cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Methods for Identification of Pediatric Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock in the Virtual Pediatric Systems Database.

Objectives To compare the performance of three methods of identifying children with severe sepsis and septic shock from the Virtual Pediatric Systems database to prospective screening using consensus criteria. Design Observational cohort study. Setting Single-center PICU. Patients Children admitted to the PICU in the period between March 1, 2012, and March 31, 2014. Interventions None. Measurements and main results During the study period, all PICU patients were prospectively screened daily for sepsis, and those meeting consensus criteria for severe sepsis or septic shock on manual chart review were entered into the sepsis registry. Of 7,459 patients admitted to the PICU during the study period, 401 met consensus criteria for severe sepsis or septic shock (reference standard cohort). Within Virtual Pediatric Systems, patients identified using "Martin" (n = 970; κ = 0.43; positive predictive value = 34%; F1 = 0.48) and "Angus" International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition, Clinical Modification codes (n = 1387; κ = 0.28; positive predictive value = 22%; F1 = 0.34) showed limited agreement with the reference standard cohort. By comparison, explicit International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition, Clinical Modification codes for severe sepsis (995.92) and septic shock (785.52) identified a smaller, more accurate cohort of children (n = 515; κ = 0.61; positive predictive value = 57%; F1 = 0.64). PICU mortality was 8% in the reference standard cohort and the cohort identified by explicit codes; age, illness severity scores, and resource utilization did not differ between groups. Analysis of discrepancies between the reference standard and Virtual Pediatric Systems explicit codes revealed that prospective screening missed 66 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. After including these patients in the reference standard cohort as an exploratory analysis, agreement between the cohort of patients identified by Virtual Pediatric Systems explicit codes and the reference standard cohort improved (κ = 0.73; positive predictive value = 70%; F1 = 0.75). Conclusions Children with severe sepsis and septic shock are best identified in the Virtual Pediatric Systems database using explicit diagnosis codes for severe sepsis and septic shock. The accuracy of these codes and level of clinical detail available in the Virtual Pediatric Systems database allow for sophisticated epidemiologic studies of pediatric severe sepsis and septic shock in this large, multicenter database.
Relational Maintenance Strategies and Satisfaction in the Stepmother–Stepdaughter Dyad:

Existing research demonstrates the unique communication challenges faced within stepfamilies—particularly within the stepmother–stepdaughter dyad. This study examined the stepmother–stepdaughter re...
Pigmentierte villonoduläre Synovialitis Seltene Differentialdiagnose einer poplitealen Raumforderung

Die pigmentierte villonodulare Synovialitis (PVNS) ist eine Erkrankung der Gelenksynovialis, Bursen und Sehnenscheiden mit geringer Inzidenz (1,8/1 Mio. Einwohner). Atiologisch wird sowohl ein chronisch-entzundliches Geschehen als auch ein neoplastischer Ursprung diskutiert. Prognostisch und therapeutisch relevant ist die Unterteilung in die diffuse und die lokalisiert-nodulare Manifestation, deren bevorzugte und meist einzige Lokalisation das Kniegelenk ist. Auch im vorliegenden Fallbericht wird uber die monoartikulare nodulare Manifestation im Kniegelenk eines 14jahrigen Patienten berichtet. Die Erstbeschreibung der PVNS stammt von Jaffe et al. aus dem Jahre 1941 [7]. Aufgrund der geringen Inzidenz sind durch grose Fallzahlen gesicherte Aussagen zu Therapie und Prognose in der Literatur selten und betreffen retrospektiv analysierte Patientenkollektive aus grosen Zeitraumen. Gesichert ist die prognostische Relevanz der Manifestationsform (diffus oder nodular ). Klinische Leitsymptome sind meist moderate Schmerzen und Schwellungszustande des Gelenks, zum einen bedingt durch einen intraartikularen Ergus, zum anderen im fortgeschrittenem Erkrankungsstadium bedingt durch die pathologische Gewebezunahme. Die spezifische Diagnostikmethode der Wahl ist die Magnetresonanztomographie ( MRT ). Das stadien- und manifestationsorientierte Vorgehen umfast an operativen Verfahren die offene oder arthroskopische Synovektomie im Falle der diffusen Erscheinungsform, die lokale Tumorexstirpation bei nodularem Befall, weiter bei fortgeschrittener Erkrankung die Gelenkresektion mit Arthrodese oder Prothesenersatz.
Circumstances surrounding gun violence with youths in an urban setting.

Abstract Background Our pediatric trauma center has noted an increase in the occurrence of gunshot wounds in children. We aimed to understand the circumstances surrounding these injuries in order to provide targeted injury prevention methodologies. Methods A retrospective review was performed on patients who presented with a gunshot wound to our Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and two neighboring Adult Trauma Centers between 2013 and 2017. Results Three hundred twenty-six patients (6 months to 18 years) were treated for gunshot wounds. Patients were African American (86%), Caucasian (9%), and other races (5%). Eight zip-codes were identified as high-risk, accounting for 52% of patients. Most injuries (86%) were from powder firearms. Known circumstances (n = 275) included drive-by shootings (47%), unlocked guns (19%), crime related (13%), altercation between adolescents (7%), cross-fire from adult altercation (6%), home invasion (6%), and suicide attempts (2%). There was a progressive increase of 50% over the last 4 years. The increase in incidence was predominantly from an increase in drive-by shootings; however, the incidence of injuries from unlocked guns has remained relatively constant per year. Mortality was 6%. Conclusion Identifying high-risk zones for drive-by shootings and other crimes is critical for developing system-focused interventions. Zip-code data stratified by age and circumstances, will allow for targeted community outreach on gun safety education, in an effort to reduce the incidence of injuries from unlocked guns. Level of Evidence Prognostic and Epidemiologic study, Level III.
Putting antimicrobial resistance in the corner

Transgenic corn expressing anti-inflammatory antibodies presents a new avenue for mitigation of the enteric disease coccidiosis, providing new possibilities for antimicrobial-free management of poultry diseases.
Design and Construction of Automated Electroluminescent Imaging System for Solar Cell Series Resistance Analyses

The Electroluminescence technique (ELIT) is used to characterize the spatial uniformity of the series resistance of a solar cell. When current is applied across the metal contacts, a solar cell operates analogously to LED. The image of the illuminated solar cell is captured via a Pentax K100D camera and sent wirelessly using a Wi-Fi SD card to a local computer. The captured image is displayed on the computer terminal, then the image is used for the qualitative evaluation of the series resistance is then obtained by the image processing tools in MATLAB for it to be displayed on the GUI. The primary advantages of the system are its low cost, automation, and simplicity. This EL system aims to measure within 5 percent accuracy of an I-V testing device at a fraction of the cost.
Disability accommodation experiences of social work students in the United States

Social work students with disabilities navigate accommodations as part of their post-secondary education, but there is still limited research about how they use and access program and campus suppor...
Conversion of a Bi–Sn complex to Bi nanoparticles for the enhancement of V(II)/V(III) redox kinetics

In this work, evidence for ligand formation between Sn and Bi during the colloidal synthesis of Bi metal nanoparticles (NP) in an aqueous suspension is provided utilizing time-resolved X-ray absorption and 119Sn Mossbauer spectroscopy. SnCl3− is used simultaneously as a reducing agent and stabilizing agent. Auto-reducible complex formation between Sn and Bi using this approach has not been previously reported. A distorted pyramidal Bi–SnCl3− complex is found to form on the surface of the Bi metal NP which enables its incorporation into electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) assemblies of graphene nanoplatelets. These assemblies are shown to act as a bifunctional electrocatalyst to simultaneously suppress capacitance loss associated with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and enhance the activity of the V3+ ↔ V2+ redox couple. Sustainable aqueous-based colloidal synthesis of Bi metal NPs utilizing SnCl3− surface ligands provides a convenient method to introduce Bi into macroscopic electrodes for various electrochemical applications.
Activation of GPR37 in macrophages confers protection against infection-induced sepsis and pain-like behaviour in mice

GPR37 was discovered more than two decades ago, but its biological functions remain poorly understood. Here we report a protective role of GPR37 in multiple models of infection and sepsis. Mice lacking Gpr37 exhibited increased death and/or hypothermia following challenge by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Listeria bacteria, and the mouse malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. Sepsis induced by LPS and Listeria in wild-type mice is protected by artesunate (ARU) and neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1), but the protective actions of these agents are lost in Gpr37-/- mice. Notably, we found that ARU binds to GPR37 in macrophages and promotes phagocytosis and clearance of pathogens. Moreover, ablation of macrophages potentiated infection, sepsis, and their sequelae, whereas adoptive transfer of NPD1- or ARU-primed macrophages reduced infection, sepsis, and pain-like behaviors. Our findings reveal physiological actions of ARU in host cells by activating macrophages and suggest that GPR37 agonists may help to treat sepsis, bacterial infections, and malaria.
Kahn’s Mathematical Style, in His June, 1931 Multiplier Article in the Economic Journal, Is Identical to Keynes’ Style of Presenting Mathematical Results Starting in 1921 in the A Treatise on Probability

The manner in which R. Kahn presented his mathematical results on the multiplier in the Economic Journal of June, 1931, is identical to the style of presenting mathematical results used by Keynes to present his mathematical analysis starting with the A Treatise on Probability in 1921. Keynes’s style was to present only the initial statement of the problem and the main, final results. Keynes assumed that the mathematically interested reader would have sufficient training to be able to work backwards from the final result that he had given to the intermediate steps. A mathematically trained reader would finally arrive at the initial conditions that had been set up to specify what the problem was. This style is in contrast to all of the other presentations made by Kahn, who would incorporate intermediate steps. The only conclusion which is possible is that Keynes, who was the editor of the EJ and probably the referee of Kahn’s paper, showed Kahn his analysis from the A Treatise on Probability in 1921 dealing with the problem of taking the limit of a geometrical series of declining, infinite numbers, so as to arrive at a finite sum for the series. The only difference between Kahn and Keynes is that Kahn uses the variable k, whereas Keynes used the variable q. Nowhere in his 1931 article does Kahn present any technical explanation of how he arrives at the limit value or provide any of the needed, intermediate steps required in order to arrive at the finite answer.
Low Temperature Bonding with Wafer Level Nanocrystalline Cu Film

Low temperature bonding of wafers with thin nanocrystalline metal film was a critical method on wafer-to-wafer bonding. This paper had finished the thin nanocrystalline Cu films wafer level bonding at 150 °C for 1 h under a contact force of 75 kN, and the average bonding energy was 11.94 J/m2. The nanocrystalline Cu could be helpful for low temperature bonding and strong bonding energy was practically calculated by blade test.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and the Patient with Obesity

Patients with obesity who present with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) require a nuanced approach. Those with lower body mass index (BMI) (less than 33) can be counseled on weight loss, and if successful may be approached with laparoscopic fundoplication. Those who are unable to achieve weight loss or those who present with a BMI greater than or equal to 35 should proceed with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). Conversion to LRYGB from sleeve gastrectomy is a safe and effective way to manage GERD after sleeve gastrectomy.
Recent Advances in Sensitized Solar Cells

Understanding the principal physical and chemical factors that govern or limit cell performance is critical for underpinning the development of next-generation sensitized solar cells. Recent studies of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) covering nanoporous (pore diameter <100 nm) one-dimensional TiO2 nanostructured arrays and molecular voltage enhancers are discussed. Films constructed of oriented one-dimensional nanostructures, such as nanotube arrays, which are aligned perpendicularly to the charge-collecting substrate, could potentially improve the charge-collection efficiency by promoting faster transport and/or slower recombination. The extent to which transport or recombination could be affected by an oriented architecture is expected to depend on the influence of other mechanistic factors, such as the density and location of defects, crystallinity, and film uniformity. Orientational disorder within the nanotube array could also influence the transport and recombination kinetics. Such architectural disorder in titanium dioxide films is shown to have a strong influence on the transport, recombination, and light-harvesting properties of DSSCs. The mechanism by which molecular adsorbents alter the photovoltage of DSSCs is dependent on the properties of the adsorbent. In principle, an adsorbent could affect the photovoltage by either altering the recombination rate of photoelectrons in TiO2 with oxidized redox species in the electrolyte or inducing band-edge movement. The net effect of altering the band positions and recombination kinetics can either improve or diminish cell performance. The mechanisms by which several molecular adsorbents increase the photovoltage of DSSCs are discussed.
Systematic Outpatient Screening for the Elderly: Care of the Vulnerable Elderly Practice Improvement Module to Assess Resident Care of Older Adults

OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility of using the American Board of Internal Medicine Care of the Vulnerable Elderly Practice Improvement Module (CoVE PIM) in an internal medicine residency program and to assess aggregate resident documentation of geriatric screening in continuity clinics. DESIGN: Needs assessment chart review for single-site pre-/postintervention study. SETTING: Internal medicine resident primary care continuity clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-seven postgraduate year (PGY)-1 and PGY-2 internal medicine residents. MEASUREMENTS: Completion rate and time of CoVE PIM chart review, CoVE PIM user difficulty, and aggregate percentage of charts documenting geriatric screening measures. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of residents completed the CoVE PIM in an average of 47 minutes (range 30–90 minutes); 72% of resident surveys rated the CoVE PIM as easy to use. Residents demonstrated very good documentation of chronic medical conditions, smoking status, height, weight, and blood pressure and poor documentation of falls and fall risk, hearing assessment, postural hypotension, balance, rigidity, bradykinesia, home safety assessment, seat belt counseling, code status, and surrogate decision-maker. CONCLUSION: The CoVE PIM can be used to assess aggregate resident performance of geriatric screening measures. In resident clinics, general adult screening performed by nurses is well documented, whereas geriatric-specific screening performed by physicians is poorly documented.
Gender, Masculinity, Femininity, and Help Seeking in College

The current academic performance struggles of college men is gaining increasing research attention (Sax, 2008a, 2008b), but few studies have explored the possible impact of gender-related attributes such as masculinity and femininity on academic help-seeking behaviors and academic performance. In this study of 567 college undergraduates, students who classified themselves as androgynous on the Bem Sex-Role Inventory were more likely to engage in academic help-seeking behaviors than those classified as male sex-typed, female sex-typed, and undifferentiated. No significant differences were found for academic performance. These results highlight the importance of exploring the potential influence of gender-related constructs on academic behavior and performance.
A Punishment on the Nation: An Iowa Soldier Endures the Civil War

Review of: "A Punishment on the Nation: An Iowa Soldier Endures the Civil War," edited by Brian Craig Miller, part of the "Civil War in the North" series.
The Amplification of Credit Market Disruptions by Interbank Relationships

I characterize cosyndication relationships between lead banks and syndicate participants and identify their effects on borrowing capacity during the recent financial crisis. Cosyndication relationships are persistent and reduce bank-bank information asymmetries as measured by retained share. Consistent with the moral hazard in monitoring problem between lead and participant banks, I find that the effect of financial shocks to lead banks is concentrated among borrowers whose lead banks relied more heavily on cosyndication relationships to fund their loans. This result suggests that cosyndication relationships amplify credit market disruptions, providing microfoundations for the connection between interbank linkages and systemic risk.
Altered microsome function during acute thioacetamide poisoning.

The effects of the hepatotoxin and carcinogen, thioacetamide, on several hepatic mixed-function oxidases and the microsomal cytochrome content were examined following a single challenge with the toxin. Most of the metabolic pathways tested were deranged early in the course of the intoxication, and remained thus during the entire week of observation. The hepatic content of cytochromes P-450 and b 5 decreased; the activities of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, N -demethylase, N -oxidase, and lipid peroxidase also declined. NADPH2-neotetrazolium reductase activity diminished later, and to a lesser degree, than the above activities. Comparison of these changes with those observed following either carbon tetrachloride administration or partial surgical hepatectomy revealed several differences in the patterns of the responses. Results were obtained which suggest that the formation of formaldehyde and N,N -dimethylaniline N -oxide from N,N -dimethylaniline may proceed by separate and distinct pathways.
Distributed linear antenna array pattern performance enhancement

Knowing the variation in array factor pattern performance due to relative element mis-positioning of a distributed linear array, work is performed to utilize a minimum variance adaptive array processing method to minimize the effects of the element mis-positioning. The extent of array factor performance enhancement is demonstrated for a linear distributed array design where the unique input to the enhancement algorithm is only the element position information.
Size dependent magnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles

Abstract γFe2O3 nanoparticles has been synthesized by a combination of chemical and ultrasonication procedure and further stabilized with surfactant. Their magnetic properties are compared with the different fractions (10–12, 20–30, 100–150 nm) of commercially available iron oxide. The sizes obtained from the scanning transmission electron micrographs are correlated with the magnetic properties of the particles.
Magneto-hydrodynamic damping of convection during vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger growth of HgCdTe

In order to quantify the effects of convection on segregation, Hg(0.8)Cd(0.2)Te crystals were grown by the vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger method in the presence of an applied axial magnetic field of 50 kG. The influence of convection, by magneto-hydrodynamic damping, on mass transfer in the melt and segregation at the solid-liquid interface was investigated by measuring the axial and radial compositional variations in the grown samples. The reduction of convective mixing in the melt through the application of the magnetic field is found to decrease radial segregation to the diffusion-limited regime. It was also found that the suppression of the convective cell near the solid-liquid interface results in an increase in the slope of the diffusion-controlled solute boundary layer, which can lead to constitutional supercooling.
Maternal-Child Dyads of Functioning: the Intergenerational Impact of Violence Against Women on Children

Violence against women is a global epidemic with potential consequences of injury, illness, and death. Children exposed to the violence may also be impacted with functional impairments. Little is known of the inter-generational impact of violence experienced by the mother from an intimate partner on functioning of her children. No dyad analysis was found in the literature. To examine the inter-generational impact of violence against women on the behavioral functioning of children, 300 mothers reporting intimate partner abuse and one randomly chosen child, age 18 months to 16 years of age; were evaluated for borderline and clinical diagnostic levels of problem behaviors. Linear, Logistic, and Ordinal regression models were applied. Mothers' problem behavior scores were significantly related to children's problem behavior scores (internalizing r = 0.611, externalizing r = 0.494, total problems r = 0.662, all ps < 0.001). Mothers who reported clinical and borderline clinical internalized problems (i.e., depression, anxiety) were 7 times more likely to have children with the same problems and mothers with borderline clinical and clinical external problems (i.e., aggression, hostility) were 4.5 times more likely to have children with the same external problems. These dyadic analyses provide evidence of a direct relationship of maternal functioning on child behavioral functioning. Intervention strategies to decrease internalizing maternal behavioral problems, such as depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder, and/or externalizing problems, such as hostility and aggression, can be expected to have a pass through, secondary impact on the behavioral functioning of children. Awareness of the relationship between intimate partner violence against mothers and child behavioral function can support interventions that decrease the distress experienced by mothers and their children, interrupt intergenerational transmission of abusive behaviors, and promote better maternal child functioning.
Validity of the Discrimination Index as a Measure of Item Quality.

Numerous writers have suggested that the discrimination index may be helpful in identifying faulty test items. The purpose of this study was to investigate systematically the validity of the index for this purpose. To attain this objective, two forms of an arithmetic-reasoning test were written. In each form, the items were designed to vary in quality with respect to nine item-writing principles, and on the basis of the responses of 364 examinees, a discrimination index was computed for each item. Next, the items were rated independently for quality by three judges who used a check list of the nine item-writing principles. The average of their ratings for each item was used as the criterion for determining the validity of the indices. The results indicate that the discrimination index is a moderately valid measure of item quality. The implications of this finding are discussed. In formal test-construction projects, drafts of test items usually are administered to samples of examinees representative of those with whom the items ultimately are to be used. On the basis of the examinees' responses, the correlation coefficient between the dichotomy of marking or not marking the keyed choice and a criterion variable (usually total score on the test in which the item is included) often is computed. This coefficient commonly is called the discrimination index. Many methods for computing the index have been proposed, and the merits and deficiencies of the various methods as well as their relationships to each other and to overall-test characteristics have received a great deal of attention in the literature. Regardless of the specific computational technique employed, numerous writers suggest that items that discriminate poorly should be inspected closely for possible deficiencies (e.g., Anastasi, 1968; Davis, 1949). This suggestion stems from the fact that the presence or absence of faults logically should affect values of the discrimination index. For example, an ambiguity in the stem of an item may lead some examinees to mark incorrect choices even though they have considerable knowledge and skill. The correlation between marking or not marking the keyed choice to such an item and ability on an independent criterion measure, therefore, should be lower than it would be for a similar item without an ambiguity. Of course, only faults that actually change the examinee's behavior from what it otherwise would be logically will lead to lower discrimination index values. All the faults incorporated in the experimental items in this study were, in this writer's opinion, of this nature.
Global-Scale Disturbances and Dynamic Similarity

Abstract Terms in the linearized primitive equations for a generally baroclinic atmosphere are evaluated for their significance in maintaining balance for global-scale disturbances. For gravity waves, the linearized advection term v′˙∇ reduces to the vertical component, but for Rossby waves, apparently both components are of primary order. Both wind shear terms are shown to be small for the Rossby case. As a by-product of the scaling developed, the traditional viscous and thermal diffusion terms are reduced to simple forms. The disturbance energy equation is developed for the general basic state, and the influence that the approximations have on its balance is evaluated.
C′2ad, an inactive derivative of C′2 released during decay of EAC′4,2a

Abstract By use of an immunologic neutralization-competition test with rabbit antiguinea-pig C′2, it has been found that decay of EAC′4,2a is accompanied by release of an inactive C′2 derivative, designated C′2a d . At 20°, 30° and 37°, the rate of release was essentially the same as the rate of hemolytic decay. In zone electrophoresis on Pevikon, at pH 8·6, or in disc electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel, C′2a d migrated faster that C′2. On filtration through Sephadex, G-100, C′2a d moved slowly that C′2, the respective diffusion constants being 5·2 and 3·9 × 10 −7 cm 2 /sec. On ultracentrifugation in a sucrose density gradient, C′2a d sedimented more slowly than C′2, the apparent sedimentation constants being 4·3–4·7 and 5·5, respectively. From these data, molecular weights of 130, 000 and 81, 000, and frictional ratios of 1·60 and 1·42, have been calculated for C′2 and C′2a d , respectively. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the fixation of C′2 to SAC′4 by transferase action of C′1a is accompanied by cleavage of C′2.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and fatty acid composition of milk, curd and Grana Padano cheese in conventional and organic farming systems.

CLA levels and fatty acid composition were measured to compare the fat composition in organic bulk milk, destined to the production of Grana Padano cheese, with those produced by conventional system. The curds and Grana Padano cheeses were also analysed to evaluate the effects of the production technology on the CLA content. All analysed organic samples were characterized by higher annual means of CLA, vaccenic acid (TVA) and linolenic acid (LNA) in comparison with conventional samples (with P<0·05). Nevertheless, no particular effect of the production technology was seen on the CLA content. The animal diet appears to be the factor which has the highest effect on the CLA concentration in milk and milk products and an organic diet based on fresh or dried forage, that is rich in CLA precursory fatty acids, may improve the yield of fatty acids with beneficial effects on health.
Healthcare Product Procurement in Dual Supplied Systems

Abstract In this study we consider supplier selection and quantity allocation decisions for a health care provider/hospital that may purchase new products, as well as refurbished products. New products are more expensive than the used ones, but can be delivered any time and in any quantity. Refurbished products have the same quality, but they are sold in bundles. If the hospital accepts to purchase a specific bundle, it purchases the whole package, which may involve products it does not use or the quantities exceeding its need. The solution of the problem suggests that if the cost of excess inventory is high relative to the cost of understocking, the firm tends to rely on purchases through spot market. Which products are bundled at what quantity would also determine the attractiveness of the bundle. If some bundles involve items with positively correlated demand rate, this would make these bundles more attractive to the hospital, since it reduces the cost of over/under stocking.
Blindness Following Facial Fracture: Treatment Modalities and Outcomes

Blindness is an uncommon, yet documented complication of facial trauma. Numerous case studies, series, and retrospective analyses have been published, with a reported incidence around 3%. Hippocrates first noted the association between maxillofacial trauma and blindness; millennia later, this was expounded upon by Berlin, who discovered such trauma may directly lead to fracturing of the optic canal. As diagnostic modalities such as computed tomographic scanning evolved, particularly over the past few decades, more specific, in-depth reports analyzing maxillofacial trauma and subsequent sequelae have emerged. It is the goal of this article to examine the current literature for those publications that have addressed the issue of blindness following facial trauma (including operative interventions) and create a concise review for maxillofacial surgeons.
Fate and effects of polydimethylsiloxanes on pilot and bench-top activated sludge reactors and anaerobic/aerobic digesters

Abstract The effect of polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) on bench-scale activated sludge reactors and pilot-scale anaerobic and aerobic digesters was investigated, and a mass balance was performed using radiolabeled PDMS. Polydimethylsiloxane loadings of up to 10,000 mg kg −1 dry weight of MLVSS had no effect on the maximum specific substrate utilization rate, half-saturation constant, endogenous decay coefficient, and cell yield in model activated sludge units. In addition, the operating parameters pH, suspended solids, sludge volume index, and specific oxygen uptake rate showed no difference between PDMS-loaded and control systems. A mass balance, in which 14 C-labeled PDMS was added to bench-scale activated sludge systems, showed that essentially all of the PDMS partitioned onto the microbial biomass. Pilot-scale aerobic and anaerobic digesters loaded with 100 mg kg −1 PDMS showed no difference in pH and solids concentrations compared to control systems. In addition, PDMS-loaded aerobic digesters exhibited oxygen uptake rates equal to control systems; PDMS-loaded anaerobic digesters produced the same amount of gas as control digesters. These results show that PDMS behaves as an inert material with no significant effect on wastewater treatment processes (other than the expected benefit of foam control).
Kinetics of the reaction of carbon dioxide with secondary amines in polyethylene glycol

Abstract The kinetics of the CO2 reaction with the secondary amines diethanolamine and diisopropanolamine were determined in the organic solvent polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 400. The zwitterion mechanism was used to interpret the reaction kinetics. The steady-state approximation applied to the reactive zwitterion intermediate for this mechanism was investigated and found to be valid for the range of parameters of this study. A wetted-sphere gas—liquid contacting device was used for gas absorption experiments, which were analyzed to give the reaction kinetics. Experiments were performed over the temperature range 20–40°C. The results were correlated by an Arrhenius expression for temperature dependence.
Tennessee's Inter-Basin Water Transfer Act: a changing water policy agenda

The Inter-Basin Water Transfer Act requires Tennessee's public water providers whose rights are secured by eminent domain to acquire a permit for surface or groundwater withdrawals that are diverted outside their basin of origin and may adversely affect surface water flow. It bolsters rights of riparian users, regulates water quantities diverted and returned, and mandates consideration of alternatives to diversion. Public providers must register annual withdrawals and the state can protect deficit-ridden areas. I analyze the evolution of this novel law; the role of in-state and external threats reflecting larger regional trends in its passage; the role of a University research group, other stakeholders, and legislative negotiations in its passage; and the Act's lessons and significance for the future of American water policy. I conclude that the Act represents an important policy agenda change in response to perceived threats and new information on the vulnerability of the state's water.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Nephropathy: Current Concepts

A distinct form of renal disease has been described in patients at various stages of HIV infection that is becoming increasingly important as a cause of morbidity and mortality. Black race and intravenous drug abuse appear to predispose one to its development. The HIV-associated nephropathy is characterized by nephrotic-range proteinuria, rapid progression to end-stage renal disease, a diffuse sclerosing glomerulopathy with significant tubulo interstitial disease seen on light microscopy, and tubuloreticular inclusions seen via electron microscopy. The entity can be separated from heroin-associated nephropathy. The pathogenesis is unclear. Possibilities include direct invasion of the virus, effects of other viruses, genetic factors, immune factors, and multiple growth factors. Not all patients with HIV infection and renal disease have HIV-associated nephropathy. Because of prognostic and therapeutic implications, it is crucial to differentiate these lesions. Some reports suggest a possible beneficial effect of zidovudine therapy, but more study is required. Patient survival is dependent on the stage of HIV infection. Dialysis therapy does not appear to substantially prolong life in most patients with AIDS and irreversible renal failure. Therefore, a number of ethical issues have arisen that deal with medical futility.
MULTIPLE CRITERIA APPROACH AND GENERATION OF EFFICIENT ALTERNATIVES FOR MACHINE-PART FAMILY FORMATION IN GROUP TECHNOLOGY

Multiple Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) seeks to find one or several satisfactory alternatives among a set of possible alternatives. In this paper, for the first time, we develop a multiple criteria decision-making approach for solving the machine-part cell formation problem when there are conflicting objectives. The objectives are to: maximize the machine utilization rate (to have a higher productivity rate), minimize the number of duplicated machines (to have a lower cost and space requirement), and minimize the number of exceptional elements (to have a lower inter-flow traffic among cells). Our approach can be modified to consider other objectives as desired. To find the most preferred alternative to this problem, we develop an approach for generating all efficient (non-dominated) alternatives and then select the most preferred alternative from this set. Our approach consists of three steps: (i) generating a seed alternative for each given number of cells; (ii) generating all non-dominated alternatives for each given seed alternative; and (iii) evaluating all generated non-dominated alternatives to find the most preferred alternative. The relationships among alternatives and objectives are discussed. An example is solved to demonstrate the details of the proposed approach. Some experimental results solving several problems selected from the literature are also presented.
The Koteljanskii inequalities for mixed matrices

Recently, a new class of matrices, called mixed matrices, that unifies the Z-matrices and symmetric matrices has been identified. They share the property that when the leading principal minors are positive, all principal minors are positive. It is natural to ask what other properties of M-matrices and positive definite matrices are enjoyed by mixed matrices as well. Here, we show that mixed P-matrices satisfy a broad family of determinantal inequalities, the Koteljanskii inequalities, previously known for those two classes. In the process, other properties of mixed matrices are developed, and consequences of the Koteljanskii inequalities are given.
Effects of brush seal morphology on leakage and pressure drops

Research on brush seals which was undertaken earlier by Braun et al. (1990) is continued. Particular attention is given to the effects of brush positioning, design, and morphology on sealing surfaces, fluid leakage, and associated pressure drops. It is found that both the structure and the design of the brush are important to its performance. High resistance to the flow of the brush/fence combination can result in catastrophic failure of the brush, while at lower flow resistances, the failure is more gradual.
PGD12 Cost of Prescription Drugs And Cost of Treatment Failure for Sinusitis

This study shows the cost of drug treatment failure, illustrating the need for initial treatment success with proper drug choice and compliance. OBJECTIVE:This study examines the cost of prescription drugs used in the treatment of sinusitis and the cost of treatment failure. Economic costs are strong incentives to treat a disease effectively, reducing relapses and antibiotic resistance. METHODS:The Idaho Medicaid database was used to analyze drug costs. The data was divided into 2 groups, a less than 15 but more than 1 year old group labeled Group 1. Group 2 consisted of patients 15 or more than 15 years old. The treatment was considered a failure when a patient returned within 30 days of a physician visit. Thus all treatment failures could be captured. RESULTS:There were 15,568 patients (9.8%) who had at least one diagnosis of sinusitis, comprising 36.2% males and 63.8% females. The total cost of prescription drugs was $529,065. For Group 1, the total cost of drugs for the first episode was $182,499 written for 6,594 patients. Of these, 450 patients had a treatment failure, costing $17,365, of which Amoxicillin Tr/Pot. Clav. accounted for 31% of drug cost. For Group 2, the total cost of drugs for the first episode was $264,030 written for 7,107 patients. Of these, 592 patients had a treatment failure, costing $37,183. Amoxicillin Tr/Pot. Clav. accounted for 22.3% of drug cost for treatment failure. CONCLUSION:The results show that more expensive drugs are used for treatment failure. This is an incentive for ensuring that a treatment succeeds with proper selection and compliance of drug therapy.
Circadian and Ovarian Influences on Tissue Glycogen in Female Rats

Influences of circadian rhythm and ovarian cycles upon the glycogen content of heart, liver, fast twitch red muscle, and fast twitch white muscle were studied in female rats, weighing between 150–300 g. Red vastus muscle demonstrated a significant circadian rhythm during estrus and metestrus, with peak glycogen levels at 0800 h and nadirs at 2400 h. When the data were expressed only as a function of time of day, a significant ultradian rhythm existed, with highs at 0800 and 2000 h and lows at 1200 and 2400 h. White vastus muscle demonstrated a circadian rhythm during estrus, metestrus, and diestrus. Fluctuations ranged from 7.75 mg/g (0800 h) to 2.75 mg/g (2000 h). Myocardial circadian rhythms existed during estrus and metestrus, with peak glycogen concentrations occurring during metestrus (7.23 mg/g at 0800 h) and low concentrations occurring during estrus (3.0 mg/g at 2000 h). Hepatic glycogen content demonstrated circadian rhythms throughout all phases of the estrus cycle. The most dramatic fluctuation...
World Bank lending and deforestation: A cross-national analysis

The article presents a cross-national analysis that tests hypotheses drawn from dependency theory that poor nations undergoing World Bank investment and structural adjustment loans tend to have hig...
Two-phase ozonation of hazardous organics in single and multicomponent systems

Abstract The destruction of pentachlorophenol (PCP), oxalic acid, chlorendic acid, and a mixture of pentachlorophenol, 1,3-dichlorobenzene (DCB), and trichloroethylene (TCE) were studied using a two-phase ozonation system. A two-phase ozonation system consists of water containing the pollutant and a second solvent phase which houses the ozone. The solvent phase is an inert fluorinated hydrocarbon (FC40) that is nonpolar and reusable. The solvent phase is desirable because it has a high ozone stability (k = 0.0033 min−1) and an ozone solubility of 120 mg/L at 25°C, 10 times that of water. In addition to an enhanced oxidation rate of PCP, less ozone was utilized. At high pH (10.3), a first-order rate constant of 200 min−1 in the two-phase system was found for PCP degradation compared to kapp = 0.154 min−1 in a single aqueous-phase system. Within 15 s, the concentration of PCP (100 mg/L initially) was degraded more than 90%, and 100% dechlorination was obtained with longer reaction times. This system also demonstrated the ability to selectively oxidize PCP while in the presence of free radical scavengers existing in the water phase. PCP was also successfully oxidized using actual wastwater which contained alkalinity, hardness, many inorganics, and trace hazardous organics. Oxalic acid, an intermediate formed during the degradation of PCP, was also degraded by two-phase ozonation. Preliminary work with chlorendic acid showed that two-phase ozonation was faster than single aqueous-phase ozonation at dechlorinating the compound. TCE and DCB degraded slightly faster when PCP was added to the mxture, possibly due to the production of other radicals during the oxidation of PCP.
The infrared spectrum of NH3-dn trapped in solid neon

Abstract The infrared spectra of normal and deuterium-enriched Ne:NH 3 =1600:1 deposits at 4.3 K have been observed, and the structure associated with almost all of the vibrational fundamentals has been assigned. Although the most prominent absorptions arise from the ground-state J =0 level(s), incomplete nuclear-spin equilibration enhances the contribution of absorptions arising from the ground-state J =1 levels. As had been proposed in an earlier study, the inversion splitting for the ν 2 fundamental is appreciably reduced from that observed for the gas-phase molecule, and the rotational structure associated with the J =1 levels of the vibrationally excited molecule is somewhat perturbed. Ammonia is trapped in two different types of site in solid neon. Matrix shifts from the corresponding gas-phase absorptions amount to only a few cm −1 , and are smaller than those previously reported for ammonia trapped in an argon matrix.
Cancer navigation: opportunities and challenges for facilitating the breast cancer journey

Cancer navigation programs help patients overcome emotional, financial, and logistical challenges not typically addressed by the medical system. In this paper, we provide a detailed description of a rural cancer navigation organization, specifically detailing the roles collaboration and technology play in supporting navigation work. Examining navigation from a CSCW perspective, we see that navigation is a collaborative care system requiring coordination with patients, providers, and other navigators. Our study reveals a number of design opportunities for supporting navigation in the areas of resource monitoring, knowledge transfer, case management, long term navigation, and development of best practices. Supporting cancer navigation will be a critical step towards improving the healthcare experience for cancer patients.
The effect of androgen, estrogen, and growth factors on the proliferation of cultured fibroblasts derived from human fetal and adult prostates.

Stromal enlargement plays a key role in the development of benign prostatic hypertrophy in humans. Human prostatic fibroblasts were obtained from fetal and adult prostates and characterized as to their androgen and estrogen receptor status and growth in response to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol (E2), hydroxyflutamide (OH-FLU), hydrocortisone, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). In addition, the ability of hormones and growth factors to induce the messenger RNA (mRNA) for the c-fos protooncogene was assessed as a measure of the early, direct effects of these compounds on cellular proliferation. Nuclear androgen receptors were demonstrable by immunocytochemistry in both fetal and adult cells. Nuclear estrogen receptor staining was negative. Neither E2 nor hydrocortisone increased cellular proliferation. Both EGF and bFGF did increase cellular growth. DHT (10(-8)-10(-7) M) had a significant stimulatory effect on cell growth only in serum-free media. OH-FLU additio...
Structuring organizations for the future: analyzing and managing change

This paper integrates two different areas, namely the structure of future organizations and the role of OD in that environment. The paper briefly traces the forces in the environment that are impacting business organizations and the likely structures of future organizations. The changing role of OD in being relevant to these future structures is discussed. Specific areas OD needs to address are also highlighted.
PARSING WITH LOGICAL VARIABLES

Logic based programming systems have enjoyed an increasing popularity in applied AI work in the last few years. One of the contributions to Computational Linguistics made by the Logic Programming Paradigm has been the Definite Clause Grammar. In comparing DCG's with previous parsing mechanisms such as ATN's, certain clear advantages are seen. We feel that the most important of these advantages are due to the use of Logical Variables with Unification as the fundamental operation on them. To illustrate the power of the Logical Variable, we have implemented an experimental ATN system which treats ATN registers as Logical Variables and provides a unification operation over them. We would like to simultaneously encourage the use of the powerful mechanisms available in DCG's, and demonstrate that some of these techniques can be captured without reference to a resolution theorem prover.