cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kinetic and topographic investigation of copper deposition/stripping in an acid copper environment

Abstract The existence of upd copper on roughened polycrystalline Pt contacted to an acid copper environment has been demonstrated by means of the in situ quartz crystal microbalance (QCMB) technique. The information was taken from current and mass transients monitored simultaneously with millisecond resolution. The electrosorption valency was observed to be close to unity in this environment. The deposition/stripping kinetics evaluated from mass transients clearly demonstrate that the formation of upd copper occurs prior to bulk formation. On the other hand, stripping of the bulk phase occurs before the dismantling of the upd film.
Heparin-Binding EGF-Like Growth Factor Modulation by Antiprogestin and CG in the Baboon (Papio anubis)

The objectives of this study were to determine whether antiprogestin therapy or the infusion of human CG to mimic blastocyst transit in the baboon alters heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor expression during the window of implantation. During the menstrual cycle, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor protein accumulation in the glandular epithelium was low in the proliferative phase and increased to maximal expression on d 5 and 10 postovulation. Stromal cells accumulated high levels of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor in the proliferative phase, which decreased by d 5 postovulation. These transitional changes in both cell types were delayed when cycling baboons were treated with the antiprogestin ZK 137.316 during the luteal phase. The treatment with human CG had no effect on expression of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor when compared with cycling baboons on d 10 postovulation and was comparable with that observed on d 18 and 22 of pregnancy. However, the superimposition of the antiprogestin with the human CG treatment also decreased expression in the epithelial cells. In summary, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor accumulation in the epithelial glands is under the influence of progesterone and does not seem to be influenced by the paracrine secretion of trophoblast CG.
Classics in brachytherapy: Margaret Cleaves introduces gynecologic brachytherapy

Intracavitary treatment of gynecologic cancers has been the anchor of brachytherapy, and perhaps the greatest success of radiotherapy, for over a century. The woman who first performed the procedure was neither a surgeon nor radiologist, but an electrotherapeutist who began her career as an alienist. She pursued a prolific academic career despite being disabled by a disease that is no longer recognized. The fascinating life of Margaret Cleaves, the initiator of gynecologic brachytherapy, is recounted.
Myocarditis with ST Elevation and Elevated Cardiac Enzymes Misdiagnosed as an ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction

Abstract Background Acute myocarditis can mimic ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Quickly determining the correct diagnosis is critical given the “time is muscle” implication with a STEMI and the potential adverse effects associated with use of fibrinolytic therapy. Case Report A 46-year-old man presented to a rural emergency department with chest pain, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) read as showing 0.1 mV of ST-segment elevation in leads III and aVF. His initial cardiac troponin T was 0.44 ng/mL. He received fibrinolytic therapy for presumed STEMI. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was later performed and showed epicardial delayed enhancement consistent with myocarditis. Upon further questioning, he acknowledged 3 days of stuttering chest discomfort and a recent upper respiratory infection, as well as similar chest pain in his wife. Conclusions A systematic evaluation is essential for acute chest pain, including a focused history, identification of cardiac risk factors, and ECG interpretation. A history of recent viral illness, absence of cardiac risk factors, or ECG findings inconsistent with a single anatomic lesion would suggest a potential alternate diagnosis to STEMI. This case emphasizes the importance of a focused history in the initial evaluation of chest pain.
Unified Risk Analysis of Fatigue Failure in Ductile Alloy Components During All Three Stages of Fatigue Crack Evolution Process

Statistical fatigue life of a ductile alloy specimen is traditionally divided into three stages, namely, crack nucleation, small crack growth, and large crack growth. Crack nucleation and small crack growth show a wide variation and hence a big spread on cycles versus crack length graph. Relatively, large crack growth shows a lesser variation. Therefore, different models are fitted to the different stages of the fatigue evolution process, thus treating different stages as different phenomena. With these independent models, it is impossible to predict one phenomenon based on the information available about the other phenomenon. Experimentally, it is easier to carry out crack length measurements of large cracks compared to nucleating cracks and small cracks. Thus, it is easier to collect statistical data for large crack growth compared to the painstaking effort it would take to collect statistical data for crack nucleation and small crack growth. This article presents a fracture mechanics-based stochastic model of fatigue crack growth in ductile alloys that are commonly encountered in mechanical structures and machine components. The model has been validated by Ray (1998) for crack propagation by various statistical fatigue data. Based on the model, this article proposes a technique to predict statistical information of fatigue crack nucleation and small crack growth properties that uses the statistical properties of large crack growth under constant amplitude stress excitation. The statistical properties of large crack growth under constant amplitude stress excitation can be obtained via experiments.
Distance and fusion in Robinson Jeffers' “the purse-seine” and other poems

Distance and fusion are fundamental ideas in Bowenian thinking, especially as expressed in the dynamic of distancing and pursuing. In this paper I have used these ideas as a means to briefly examine a short selection of Robinson Jeffers' poetry, which provides us with a literary example of these concepts in action.
Stability of tetraoctylammonium bromide-protected gold nanoparticles: Effects of anion treatments

Abstract Tetraoctylammonium bromide-capped gold nanoparticles (Oct4NBr-NPs) are known to have a poor long-term stability. This article shows a simple way of improving the stability of Oct4NBr-NPs, so that these nanoparticles can be used in different applications and fundamental studies in the future. When a toluene solution containing Oct4NBr-NPs was mixed with an aqueous solution containing an excess of different anions (Na2S2O3, Na2S, NaNO3, and NaH2PO4), the stability of gold nanoparticles was found to be altered. The effects of the post anion treatment on the chemical and thermal stability of Oct4NBr-NPs were studied using UV–vis spectroscopy. When treated with an aqueous Na2S2O3 solution, the chemical and thermal stability of Oct4NBr-NPs was greatly improved and the long-term stability in the solution was enhanced. However, the other anions studied in this article were found to be less effective in stabilizing the Oct4NBr-NPs. The anion treatment with NaNO3 and NaH2PO4 led the nanoparticles to completely precipitate out of the solution in less than 2 weeks. Transmission electron microscopy results showed that the anion treatments of Oct4NBr-NPs with Na2S2O3 and Na2S resulted in a slight decrease in the average size of the nanoparticles.
Synthesis, Biochemical Evaluation, and Classical and Three-Dimensional Quantitative Structure−Activity Relationship Studies of 7-Substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines and Their Relative Affinities toward Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase and the α2-Adrenoceptor†,1

7-Substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (7-substituted-THIQs) are potent inhibitors of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT, EC 2.1.1.28), the enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of e...
Research issues in forensic pathology: a survey of academic institutions employing forensic pathologists

In an effort to characterize research efforts in forensic pathology, a questionnaire was sent to a representative of each of the 14 academic medical centers that employ full-time faculty forensic pathologists. Responses were received from all 14 (100%) of the institutions queried, representing a total of 39 forensic pathology faculty positions; 21 positions were tenure track and 18 positions were clinical or other tracks. Of the 39 positions, 25 positions (64%) at 10 institutions required some degree of research or scholarly output. Of the 25 forensic pathologists with a research imperative, only 3 (12%) were principal investigators or co-investigators on funded forensic pathology-based projects. The major limitation cited by respondents on the performance of forensic pathology research was the lack of protected time from service responsibilities. Fellowship training in forensic pathology was available at 6 of the 14 respondent institutions. Of these institutions, 4 (67%) had a research requirement for trainees, and 4 (67%) provided research training. In conclusion, very few US medical schools currently employ full-time faculty forensic pathologists. Of these, only a small number of institutions prioritize research by these faculty members. Scant federal funds are available to support research in forensic pathology. Few forensic pathology fellowship programs provide research training. To achieve a robust research agenda in forensic pathology that is sufficient to support the needs of the criminal justice and public health systems will require a paradigm shift in the medicolegal death investigative system and investment by federal agencies.
Meta-Analysis of Published Reports on the Effect of Statin Treatment Before Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Periprocedural Myonecrosis

Myonecrosis, manifested by an increase in cardiac markers, may occur in up to 50% of patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The degree of periprocedural myonecrosis, measured by the peak creatine kinase-MB fraction, has been associated with incidence of adverse clinical outcomes. Therefore, strategies to decrease myonecrosis may translate into a decrease in mortality. We evaluated the efficacy of statin pretreatment in decreasing the incidence of myonecrosis after PCI on the basis of results of published studies. A systematic search of the PubMed database from its inception to October 2006 and from the references of identified studies was performed. Only studies with concurrent control groups were included. Information on baseline characteristics of included patients and clinical outcomes was independently extracted by 2 investigators. A random effects model was used to pool odds ratios of the incidence of periprocedural myonecrosis in statin-treated patients versus controls. A total of 9 trials was included in the analysis, 2 randomized trials (n = 604) and 7 retrospective cohort studies (n = 4,751), which assessed the impact of statin pretreatment on periprocedural myonecrosis. During this period, 196 of 2,149 patients (9%) in the statin-treated group compared with 455 of 2,602 (17.5%) in the control group (odds ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.33 to 0.62, p <0.01) developed myonecrosis. In conclusion, based on existing evidence, routine pretreatment with statins may decrease the risk of postprocedure myonecrosis. Large randomized controlled trials addressing the dose, duration, and type of statin on periprocedural myonecrosis are necessary before recommending routine use of statins to prevent myonecrosis in the elective PCI setting.
Infusing Multicultural Perspectives In An Early Childhood Development Course: Effects On The Attitudes And Knowledge Of In‐Service Teachers

(1994). Infusing Multicultural Perspectives In An Early Childhood Development Course: Effects On The Attitudes And Knowledge Of In‐Service Teachers. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education: Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 8-23.
The effect of rheological properties of experimental moisturizing creams/lotions on their efficacy and perceptual attributes.

Although anecdotal evidence suggests that the rheology of creams and lotions might affect their moisturizing efficacy and perceptual qualities, to date no systematic investigation of these effects has been carried out. We prepared 12 prototype moisturizing creams that had identical overall formulae but differed in as far as they contained three different polymers (Carbopol 981, Carbopol 5984 and Permulen TR.-2) each at four concentration levels. Using these creams, we carried out two series of experiments. In the first series, we applied pre-determined quantities of creams to defined areas of skin on the forearms of eight panelists and then measured the subsequent changes in Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) and Skin Capacitance (SC) values as a function of time. In the second series, the panelists were asked to spread and rub over their entire two hands as much of the creams as they deemed necessary for achieving satisfactory perceived moisturization. In this latter series, we also weighed the amounts of cream used and measured the TEWL and SC values at several skin sites as a function of time subsequent to the cream application. The panelists also scored 14 skin attributes for each of the 12 creams used. The same procedures were also carried out with a commercial skin moisturizing cream (Keri(R)) that was used as a control. In separate laboratory experiments, the rheological properties (i.e. the elastic and viscous moduli) of the various creams at a number of frequencies were measured. The analysis of the experimental results suggested that the overall rheology of creams had little direct effect on both, the moisturizing efficacy and the perceived perceptual attributes. Neither did the overall viscoelasticity or the esthetic attributes of the preparations seem to affect the amounts of creams/lotions that the panelists judged to be necessary for achieving satisfactory perceived hand moisturization. Although all preparations contained the same occlusive material (oil) at identical concentration, nevertheless some of the preparations appeared to show different efficacies depending on the nature and the levels of the polymeric ingredient present.
Further results on controllability and the linear equation Ax = b

The linear equation Ax = b, with A an n × n matrix and b an n × l matrix over a unique factorization domain R, is related to the controllability submodule U of the pair (A, b). It is shown that the above equation has a solution lying in V if, and only if, A is unimodular as an operator on U. An example is given of a matrix which is unimodular as an operator on the controllability submodule, but not as an operator on Rn and sparseness of this occurrence is discussed.
DRAWBACKS IN THE USE OF THE BIURET METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF THE SAME PROTEIN IN DIFFERENTLY TREATED FISH SAMPLES

Abstract There was a considerable difference in absorption (due to proteins) at 540 nm between fresh fish and frozen, thawed fish flesh using the Biuret method on the same raw material on the same day. This difference was increased after a day, giving lower results.
Collaborative denoising of multi-subject fMRI data

We propose a novel collaborative denoising scheme for multi-subject fMRI data. The scheme assumes that subjects experience a common, synchronous stimulus and uses the across-subject shared response structure to jointly denoise each subject's fMRI response along the spatial or voxel domain. Denoising is accomplished by learning subject-specfic orthonormal bases that yield sparse representations in a common transform domain. We provide empirical results using a real-world, multi-subject fMRI dataset.
A comparison of visual and kinesthetic-tactual displays for compensatory tracking

Research on manual tracking with a kinesthetic-tactual (KT) display suggests that under certain conditions it can be an effective alternative or supplement to visual displays. In order to better understand how KT tracking compares with visual tracking, both a critical tracking and a stationary single-axis tracking task were conducted with and without velocity quickening. In the critical tracking tasks, the visual displays were superior; however, the quickened KT display was approximately equal to the unquickened visual display. In stationary tracking tasks, subjects adopted lag equalization with the quickened KT and visual displays, and mean-squared error scores were approximately equal. With the unquickened displays, subjects adopted lag-lead equalization, and the visual displays were superior.
Assembly of Exons from Unitary Transposable Genetic Elements: Implications for the Evolution of Protein-Protein Interactions

The discovery of "genes-in pieces" provided the first evidence that modern proteins evolved through the assembly and shuffling of simpler building blocks-generally equated with exons. In the theoretical model presented here, it is suggested that exons were created from even smaller modules that have been termed duplication units. Furthermore, these segments may represent the ultimate building blocks for protein assembly. The nucleotide sequences of the duplication units to appear to resemble those mobile genetic elements such as transposons or insertion sequences, i.e. they possess direct repeats at each end and inverted sequences extending 15-25 base pairs from these direct repeats. During evolution, these transposable exons (trexons) would have been replicated and dispersed in the genome thereby promoting homologous recombination and further duplication. Thus, the transposition and splicing of these gene segments gave rise to increasingly complex proteins as well as multi-gene families of proteins. It has been proposed that peptides encoded by the first trexons were predisposed to form dimers or oligomers. Detailed structural analysis of various protein-protein complexes has revealed a tendency for the duplication units to self-associate. Self-binding peptides could have ultimately led to the evolution of protein ligands and receptors with high affinity.
Zirconia and organotitanate film formation on graphite fiber reinforcement for metal matrix composites

The formation and characterization of zirconia coatings on graphite/carbon filaments were investigated. The objective was to eliminate or minimize degradative chemical reactions and improve bonding at the metal/carbon-fiber interface when the coated fiber is used as reinforcement in metal matrix composites. Thin, homogeneous films of zirconium oxide, ZrO2, less than 1μm thick, were formed on carbon monofilaments (35 μm diameter) from a zirconium oxychloride solution in water (less than 1.0 wt. % ZrO2) by dip coating and heating. Chemical changes during thermal decomposition and polycondensation were examined by FTIR spectroscopy. Through dynamic x-ray diffraction tests, the zirconia coating was found to transform first to a metastable tetragonal phase on heating to 330 °C, and then upon cooling, to a stable monoclinic structure. Organotitanate coatings were formed by electrodeposition of the ionizable organometallic complex, titanium di(dioctylpyrophosphate) oxyacetate (TDPA). Single fiber tests revealed a slight reduction in the strength of fibers with thicker coatings, probably due to crack initiation by brittle fracture of the ZrO2 coating. Thin coatings applied from 0.25% ZrOCl2 did not cause such strength reduction. Effective bonding of ZrO2 coatings to the filaments was revealed in single filament composite tests which showed the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of the coated filaments in an epoxy matrix to be higher than that of the uncoated filaments. The IFSS of monofilaments electrocoated by the titanate was also higher. Examination of the fracture surfaces showed fiber pull-out associated with poor bonding in the case of specimens prepared from uncoated monofilaments. The coated monofilaments showed no fiber pull-out, suggesting that maximum fiber strength was achieved and transferred through the interface to the matrix. Finally, the chemical and thermal stability of the interfacial region of coated and uncoated graphite rods embedded in an aluminum matrix were evaluated. The uncoated rod showed little or no interfacial bonding to the metal matrix, suggesting poor wetting, while the dip-coated and electrocoated rods showed good wetting and compatibility with the metal matrix.
Peripheral chemoreflexes in the regulation of breathing of high altitude natives

Abstract Transient ventilatory response to 3 and 5 breaths of N2 at rest and during exercise at sea level was determined in three high altitude natives acclimatized for 10 months and in three sea level natives. The striking differences were: 1) in the highlanders ventilation increased only when P a O2 fell to 50–60 mm Hg, whereas in the lowlanders any decrease in P a O2 from the resting value augmented ventilation; and 2 the increase in ventilation with P(Spao)In2 reduction was much less in the highlanders. The relative increase in ventilation during exercise from euoxic to hypoxic levels was also less in the highlanders than in the lowlanders. Transient relief of hypoxia at 4540 m by 2 breaths of O2 during rest decreased ventilation by 10 per cent in the highlander and by 37 per cent in the lowlander. Thus ventilatory drive to transient O2 stimulus in the highlander is low, and it remains low even after prolonged stay at sea level, suggesting irreversible insensitivity of the peripheral arterial chemoreflex mechanism to hypoxia.
Trees, Fast and Accurate

Inferring evolutionary relationships from DNA or protein sequence data is now routine in biological investigations. Although techniques have improved for using such information to generate phylogenetic trees that represent these histories ( 1 ), challenges remain. In particular, the computational demands of preferred statistical approaches make them infeasible for finding large phylogenies. However, on page 1376 of this issue ( 2 ), Roch theorizes that a less comprehensive analysis might be surprisingly reliable.
Detection of Complex Vascular Structures using Polar Neighborhood Intensity Profile

Modern medical imaging techniques enable the acquisition of in-vivo high resolution images of the vascular system. Most common methods for the detection of vessels in these images, such as multiscale Hessian-based operators and matched filters, rely on the assumption that, at each voxel there is a single cylinder. Such an assumption is clearly violated at the multitude of branching points that are easily observed in all but the most focused vascular image studies. In this paper, we propose a novel method for detecting vessels in medical images that relaxes this single cylinder constraint. Instead, we extract characteristics of the local intensity profile (in a spherical polar coordinate system) which we term as the polar neighborhood intensity profile enabling us to detect vessels even near branching points. Our method demonstrates improved performance over standard methods on both 2D synthetic images and MRA 3D animal vascular images, particularly close to vessel branching regions. This methodology is also applicable to the detection of other structures such as sheets with the appropriate choice of operators.
Interfacing test equipment to high density chip-on-tape

Test hardware interface requirements for testing high-pin-count ASIC TAB (tape automated bonding) products are discussed. Test solutions which have been proven in a production environment are described. Test-on-tape using the techniques illustrated has proven viable for high-speed bipolar gate arrays having 360 leads with 0.004 in lead width and 0.008 in lead pitch in the (outer lead bond) and test area. Successfully testing small pitch outer leads of TAB products requires the combination of electrical, mechanical, and thermal designs to be controlled within specific tolerances. The final testing of TAB ASICs is performed after all other value added processes have been completed. Therefore, an understanding of the factors which impact final test yield is essential. >
Flow-mediated dilatation of the basilar artery in vivo.

Flow-mediated dilatation has been described mainly in peripheral conduit arteries. The goal of this study was to examine mechanisms and functional implications of flow-mediated dilatation in large cerebral arteries in vivo. Vessel diameter and velocity of blood flow through the basilar artery were measured using a cranial window in 45 anesthetized rats. Mean blood flow velocity through the basilar artery increased by 94 +/- 8% during unilateral common carotid artery occlusion and 203 +/- 13% during bilateral occlusion. Diameter of the basilar artery increased by 10 +/- 1% during unilateral common carotid artery occlusion and 29 +/- 2% during bilateral occlusion from control diameter of 275 +/- 8 microns. Vasodilatation appeared with a delay of 13 +/- 1 seconds after the onset of the increase in flow velocity. With systemic arterial pressure maintained at baseline levels, pressure in the basilar artery (servonull) decreased initially during carotid occlusion, and during dilatation of the basilar artery, pressure was restored partially toward normal. Indomethacin (10 mg/kg i.v.), topical application of tetrodotoxin (10(-6) M), NG-monomethyl L-arginine (5 x 10(-6) M), tetraethylammonium chloride (10(-2) M), glibenclamide (10(-5) M), SKF 525A (3 x 10(-5) M), and ouabain (10(-5) M) had no effect on flow-mediated dilatation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Family involvement in general hospital inpatient care.

Family involvement can benefit inpatient care, and efforts are needed to ensure that work with families does not end with patient discharge.
Polysoaps. I. Viscosity and solubilization studies on an n-dodecyl bromide addition compound of poly-2-vinylpyridine†

Polysoaps are defined as polymers to whose chain soap molecules are attached. Through the reaction of poly-2-vinylpyridine with n-dodecyl bromide such a polysoap was prepared in which 33.7% of the nitrogens were quarternized. This polysoap exhibited reduced viscosities in aqueous solution which were smaller than those of the parent polymer and of the polysoap in ethanol. The relatively compact structure of the polysoap molecule in water which this indicates is thought to be caused by micelle formation of the soap molecules attached to the polymer chain. This idea is substantiated by the fact that the polysoap acts as a solubilizer for isooctane in water. Solubilization was measured utilizing the vapor pressure as an indicator for the attainment of saturation. Gram for gram, the polysoap solubilized more isooctane in water than did the related monosoap, n-dodecylpyridonium bromide. In contrast to the monosoap, no critical concentration of the polysoap was necessary before solubilization occurred. For polysoap concentrations ranging from 0 to 3%, the solubility of isooctane was proportional to the polysoap concentration. The efficiency of solubilization over this concentration range was 0.066 gram of isooctane per gram of polysoap.
Chronic Kidney Disease in Primary Care

Because chronic kidney disease is a growing health concern, family physicians must be equipped to care for this unique patient population. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension, which are commonly addressed in the office setting, are the largest contributors to chronic kidney disease; therefore, these risk factors should be tightly controlled and these patients should be screened closely for signs of renal damage. The National Kidney Foundation recommends that screening include determination of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and assessment for the presence of proteinuria. Once the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease is established (by the presence of persistent kidney damage or a GFR <60 mL/min/1.73m(2) for at least 3 months), the etiology of chronic kidney disease needs to be elucidated. Often the etiology can be determined by history alone; however, reversible causes of chronic kidney disease should be considered in all patients. Regardless of the underlying etiology of the chronic kidney disease, the family physician can make a significant impact in slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease through strict blood pressure control, tight glycemic control, reduction in the degree of proteinuria, and smoking cessation. All chronic kidney disease patients are at significantly increased risk of cardiovascular events; therefore, additional cardiovascular risk factors such as hyperlipidemia should be managed aggressively. Assessment for the complications of chronic kidney disease, including anemia, bone metabolism abnormalities, metabolic acidosis, and malnourishment, should be assessed once the GFR declines below 60 mL/min/1.73m(2) (stage 3). Early screening and treatment of these complications can prevent the development of further sequelae and should not be delayed until referral to nephrology. Appropriate counseling and health maintenance is also needed for this patient population and should be given by the family physician involved in the patient's care.
Marine spatial planning (MSP): A first step to ecosystem-based management (EBM) in the Wider Caribbean

The rapid decline of coastal ecosystems of the Wider Caribbean is entering its fifth decade. Some of the best science documenting this decline and its causes has been done by the laboratories of the Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean (AMLC). Alarmed at the trends, Caribbean conservation pioneers established marine protected areas (MPAs) which spread throughout the region. Unfortunately, many have little or no protection and are now known to be too small to be effective in sustaining coastal ecosystems. Marine spatial planning (MSP) holds much promise to encompass the large geographic scales of the ecological processes and human impacts that influence coastal ecosystems and adjacent lands. The AMLC, through the scientific expertise and the national political connections of its member institutions, is well-positioned to help implement a pilot project. MSP a first step in ecosystem-based management and has had considerable success elsewhere. It holds our best chance of sustaining human use and conserving the coral reefs and associated ecosystems.
Quality assurance in the emergency department: Evaluation of the ECG review process

Study objective: To determine whether the review of emergency department ECGs by cardiologists contributes to the quality of patient care. Study design: We retrospectively analyzed ED ECGs and compared interpretations of the treating emergency physicians with those of the reviewing cardiologists. We then evaluated the ED care of patients with potentially significant ECG abnormalities that were not detected by the treating emergency physicians, as well as the care of patients whose ECGs were "flagged" by the reviewing cardiologists as needing follow-up. Setting: University hospital. Participants: Four hundred consecutive ECGs obtained on ED patients. Measurements and main results: Thirty-three of the 400 tracings had undetected potentially significant or critical ECG abnormalities; this adversely affected patient care in two cases. These two tracings were not flagged by the reviewing cardiologists. Thirteen ECGs were flagged by the cardiologists; patient care was not altered in any of these cases. Conclusion: Review of ED ECGs by cardiologists did not affect patient care at our institution.
Plateau lavas and diabase dikes of northwestern Newfoundland

Thin undeformed tholeiitic plateau lavas and associated diabase dikes occur intermittently along the western margin of the Appalachian mountain system, and are clearly exposed at its northern extremity in northwestern Newfoundland. In Newfoundland there are consistent chemical differences between the diabase dikes and the plateau lavas which indicate that they were derived from different primary magmas. These differences, along with apparent age discrepancies, could be taken as supporting suggestions of several periods of continental rifting, but such an interpretation is not favoured by the present author.
Assessment of a measure of relational communication for doctor-patient interactions

This research analyzes the psychometric properties of a 34-item doctor-patient relational communication scale adapted from its survey research form [Commun Monogr 1987;54:307] for use as an observational instrument to rate doctor-patient interaction. Relational communication determines the affective "tone" of interpersonal communication, and is handled mostly through nonverbal channels. Relational communication provides the framework in which the content of a doctor-patient exchange, such as symptom reports by the patient, is interpreted and acted upon. The relational communication scale was adapted for use by three trained observers each of whom rated 20 videotaped interactions between medical students and standardized patients. Results indicate fair to excellent internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, inter-rater agreement, and construct validity for four of the six relational communication subscales. The scale is practical to administer and would lend itself for use in formative evaluation of medical student and physician communication skills.
The Impact of a Year of Computer Assisted Instruction on the Development of First Grade Learning Skills

This study seeks to examine the effects of computer assisted instruction on the reading achievement of first graders. Two hypotheses were tested. The first is that computer assisted instruction improves first graders' development of reading skills as measured by the CTBS Form U Level B. The second is that this development depends upon student sex. A quasi-experimental design was used to compare one group of first graders whose reading lessons were supplemented with CAI to a group of first graders whose reading lessons were not. A treatment by sex ANOVA on change in reading skills demonstrated a significant treatment (CAI versus control) main effect. Results from planned comparisons of treatment differences by sex demonstrated that statistically significant gains were sex specific with only males exhibiting a significant average increase when exposed to CAI. Although females exposed to CAI also tended toward greater gain in the sample, the magnitude of their gain was not statistically significant. The impl...
Fixed mesh front‐tracking methodology for finite element simulations

A direct front-tracking method using an Eulerian–Lagrangian formulation is developed in two space dimensions. The front-tracking method is general in that it can track any type of interface once its local velocity is specified or has been determined by calculation. The method uses marker points to describe the interface position and tracks the interface evolution on a fixed finite-element mesh, including growth, contraction, splitting and merging. Interfacial conditions are applied directly at the interface position. The method is applied to three scenarios that involve different interface conditions and are based on energy and mass diffusion. The three calculations are for the dendritic solidification of a pure substance, the cellular growth of an alloy, and the Ostwald ripening of silica particles in silicon. Numerical results show that very complicated interface morphologies and topological changes can be simulated properly and efficiently. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Viewing the Larger Context of Genomic Data through Horizontal Integration

Genomics is an important emerging scientific field that relies on meaningful data visualization as a key step in analysis. Specifically, most investigation of gene expression microarray data is performed using visualization techniques. However, as microarrays become more ubiquitous, researchers must analyze their own data within the context of previously published work in order to gain a more complete understanding. No current method for microarray visualization and analysis enables biology researchers to observe the greater context of data that surrounds their own results, which severely limits the ability of researchers draw novel conclusions. Here we present a system, called HIDRA, that visually integrates the simultaneous display of multiple microarray datasets to identify important parallels and dissimilarities. We demonstrate the power of our approach through examples of real-world biological insights that can be observed using HIDRA that are not apparent using other techniques.
A 63-Year-Old Man With a Chronic Cough and an Endobronchial Lesion

63-year-old man with an extensive smoking history presented with a complaint of persistent dry cough for 3 months. His past medical history was signifi cant for severe COPD with an FEV 1 at 40% predicted (stage III by GOLD [Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease] criteria). The patient was retired and a current cigarette smoker, and he had no pets. There was no history of prior malignancy or recent travels. He had no fever, night sweats, or weight loss. He was not receiving any angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitors. There were no symptoms suggestive of upper airway cough syndrome or gastroesophageal refl ux disease. Physical Examination Findings The patient was afebrile with stable vital signs. BP was 127/87 mm Hg, heart rate was 85 beats/min, and oxygen saturation was 94% on room air. A complete physical examination was remarkable for yellow nicotine stains on the fi ngernails without clubbing, wide subcostal angle, distant heart sounds, and prolonged expiratory phase bilaterally, with left-sided monophasic expiratory wheezing best heard over the left upper lobe. Diagnostic Studies CBC was normal, apart from a normocytic anemia, with hemoglobin level of 12 g/dL (normal, 14-18 g/dL). Complete metabolic panel results, includ ing electrolytes, renal, and liver function testing, were within normal limits. No acute abnormalities were detected on chest radiograph. Because of the presence of localized wheezing on physical examination, an endobronchial lesion was suspected, and a CT scan of the chest was obtained. The chest CT scan showed emphysematous changes with an upper lobe predom inance and an ovoid low-density endobronchial lesion in the distal left mainstem bronchus measuring 2.3 cm in maximum diameter ( Fig 1 ).
Comparing the Auditor Quality of Arthur Andersen to that of the Big 4

This study compares the audit quality of Arthur Andersen with that of the Big 4 accounting firms. An expanded indicator of audit quality is developed based on the law of business misconduct literature and the legal process literature. A representation of audit quality is derived from an analysis of the legal actions initiated against these five large public accounting firms from 1996 to 2004. The legal action was partitioned into three year periods. In the first period, Arthur Andersen and the Big 4 evidenced no quality differential. In the second and third periods, the Big 4, in aggregate, rated higher on the audit quality indicator than did Andersen. The robustness of these findings is substantiated using multiple logistic regression and sensitivity analysis. When the individual firms are compared with Andersen, all four evidenced higher audit quality; three of the firms are significantly higher. This suggests that Andersen represents an outlier within the audit population. However, the analysis also in...
Parity for Minorities in Engineering: Myth or Reality

The need for greater minority participation in the engineering field was put before a large professional audience for perhaps the first time in July of 1972, by J. Stanford Smith, chairman of International Paper. In 1974, the National Academy of Engineering established the National Advisory Council on Minorities in Engineering (NACME). Shortly after that the Academy established the Committee on Minorities in Engineering (CME). Both organizations are part of a growing network of national, regional and local organizations organized to increase minority participation in engineering. The emphasis of much of the current program activity is at the precollege level because inadequate preparation in math and science have been cited as the basic reasons for poor retention rates of minority students entering engineering programs. Professional engineering societies are encouraged to actively support minority engineering concerns through their national offices, as well as encouraging active participation of their members in these kinds of activities.
Incidence of surgical site infection following mastectomy with and without immediate reconstruction using private insurer claims data

OBJECTIVE The National Healthcare Safety Network classifies breast operations as clean procedures with an expected 1%–2% surgical site infection (SSI) incidence. We assessed differences in SSI incidence following mastectomy with and without immediate reconstruction in a large, geographically diverse population. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study PATIENTS Commercially insured women aged 18–64 years with ICD-9-CM procedure or CPT-4 codes for mastectomy from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2011 METHODS Incident SSIs within 180 days after surgery were identified by ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes. The incidences of SSI after mastectomy with and without immediate reconstruction were compared using the χ 2 test. RESULTS From 2004 to 2011, 18,696 mastectomy procedures among 18,085 women were identified, with immediate reconstruction in 10,836 procedures (58%). The incidence of SSI within 180 days following mastectomy with or without reconstruction was 8.1% (1,520 of 18,696). In total, 49% of SSIs were identified within 30 days post-mastectomy, 24.5% were identified 31–60 days post-mastectomy, 10.5% were identified 61–90 days post-mastectomy, and 15.7% were identified 91–180 days post-mastectomy. The incidences of SSI were 5.0% (395 of 7,860) after mastectomy only, 10.3% (848 of 8,217) after mastectomy plus implant, 10.7% (207 of 1,942) after mastectomy plus flap, and 10.3% (70 of 677) after mastectomy plus flap and implant ( P P =.001) than without (6.1% vs 4.7%, P =.021) immediate reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS SSI incidence was twice that after mastectomy with immediate reconstruction than after mastectomy alone. Only 49% of SSIs were coded within 30 days after operation. Our results suggest that stratification by procedure type facilitates comparison of SSI rates after breast operations between facilities. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;36(8):907–914
A pooling methodology for regressions in prediction

WVhen two or more regression equations are the same, it is advantageous to pool the data for making inference about the population regression model of interest. This paper derives the biases and mean square errors of estimation procedures subsequent to preliminary tests for the cases of pooling two or more linear regression lines, and pooling two multiple regressions. Relative efficiencies of the sometimes-pool predictor to the never-pool predictor are obtained, and recommendations of the levels of the preliminary tests are made so that the efficiency of predictions with the finalfitted regression will be at a prescribed level.
RESOURCE ACQUISITION AND THE EVOLUTION OF STRESS RESISTANCE IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER.

Resistance to environmental stress is one of the most important forces molding the distribution and abun- dance of species. We investigated the evolution of desiccation stress resistance using 20 outbred Drosophila mela- nogaster populations directly selected in the laboratory for adult desiccation resistance (D), postponed senescence (0), and their respective controls (C and B). Both aging and desiccation selection increased desiccation resistance relative to their controls, creating a spectrum of desiccation resistance levels across selection treatments. We employed an integrative approach, merging data on the life histories of these populations with a detailed physiology of water balance. The physiological basis of desiccation resistance may be mechanisms enhancing either resource conservation or resource acquisition and allocation. Desiccation-resistant populations had increased water and carbohydrate stores, and showed age-specific patterns of desiccation resistance consistent with the resource accumulation mechanism. A significant proportion of the resources relevant to resistance of the stress were accumulated in the larval stage. Males and females of desiccation-selected lines exhibited distinctly different patterns of desiccation resistance and resource acquisition, in a manner suggesting intersexual antagonism in the evolution of stress resistance. Preadult viability of stress-selected populations was lower than that of controls, and development was slowed. Our results suggest that there is a cost to preadult resource acquisition, pointing out a complex trade-off architecture involving characters distributed across distinct life-cycle stages.
The roles of attention and awareness in the false recognition effect

Jacoby and Whitehouse (1989) reported that masked words can unconsciously bias memory judgments. Others suggest that these results cannot be taken as evidence that words are perceived without awareness, as Jacoby and Whitehouse claimed. In the present experiments, participants' ability to attend to briefly presented context words was manipulated by masking the context words and by an instructional manipulation. In Experiment 1, masked context words increased false recognitions. Different from Jacoby and Whitehouse's results, nonmasked context words showed a similar pattern. In Experiment 2, these effects were replicated and an attended condition was added in which participants read the context words aloud and tried to remember them. False recognition was increased in both masked and unmasked conditions and decreased in the attended condition. These results suggest that the condition for increase or decrease in false recognition is not whether a stimulus is seen or not but whether a stimulus is attended. They suggest that the qualitative difference criterion proposed by Jacoby and Whitehouse is insufficient for determining whether participants are aware of masked presentations.
Polymorphism of Kynurenine Pathway-Related Genes, Kynurenic Acid, and Psychopathological Symptoms in HIV

HIV-infection is associated with neuroinflammation and greater psychopathological symptoms, which may be mediated by imbalances in the kynurenic pathway (KP). Two key KP enzymes that catabolize kynurenine include kynurenine-aminotransferase II (KATII), which yields antioxidative kynurenine acid [KYNA] in astrocytes, and kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO), which produces neurotoxic metabolites in microglia. The relationships between polymorphisms in KMO and KATII, psychopathological symptoms, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) [KYNA] were evaluated in subjects with and without HIV-infection. Seventy-two HIV-positive and 72-seronegative (SN) participants were genotyped for KATII-rs1480544 and KMO-rs1053230. Although our participants were not currently diagnosed with depression or anxiety, they were assessed for psychopathological distress with Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. CSF-[KYNA] was also measured in 100 subjects (49 HIV/51 SN). HIV-participants had more psychopathological distress than SN, especially for anxiety. KATII-by-HIV interactions were found on anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity and obsessive compulsivity; KATII-C-carriers had lower scores than TT-carriers in SN but not in HIV. In contrast, the KMO-polymorphism had no influence on psychopathological symptoms in both groups. Overall, CSF-[KYNA] increased with age independently of HIV-serostatus, except KATII-TT-carriers tended to show no age-dependent variations. Therefore, the C-allele in KATII-rs1480544 appears to be protective against psychopathological distress in SN but not in HIV individuals, who had more psychopathological symptoms and likely greater neuroinflammation. The age-dependent increase in CSF-[KYNA] may reflect a compensatory response to age-related inflammation, which may be deficient in KATII-TT-carriers. Targeted treatments that decrease neuroinflammation and increase KYNA in at risk KATII-TT-carriers may reduce psychopathological symptoms in HIV.