cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
786: Predictors of prolonged skin incision to delivery interval in cesarean: the relative impact of obesity

786 Predictors of prolonged skin incision to delivery interval in cesarean: the relative impact of obesity Andrea Edlow, Rachel Villalon, Betul Sisman, Michael House Tufts Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Boston, MA, Tufts Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston, MA OBJECTIVE: Obesity is an independent risk factor for cesarean delivery (CD). Obstetricians’ concern about the ability to perform a rapid CD may contribute to the increased risk of CD in obese patients. However, multiple other factors may affect the skin incision to delivery interval (SKTDINT) in cesarean. We sought to assess risk factors for prolonged SKTDINT in a cohort of women at a single academic institution. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Patients undergoing CD between 2010 and 2012 at our tertiary care center were identified. Women with multiple gestations, and those lacking information about delivery interval or predictors of prolonged SKTDINT were excluded. Prolonged SKTDINT was defined as 10 minutes. Obesity was defined as delivery BMI 35. Computerized medical records were used to obtain demographic and obstetrical histories. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi square and univariate logistic regression. Associations of interest were adjusted for potential confounders using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: 582 women were identified who met study criteria. 409 had SKTDINT 10 mins. Mean SKTDINT was 3.7 minutes longer in obese women, compared to those with BMI 35 (15.9 vs 12.2 min, p 0.001). However, in women undergoing emergent CD, BMI was not significantly associated with SKTDINT 10 mins (p 0.8). In a multivariable logistic regression model, BMI had the lowest impact on SKTDINT 10 mins, while experience of primary surgeon, prior CD, and less urgent indication for CD were associated with the greatest odds of longer delivery time (Table 1). CONCLUSION: Obesity is associated with a significantly longer time from skin incision to delivery, even after controlling for confounders. However, when emergent delivery was necessary, BMI did not significantly impact SKTDINT. Obstetricians should weigh prior surgeries and surgeon experience, in addition to BMI, when making clinical decisions about how rapidly CD can be performed.
Conversion of cyclopropyl bromides to cyclopropyloxy derivatives

CONVERSION OF CYCLOPROPYL BROMIDES TO CYCLOPROPYLOXY DERIVATIVES Daniel T. Longone and Alfred H. Miller Depar"ulent of Chemistry, The University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 (Received in USA 8 August 1967) We report the first synthetically useful conversion of cyclopropyl halides to the corresponding cyclopropyloxy derivatives. The method developed utilizes cyclopropyl carbanions, derived from the bromides, as agents for nucleophilic attack on the oxygen atom of an appropriate substrate. Such reversal of the normal nucleophilic and electrophilic roles of the atoms involved obviates the difficilties inherent in the orthodox SW1 and SR2 reactions of the halide and allows for a net nucleophilic substitution. Treatment of cyclopropyl Grignard reagents with benzoyl peroxide or t-butyl perbenzoate affords the corresponding cyclopropyl benzoates snd ;-butyl ethers (l), respectively:
Some aspects of the present status of the thermodynamics of electrolytic solutions

Abstract We have surveyed in a brief manner some phases of the experimental thermodynamics of electrolytic solutions. A more complete review would be very voluminous, and would include a number of other topics. As examples, the investigations of electrolytes of higher valences types such as cadmium chloride (34), and iodide (8), barium chloride (85), and zinc sulphate (11) (55). It would also include a discussion of the important work of Gibson (14) who has measured the compressions of a number of aqueous salt solutions up to 1000 bars. Nor have we discussed the recent interpretations of the behaviors of strong electrolytes in solutions at higher concentrations where the theory of Debye and Huckel is no longer adequate without considerable extension. This complicated subject has been investigated most comprehensively by Scatchard (78) (80) and its discussion would lead beyond the intended limits of this survey. We trust that this sketch of our results will help somewhat to give a correct impression of the extent and direction of this part of solution chemistry. The development of method in these studies of equilibria has reached the stage where a really reliable and accurate body of evidence is becoming available. This is very important because accurate data will be required not only as criteria and as a guide to the approximate statistical and quantum mechanical interpretations of equilibrium constants, entropies, activation energies, and reaction velocity constants where ions are involved, but also in the further clarification of the state of ions in solution.
A Parameterization of the Evaporation of Rainfall

A general theoretical expression for the rainfall rate and the total evaporation rate as a function of the distance below cloud base is developed, and is then specialized to the gamma raindrop size distribution. The theoretical framework is used to analyze the data of Rosenfeld and Mintz (1988) on the radar observations of the rainfall rate as a function of the distance below cloud base, for rain falling from continental convective cells in central South Africa, obtaining a parameterization for the evaporation of rainfall.
Long-term spectroscopic observations of Mars using IRTF/CSHELL: Mapping of O2 dayglow, CO, and search for CH4

Abstract Long-term spectroscopic observations of the O2 dayglow at 1.27 μm result in a map of the latitudinal and seasonal behavior of the dayglow intensity for the full martian year. The O2 dayglow is a sensitive tracer of Mars' photochemistry, and this map reflects variations of Mars' photochemistry at low and middle latitudes. It may be used to test photochemical models. Long-term observations of the CO mixing ratio have been also combined into the seasonal–latitudinal map. Seasonal and latitudinal variations of the mixing ratios of CO and the other incondensable gases (N2, Ar, O2, and H2) discovered in our previous work are caused by condensation and sublimation of CO2 to and from the polar regions. They reflect dynamics of the atmosphere and polar processes. The observed map may be used to test global circulation models of the martian atmosphere. The observed global abundances of CO are in reasonable agreement with the predicted variations with the 11-year solar cycle. Despite the perfect observing conditions, methane has not been detected using the IRTF/CSHELL with a 3σ upper limit of 14 ppb. This upper limit does not rule out the value of 10 ppb observed using the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope and the Mars Express Planetary Fourier Spectrometer.
Tyrosine-α-ketoglutarate transaminase effect of the administration of sodium benzoate and related compounds on the hepatic enzyme level

Summary Intragastric administration of sodium benzoate caused increased levels of tyrosine-α-ketoglutarate transaminase ( L -tyrosine : 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.5) in the livers of intact and adrenalectomized rats. Maximal increases occurred 3 h after benzoate administration to adrenalectomized rats. The response increased as the benzoate dosage was varied from 5 to 20 mg per 150 g body weight, reaching a maximal level 4-fold greater than that of saline-injected controls. -Higher dosage levels gave little if any further increase and in many cases resulted in toxic manifestations. Thirty-one cyclic compounds were compared with benzoate as inducing agents. Hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone hemisnccinate and diethylstilbestrol disulfate were more effective than benzoate. Cyclohexanoate, p-aminobenzoate, and α-naphthoate were as effective. Benzene, phenol, α-naphthol, β-naphthoate, phenylacetate, α-naphthylacetate, nicotinate, α-picolinate, salicylate, p-nitrobenzoate, cyclohexane, pyridoxine, pyridoxoate, DL -phenyllactate, o-phthalate, terephthalate, o-diphenate, pyromellitate, isonicotinate, benzene sulfonate, pyridine 3-sulfonate, sulfanilate, anthranilate, p-hydroxybenzoate, and o-nitrobenzoate were either substantially less effective or were ineffective. Strong inhibition of the increase by injected puromycin and actinomycin D, compounds which inhibit protein and RNA synthesis respectively, suggests that the benzoate-mediated effect occurred by a mechanism involving increases in protein and RNA synthesis. In this respect, the effect of benzoate resembles that of the glucocorticoids.
Family configuration and intellectual development: A simulation

A simulation based on the recently published confluence model is described. Within this model, family configuration variables –family size, order of birth, and length of birth intervals –play an important role in influencing intellectual development. The simulation is shown to achieve a close fit with national aggregate patterns of intelligence test scores for children of different family configurations. In addition, it is demonstrated that dissimilar aggregate profiles may be consistent with a common underlying model. The apparent differences may be due to systematic variations in the ages and birth intervals of sample members.
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: A Current Review

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but potentially lethal complication of pregnancy occurring in approximately 1 : 3,000 live births in the United States although some series report a much higher incidence. African-American women are particularly at risk. Diagnosis requires symptoms of heart failure in the last month of pregnancy or within five months of delivery in the absence of recognized cardiac disease prior to pregnancy as well as objective evidence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. This paper provides an updated, comprehensive review of PPCM, including emerging insights into the etiology of this disorder as well as current treatment options.
The scoop on Ben & Jerry’s Inc.: an examination of corporate social responsibility

We attempt to go beyond media representations as we explore the following question: Is Ben & Jerry′s Inc. a socially responsible organization? This exploration includes a description of the concept of corporate social responsibility, and an investigation of some specific actions by Ben & Jerry’s to ascertain whether or not these actions are indeed socially responsible in nature.
Token Based Congestion Control for DTNs

Delay tolerant networks (DTN) are characterized by intermittent connectivity, long delays and often constrained bandwidth. We consider mobile networks where node mobility and covert operation cause frequent disconnections. Nodes will see each other frequently but due to their movement, end-to-end paths do not remain stable long enough to complete a data transfer or even a simple data exchange, much less allow current congestion control protocols to react to these highly dynamic environments. To address the challenge of congestion control in DTNs we have implemented a novel congestion control mechanism based on the use of tokens. Network nodes must possess a token in order to inject messages into the network. Tokens are initially uniformly distributed but thereafter move randomly throughout the network. Using a discrete event simulator we show Token Based Congestion Control (TBCC) results in a reduction in the amount of dropped messages due to network congestion. In cases where drops are not allowed we add a constraint to the forwarding algorithm and show that network transit times are reduced by as much as 40% and total transit times, defined as the time from message generation until delivery to the destination, are reduced by 20%. We also show 36% reduction in the amount of intermediate network storage required. These results are significant since they show a reduction in both space (network storage) and time.
Teachers' and Students' Cognitional Knowledge for Classroom Teaching and Learning

An emerging image of the teacher as “thoughtful professional” suggests the need for researchers to study teachers’ and students’ cognitions in addition to teacher behavior, student behavior, and student achievement. This article presents an initial conceptualization of how teachers' and students' cognitions and knowledge mediate effective teaching. Subject matter content and teacher and student knowledge are focused on as important dimensions that have often been ignored by researchers on teaching. Students' “cognitional knowledge for classroom learning,” both general and content-specific, is defined as knowledge of the mental processes by which learners acquire knowledge through classroom learning. Teachers’ relevant knowledge includes both the above cognitional knowledge for classroom learning as well as “cognitional knowledge for classroom teaching.” Examples from research are provided to illustrate teachers' and students' cognitional and metacognitional knowledge for classroom learning and teaching. T...
Transmission Corridor Analysis using PTDFs

Subsection 1221(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 calls for a study to determine national interest electric transmission corridors. These corridors are defined as "any geographic area experiencing electric transmission capacity constraints or congestion that adversely affects consumers." This paper presents a method to define a "direct flow" between two hubs using the power transfer distribution factors (PTDFs). With these hubs properly defined, the hope is to be able to assess where these transmission corridors of national significance exist.
The evolutionary and structural 'logic' of antigen receptor diversity.

Most vertebrate species utilize antibody and T-cell receptor (TCR) genes to create a vast repertoire of antigen sensor molecules on their B and T lymphocytes, respectively. While the organization of these genes exhibits substantial variation between species, one common theme is that, in almost every case, there is at least one variable region with a highly diverse CDR3 region and often much less diversity elsewhere in the binding site. Whereas with αβ TCRs this skewing of diversity correlates well with the need to recognize diverse peptides bound to MHC molecules, this cannot explain why this same pattern is evident in immunoglobulins (Igs) or γδ TCRs. Instead we have postulated that in the primary repertoire, all or most antigen receptors have a bipartite binding site, in which diverse CDR3 loops act as a highly antigen specific ‘core’ whereas other CDRs bind in a largely opportunistic fashion. In the case of antibodies, somatic hypermutation then acts to improve the complementarity to a given antigen and increase antibody affinity. A test of this model in mice engineered to have a very limited V region repertoire shows that primary antibodies can be generated that are highly specific for distinct antigens, yet identical in sequence except for their VH CDR3. Furthermore, very high affinity antibodies can be raised by repeated immunizations, showing that somatic hypermutation can mold these low affinity antibodies into high affinity ones. Thus, the wide variations seen in V region repertoires amongst vertebrates is likely to be of lesser importance than the preservation of one or more diverse CDR3 regions.
Vector classification of SMD images

Abstract The automated visual inspection of surface-mounted devices (SMD) requires the correct classification of an image as either “component present” or “component absent.” The inspection system must allow the classification to be fast and reliable while also assuring that the training of the classifier is simple and not time consuming. The traditional sequential approach to classifying images, while simple to implement, presents some disadvantages, including an increase in false alarm (type I) errors and the need for a time-consuming training phase. The method presented in this paper seeks to reduce classification errors by using a vector approach for the inspection of components. An experiment using real SMD inspection data is conducted to validate the performance of the proposed vector classifier. The results of the experiment support the hypothesis that the vector-based inspection approach renders fewer errors than the sequential inspection approach.
The failure of caffeine to induce mutagenic effects or to synergize the effects of known mutagens in mice.

Abstract Caffeine administered to male mice acutely or for 8 wk prior to mating produced no mutagenic effect in the dominant lethal assay, as measured directly by increased early foetal deaths or indirectly by increased pre-implantation losses. Furthermore, neither acute nor 8-wk administration of caffeine synergized the effects of the known mutagens, methyl methanesulphonate, TEPA or X-rays.
Where are the health care cost savings

AS OF JULY 2010, THE UNITED STATES SPENT $2.6 TRILlion per year on health care. It is not just the level of spending that is of concern but the rate of growth over time.During the last30years, thegrowth inUS healthcarespendinghasbeen2.1%moreperyear thangrowth in gross domestic product (GDP). This is why the percentage of GDP attributable to health has nearly doubled in 30 years. At this rate, projections suggest that by 2040 1 of every 3 dollarswillbespentonhealthcareandby2080, itwillbenearly 1ofevery2dollars. In2010,theentireGDPofFrancewas$2.58 trillion,theworld’s fifth-largesteconomy.ThatmeansUShealth carespendingisequivalent totheworld’s fifth-largesteconomy.
Genetic analysis of constitutive stable DNA replication in rnh mutants of Escherichia coli K12.

Escherichia coli rnh mutants deficient in ribonuclease H (RNase H) are capable of DNA replication in the absence of protein synthesis. This constitutive stable DNA replication (SDR) is dependent upon the recA + gene product. The requirement of SDR for recA + can be suppressed by rin mutations (for recA+-independent), or by lexA(Def) mutations which inactivate the LexA repressor. Thus, there are at least three genetically distinct types of SDR in rnh mutants: recA +-dependent SDR seen in rnh - rin+ lexA+ strains, recA +-independent in rnh - rin- lexA+, and recA +-independent in rnh - rin+ lexA(Def). The expression of SDR in rin - and lexA(Def) mutants demonstrated a requirement for RNA synthesis and for the absence of RNase H. The suppression of the recA + requirement by rin mutations was shown to depend on some new function of the recF + gene product. In contrast, the suppression by lexA-(Def) mutations was not dependent on recF +. The lexA3 mutation inhibited recA +-dependent SDR via reducing the amount of recA + activity available, and was suppressed by the recAo254 mutation. The SDR in rnh - rin- cells was also inhibited by the lexA3 mutation, but the inhibition was not reversed by the recAo254 mutation, indicating a requirement for some other lexA +-regulated gene product in the recA +-independent SDR process. A model is presented for the regulation of the expression of these three types of SDR by the products of the lexA +, rin+ and recF + genes.
The social support model for people with chronic health conditions: A proposal for future research

Social support is an important component of health care for people with chronic health conditions. Previous research has described the types of messages created in support groups and found evidence for positive health outcomes of social support. Social support has been conceptualized in myriad ways, however, making it difficult to have a unified body of research. I propose a model to explain how the social support process works for people with chronic health conditions. I articulate what facets of the social support process need more study, and how the support environment should be conceptualized. Researchers should study a person’s entire support environment, rather than isolated support groups, as research has often been limited to in the past, taking into account the particular issues of any chronic illness.
Effect of immunonutrition on virulence strategies in bacteria

A coevolutionary balance exists between bacteria within the mammalian gastrointestinal tract and the lining epithelia. Recent advances in the molecular detection of bacteria have demonstrated that under normal circumstances, the lining mucosal epithelium in the gastrointestinal tract is sterile. Under conditions of stress and dietary alteration however, the probability of bacteria adhering to and altering epithelial function is a reflection of the virulence tactics of the resident bacteria balanced against the innate mucosal defense system. This pathologic event may be caused in part by the adaptive response of intestinal bacteria to their changing environment and food supply. Accustomed to a warm climate and a constant and predictable food supply, bacteria exposed to luminal nutrient starvation and a catabolically stressed host may express virulence determinants that can harm the host. The causes and consequences of bacterial adherence to host intestinal epithelia during stress and dietary manipulation are discussed.
Tracking episomal HIV DNA: implications for viral persistence and eradication of HIV.

Purpose of review In this review, methods with which investigators detect and monitor HIV persistence will be described. In particular, we will focus on the work that provides evidence that low-level virus replication persists despite the suppressive effects of therapy and the approaches that can be employed to measure and characterize the ongoing virus replication in apparently aviremic individuals. Recent findings With the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy, there is a need for assays to probe the nature of reservoirs that are maintained despite therapy and to assess the impact of intensification on their stability. Detection and quantitation of surrogate markers for ongoing replication (two long terminal repeat circles) have recently been used to monitor the effects of therapy intensification, source of viral rebound, and characterization of viral variants that contribute to treatment failure. Summary With successful antiviral therapy, increasingly more attention has turned to the ultimate goal of virus eradication. In order to assess the effectiveness of new therapies and eradication strategies, an assay that can be broadly applied is needed. Amplification of unintegrated DNA is an approach that should be considered to study the effects of therapy intensification and protocols designed to eliminate the reservoirs that persist in HIV-infected individuals.
Excitons in superlattices

A simple nonvariational approach for calculating exciton binding energies in superlattices is developed. The approach is sufficiently versatile that it applies in the limits of strongly coupled and isolated quantum wells, and in the presence of external fields. Excellent agreement is obtained with experimental binding energies in GaAs/GaAlAs using only bulk k.p parameters as input.
A Culture of Servitude: The Impact of Tourism and Development on South Carolina's Coast

Tourism has become the primary industry of the Low Country of South Carolina. In response, the economic, social, and cultural fabric of the area has changed to accommodate this industry. Using interviews and observations, this study examined issues concerning host-guest interactions from a political ecological perspective. Overall, especially for the local African American residents, tourism has created in effect a "culture of servitude." Proposals to help alleviate these negative impacts are suggested.
Clinical stages of dementia and the dexamethasone suppression test.

Abstract 1. 1. This study vas undertaken to evaluate the relationship between clinical aspects of primary degenerative dementia and suppression or non-suppression in the dexamethasone suppression test. 2. 2. We studied 34 male patients with primary degenerative dementia (as diagnosed by DSM-III criteria). Dexamethasone 1 mg p.o. was administered at 11:00 PM and blood was drawn for cortisol determination at 4:00 PM the next day. 3. 3. Clinical factors included: age, age at onset, duration of dementia, history of psychiatric illness, severity as measured by Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) score, and “malignancy” of dementia (rated by years of onset to institutionalization and as a ratio of Global Deterioration Scale to duration of primary degenerative dementia). 4. 4. Results: 56%. of primary degenerative dementia patients failed to suppress. The highest degree of non-suppression was seen in Global Deterioration Scale 5 and 6 subjects (Table). 5. 5. An unexpected finding was that a large number of Global Deterioration Scale 7 patients demonstrated normal post-dexamethasone suppresion of the hypothalmic-pituitary-adrenal axis. 6. 6. Some contradictions in previously reported studies may be explained by this pattern.
HARNESS and fault tolerant MPI

Abstract Initial versions of MPI were designed to work efficiently on multi-processors which had very little job control and thus static process models. Subsequently forcing them to support a dynamic process model would have affected their performance. As current HPC systems increase in size with greater potential levels of individual node failure, the need arises for new fault tolerant systems to be developed. Here we present a new implementation of MPI called fault tolerant MPI (FT-MPI) that allows the semantics and associated modes of failures to be explicitly controlled by an application via a modified MPI API. Given is an overview of the FT-MPI semantics, design, example applications, debugging tools and some performance issues. Also discussed is the experimental HARNESS core (G_HCORE) implementation that FT-MPI is built to operate upon.
Neighborhood characteristics and the initiation of marijuana use and binge drinking

Abstract Background This study examines whether residential neighborhood characteristics influence the initiation of marijuana use and binge drinking, and if these neighborhood factors heighten or dampen peer influences on substance use. Methods Predictors of marijuana ( N = 6516) and binge drinking ( N = 6630) initiation over a 1-year period were identified using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Participants were of ages 12–19 years at baseline. The main predictor variables were neighborhood characteristics, using both objective (proportion of households below the poverty line and female-headed, unemployment rate, residential stability) and subjective (perceived cohesion and safety) measures. Binge drinking was defined as 5 or more drinks in a row. Results Initiation occurred for 12.9% of adolescents in the case of marijuana and 16.4% for binge drinking. Marijuana initiation was more likely among adolescents who lived in neighborhoods with a higher unemployment rate, and binge drinking initiation was more likely among those who perceived greater safety in their neighborhood, after adjusting for other neighborhood characteristics, demographics, friend characteristics, and behavioral and family risk factors. There was no evidence that neighborhood context moderates the associations of peer factors on initiation. Conclusions Select neighborhood characteristics appear relevant to the initiation of marijuana use and binge drinking, although the mechanisms appear to be distinct for each substance. If these results are found to be robust, future research should aim to better understand how neighborhood context influences the initiation of adolescent substance use in order to inform prevention efforts.
Low writing energy and sub nanosecond spin torque transfer switching of in-plane magnetic tunnel junction for spin torque transfer random access memory

This work investigated in-plane MgO-based magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) for the application of spin torque transfer random access memory (STT-RAM). The MTJ in this work had an resistance area product (RA) = 4.3 Ω·μm2, tunneling magnetoresistance ratio ∼135%, thermal stability factor Δ(H)=68 (by field measurement), and Δ(I) = 50 (by current measurement). The optimal writing energy was found to be 0.286 pJ per bit at 1.54 ns for antiparallel (AP) state to parallel (P) state switching, and 0.706 pJ per bit at 0.68 ns for P state to AP state switching. Ultra fast spin torque transfer (STT) switching was also observed in this sample at 580 ps (AP to P) and 560 ps (P to AP). As a result, 0.6–1.3 GHz was determined to be the optimal writing rate from writing energy consumption of view. These results show that in-plane MgO MTJs are still a viable candidate as the fast memory cell for STT-RAM.
A further creep analysis for rotating solid disks of variable thickness

Abstract A further creep analysis for stress distributions in rotating solid disks of variable thickness and at uniform temperature is presented herein, based on the Tresca criterion and its associated flow rule. The advantage of this analysis lies in the fact that the complicated problem is to be solved in great simplicity. Disks of gas turbines and jet engines are usually operated at relatively high stresses and high temperatures. Therefore, in this paper the stress analysis for the variable-thickness and uniform-temperature disk at steady-state conditions will be analyzed and discussed by using the exponential function stress-creep-rate relation. Illustrative examples for computing the stress distributions of the variable-thickness and uniform-temperature disk will be presented on the basis of theoretical analysis. For the purpose of comparison the stress distributions for the constant-thickness and uniform-temperature disk will also be given. It will be found that the stress distributions over certain central portions of the disk are quite different between the variable- and constant-thickness disks.
A self-consistent model for defect states in a-Si and a-Si:H

Concentrations of electrically active defects in a-Si are three orders of magnitude lower than the density of dangling bonds on internal void surfaces as estimated from the density deficiency of a-Si with respect to crystalline, c-Si. This reduced defect concentration is explained by a chemically controlled self-organization, in which formation of divacancies reduces Si-atom bond-bending constraints on the terminal atoms of the divacancy, as well as their immediate neighbours. This broken constraint relaxation process prevents percolation of local rigidity, thereby explaining defect state reductions. It also identifies an optimized bonded-H concentration in a-Si:H that is enabling for device applications such as solar cells and thin film transistors which require doping.
Uterine activity after preterm premature rupture of the membranes.

Preterm premature rupture of the membranes complicates few pregnancies but is a major contributor to overall perinatal morbidity and mortality. Although a reduced incidence of preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes has been reported in women who had antepartum uterine activity monitoring, there are few data regarding uterine activity after preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes. Therefore daily uterine activity monitoring was performed in 101 consecutive women with preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes between 26 and 34 weeks' gestation. The mean gestational ages at rupture and delivery were 31.4 ± 2.3 and 33.7 ± 4.5 weeks, respectively. A significant increase in contraction frequency was identified within 24 hours of onset of preterm labor ( p
Successful treatment of a Stanford type A dissection by percutaneous placement of a covered stent graft in the ascending aorta.

The criterion standard treatment for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection is emergency surgical intervention. Stent-graft placement has emerged as an alternative treatment for various descending aortic pathologic conditions, including complicated type B dissections, aortic rupture, giant penetrating ulcers, aneurysms, and stent-graft coverage of the primary intimal tear. 1,2 A combined surgical and endovascular approach for acute ascending aortic dissection has been reported. 3 We report on percutaneous stent-graft placement in the ascending aorta as a primary and sole treatment for acute Stanford type A dissection.
Men’s Empathic Bias, Empathic Inaccuracy, and Sexual Harassment

This study investigated the relationship between men’s sexual harassment of women and men accuracy and bias when inferring women’s critical or rejecting thoughts and feelings. Eighty married men from the Arlington, Texas, USA community participated. Results indicated that men’s sexual harassment behavior is negatively related to men’s accuracy in determining when women have critical or rejecting thoughts or feelings. Further, men’s sexual harassment behavior is positively related to men’s bias to overattribute criticism and rejection. This pattern of findings suggests that male sexual harassers tend to over-infer women’s criticism and rejection and make these inferences at the wrong times. These findings also support recent speculation that men’s sexual harassment of women is related to aggression rather than seduction.
Analysis of advanced Flight Management Systems (FMS), Flight Management Computer (FMC) field observations trials; Standard Instrument Departures

The differences in performance of various manufacturers' Flight Management Systems (FMSs) and their associated Flight Management Computers (FMCs) have the potential for significant operational impact on the air traffic control system and as such need to be examined on a recurring basis. Performance-based navigation (PBN) is a fundamental principle for aircraft operations that will facilitate the transition to future airspace systems. A critical element of PBN is the FMS's capability to fly a consistently repeatable and predictable flight path trajectory that will meet the expectations of air traffic control. FMS manufacturers build their systems in accordance with [1] and [2] for area navigation systems, Technical Standard Orders and Advisory Circulars. Area Navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) procedures and routes are published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) according to criteria contained in FAA orders. It is anticipated that the resulting performance of the aircraft FMC will meet the procedure design requirements identified in the FAA criteria. Sometimes, due to the nearly independent development of procedure design criteria and aircraft performance standards, the paths of various aircraft on the same procedure do not coincide and therefore do not match the expectations of the procedure designer. These differences may result from any or all of the following: variations in FMC equipment installed on the aircraft; variations and errors in procedure coding in the FMC navigation database; variations in aircraft-to-FMC interface and associated aircraft performance capabilities; and variations in flight crew training and procedures. The hypothesis of this paper is that the FMCs built by avionics manufacturers and installed as the core of the FMC/FMS combinations in various airframe platforms perform differently and we will attempt to quantify those differences. This paper focuses on FMC performance when flying Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs) and their associated waypoints and leg types (path terminators) and combinations as described in [3]. Public instrument procedures flown using RNAV equipment are used as the baseline for measuring the performance variations. Controlled field observations trials were made using twelve FMS test benches and three simulators at seven major FMC manufacturers and two airlines. Analysis of data from the trials confirms differences and the details are presented. The intent of this report is to contribute technical data as a foundation for the acceptance of required navigation performance (RNP) departures.
Cognitive style and counselor credibility: Effects on client endorsement of Rational Emotive Therapy

This study investigated the effects of cognitive style, as assessed by the Thinking/Feeling scale of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and counselor credibility on attitudes toward a Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET) session. Eighty-eight undergraduates, classified as either Thinking or Feeling types, heard an audiotape segment of an RET counseling session with a counselor introduced as either high or low credibility. Given the emphasis placed on cognitive processing in RET, it was predicted that Thinking subjects would have more favorable attitudes toward the counselor and the counseling approach than would Feeling types. It also was hypothesized that this effect would be enhanced when the counselor was introduced as highly credible and minimized with a low credibility introduction. Results supported these predictions.
User-friendly method for rapid brain and CSF volume calculation using transaxial MRI images

A reliable computer method was developed for straightforward, rapid determination of whole brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volumes from a set of contiguous transaxial magnetic resonance images. The semiautomatic algorithm used a threshold-guided edge follower. Subtraction of proton-weighted from T2-weighted images was used to highlight CSF. Phantom studies were used for validity assessment. Interrater and intrarater reliability and correlation with manual measurement were excellent. Percent CSF and brain volumes were determined for small groups of Alzheimer's disease, HIV seropositive, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and schizophrenic patients as well as for young and elderly normal controls.
Complications of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for treatment of cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest: a meta-analysis of 1,866 adult patients.

Background Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used successfully for treatment of cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. The exact complication rate is not well understood, in part because of small study sizes. In the absence of large clinical trials, performance of pooled analysis represents the best method for ascertaining complication rates for ECMO. Methods A systematic PubMed search was conducted on ECMO for treatment of cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest in adult patients only, updated to November 2012. Studies with more than 10 patients published in the year 2000 or later that reported complication rates for ECMO were included. Specific complications analyzed included lower extremity ischemia, fasciotomy or compartment syndrome, amputation, stroke, neurologic complications, acute kidney injury, renal replacement therapy, major or significant bleeding, rethoracotomy for bleeding or tamponade, and significant infection. For studies that included overlapping patients, the largest study was included and the others excluded. Cochran's Q and I-squared were calculated. A more conservative random-effects model was chosen for all analyses. Results Twenty studies were included in the analyses encompassing 1,866 patients. Seventeen studies reported survival to hospital discharge, with a cumulative survival rate of 534 of 1,529, and a range of 20.8% to 65.4%. Analyses encompassed 192 to 1,452 patients depending on the specific complication analyzed. The pooled estimate rates of complications with 95% confidence intervals were as follows: lower extremity ischemia, 16.9% (12.5% to 22.6%); fasciotomy or compartment syndrome, 10.3% (7.3% to 14.5%); lower extremity amputation, 4.7% (2.3% to 9.3%); stroke, 5.9% (4.2% to 8.3%); neurologic complications, 13.3% (9.9% to 17.7%); acute kidney injury, 55.6% (35.5% to 74.0%); renal replacement therapy, 46.0% (36.7% to 55.5%); major or significant bleeding, 40.8% (26.8% to 56.6%); rethoracotomy for bleeding or tamponade in postcardiotomy patients, 41.9% (24.3% to 61.8%); and significant infection, 30.4% (19.5% to 44.0%). Conclusions Although ECMO can improve survival of patients with advanced heart disease, there is significant associated morbidity with performance of this intervention. These findings should be incorporated in the risk–benefit analysis when initiation of ECMO for cardiogenic shock is being considered.
Devaluation, long-term contracts and rational expectations

Abstract This paper considers the effects of devaluation and expected devaluation on output, prices and foreign exchange reserves in a small open economy with overlapping two period wage contracts and rational expectations. A devaluation has an expansionary effect on output provided it is unanticipated by at least some contracts when it occurs. Expected devaluations, however, have no effect on prices until they take place. If a devaluation is expected, but fails to take place, output is reduced. Reserves increase in response to all devaluations; but the expectation of a devaluation causes a loss of reserves prior to its expected date.
Regulation of the spatial order of cortical microtubules in developing guard cells of Allium.

The organization of microtubules (MTs) in the cortex of cells at interphase is an important element in morphogenesis. Mechanisms controlling the initiation of MTs and their spatial ordering, however, are largely unknown. Our recent study concerning the generation of a radial array of MTs in stomatal guard cells inAllium showed that the MTs initiate in a cortical MT-organizing zone adjacent to the ventral wall separating the two young guard cells (Marc, Mineyuki and Palevitz, 1989, Planta179, 516, 530). In an attempt to detect MT-ordering mechanisms separate from the sites of MT initiation, we now employ various drugs to manipulate the geometry and integrity of the ventral wall and thereby also the associated MT-organizing zone. In the presence of cytochalasin D the ventral wall is tilted away from its normal mid-longitudinal anticlinal alignment, while treatments with the herbicide chloroisopropyl-N-phenylcarbamate (CIPC) induce the formation of a branched ventral wall. Nonetheless, in either case the MTs still form a radial array, although this is asymmetric as it is centered in accordance with the misaligned or branched ventral wall. Since the MTs maintain their original course undisturbed as they extend beyond the abnormal ventral wall, there is no evidence for the presence of an inherent MT-ordering mechanism at locations remote from MT-initiation sites. Following treatments with caffeine, which abolishes the formation of the ventral wall, the MTs revert to a transversely oriented cylindrical array as in normal epidermal cells. Thus the presence of the ventral wall, and presumably also the associated MT-organizing zone, is essential for the establishment of the radial array. The MT-organizing zone is therefore involved not only in the initiation of MTs, but also in determining their spatial order throughout the cell cortex.
Relationships among Anxiety, Defensiveness, Sex, Task Difficulty, and Performance on Various Neuropsychological Tasks:

The relationships between sex, personality differences, task difficulty, and the performance on neuropsychological tests were investigated. On the basis of trait anxiety and defensiveness, 120 college students were divided into three groups by coping style: high anxious, true low anxious, and repressor groups. As predicted, women obtained significantly higher scores than men on Digit Symbol and word fluency tests, while the opposite sex difference was found for Block Design and Finger Tapping tests. Performance did not vary with trait anxiety. However, on Block Design and one-word fluency test, rated by subjects as the most difficult tests, high state anxiety was associated with significantly poorer performance.
Teaching Pilgrims to Walk

The creation and implementation of a Christian theological seminary course, “The Education of Christian Pilgrims,” in which the purpose was to prepare students to teach members of a church to be and become a consciously “pilgrim Church.” This article describes the genesis of the course, creating a syllabus, the actual pilgrimage undertaken by students and professor, and suggested modifications.
Distinct Mechanisms Contribute to Stringent Substrate Specificity of Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) has evolved to optimize cleavage of plasminogen (Plg) while minimizing cleavage of other potential protein and peptide substrates. We find that the S2 and S2′ subsites of t-PA are important determinants of specificity, and occupancy of the S3 subsite is essential for catalysis. t-PA efficiently hydrolyzes a protein substrate which incorporates an optimized substrate sequence, revealing the ability of the protease to participate in the highly selective cleavage of protein fusions. Surprisingly, t-PA cleaves this engineered protein substrate with a Km that is reduced 950-fold relative to the Km for hydrolysis of the same target sequence within a peptide. This reduction of Km suggests that binding is facilitated by interactions between protein substrate and protease that are distant from the P4-P2′ residues. We use this kinetic data to derive a model in which several distinct mechanisms contribute to the remarkable specificity of t-PA.
Kinematically Designed Flexible Skins for Morphing Aircraft

This investigation targeted the development of flexible materials that when combined with mechanized structures can enable large rigid body deformations of aircraft structures while maintaining its aerodynamic shape. The solution presented in this work focuses on determining the distribution of material properties to design such a skin using topology optimization techniques. The matrix material selected in this research is a representative Shape Memory Polymer (SMP), which is embedded with a reinforcing fiber. The fiber plays a dual role in that in addition to serving as a reinforcing element it also provides the means to activate the material response (e.g., changing cross link density) via resistive heating. In depth heat transfer analysis and experiments were conducted to understand power requirements and minimum spacing of the fibers to activate the desired material response.
A random signal model for cDNA microarrays

The images resulting from cDNA microarrays are highly random. There are many aspects to this randomness, including spot size, shape, intensity, uniformity, and circularity, as well as both foreground and background noise. This paper presents a random model for the generation of microarray images. The model is complicated and contains over 20 parameters. It can be used to test microarray imaging algorithms and to simulate the effects of various dependencies within the image formation process.
Epidermal growth factor stimulates prostaglandin production and bone resorption in cultured mouse calvaria.

Abstract Murine epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulated the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and bone resorption in neonatal mouse calvaria in organ culture. The effect of EGF on bone resorption occurred at low concentrations of the polypeptide (half-max stimulation = 0.4 ng/ml, 6.6 × 10−11 M). All concentrations of EGF which stimulated resorption also stimulated the production of PGE2 by bone; concentrations of EGF which did not stimulate resorption did not enhance PGE2 production. EGF-induced formation of PGE2 and bone resorption were inhibited completely by indomethacin (200 ng/ml) and hydrocortisone (3 × 10−6 M). Indomethacin did not inhibit the bone resorption-stimulating activity of exogenous PGE2. The time courses of action of EGF, parathyroid hormone and exogenous PGE2 on bone resorption were similar. Brief exposure (15 or 60 min) to EGF (10 ng/ml) did not cause bone resorption or an increase in PGE2 accumulation in a subsequent 48-h incubation in the absence of EGF. High concentrations (30 to 100 ng/ml) of bovine fibroblast growth factor (FGF) also stimulated the production of PGE2 and bone resorption. We conclude that concentrations of EGF equal to or less than those present in mouse plasma stimulate the resorption of mouse bone in organ culture by a mechanism that involves the enhanced local production of PGE2.