Previous analyses have focused attention on a hydrophobic pocket within the large lobe of hexokinase (and analogous regions in other proteins possessing the actin fold motif) as the-site for binding of the adenine moiety. However, there is reason to believe that binding of the adenine moiety also involves a beta-sheet region located in the small lobe of hexokinase. It is postulated that functional interaction with ATP, required for catalysis, involves interactions with both regions. The expected structural consequences provide a basis for explaining the kinetic mechanism suggested for this enzyme, i.e., although both substrates can bind independently, the preferred kinetic pathway is not random but ordered, with glucose binding first. The structural features postulated to be involved in binding of ATP to hexokinase are also found in ...
Depressive symptoms and cognitive decline in a community population of older persons

Background: An association between depressive symptoms and cognitive decline has been observed in selected cohorts of older people, but studies of defined populations have had conflicting results. Objective: To test whether the level of depressive symptoms predicted the rate of cognitive decline in a biracial community of older persons. Methods: 4392 older people (88% of those eligible) from a defined community in Chicago completed two or three structured interviews at approximately three year intervals for an average of 5.3 years. At the baseline interview, the number of depressive symptoms was assessed with a 10 item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Cognitive function was assessed at each interview with four performance tests, from which a previously established measure of global cognition was derived. Random effects models were used to assess change in cognition and its relation to depressive symptoms, controlling for age, sex, race, education, and baseline cognitive function. Results: Participants reported a median of one depressive symptom at baseline (interquartile range, 0 to 2). For each depressive symptom, the rate of cognitive decline increased by a mean of about 5%. Results were not substantially changed when persons with cognitive impairment at baseline were excluded, or when chronic illness or participation in cognitively stimulating activities was controlled, and the association was not modified by age, sex, race, or education. Conclusions: The results suggest that depressive symptoms predict cognitive decline in old age.
Drought, transfer entitlements, and income distribution: The Botswana experience

Abstract Using 1974–75 and 1985–86 income distribution survey data, with the latter supplemented by drought relief data, this paper presents an analysis of intertemporal rural household income distribution in Botswana. Despite the fact that the 1974–75 survey was conducted during one of the best agricultural production periods on record and the 1985–86 survey was conducted in the midst of one of the worst, after the rural income economy had been weakened by a severe and prolonged drought, Botswana's rural income inequality did not appear to have increased significantly. There was no marked reduction in rural household real incomes. The explanation for this outcome is found to lie in the income-maintenance strategy pursued by rural households with strong support from transfer entitlement guarantees from private and public sources supplementing rural household incomes.
Susceptibility of monkeypox virus aerosol suspensions in a rotating chamber

Viral aerosols can have a major impact on public health and on the dynamics of infection. Once aerosolized, viruses are subjected to various stress factors and their integrity and potential of infectivity can be altered. Empirical characterization is needed in order to predict more accurately the fate of these bioaerosols both for short term and long term suspension in the air. Here the susceptibility to aerosolization of the monkeypox virus (MPXV), associated with emerging zoonotic diseases, was studied using a 10.7 L rotating chamber. This chamber was built to fit inside a Class three biological safety cabinet, specifically for studying airborne biosafety level three (BSL3) microorganisms. Airborne viruses were detected by culture and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) after up to 90 h of aging. Viral concentrations detected dropped by two logs for culture analysis and by one log for qPCR analysis within the first 18 h of aging; viral concentrations were stable between 18 and 90 h, suggesting a potential for the MPXV to retain infectivity in aerosols for more than 90 h. The rotating chamber used in this study maintained viral particles airborne successfully for prolonged periods and could be used to study the susceptibility of other BSL3 microorganisms.
Hemodynamic profile of a post-infarct ventricular septal defect: left atrial a-waves rather than v-waves may be a prominent feature

The presence of prominent left atrial v-waves following interventricular septal rupture in acute myocardial infarction have been reported in the past. Hemodynamic profile obtained in one particular case highlighted some of the varying aspects of pressure wave, oxygen saturation, and compliance abnormalities that may also be present in such cases. The presence of large left atrial a-waves rather than v-waves was one of the findings.
Leisure-time exercise and overall physical activity in older women caregivers and non-caregivers from the Caregiver-SOF Study

Abstract Background Elderly caregivers report less leisure-time physical activity than same-aged non-caregivers. However, through caregiving tasks, caregivers may be as physically active as non-caregivers. This study compared leisure-time exercise and overall physical activity in elderly women caregivers and non-caregivers. Methods The sample included 179 caregivers (153 cared for spouses and 26 for other relatives or friends) and 670 non-caregivers who were participants in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. Leisure-time exercise was based on respondents' report of walking for exercise or other regular exercise at least once a week. High overall physical activity included leisure-time exercise or being in the top quartile of walking and climbing stairs during one's daily routine. Results Leisure-time exercise was lower in spouse caregivers (adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.64, 0.41–1.00) and non-spouse caregivers (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.16–0.95) than married non-caregivers. Differences in overall physical activity between caregivers and married non-caregivers were smaller and not statistically significant. Caregivers who climbed stairs at least 15 min/day during caregiving tasks reported more overall physical activity than non-caregivers (OR = 4.06, 95% CI = 1.23–13.36). Conclusions Studies comparing physical activity in caregivers and non-caregivers should assess activities performed during routine caregiving tasks.
Control-oriented multi-phase combustion model for biodiesel fueled engines

In this paper, the combustion characteristics of Diesel and biodiesel fuels are investigated and compared. Based on the experimental data obtained from a medium-duty Diesel engine, a multi-phase combustion model, which is applicable to both Diesel and biodiesel fuels, is developed and it shows satisfactory accuracy within the test range in this study. A preliminary ignition-delay correlation is established by considering not only the in-cylinder physical factors such as pressure and temperature, but also the fuel property variations. It is also capable of modeling the premixed and mixing-controlled combustion by using two cascaded Wiebe functions. Through a grey-box parameter identification approach, a set of Wiebe coefficients, which are partially physics-based, are found; then the model can have a reasonable accuracy for the range of experiments conducted. Based on the multi-phase model, prediction can be made for the CA50 (crank angle for 50% heat release), which is very important for combustion timing feedback control.
Reoperation for failed prosthetic replacement used for limb salvage

Patients with segmental bone and joint replacement prostheses because of tumors increasingly need revision surgery because of their long term survival. Between 1970 and 1990, 208 custom prosthetic replacements were performed for limb salvage in patients with tumors. Reoperations were required in 52 patients. The mean time to reoperation was 37 months. The reoperation procedures included 35 prosthetic revisions, 11 amputations, four arthrodeses, one vascularized fibular graft, and one open reduction and internal fixation of a fracture with supplemental bone graft. Functional assessment using the new Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scoring system was available for the 36 living patients, and their mean rating was 63% (18.9) at 12 years' mean followup. Of the 35 patients who received a new prosthesis, 12 (33%) patients needed a third operation at mean followup of 68 months. The probability of prosthetic survival in the group of 35 patients needing revision to the same or another prosthesis was 79% at 5 years and 65% at 10 years. The chance and frequency of needing reoperation increased as patients survived longer. Reoperations for tumor recurrence or infection usually resulted in amputation. Reoperation for failed initial segmental bone and joint prosthetic replacement is feasible and effective and can be done without jeopardizing subsequent patient and implant survival or without significantly affecting functional results compared with the values before reoperation.
Thin layers near surfaces by ion implantation

Abstract Ion implantation produces thin films or layers that reside within a substrate rather than on top of it. The layers extend to the surface, differ in chemical composition and/or microstructure as compared with the substrate, and often modify the surface-dependent properties of the substrate material. Selected examples of modified properties are presented in this article and include improvements in oxidation and wear resistance from ion implantation. The shallow depths of the modified layers and the small scales of the implanted microstructures require the use of several modern analytical techniques for their characterization. Examples of such characterizations are also presented in this article. The implanted layers are examined for chemical concentrations versus depth with Auger electron spectroscopy and controlled sputtering, and with Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Scanning electron microscopy and electron backscattering channeling analysis yield, respectively, information regarding products formed during oxidation and amorphous phase formed during implantation. Transmission electron microscopy and diffraction quantify the microstructures within the implanted layer and identify crystalline, nanocrystalline, and amorphous phases. Finally, it is shown that lattice imaging delineates atomic level defects, including stacking faults in ∼3 nm implanted rare gas precipitates, and amorphous phase formed during deceleration of the incident ions within intermetallic NiAl3 phase.
Correlates of syringe coverage for heroin injection in 35 large metropolitan areas in the US in which heroin is the dominant injected drug

Abstract Background Scientific consensus holds that if, at the outset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, injection drug users (IDUs) had had better access to sterile syringes, much of the epidemic among IDUs in the U.S. could have been prevented. In the context of preventing infectious diseases, 100% syringe coverage – that is, one sterile syringe per injector for each injection – is a public health goal. Notably, we know little about variations in syringe coverage within the U.S. and elsewhere, or about the social and political factors that might determine this coverage. Methods Using data from Holmberg (1996), the 1990 United States Census, the 2000 Beth Israel National Syringe Exchange Survey ( n =72), and estimates of IDUs in metropolitan areas (MSAs); (Friedman et al., 2004), we explore the impact of (1) political factors (ACT UP, outreach, early syringe exchange programme (SEP) presence, men who have sex with men (MSM) per capita, drug arrests, and police per capita); (2) local resources for SEPs; and (3) indicators of socioeconomic inequality on SEP coverage. We define "syringe coverage" as the ratio of syringes distributed at SEPs to the number of syringes heroin injectors need in a year. We calculated the number of syringes heroin injectors need in a year by multiplying an estimate of the number of IDUs in each MSA by an estimate of the average number of times heroin injectors inject heroin per year (2.8 times per day times 365 days). In this analysis, the sample was limited to 35 MSAs in which the primary drug of choice among injectors was heroin. Results SEP coverage varies greatly across MSAs, with an average of 3 syringes distributed per 100 injection events (S.D.=0.045; range: 2 syringes per 10 injection events, to 3 syringes per 10,000 injection events). In bivariate regression analyses, a 1 unit difference in the proportion of the population that was MSM per 1000 was associated with a difference of 0.002 in SEP coverage ( p =0.052); early SEP presence was associated with a difference of 0.038 in coverage ( p =0.012); and having government funding was associated with a 0.040 difference in SEP coverage ( p =0.021). Conclusions This analysis suggests that longer duration of SEP presence may increase syringe distribution and enhance successful programme utilization. Furthermore, MSAs with greater proportions of MSM tend to have better SEP coverage, perhaps providing further evidence that grassroots activism plays an important role in programme implementation and successful SEP coverage. This research provides evidence that government funding for SEPs contributes to better syringe coverage.
Properties of a chronosequence of ultraxerous soils in the trans-antarctic mountains

Cold desert soils were examined on 27 lateral moraines and on ground moraine in Arena Valley, Antarctica (77°50′S 161°E). The soils range in age from 200 000 to possibly 7–10 m.y. and have formed under virtually abiotic conditions, currently receiving less than 1 cm of water-equivalent precipitation per year. On 314 m2 circular plots, the frequency of surface boulders decreases and the frequencies of ventifacted boulders and pitted dolerite boulders increase with time. The desert pavement becomes more distinct with time, as manifested by an increase in rock types resistant to weathering, proximity of fragments greater than 15 mm, and number of coarse fragments which are stained and ventifacted. The thickness of solum and depth at which comminuted clasts occur increase with time. Whereas salt encrustations beneath clasts are prevalent in the youngest soils, the oldest soils contain a weakly cemented salt pan. Cracks measuring 1–5 cm intwidth, irregularly spaced at 15–50 cm intervals and extending to depths of 50 cm, occur primarily in older ultraxerous soils. Electrical conductivity and concentrations of sodium and nitrate in water extracts of the salt-enriched horizon increase with time. Concentrations of cations in water extracts are ranked: Na+ >Ca2+, Mg2+ ⪢ K+, whereas anions are ranked: NO3− >SO42− >Cl−. In the upper part of the solumn, the amount of gravel (76-2 mm) decreases and the amounts of silt (20-2 μm) and clay (< 2 μm) increase with time. The proportions of quartz and mica, the dominant minerals in the clay-size fraction, increase with time. Lesser amounts of vermiculite, montmorillonite and interstratified chlorite-vermiculite and mica-montmorillonite occur in the clay fraction.
Concurrent error detection in current-mode A/D convertors

To achieve validation of correctness of the data converted from A/D convertors, a concurrent error detection (CED) scheme using time redundancy technique is applied to switched-capacitor based current-mode A/D convertor. The proposed design is capable of detecting all transient faults and most permanent faults that occur in switches
New Developments In Wafer Stepper Technology For Submicron Devices

Advanced wafer steppers must be capable of meeting production requirements for devices with 0.5 μm design rules. Such devices require a very good optical performance matched to advanced resist processing techniques. Overlay performance at this resolution is also critical, with capability needed in the region of 100 nm. This paper gives an overview of developments in wafer stepper technology that have taken place to meet these requirements. The advances of projection lenses for 5x reduction steppers is reviewed. The performance of recently developed g-line and i-line lenses with numerical apertures greater than 0.4 and fields larger then 21 mm are reported. It is shown that half micron resolution can be achieved with i-line steppers. Furthermore, the possible extension to deep UV wavelengths is discussed. The overlay accuracy improvements recently realized on production steppers (PAS 2500) are discussed. It is concluded that single machine overlay better than 0.1 μm can be expected in the near future. In combination with short wavelength lenses, this means that wafer stepper technology can be extended down to at least 0.3 μm.
Approaching Single Atom Detection with Atomic Fluorescence in a Glow Discharge Atom Reservoir

A commercial hollow cathode lamp is used as an atom reservoir for the atomic fluorescence of lead excited by a copper laser pumped dye laser. The glow discharge source is nearly an ideal atom cell for such measurements, having very low background emission and excellent atomization characteristics. A detection limit of 1.8 ag of lead within the laser beam is easily obtained.
Krankenversicherungswettbewerb und Prämienregulierung

Ein unregulierter Krankenversicherungsmarkt fuhrt zu Pramien, die sich stark nach dem Gesundheitszustand der Versicherten unterscheiden. Dies ist nicht nur aus Gerechtigkeitsgrunden ein Problem, sondern fuhrt auch zu einem „Pramienrisiko“, wenn Anderungen des Gesundheitszustands zur Anpassung der Pramie fuhren. Die Pramienregulierungen in der GKV und in der PKV vermeiden dieses Risiko. Allerdings kommt es dadurch in beiden Systemen zu Einschrankungen des Krankenversicherungswettbewerbs. Dieser Beitrag diskutiert die Vor- und Nachteile beider Regulierungsansatze. Des Weiteren wird ein alternativer Vorschlag erortert, der auf Pramienregulierung verzichtet und vom Gesundheitszustand abhangige Transfers vorsieht.
Formal and Informal Organisational Barriers to Women and How to Overcome Them

Traditionally, the woman's place, according to society, has been in the home, as mother and homemaker. The workforce has largely been dominated by a long established male entity. With the advent of women's liberation, equal rights and changes in the family structure, more women have either been forced or opted to join the labour pool. In 1950 only 22% of adult American women held jobs, as compared to 55% in 1985.(8, p.1) The US Bureau of Census is estimating that 60% of the female adult population will be working by the year 1995.(8, p.1)
Low Cost, Injection Molded 120 Gbps Optical Backplane

A low cost, blind mate, injection molded optical backplane is presented. The optical backplane consists of a 12 channel optical broadcast bus operating at 10 Gbps/channel with six blind mate optical output ports spaced 1U apart.
Stepping motor adaptor actuator for a commercial uhv linear motion feedthrough

Abstract An adaptor coupling has been developed that will allow the attachment of a standard stepping motor to a precision commercial ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) linear motion feedthrough commercially available from Varian. The assembly, consisting of the motor, motor adaptor, limit switches, etc., is clamped to the feedthrough body, which can be done under vacuum conditions if necessary. With a 500-step/rev. stepping motor the resolution is 1.27 μm per step. We presently use this assembly in a remote location for the precise positioning of a beam sensing monitor.
Urban Service Distributions: Some Answers to Neglected Issues

The distributional consequences of service outcomes are analyzed using citizen evaluations. The legitimacy of this approach is established by arguing that an evaluation of service equity should consider the fiscal incidence of service provision. As such, an equity norm is defined around the concept of a positive fiscal residual. Six urban services are evaluated using this norm. Patterned inequality is detected with respect to race, regardless of income or tenure status. This result calls into question conclusions from previous studies that have analyzed equity in terms of service inputs and outputs, rather than service outcomes. The analysis also indicates that local officials may be able to redress inequities in service outcomes through their planning and expenditure decisions.
In Vivo Inactivation of Antithrombin III Is Promoted by Heparin During Cardiopulmonary Bypass

To study the in vivo effect of heparin on antithrombin III (AT3) when elastase is elevated, the blood of 20 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was assayed for elastase and AT3. The model was chosen because CPB is known to increase plasma elastase and the patients were heparinized. The blood of 20 patients undergoing cardiac surgery was assayed for elastase and AT3 one day preoperatively, every half hour during CPB, and one day postoperatively. Elastase increased significantly and AT3 decreased significantly during CPB. There was a direct correlation between the rise in elastase and decrease inAT3. AT3 decreased even further when elastase was elevated and patients were heparinized (AT3/elastase=0.04 + 0.07), compared with the drop with elevated elastase alone (AT3/elastase=0.11+0.14) (P <. 0015). These data indicate that (1) CPB is associated with an increase in plasma elastase, (2) elevated plasma elastase is associated with a reduction in AT3, and (3) heparin promotes the inactivation of AT...
Laboratory investigation of utilizing high percentage of RAP in rubberized asphalt mixture

The utilization of crumb rubber and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) has proven to be economical, environmentally sound and effective in increasing the performance properties of the asphalt mixtures. The objective of this research was to investigate the laboratory engineering behavior characteristics of the rubberized asphalt binders and mixtures made with PG 64-22 and a softer binder (PG 52-28) containing a high percentage of RAP (30%). Some of the testing used for this research included viscosity, dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), bending beam rheometer (BBR), indirect tensile strength (ITS), resilient modulus, and fatigue life evaluations. The experimental design included the use of two aggregate and RAP sources, two virgin binder grades (PG 64-22 and PG 52-28), two types of crumb rubber (ambient and cryogenic), and four rubber contents (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%). The results indicated that: (1) the crumb rubber improved the aging resistance of the aged binder and prolonged the fatigue life of the mixtures containing 0% RAP, in addition, results indicated a decrease of ITS and resilient modulus values was found as the rubber content increased, regardless of rubber type; (2) the utilization of softer binder decreased the influence of aged binder and decreased the resilient modulus values of the mixtures. In most cases, regardless of rubber types, the rubberized mixtures containing 30% RAP made with PG 52-28 binder did not show a significant increase in fatigue life with those made with PG 64-22 binder.
A Compact Water-Heating System for Thermally Marking Salmon Otoliths

Abstract We describe a compact water-heating system for thermally marking salmon otoliths during incubation. The system is portable and can be used to provide heated water for either streamside or instream incubators. The heating system consists of a small, propane-fired boiler and heat exchanger, a jet pump, a motorized set-point, a four-way mixing valve, and two circulating pumps. Warmed stream water exiting the heat exchanger is pumped to a head tank, mixed with ambient water to the desired temperature, and dispersed to the incubators, where some or all of the water can be recirculated or discarded. The mixing valve maintains a constant temperature in water flowing to the head tank based on a sensor feedback loop from the recovery tank. Using this system, we successfully marked approximately 800,000 pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha with no apparent adverse affects. Depending on incubation techniques, larger numbers of eggs or alevins could be marked.