cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From the children's perspective: What are candy, snacks, and meals?

Abstract Objective There remains a lack of consensus on what distinguishes candy (i.e. features sugar as a principal ingredient, also called sweets or lollies), snack foods, and foods served at meals; therefore, this study examined characteristics elementary-aged children use to distinguish between these food categories. Methods Participants were children aged 5–8 years (N = 41). Children were given 39 cards, each containing an image of a common American food (e.g. ice cream, fruit). Children sorted each card into either a “snack” or “candy” pile followed by a semi-structured one-on-one interview to identify children's perceptions of candy, snack foods, and foods served at meals. Verbatim transcripts were coded using a grounded theory approach to derive major themes. Results All children classified foods such as crackers and dry cereal as snacks; all children classified foods such as skittles and solid chocolate as candy. There was less agreement for “dessert like foods,” such as cookies and ice cream, whereby some children classified these foods as candy and others as snacks. Specifically, more children categorized ice cream and chocolate chip cookies as candy (61% and 63%, respectively), than children who categorized these as snack foods (39% and 36%, respectively). Qualitative interviews revealed 4 overarching themes that distinguished among candy, snack foods, and food served at meals: (1) taste, texture, and type; (2) portion size; (3) perception of health; and (4) time of day. Conclusion Children categorized a variety of foods as both a candy and a snack. Accurate measurement of candy and snack consumption is needed through the use of clear, consistent terminology and comprehensive diet assessment tools. Intervention messaging should clearly distinguish between candy, snack foods, and foods served at meals to improve children's eating behavior.
The Policy of new Thinking in the Changing World

Since 1985 when Mikhail Gorbachev became the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union has undergone unprecedented change. As the end of the twentieth century approaches, it becomes clear that we will face a future considerably more international than ever believed possible in the past. Nuclear proliferation, regional conflicts, the energy crisis, world food shortages, and environmental problems threaten to involve us all Many of the previous distinctions between foreign and domestic policies have become artificial National interests can no longer be defined in strictly ideological terms. Nations with different ideological commitments must begin to cooperate to resolve common strategic, economic, humanitarian, and environmental concerns. Our world is becoming increasingly smaller and global interdependence has become a reality. As Rene Dubos, the 1969 Pulitzer Prize recipient once stated, â€œIt becomes obvious that each of us has two countries, our own and the planet earth.â€ In our ever-changing world change is the one certainty. By the end of the century the Soviet Union will not exist in its present form, and politically the world will be very different in the future from what it is today. Today we face a different world and we must seek a different road to the future. This road must draw on the accumulated experience of yesterday, yet be fully aware of the fundamental differences between the circumstances of yesterday and those of today and tomorrow. This article contains a brief analytical exposition of the changes that have come about in Soviet foreign policy, its philosophy, and progress, which are a result of the evolving concept of new political thinking and the early steps towards putting this policy into practice. The article concludes with more specific information regarding arms control third world issues, humanitarian concerns, and political ecology.
Increased pancreatic cancer survival with greater lymph node retrieval in the National Cancer Data Base.

Abstract Background We evaluated the role of lymph node (LN) retrieval in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Methods We utilized the National Cancer Data Base; Cox regression models and logistic regression models were used for statistical evaluation. Results We evaluated 26,792 patients with PA who underwent PD. The mean LN retrieved in LN(−) patients was 10.8 vs 14.4 for LN(+) patients (P Conclusions Rather than demonstrating an inflection point that defines the extent of adequate lymphadenectomy, this dataset demonstrates an incremental relationship between LN retrieval and survival.
Comparison of reprogramming factor targets reveals both species-specific and conserved mechanisms in early iPS cells

Both human and mouse fibroblasts can be reprogrammed to pluripotency with Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM) transcription factors. While both systems generate pluripotency, human reprogramming takes considerably longer than mouse. To assess additional similarities and differences, we sought to compare the binding of the reprogramming factors between the two systems. In human fibroblasts, the OSK factors initially target many more closed chromatin sites compared to mouse. Despite this difference, the intra- and intergenic distribution of target sites, target genes, primary binding motifs, and combinatorial binding patterns between the reprogramming factors are largely shared. However, while many OSKM binding events in early mouse cell reprogramming occur in syntenic regions, only a limited number is conserved in human. In summary, these findings suggest similar general effects of OSKM binding across these two species, even though the detailed regulatory networks have diverged significantly.
Employment Outlook and Motivation for Career Preparation

increasing dependence of modern health care on complex diagnostic, screening, monitoring, prosthetics, surgical instrumentation, and biotechnology. Bioengineering education first evolved as a bridge discipline that united engineering expertise with medical or biological science. Today, bioengineering education integrates engineering and life sciences [1]. A vast number of bioengineering specialties have arisen, ranging from theoretical, non-experimental undertakings to state-of-the-art applications, and can encompass research, development, implementation, operations, and management. Bioengineers may be involved in the design and development of a broad spectrum of medical and biological products, cutting-edge research at the molecular or systems level, computer modeling, or telecommunications. Bioengineers are employed in hospitals, industry, government, universities, and medical schools, and are essential to the success of health care systems throughout the world. Furthermore, industry around the world is increasingly embracing bioengineering and science as both a leading and lucrative investment area, with the potential to drive huge technological advances. Bioengineering graduates will find a strong and expanding job market with many diverse opportunities. This chapter first introduces trends in bioengineering educational programs. A description of future opportunities is described, followed by a survey of employment and a career outlook, with some thoughts on finding a job in the realm of bioengineering.
Are all clinical trial sites created equal

Physicians seem increasingly skeptical of the results of randomized clinical trials. The reasons are multifactorial but might be due, in part, to concerns about generalizability and reproducibility of trial results. Contemporary cardiology trials routinely involve thousands of patients and hundreds
Allogeneic Stem-Cell Transplantation — A T-Cell Balancing ACT

Tackling the Tumor and Sparing the Host A study of a mouse model shows that a particular type of T cell is pivotal for balancing safety with efficacy in the context of hematopoietic stem-cell transfer in the treatment of hematolymphoid cancer.
Reduced macrofauna diversity and abundance in response to red macroalgal detritus

Abstract Macrophyte detritus from exogenous sources can play an important role in structuring benthic communities. Macrofaunal responses to seagrass wrack, mangrove leaf litter, and detritus from brown and green macroalgae have previously been examined through enrichment experiments. Yet effects from red macroalgal detritus, which is a major component of algal drift in many regions, are not well understood. In this study, enrichment experiments were performed on a shallow subtidal sandflat in Puget Sound, Washington, USA with detritus from three species of red macroalgae to assess: (1) whether macrofaunal assemblages were affected by two different “dosages” of red macroalgal enrichment (100 ml vs 500 ml per 0.079 m3 of sediment); (2) whether macrofaunal response differed between one-time and repeated (weekly) additions of red macroalgae; and (3) whether responses to red macroalgal enrichment changed over time. There appeared to be little or no effect on macrofauna from one-time enrichment regardless of the amount/dosage of algae added. However, weekly additions of red macroalgae led to negative responses across macrofaunal taxa. These responses occurred rapidly, within the first 3 weeks, and were largely unchanged after 7 weeks, intensifying for only 2 of the 10 most common taxa. No opportunistic responses to weekly additions were observed. Frequent influx of some types of red macroalgae may degrade the quality of sedimentary habitats by leaching chemically defensive compounds or through other mechanisms, which should be investigated in future studies. Although weekly enrichment treatments were informed by previous estimates of detrital delivery rates near hard-bottom habitats in the same locality, further research is needed to assess detrital influx frequency and community response in other regions where red macroalgal detritus is common, and to understand the broader implications of exogenous detritus from red macroalgae on benthic ecosystems.
Meta-analysis of the association of alcohol-related social media use with alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems in adolescents and young adults

Despite the pervasive use of social media by young adults, there is comparatively little known about whether, and how, engagement in social media influences this group's drinking patterns and risk of alcohol-related problems. We examined the relations between young adults' alcohol-related social media engagement (defined as the posting, liking, commenting, and viewing of alcohol-related social media content) and their drinking behavior and problems. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies evaluating the association of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems with alcohol-related social media engagement. Summary baseline variables regarding the social media platform used (e.g., Facebook and Twitter), social media measures assessed (e.g., number of alcohol photographs posted), alcohol measures (e.g., Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and Timeline Follow back Interview), and the number of time points at which data were collected were extracted from each published study. We used the Q statistic to examine heterogeneity in the correlations between alcohol-related social media engagement and both drinking behavior and alcohol-related problems. Because there was significant heterogeneity, we used a random-effects model to evaluate the difference from zero of the weighted aggregate correlations. We used metaregression with study characteristics as moderators to test for moderators of the observed heterogeneity. Following screening, 19 articles met inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. The primary findings indicated a statistically significant relationship and moderate effect sizes between alcohol-related social media engagement and both alcohol consumption (r = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.44, p < 0.001) and alcohol-related problems (r = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.51, p < 0.001). There was significant heterogeneity among studies. Two significant predictors of heterogeneity were (i) whether there was joint measurement of alcohol-related social media engagement and drinking behavior or these were measured on different occasions and (ii) whether measurements were taken by self-report or observation of social media engagement. We found moderate-sized effects across the 19 studies: Greater alcohol-related social media engagement was correlated with both greater self-reported drinking and alcohol-related problems. Further research to determine the causal direction of these associations could provide opportunities for social media-based interventions with young drinkers aimed at reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related adverse consequences.
Solving the Autostart Dilemma

Chapters 5 and 6 illustrate that the BOXES methodology works very well in prolonging the duration of motion of a freely hinged pole that is attached to a constantly moving cart. Chapter 5 considered simulations of the system that ignored the effects of friction in the hinge, while Chap. 6 illustrated the attachment of a physical pole and cart system to the algorithm using custom firmware. This chapter focuses on how to ensure that the training sequence precludes any preferential treatment of any region in the control space that might be inadvertently produced. To ensure this, auto start systems are described that control how either system is parked after a failure, and subsequently restarted in a random but valid state space region. During the restart process, the motor direction on the trolley does not necessarily match the corresponding value in the signature table. It is imperative that the system be not over-trained in any one trajectory, such as is the case if, for example, the pole is held vertical in the center of the track and released. Two strategies, one for simulations and one for the physical system are described. In simulation studies it is relatively simple to ensure that initial values of the state variables are truly random from run to run and distributed across the vector space. In the physical system, the autostart firmware was designed to promote random starts of the system and also allows a manual override of the control logic using LEFT/RIGHT push button commands.
Run-of-the-Mill Justice

This Article examines a particular form of heretofore unexamined personal injury law practice that has proliferated across the United States. These law firms, which I call settlement mills, are characterized by their high claim volume, aggressive advertising, significant delegation to non-attorneys, entrepreneurial focus, and quick resolution of claims, typically without initiation of suit. Drawing on voluminous documents extracted from federal court and state bar disciplinary files, as well as fifty interviews with current and past law firm employees, the Article demonstrates that settlement mills represent a relatively new, largely distinct, and surprisingly prevalent form of law firm organization. After setting forth the characteristics that distinguish settlement mills from conventional personal injury practices, the Article considers the forces that have contributed to their rise, analyzes how they resolve claims in practice and to what effect, and asks why insurers (not facing a realistic threat of trial) bargain with settlement mills at all. The analysis reveals that settlement mills are not only organized differently than their conventional counterparts; they actually settle claims differently, in a manner that challenges prevailing theories of settlement as well as our basic notions of compensation through tort.
Luteinizing hormone regulators: Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogs, estrogens, opiates, and estrogen-opiate hybrids

This chapter deals with certain aspects of luteinizing hormone (LH) regulation. LH is a large glycoprotein which is secreted from the anterior pituitary [1]. The mechanism of action of LH is very complex. LH is a part of a hormonal cascade [2]. Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), also known as gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), a decapeptide produced in the hypothalamus, controls release of LH and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) from pituitary to general circulation. LH and FSH are known as gonadotropins, since they act on gonads of both sexes. In the gonads they regulate gamete maturation and the production of sex hormones. For example, in males LH stimulates testosterone synthesis and secretion from testes. In females it acts on corpus luteum of ovary to increase production and release of progesterone. LH triggers ovulation. FSH promotes spermatogenesis in testes and production of estradiol in ovaries.
Creatine supplementation. Its role in human performance.

Creatine supplementation is the most popular nutritional supplement today. Although many questions remain regarding the use and benefits of creatine supplementation, a fast-growing body of literature is starting to define both its acute and chronic effects on human and physiologic performance. The initial data indicate that this energetic boost of the phosphagen energy system also helps to enhance strength and power training. Few documented side effects have been demonstrated in the medical and scientific literature, but further investigation is still required as to long-term use (i.e., beyond several months).
Clomiphene citrate therapy for luteal phase defect

The incidence of luteal phase defects in 366 infertility patients was 12.7%. Life-table analysis was used for determination of the conception rate with clomiphene citrate therapy, and with this method, evidence was found for the presence of two subgroups with respect to response. The crude conception rate was 40.9%. In a group of patients with a luteal phase defect and no other infertility factors, those that conceived had, a significantly larger mean biopsy delay than those who did not (628 days versus 4.32; P P
A POSSIBLE CASE OF MILD CHOLERA IN AN IMMUNIZED AMERICAN SOLDIER.

Abstract : B. cholerae El Tor Ogawa strain was isolated from the stool of an immunized American serviceman suffering from moderately severe diarrhea. His symptoms are described and discussed. (Author)
A Synopsis of the Brazilian Taxa of Phyllanthus Section Phyllanthus (Euphorbiaceae)

The synopsis of Phyllanthus section Phyllanthus in Brazil treats 4 subsections (2 of them newly described) including 30 species. A new subsection Almadenses is described based on Phyllanthus almadensis Mull. Arg., a species from Bahia, Brazil with a unique growth pattern. Another new subsection Clausseniani is proposed; it includes 17 species, all endemic to Brazil. Seven new species in this subsection are described: Phyllanthus allemii, P. atalaiensis, P. caparaoensis, P. carvalhoi, P. mocotensis, P. piranii, and P. sincorensis. A key to the Brazilian sections of subgenus Phyllanthus is provided, as well as synoptic keys and descriptions for the two new subsections and subsections Niruri and Swartziani.
Thick Palladium Coated Copper (PCC) Wire BSOB Bonding on a Pre-Plated Frame Chip on Lead Package

Palladium coated copper wire has been introduced in the semiconductor wirebond industry to addressed issues related to bare copper wire, mainly fast oxidation. The presence of the palladium coat provides protection to oxidation of bare copper wire core for a short period of time. This is very useful especially on bond stitch on ball (BSOB) wirebonding where a stitch bond is placed on top of bump ball. The relative hardness of the coated copper wire however possess significant challenge for large scale BSOB wirebonding. Conventional gold (4N Au) wirebonding is the best choice but with rising cost the alternative version is preferred by the industry. Silver (88, 92, 95%Ag) alloy wires offers cheaper cost solution but still remain to be proven for high reliability wirebonding. Alloying also of Ag wires results to an increase in the resistivity of the wire. This is unwanted especially on Mosfet devices where RDSon resistance is significantly controlled. Combining cost and reliability performance requirements, palladium coated copper wire is the still best choice.
Beyond Borders: Innovating from Conflict to Community in Public Art Engagement in Holon, Israel

The story of the Center for Digital Art in Holon is a story of innovation in the face of adversity. At key points of escalation in the Middle East conflict, this small-scale arts center managed to rise above and beyond the larger and more traditional museums in Israel to create new models for arts engagement. This article will present the critical junctions at which the Center for Digital Art managed to radically innovate art education approaches, contextualizing their actions within a larger setting of Israel's culture of conflict. What emerges is a working model for artistic engagement that prioritizes community-wide dialogue over target-specific impact, offering new working methodologies for art education professionals to venture beyond the museum and straight to the public both as contributors in the artistic process and endusers of the collaborative work.
Thermal Imaging for Rapid Noninvasive On-site Insulation Diagnostics

High voltage electrical failures are dangerous and costly events in any type of power system. The troubleshooting and diagnostic time required to identify and locate these failures can be significant. Partial discharge is one of the early warning signs for electrical degradation. In insulation systems, partial discharge typically occurs in voids located within the dielectric, at material interfaces, or along energized electrode surfaces. Effective methods for finding this failure precursor enabling circumvention of future catastrophic events are highly valuable as successful detection can improve safety, reduce service interruptions, and result in significant financial savings. The presented method was successful in localizing the excess stress without direct line of sight, a clear advantage over night vision and corona cameras. The investigated methodology provides the ability for any user in varying on-site conditions to quickly and noninvasively diagnose the health of a component or device while maintaining safe clearance from energized parts.
Electromuscular Incapacitation Current Induced Neuromuscular Tissue Injury.

Electrical stun devices (ESDs) serve a basic role in law enforcement and provide an alternative to lethal options for target control by causing electromuscular incapacitation (EMI). A fundamental concern is the adverse health consequences associated with their use. The capability of EMI electric field pulses to disrupt skeletal muscle cells (i.e. rhabdomyolysis) was investigated over the operational range commonly used in commercial EMI devices. Functional and structural alteration and recovery of muscle and nerve tissue were assessed. In an anesthetized swine model, the left thigh was exposed to 2 min of electrical pulses, using a commercially available ESD or a custom-made EMI signal power amplifier. Serum creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), troponin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were monitored intermittently for 6 h post-EMI exposure. A standard external cardiac defibrillator served as a positive control. Muscle and nerve tissue histology adjacent to the EMI contacts were examined. Post-EMI shock skeletal muscle function was evaluated by analyzing the compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) of the rectus femoris muscle. Maximal energy cardiac defibrillator pulses resulted in rhabdomyolysis and marked elevation of CPK, LDH, and AST 6 h post-shock. EMI field pulses resulted in the animals developing transient acidosis. CMAP amplitudes decreased approximately 50% after EMI and recovered to near-normal levels within 6 h. Within 6 h post-EMI exposure, blood CPK was mildly increased, LDH was normal, and no arrhythmia was observed. Minimal rhabdomyolysis was produced by the EMI pulses. These results suggest that EMI exposure is unlikely to cause extremity rhabdomyolysis in normal individuals. Bioelectromagnetics. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Humanitarian Aid and Counterinsurgency: The Case of the Simba Revolts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 1964–1967

This article demonstrates how the U.S. and Congolese governments successfully used humanitarian aid in their counterinsurgency campaign against the rebel Conseil National de la Liberation (CNL) in ...
Evaluation of Clinical Infusion Pump Performance Through Downstream Microdrop Monitoring: A Preliminary Study

As low-flow infusion is becoming more prevalent for clinical care, there is an increasing need for better evaluation of clinical infusion pump performance at low flow rates and in ways that are accessible to the clinical community. However, the current method in international standard require specialized facilities, costly equipment, long durations of testing, and the data produced is hard to interpret. We propose downstream microdrop monitoring (DMM) as a low-cost, easy-to-perform, and easy-to-interpret alternative. In particular, we show that the count and timing of microdrops are useful for evaluating flow accuracy and flow uniformity at low flow rates.
Aqueous solubilization of hydrophobic tetrapyrrole macrocycles by attachment to an amphiphilic single-chain nanoparticle (SCNP)

Solubilization of hydrophobic tetrapyrrole macrocycles and other fluorophores in aqueous solution has been achieved by covalent attachment to the terminus of an amphiphilic polymer, thereby affording a single-fluorophore–single-chain nanoparticle (SCNP). The polymer is a heterotelechelic random polyacrylate/polyacrylamide copolymer bearing hydrophobic and hydrophilic pendant groups. The polymer has a folded unimeric morphology (∼13 nm hydrodynamic diameter) in 1 M NaCl aqueous solution as indicated by dynamic light-scattering spectroscopy. Five hydrophobic organic fluorophores (coumarin, perylene, two chlorins, one phthalocyanine) have been synthesized with a conjugatable tether. Covalent conjugation of the fluorophore–maleimide to the polymer terminus via thiol–maleimide reaction was carried out in DMF. The resulting fluorophore–SCNP in 1 M NaCl aqueous solution exhibited spectral features and fluorescence quantum yield comparable to those of the respective hydrophobic benchmark in toluene. This single-fluorophore–single-polymer strategy bypasses the challenging and often idiosyncratic syntheses of water-soluble tetrapyrrole macrocycles by using the polymer as a general aqueous solubilization package, and in so doing opens up opportunities for the application of hydrophobic fluorophores in the life sciences.
Mapping Formosa: Settler Colonial Cartography in Taiwan Cinema in the 1950s

In the last few decades, humanities scholarship has witnessed a methodological shift that has been called a “spatial turn.”
Sparse-Group Lasso for Graph Learning From Multi-Attribute Data

We consider the problem of inferring the conditional independence graph (CIG) of high-dimensional Gaussian vectors from multi-attribute data. Most existing methods for graph estimation are based on single-attribute models where one associates a scalar random variable with each node. In multi-attribute graphical models, each node represents a random vector. In this paper, we present a sparse-group lasso based penalized log-likelihood approach for graph learning from multi-attribute data. Existing works on multi-attribute graphical modeling have considered only group lasso penalty. The main objective of this paper is to explore the use of sparse-group lasso for multi-attribute graph estimation. An alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) algorithm is presented to optimize the objective function to estimate the inverse covariance matrix. Sufficient conditions for consistency and sparsistency of the estimator are provided. Numerical results based on synthetic as well as real data are presented.
The Leadership of Xi Jinping: A Dengist Perspective

This article compares Xi Jinping with Deng Xiaoping from two perspectives: first, how their differing backgrounds influenced how they played the role. Second, how the situation of China in 1978 whe...
Evaluating the forecasting power of an open-economy DSGE model when estimated in a data-Rich environment

Abstract This paper examines the inferences and forecasting benefits that can be made when one incorporates a large quantity of economic time series into international structural macroeconomic models. I estimate a close variation of Adolfson et al. (2007a, 2008) small open-economy dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model in a data-rich environment and evaluate its predictive performance of the Canadian macroeconomy. The data set I use in the paper includes Canadian, American, Asian and European macro-financial data. I compare the forecasting performance of the DSGE model estimated in a data-rich environment (DSGE-DFM) to the forecasts generated by the DSGE model estimated in its traditional fashion and forecasts generated by other reduced form forecasting models. I find that an open-economy DSGE model estimated in a data-rich environment significantly out performs its regularly estimated DSGE counterpart. Further, DSGE-DFM forecasts that incorporate real-time data are similar or better to the Bank of Canada’s Staff Economic Projections for GDP, consumption, investment, and trade statistics. In addition, the DSGE-DFM model of this paper is useful in forecasting both the real and nominal exchange rate in the short and medium-term.
Association of an emergency department febrile neutropenia intervention protocol with time to initial antibiotic treatment.

BACKGROUND Earlier initial antibiotic treatment for febrile neutropenia is associated with improved clinical outcomes. This study was conducted to evaluate the association of an emergency department (ED) intervention protocol with time to initial antibiotic treatment for febrile neutropenia patients. METHODS We conducted a cohort study of adult ED febrile neutropenia patients before and after implementation of an intervention protocol. Analyses included comparison of means and medians, Kaplan-Meier estimates, multivariable regression analyses, interrupted time-series analyses, and causal mediation analyses. The intervention protocol included specific triage and process-of-care actions to reduce the primary outcome of time to initial antibiotic treatment. RESULTS There were 69 patients in the 12-month preintervention period and 52 patients in the 8-month postintervention period. The mean (±SD) times to initial antibiotics were 197.6 (±85.4) min for the preintervention group and 97.7 (±51.0) min for the postintervention group (difference of 99.9 min with 95% confidence interval [CI] = 73.5 to 126.4, p < 0.001). The patients' probability for receiving initial antibiotics within 90 min was severalfold greater (adjusted risk ratio = 10.31, 95% CI = 4.99 to 21.30, p < 0.001) for the postintervention group versus preintervention group. ED length of stay, hospital length of stay, 30-day readmissions, and 30-day all-cause mortality were not different between the study groups. The association of the intervention protocol with time to initial antibiotics appeared to be mediated through times to treatment room placement, report of absolute neutrophil count, and initial antibiotic order. CONCLUSIONS The intervention protocol was associated with a significant reduction in time to initial antibiotics for ED patients with febrile neutropenia. This association appears to be facilitated through specific intermediate process-of-care variables. A larger multicenter study is needed to assess the potential effects of an ED febrile neutropenia protocol on patient-centered clinical outcomes and resource utilization.
Association between FDG SUVmax and EGFR/KRAS mutation status in lung adenocarcinomas – An analysis of 80 cases

1761 Objectives: Preoperative FDG SUVmax in untreated patients is prognostically important. We looked for an association between the presence of a EGFR/KRAS mutation in lung adenocarcinomas and FDG SUVmax, as EGFR mutation predicts sensitivity to erlotinhib. Methods: Patients who had a preoperative MSKCC FDG PET scan without prior induction therapy, and lung adenocarcinomas tested for the presence of either an EGFR(exons 19 & 21)or KRAS(exon 2) mutation formed the data set. Tumor DNA was extracted, EGFR mutations were detected using PCR-based assays, KRAS(exon 2) mutations were detected by direct sequencing. The SUVmax within a volumetric ROI surrounding the tumor was measured on attenuation corrected, iteratively reconstructed FDG PET images using using AWS Centricity PACS(GEMS). A rank correlation of tumor size to SUVmax assessed the impact of tumor size on SUVmax. Kruskal-Wallis log rank test determined if there was any association between the SUV and the presence of a mutation, the p values of the log rank test were adjusted using an analysis of variance. In order to fully eliminate the effect of partial volume averaging we limited our analysis to the 56 tumors that had bi-dimensional measures greater than 1.5cm on the lung windows of a recent or concurrent CT image set. Results: 36 men & 44 women met study criteria, of these 16 were oligo or never smokers ( 1.5 cm left 27 patients without a mutation, 13 with an EGFR mutation, and 24 with a KRAS mutation. Even without correcting for tumor size there was evidence of a statistically significant association between the SUVmax and the presence or absence of an EGFR mutation, p=0.035. After correction for tumor size this association became stronger p=0.026. Conclusions: Adenocarcinomas with an EGFR mutation have a lower SUVmax than adenocarcinomas with a KRAS mutation or with neither of these two mutations. Recognition of the importance of and correction for tumor size is essential to uncover the true biological information within FDG PET images.
Latino Lives in America: Making It Home

Acknowledgments Introduction: A Time to Think Broadly 1. The Growing Presence of Latinos in the United States 2. Trying for the Americano Dream: Barriers to Making the United States "Home" 3. Education: Latinos' Great Hope, America's Harsh Reality 4. Exploring Discrimination, Intergroup Relations, and Intragroup Relations among Latinos 5. New Homes in New Communities: Living in Rural America 6. Transnationalism and the Language of Belonging 7. The Evolving Latino Community and Pan-ethnicity: Explorations into the Confluence of Interactions, Networks, and Identity 8. Conclusions: Paradoxes along the Way to Making America Home Notes References Index
Lost but not forgotten: the U.S. census of 1890.

Abstract The 1990 decennial census of population marked the bicentennial of the United States census enterprise. As we observed and participated in the activities of the 1990 census, it provided the opportunity to reflect on earlier experiences. This article considers the census of 1890, outlines the historical significance of that census, and examines the events surrounding the accidental destruction of the 1890 census records.
EMG biofeedback: the effects of CRF, FR, VR, FI, and VI schedules of reinforcement on the acquisition and extinction of increases in forearm muscle tension.

Biofeedback was used to increase forearm-muscle tension. Feedback was delivered under continuous reinforcement (CRF), variable interval (VI), fixed interval (FI), variable ratio (VR), and fixed ratio (FR) schedules of reinforcement when college students increased their muscle tension (electromyograph, EMG) above a high threshold. There were three daily sessions of feedback, and Session 3 was immediately followed by a session without feedback (extinction). The CRF schedule resulted in the highest EMG, closely followed by the FR and VR schedules, and the lowest EMG scores were produced by the FI and VI schedules. Similarly, the CRF schedule resulted in the greatest amount of time-above-threshold and the VI and FI schedules produced the lowest time-above-threshold. The highest response rates were generated by the FR schedule, followed by the VR schedule. The CRF schedule produced relatively low response rates, comparable to the rates under the VI and FI schedules. Some of the data are consistent with the partial-reinforcement-extinction effect. The present data suggest that different schedules of feedback should be considered in muscle-strengthening contexts such as during the rehabilitation of muscles following brain damage or peripheral nervous-system injury.
The advantages to mother and infant of amphetamine in obstetrical analgesia.

T HE ideal medication for analgesia during labor must possess two important qualities; namely, adequate analgesic properties for the mother and minimal respiratory hazard to the baby. The role of epinephrine and epinephrine-like compounds in the production and potentiation of analgesia has been established.2-‘3 Amphet,amine (Benzedrine, in particular) is one of the compounds like epinephrine which has been found both experimentally and clinically to potentiate analgesia. Another important pharmacological property of amphetamine is the respiratory stimulating effect of the drug.14-18 The rationale for adding amphetamine to morphine in obstetrical analgesia, therefore, is the potentiating effect of amphetamine on morphine analgesia, the respiratory stimulating efYect to counteract the morphine depression of the respiration of the newborn, and also the possibility of producing euphoria in the parturient woman. Our clinical experience with the morphine-amphetamine combination was preceded by laboratory studies on dogs.‘l When amphetamine and morphine were given to pregnant bitches, delivered by section, the amphetamine markedly counteracted the depressing effect of morphine on the newborn, premature puppies. These pups showed excellent muscle tone, and were extremely responsive to external stimuli. The pups born of mothers given larger doses of amphetamine displayed a reaction resembling opisthotonos, when their feet were snapped. A comparable reaction has been noted in the human babies whose mothers were similarly overmedicated.
Dynamic output feedback compensation for systems with input saturation

The positive real lemma provides the basis for constructing nonlinear output feedback dynamic compensators for plants with saturating actuators. Fixed-structure optimization techniques are used to obtain full-order feedback compensators with a guaranteed domain of attraction. The results are illustrated with several numerical examples.
Toward the realization of a compact chemical sensor platform using quantum cascade lasers

The Army is investigating several spectroscopic techniques (e.g., infrared spectroscopy) that could allow for an adaptable sensor platform. Traditionally, chemical sensing platforms have been hampered by the opposing concerns of increasing sensor capability while maintaining a minimal package size. Current sensors, although reasonably sized, are geared to more classical chemical threats, and the ability to expand their capabilities to a broader range of emerging threats is uncertain. Recently, photoacoustic spectroscopy, employed in a sensor format, has shown enormous potential to address these ever-changing threats, while maintaining a compact sensor design. In order to realize the advantage of photoacoustic sensor miniaturization, light sources of comparable size are required. Recent research has employed quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) in combination with MEMS-scale photoacoustic cell designs. The continuous tuning capability of QCLs over a broad wavelength range in the mid-infrared spectral region greatly expands the number of compounds that can be identified. Results have demonstrated that utilizing a tunable QCL with a MEMS-scale photoacoustic cell produces favorable detection limits (ppb levels) for chemical targets (e.g., dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP), vinyl acetate, 1,4-dioxane). Although our chemical sensing research has benefitted from the broad tuning capabilities of QCLs, the limitations of these sources must be considered. Current commercially available tunable systems are still expensive and obviously geared more toward laboratory operation, not fielding. Although the laser element itself is quite small, the packaging, power supply, and controller remain logistical burdens. Additionally, operational features such as continuous wave (CW) modulation and laser output powers while maintaining wide tunability are not yet ideal for a variety of sensing applications. In this paper, we will discuss our continuing evaluation of QCL technology as it matures in relation to our ultimate goal of a universal compact chemical sensor platform.
Spatial distribution of cadmium in leaves and its impact on photosynthesis: examples of different strategies in willow and poplar clones

The interaction of cadmium (Cd) with photosynthesis was investigated in poplar (Populus x canadensis Monch., clone A4A, Populus nigra L., clone Poli) and willow (Salix alba L., clone SS5) clones that had different leaf metal concentrations in preliminary experiments. Plants grown in the presence of 50 μm CdSO4 for 3 weeks under hydroponic conditions were used to examine leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and images, and for Cd detection using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF). Leaves were finally analysed for Cd and phytochelatin concentrations. Results showed that SS5 had the highest leaf Cd concentration and high gas exchange activity similar to that of Poli, which had the lowest Cd concentration. Leaf fluorescence images evidenced in large undamaged areas of SS5 corresponded to high values of Fv/Fm, Fo, ΦPSII, qP and NPQ, while patches of dark colour (visible necrosis) close to the main vein corresponded to low values of these parameters. In A4A, these necrotic patches were more diffuse on the leaf blade and associated with a range of fluorescence parameter values. ED-XRF analysis indicated that Cd was only detectable in necroses of SS5 leaves, while in A4A it was relatively more diffuse. Phytochelatins (PCs) were not detected in SS5, while their concentration was high in both Poli and A4A. The absence of these molecules in SS5 is thought to favour confinement of high accumulations of Cd to necrotic areas and gives SS5 the ability to maintain high photosynthesis and transpiration in remaining parts of the leaf.
Application of variational methods to the thermal entrance region of ducts

Abstract A variational method is presented for solving eigenvalue problems which arise in connection with the analysis of convective heat transfer in the thermal entrance region of ducts. Consideration is given to both situations where the temperature profile depends upon one cross-sectional co-ordinate (e.g. Circular tube) or upon two cross-sectional co-ordinates (e.g. Rectangular duct). The variational method is illustrated and verified by application to laminar heat transfer in a circular tube and a parallel-plate channel, and good agreement with existing numerical solutions is attained. Then, application is made to laminar heat transfer in a square duct as a check, an alternate computation for the square duct is made using a method indicated by Millsaps and Pohlhausen. The variational method can, in principle, also be applied to problems in turbulent heat transfer.
What's happening with machine safety standards and networks?

Purpose – Recently there has been considerable technological change in the way in which safety‐related control may be engineered. A series of standards based upon IEC 61508 are under development. This paper discusses these changes and highlights their relevancy to machine safety.Design/methodology/approach – An overview of technological change is given; from safety relays, to programmable safety controllers, safety‐related networks and the trend to combine safety and control functions in controllers and networks. Topics to consider when choosing between technologies are put forward, followed by a review of standards that incorporate functional safety.Findings – The development of safety‐related standards, such as IEC 61508 provides general guidance on the design of safety‐related systems across a wide range of industries, with specific machinery implementation of the same principles in IEC 62061. There is overlap between IEC 62061 and ISO 13849‐1. The same functional safety principles are also implemented...
Gas chromatography of volatile fatty acids as tert-butyidimethylsilyl esters

Description d'un procede dans lequel les acides gras volatils sont convertis en produits d'addition non volatil avec la triethylamine
Prospective search for an optimal BNP level to screen patients with suspected left ventricular dysfunction

Objectives: We hypothesized that a fixed plasma B-naturetic peptide (BNP) level of 20pg/ml BNP and simple clinical parameters would be an effective pre-echocardiographic screening tool for LV dysfunction. Background: The importance of early detection of left ventricular dysfunction cannot be over emphasized, as the lead time gained with good management can improve symptoms, survival and quality of life drastically, while decreasing the burden of disease on society. Even though echocardiography is the gold standard for the evaluation of the suspected Left Ventricular dysfunction (LVD), the cost and availability of this procedure limits its use as a routine screening tool. On the other hand, availability of rapid BNP measurements along with its high negative predictive value in dyspneic patients suggests its possible utility in screening patients prior to echocardiography. Determining an appropriate BNP level below that would preclude the need for echocardiography (high negative predictive value) would be valuable (cost ratio of 1/20 (BNP/echocardiogram). Methods: 202 VA subjects with symptoms suggestive of heart disease (m:f 193:9 and mean age 65(22-100)) were screened before undergoing echocardiography. Patients with known cardiac dysfunction were excluded.Results: BNP levels of 20 pg/ml and below were 79% sensitive and 44% specific in screening for any abnormality of ventricular function. The negative predictive value was 69%.When broken down into categories of dysfunction, the cut point of 20 pg/ml had a better negative predictive value for those with systolic dysfunction (96%), or systolic plus diastolic dysfunction (100%). The negative predictive value for detecting any form of diastolic dysfunction was 73%. The majority of patients with false low BNP levels ( 20 pg/ml with positive echo findings) had mild diastolic dysfunction, with just 3 patients exhibiting systolic dysfunction, all of which were mild. Conclusions: There is no BNP level below which, would preclude echocardiography if suspicion of heart disease is high. In low risk patients or in those with limited access to echo, a BNP level below 20 pg/ml makes significant cardiac function unlikely.
Neutron Diffraction Evidence for Unusual Cohesive H-Bonding Interactions in β-(BEDT-TTF)2X Organic Superconductors

In order to determine the nature and exact geometries of the interionic interactions that are responsible for crystal cohesion between the sheetlike networks of radical cation molecules and the halide-containing anions in the layered organic conductors of the type ..beta..-(ET)/sub 2/X, the authors have undertaken low-temperature (20 K) neutron diffraction studies of the X/sup -/ = AuI/sub 2//sup -/ and I/sub 3//sup -/ salts. For these synthetic organic superconductors, ..beta..-(ET)/sub 2/AuI/sub 2/ has the highest T/sub c/ (approx. 5K) at ambient pressure, and ..beta..-(ET)/sub 2/I/sub 3/ has the highest T/sub c/ (approx. 8 K) under a nonhydrostatic pressure of 1.3 kbar. The discovery of very short H...I contacts in ..beta..-(ET)/sub 2/AuI/sub 2/ is surprising because such interactions are generally assumed to be weak. There are important implications for the design and synthesis of new ..beta..-(ET)/sub 2/X systems where the X/sub n//sup -/ anions contain halide (I, Br, Cl, F) atoms, namely, that H-bonding interactions of the type H...X play a major role in determining the crystal cohesive forces between donors and anions thereby controlling compound formation.