cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Physician Sitting Versus Standing During Inpatient Oncology Consultations: Patients' Preference and Perception of Compassion and Duration. A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of physician sitting versus standing on the patient's preference of physician communication style, and perception of compassion and consult duration. Sixty-nine patients were randomized to watch one of two videos in which the physician was standing and then sitting (video A) or sitting and then standing (video B) during an inpatient consultation. Both video sequences lasted 9.5 minutes. Thirty-five patients (51%) blindly preferred the sitting physician, 16 (23%) preferred the standing, and 18 (26%) had no preference. Patients perceived that their preferred physician was more compassionate and spent more time with the patient when compared with the other physician. There was a strong period effect favoring the second sequence within the video. The patients blinded choice of preference (P = 0.003), perception of compassion (P = 0.0016), and other attributes favored the second sequence seen in the video. The significant period effect suggests that patients prefer the second option presented, notwithstanding a stated preference for a sitting posture (55/68, 81%). Physicians should ask patients for their preference regarding physician sitting or standing as a way to enhance communication.
Large Space Telescope oscillations induced by CMG friction

Conditions are predicted under which limit cycles may be caused by the friction torque of the control moment gyroscope (CMG) output gimbal used in the Large Space Telescope (LST). The parameter plane analysis technique is described, and three separate models of the CMG output friction nonlinearity are used in three separate analyses. The results suggest that the Dahl model (included in model 3) is the best available friction model for use in dynamic analysis. The analysis and analog simulation indicate the absence of limit cycle behavior due to the CMG output gimbal friction nonlinearity for presently estimated LST numerical parameters and the occurrence of one stable and one unstable limit cycle if substantially larger numerical values are allowed for the CMG gimbal pivot friction parameter and/or the running friction torque.
Computer simulations for shock-compressed liquid deuterium: Failure of density-functional theory and molecular dynamics

We show that the disagreement of recent laser driven shock wave experiments for liquid deuterium with Hugoniots calculated with the generalized gradient approximation molecular dynamics (GGA-MD) method stems from the underestimate of the metalization density associated with density functional theory (DFT). This leads to an enhanced degree of thermally induced molecular dissociation with the result that computer simulations fail to achieve the compression observed experimentally. Scaling of the GGA-MD Hugoniot to hypothetical GW Hugoniot results, using the ratio of volumes at which the GW and DFT band gaps close, leads to a prediction in good agreement with experiment.
Preparedness for the death of a loved one and mental health in bereaved caregivers of patients with dementia: findings from the REACH study.

Background: Although it has been suggested that family and friends who are prepared for the death of a loved one have less distress, the relationship between preparedness and bereavement mental health is inconclusive. Objectives: To determine the relationship between preparedness for the death and mental health in bereaved caregivers of dementia patients and explore predictors of preparedness. Design: A prospective study of family caregivers of persons with dementia. Standardized assessment instruments and structured questions were used to collect data at study entry and at 6, 12, and 18 months. Multiple caregiving-related variables were collected. Bereaved caregivers reported whether they were "not at all" prepared or prepared for the death of their loved one. Subjects: Two hundred twenty-two bereaved caregivers Results: Twenty-three percent of caregivers were not prepared for the death. These caregivers had more depression, anxiety, and complicated grief symptoms. Black caregivers, caregivers with less ...
Optical Nano-Antenna based Uncooled Detection of Mid-Infrared Radiation

The objective of the proposed work is to design and fabricate an optical antenna array which can detect mid-IR radiation at room temperature. The detection band can be tuned by changing coupling between antenna elements. Article not available.
Preparation of ovine interstitial cell-stimulating hormone in high yield.

Abstract A new procedure is described for the purification of interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH) from sheep pituitaries. Extraction of ground sheep pituitaries at pH 4.0 followed by ammonium sulfate precipitation, chromatography on sulfoethyl-Sephadex C-50, and gel-filtration on Sephadex G-200 give yields of ICSH of about 300 mg per kilogram of glands. Contamination with other pituitary activities is very low. The preparation obtained by this procedure has been characterized with respect to biological activity, molecular weight, amino acid composition, and carbohydrate content. The results show it to be identical with previously described preparations of purified ICSH.
Dimethyl ether and dimethyl‐d6 ether chemical ionization mass spectrometry of nitramines, nitroaromatics and related compounds

Dimethyl ether (DME) chemical ionization mass spectrometry with introduction by direct exposure desorption was utilized for the characterization of a variety of nitramines, nitroaromatics and related compounds. For the nitramines and for many of the nitroaromatics the most abundant ions were fragment-molecule adduct ions resulting from ion-molecule reactions with the reagent gas. Nitroaromatic positional isomers were readily distinguished by large differences in the abundances of the various adduct ions. For the nitramines, collision-induced dissociations of the prominent methoxymethylene adduct ions were studied and contrasted with those of the corresponding adducts derived from DME-d 6 as reagent gas
91 PEER INTERACTION IN A PRENURSERY SCHOOL PROGRAM THAT INTEGRATES HANDICAPPED AND NONHANDICAPPED CHILDREN 18 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS

This is a study of the social environment provided in a model intervention program for children with motor handicaps and developmental delays. The activity of the nursery was time sampled for 30 second intervals. Categories time sampled were: Mutual play, Imitates, Verbal exchange, Exchange of toys, Physical exchange, Conflict, Helps out and Gestures at. Interobserver reliability averaged 82%. Peer interaction occurred 23% of the intervals observed. The nonhandicapped made a contribution greater than expected (X2=8, p<.01). That is, the nonhandicapped interacted 43% and handicapped interacted 19% of observed intervals. The nonhandicapped did not interact only with each other but with handicapped peers as well. Nonhandicapped interacted with handicapped peers 30% and with nonhandicapped peers 13% of observed intervals. Handicapped interacted with handicapped peers 11% and nonhandicapped 8% of observed intervals. The integration of nonhandicapped children increased the opportunities of handicapped children to experience peer interaction. We hypothesize that the handicapped children learn how to participate in or initiate a social interaction from these experiences.
Stressful Life Events and Adherence in HIV

Abstract Because medication adherence is critical to improving the virologic and immunologic response to therapy and reducing the risk of drug resistance, it is important that we understand the predictors of nonadherence. The goal of the current study is to examine demographic, health behavior and psychosocial correlates (e.g., stressful life events, depressive symptoms) of nonadherence among a sample of HIV infected men and women from one south Florida metropolitan area. We collected questionnaire data from on 105 HIV infected men and women who were taking antiretroviral medication during the years 2004 to 2007. In this sample, 44.8% had missed a medication dose in the past 2 weeks, and 22.1% had missed their medication during the previous weekend. Those with three or more stressful life events in the previous 6 months were 2.5 to more than 3 times as likely to be nonadherent (in the past 2 weeks and previous weekend, respectively) compared to those without such events. Fully 86.7% of those with six or m...
Hasty generalisation and exaggerated certainties: reporting genetic findings in health disparities research

Abstract In the United States, research that examines potential genetic contributions to health disparities often relies on racial categories. Some see benefit in this research especially for conditions where disparities in health status seem strongly associated with racial identity, such as heart disease and prostate cancer. But this research calls for close scrutiny. First, despite common optimism about genetic research, it may not be the most productive way to examine health disparities. And second, this research has the potential to contribute to racial stereotypes, arguably a prime cause of the health disparities the genetic research actually seeks to ameliorate. Two articles reporting results about genetics and heart disease are used to illustrate these concerns. Both report strong correlations between increased vulnerability to heart disease and black racial identity. Despite serious sampling and analysis problems in these articles, the findings rapidly entered the scientific and popular literature...
Comments on Ron Johnston’s “Manipulating maps and winning elections: measuring the impact of malapportionment and gerrymandering”

Abstract The paper presented here by Ron Johnston is not only a valuable contribution to the literature of bias in district-based elections, but also a timely call for a re-invigorated spatial analysis of electoral systems. The metric Johnston adopts for measuring this bias has the advantages of being relatively simple in both its application and the interpretation of its results, and appears promising enough to warrant its future use. In these comments, I discuss areas for possible improvement, particularly in applying the methodology to the particular circumstances of U.S. elections, and briefly examine how his findings inform more general questions of intent in partisan and racial gerrymandering. Finally, I second his call for political geographers to pay more attention to the spatial analysis of elections, a topic of considerable interest to politicians, social scientists and voters.
Advances in basic and clinical immunology in 2007

In 2007, there was significant progress in the area of basic immunology, including investigations that led to a better understanding of the function of antigen-presenting cells, such as the secretion of cytokines that inhibit or induce allergic inflammation on antigen stimulation. Mechanisms of IgE function were better characterized, and the clonality of IgE-producing B cells in allergic responses of monosensitized patients was demonstrated. The hygiene hypothesis was re-examined, with most of the evidence suggesting that the increase of atopy prevalence is best explained by the absence of T H 1 responses rather than the absence of regulatory T cells. The effects of the environment in the allergic inflammation of the lung received new emphasis. Similar progress took place in the area of clinical immunology. Immune adverse reactions to drugs, such as the toxicity of carbamazepine-specific T cells and the safety and efficacy of drugs for the treatment of hereditary angioedema, were better characterized. There were advances in the molecular characterization of primary immunodeficiencies and their management, remarkably the discovery of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 gene mutations as the cause of hyper-IgE syndrome. Long-term outcomes of bone marrow transplantation for severe combined immunodeficiencies confirmed the efficacy of this therapy.
Nations, parties, and participation: A critique of political sociology

Studies of the political behavior of the citizens of various countries, the course and outcomes of elections, and the organization and functioning of parties dominated the time and intellectual energies of political sociologists in the 1960s. Much of this work was associated with Stein Rokkan, scholars connected with him, or those whose work was facilitated by him.1 This paper makes use of a collection of essays and articles, Citizens, Elections, Parties (written over a period of nearly fifteen years of Rokkan's influence on scholarship) in order to raise some issues concerning dominant intellectual perspectives in the field and the implications for research priorities.2
New crater calibrations for the lunar crater-age chronology

Abstract Measuring the spatial density of craters emplaced on geologic units is the primary method used for remotely estimating ages of solar system surfaces. The calibration for this method, which enables conversion of crater density to absolute age, comes from Apollo and Luna lunar samples for which absolute radiometric ages have been determined. Researchers throughout the 1970s worked to establish the lunar chronology system based on that calibration, correlating crater densities with absolute ages. However, no uniform crater study has been conducted on all calibration terrains, a limitation that was previously unaddressed until this study. The latest lunar images from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter were used here to re-map the eleven main sampling sites and new crater counts of those surfaces were conducted. These show significant differences for many sites' crater counts, in many cases having more craters than previously identified. These results, calibrated to the radiometric ages, show a revised lunar crater chronology that changes previously established crater-based ages by up about 1 billion years: Surfaces younger than ∼ 3.6 Gyr and older than ∼ 3.9 Gyr under the classic chronology are younger in this system, and those in-between are older in this new system.
Taylor hypothesis and large-scale coherent structures

The applicability of the Taylor hypothesis to large-scale coherent structures in turbulent shear flows has been evaluated by comparing the actual spatial distributions of the structure properties with those deduced through the use of the hypothesis. This study has been carried out in the near field of a 7[sdot ]62 cm circular air jet at a jet Reynolds number of 3[sdot ]2 x 104, where the coherent structures and their interactions have been organized through controlled excitation. Actual distributions of the structure properties have been obtained through phase-average hot-wire data, the measurements having been repeated at different spatial points over the extents of the structure crosssections at a fixed phase. The corresponding ‘spatial’ distributions of these properties obtained (by using the Taylor hypothesis) from the temporal data at appropriate phases and locations, show that the hypothesis works quite well for an isolated coherent structure if a constant convection velocity, equal to the structure centre velocity, is used in the hypothesis everywhere across the shear flow. The popular use of the local time-average or even the instantaneous streamwise velocity produces unacceptably large distortions. When structure interactions like pairing are involved, no convection velocity can be found with which the hypothesis works. Distributions of the terms in the Navier–Stokes equation contributing to the phase-average vorticity, but neglected by the hypothesis, have been quantitatively determined. These show that the terms associated with the background turbulence field, but not those associated with the coherent motion field, can be neglected. In particular, the pressure term due to the coherent motion field is large and cannot be neglected.
Low-resolution microwave, infrared and Raman spectra, ab initio calculations and conformational analysis of 1-bromo-2-methoxyethane

The microwave spectrum of gaseous 1-bromo-2-methoxyethane, BrCH2CH2OCH3, has been recorded from 18.0 to 27.0 GHz at low resolution. The Raman spectra of the gas, liquid, and solid along with the infrared spectra of the gas and solid have been recorded from 3500 to 50 cm−1. A comparison of the vibrational spectra obtained for the fluid phases with those obtained for the annealed solid indicates the presence of more than one conformer in the fluid phases. The presence of two asymmetric rotors allows for five possible conformations, a majority of which are present in the gaseous phase. It is concluded that the conformation present in the solid phase is that of the gauche/trans (GT) form, where the first term refers to the carbon-bromine bond and the second term to the carbon-oxygen bond (methoxy group). In the gas phase the major absorption in the microwave spectrum is a result of the trans/trans (TT) form although it is certain that other conformations are also present. From a variable temperature study of the Raman spectrum of the liquid, the enthalpy difference between the conformers of the—OCH3 group was found to be 850 ±115 cm−1 (2.43±0.33 kcal/mol) whereas the difference between the conformers of the—CH2Br group as found to be 510±24cm−1 (1.46±0.07 kcal/mol). The conformational energy differences, vibrational frequencies, and structural parameters have been obtained from ab initio calculations with the STO-3G* basis set, and these theoretical values are compared to the experimental values. All of these results are compared to similar data for some corresponding molecules.
Flow cytometric analysis of ploidy in solidneoplasms: Comparison of fresh tissues with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens

The DNA content of both fresh and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embeddedtissues from 30 solid neoplasms was analyzed by flow cytometry. Cells from a single paraffin block of each tumor were disaggregated according to the method of Hedley et al. Cells were sampled from multiple sites of each fresh specimen. Fresh and deparaffinized cells were stored frozen and prepared for cytometric analysis by the technique of Vindelov et al. Thirteen fresh specimens showed DNA diploidy/tetraploidy and 17 showed DNA aneuploidy. Twenty-six of the 30 paraffin-embedded samples were concordant; aneuploid peaks present in histograms from fresh tissue specimens were absent in the 4 paraffin-embedded specimens that were discordant. For 2 of the discordant cases, a hyperdiploid peak that was absent in the initial paraffin-embedded samples was evident on analysis of cells from additional paraffin blocks, indicating ploidy heterogeneity. Peridiploid aneuploid peaks present in the other 2 fresh samples were not observed in initial or additional deparaffinized specimens. Although fresh tissues are preferred for ploidy examination by flow cytometry, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens, despite a few inherent pitfalls, are generally useful for retrospective studies that compare the ploidy status of solid neoplasms to therapeutic response and prognosis.
Double resonance studies of isotope effects on nitrogen chemical shifts

Abstract The effect on nitrogen chemical shifts of 14N 15N isotopic substitution has been examined by 1H{14N} and 1H{15N} heteronuclear double resonance. For the four molecules (CH3)4N+I−, C6H6CH2NC, CH3ONO2 and (CH3)2NNO2 and their 15N anologs the ratio of 15 N 14 N resonance frequencies is R = 1.40275695 ± 8 × 10-8. It is concluded that there is no significant isotope effect on the nitrogen shieldings and that R gives directly the ratio γ ( 15 N ) γ( 14 N ) .
Effect of dobutamine on skeletal muscle metabolism in patients with congestive heart failure

Dobutamine is known to increase leg blood flow during exercise in patients with heart failure. However, it is uncertain whether the increased flow is delivered to working skeletal muscle. In 7 patients with heart failure, the effects of dobutamine were examined on calf phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) spectra and femoral vein blood flow during rest and upright plantar flexion. During upright plantar flexion every 3 seconds, dobutamine increased femoral venous blood flow (control 1.7 +/- 0.1; dobutamine 2.1 +/- 1.0 liters/min; p less than 0.05) and increased femoral venous O2 saturation (control 24 +/- 5%; dobutamine 31 +/- 2%; p less than 0.05), indicating improved total leg blood flow. However, dobutamine did not change the slope of the relation between systemic VO2 and the calf inorganic phosphate to phosphocreatine relation (control 0.0054 +/- 0.0039; dobutamine 0.0056 +/- 0.0032; difference not significant) and did not change muscle pH, suggesting no improvement in blood flow to active skeletal muscle. These findings suggest that dobutamine does not improve oxygen delivery to working skeletal muscle in patients with heart failure, despite its ability to increase cardiac output and limb blood flow.
Participation of the substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons in the occurrence of gastric mucosal erosions

Abstract Previous reports indicate that dopaminergic systems play an important role on gastric mucosal erosions. In the present study, the participation of intrinsic neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) on the occurrence of stomach ulceration was investigated. It was found that bilateral microinfusions of a neurotoxic dose (20 μg/μl) of N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) into the SN, but not in the VTA, lead to gastric erosions 24 h after the surgery. A decrease in dopamine levels in the caudate 24 h after the microinfusion of NMDA into the SN was also observed. Destruction of SN cell bodies with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) did not induce gastric ulceration or changes in dopamine levels in the caudate nucleus 24 h after the lesioning procedure. NMDA neurotoxicity is mediated by the acute excitatory or activational effects, in contrast to 6-OHDA, suggesting that the occurrence of gastric ulceration after the infusion of NMDA into the SN is not due to the cell death per se but is related to an overactivation of these cells that precede their death. Taken together, these results suggest that modulation of dopaminergic levels by neurons located within the SN may play an important role for the development of gastric erosions.
Prognostic value of QT interval and QT dispersion in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction: Results from a cohort of 2265 patients with an ejection fraction of ≤40%

Abstract Background Increased QT interval and QT dispersion have been associated with higher mortality in population-based studies and in patients with myocardial infarction. However, the prognostic significance of these measurements in patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction is not clear.Methods and Results Rate corrected QT interval (QTc) and QT dispersion (QTd) were measured by means of an automated method from digitized echocardiograms in 2265 patients with an LV ejection fraction ≤40% and were related to survival. Increased QTc was strongly related to mortality in the whole group and in subsets on the basis of age and the level of LV systolic dysfunction. There was a graded increase in mortality rate with an increase in QTc. The effect of QTc on mortality was incremental to the effects of age and ejection fraction. QT interval was measurable in ≥6 leads in 1193 patients in whom QTd was computed. QTd higher than the mean value of 35 ms was associated with an increase in all cause mortality (P = .04). Its mortality impact was most pronounced in the older patients, patients with more severe LV dysfunction, and patients with increased QTc.Conclusions Both QTc prolongation and increased QTd are associated with higher mortality rate in patients with moderate and severe LV dysfunction. (Am Heart J 2003;145:132-8.)
Applications of Highly Coherent Femtosecond Fiber Lasers

Coherent, broadband fiber lasers produce pulse trains with <1 femtosecond relative timing uncertainty and <1 mHz relative frequency uncertainty. These sources can advance many applications including optical frequency metrology, ranging LIDAR, and broadband molecular spectroscopy.
The effects of task complexity and skill on over/under‐estimation of internal control

Purpose – Using Bonner's model, this paper aims to examine the effects of skill level and the two task complexity dimensions – clarity and quantity of information – on subjects' internal control risk assessments.Design/methodology/approach – The research expands the literature by isolating the individual components of task complexity and examining how skill interacts with either component in affecting decision making. It uses a 2×4 mixed factors laboratory experiment. This design allows the effects of task complexity and skill between and within subjects to be examined. The mixed factors design includes two levels (high and low) for each dimension of task complexity (clarity and quantity) on a between‐subjects basis, with four separate cases on a within‐subjects basis. Skill level is measured as the subject's task‐related knowledge. The subjects are senior‐level students in auditing courses at three Midwest universities.Findings – It is found that subjects assess control risk too high, consistent with the...
The effect of cranial osteopathic manual therapy on somatic tinnitus in individuals without otic pathology: Two case reports with one year follow up

Abstract The following case reports present the effect of treating proposed cranial bone dysfunctions on chronic somatic tinnitus, following head trauma, with one year follow up. Both cases were suffering from chronic tinnitus on the right side without any otic pathology or temporomandibular dysfunctions. Temporary and limited effects of medications and other treatments on their persistent tinnitus had a negative effect on their social interactions and quality of life. Both patients were considered to demonstrate marked sphenoid, temporal and occipital bone dysfunctions, based on manual cranial treatment. Active tender points were also identified with intra-oral palpation and examination on the lateral pterygoid muscle on the right side. Manual therapy of the cranial bones for restoration of normal alignment and cranial rhythm and myofascial release technique to deactivate tender points on the lateral pterygoid had a significant effect on reducing the persistent tinnitus in both patients. At one-year follow up, both patients reported significant improvement in their quality of life and social interactions without recurrence of their tinnitus symptoms. The findings of this study suggest that cranial manual therapy and myofascial release technique could be a potential treatment for somatic tinnitus in patients with no otic pathology or temporomandibular disorders.
Focused issue: Macro- and micronutrients in congestive heart failure

Heart failure is a worldwide health problem of ever increasing proportions, particularly amongst the elderly. It most commonly is found in association with previous myocardial infarction(s), longstanding hypertension, or a myopathic process often of uncertain origin. A failure of the heart to carry out its expected functions during systolic and/or diastolic phases of the cardiac cycle can lead to reduced renal perfusion and a resultant salt-avid state mediated largely by effector hormones of the renin-angiotensinaldosterone system (RAAS). The accompanying retention of salt and water begets characteristic signs and symptoms that comprise the clinical syndrome congestive heart failure (CHF). Pharmacologic interference with the RAAS has become an integral part of today’s standard of care in the prevention and treatment of heart failure, with and without CHF. Diuretics are used to assist the kidneys in the excretion of sodium and water when patients are decompensated with CHF. In recent years, the CHF paradigm has been broadened beyond this cardiorenal perspective to include the presence of a systemic illness which contributes to its progressive nature and all-too-often downhill clinical course. Features of this illness include: a) the presence of oxidative and nitrosative stress that overwhelm such endogenous antioxidant defenses provided by Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and Se-glutathione peroxidase in diverse tissues that include skin, skeletal muscle, heart, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC: lymphocytes and monocytes), and blood; b) an immunostimu-
Synthetic oligonucleotide probes complementary to the HLA-B variable region hybridize with Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Abstract Three oligonucleotide probes complementary to base sequences of the HLA-B variable region were used to probe clinical and foodborne isolates of Klebsiella spp. by DNA colony hybridization. One oligonucleotide (RR-3) corresponding to amino acid residues 66–74 of the HLA-B27.1 sequence and one corresponding to residues 66–74 of the HLA-B7 sequence (RR-5) hybridized with K. pneumoniae under conditions of high stringency. A genomic library was constructed using K. pneumoniae K43 chromosomal DNA, and a 1 kb Pst l restriction fragment was found to contain the sequence associated with specific binding of the oligonucleotide probes. After purification and radiolabeling, the cloned fragment hybridized with 96.2% of the K. pneumoniae isolates by DNA colony hybridization. These results confirm the presence of sequence similarities between bacterial DNA and the MHC Class I variable region.
Observer assessment of multi-pinhole SPECT geometries for prostate cancer imaging: a simulation study

SPECT imaging using In-111 ProstaScint is an FDA-approved method for diagnosing prostate cancer metastases within the pelvis. However, conventional medium-energy parallel-hole (MEPAR) collimators produce poor image quality and we are investigating the use of multipinhole (MPH) imaging as an alternative. This paper presents a method for evaluating MPH designs that makes use of sampling-sensitive (SS) mathematical model observers for tumor detectionlocalization tasks. Key to our approach is the redefinition of a normal (or background) reference image that is used with scanning model observers. We used this approach to compare different MPH configurations for the task of small-tumor detection in the prostate and surrounding lymph nodes. Four configurations used 10, 20, 30, and 60 pinholes evenly spaced over a complete circular orbit. A fixed-count acquisition protocol was assumed. Spherical tumors were placed within a digital anthropomorphic phantom having a realistic Prostascint biodistribution. Imaging data sets were generated with an analytical projector and reconstructed volumes were obtained with the OSEM algorithm. The MPH configurations were compared in a localization ROC (LROC) study with 2D pelvic images and both human and model observers. Regular and SS versions of the scanning channelized nonprewhitening (CNPW) and visual-search (VS) model observers were applied. The SS models demonstrated the highest correlations with the average human-observer results
Implementation of ICU Palliative Care Guidelines and Procedures: A Quality Improvement Initiative Following an Investigation of Alleged Euthanasia

Ethical conflicts are commonly encountered in the course of delivering end-of-life care in the ICU. Some ethical concerns have legal dimensions, including concerns about inappropriate hastening of death. Despite these concerns, many ICUs do not have explicit policies and procedures for withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments. We describe a US Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigation of end-of-life care practices in our ICU. The investigation focused on care delivered to four critically ill patients with terminal diseases and an ICU nurse's concern that the patients had been subjected to euthanasia. The OIG investigation also assessed the validity of allegations that patient flow in and out of our ICU was inappropriately influenced by scheduled surgeries and that end-of-life care policies in our ICU were not clear. Although the investigation did not substantiate the allegations of euthanasia or inappropriate ICU patient flow, it did find that the policies that discuss end-of-life care issues were not clear and allowed for wide-ranging interpretations. Acting on the OIG recommendations, we developed a quality improvement initiative addressing end-of-life care in our ICU, intended to enhance communication and understanding about palliative care practices in our ICU, to prevent ethical conflicts surrounding end-of-life care, and to improve patient care. The initiative included the introduction of newly developed ICU comfort care guidelines, a physician order set, and a physician template note. Additionally, we implemented an educational program for ICU staff. Staff feedback regarding the initiative has been highly favorable, and the nurse whose concerns led to the investigation was satisfied not only with the investigation but also the policies and procedures that were subsequently introduced in our ICU.
In-flight performance of the broadband x-ray telescope

The Broad-Band X-Ray Telescope (BBXRT) was designed to carry out moderate resolution spectrophotometry of cosmic X-ray sources in the 0.3-12 keV band from the Space Shuttle. It consists of a pair of coaligned conical foil telescopes, with cryogenically cooled Si(Li) spectrometers as focal instruments. It was flown as part of the Astro-1 mission in December, 1990. The in-flight performance of the instrument was essentially as predicted on the basis of ground calibration and modelling. We discuss the performance of the system, with emphasis on the conical mirror systems, and present some preliminary scientific results which illustrate the power of broad band, high sensitivity X-ray spectrophotometry.
Invariant Palm and related disintegrations via skew factorization

Let G be a measurable group with Haar measure λ, acting properly on a space S and measurably on a space T. Then any σ-finite, jointly invariant measure M on S × T admits a disintegration \({\nu \otimes \mu}\) into an invariant measure ν on S and an invariant kernel μ from S to T. Here we construct ν and μ by a general skew factorization, which extends an approach by Rother and Zahle for homogeneous spaces S over G. This leads to easy extensions of some classical propositions for invariant disintegration, previously known in the homogeneous case. The results are applied to the Palm measures of jointly stationary pairs (ξ, η), where ξ is a random measure on S and η is a random element in T.
Experimental Determination of Effective Diffusion Parameters in the Matrix of Fractured Till

Diffusion is often the dominant mode of solute transport in soils when advection is minimal. This paper describes the application of a radial diffusion cell method to estimate the effective diffusion coefficient ( D e ) and effective diffusive porosity (θDe ) for use in solute transport models for fractured-porous media. Twenty-four experiments were conducted for 28 d using three conservative solutes (Br, PFBA, and PIPES) on eight late Wisconsinan and Pre-Illinoian till samples from Iowa. The mean value of the total porosity (θT) of the till samples was 30.0%. Concentrations of the three tracers in the reservoir decreased with time and eventually approached equilibrium concentrations. A model simulated the observed concentration data and the modified goodness-of-fit ( d 1) values ranged from 0.878 to 0.950. Mean values of θDe from the model were 28.3 (Br−), 26.5 (PFBA), and 21.6% (PIPES) and there were significant differences in θDe among the three tracers ( p = 0.05). Mean values of D e were 5.6 × 10−10 m2 s−1 (Br−), 2.9 × 10−10 m2 s−1 (PFBA), and 1.3 × 10−10 m2 s−1 (PIPES). Values of D e differed significantly by compound and were significantly different ( p = 0.05) from the aqueous diffusion coefficient ( D ). Calculated mean values of the first-order mass exchange coefficient (α) were 8.4 × 10−7 (Br−), 4.1 × 10−7 (PFBA), and 1.6 × 10−7 s−1 (PIPES); they differed by compound ( p = 0.05) and generally decreased with increasing molecular weight of the tracer. This study confirmed that the radial diffusion cell method is an efficient method to estimate effective diffusion parameters necessary to accurately model solute transport in fractured till and soil.
Polarized Optical Spectra, Transition Line Strengths, and the Electronic Energy-Level Structure of Eu(dpa)33- Complexes in Single Crystals of Hexagonal Na3[Yb0.95Eu0.05(dpa)3]·NaClO4·10H2O†

Polarized optical absorption and emission measurements are used to locate and assign 52 crystal-field energy levels split out of the 4f6 electronic configuration of Eu3+ in single crystals of Na3[Yb0.95Eu0.05(dpa)3]·NaClO4·10H2O (where dpa ≡ dipicolinate dianion ≡ 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate). In these crystals, each Eu3+ is coordinated to three dipicolinate (dpa) ligands, and the tris-terdentate Eu(dpa)33- chelate structures have trigonal-dihedral (D3) symmetry. The combined optical absorption and emission measurements provide access to the energy-level structures of 27 different 4f6[SL]J multiplet manifolds of Eu3+, and 21 of these multiplet manifolds are represented among the 52 crystal-field levels that are characterized with respect to both location (energy) and symmetry properties. The energy-level data obtained from experiment are analyzed in terms of a model Hamiltonian that includes consideration of both isotropic and nonisotropic 4f-electron/crystal-field interactions. A parametrized form of this ...
Transcriptional networks in S. cerevisiae linked to an accumulation of base excision repair intermediates.

Upon exposure to DNA damaging agents, Saccharomyces cerevisiae respond by activating a massive transcriptional program that reflects the fact that “DNA damaging” agents also damage other cellular macromolecules. To identify the transcriptional response that is specific to DNA damage, we have modulated the first two enzymes in the base excision repair (BER) pathway generating yeast strains with varied levels of the repair intermediates, abasic sites or strand breaks. We show that the number of abasic sites is significantly increased when the 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase (Mag): AP endonuclease (Apn1) ratio is increased and that spontaneous frame shift mutation is considerably elevated when either Mag, or Mag plus Apn1, expression is elevated. Expression profiling identified 633 ORFs with differential expression associated with BER modulation. Analysis of transcriptional networks associated with the accumulation of DNA repair intermediates identifies an enrichment for numerous biological processes. Moreover, most of the BER-activated transcriptional response was independent of the classical yeast environmental stress response (ESR). This study highlights that DNA damage in the form of abasic sites or strand breaks resulting from BER modulation is a trigger for substantial genome-wide change and that this response is largely ESR-independent. Taken together, these results suggest that a branch point exists in the current model for DNA damage-signaled transcription in S. cerevisiae.
Relationship of the extracellular matrix to coronary neovascularization during development.

The main goal of this study was to determine the temporal and spatial relationship of several components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) to coronary vascularization during prenatal and early postnatal development. Rat microvessels were visualized by immunolabeling for platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1), and by exposure to the lectin from Griffonia simplicifolia I. Coronary vasculogenesis, which first occurs in gestation day 13 (E13) hearts, was preceded by the deposition of fibronectin. The onset of laminin immunoreactivity in basement membranes coincided with tube formation and was followed by the appearance of collagen IV. Discontinuous collagen IV staining of basement membranes typified early tube formation but progressed to completely encircle capillaries. Sparse staining of collagen I and III was observed in prenatal hearts, but increased after birth. Staining for both molecules was limited mainly to the adventitia of vessels larger than capillaries, and as a component of septa and the epicardium. To determine the effects of loading conditions on key ECM molecules relating to neovascularization, avascular E12 rat hearts were grafted to the anterior eye chamber of adult hosts. In these hearts, which are hemodynamically unloaded, the appearance and distribution of ECM components were similar to hearts developingin utero.It was concluded that during heart development: (1) fibronectin may provide a primary scaffolding for the migration of primordial endothelial cells/angioblasts; (2) tube formation coincides with lamin deposition and is closely followed by the appearance of collagen IV; (3) collagens I and III are not related to tube formation in the prenatal heart; and (4) the relationship of the ECM to vessel formation is not notably altered in the absence of a ventricular load. Furthermore the early onset of PECAM-1 immunoreactivity suggests that it is a useful endothelial marker and may play a role in tube formation.
Histologic Studies of the Vasculature of the Anterior Optic Nerve

Thirty-one normal human anterior optic nerves were studied in thin serial sections and their vessels stained by standard histologic stains and a new modification of the silver reticulin stain. The retrolaminar cribrosa was profusely supplied by centripetal and longitudinal vessels of pial origin; small branches of the central retinal artery were also seen. Longitudinal continuity of small vessels extended from the retrolaminar nerve to the retinal surface. This system freely anastomosed with three transverse systems; a significant anteriolar input from short posterior ciliary arteries in the sclera to the lamina cribrosa; smaller short posterior ciliary branches and occasional choroidal capillaries to the prelaminar portion; and branches derived from the central retinal artery in and around the disk. Vessels entering the prelaminar region at the level of the choroid were mainly derived from scleral branches of short posterior ciliary vessels entering through the border tissue of Elschnig, rather than from choroidal branches of ciliary arteries. Venous drainage for the anterior optic nerve was primarily through the central retinal vein, although alternate smaller paths to surrounding tissues were also identified.
Artificial life and higher level cognition.

Abstract Artificial Life is the study of biological phenomena through their reproduction in artificial systems. Cognition is a form of biological adaptation and it therefore falls within the province of Artificial Life. However, neural network models and Artificial Life simulations of entire ecosystems tend to address simple behaviors and elementary forms of cognition, while it is often thought that higher level (human) cognition is best accounted for using symbol manipulation models that ignore biology. This type of division of work is rejected and it is argued that Artificial Life should be able to simulate higher level cognition by showing how higher level cognition emerges evolutionarily, developmentally, and culturally/historically from lower level cognition. Three directions of research addressing the emergence of more complex forms of cognition are described using “ecological” neural networks that live in a (simulated) physical environment: (a) networks that learn to predict the consequences of their actions in the environment; (b) networks that are not passive receivers of input but control in various ways the input to which they respond; (c) populations of networks that evolve language to help classifying environmental inputs in useful categories. Other directions that should be explored are the evolution of modular network architectures that can support more sophisticated cognitive abilities and the role of man-made social, cultural, and technological environments in shaping the form of cognition typical of modern man.
Prima Facie Obligation and Doing the Best One Can

I believe that one ought, morally, to do the best one can. This is, of course, controversial. I don't propose to debate the issue here, however, but wish rather to address a related one: how such a theory of absolute obligation — a "maximizing" theory — might accommodate prima facie obligation. My sense is that many believe that maximizing theories cannot accommodate prima facie obligation, and that this has led some maximizers to reject the concept of prima facie obligation while leading some of those who appeal to this concept to reject maximization. I shall suggest, on the contrary, that maximizing theories are well-equipped to accommodate prima facie obligation; I shall do this by proposing an analysis of absolute obligation in terms of certain concepts and then using some of these concepts to analyze prima facie obligation. My purpose is threefold: to enhance our understanding of prima facie obligation; to show that appeal to prima facie obligation is not a good reason for rejecting maximization; and to rehabilitate the concept of prima facie obligation in the eyes of maximizers
Traffic Flow Forecasting for Urban Work Zones

None of numerous existing traffic flow forecasting models focus on work zones. Work zone events create conditions that are different from both normal operating conditions and incident conditions. In this paper, four models were developed for forecasting traffic flow for planned work zone events. The four models are random forest, regression tree, multilayer feedforward neural network, and nonparametric regression. Both long-term and short-term traffic flow forecasting applications were investigated. Long-term forecast involves forecasting 24 h in advance using historical traffic data, and short-term forecasts involves forecasting 1 h and 45, 30, and 15 min in advance using real-time temporal and spatial traffic data. Models were evaluated using data from work zone events on two types of roadways, a freeway, i.e., I-270, and a signalized arterial, i.e., MO-141, in St. Louis, MO, USA. The results showed that the random forest model yielded the most accurate long-term and short-term work zone traffic flow forecasts. For freeway data, the most influential variables were the latest interval's look-back traffic flows at the upstream, downstream, and current locations. For arterial data, the most influential variables were the traffic flows from the three look-back intervals at the current location only.
Molecular dynamics study of temperature behavior in a graphene nanoribbon

Unlike an independent variable in classical continuum mechanics, temperature at molecular dynamics simulation is perceived as a spatiotemporal averaged quantity from the velocity field of atoms in system of interest. Following this definition, an intriguing correlation between displacement and temperature in graphene nanoribbon under impulsive loading has been captured at the early stage of simulation to demonstrate that temperature variation along a specific direction behaves like a wave motion, while at the end of simulation temperature field reaches to a steady state like a classical diffusion equation of temperature. This riveting phenomenon offers insights into the thermal–mechanical coupling phenomena of nanodevices.
New imaging techniques in diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid fistula

The localization of a cerebrospinal fluid fistula producing cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea can be very difficult. However, the exact anatomic localization of the bony defect is important when selecting the surgical approach to repair. Case reports of two patients in whom spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea occurred following pressure equalization tube placement for middle-ear effusion are presented. Nuclear magnetic imaging supplemented CT scan findings, providing noninvasive localization of the defect. Preoperative impressions were confirmed at surgery. In addition to discussing the use of magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea, the literature will also be reviewed.