cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surface roughness evolution during early stages of mechanical cyclic loading

Abstract The effect of crystal size and initial dislocation density on surface roughness evolution in FCC single crystals during the early number of cycles of mechanical cyclic loading is investigated using three dimensional discrete dislocation dynamics simulations. Crystals having size less than 2 μm show early development of surface slip localization, while larger ones show a more uniform distribution of surface steps. The surface roughness is found to increase with increasing number of loading cycles with larger crystals showing a high roughening rate compared to smaller crystals. Double cross-slip is observed to be the main mechanism that derives the development, growth and thickening of surface slip bands. The maximum surface height, which is an indicator of the surface stress concentration is observed to increase linearly with the number of loading cycles and quadratically with the crystal size for the simulated number of cycles. Finally, the results are shown to be in agreement with experimental results and provide further physics based understanding on the mechanisms controlling the evolution of the surface roughness.
Improvement of NIR Diffuse Optical Tomography in Patients with a Small Amount of Breast Tissue by Using Exogenous Contrast Agents

In this paper, we have introduced a new method based on absorption contrast agents to reduce the effect of chest-wall on NIR diffuse light measurements in patients with a small amount of breast tissue.
PULMONARY ARTERY PRESSURE MANAGEMENT IN HEART FAILURE PATIENTS WITH REDUCED EJECTION FRACTION SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES HEART FAILURE HOSPITALIZATIONS AND MORTALITY ABOVE AND BEYOND BACKGROUND GUIDELINE-DIRECTED MEDICAL THERAPY

Evidence-based, guideline-directed medical therapies (GDMT) for patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) are proven to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality. However, many HFrEF patients still remain at high risk for HF hospitalization and
Couple Assessment:: Identifying and Intervening in Domestic Violence in Lesbian Relationships

This paper examines the three paradigms that intersect when working with lesbian couples affected by domestic violence. The intersection of these three paradigms-family systems theory, lesbian and ...
Obtaining a Pain History

Taking a pain health history consists of the following sections: Source, chief complaint, history of present illness, past medical history, past surgical history, functional evaluation, social history, allergies, medications, and review of systems. The aforementioned healthy history is confirmed by contacting family members or caregiver, primary care physician or previous opiate-prescribing provider, and pharmacies. Examples of pain scales include the Visual Analog Scale, Numerical Rating Scale, Verbal Descriptor Scale, and the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. Multidimensional pain scales, neuropathic pain scales, and risk assessments for aberrant behaviors, misuse, dependence, abuse, and addiction are also listed.
LL SimpleWireless: A Controlled MAC/PHY Wireless Model to Enable Network Protocol Research

Wireless network protocol research typically requires evaluating performance over a set of controlled wireless link conditions. Although ns-3 provides wireless models like WiFi and WiMax, they have dozens of parameters that affect performance and it is difficult to control link rate, latency, error, and other attributes. To mitigate this issue, we extended a basic, range-based ns-3 model called SimpleWireless. Features that were added to this model include transmission delay, configurable queues that enforce a data rate, support for differentiation of control and data traffic, support for several configurable error models, support for directional networking, support for fixed contention and finally, support for PCAP packet capture. The goal of these additional features is to provide network protocol researchers with a basic yet feature rich wireless model that enables evaluating their protocol in a controlled wireless environment. In this paper, we describe the base SimpleWireless model and each feature that has been developed to enhance that model and create the so called "LL SimpleWireless" model. Additionally, we provide information on performance evaluation of the LL SimpleWireless model to verify functionality of the added features.
THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the development of primate love throughout its entire sequential course—from the mother–infant stage of pious, proper propinquity throughout the adult stage of seasoned, salacious, seductive success. For over a decade, the mechanisms by which monkeys reach normal social and sexual development have been studied. These mechanisms are the maturation and integration of the various affectional systems: mother love, infant love, age-mate or peer love, heterosexual love, and paternal love. As all kinds of love involve social relationships, their normal development can be achieved only by the action and interaction of complex channels of communication. Although auditory and visual communication channels play an important role in the formation and an enormous role in the maintenance of the affectional responses that bind the infant monkey to the mother, the basic early information is transmitted by way of cutaneous and proprioceptive channels. The chapter also discusses the language of basic trust, play, and lust.
Rehabilitation After a Hip Fracture: Special Needs of the Elderly

The increased number of hip fractures in the elderly occurring in the United States, especially in those classified as the oldest (those age 85 and older), are expanding at epidemic proportions. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to the rise in the number of falls and hip fractures. The interdisciplinary team must collaborate with acute health care professionals to best manage medical and surgical aspects of care along with functional and psychosocial issues. This article gives detailed nursing interventions and explains the role of the rehabilitation team in treatment and patient recovery.
Ask patients “What matters to you?” rather than “What’s the matter?”

This can help reframe interactions in a more patient centered way Maureen Bisognano, one of the keynote speakers at this year’s International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare in Gothenburg, Sweden, told delegates that we should ask our patients, “What matters to you?” rather than, “What is the matter?” The question “What matters to you?” tries to get to the essence of patient centered care, which the Institute of Medicine has listed as one of the priorities for quality improvement. As physicians, our success in treating illness depends mostly on our ability to diagnose what the matter is with the patient. Pattern recognition, attention to verbal and visual cues from the patient, deductive reasoning, and good clinical judgment are time revered skills that good physicians spend years perfecting. The emphasis on diagnostic skill sets alone, however, has led …
Changes in Nuclear DNA Content of Endosperm Cells During Grain Development in Rice (Oryza sativa)

Ce travail a pour but de rapporter les changements quantitatifs dans le pool du DNA nucleaire des cellules de l'endosperme associes a des changements cytologiques pendant le processus complet de developpement du caryopse de riz
How fiction consumes serialized fiction: Radionovelas, telenovelas and contemporary Latin American narrative

This article looks at the curious reciprocal relationship between soap operas and Latin American literature. The success of Latin American telenovelas, nationally and abroad, leads fiction writers to see them as a competitor narrative genre. For critical theory, this genre also defies theoretical paradigms. Thus, the text starts by summarizing universal and particular critical theories about melodrama, from which soap writing is considered a derivative. Secondly, the article shows examples of the reading of telenovela by contemporary fiction writers of Latin America, stressing that they found a way to transform their competitor into an experimental tool.
Thiamine Deficiency While on Total Parenteral Nutrition Mimicking Acute Stroke: A Case Report (P3.217)

OBJECTIVE: To describe an unusual case of thiamine deficiency presenting as acute Wernicke’s syndrome, for which a stroke alert was activated. BACKGROUND: This report demonstrates the importance of evaluating for Wernicke’s syndrome in the acute onset of brainstem symptoms, particularly as symptoms may be reversible following administration of thiamine. DESIGN/METHODS: A case report RESULTS: A 14 year-old male with acute lymphocytic leukemia without known central nervous system involvement, bone marrow transplant, intracranial hemorrhage, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, seizure, endocarditis status post prosthetic mitral valve on anticoagulation, and failure to thrive was admitted for treatment of respiratory syncytial virus. A stroke alert was activated for the acute onset of nystagmus. On interview, he described worsening vertigo over a few days and a new headache. His exam revealed vertical nystagmus and truncal ataxia. There was concern for hemorrhagic or ischemic etiology. MRI brain showed new symmetric T2 hyperintensities and diffusion restriction in the medial thalami and mammillary bodies, with mild contrast enhancement and swelling of the latter. On review, he had been on total parenteral nutrition for three months without vitamin supplementation due to fluctuating INR. Thiamine level was found to be 38 nmol/L (70-180 nmol/L). Subsequent to repletion of thiamine, his nystagmus, vertigo and headache became intermittent. The following month, he reported poor short-term memory and impaired gait for which he utilized a walker. Vertical nystagmus, dysmetria and ataxic gait were noted. MRI brain showed interval resolution of diffusion restriction and enhancement within the medial thalami and mammillary bodies. However, atrophy and laminar necrosis of the mammillary bodies were observed. He was continued on thiamine supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Thiamine deficiency mimicking stroke while on total parenteral nutrition has been rarely documented. Recognition of this syndrome is critical as prompt treatment may reverse symptoms. Disclosure: Dr. Parker has nothing to disclose. Dr. Marafie has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wolf has nothing to disclose.
Asymptotic analysis of quadratic error of consensus in large-scale random directed networks

We analyze the asymptotic variance of distributed consensus algorithms over large-scale switching random networks. Our analysis is focused on consensus algorithms over large, i.i.d., and directed Erdős-Renyi random graphs. We assume that every agent can communicate with any other agent with some fixed probability c/n, where c is the expected number of neighbors of each agent and n is the size of the network. We compute the variance of the random consensus value and show that it converges to zero at rate 1/n as the number of agents grows. We provide numerical simulations that illustrate our results.
Explicating the Appraisal Dimension of the Communal Coping Model.

ABSTRACTThe communal coping model argues that people cope with stress in the context of their relationships and that coping responses are both cognitive and behavioral in nature. However, the cognitive dimension of the model (appraisal) has not been explicated in extant research. The purpose of this study is to fill that gap by conceptualizing the appraisal dimension of communal coping in the context of families managing one member’s type 2 diabetes. Analysis of interviews with individuals with type 2 diabetes and their family members (N = 28) revealed that appraisal consists of problem ownership and perceived problem influence and that appraisals are influenced by knowledge of the disease and changing health status. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Court pedagogies and the construction of passive ordinary citizens in the French banlieue

This article contributes to conceptualizations of the pedagogical state by analyzing judicial spaces, beyond the courtroom, as key sites of citizenship formation. I explore pedagogical sessions org...
Heterogeneity of angiotensin type 2 (AT2) receptors.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is one of the most important hormones involved in the regulation of body fluid and cardiovascular homeostasis (1). The rate limiting step in the synthesis of Ang II is the release of the enzyme renin from the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney into the blood. Several physiological and pathophysiological conditions induce renin release from the secretory granules of the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney (c.f. (2)). Once released into circulation, renin exhibits high specificity for the plasma α-globulin angiotensinogen. Angiotensinogen is continuously synthesized and released from the liver into circulation. While several hormones, including Ang II itself, may regulate the synthesis of angiotensinogen, the concentration of angiotensinogen itself is not rate-limiting in the synthesis of Ang II. Renin cleaves the 10 N-terminal amino acids from angiotensinogen to produce the biologically inactive precursor, Ang I. Subsequently, the decapeptide Ang I serves as a substrate for the dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), an indiscriminate enzyme which cleaves dipeptides from substrates with dissimilar sequences. The potent vasodilator bradykinin also serves as a substrate for ACE. One of the determinants of ACE substrate selectivity is that the penultimate amino acid must be a proline, which explains why ACE does not inactivate Ang II. Once produced, Ang II is known to exert its diverse effects by acting at membrane bound receptors present on several peripheral target tissues, such as kidney, adrenal cortex, heart and vascular smooth muscle (1). In addition to its many peripheral effects, all of the components of the RAS have also been localized in the central nervous system (3). Moreover, it is now recognized that many of the physiological, endocrinological and behavioral actions of Ang II are mediated by specific receptors present in the brain (4).
On countability, enumeration, and how to think like a computer scientist

One of the primary aims of a college education is to foster students' ability to think critically and analytically. [1] Many computer science students struggle to understand fundamental principles and techniques such as recursion, inferring qualitative patterns from data, and mathematical induction over countably infinite sets. In this paper we illustrate all of the above while developing pedagogically rich solutions to a common example used in typical CS curricula: enumerating the rational numbers. We go deeper than typical curricula to help students to think like computer scientists do.
Construction and validation of content of one instrument to assess falls in the elderly.

ABSTRACT Objective To develop and validate the content of the online Questionnaire for Fall Risk Assessment in the Elderly. Methods The instrument was developed based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) of the World Health Organization. Initially, the set of items was submitted to evaluation of judges (healthcare professionals with experience in elderly health), who could suggest inclusion or exclusion of questions from the instrument; they were also asked to rate each question according to the [...]
Application of Local Intrinsic Dimension for Acoustical Analysis of Voice Signal Components.

Purpose:The overall aim of this study was to apply local intrinsic dimension (Di) estimation to quantify high-dimensional, disordered voice and discriminate between the 4 types of voice signals. It...
Legal Access to Geographic Information: Measuring Losses or Developing Responses?

A major proposition prevalent in the geographic information research community is that better models, tools and techniques are needed to measure and represent changes in access as more and more of the interactions and transactions of our daily lives occur electronically. Measures or representations from these tools and techniques will purportedly help us identify the winners and losers in society as we move to electronic social interaction environments. However, the losers quite often are obvious and a focus on measuring losses in such situations seems misplaced when energies might be better spent on lessening or reversing such losses. Further, measurement tools are often used by those in power positions in attempts to refute that losses are actually occurring. This is because many of the benefits of access and costs of lack of access (such as missed opportunities) are very difficult to measure or otherwise quantify in a convincing manner. In addition, by focusing on the scientific reliability of tools and measurements, those in power positions often are able to divert attention and energy away from the goals of opponents that otherwise would undermine their control over access.
Geochemical Evolution and Basement Tectonism of the Arabian-Nubian Dome

Geological and geochemical investigations including major, trace and rare-earth elements have been carried out on selected areas from the Arabian Shield. The results are compared with those from similar terrains elsewhere. This study includes accounts of age determinations, types of tectonism and zones of metamorphism.
Virtually-guided certification with uncertainty quantification applied to die casting

Die casting is a type of metal casting in which liquid metal is solidified in a reusable die. In such a complex process, measuring and controlling the process parameters is difficult. Conventional deterministic simulations are insufficient to completely estimate the effect of stochastic variation in the process parameters on product quality. In this research, a framework to simulate the effect of stochastic variation together with verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification is proposed. This framework includes high-speed numerical simulations of solidification, micro-structure and mechanical properties prediction models along with experimental inputs for calibration and validation. Both experimental data and stochastic variation in process parameters with numerical modeling are employed thus enhancing the utility of traditional numerical simulations used in die casting to have a better prediction of product quality. Although the framework is being developed and applied to die casting, it can be generalized to any manufacturing process or other engineering problems as well.Copyright © 2018 by ASME
Non-foaming, adsorptive bubble process for wastewater treatment

Solvent sublation, the separation process for the removal of two hydrophobic compounds (penta- and trichlorophenols) from the aqueous phase, is discussed, as is a steady-state mathematical model for the process. Solvent sublation was conducted in a continuous counter current mode. The underlying mechanisms, theory and experimental details on the effects of process variables on removal efficiency are reported.
Epistemic Ignorance and the Indonesian Killings of 1965–1966: Righting the Wrongs of the Past and the Role of Faith Community

This study demonstrates how ignorance works in the Indonesian massacres of 1965–1966. This atrocity, which claimed roughly five hundred thousand lives, is one of the most forgotten human tragedies ...
Automated multi-dimensional elasticity for streaming runtimes: poster

We present the multi-dimensional elasticity support in IBM Streams 4.3. Automatic operator fusion and dynamic threading were introduced in IBM Streams 4.2, which made it easier to map distributed stream processing to multicore systems through a low-cost operator scheduler and thread count elasticity. To enable these features, the same threading model was applied to the entire application. However, in practice, we have found that some applications have regions best executed under different threading models. In this poster, we introduce threading model elasticity and design a coherent ecosystem for both threading model elasticity and thread count elasticity. We propose an online, stable multidimensional elastic control algorithm that adapts different regions of a streaming application to different threading models and number of threads.
Construction waste generation estimates of institutional building projects: Leveraging waste hauling tickets.

Abstract The large proportions of waste generated from the construction industry have led to adverse environmental and socio-economic impacts, and as such, there is a need to promote construction waste management (CWM) practices. However, there is limited information regarding construction waste (CW) generated from nonresidential buildings available to support such CWM practices. This study seeks to quantify CW generated from a nonresidential institutional building project using CW data collected from 535 waste hauling tickets. These tickets provide a waste generation summary itemized by various CW streams. The CW data was collected through coordination with the project waste management team. Findings reveal that concrete/masonry is the highest waste stream during the Foundation (46% of CW) and Structural Concrete (88% of CW) stages. During the Masonry Work and Finishing Stage, wood is found to be the primary contributor (54% of CW), followed by concrete/masonry (35.3% of CW). The estimated CW generation rate was approximately 69 kg/m2, with the concrete/masonry and wood waste streams having the highest generation rates of 33.61 kg/m2 and 28.21 kg/m2, respectively, comprising 90% of the total CW across the project. Due to the temporal characteristics of different waste streams, varying CW dumpsters available onsite is recommended based on the construction stage, to mitigate space shortage impacts. Furthermore, this study quantifies the benefits of recycling CW as environmental savings of trees, water, energy and greenhouse gas emissions. Findings of this study would help refine the accuracy of the reported estimates of CW generation for nonresidential construction projects. By shedding light on the corresponding handling practices of the generated waste and project management processes applied on institutional projects, the study can also serve as a guide to better plan for and coordinate the management of CW of these projects. Results may be used to promote and encourage the adoption of CWM practices at the site level to improve the sustainability performance of the construction industry.
Production of neutrons with protons of 22, 30, and 40 MeV in stopping targets of carbon, aluminum, copper, silver, tantalum, and lead

Stopping targets of C, Al, Cu, Ag, Ta, and Pb were bombarded by protons of 22, 30, and 40 MeV, and the resulting neutron energy spectra were measured down to 0.5 MeV at 30-deg intervals from 0 to 150 deg.
Schiff-base porphyrin and expanded porphyrin analogs

In recent years, the field of porphyrin chemistry has expanded to include several new analogs of the original four pyrrole, carbon-bridged systems. This review traces the development of one such class of new macrocycles, namely Schiff-base porphyrin analogs. The review's focus is on the synthesis and properties of these new Schiff-base macrocycles that for ease of division have been divided into four classes: systems with two pyrrole rings, systems with three pyrrole or heterocyclic rings, systems with four pyrrole or heterocyclic rings, and systems with five or more pyrrole or heterocyclic rings. In addition to the role of metal ions as templating agents in the synthesis of these complexes, the rich coordination chemistry of several of the macrocycles is also discussed. X-ray crystallography has played an important role in determining the structures of many of these Schiff-base porphyrin analogs and many of the available structures have been incorporated into this review. Aromaticity of the macrocycles is discussed and has been evaluated from available electronic and NMR spectra. Finally, several potential applications of these molecules are discussed, briefly.
Examining the presence and sources of incivility within nursing

Aims Examine the presence and various sources of incivility among nursing staff working within an academic medical centre utilizing the Nurse Incivility Scale (NIS). Background Evidence suggests various forms of negative behaviour including incivility exist among nurses. Established consequences of these behaviours include increased employee turnover rates, decreased job satisfaction, decreased productivity and increased absenteeism. Methods A descriptive survey design was used which included the NIS instrument to measure the presence of incivility within the nursing workforce and specific sources of these behaviours among 414 nurses in an academic medical centre. Results Hospital nurses working within the intensive and intermediate care unit experienced significantly greater incivility from patients and families than other participants within the study [F (3, 413) 8.62, p = .001]. No other significant differences existed in sources of incivility between various levels of direct care. Conclusions Nursing staff working within high-risk areas for incivility such as the intensive care and intermediate care units may require additional interventions to reduce perceptions of incivility from patients/families. Implications for nursing management Findings suggest further research is necessary to develop targeted interventions for nurses practicing within intensive care and intermediate units to alleviate the perceived burden of incivility from patients/families.
Some Image Approximations

This chapter presents the approximations for simple calculation of CTEM and STEM (BF, ADF, and confocal) images starting with some linear image models. A linear image is the convolution of an object function and the point spread function (multiplication in Fourier transform space). This can provide a simple intuitive approach to interpreting the electron micrographs although it might not be particularly accurate. Some image models naturally lead into nonlinear effects, which are less intuitive but unavoidable.
Exploring the Benefit of an Integrated Ophthalmology Internship (PGY-1)—Perceived Preparedness and the Recommended Duration of Training

Objective The effective utilization of intern training for ophthalmology residency is undermined by its variability across postgraduate programs. As residency programs shift toward integrating the first postgraduate year (PGY-1) into the ophthalmology-training curriculum, there are no definitive guidelines to build upon. Methods This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of new second postgraduate year (PGY-2) ophthalmology residents. Residents were surveyed in their first 2 months of ophthalmology training. Residents were asked to self-assess preparedness for ophthalmology based on their PGY-1 curriculum. A survey was composed and modified from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's assessment of resident training. The Wilcoxon's rank-sum test was used to evaluate survey differences between the transitional year (TY) versus preliminary internal medicine (IM) year and compare survey responses between residents who were below versus above optimal cut points for weeks of ophthalmic training. Results There were 72 PGY-2 residents who responded to blinded surveys collected from July to August of 2017 and 2018. Thirty-nine (54%) residents graduated from a TY, 28 (39%) from preliminary IM, 3 (4%) from preliminary surgery, and 2 (3%) from a categorical ophthalmology year. Both categorical ophthalmology and surgery year were excluded from training year comparison due to low sample size. Using weeks of ophthalmology training as the control variable, there were significant increases in preparedness for addressing the ophthalmic complaint (p = 0.003) with at least 8 weeks of clinical ophthalmology, ability to perform ophthalmic exam (p = 0.018) with at least 12 weeks, ophthalmology medical knowledge (p = 0.005) with at least 10 weeks, and proficiency with hospital electronic health record (p = 0.003) with at least 12 weeks. Conclusion While our study did not find significant differences in perceived preparedness for ophthalmology residency based on the type of PGY-1 programs completed, there were statistically significant associations for specific ophthalmology tasks. These findings suggested a potential merit of integrating 12 weeks of clinical ophthalmology training as a benchmark for resident preparedness.
Maternal Depression Trajectories Relate to Youths' Psychosocial and Cognitive Functioning at Adolescence and Young Adulthood.

This study evaluated how patterns of mothers’ depressive symptoms across their child’s childhood relate to children’s psychosocial adjustment at adolescence and young adulthood and to cognitive functioning at adolescence. Depressive symptoms were measured in 1273 mothers when their children were 1, 5, 10, and 14.6 years of age. Children (53.5% male; n = 1024) completed the Youth Self-Report at adolescence (M = 14.6 y), and the Adult Self-Report in young adulthood (M = 20.5 y; n = 817) to assess internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Adolescents also completed standardized cognitive tests to assess verbal and mathematical skills. Growth mixture modeling analyses identified four patterns of maternal depressive symptom trajectories: infrequent (55%), increasing at adolescence (20%), decreasing at adolescence (14%), and chronic severe (11%). Results indicated that exposure to maternal depression of any duration, severity or time period during childhood portended higher levels of externalizing and attention problems at both adolescence and adulthood and higher levels of internalizing problems at adulthood. Adolescents whose mothers had chronic severe depressive symptoms had lower language, vocabulary, reading comprehension and mathematical test scores than youth whose mothers had stable infrequent depressive symptoms. Findings illustrate the significance and long-term ramifications of mothers’ depressed mood for their children’s mental and psychosocial health into adulthood. Findings also demonstrate that the lower cognitive abilities among children of severely depressed mothers persist beyond childhood and pertain to a broad range of cognitive abilities.
Microwave Nondestructive Evaluation and Characterization of Tank Inner-Liners

Tanks containing caustic and hazardous materials are found in many industries. For example, the petro-chemical industry uses tanks for containment of a variety of potentially hazardous liquids, in both mobile (railroad and truck transport) and fixed site installations. Most tanks contain an inner-liner that is intended to protect the exterior structural vessel containing the liquid. If this inner-liner is damaged the caustic/corrosive liquid may attack the exterior tank which can then result in leaks and serious damage. Inner-liners in railroad tank cars intended to transport caustic liquids are typically inspected using a high-voltage „spark“ test to check their condition. This method suffers from a number of serious limitations. We have performed a series of experiments using a new approach employing near-field microwave NDE techniques to measure and determine the integrity of tank innerliners. It will be shown that this advanced technique can effectively detect and characterize a variety of inner-liner defects including damage such as cuts or breaks, dis bonds between the inner-liner and exterior tank, and incursion of liquid between the liner and tank. The method can also be used to determine the efficacy of required repairs. It is important to note that this approach can be used for all types of tank liners as long as they are non-conductive, such as rubber, polymer, plastic, paint, etc.
Preoperative Use of Higher-Strength Opioids has a Dose-Dependent Association with Reoperations after Lumbar Decompression and Interbody Fusion Surgery.

STUDY DESIGN A retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to identify an association between preoperative opioid use and reoperations rates. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Chronic opioid use is a public health crisis in the United States and has been linked to worse outcomes after lumbar spine surgery. However, no studies have identified an association between preoperative opioid use and reoperations rates. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted using patients from one private insurance database who underwent primary lumbar decompression/discectomy (LDD) or posterior/transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF/TLIF). Preoperative use of five specific opioid medications (tramadol, hydromorphone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, and extended-release oxycodone) was categorized as acute (within 3 months), subacute (acute use and use between 3 and 6 months), or chronic (subacute use and use before 6 months). Multivariate regression, controlling for multilevel surgery, age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index, was used to determine the association of each medication on reoperations within 5 years. RESULTS A total of 11,551 patients undergoing LDD and 3291 patients undergoing PLIF/TLIF without previous lumbar spine surgery were identified. In the LDD group, opioid-naive patients had a 5-year reoperation rate of 2.8%, compared with 25.0% and 8.0 with chronic preoperative use of hydromorphone and oxycodone, respectively. In multivariate analysis, any preoperative use of oxycodone was associated with increased reoperations (odds ratios [OR] = 1.4, 2.0, and 2.3, for acute, subacute, and chronic use; P < 0.01). Chronic use of hydromorphone was also associated with increased reoperations (OR = 7.5, P < 0.01).In the PLIF/TLIF group, opioid-naive patients had a 5-year reoperation rate of 11.3%, compared with 66.7% and 16.8% with chronic preoperative use of hydromorphone and oxycodone, respectively. In multivariate analysis, any preoperative use of hydromorphone was associated with increased reoperations (OR = 2.9, 4.0, and 14.0, for acute, subacute, and chronic use; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Preoperative use of the higher-potency opioid medications is associated with increased reoperations after LDD and PLIF/TLIF in a dose-dependent manner. Surgeons should use this data for preoperative opioid cessation counseling and individualized risk stratification.Level of Evidence: 3.
Relocating the C5 nerve stump in C5 nerve grafting to prevent iatrogenic phrenic nerve injury

Exploration and grafting of the brachial plexus remains the gold standard for post-ganglionic brachial plexus injuries that present within an acceptable time frame from injury. The most common nerves available for grafting include C5 and C6. During the surgical exposure of C5 and C6, the phrenic nerve is anatomically anterior to the cervical spinal nerves, making it vulnerable to injury while performing the dissection and nerve stump to graft coaptation. We describe a novel technique that protects the phrenic nerve from injury during supraclavicular brachial plexus exposure and grafting of C5 or upper trunk ruptures or neuromas in-continuity. A 4-step technique is illustrated: (1) The normal anatomic relationships of the phrenic nerve anterior to C5 is displayed in the face of the traumatic scarring. (2) The C5 spinal nerve stump is then transposed from its anatomic position posterior to the phrenic nerve to an anterior position. (3) The C5 stump is then moved medially for retrograde neurolysis of C5 from its phrenic nerve contribution. The graft coaptation to C5 is performed in this medial position, which minimizes retraction of the phrenic nerve. (4) The normal anatomic relationship of the phrenic nerve and the C5 nerve graft is restored. We have been routinely relocating the C5 spinal nerve stump around the phrenic nerve for the past 10 years. We have experienced no adverse respiratory events. This technique facilitates surgical exposure and prevents iatrogenic injury on the phrenic nerve during nerve reconstruction.
Temperature dependence of photoreflectance line shapes in GaAsAlGaAs multiple quantum wells

Abstract The temperature dependence of the photoreflectance (PR) line shape of the excitonic transitions in GaAs AlGaAs multiple quantum wells has been studied. At low temperatures, near 6K, we find that the PR lines can be described by a dielectric function of a Lorentzian oscillator. At higher temperatures, we have observed the evolution of the dielectric function from one with a Lorentzian absorption profile to one with a Gaussian absorption profile. The dielectric function of excitonic absorptions is expected to exhibit this behavior in cases of weak exciton-phonon coupling.
Menu Costs and Nonlinear Reversion to Purchasing Power Parity Among Developed Countries

This paper examines the implications of menu cost models for the rate of reversion to purchasing power parity. Recent menu cost models (Ball and Mankiw, 1994) imply that higher inflation is correlated with more rapid price adjustment. This means that reversion to PPP may be more rapid, the greater the rate of inflation. In order to test this proposition, PPI-deflated real exchange rates are examined to see if the rate of reversion to PPP is a function of inflation. Another implication, due to both Delgado (1991) and Greenwald and Stiglitz (1989), is that higher exchange rate volatility is associated with slower rates of reversion. I find that both of these propositions hold in panel data, although the second proposition is less robust.
Natural inflation on a steep potential with classical non-Abelian gauge fields.

We propose a model for inflation consisting of an axionic scalar field coupled to a set of three non-Abelian gauge fields. Our model's novel requirement is that the gauge fields begin inflation with a rotationally invariant vacuum expectation value (VEV) that is preserved through identification of SU(2) gauge invariance with rotations in three dimensions. The gauge VEV interacts with the background value of the axion, leading to an attractor solution that exhibits slow roll inflation even when the axion decay constant has a natural value ($l{M}_{\mathrm{Pl}}$). Assuming a sinusoidal potential for the axion, we find that inflation continues until the axionic potential vanishes. The speed at which the axion moves along its potential is modulated by its interactions with the gauge VEV, rather than being determined by the slope of its bare potential. For sub-Planckian axion decay constants vanishingly small tensor to scalar ratios are predicted, a direct consequence of the Lyth bound. The parameter that controls the interaction strength between the axion and the gauge fields requires a technically natural tuning of $\mathcal{O}(100)$.
Identification and characterization of the herpesvirus saimiri oncoprotein STP-C488.

Abstract The protein encoded by herpesvirus saimiri transforming gene STP-C488 was identified and characterized. Antibodies were produced in rabbits by immunization with keyhole limpet hemocyanin-conjugated synthetic peptides specific for the predicted sequence of STP-C488. STP-C488-encoded protein was detected in recombinant Escherichia coli, transformed Rat-1 cells, transfected COS-1 cells, and in common marmoset T lymphocytes immortalized by herpesvirus saimiri strain 488. STP-C488 protein was sensitive to treatment by bacterial collagenase, consistent with the 18 uninterrupted collagenlike repeats predicted by the DNA sequence. The apparent molecular size of STP-C488 in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gels (20 to 22 kDa) was considerably larger than that predicted from the DNA sequence (9.9 kDa). Using indirect immunofluorescence tests and subcellular fractionation, STP-C488 was found to be membrane bound, primarily in perinuclear compartments. The 18 uninterrupted collagenlike repeats, sensitivity to collagenase, location in the cell, and anomalous migration through SDS-polyacrylamide gels suggest an unusual, membrane-associated, fibrous structure for this transforming herpesvirus oncoprotein.
Critical limits for emergency clinician notification at United States children's hospitals.

Critical results demand rapid patient evaluation, possibly followed by life-saving intervention. A national survey of children's hospitals determined the critical limits used for emergency notification of critical laboratory results. Mean low and high critical limits for children for the tests listed most frequently were as follows (millimoles per liter): glucose, 2.6 and 24.7; potassium, 2.8 and 6.4; calcium, 1.62 and 3.17; and sodium 121 and 156. For newborns, significantly different (P less than .01) critical limits were glucose, 1.8 and 18.2; and potassium, 7.8. Hematology mean critical limits for children included hemoglobin, 69 and 208 g/L; platelets, 53 and 916 x 10(9)/L; hematocrit, 0.20 and 0.62 L/L; and white blood cell counts, 2.1 and 42.9 x 10(9)/L. Critical limits for pH were 7.21 and 7.59; for PCO2, 21 and 66 mm Hg; and for PO2, 45 and 124 mm Hg. Important qualitative critical results included blasts on the blood smear and abnormal cerebrospinal fluid findings. In comparison with other medical centers, children's hospitals maintained tighter critical limits for surveillance of renal function, hemostasis dysfunction, and newborn hypokalemia. Use of these results to eliminate outliers can help reduce unnecessary statim notification and improve resource utilization for the acute diagnosis and treatment of critically ill newborns and children.
Carcinostatic activity of methylglyoxal and related substances in tumour-bearing mice.

Methylglyoxal treatment of tumour cells in vitro primarily depresses protein synthesis, in contrast to trans-4-hydroxypent-2-enal (HPE) which preferentially inhibits DNA synthesis. Methylglyoxal and hpe are potent carcinostatic agents in vitro but relatively ineffective in vivo. Both aldehydes have a short half-life in vivo which may explain their poor carcinostatic properties when administered other than peritumorally. Several possibilities of increasing the effective half-life were investigated including (i) multiple intraperitoneal injections, (ii) concomitant administration of an inhibitor of glyoxalase I, (iii) administration of aldehyde-cysteine adducts, and (iv continuous intravenous infusion. Methylglyoxal (36 mg/kg i.p., twice daily) was slightly less effective in inhibiting the growth of the solid form of Ehrlich carcinoma than a dose of 72 mg/kg (inj. 1); 36 mg/kg (inj. 2) 46.2% compared to 51%. The aldehyde was more effective aginst the ascitic form of the tumour, with 99.76% inhibition of growth after giving 72 mg/kg twice daily for five days followed by 36 mg/kg for five days. The glyoxalase I inhibitor S-(p-bromobenzyl)-glutathione didnot significantly enhance the activity of methylglyoxal against the solid form of the tumour. Nicotinamide (1% w/v in the drink) was similarily inactive. Methylglyoxal in combination with nicotinamide was significantly more effect (P less than 0.05) than methylglyoxal alone (36 mg/kg, twice daily) in inhibiting the growth of the ascitic tumour. Methylglyoxal-N-acetyl-L-cysteine was four times less toxic than methylglyoxalalone but was marginally less effective against the ascitic form of the tumour. Doses of these adducts equivalent to 144 mg/kg per day of methylglyoxal were more effective P less than 0.05) than the optimal regime of methylglyoxal in inhibiting the solid tumour (67.5% inhibition compared to 51%). Treatment of mice bearing the ascitic form of Sarcoma 180 with five daily doses (i.p.) of an HPE-cysteine adduct equivalent to a dose of HPE alone of 32-256 mg/kg per day significantly increased survival time by comparison with controls. The adduct was 2-3 times more effective, dose-for-dose, than HPE alone in inhibiting tumour growth. Purified buffered methylglyoxal has an LD50 on continuous infusion into the right lateral tail vein in mice of more than 3.0 mg/g per day (seven days at 2.8 ml/day). Local oedema followed by tail necrosis occurs at doses in excess of 0.25-0.5 mg/g per day in mice bearing the solid forms of the syngeneic tumours: squamous carcinoma D; lymphosarcoma 1 (WH/Ht mice); and spontaneous mammary D5056 (CBA/CA mice). A maximum tumour volume growth delay of 3.4 days at Day 17 (P less than 0.001) after transplantation was observed after infusion of 0.5 mg/g per day methylglyoxal on Days 11-17 in the CBA/CA D40 syngeneic mammary tumour. Tumour regrowth after termination of therapy eliminated the significant difference between control and methylglyoxal-treated tumours by Day 27. Methylglyoxal infusion (0...
Sodium/Iodide Symporter Mutant V270E Causes Stunted Growth but No Cognitive Deficiency.

Context: Iodide (I−), an essential constituent of the thyroid hormones, is actively accumulated in the thyroid by the Na+/I− symporter (NIS), a key plasma membrane protein encoded by the slc5a5 gene. Mutations in slc5a5 cause I− transport defects (ITDs), autosomal-recessive disorders in which I− accumulation is totally or partially impaired, leading to congenital hypothyroidism. The characterization of NIS mutants has yielded significant insights into the molecular mechanism of NIS. Objective: This study aimed to determine the basis of a patient's ITD clinical phenotype, by sequencing her slc5a5 gene. Design: Genomic DNA was purified and the slc5a5 gene sequence determined. Functional in vitro studies were performed to characterize the V270E NIS mutant. Patient: The index patient was diagnosed with hypothyroidism with minimal radioiodide uptake in a normally located, although enlarged, thyroid gland. Results: We identified a new NIS mutation: V270E. The patient had the compound heterozygous NIS mutation R...
Acridine Binding by Escherichia coli: pH Dependency and Strain Differences

Acridine dye binding by cells of Escherichia coli has been characterized in terms of a number of parameters. There is a temperature-dependent, readily reversible binding of acriflavine which occurs to a greater extent with acridine-sensitive mutants of E. coli K-12 than with wild-type E. coli B or K-12. There is an essentially irreversible internal binding of acriflavine which occurs when the cellular permeability barriers are destroyed or altered by heat-treatment, elevated pH, treatment with toluene or phenethyl alcohol, or infection with bacteriophage T2 or T4. Both the reversible and the irreversible binding of acridines occurs more effectively with the acridine dye acriflavine than with the related dye proflavine, and still less effectively with 9-aminoacridine and quinacrine. These properties of acridine binding can be correlated with various inhibitory effects of the dyes on the cells.