cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Water mass modification at the Agulhas retroflection: chlorofluoromethane studies

Abstract Chlorofluoromethane (CFM) and hydrographic data from the 1983 Agulhas Retroflection cruise are used to show the importance of the region in ventilating thermocline and Intermediate Waters of the southwest Indian ocean gyre. Generally South Atlantic waters are more recently ventilated by at least two years than those of the South Indian Ocean, probably because the latter are farther downstream from the source regions near the South Atlantic subantarctic sector. A two-component mixing model shows that the outflow from the Agulhas Retroflection (14-4°C) was composed of South Indian water and at least 23% South Atlantic water. However, at the density of Indian sector Subantarctic Mode Water the inflow into the Agulhas Retroflection was well preserved in the outflow, and the South Atlantic and Indian waters appear to be ventilated by different water masses. In addition, strong interleaving was found throughout the survey area (between 14 and 4°C), characterized by correlations of negative salinity anomalies with high CFM concentrations. At the density of Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) there was interleaving of both low salinity water and higher salinity Red Sea Water. Using estimates of past atmospheric ratios of two CFMs, we calculate that AAIW within the retroflection was 50–75% diluted by mixing with CFM-free water since leaving the source region. Results from the two-component mixing model, which show substantial contributions of South Atlantic water in the outflow, suggest that the return flow for the 10 Sv leakage of Indian Ocean water via the Agulhas Current into the South Atlantic [ Gordon (1985) Science , 227 , 1030–1033; Gordon et al. (1987) Deep-Sea Research , 34 , 565–600] is occurring at thermocline and intermediate depths. A combination of active mixing in this region and similarity in the ventilation processes may be the reason that the South Atlantic and Indian thermoclines are coincident in temperature and salinity space (between 15 and 7°C) as noted by Gordon.
Efficient and robust calculation of femtoscopic correlation functions in spherical harmonics directly from the raw pairs measured in heavy-ion collisions

We present the formalism for calculating the femtoscopic correlation function directly in spherical harmonics. The numerator and denominator are stored as a set of one-dimensional histograms representing the spherical harmonic decompositions of each. We present the formalism to calculate the correlation function from them directly, without going to any three-dimensional histogram. We discuss the practical implementation of the method and we provide an example of its use. We also discuss the stability of the method in the presence of angular holes in the underlying data (e.g., from experimental acceptance)
Relationships among perceived psychological growth, resilience and burnout in physicians

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between perceived growth as a physician (i.e., positive psychological changes experienced as a result of the professional experience) and burnout after controlling for the effects of perceived family support, dispositional resilience, age, and marital status among physicians. Physicians ( n = 289) rated perceived support from family and completed the short form of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, the Resilience Scale, and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Results of hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the addition of perceived growth significantly improved prediction of resilience and perceived family support for burnout, showing that higher growth, resilience, and family support all were associated with lower levels of burnout. Moreover, the effects of growth on depersonalization, a domain of burnout, were stronger for physicians who perceived a lower level of family support, whereas the effects of growth on personal accomplishment, another domain of burnout, were stronger for physicians who showed a lower level of dispositional resilience. Current results have clinical implications for understanding protective factors for burnout, that is, a sense of personal growth may be a key factor for physicians who may be less resilient or may not perceive strong family support.
Aryl sulfatase activities in normal and pathologic human articular cartilage.

Aryl sulfatase A and B activities were measured in articular cartilage of patients with osteoarthritis, chondromalacia, avascular necrosis, and femoral neck fractures. Although the activities of both enzymes were higher in the tissue from individuals with degenerative joint disease, the most significant finding was the substantial increase in the B:A ratio in these tissues. It is suggested that whereas cerebroside sulfate is the substrate for aryl sulfatase A, either chondroitin sulfate or keratan sulfate is the physiologic substrate for aryl sulfatase B.
The reaction of iodine with concentrated nitric acid

Abstract The oxidation of iodine by hyperazeotropic nitric acid was shown to proceed in at least two steps; the kinetic data are consistent with the first step producing iodine with a valence of +1, and later reactions finally yielding iodine with a valence of +5. The data are analyzed assuming the two following reactions: I 2 + 3HNO 3 ⇄ k 2 k 1 2I + + 2NO 3 − + HNO 2 + H 2 O I + + 6HNO 3 ⇄ k 2 k 1 I 5 + + 4NO 3 − + 2HNO 2 + 2H 2 O. Numerical values were determined for k1 and k3 at 25°C and in 16–21 M nitric acid. The defining equations for these constants are: dCI2/dt = −k1CI2dCI+/dt = −k3CI+. The values for these constants are fitted by the following least-squares-determined equations for nitric acid concentrations above 16 M: ln k1 = −112·5 + 38·28 ln CHNO3(M) ln k3 = −45·25 + 13·69 ln CHNO3(M) where the units of k are sec−1.
Reaction Kinetics of In-Situ Combustion: Part 1-Observations

Continuous analysis of produced gases from a small packed bed reactor, at both isothermal and linearly increasing temperatures, has shown that combustion of crude oil in porous media follows several consecutive reactions. Molar carbon dioxide/carbon monoxide (CO/sub 2//CO) and apparent hydrogen/carbon (H/C) ratios were used to observe the transition between these reactions at different temperature levels. A new kinetic model for oxidation of crude oil in porous media is presented.
Ethylene—A key regulator of submergence responses in rice

Abstract Ethylene is a major regulator of submergence responses in rice (Oryza sativa). This gaseous phytohormone rapidly accumulates in tissues of submerged plants due to physical entrapment and active biosynthesis during the stress, triggering a range of acclimation responses including shoot elongation, adventitious root formation and carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, ethylene coordinates the balance of gibberellic acid (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) contents, which facilitates GA-promoted elongation of shoots during submergence. Besides cell elongation, the interaction of ethylene with GA and ABA also regulates adventitious root formation, but these developmental processes are modulated by distinct regulatory networks of the three hormones. Deepwater and lowland rice can overcome submergence stress through antithetical modes of responses. Deepwater rice promotes internode elongation during submergence to project photosynthetic organs above the air–water interface. This escape response is mediated by a high rate of ethylene production and sensitivity to the hormone. By contrast, submergence-tolerant lowland rice restricts carbohydrate consumption used for cell division and cell elongation that promotes underwater elongation. This tolerance is the result of limited ethylene production and sensitivity. We propose that response strategies have evolved in rice to survive distinct conditions of submergence.
The crystal structure of Pb8Bi2(PO4)6O2

Single crystals of Pb8Bi2(PO4)6O2 were grown by the Czochralski technique, and the structure of this compound was determined. It was found to crystallize in Pnma orthorhombic symmetry with a = 13.313, b = 10.284 and c = 9.219 A. The structure was refined to an R value of 7%. Powder diffraction data are also reported.
The effect of time of day on levels of hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin primary transcript, processing intermediate and messenger ribonucleic acid in proestrous and estrous rats

Several lines of evidence from different laboratories suggest that hypothalamic beta-endorphinergic activity decreases around the time of initiation of the LH surge and may increase on estrus to extinguish the expression of the daily neuronal signal for the surge. In several hormone systems, factors that stimulate or suppress hormone release also stimulate or repress transcription of the hormone gene and translation of the messenger RNA encoding the hormone. Therefore, information about neurohormone activity may be inferred from data on changes in the levels of RNA species encoding these neurohormones. We used a solution hybridization/RNase protection assay to test the hypotheses that 1) the abundance of primary transcript of the hypothalamic POMC gene decreases at the time of initiation of the proestrous LH surge and 2) levels of POMC primary transcript (and by inference, levels of beta-endorphin neuronal activity and secretion) increase on estrus. 96 rats exhibiting at least two consecutive 4-day estrou...
QCE-6: A Clonal Cell Line with Cardiac Myogenic and Endothelial Cell Potentials

A clonal cell line (QCE-6) sharing many properties with splanchnic mesodermal cells has been derived from 20-methylcholanthrene-treated cardiogenic mesoderm of the Japanese quail. QCE-6 cells which have been stably maintained for over 4 years in vitro display positive staining with antibodies to cytokeratin, vimentin, cingulin, and N-cadherin but were negative for markers of endothelial, fibroblastic, smooth, and skeletal muscle cell lineages. In the present study, we show that addition of retinoic acid and growth factors initiated cardiomyogenic differentiation in approximately 50% of QCE-6 cells as indicated by the expression of muscle- and cardiac-specific proteins. The distribution of these proteins in induced cells was similar to precontractile cardiac myocytes. In addition to these myogenic cells, cultures of induced QCE-6 cells contained endothelial cells as visualized by the presence of QH1 antigen and extracellular matrix molecules associated with endothelial cells. These data demonstrate that the QCE-6 cell is a progenitor of both cardiac myogenic and endothelial cell lineages and along with other recent studies (Linask and Lash, 1993; Garcia-Martinez and Schoenwolf, 1993) suggest that these two cell lineages may have a common embryonic origin.
Evolution of dry patches in evaporating liquid films

We investigate evolution of dry patches in a thin film of a volatile liquid on a heated plate in the framework of a model that accounts for the effects of surface tension, evaporation, thermocapillarity, and disjoining pressure. Dry areas on the plate are modeled by isothermal microscopic films which are in thermodynamic equilibrium with the vapor. For nonpolar liquids such equilibrium is achieved due to van der Waals forces, well-defined capillary ridges are formed around growing dry patches, contact line speed increases with time. For polar liquids the microscopic film is formed by combined action of van der Waals and electrical double layer forces, capillary ridge is small, and contact line speed quickly approaches a constant value. Thermocapillary stresses tend to increase the height of the capillary ridges formed around expanding patches. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed model is capable of describing a number of complicated phenomena observed in experimental studies of evaporating films including fingering instabilities and merger of growing dry patches.
Simultaneous gene inactivation and promoter reporting in cyanobacteria

Determining spatiotemporal gene expression and analyzing knockout mutant phenotypes have become powerful tools in elucidating the function of genes; however, genetic approaches for simultaneously inactivating a gene and monitoring its expression have not been reported in the literature. In this study, we designed a dual-functional gene knockout vector pZR606 that contains a multiple cloning site (MCS) for inserting the internal fragment of a target gene, with a gfp gene as its transcriptional marker located immediately downstream of the MCS. By using this gene knockout system, we inactivated ava_2679 from Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413, as well as all2508, alr2887, alr3608, and all4388 from Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. The ava_2679 knockout mutant fails to grow diazotrophically. Morphological analysis of ava_2679 knockout mutant after nitrogen step-down revealed defective junctions between heterocysts and adjacent vegetative cells, and the heterocyst was 1.53-fold longer compared to wild-type heterocysts. The alr2887, all4388, and alr3608 mutant colonies turned yellow and showed lack of protracted growth when deprived of fixed nitrogen, consistent with the previous reports that alr2887, all4388, and alr3608 are Fox genes. The all2508 encodes a GTP-binding elongation factor (EF4/LepA), and its knockout mutant exhibited reduced diazotrophic growth. The heterocyst development of all2508 knockout was significantly delayed, and only about 4.0 % of vegetative cells differentiated to heterocysts after nitrogen deprivation for 72 h, decreased 49.6 % compared to wild-type. Thus, we discovered that All2508 may regulate heterocyst development spatiotemporally. Concurrently, the GFP reporter revealed that all five target gene expressions were up-regulated in response to nitrogen deprivation. We demonstrated that the pZR606-based specific gene knockout approach worked effectively for the five selected genes, including four previously identified Fox genes or Fox gene homolog, and a previously unknown function of gene all2508. Thus, gene expression and phenotypic analysis of mutants can be achieved simultaneously by targeted gene inactivation using the pZR606-based system. This combined approach for targeted gene inactivation and its promoter reporting with GFP may be broadly applicable to the study of gene function in other prokaryotic organisms.
Chronic Addiction, Compulsion, and the Empirical Evidence

Pickard (2012) provides a strong critique of the definition of addiction as a “chronic, relapsing, neurobiological disease characterized by compulsive use of drugs or alcohol.” We agree with Pickar...
An early software engineering approach to teaching cs1, cs2 and ai

We propose the use of a new design-first approach called Problem Stereotypes and Solution Frameworks, for teaching CS1 and CS2. A problem stereotype is a category of problems that can be solved using similar techniques. A solution framework is a typical solution to a problem, parts of which can be reused to solve other problems of this stereotype. Students are introduced to a stereotype through a selection of related problems, and common features among these are identified. Homework problems are selected from the same stereotype, with students expected to follow the "recipe" provided by the given examples to generate their own solutions. Using this approach reduces the stress level for beginner students, and prevents them falling prey to the "CS is HARD" myth. We present the results of our experience with this approach in two introductory classes and an upper-division Artificial Intelligence (AI) class at SUNY Brockport.
SADDLEPOINT METHODS FOR BOOTSTRAP CONFIDENCE BANDS IN NONPARAMETRIC REGRESSION

Summary Bootstrap techniques have been used to construct confidence bands in nonparametric regression problems (Hardle & Bowman, 1988). Yet the required simulation is generally computationally intensive and therefore makes it difficult to conduct further investigations. In this paper, two saddlepoint methods are considered as alternatives to the naive simulation procedure. Some improvements to Hardle & Bowman's bootstrap method are suggested. The improvements are numerically verified using these efficient and accurate analytic methods.
Studies on the interaction of placental anticoagulant protein I, β2glycoprotein 1, and antiphospholipid antibodies in the prothrombinase reaction and in the solid phase anticardiolipin assays

Abstract Recently it has been suggested that antiphospholipid antibodies may not be specific for phospholipids but directed to β 2 glycoprotein 1(β 2 GP1), phospholipid-β 2 GP1 complexes, prothrombin, or prothrombin-phospholipid complexes. To explore this issue further, we examined the influence of two phospholipid binding proteins, annexin V (placental anticoagulant protein I ((PAP 1)) and β 2 GP1, on the activity of immunoglobulin G (IgG) fractions from patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), both in the prothrombin-thrombin conversion assay and in the anticardiolipin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results showed that each of eight IgG-APS fractions, as well as PAP I and β 2 GP1, individually inhibited the prothrombinase reaction. When IgG-APS samples were combined with PAP I or β 2 GP1, or both PAP I and β 2 GP1, inhibition of the prothrombinase reaction was additive. In the anticardiolipin ELISA, PAP I inhibited IgG-APS binding to cardiolipin, but β 2 GP1 enhanced IgG-APS binding to cardiolipin. The “enhancing” effect of β 2 GP1 in the ELISA system was neutralized by PAP I, an effect partially overcome by increasing the concentration of β 2 GP1. Similar results were observed when affinity-purified anticardiolipin antibodies were used in place of whole IgG-APS preparations. These data indicate that IgG preparations obtained from the 8 patients with APS recognize similar epitopes on anionic phospholipids in the anticardiolipin test and in the prothrombin-thrombin conversion assay. These data do not exclude the possibility that the IgG preparations may bind prothrombin-phospholipid or β 2 GP1-phospholipid complexes.
News Directors and Consultants: RTNDA's Endorsement of TV Journalism's “Greatest Tool”

This historical account ties to modern studies by showing that TV news was not recently corporatized. Records of the Radio-Television News Directors Association explore the arrival of news consulta...
Carotid endarterectomy: Characterization of recent increases in procedure rates

Abstract Introduction: Recent increases in the rate of carotid endarterectomies (CEAs) have been attributed to results of clinical trials demonstrating efficacy when CEA is performed in centers of excellence. Subsequent population-based data suggest that trial results may not be matched in the community. This study was undertaken to characterize trends in CEA procedure rates after the dissemination of trial data and to describe any change in patient outcomes with population-based data from a single state. Methods: Hospital administrative data on CEAs from 1992 to 1996 (n = 45,744) were obtained for the state of Florida. Annualized CEA rates per 100,000 Florida residents were analyzed to determine trends in patient age, sex, admission type, size of hospital beds, ownership type and teaching status, and annual hospital and surgeon CEA volume. Outcomes were examined to track trends in complication rates. Results: The annual number of CEA procedures increased 74% from 63.7 per 100,000 residents per year to 110.8 per 100,000 residents per year between 1992 and 1996. A single large increase occurred during the second half of 1994 when CEAs increased 73.5% from 16.6 per 100,000 residents per quarter to 28.8 per 100,000 residents per quarter after a clinical alert on benefits to CEAs in asymptomatic patients. Over 5 years, there were significant trends toward more nonemergent admissions, and more procedures were performed in high-volume hospitals and by high-volume surgeons. Procedure rates in both women and very elderly patients increased more than 70%, which was in step with younger patients and men. The incidence of inpatient stroke and death declined over the 5-year period, whereas the rate of perioperative myocardial infarction remained constant. Conclusions: Experience from Florida indicates that CEA rates increased as results of the Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Study disseminated. Trial results have been broadly interpreted to include women and very elderly patients. More patients are being referred to busier hospitals and to high-volume surgeons, which should continue to result in better patient outcomes. (J Vasc Surg 2000;31:901-9.)
Precision millimeter-wave dielectric measurements of birefringent crystalline sapphire and ceramic alumina

A quasi-optical technique, namely, dispersive Fourier transform spectrometry, has now been improved to provide high-precision continuous data of complex refractive index, complex dielectric permittivity, and loss tangent of materials at millimeter wavelengths. The use of a polarizing two-beam interferameter is ideally suited for the measurement of birefringent materials. A massive birefringent effect (δ∊′ 2.193) is now observed for crystalline sapphire (Al 2 O 3 ). The bifringent effect for crystalline quartz is much smaller (δ∊′ ⋍ 0.2). New millimeter-wave results of commercially available ceramic alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) are compared with those of crystalline sapphire.
An extended family of protein-tyrosine kinase genes differentially expressed in the vertebrate nervous system.

Abstract We have used PCR to identify 13 novel protein-tyrosine kinase genes (tyro−1 to −13), six of which (tyro−1 to −6) are preferentially expressed in the developing vertebrate nervous system. The tyro−2 and tyro−9 genes encode kinase domains that exhibit strong amino acid sequence similarity to the equivalent regions of the receptors for EGF and FGF, respectively, and may encode novel receptors for these or related polypeptide ligands. The tyro−1 to −6 genes are all expressed during central nervous system neurogenesis and exhibit distinct and highly regionalized patterns of expression in the adult brain. Together with recent studies in invertebrates, these data are consistent with the hypothesis that protein-tyrosine kinases play a central role in neural development.
Polymerization with organoboron compounds

In the presence of organoboron compounds, free-radical polymerization of vinyl monomers can proceed in spite of the presence of excess of typical radical inhibitors. The concept of free radical–organoboron complex formation is introduced to explain the unique role of organoboron compounds in such a polymerization system.
Uncertainty apportionment for air quality forecast models

Effective environmental protection policy making depends on comprehensive and accurate Air Quality Model (AQM) prediction results. The confidence level associated with the model prediction, as well as the uncertainty sources that contribute to the prediction uncertainty are important information that should not be neglected when interpreting simulation results. In this work, we explore the capability of the polynomial chaos (PC) method for uncertainty quantification (UQ) and propose a uncertainty apportionment (UA) approach that can be easily applied to any forecast models. The numerical tests on the STEM (Sulfur Transport Eulerian Model) for the northeast region of the United States provide a categorization for the major uncertainty sources that contribute to the uncertainty in the ozone concentration prediction. This information can be used to guide the optimal investment decisions as to which input measurement accuracy should be improved to make the maximum impact on reducing the uncertainty in the prediction result.
Stereocontrolled syntheses of all four stereoisomeric 1,N2-deoxyguanosine adducts of the lipid peroxidation product trans-4-hydroxynonenal.

trans-4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) is a unique product from the peroxidation of ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The major reaction of racemic 4-HNE with DNA is with deoxyguanosine to give four stereoisomeric exocyclic propano adducts. The stereospecific syntheses of these four adducts has been achieved at the nucleoside level. The synthetic approach is amenable to the synthesis of structurally defined oligonucleotides containing these endogenous genotoxins.
Alternative Therapeutic Approaches to Chronic Proton Pump Inhibitor Treatment

Chronic consumption of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) by patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease is very common, primarily because of their potent and profound effect on acid secretion that results in an unsurpassed rate of symptom resolution and esophageal healing. However, there have been a growing number of reports over the past few years about various side effects caused by chronic PPI treatment. Concerns have been raised by patients and physicians alike about the common practice of prescribing PPIs, often more than once daily, on a long-term basis. As a result, there has been a resurgence of interest in alternative therapeutic modalities for chronic PPI treatment. These include novel endoscopic and surgical techniques, as well as other available therapeutic strategies that are likely to be revisited, such as histamine-2–receptor antagonists, intermittent and on-demand PPI treatment, and antireflux surgery, among others.
The virtual-time data-parallel machine

The authors propose the virtual-time data-parallel machine to execute SIMD (single instruction multiple data) programs asynchronously. They first illustrate how asynchronous execution is more efficient than synchronous execution. For a simple model, they show that asynchronous execution outperforms synchronous execution roughly by a factor of (ln N), where N is the number of processors in the system. They then explore how to execute SIMD programs asynchronously without violating the SIMD semantics. They design a first in, first out (FIFO) priority cache, one for each processing element, to record the recent history of all variables. The cache, which is stacked between the processor and the memory, supports asynchronous execution in hardware efficiently and preserves the SIMD semantics of the software transparently. Analysis and simulation results indicate that the virtual-time data-parallel machine can achieve linear speed-up for computation-intensive data-parallel programs when the number of processors is large. >
Bilinear Behavior in the Indentation Size Effect: A Consequence of Strain Gradient Plasticity

This paper examines the effects of stacking fault energy on the micro- and nano-indentation behavior of face-centered-cubic thin films. These include: LIGA nickel MEMS structures, alpha brass, copper and high purity aluminum. The measured hardness are then fitted to a strain gradient plasticity model based on the Taylor dislocation hardening model. Hardness is shown to exhibit a size dependence with different characteristic slopes in the micron and nano-scale regimes. Deep indents are shown to exhibit classical linear behavior. However, shallow indents exhibit an abrupt decrease in slope (almost by a factor of 10), giving rise to a bi-linear behavior. Furthermore, as the gradients become less sharp, the trends in the nano-hardness data become similar to those of the microhardness data predicted by the strain gradient plasticity model. Finally, the effects of stacking fault energy are then discussed within the context of cross-slip and hardening associated with Shockly partials.
Quantization for distributed detection under link outages

In this paper, we address the design of binary sensor quantizers for decentralized detection in wireless sensor networks (WSN). The objective is to develop robust quantizers in the events of link outages and/or sensor failures for a K-sensor fusion model (K > 2). To this end, we propose two different design procedures. The first is formulated as a constrained optimization problem and achieves guaranteed performance given any subset of local decisions available at a fusion center. The second approach is a channel-aware design using an explicit erasure channel model, which provides a balanced detection performance under transmission loss. We show that for both designs the optimal quantizers are in the forms of likelihood ratio tests. The corresponding thresholds can be determined through iterative algorithms. We further demonstrate that the channel-aware approach is more practical and suitable for large-scale WSN applications in terms of low implementation complexity.
Fabrication and demonstration of a pure silica-core waveguide utilizing a density-based index contrast

We report a novel approach for creating a dopant-free pure silica-core waveguide (PSCW) for chip-scale waveguides with the goal of reaching fiber-like losses on-chip. Stoichiometric silica films were used as both the cladding and core material for buried channel waveguides, with the required index contrast generated by a difference in physical density. The bulk densities of the thin-films were measured with X-Ray Reflectometry, and these density values were compared with the expected change in refractive index using the Lorentz-Lorenz (Clausius-Mosotti) relation. We found the difference in density of 5.29% to correspond with the difference in refractive index of 1.17%, and measured propagation losses of 2.119 to 2.660 dB/cm.
Safety of bedside percutaneous tracheostomy in the critically ill: evaluation of more than 3,000 procedures

Background Bedside percutaneous dilational tracheostomy has been demonstrated to be equivalent to open tracheostomy. At our institution, percutaneous dilational tracheostomy without routine bronchoscopy is our preferred method. My colleagues and I hypothesized that our 10-year percutaneous dilational tracheostomy experience would demonstrate that the technique is safe with low complication rates, even in obese patient populations. Study Design We conducted a retrospective review of all bedside percutaneous dilational tracheostomy performed by the Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care faculty from 2001 to 2011, excluding patients younger than 18 years of age. All major airway complications and procedure-related deaths were evaluated during the early (≤48 hours postprocedure), intermediate (in hospital), and late (after discharge) periods. Incidence of post-tracheostomy stenosis was also evaluated. Results There were 3,162 percutaneous dilational tracheostomies performed during the study period. Mean body mass index was 28 (16% with body mass index ≥35), mean Injury Severity Score was 32, and mean APACHE II score was 19. Major airway complications occurred in 12 (0.38%) patients, accounting for 5 (0.16%) deaths. Early major complications included 3 airway losses and 1 bleeding event requiring formal exploration with procedure-related deaths occurring in 3 patients. Intermediate major complications included 2 tube occlusion/dislodgement events with 2 related deaths. Late complications included 5 (0.16%) cases of tracheal stenosis requiring intervention without associated deaths. Conclusions Bedside percutaneous dilational tracheostomy is safe across a broad critically ill patient population. The safety of this technique, even in the obese population, is demonstrated by its low complication rate. Routine bronchoscopic guidance is not necessary. Specially trained procedure nurse and process improvement programs contribute to the safety and efficacy of this procedure.
Contributions of green light to plant growth and development

Light passing through or reflected from adjacent foliage provides a developing plant with information that is used to guide specific genetic and physiological processes. Changes in gene expression underlie adaptation to, or avoidance of, the light-compromised environment. These changes have been well described and are mostly attributed to a decrease in the red light to far-red light ratio and/or a reduction in blue light fluence rate. In most cases, these changes rely on the integration of red/far-red/blue light signals, leading to changes in phytohormone levels. Studies over the last decade have described distinct responses to green light and/or a shift of the blue-green, or red-green ratio. Responses to green light are typically low-light responses, suggesting that they may contribute to the adaptation to growth under foliage or within close proximity to other plants. This review summarizes the growth responses in artificially manipulated light environments with an emphasis on the roles of green wavebands. The information may be extended to understanding the influence of green light in shade avoidance responses as well as other plant developmental and physiological processes.
Perceived Similarity in Interracial Attitudes and Behaviors: The Effects of Belief and Dialect Style1

The present study investigated the role of two types of similarity (attitude similarity and dialect style) on interpersonal attitudes and behaviors in a face-to-face interaction. Sixty subjects interacted with an experimental confederate who was either black or white, spoke either standard white English or a black dialect, and whom the subject perceived as agreeing or disagreeing on an attitude questionnaire. Subjects' nonverbal behavior during the interaction was coded using Mehrabian's scheme of immediacy cues, and attitudes toward the confederate were measured via questionnaire following the interaction. Subjects showed more favorable attitudes toward the white than black confederate and had more positive attitudes toward the black confederate when she spoke white English. Contrary to previous findings, no significant main effect was found for belief similarity. While no significant mean differences were obtained between conditions for the nonverbal measures, correlations between these measures and a measure of likinglfriendship indicated that this relationship differed depending on the race of the confederate and the dialect used. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for the role of perceived similarity in interracial interaction.
On the completeness of factor rings

Let T be a complete local domain containing the integers with maximal ideal M such that |T/M| is at least the cardinality of the real numbers. Let p be a nonmaximal prime ideal of T such that Tp is a regular local ring. We construct an excellent local ring A such that the completion of A is T, the generic formal fiber of A is local with maximal ideal p and if I is a nonzero ideal of A, then A/I is complete.
Race, Gender, and War

This article seeks to improve our grasp of the societal foundations of US foreign policy by examining how race and gender - two fundamental dimensions of social stratification of US society - affect support for military force in the pursuit of external objectives. It is generally appreciated that, in the United States, women are less inclined to support armed intervention than are men, and feminist theory provides some foundation for explaining the gap. It is less widely recognized that a similar gap separates the attitudes of African-Americans and white Americans, but there is little in the social science literature to suggest why this should be so. The authors examine a number of possible explanations for the parallel, focusing both on attributes that are specific to women and blacks, and on one common to both groups (a high level of political alienation) but not shared by white men. They conclude that, while alienation partially accounts for the parallel attitudes toward force, properties specific to the two demographic groups nevertheless carry part of the burden for explaining their shared relative aversion to military intervention.
Hypothesis Testing I: Proportions

Statistical inference involves two analysis methods: estimation and hypothesis testing, the latter of which is the subject of this article. Specifically, Z tests of proportion are highlighted and illustrated with imaging data from two previously published clinical studies. First, to evaluate the relationship between nonenhanced computed tomographic (CT) findings and clinical outcome, the authors demonstrate the use of the one-sample Z test in a retrospective study performed with patients who had ureteral calculi. Second, the authors use the two-sample Z test to differentiate between primary and metastatic ovarian neoplasms in the diagnosis and staging of ovarian cancer. These data are based on a subset of cases from a multiinstitutional ovarian cancer trial conducted by the Radiologic Diagnostic Oncology Group, in which the roles of CT, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasonography (US) were evaluated. The statistical formulas used for these analyses are explained and demonstrated. These methods may ena...
Image registration and mosaicing using a self-calibrating camera

We introduce a new approach for the solution of three interrelated problems: image registration, mosaicing and camera calibration. First we use well known similarity measures with particular interest in enhancing the performance for image registration. After initial registration we use a camera model to refine the alignment updating estimated camera parameters. A relaxation method applied on this model automatically estimates the lens parameters and uses them to eliminate the perspective and lens distortion observed in the overlap area of two images. Image mosaics are constructed by combining corrected images blending the border that contains pixels with optimally low total absolute difference in different spatial frequencies resulting in seamless mosaic images.
Electromyographic laryngeal synkinesis alters prognosis in vocal fold paralysis.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Synkinesis, or misdirected reinnervation, is likely a confounder when predicting return of function of an immobile vocal fold. Currently, no information exists on the incidence of synkinesis in unilateral vocal fold immobility (UVFI) or the effect synkinesis has on prognosis and treatment. Our objective was to examine a vocal fold adductor synkinesis screening protocol using diagnostic laryngeal electromyography (LEMG). We aim to determine the effect of synkinesis on prognosis of recovery of purposeful vocal fold motion. Study Design: Retrospective review of LEMG data and patient charts from laryngology practice. Methods: A standardized LEMG analysis method to diagnose vocal fold adductory synkinesis was performed in 124 consecutive laryngeal electromyographic exams. Results: Synkinesis testing was positive in 12/124 patients (9.7%). Post hoc quantitative analysis of electromyographic recordings to compare motor unit potential amplitude in the thyroarytenoid/lateral cricoarytenoid complex during sustained phonation to those in the same muscle during a “sniff” revealed a significant difference in motor unit potential amplitude ratio for control subjects (0.32), those who recovered purposeful vocal fold motion (0.40), and those with vocal fold paralysis (0.96) (P = .001). The presence of synkinesis in patients with UVFI improved the negative predictive value of LEMG from 53% to 100% and the sensitivity from 56% to 100%. Conclusions: Presence of laryngeal synkinesis using motor amplitude ratio criteria, in the setting of good voluntary motor unit recruitment and UVFI, downgrades a patient's prognosis to one that is poor for recovery. We propose this screening protocol as an adjunct to diagnostic LEMG. Laryngoscope, 2010
The Nature of Benefits and Costs of Use of Pest Control Methods

Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are often strongly advocated as a means of increasing farm income while at the same time decreasing pesticide use and thus the external costs associated with pesticides. These impacts, though they may be true for some individual producers, are not necessarily the final outcome of widespread adoption of IPM. Emphasis of this paper is on the nature of such paradoxes and the conditions under which they can occur. Although the focus of the paper is on effects that are manifested in the marketplace, other effects such as external costs of pesticides and nonproducer costs for developing and/or implementing IPM are included for completeness. A mathematical treatment of the paradoxes is given to add concreteness to the paper. But before proceeding with a mathematical treatment, it may be useful to take a superficial, graphical look at the paradox that while individual producers may gain from adopting IPM, income to producers as a group will not necessarily increase with widespread adoption. The classical explanation of this paradox is that with inelastic demand, total revenue, and thus profit, would decrease with an increase in production attributed to adoption of IPM. Of course, early adopters would reap windfall gains, but as more and more producers adopt IPM, aggregate income would decline. Although this classical argument is valid for a perfectly inelastic supply curve, it is not usually appropriate to the analysis of IPM because it does not account for impacts on production cost. That is, to measure farm income effects, one must take an a priori view of the supply curve rather than viewing supply a posteriori. When this view is taken, it can be seen that inelastic demand is not necessarily a condition for aggregate farm income to decrease with widespread adoption of IPM. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate these points. In figure 1, it can be seen that a shift in supply resulting from adoption of IPM will increase producers' surplus which, for purposes of this paper, is equated with farm income including the rent to fixed factors of production. Note, however, that figure 2 illustrates a case where aggregate income will decrease, even with elastic demand. In this case, supply shifts more at high prices than at low prices, which is typically the case with pest control methods since low cost producers tend to be those without serious pest problems.
Characterization of imperfections in plasma-sprayed titania

Plasma spraying is widely used for the fabrication of protective coatings. There are a number of features that make the process of great utility: 1. The coatings may be applied under a variety of conditions, 2. A large number of different materials may be sprayed, 3. A variety of substrates may be used.
A brief overview of surgery for atrial fibrillation

The Maze procedure was the first surgical technique developed to ablate, rather than isolate, atrial fibrillation and was first performed clinically in 1987. The experimental and clinical electrophysiological maps on which the Maze procedure was based demonstrated the presence of two or more large (5-6 cm diameter) macro-reentrant circuits during established atrial fibrillation (AF). Eleven years later, focal triggers were identified, primarily in and around the pulmonary veins, and were shown to be responsible for the induction of individual episodes of AF. Thus, it became clear that episodes of paroxysmal AF could be treated in most patients by isolating or ablating the region of the pulmonary veins, but that once AF became non-paroxysmal and thus dependent upon the macro-reentrant circuits for its maintenance, it would still be necessary to perform some type of additional procedure to interrupt those circuits. Approximately 100,000 patients who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), aortic valve replacement (AVR) or mitral valve surgery in the US also have associated AF, but only 20% of them undergo a concomitant procedure to ablate the AF. However, multiple studies have demonstrated that treating the AF at the time of these other primary operations results in an improved quality of life, fewer long-term strokes and improved long-term survival while adding no risk to the overall surgical procedure. Moreover, the major cardiology and surgery societies recommend that concomitant AF surgery be performed in all cases when feasible. Patients undergoing CABG and AVR who have paroxysmal AF should undergo pulmonary vein isolation, while those with non-paroxysmal AF (persistent or long-standing persistent AF) should have a Maze procedure. Patients undergoing mitral valve surgery who have either paroxysmal AF or non-paroxysmal AF should undergo a Maze procedure.
Educational reconstruction and post-colonial curriculum development: A comparative study of four African countries

Nation-building in modern Africa has faced the challenge of integrating multicultural traditions. Reform of inherited educational systems that largely functioned to maintain the colonial order of dependency and elitism has been an essential part of this task. Reconstruction of curriculum to reflect indigenous traditions, social change and empowerment was advocated by African critical theorists from the late 19 century to the present. This paper surveys African reform thought and curriculum development in Kenya, Mali, Mozambique and Nigeria since independence. Comparative analysis focuses on the inclusion of African culture, history and language in curriculum and innovation in methodology. Finally, African initiatives are contrasted with reconstructionist theory that integrates traditional culture with the demands of modernisation.
The Geometric Series

If the harmonic series is the most celebrated of all divergent series, the same distinction for convergent series goes, without reservation, to the geometric series. We have already met this series in connection with the runner’s paradox. In a geometric sequence, or progression, we begin with an initial number a and obtain the subsequent terms by repeated multiplication by a constant number q: a, aq, aq2, …, aq n , …. The constant q is the common ratio, or quotient, of the progression. Sometimes our progression is terminated after a certain number of terms, in which case, of course, we omit the final dots. Such finite geometric progressions appear quite frequently in various situations. Perhaps the most well known is compound interest: If one deposits, say, $100 in a savings account that pays 5% annual interest, then at the end of each year the amount of money will increase by a factor of 1.05, yielding the sequence $100.00, 105.00, 110.25, 115.76, 121.55, and so on (all figures are rounded to the nearest cent).1 On paper, at least, the growth is impressive; alas, inflation will soon dampen whatever excitement one might have derived from this growth!
A transdisciplinary model to inform randomized clinical trial methods for electronic cigarette evaluation.

This study is a systematic evaluation of a novel tobacco product, electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) using a two-site, four-arm, 6-month, parallel-group randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a follow-up to 9 months. Virginia Commonwealth University is the primary site and Penn State University is the secondary site. This RCT design is important because it is informed by analytical work, clinical laboratory results, and qualitative/quantitative findings regarding the specific ECIG products used. Participants (N = 520) will be randomized across sites and must be healthy smokers of >9 cigarettes for at least one year, who have not had a quit attempt in the prior month, are not planning to quit in the next 6 months, and are interested in reducing cigarette intake. Participants will be randomized into one of four 24-week conditions: a cigarette substitute that does not produce an inhalable aerosol; or one of three ECIG conditions that differ by nicotine concentration 0, 8, or 36 mg/ml. Blocked randomization will be accomplished with a 1:1:1:1 ratio of condition assignments at each site. Specific aims are to: characterize ECIG influence on toxicants, biomarkers, health indicators, and disease risk; determine tobacco abstinence symptom and adverse event profile associated with real-world ECIG use; and examine the influence of ECIG use on conventional tobacco product use. Liquid nicotine concentration-related differences on these study outcomes are predicted. Participants and research staff in contact with participants will be blinded to the nicotine concentration in the ECIG conditions. Results from this study will inform knowledge concerning ECIG use as well as demonstrate a model that may be applied to other novel tobacco products. The model of using prior empirical testing of ECIG devices should be considered in other RCT evaluations. TRN: NCT02342795 , registered December 16, 2014.
High Erythrocyte Distribution Values and Possibilities of Hemoglobinopathies

Patients with hemoglobinopathies were observed to have high erythrocyte distribution widths. In a representative study of 800 patients, 31% of patients with high erythrocyte distribution widths were observed to have hemoglobinopathies by hemoglobin electrophoresis. The potential of erythrocyte distribution width as a means of incidental detection of hemoglobinopathies is discussed.